Search Results (1,683)

The valorization of cull sheep and the incorporation of agro-industrial by-products into animal feeding represent effective approaches to enhancing the sustainability of small ruminant production systems. This study investigated the effects of dietary inclusion of 17% partially destoned olive cake (OC) in the concentrate fed to Valle del Belice ewes on carcass characteristics, as well as on meat and salami quality. A 14-week feeding trial was conducted on 124 animals allocated to a control (CTR) and an experimental (EXP) group, balanced for parity, days in milk, and daily milk yield. At the end of the trial, five animals per group were slaughtered and their meat was processed into three types of salami: 100% sheep meat (SM), 90% sheep meat with 10% beef heifer brisket (HB), and 90% sheep meat with 10% pork backfat (PB). Meat and salami were evaluated for chemical composition, fatty acid profile, polyphenol content, antioxidant capacity, lipid oxidation, microbiological status, textural properties, and sensory characteristics. Dietary OC supplementation resulted in increased carcass weight, separable fat, intramuscular fat content, and monounsaturated fatty acids—particularly oleic acid—along with higher polyphenol levels and antioxidant activity. Salami produced from OC-fed ewes exhibited reduced weight loss during ripening, lower lipid oxidation, an improved MUFA/SFA ratio, and satisfactory sensory attributes. Microbiological analyses indicated a dominance of lactic acid bacteria and coagulase-negative staphylococci, with no pathogenic microorganisms detected. Overall, the inclusion of olive cake in the diet enhanced meat and processed product quality, supporting the valorization of olive oil by-products within circular economy frameworks. Full article

The global demand for fish oil (FO) is increasing while its supply is decreasing, which has limited its use in aquafeeds. Research on alternative terrestrial oils (TOs) for commonly cultured fish species in Bangladesh is limited. This research involved a 70-day feeding experiment to assess the effectiveness of replacing FO with TOs in the diet of Gangetic catfish (Mystus cavasius). Five diets were formulated: a control diet (D1) with fish meal and FO, and four diets replacing FO with soybean oil (D2), black soldier fly larvae oil (D3), palm oil (D4), or a mixed oil combination (D5) of 50% black soldier fly larvae oil, 25% soybean oil, and 25% palm oil. A total of 675 fish (0.5 g each) were distributed in 15 100 L aquariums (45 fish/aquarium) and fed to satiation twice daily. Fish fed with Diet D5 showed significantly higher growth, followed by those fed with D3, D4, and D1, while D2 resulted in significantly lower growth. Fish on the D5 diet consumed the most feed, followed by those on the D3 and D2 diets, with similar feed intake levels for those on the D1 and D4 diets. FCR, FCE, and PER were not significantly affected by dietary oil sources. Whole-body lipid content (p < 0.05) was significantly lower in the D3 group and higher in the D2 group, while other groups showed intermediate values. The fatty acid composition in the fish reflected their diets: significantly higher n-3 LC-PUFA (EPA + DHA) content was observed in the D1 group, followed by the D4 and D3 groups, and fish fed with D2 and D5 showed significantly lower values. Alpha-linolenic acid C18:3n-3) was significantly higher in the D2 group, followed by the D3, D1, and D4 groups, with the D5 group having a significantly lower value. Total MUFA was significantly higher in D4, followed by D1, D5, and D3; the D2-fed group showed a significantly lower value. Lauric acid (C12:0) was significantly higher in D3, followed by D5; other groups showed significantly lower values. Feed physical properties were significantly influenced by oil type, with water stability, pellet durability, and palatability being significantly highest in the D2 and D5 diets, followed by D3 and D4, with D1 being the lowest. Fish on the D1 and D5 diets had a significantly higher condition factor (CF) compared to fish on the D2 diet. Considering the growth and overall performance in the current study, we concluded that under the current dietary composition, TOs can effectively replace FO in the diets of Gangetic catfish, with mixed oils, black soldier fly larvae oil, and palm oil being the most promising alternatives. Full article

