[Objective] This study was conducted to assess the effects of ellagic acid on growth performance, antioxidant function and intestinal barrier function in mice fed aflatoxin-containing diets. [Method] A total of 30 healthy female Kunming mice weighted 18 to 22 g were randomly assigned into a control group, a toxin group or an ellagic acid treatment group, with 10 mice in each group. The control group fed a basal diet, the toxin group fed the basal diet containing 250 μg/kg aflatoxin, and the ellagic acid treatment group fed the basal diet supplemented with 250 μg/kg aflatoxin and 100 mg/kg ellagic acid. The feeding experiment lasted for 35 days. The mice were individually weighed at the beginning and end of the experiment, and the weight gain were calculated. At the end of the experiment, the blood samples of the mice were collected with ophthalmectomy. The serum antioxidant indexes such as total superoxide dismutase （T-SOD） activity, total antioxidant capacity （T-AOC） and malondialdehyde （MDA） content as well as the intestinal barrier function indexes such as diamine oxidase （DAO） activity and D-lactic acid content were determined by using ELISA assay. The jejunal tissue samples of the mice were collected to prepare paraffin section. The morphological structure of jejunal mucosa, jejunal villus height and jejunal crypt depth were observed with HE staining, and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth was calculated. [Result] The final body weight and the weight gain of toxin group were extremely significantly （P<0.01） lower than control group. While the final body weight of ellagic acid treatment group was not significantly （P>0.05） different from toxin group, the weight gain of ellagic acid treatment group was extremely significantly （P<0.01） higher than toxin group. Toxin group had significantly （P<0.05） decreased serum T-AOC activity and extremely significantly （P<0.01） reduced serum T-SOD activity in comparison to toxin group. Ellagic acid treatment group had extremely significantly （P<0.01） elevated serum T-SOD activity compared with toxin group, while no significant （P>0.05） difference in serum T-AOC activity was found between these two groups. An extremely significantly （P<0.01） higher serum MDA content was observed in toxin group than control group, and an extremely significantly （P<0.01） lower serum MDA content was observed in ellagic acid treatment group than toxin group. Toxin group had extremely significantly （P<0.01） higher serum DAO activity and D-lactic acid content compared with control group. Ellagic acid treatment group had significantly （P<0.05） reduced serum DAO activity compared with toxin group,while no significant （P>0.05） difference in serum D-lactic acid content was found between these two groups. The jejunal villi and crypt of the mice in control group exhibited complete morphology, and no abnormal pathological changes were observed. Serious pathological damages were observed in jejunal tissues of the mice in toxin group：the arrangement of jejunal villi was neither neat nor tight, the intervillous space enlarged and even break, and the arrangement of jejunal crypt was also not neat. The jejunal villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth of toxin group was extremely significantly （P<0.01） decreased compared with control group, while no significant （P>0.05） difference in jejunal crypt depth was found between these two groups. The mice in ellagic acid treatment group exhibited alleviated pathological damages in jejunal tissues compared with toxin group：the morphology of jejunal mucosa was basically restored to normal, the villi breakage was ameliorated, and the jejunal crypt arranged more neatly. The ellagic acid treatment group had extremely significantly （P<0.01） increased jejunal villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth than toxin group, while no significant （P>0.05） difference in jejunal crypt depth was found between these two groups. [Conclusion] Ellagic acid alleviates the damages induced by aflatoxin in mice via inhibiting the body weight reduction, enhancing serum antioxidant function and improving jejunal mucosa barrier function.

