Search Results (264)

Livestock, poultry, and fisheries play an important economic role in Pakistan’s animal industry. The pet industry is also emerging and contributing to the country’s economy and people’s emotional well-being. This review provides insight into the current challenges and future directions of the animal industry in Pakistan. Livestock, poultry, and fisheries provide an economically beneficial source of milk, meat, and eggs; however, they face challenges such as disease outbreaks, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, natural disasters, and a lack of proper policies. Likewise, humans benefit from companion animals that provide emotional attachment. Moreover, the pet food market has also shown potential growth, contributing to the country’s economy. Due to the close association between animals and humans, both are at risk for infectious disease transmission. Challenges such as the lack of strong animal welfare laws and the increasing number of stray dogs and cats threaten human safety and that of other animals. We highlight current problems and additional approaches to the management of livestock, poultry, fisheries, and pets, which need to be addressed to further advance the animal industry in Pakistan. Full article

Over the years, macromycete fungi have been used as a source of food, part of religious rites and rituals, and as a medicinal remedy. Species with strong health-promoting potential include Hericium erinaceus, Cordyceps militaris, Ganoderma lucidum, Pleurotus ostreatus, Flammulina velutipes, and Inonotus obliquus. These species contain many bioactive compounds, including β-glucans, endo- and exogenous amino acids, polyphenols, terpenoids, sterols, B vitamins, minerals, and lovastatin. The level of some biologically active substances is species-specific, e.g., hericenones and erinacines, which have neuroprotective properties, and supporting the production of nerve growth factor in the brain for Hericium erinaceus. Due to their high health-promoting potential, mushrooms and substances isolated from them have found applications in livestock nutrition, improving their welfare and productivity. This phenomenon may be of particular importance in the nutrition of laying hens and broiler chickens, where an increase in pathogen resistance to antibiotics has been observed in recent years. Gallus gallus domesticus is a key farm animal for meat and egg production, so the search for new compounds to support bird health is important for food safety. Studies conducted to date indicate that feed supplementation with mushrooms has a beneficial effect on, among other things, bird weight gain; bone mineralisation; and meat and egg quality, including the lipid profile and protein content and shell thickness, and promotes the development of beneficial microbiota, thereby increasing immunity. Full article

This literature review provides an overview of the food safety and toxicological characteristics of various heavy metals and metalloids and the public health significance of their occurrence in food. Metals also occur as natural components of the environment, but they can enter food of animal origin and the human body primarily due to anthropogenic (industrial, agricultural, transport-related) activities. The persistent heavy metals (e.g., Hg, Pb, Cd) found in the environment are not biodegradable, can accumulate, and can enter the bodies of higher animals and subsequently, humans, where they are metabolized into various compounds with differing toxicity. Thus, due to their environmental contamination, they can accumulate in living organisms and their presence in the food chain is of great concern for human health. Regulations of the European Community in force lay down maximum levels for a limited number of metals, and the types of regulated foodstuffs of animal origin are also narrower than in the past, e.g., wild game animals and eggs are not included. The regulation of game meat (including offal) deserves consideration, given that it is in close interaction with the environmental condition of a given area and serves as indicator of it. Full article

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by various fungi that contaminate livestock feed, posing serious threats to animal health, productivity, and food safety. Although historical research has often examined individual mycotoxins in isolation, real-world conditions typically involve the simultaneous presence of multiple mycotoxins, resulting in additive or synergistic toxic effects that are often more severe than those observed with single toxin exposures. This review comprehensively synthesizes recent findings on multi-mycotoxin contamination in livestock feed, highlighting their physiological effects, mechanisms of action, and implications for regulatory frameworks. Multi-mycotoxin interactions exacerbate oxidative stress, immune suppression, impaired reproduction, and organ damage across species, leading to reduced growth performance, decreased milk and egg production, compromised carcass and wool quality, and increased mortality rates. A major concern is that current international regulatory standards mainly address individual mycotoxins, overlooking the compounded risks of co-occurrence. Global surveillance studies consistently reveal high prevalence rates of mycotoxin mixtures in feedstuffs, especially combinations involving DON, ZEN, AFB₁, FB₁, and OTA. Understanding these interactions and their underlying cellular mechanisms is critical for improving risk assessment models, formulating integrated mitigation strategies, and safeguarding both livestock productivity and human food security. Full article