Powdered fiber- and polyphenol-rich ingredients derived from pear canning residues were obtained by direct processing. Residues were subjected to acid immersion and subsequent convective drying, milling, and sieving. Drying kinetics were studied to select the best operative drying conditions (70 °C, 3 h) for both acidified (CIT) and non-acidified (C) samples. Two granulometries were also assessed (<210 and <590 μm). The resulting powders (C210, CIT210, C590, CIT590) were characterized as bioactive compounds, techno-functional fiber properties, physical and stability attributes, as well as in vitro bioaccessibility. All powders were rich in dietary fiber (52–54%) and exhibited a polyphenol content ranging from ~390 to 567 mg GAE/100 g on a dry basis for CIT and C powders, respectively. Also presented good hydration properties and low oil absorption. Sample C210 was particularly noteworthy due to its higher polyphenol level and better physical and stability properties. Acid immersion slightly reduced browning during drying and, although it caused a polyphenol loss (29%), CIT samples showed a better functional potential in terms of bioaccessibility of polyphenols (83 ± 6%) and of antioxidant capacity (58 ± 1%). By analyzing multiple properties, this study offers a comprehensive evaluation of simple and cost-effective biomass utilization strategies for the production of functional ingredients. Full article

Background/Objectives: Our previous study showed that the dietary structure is imbalanced in a majority of colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. These patients had higher risk of developing malnutrition. In the present study, we aimed to identify factors associated with nutritional risk in this cohort of patients. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of a dataset that was originally collected to identify the factors that are associated with an imbalanced dietary structure in patients receiving chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Nutritional risk was evaluated by using an NRS-2002 form. Binary logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. Results: Among the 178 CRC patients enrolled in this study, 60 (33.7%) had nutritional risk. Patients with nutritional risk exhibited lower intake of grains, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, and oils compared to those without risk. Multivariate analysis showed that non-surgery (95% CI: 0.130–0.914, p = 0.032) and high dietary structure score (95% CI: 0.808–0.944, p = 0.001) are associated with lower nutritional risk in CRC patients receiving chemotherapy. Conclusions: CRC patients receiving chemotherapy have moderate risk of developing malnutrition. Dietary structure score and surgery are associated with malnutrition in CRC patients receiving chemotherapy. Education on proper dietary structure is a potential strategy to mitigate nutritional risk in CRC patients undergoing chemotherapy. These findings highlight the need for personalized nutritional support to optimize patient outcomes. Full article

Breast cancer remains the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide, and experimental tumor models are essential for evaluating new therapeutic approaches before clinical application. The Walker-256 carcinoma model exhibits biological behavior comparable to human carcinoma and allows short-term assessment of tumor progression. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of dietary supplementation on Walker-256 tumor growth. We followed the PRISMA guidelines and searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases without time restrictions. The meta-analysis included clustering based on the type of supplementation received, comparing treatment groups with control groups. Twenty-one studies were included, analyzing 18 different supplements, and 12 studies were considered for quantitative synthesis. The overall effect indicated a significant reduction in tumor growth with supplementation (SMD = 2.83, 95% CI = 1.99–3.66, p < 0.001), despite high heterogeneity (I² = 93.3%). Oils had the greatest impact, particularly fish oil (SMD = 6.99, 95% CI = 3.15–10.83, p < 0.001) and shark liver oil (SMD = 4.43, 95% CI = 2.19–6.67, p < 0.01). Full article

Background/Objectives: Replacing fish oil with vegetable oil is an important measure for aquaculture to relieve the pressure of fish oil, but it is also easy to cause the growth decline and metabolic disorder of farmed animals, mainly due to the change in dietary fatty acids. This study investigated the regulatory effects of dietary fatty acid composition on glucose metabolism in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) with an initial weight of 30.51 ± 0.16 g. Methods: Three isonitrogenous (~43% crude protein) and isolipid (~11% crude lipid) diets were formulated as follows: control (CON, DHA/EPA-rich oil as primary lipid), moderate palmitic acid (MPA, 50% of DHA+EPA-rich oil was replaced by glyceryl palmitate), and high palmitic acid (HPA, 100% of DHA+EPA-rich oil was replaced by glyceryl palmitate). Results: After 10 weeks of feeding, the HPA significantly reduced the liver/muscle glycogen contents, increased the liver lipid content, decreased the serum leptin/insulin level, and increased the adiponectin level. The levels of DHA and EPA in liver were decreased significantly. Transcriptionally, HPA upregulated hepatic glucokinase (gk, glycolysis) but down-regulated glycogen synthase (gys) and insulin/irs2 (insulin pathway) while inhibiting muscle ampk and leptin receptor (lepr). Conclusions: This study showed that high dietary PA/(DHA + EPA) impacted glycolipid homeostasis through endocrine and transcriptional regulation, leading to increased crude lipid and decreased glycogen levels, which provides a theoretical basis for scientific aquatic feed fatty acid formulation. Full article