[Objective] This study aimed to assess the effects of 'QiYouNeng', a preparation of Astragalus membranaceus extracts （whole composition）, on immune function and pathological damage of the weaned piglets infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus （PRRSV）. [Method] A total of 32 PRRSV-positive 28-day-old weaned piglets were selected and randomly divided into Groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ, with 8 piglets in each group. The experiment period was 42 days. In the first and fifth weeks of the experiment, Groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ fed the basal diets supplemented with 0, 200, 500 and 1 000 g/t of 'QiYouNeng', respectively. On the first day after the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from anterior venae cavae. Real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR assay was used to determine the serum nucleic acid loads of PRRSV, and ELISA assay was employed to measure the serum levels of immunoglobulins （IgG, IgA and IgM） and cytokines （IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ）. Three piglets were chosen from each group and were dissected. Tissue samples of lungs, pulmonary hilar lymph nodes and spleens were collected and embedded in paraffin sections. Pathohistological changes were observed using HE staining, Masson's trichrome staining and immunofluorescence double-labeling staining. [Result] Compared with group Ⅰ, the serum PRRSV copy number in groups Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ was extremely significantly （P<0.01） lower, the serum levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ in groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ were extremely significantly （P<0.01） higher, the serum levels of IgG in groups Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ were extremely significantly （P<0.01） elevated, and the serum levels of IgA in groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ were significantly （P<0.05） and extremely significantly （P<0.01） increased, respectively. Pathohistological analysis demonstrated that in comparison to group Ⅰ, the damages of lungs, pulmonary hilar lymph nodes and spleens in groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ were obviously alleviated; significantly （P<0.05） as well as extremely significantly （P<0.01） elevated ratios of CD68 positive macrophages in lung tissues were observed in group Ⅱ as well as groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ, respectively; groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ had extremely significantly （P<0.01） higher ratios of CD163 positive macrophages in lung tissues and CD163/CD68. [Conclusion] Dietary supplementation of 'QiYouNeng' in the PRRSV-infected piglets exhibited the effects of reducing serum PRRSV load, enhancing immune function, and alleviating pathological damages of lung, spleen and pulmonary hilar lymph nodes, and the most obvious effect was achieved at the level of 1 000 g/t.

[Objective] This study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary supplementation of compound enzyme and probiotic preparations on growth performance, serum biochemical indices and antioxidant capacity, and small intestinal morphological development of AA broilers. [Method] A total of 480 one-day-old male AA broilers with similar weights were randomly assigned into a control group and 3 treatment groups （T1, T2, T3）. The control group fed a corn-soybean meal based diet, while the T1, T2 and T3 groups fed the same basal diets containing 0.2 g/kg compound enzyme preparation, 1 g/kg compound probiotic preparation, and 0.2 g/kg compound enzyme preparation+1 g/kg compound probiotic preparation, respectively. There were 6 replicates in each group and 20 broilers in each replicate. The feeding trial lasted for 42 days. The average daily feed intake （ADFI）, average daily gain （ADG）, and feed to gain ratio （F/G） at different growth stages （1-21 days of age, 22-42 days of age, 1-42 days of age) were calculated. On the 21^st and 42^nd day of the trial, blood samples were collected to determine the serum biochemical indices and antioxidant capacity. Samples of duodenum, jejunum and ileum were collected to prepare tissue sections. The villus height （VH） and crypt depth （CD） of each small intestinal segment was observed after HE staining, and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth （V/C） was calculated. [Result] ① Compared with the control group, significantly （P<0.05） higher weight at 21 days of age, ADFI and ADG at 1-21 days of age, and ADG at 1-42 days of age were observed in T1 and T3 groups; T1 group had significantly （P<0.05） increased ADFI at 22-42 days and 1-42 days of age, and had significantly （P<0.05) decreased F/G at 1-42 days of age; the F/G at 1-21 days, 22-42 days and 1-42 days of age in T2 group was significantly （P<0.05） reduced; T3 group had significantly （P<0.05） decreased F/G at 22-42 days and 1-42 days of age. The weight at 21 days of age as well as the ADFI and ADG at 1-21 days and 1-42 days of age in T1 and T3 groups were significantly （P<0.05） higher than those in T2 group. The F/G at 1-21 days and 22-42 days of age in T2 group was significantly （P<0.05） lower than that in T1 and T3 groups, and the F/G at 1-42 days of age in T2 group was significantly （P<0.05） lower than that in T1 group. ② Significantly （P<0.05） reduced serum TG content at 21 days and 42 days of age in T1, T2 and T3 groups was observed compared with the control group. T3 group had significantly （P<0.05） elevated serum TP content at 42 days of age than that of the control group and T2 group. T1 group had significantly （P<0.05） higher serum GLU content at 42 days of age than that of the other groups. ③ There were no significant （P>0.05） differences in serum antioxidant capacity at 21 days and 42 days of age among the 4 groups. ④ Compared with the control group, T1, T2 and T3 groups had significantly （P<0.05） lower CD and significantly （P<0.05） higher V/C of duodenum and ileum; T1 and T3 groups had significantly （P<0.05） increased VH of duodenum; T3 group had significantly （P<0.05） elevated VH of jejunum; T2 and T3 groups had significantly （P<0.05） reduced CD of jejunum. The VH and V/C of duodenum in T1 and T3 groups was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that in T2 group. The VH of jejunum in T3 group was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that in T1 and T2 groups. The CD of jejunum in T1 group was significantly （P<0.05） lower than that in T2 group. The CD of ileum in T3 group was significantly （P<0.05） lower than that in T1 group. [Conclusion] Exclusive or combined supplementation of compound enzyme and probiotic preparations in diet exhibited favorable effects on growth performance, serum biochemical indices and antioxidant capacity, and small intestinal morphological development of AA broilers. The combined supplementation showed a better comprehensive performance.

