Artificial digestion

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Artificial digestion is a laboratory technique that reduces food to protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, minerals, vitamins, and non-nutrient compounds for analytical or research purposes. Digestive agents such as pepsin and hydrochloric acid are typically used to accomplish artificial digestion.

Contents

Meat inspection

Artificial digestion is used to detect the presence of encysted trichinella larvae in suspected muscle tissue. Prior to this method, a sample of muscle tissue was compressed to visually express the encysted parasite. Using artificial digestion, meat samples are dissolved by a digestive solution and the remains are examined for the presence of larvae. [1] [2]

Digestion research

Artificial stomach and small intestine models are used instead of laboratory animals or human test subjects. Various models, from static one-compartment to dynamic multicompartment, exist. These models are used to study food digestion and subsequent bioavailability. [3]

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Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a parasitic disease caused by roundworms of the Trichinella type. During the initial infection, invasion of the intestines can result in diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Migration of larvae to muscle, which occurs about a week after being infected, can cause swelling of the face, inflammation of the whites of the eyes, fever, muscle pains, and a rash. Minor infection may be without symptoms. Complications may include inflammation of heart muscle, central nervous system involvement, and inflammation of the lungs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myoglobin</span> Iron and oxygen-binding protein

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Digestion</span> Biological process of breaking down food

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fasciolosis</span> A parasitic worm infection

Fasciolosis is a parasitic worm infection caused by the common liver fluke Fasciola hepatica as well as by Fasciola gigantica. The disease is a plant-borne trematode zoonosis, and is classified as a neglected tropical disease (NTD). It affects humans, but its main host is ruminants such as cattle and sheep. The disease progresses through four distinct phases; an initial incubation phase of between a few days up to three months with little or no symptoms; an invasive or acute phase which may manifest with: fever, malaise, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, urticaria, anemia, jaundice, and respiratory symptoms. The disease later progresses to a latent phase with less symptoms and ultimately into a chronic or obstructive phase months to years later. In the chronic state the disease causes inflammation of the bile ducts, gall bladder and may cause gall stones as well as fibrosis. While chronic inflammation is connected to increased cancer rates, it is unclear whether fasciolosis is associated with increased cancer risk.

<i>Trichinella spiralis</i> Species of roundworm

Trichinella spiralis is a viviparous nematode parasite, occurring in rodents, pigs, bears, hyenas and humans, and is responsible for the disease trichinosis. It is sometimes referred to as the "pork worm" due to it being typically encountered in undercooked pork products. It should not be confused with the distantly related pork tapeworm.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis</span> Central nervous system disease of horses

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<i>Toxocara canis</i> Species of roundworm

Toxocara canis is a worldwide-distributed helminth parasite of dogs and other canids. The name is derived from the Greek word "toxon," meaning bow or quiver, and the Latin word "caro," meaning flesh. They live in the small intestine of the definitive host. In adult dogs, the infection is usually asymptomatic but may be characterized by diarrhea. By contrast, massive infection with Toxocara canis can be fatal in puppies, causing diarrhea, vomiting, an enlarged abdomen, flatulence, and poor growth rate.

Capillaria plica is a parasitic nematode which is most often found in the urinary bladder, and occasionally in the kidneys, of dogs and foxes. It has also been found in the domestic cat, and various wild mammals. Its presence usually produces no clinical symptoms, but in some cases, it leads to hematuria, cystitis, or difficulty in urination.

<i>Capillaria aerophila</i> Species of roundworm

Capillaria aerophila is a nematode parasite found in the respiratory tract of foxes, dogs, and various other carnivorous mammals. A few cases of human infestation have also been reported. Though it is sometimes called a "lungworm", this term usually refers to other species of nematodes. Infestation by C. aerophila is referred to as "pulmonary capillariasis", "bronchial capillariasis," or (rarely) "thominxosis." This parasite has a direct life cycle, meaning that the life cycle can be completed in a single host. C. aerophila usually causes only minor clinical symptoms, such as irritation of the respiratory tract and coughing. However, secondary bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, including pneumonia, may develop in heavy infestations. Treatment with anthelmintics, such as levamisole or fenbendazole, is usually sufficient to cure C. aerophila infestations.

<i>Trichinella britovi</i> Species of roundworm

Trichinella britovi is a nematode parasite responsible for a zoonotic disease called trichinellosis. Currently, eight species of Trichinella are known, only three of which cause trichinellosis, and Trichinella britovi is one of them. Numerous mammal species, as well as birds and crocodiles, can harbor the parasite worldwide, but the sylvatic cycle is mainly maintained by wild carnivores.

Trichinella papuae is a nematode parasite responsible for a zoonotic disease called trichinellosis, predominantly in Thailand. Currently, eight species of Trichinella are known.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human digestive system</span> Digestive system in humans

The human digestive system consists of the gastrointestinal tract plus the accessory organs of digestion. Digestion involves the breakdown of food into smaller and smaller components, until they can be absorbed and assimilated into the body. The process of digestion has three stages: the cephalic phase, the gastric phase, and the intestinal phase.

Ostertagia ostertagi, commonly known as the medium stomach worm or brown stomach worm, is a parasitic nematode of cattle. O. ostertagi can also be found to a lesser extent in sheep, goats, wild ruminants, and horses. It causes ostertagiosis, which is potentially fatal in cattle. It is found worldwide and is economically important to cattle industries, particularly those found in temperate climates.

While there is no clear definition, a senior cat is generally considered to be either mature, senior or geriatric. As the population of senior cats appears to be growing in North America based on numbers for geriatric populations, important nutritional considerations need to be made when choosing an appropriate diet for a healthy senior cat. Dietary management of many age-related conditions becomes more important in senior cats because changes in their physiology and metabolism may alter how their system responds to various medications and treatments.

References

  1. Ribicich M, Gamble HR, Rosa A, Bolpe J, Franco A (September 2005). "Trichinellosis in Argentina: an historical review". Vet Parasitol. 132 (1–2): 137–42. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.05.042. PMID   16011875.
  2. Djordjevic M, Cuperlovic K, Savic M, Pavlovic S (September 2005). "The need for implementation of International Commission on Trichinellosis recommendations, quality assurance standards, and proficiency sample programs in meat inspection for trichinellosis in Serbia". Vet Parasitol. 132 (1–2): 185–8. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.05.053. PMID   15993543.
  3. Guerra A, Etienne-Mesmin L, Livrelli V, Denis S, Blanquet-Diot S, Alric M (November 2012). "Relevance and challenges in modeling human gastric and small intestinal digestion". Trends Biotechnol. 30 (11): 591–600. doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2012.08.001. PMID   22974839.

See also