Mixed dementia, most often caused by the coexistence of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia pathologies, presents unique preventive and therapeutic challenges that may be addressed through dietary and nutraceutical interventions. Current evidence demonstrates that diets emphasizing polyphenol-rich foods like olive oil, berries, and leafy greens exert neuroprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and amyloid pathology while improving cerebrovascular function. Specific bioactive compounds, including resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate, N-acetylcysteine, and Huperzine A, among some others, have demonstrated therapeutic potential through their multimodal mechanisms targeting the pathogenic pathways of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, including Aβ and tau pathology, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neurovascular dysfunction. However, our limited appreciation of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of natural compounds and the inadequate extent of clinical studies underscore the need for further research. This review synthesizes current knowledge on diet and nutraceutical compounds that may be of value in the prevention and treatment of mixed Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. We focus on their molecular mechanisms of action relevant to the dual pathophysiological basis of mixed Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Full article

Aquaculture has been established as a sustainable alternative to traditional fisheries, which face challenges such as overexploitation and environmental degradation. However, disease outbreaks, often caused by poor farming conditions, pollution, and environmental stress, remain a major concern, leading to economic losses and increasing the risk of antibiotic resistance due to the overuse of antibiotics. Therefore, it is crucial to seek new strategies that improve fish health and well-being, preventing drug resistance and promoting sustainable practices. GHRP-6, a synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide that mimics ghrelin, has shown potential immunostimulatory properties and feed efficiency in fish. In this study, we evaluated the effects of orally administered GHRP-6 in an oil-based formulation on juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) challenged or unchallenged with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We assessed its influence on immune gene expression and digestive enzyme activity. The results demonstrated that GHRP-6 treatment significantly enhanced growth performance (weight and length), reduced in vivo bacterial load after infection, and modulated key genes related to innate and adaptive immunity in the gills, intestine and head kidney. In addition, our results demonstrated, for the first time, a direct link between a growth hormone secretagogue in fish and the modulation of specific enzyme activity in the gut following a bacterial challenge. These findings highlight the potential of GHRP-6 as a dietary immunomodulator and growth promoter in fish farming, offering a promising strategy to reduce antibiotic usage and promote more sustainable aquaculture practices. Full article

Amid the intensifying global mandate for sustainable aquafeed strategies, this study investigates the functional efficacy and biochemical implications of black soldier fly larvae oil (BLO), extracted via recently approved patent method depending on cold-aqueous process, as a substitute for conventional fish oil (FO) in zebrafish (Danio rerio) diets. The refined extraction technique, representing an advancement over traditional aqueous methodologies, was engineered to selectively preserve bioactive lipid fractions while minimizing environmental footprint and processing residues. Over a 28-day feeding period, adult zebrafish were allocated into triplicate groups and fed diets comprising 0%, 50%, and 100% substitution of FO with BLO and growth, lipid composition, and dietary fatty acid profiles of both diets and flesh were rigorously evaluated. Zebrafish fed the BLO₁₀₀ diet exhibited the most pronounced somatic growth (2.47 ± 0.01 g), significantly elevated specific growth rates (3.88 ± 0.82% day⁻¹), and the most efficient feed conversion, without compromising survival. Flesh lipid analysis revealed a substantial enrichment in saturated fatty acids—most notably lauric acid (C12:0)—corresponding to increasing dietary BLO levels. Although dietary EPA and DHA levels were reduced, DHA concentrations in fish tissues remained comparable to those of the control group, indicating a compensatory capacity mediated by endogenous elongation and desaturation pathways. These findings substantiate the dual potential of BLO as both a nutritionally viable lipid source and a vector for enhancing aquafeed sustainability. The cold-aqueous extraction method demonstrated here underscores a pivotal advancement in green lipid processing, aligning oil quality with ecological stewardship. This integrative approach not only reinforces BLO’s candidacy as a strategic fish oil substitute but also delineates a pathway toward scalable, species-adapted feed innovation. Future investigations should prioritize the modulation of fatty acid profiles through dietary and extraction optimization to fully realize the translational potential of insect-derived lipids in aquaculture. Full article