[Objective] The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of dietary supplementation of Chinese herbal medicines on nutrient apparent digestibility, serum biochemical indices and cecal microflora of broilers. [Method] The feeding experiment was carried out with a one-factor completely randomized design. A total of 576 one-day-old male healthy Kebao 505 white-feathered broilers with similar weights were randomly allocated to 8 groups （A-H）. There were 6 replicates in each group and 12 broilers in each replicate. Group A served as a control and fed the basal diet, and the groups B-H fed the same basal diets adding 0.48 g/kg florfenicol, 1.5% Radix isatidis, 1.5% Folium isatidis, 1.5% Indigo naturalis, 0.75% Radix isatidis+0.75% Folium isatidis, 0.75% Radix isatidis+0.75% Indigo naturalis, and 0.75% Folium isatidis+ 0.75% Indigo naturalis, respectively. The feeding experiment which lasted for 42 days was composed of an early stage （1-21 days of age） and a late stage （22-42 days of age） according to the ingredient compositions and nutrition levels of the basal diets. The fecal samples of the broilers at 39-41 days of age were collected to measure the apparent digestibility of major nutrients. The blood samples of the broilers at 42 days of age were collected to determine the biochemical indices. The cecal chyme samples of the broilers in groups A, B and F at 42 days of age were collected to evaluate the microbial diversity and abundance. [Result] Group F had significantly （P<0.05） higher apparent digestibility of nitrogen than the other groups except for group A, had significantly （P<0.05） increased apparent digestibility of dry matter than the other groups except for groups B and G, had significantly （P<0.05） elevated apparent digestibility of energy than groups B, C, D, E and H, had significantly （P<0.05） raised apparent digestibility of calcium than the other groups, and had significantly （P<0.05） improved apparent digestibility of phosphorus than groups C, D, E, G and H. No significant （P>0.05） differences in the serum contents of albumin, total protein, glucose, triglyceride and total cholesterol were observed among the different groups. F group had a significantly （P<0.05） higher Chao1 index of cecal microflora than group A. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the dominant bacterial phyla in cecal chyme samples in groups A, B and F, and the relative abundance of these two bacterial phyla in groups A, B and F were 69.49%, 70.26%, 81.45% and 27.52%, 25.04%, 15.47%, respectively. In addition, Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, Barnesiella, Bacteroides and Lactobacillus were the bacterial genera that possessed the higher relative abundance. Group F had significantly （P<0.05） increased relative abundance of Firmicutes and significantly （P<0.05） decreased relative abundance of Bacteroidetes than groups A and B. Group B had significantly （P<0.05） reduced relative abundance of Bacteroidetes than group A, and had significantly （P<0.05） elevated relative abundance of Cyanobacteria than groups A and F. Group F had significantly （P<0.05） decreased relative abundance of Actinobacteria than group B. The relative abundance of Faecalibacterium, Barnesiella and Bacteroides in group F was significantly （P<0.05） lower than that in groups A and B, while the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Ruminococcus_torques_group in group F was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that in groups A and B. The relative abundance of Faecalibacterium and Lactobacillus in group B was significantly （P<0.05） lower than that in group A. There were no significant （P>0.05） differences in the composition of cecal microflora among groups A, B and F. [Conclusion] Dietary supplementation of 0.75% Radix isatidis and 0.75% Folium isatidis exhibited improving effects on the apparent digestibility of major nutrients as well as the diversity and abundance of cecal microflora in broilers.