Background: The degree of desensitization achieved through oral immunotherapy (OIT) varies widely. This study aimed to identify factors predictive of full desensitization—defined as daily, symptom-free consumption of allergenic foods—in children with food allergies under real-world conditions. Methods: A follow-up survey was conducted for all children who received OIT at Mie National Hospital, Japan, between 2008 and 2017, to assess long-term safety. Patients treated for hen’s egg, cow’s milk, or wheat allergy with at least five years of follow-up were included in the analysis. Data were collected from surveys and medical records, including treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), baseline allergen-specific IgE (sIgE), and daily intake of allergenic foods. TEAEs were evaluated using the World Allergy Organization grading system. Full desensitization was defined as the ability to consume a typical daily portion of allergenic food without symptoms. Predictive factors were identified by multivariate logistic regression. Results: A total of 111 patients (142 OIT courses: egg n = 72, milk n = 47, wheat n = 23) met inclusion criteria. The median age at OIT initiation was 6 years (IQR: 5–8). No TEAEs of grade 4 or grade 5 were reported. Overall, 30% of them achieved full desensitization: 32% in the egg group, 24% in the milk group, and 39% in the wheat group. Low baseline sIgE and absence of mild oral symptoms during build-up were identified as significant predictors. Conclusions: Mild oral symptoms may signal lower likelihood of success. Monitoring them may support individualized OIT. Full article

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have attracted significant attention due to their wide-ranging applications in animal production, largely because of their notable biocompatibility, low toxicity, and strong antimicrobial activity. These properties make ZnO NPs a promising substitute for traditional antibiotics. Their application could address the growing concern of antibiotic resistance in livestock industries. This review examines the unique physicochemical characteristics of ZnO NPs, including their nanoscale size and high surface area, which contribute to their biological functionality. Emphasis is placed on green synthesis methods that minimize environmental impact while producing high-quality ZnO NPs. In animal farming, ZnO NPs play a crucial role not only in promoting growth and improving immune responses, but also in enhancing meat and egg quality. Additionally, this review discusses the environmental and safety implications of ZnO NPs, considering their sustainable application potential in future animal production practices, aimed at fostering a more eco-friendly and efficient livestock sector. Full article

Eggshell quality inspection plays a pivotal role in enhancing the commercial value of poultry eggs and ensuring their safety. It effectively enables the screening of high-quality eggs to meet consumer demand for premium egg products. This paper analyzes the surface characteristics, ultrastructure, and mechanical properties of poultry eggshells. It systematically reviews current advances in eggshell quality inspection technologies and compares the suitability and performance of techniques for key indicators, including shell strength, thickness, spots, color, and cracks. Furthermore, the paper discusses challenges in non-destructive testing, including individual egg variations, species differences, hardware precision limitations, and inherent methodological constraints. It summarizes commercially available portable and online non-destructive testing equipment, analyzing core challenges: the cost–accessibility paradox, speed–accuracy trade-off, algorithm interference impacts, and the technology–practice gap. Additionally, the paper explores the potential application of several emerging technologies—such as tactile sensing, X-ray imaging, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy—in eggshell quality inspection. Finally, it provides a comprehensive outlook on future research directions, offering constructive guidance for subsequent studies and practical applications in production. Full article

This study aimed to develop a shelf-stable, plant-based whole hard-boiled egg analogue, available in both regular and low-allergenic versions. Six plant proteins—soy, mung bean, pea, rice, potato, and wheat—were formulated into egg white and yolk components, with mung bean and wheat proteins showing the most promising sensory and visual qualities. Two preservation methods, thermal pasteurization (75–85 °C, 15–20 min) and gamma irradiation (2–5 kGy), were applied to extend shelf life while maintaining product quality. Thermal treatment at 75 °C for 15 min and gamma irradiation at 3.5 kGy were identified as optimal conditions, balancing sensory acceptability and microbial safety. Sensory evaluation by 100 untrained panelists revealed favorable scores for appearance, texture, and overall liking, without significant differences among selected formulations (p > 0.05). Accelerated shelf life testing and Q10 modeling predicted a shelf life of 188 days for thermally pasteurized eggs and 253 days (8.42 months) for gamma-irradiated eggs at 30 °C. These results demonstrate the feasibility of developing a consumer-acceptable, plant-based hard-boiled egg analogue with extended ambient shelf life. Full article

Shell eggs are susceptible to fecal contamination, facilitating the adhesion of microorganisms to the eggshell surface. The consumption of such eggs, especially when unwashed or raw, poses potential health risks to consumers. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of unwashed control, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) sanitization (150 ppm), and the combination of NaOCl and ultraviolet (UV) sanitization on the quality of eggs stored at varying temperatures over a four-week period. The findings demonstrated that NaOCl sanitization alone reduced surface bacterial counts by 1.23 log₁₀ CFU/mL, while the combination of NaOCl and UV-C irradiation achieved a greater reduction of 1.48 log₁₀ CFU/mL compared to the unwashed group. After two weeks of storage, unwashed egg groups (UC and UR) exhibited higher eggshell strength compared to NaOCl-sanitized groups (p < 0.05); however, this did not significantly influence internal contamination. Prolonged storage, particularly under refrigeration, led to increased hydroxyl (OH) group peak intensities on the eggshell, indicating dehydration and the formation of fissures in the cuticle. Elevated storage temperatures and extended durations adversely affected egg quality, whereas UV treatment did not have a detrimental impact. In conclusion, to ensure the safety and quality of shell eggs, it is recommended that they undergo NaOCl sanitization, UV irradiation, and be stored under refrigerated conditions. Full article