Lupin (Lupinus spp.), a legume known for its high protein content, holds great promise as a sustainable protein source to meet future global demands. Despite its nutritional benefits, including substantial dietary fibre and bioactive compounds, lupin remains underutilised in human diets due to several techno-functional and sensory limitations. This review delves into the techno-functional limitations of lupin, which include poor foaming capacity, low water and oil absorption, inadequate emulsification properties, and poor solubility. Lupin’s techno-functional limits are tied to the compact, heat-stable nature of its conglutin storage proteins and high insoluble fibre content. While research has been conducted on fermenting other legumes such as soybeans, chickpeas, peas, and lentils with Exopolysaccharide (EPS) producing bacteria, its application to lupin remains largely unexplored. Crucially, this work is one of the first reviews to exclusively link lupin’s unique protein and fibre structure with the specific polymer chemistry of bacterial EPS as a targeted modification strategy. Current research findings suggest that EPS-producing Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) fermentation can significantly improve the techno-functional properties of legumes, indicating strong potential for similar benefits with lupin. The analysis highlights various studies demonstrating the ability of EPS-producing LAB to improve water retention, emulsification, and overall palatability of legume-based products. Furthermore, it emphasises the need for continued research in the realm of fermentation with EPS-producing bacteria to enhance the utilisation of lupin in food applications. By addressing these challenges, fermented lupin could become a more appealing and nutritious option, contributing significantly to global food security and nutrition. Full article

Background/Objectives: The study investigated the potential of mixed fruits and berries (MFB) as a dietary intervention to mitigate cafeteria (CAF) diet-induced gut microbiome dysbiosis and hepatic dysfunction associated with metabolic syndrome and steatohepatitis (MASH) in an adolescent rat model. Methods: Forty-eight adolescent male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 3 cages per group (two rats per cage)) were divided into eight experimental groups, where NC received the normal AIN-93G basal diet, PC received the CAF diet and normal AIN-93G basal diet, T₁ and T₂ received MFB supplementation (3% and 6% levels) without CAF exposure, P₁ and P₂ received a MFB (3% and 6% levels) supplementation initiated at the onset of CAF feeding, and I₁ and I₂ received MFB supplementation initiated 2 weeks after CAF feeding. After 6 weeks, cecal 16S rRNA, hepatic histopathology, Oil Red O staining, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)-related biomarkers (liver enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)) were analyzed. Results: AST: ALT ratio was the highest in the PC group (3.63, p < 0.05) compared to the MFB groups. Oil Red O staining showed lower hepatic lipid accumulation, and histological analysis demonstrated a marked reduction in portal inflammatory cell infiltration in MFB. Alpha diversity (Simpson Index) decreased in PC (Kruskal–Wallis, p = 0.043). CAF increased Lactobacillus johnsonii (+75%, p < 0.05), while reducing L. murinus and L. intestinalis (~90%, p < 0.05). MFB supplementation restored Bifidobacterium Pseudolongum and increased Akkermansia muciniphila levels in the P₂, I₁, and I₂ groups (~20-fold, p < 0.05). Bacteroides dorei was present in all groups except the PC group. These bacteria presented a positive correlation with key SCFAs. Conclusions: The results from this study indicated that MFB supplementation modulated gut microbiota composition and enhanced SCFA production, thereby strengthening intestinal barrier integrity and reducing gut-derived inflammation. Collectively, these effects attenuated hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation, highlighting the potential of MFB to restore gut–liver axis homeostasis disrupted by CAF-induced dysbiosis in adolescent rats. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder in which altered microvascular circulation participates in the pathogenesis. The lack of therapeutic treatments for AD makes the development of strategies aimed at preventing or delaying the disease onset urgent. In recent years, several studies have highlighted that a diet rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds may positively impact AD development. In this study, we assessed the impact of a diet enriched with Acebuche (ACE) oil, an extra-virgin olive oil particularly rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, on AD progression in the 5xFAD mouse model. Methods: After weaning, wild-type (WT) and 5xFAD mice received the standard or the ACE oil-enriched diet. At 2, 4 and 6 months, the effects of the diet were evaluated on AD-related microvascular aberrancies, beta-amyloid (Aβ) formation, hypoxic state, blood–brain barrier (BBB) alterations, neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. Metabolic parameters were also evaluated. Results: In 5xFAD mice, the ACE oil-enriched diet prevented alterations in cerebral microcirculation. Moreover, Aβ accumulation, downregulation of Aβ-degrading enzymes, hypoxia, BBB breakdown, neuroinflammation, and cognitive deficits were delayed by the ACE oil-enriched diet. However, some of these effects were reduced at 6 months, in concomitance with systemic metabolic changes, such as hepatic steatosis, evidenced in both WT and 5xFAD mice receiving the ACE oil-enriched diet. Conclusions: Overall, the present results represent proof of concept for the validity of early dietary interventions in AD prevention. Full article