[Objective] This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding corn straw treated with different methods as roughage on methane emission and rumen function in beef cattle. [Method] Seventeen-month-old healthy Grassland Red cattle （n=3） and Yanbian Yellow cattle （n=3） with an average weight of （375±5） kg were selected. The feeding trial with two-factor experimental design was composed of two stages and each had a pre-feeding period of 15 days and a formal-feeding period of 3 days. In the first stage, Grassland Red cattle fed corn straw silage as roughage （QH group） and Yanbian Yellow cattle fed dry corn straw as roughage （JY group）. In the second stage, Grassland Red cattle fed dry corn straw as roughage （JH group） and Yanbian Yellow cattle fed corn straw silage as roughage （QY group）. The initial and final weights as well as feed intake of the experimental cattle were recorded, and the average daily gain and dry matter intake was calculated. An open reflux respiratory calorimetry device for large animal were used to determine the methane emission. Rumen fluid samples were collected to evaluate pH value as well as the contents of ammonia nitrogen, rumen microbial protein, total volatile fatty acids, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid. In addition, the rumen microflora was characterized using 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing, and the rumen fluid metabolites were assessed using non-targeted metabolomics. [Result] ① Yanbian Yellow cattle had extremely significantly （P<0.01） higher final weight and average daily gain as well as extremely significantly （P<0.01） lower dry matter intake in comparison to Grassland Red cattle, while no significant （P>0.05） difference in the methane emission was observed between the two cattle breeds. QH and QY groups had extremely significantly （P<0.01） increased final weight, average daily gain and dry matter intake as well as extremely significantly （P<0.01） decreased methane emission in comparison to JH and JY groups. ②The rumen fermentation parameters of Grassland Red cattle were not significantly （P>0.05） different from those of Yanbian Yellow cattle. Compared with JH and JY groups, QH and QY groups exhibited extremely significantly （P<0.01） reduced rumen fluid pH value, contents of ammonia nitrogen, acetic acid and butyric acid, and ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid, while exhibited extremely significantly （P<0.01） elevated contents of rumen microbial protein, total volatile fatty acids, and propionic acid. ③ Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were observed as the dominant rumen microbial phyla in the four groups, with total relative abundance from 73.75% to 81.22%. The cattle breeds, corn straw treatment methods and the interaction between these two factors had no significant （P>0.05） effects on the relative abundance of rumen microflora at phylum level. Compared with JH and JY groups, extremely significantly （P<0.01） higher relative abundance of Succiniclasticum, Butyrivibrio and Ruminococcus as well as extremely significantly （P<0.01） lower relative abundance of Clostridiaceae_Clostridium and Prevotella was observed in QH and QY groups. The cattle breeds, corn straw treatment methods and the interaction between these two factors had no significant （P>0.05） effects on the relative abundance of rumen microflora at genus level. ④ A total of 525 secondary differential metabolites were screened from rumen metabolites of different groups, among which 10 were significantly different. Quinolinic acid, fumaric acid, cortisone, L-glutamic acid, phenyllactate, L-carnitine, and catechol were significantly enriched in 9 pathways. Fumaric acid was significantly enriched in tryptophan metabolism, central carbon metabolism in cancer, arginine biosynthesis, and phenylalanine metabolism pathways. The correlation analysis between the relative abundance of rumen microflora at genus level and the concentrations of differential metabolites in rumen fluid showed an extremely significantly （P<0.001） negative correlation between the concentration of fumaric acid and the relative abundance of Prevotella. [Conclusion] Feeding corn straw silage as roughage was able to effectively control the methane emission, increase the daily weight gain, ameliorate the rumen fermentation function, and decrease the relative abundance of Prevotella in rumen in beef cattle. In addition, the lower methane emission of the beef cattle fed corn straw silage as roughage was attributed to the elevated concentration of fumaric acid in rumen fluid.

[Objective] This study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary supplementation of honeybee peptide on growth performance, diarrhea rate and economic benefits of weaned piglets. [Method] A total of eighty 21-day-old crossbred （Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire） weaned piglets with similar body weights were randomly allocated into four dietary treatment groups, including a control group and three experimental groups （Ⅰ-Ⅲ）. There were two replicates in each group and ten piglets in each replicate. The piglets in control group fed a basal diet, and those in experimental groups Ⅰ-Ⅲ fed the same basal diets supplemented with 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg of a commercially available honeybee peptide, respectively. The feeding experiment consisted of a 7-day preparatory trial and a 28-day formal trail. The piglets were weighed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. The feed intake and the number of piglets with diarrhea during the experiment were recorded. Subsequently, the average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and diarrhea rate were calculated. In addition, the economic benefits were estimated according to the diet cost and weight gain of the piglets. [Result] Compared with the control group, the experimental groups Ⅰ-Ⅲ had significantly （P<0.05） elevated final weights, average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake, and had significantly （P<0.05） reduced feed to gain ratio and diarrhea rate. Compared with the experimental group Ⅰ, the experimental groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ had significantly （P<0.05） higher final weights, average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake, and had significantly （P<0.05） lower feed to gain ratio and diarrhea rate. The experimental group Ⅲ had superior final weights, average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake, feed to gain ratio and diarrhea rate to experimental group Ⅱ, while no significant （P>0.05） differences were observed. The individual profits of the experimental groups Ⅰ-Ⅲ were 11.926, 23.986 and 27.224 Yuan higher than the control group, respectively, and the best economic benefit was observed in experimental group Ⅲ. [Conclusion] Dietary supplementation of honeybee peptide has significant effects on improving growth performance, reducing diarrhea rate, and increasing economic benefit of the weaned piglets. The addition level of 600 mg/kg is recommended.

During the process of silage, the anaerobic environment can not be completely achieved by fermentation of silage raw materials alone, which not only results in the increase of pH value and ammonia nitrogen content as well as the decrease of lactic acid content in silage, but also may lead to the fermentation of undesirable microorganisms, affecting the effect of silage. To reduce the loss of nutrients during the fermentation process of silage and to improve the fermentation quality and nutritional value of silage, additives are commonly used in silage preparation. The frequently used additives for silage mainly include the following four types: bacterial inoculants, enzyme preparations, fermentation inhibitors and non-protein nitrogen. Different types of additives improve the fermentation quality of silage through varied ways, further ameliorating the nutritional value and feeding effect of silage. This paper reviewed the research progress on the impacts of different types of additives on sensory quality, fermentation quality and microbial diversity of silage, in hoping to provide a reference for the scientific selection of silage additives.