Background: Standard ketogenic diets (KD) and fish oil have established efficacy for drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), but adherence and variability remain challenging. Objective: The objective of this study is to provide the first systematic evaluation of clinical evidence for emerging dietary interventions for epilepsy—specifically those other than standard KD and fish oil—and to rigorously evaluate their effectiveness and certainty of evidence to address the current gap in dietary management literature. Unlike prior reviews focused on standard KD or carbohydrate-modified versions, this study is the first to synthesize evidence for “non-standard” interventions—including olive oil-based KDs, probiotics, and restrictive gluten/glutamate-free diets—which are typically excluded from traditional dietary meta-analyses. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Google Scholar up to March 2025. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions (NRSIs) were included, with quality assessed using RoB 2 and ROBINS-I tools. Results: Eight studies (total n = 675) were identified, comprising 2 RCTs and 6 NRSIs. These included olive oil-based KDs (n = 1), probiotic/synbiotic supplementation (n = 2), medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) additions (n = 2), and gluten-free (n = 1) or glutamate-free (n = 1) diets. Evidence quality is generally low, with 75% of studies at high risk of bias. Preliminary responder rates reached 83.1% in uncontrolled olive oil-based KD studies, whereas the only RCT evaluating a low-glutamate diet showed no significant seizure reduction (p = 0.57). Conclusion: Evidence for emerging dietary interventions beyond standard KD is nascent and of low certainty. Interpretation: While preliminary signals exist for olive oil-based KDs and probiotics, current data are insufficient for clinical recommendation; this review identifies these as promising exploratory targets requiring validation through rigorous, blinded RCTs. Full article

Fruit peels, a primary fruit processing by-product, are rich in biodegradable polymers (e.g., dietary fibers and proteins) and bioactive substances (e.g., polyphenols, essential oils, and pigments) that are suitable for producing active and intelligent packaging films. In recent years, there is a new trend to utilize fruit peels in the form of powders for film production, which aligns with circular economy principles. In general, fruit peel powders (FPPs) can function as rigid fillers and the polymer matrix in packaging films, forming FPP-filled and FPP-based films, respectively. These two film types exhibit distinct characteristics: FPP-filled films typically have a compact structure with strong molecular interactions, leading to superior mechanical and barrier properties. Conversely, FPP-based films often display a cracked structure with weaker molecular interactions, resulting in inferior mechanical and barrier properties. Despite these differences, both film types demonstrate excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, pH sensitivity, and biodegradability, as well as considerable promise for active and intelligent packaging. This review comprehensively summarizes the preparation methods, structural characteristics, physical and functional properties, and active and intelligent packaging potential of both film types. It also features a multi-dimensional comparison of FPP-filled and FPP-based films’ performance and a discussion of their current challenges and future directions. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the interactive effects of dietary starch concentration (220 or 420 g/kg DM) and supplementation with calcium salts of palm fatty acids (CSPFAs; 0 or 30 g/kg DM) on carcass characteristics and meat quality in lambs. Thirty-two castrated Dorper × Santa Inês male lambs (initial body weight 25.0 ± 2.85 kg) were randomly assigned to four experimental diets in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement for 44 days. Although carcass yield remained unaffected (average 49.4%; p > 0.05), CSPFA supplementation significantly increased fat deposition, including perirenal fat mass (590 vs. 400 g; p = 0.005), renal fat score (2.90 vs. 2.66; p = 0.035), and subcutaneous fat thickness (3.8 vs. 1.9 mm; p = 0.017). A starch × CSPFA interaction (p = 0.014) was observed for carcass cooling, where high-starch diets reduced the 24 h temperature only in lambs not receiving CSPFA (7.45 vs. 8.48 °C; p = 0.028). CSPFA also altered the muscle fatty acid profile by increasing C16:0 and total saturated fatty acids (SFA) while reducing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). In conclusion, palm-oil–derived CSPFA enhances carcass fatness but compromises the nutritional value of lamb meat by promoting an unfavorable fatty acid profile. Full article