The irrational use or even abuse of antibiotics in animal production not only seriously endangers the health of human beings and animals, but also brings negative effects to social and economic development. Antibiotics were once used as feed additives to promote growth and improve feed conversion of livestock and poultry. Announcement No. 194 issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China in 2019 required that the feed manufacturers were prohibited to produce commercial feed containing growth-promoting drug feed additives （except for traditional Chinese medicine） since 1 July 2020. Therefore, it is urgent to research and develop new green feed additives replacing antibiotics. In recent years, plant-derived feed additives have become a popular alternative to antibiotics. Studies have shown that plant extracts possessed the ability to improve growth and reproductive performance, regulate intestinal bacterial flora, enhance immune function, as well as prevent and control diseases in animal production. In this paper, the research progress on the application of plant extracts as substitutes for antibiotics in animal production was reviewed, in hoping to provide references for the promotion and application of plant-derived feed additives in animal production.

Selenium is one of the essential trace elements for animals, which is involved in a series of biological processes such as anti-oxidation, immunity, reproduction and intestinal bacterial flora regulation. In recent years, among the selenium preparations from different sources, nano-selenium has attracted the attention of animal nutrition researchers both in China and abroad due to such advantages as low toxicity, high bio-availability, good safety and strong antioxidant property, becoming a hotspot in the research field of feed additives. This paper summarized the nature and characteristics, absorption and metabolism mechanism, and biological functions of nano-selenium, and reviewed the research progress on its application in animal production, in hoping to provide references for the development of nano-selenium feed additives and their scientific application in animal production.

Stevia rebaudiana possesses anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-aging and lipid-lowering activities, and its leaves are important raw materials for producing sweeteners. Stevia rebaudiana by-products are the parts of Stevia rebaudiana that have been defoliated and processed, which are mainly composed of straws and residues. They have a considerable yield and are rich in active substances such as glycosides, flavonoids and chlorogenic acids. In addition, they exhibit various biological functions including anti-inflammation, anti-hyperglycemia and bacteriostasis, and have the potential to be used as animal feed. This paper summarized the nutritional composition and main bioactive substances of Stevia rebaudiana by-products, and reviewed the research progress on their application in animal production, in hoping to provide references for improving their feed utilization.

[Objective] This study aimed to screen the forage quinoa varieties suitable for cultivating in low-altitude, hot and humid areas along the coast of Jiangsu Province. [Method] Five varieties of forage quinoa, including Hongxin Limai, Mengli No.1, SL577C, SL2860D and SL923E were used as the experimental materials. Indicators associated with agronomic （plant height, chlorophyll content, fresh weight per plant, leaf weight per plant, stem weight per plant, and stem to leaf ratio） and nutritional （contents of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber） traits of the tested forage quinoa varieties at three growth periods （90, 105 and 120 d） were characterized and statistically assessed. [Result] At the three observation time points, the plant height, fresh weight per plant, leaf weight per plant and stem weight per plant of Hongxin Limai were all significantly （P<0.05） higher than those of the other four varieties,while the stem to leaf ratio was lower. On 90, 105 and 120 d of growth, the varieties exhibiting the highest chlorophyll content were SL577C, SL2860D and Mengli No.1, respectively, and they were all significantly （P<0.05） higher than Hongxin Limai; the varieties with the highest dry matter content were SL577C, SL2860D and SL577C, respectively, and they were all significantly （P<0.05） higher than Hongxin Limai, Mengli No.1 and SL923E. On 90 and 105 d of growth, the highest crude protein content was observed in Mengli No.1; on 120 d of growth, SL577C had the highest crude protein content; they were all significantly （P<0.05） higher than Hongxin Limai. On 90 and 105 d of growth, there were no significant （P>0.05） differences in contents of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber among the five varieties. On 120 d of growth, Hongxin Limai had the highest acid detergent fiber content, which was significantly （P<0.05） higher than the other four varieties. As the growth period progressed, Hongxin Limai exhibited decreased crude protein content as well as increased neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents. On 105 d and 120 d of growth, Mengli No.1 and SL577C had the best comprehensive performance in contents of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber, respectively. [Conclusion] Combining the agronomic and nutritional traits, it was concluded that Hongxin Limai, Mengli No.1 and SL577C were the forage quinoa varieties suitable for cultivating in low-altitude, hot and humid areas along the coast of Jiangsu Province, and they were recommended to be harvested at around 90, 105, 120 d of growth, respectively.

[Objective] The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of exogenous ascorbic acid （AsA） priming on seed vigor of forage triticale （× Triticosecale Wittmack）under NaCl stress. [Method] Forage triticale 'Jisi No.3' seeds were primed in AsA solutions at the concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mmol/L for 0 （CK）, 4, 8, 16 and 24 h, respectively, and were then germinated under NaCl stress at a concentration of 100 mmol/L. The germination percentage （Gp）, germination index （Gi）, mean germination time （MGT） and seedlings vigor index （SVI） of the seeds were determined and statistically compared. [Result] The priming concentration or duration of the exogenous AsA had extremely significant （P<0.01） effects on Gp, Gi, MGT and SVI of the forage triticale seeds. In addition, the mutual combination effect of both reached significant （P<0.05） level on SVI and extremely significant （P<0.01） level on Gp,Gi and MGT. The highest values of Gp, Gi and SVI as well as the lowest value of MGT were observed in the seeds with AsA priming for 4 h at a concentration of 1.0 mmol/L. In the AsA priming concentration range of 0.5-2.0 mmol/L, the seeds had lower Gp, Gi and SVI as well as higher MGT when they were primed for 24 h in comparison to those at the other priming times. [Conclusion] The effects of AsA priming on seed vigor of forage triticale under NaCl stress were closely related to the priming concentration and duration as well as their synergistic action. Priming with AsA at a concentration of 1.0 mmol/L for 4 h exhibited the most effective improvement in seed vigor of forage triticale under a salt stress environment of 100 mmol/L NaCl.

[Objective] This study was conducted to optimize the glycosylation reaction conditions for flaxseed gum （FSG） and zein, and to characterize the structural and functional properties of the glycosylation product. [Method] Using grafting degree as the evaluation index, the main factors affecting the glycosylation reaction between FSG and zein were optimized by orthogonal test on the basis of one-way test. The structure of the FSG-zein glycosylation product was analyzed by the techniques of scanning electron microscope, Fourier infrared spectroscopy and endogenous fluorescence spectroscopy. Furthermore, the FSG-zein glycosylation product was functionally evaluated in terms of anti-oxidant capacity as well as emulsifying and foaming properties. [Result] The optimized glycosylation reaction conditions for FSG and zein were as follows: the ratio of zein solution to FSG solution was 1︰3, the pH value of the reaction system was 2, the reaction temperature was 90 ℃, and the reaction duration was 90 min. Under these conditions, the grafting degree of the FSG-zein glycosylation product was 77.81%. Scanning electron microscope, Fourier infrared spectroscopy and endogenous fluorescence spectroscopy analyses demonstrated that the initial structures of FSG and zein were significantly changed after the glycosylation reaction, confirming that FSG and zein generated FSG-zein glycosylation compound by glycosylation reaction. At a concentration of 1 mg/mL, the FSG-zein glycosylation product possessed a significantly （P<0.05） higher scavenging rate of ·OH than FSG, and exhibited significantly （P<0.05） elevated scavenging rate of DPPH and ABTS⁺ radical as well as total reducing power than FSG and zein. Significantly （P<0.05） increased emulsifying activity index and stability index as well as significantly （P<0.05） improved foaming ability and stability were observed in the FSG-zein glycosylation product in comparison to FSG and zein. [Conclusion] The glycosylation reaction conditions for FSG and zein were optimized, and the obtained glycosylation product possessed good anti-oxidant capacity as well as emulsifying and foaming abilities.

[Objective] The aims of this study were to assess the content, distribution and influencing factors of endogenous thiocyanate in raw dairy milk in New Zealand, and to provide references for risk evaluation and limit standard establishment of thiocyanate residue in raw dairy milk. [Method] From August 2022 to May 2023, a total of 800 raw milk samples were monthly collected from 50 dairy farms in South Island, New Zealand （no samples were collected in June and July due to the dry milk period of local dairy cows）. The contents of thiocyanate in raw milk samples were determined by using ion chromatography. The detection rate was calculated and the distribution of detection result was characterized. The influence of different sampling months and pastures on endogenous thiocyanate levels in raw milk was analyzed. [Result] A total of 798 raw milk samples were positive for thiocyanate, with an overall detection rate of 99.75%. The contents of thiocyanate in the tested samples ranged from 0 to 10.62 mg/kg, and the mean and median were 6.25 mg/kg and 6.21 mg/kg, respectively. The samples containing 0-2.00 mg/kg, 4.00-6.00 mg/kg and 6.00-8.00 mg/kg of thiocyanate accounted for 1.13%, 36.62% and 50.50% of all the tested samples, respectively, while the samples with thiocyanate content exceeded 10.00 mg/kg only accounted for 0.75%. The contents of thiocyanate in the samples collected from September to November 2022 increased monthly, and the contents of thiocyanate in the samples collected from December 2022 to May 2023 generally exhibited an increasing trend month by month. The samples collected from January to May 2023 had higher contents of thiocyanate than those collected from August to December 2022. The highest average content （7.02 mg/kg） of thiocyanate was observed in the samples collected in May 2023, while the lowest average content （2.95 mg/kg） was observed in the samples collected in September 2022. The change trend of thiocyanate contents in the samples collected from 2 randomly selected dairy farms from January to May 2023 was consistent with that of thiocyanate contents in the 800 samples collected during the same period. There was no significant （P>0.05） difference in thiocyanate content between the samples collected from the 2 dairy farms. [Conclusion] Thiocyanate was commonly observed in raw dairy milk in South Island, New Zealand. It was attributed to the endogenous factor, and the possibility of exogenous addition was extremely minor. There were seasonal variations in thiocyanate content in local raw dairy milk.

[Objective] The aims of the present study were to characterize the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance pattern of Salmonella strains in pigeon flock of a pigeon breeding farm in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and to provide references for the prevention and treatment of pigeon salmonellosis in this area. [Method] The clinical samples of liver were collected from the diseased or dead pigeons with suspected Salmonella infection in a pigeon breeding farm in Nanning City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and were subjected to isolation and culture of Salmonella strains. Phenotypic identification of the isolates was performed by Gram staining and microscopy, biochemical identification and serotype identification. Subsequently, the isolates were molecularly confirmed by PCR assay targeting invA gene specific for Salmonella. The antimicrobial susceptibility test of the isolates was conducted by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. [Result] Two strains of Salmonella typhimurium, designated as S1 and S2, were isolated and identified from the clinical samples according to colony growth features, Gram staining characteristics, bacterial morphology, serotype identification, biochemical identification and molecular comfirmation. Both isolates were resistant to amoxicillin, streptomycin, lincomycin and nalidixic acid, moderately sensitive to erythromycin, cefthiophene and rifampicin, and sensitive to ciprofloxacin, cotrimoxazole, chloramphenicol and trimethoprim. [Conclusion] Two strains of Salmonella typhimurium were obtained from the clinical samples of the diseased or dead pigeons in a pigeon breeding farm in Nanning City, and the isolates exhibited high level resistance to certain antimicrobial agents, posing a potential threat to the health of breeding pigeon flocks in this area. It was recommended that detecting the prevalence of antimicrobial resistant Salmonella should be strengthened.

Bovine coronavirus （BCoV） is an important causative agent of diarrhea and respiratory infection in calves as well as winter diarrhea in adult cattle, which is prevalent in many countries and territories around the world, bringing huge economic loss to cattle farming. Currently, the available vaccines and drugs against BCoV infection is very limited. Accordingly, it is of great significance to research and develop the rapid detection methods for the early warning and effective control of BCoV infection. This paper reviewed the basic principles, application status as well as advantages and disadvantages of the main detection methods for BCoV, in hoping to provide references for the development and application of novel BCoV detection methods and the improvement of BCoV infection control.