Mycotoxins are secondary fungal metabolites that frequently contaminate poultry feed, posing significant risks to animal health, productivity, and food safety. In broiler production, mycotoxins such as aflatoxins, trichothecenes, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone have been shown to impair growth performance, damage key organs, and disrupt immune function. This review explores the multifaceted impact of mycotoxin exposure in broilers, with particular emphasis on immunosuppression, decreased vaccine efficacy, and increased vulnerability to infectious diseases, including coccidiosis, salmonellosis, E. coli, and viral infections like infectious bursal disease and infectious laryngotracheitis. Mycotoxin contamination in poultry feed can lead to direct economic losses through reduced feed conversion efficiency, increased mortality, and reproductive disorders, while also resulting in the transfer of toxic residues into meat and eggs, thereby threatening consumer health. The review further examines the synergistic interactions between mycotoxins and pathogens, the physiological and histopathological changes in exposed birds, and the implications for public health. Finally, it discusses current mitigation strategies, including mycotoxin binders, probiotics, and regulatory approaches to reduce exposure. An integrated management strategy combining feed hygiene, monitoring, and targeted nutritional interventions is essential to safeguard poultry health, enhance vaccine responses, and ensure the safety of poultry-derived food products. This review offers actionable insights for veterinarians, nutritionists, and policymakers, reinforcing the importance of mycotoxin mitigation strategies within a One Health framework. Full article

Vaccination plays a pivotal role in the control and prevention of animal infectious diseases. However, no efficient and safe universal vaccines are currently registered for major pathogens such as influenza A virus, foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), and small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV). Here, we review the development of Sendai virus (SeV) vectors as a promising vaccine platform for animal diseases. Recombinant SeV vectors (rSeVv) possess several key features that make them highly suitable for developing vaccination strategies: (1) SeV has exclusively cytoplasmic replication cycle, therefore incapable of transforming host cells by integrating into the cellular genome, (2) rSeVv can accommodate large foreign gene/s inserts (~5 kb) with strong but adjustable transgene expression, (3) can be propagated to high titers in both embryonated chicken eggs and mammalian cell lines, (4) exhibits potent infectivity across a broad range of mammalian cells from different animals species, (5) undergo transient replication in the upper and lower respiratory tracts of non-natural hosts, (6) has not been associated with disease in pigs, non-humans primates, and small ruminants, ensuring a favorable safety profile, and (7) induce a robust innate and cellular immune responses. Preclinical and clinical studies using rSeVv-based vaccines against influenza A virus, FMDV, SIV, and SRLV have yielded promising results. Therefore, this review highlights the potential of rSeVv-based vaccine platforms as a valuable strategy for combating animal viruses. Full article

Background/Objectives: Influenza poses a significant risk for young children, particularly those under five. Cell culture-derived influenza vaccines offer advantages in reducing adaptive changes and mitigating egg allergy concerns. SKYCellflu^® quadrivalent has been in use since 2015, and this study aimed to assess its safety and influenza infections in children aged 6–35 months in South Korea. Methods: A prospective cohort, non-interventional, multi-center post-marketing surveillance study was conducted from 2020 to 2024. This study presents data from the 2023–2024 influenza season on safety and influenza infections in children aged 6–35 months following SKYCellflu^® vaccination. Safety was assessed based on adverse events (AEs) within 28 days post-vaccination, and influenza infections were assessed via phone calls or medical record screening. Results: Among 333 safety set participants, 54.4% reported at least one AE, with most being mild to moderate. The cumulative incidence of influenza infections among 247 ad hoc subsets was 4.5%, and the incidence rate was 1.3 per 100 person-months (95% CI, 0.7–2.4) during the 2023–2024 influenza season. The two-dose regimen in vaccine-naïve infants aged 6–11 months showed a lower cumulative incidence of influenza infection rate (0.8% vs. 3.8%) and incidence rate (0.3 vs. 0.9 per 100 person-months) than the one-dose group (3.8%). No influenza-related hospitalizations occurred within the ad hoc subset. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a tolerable safety profile and the pattern of influenza infections following SKYCellflu^® vaccination. Additionally, the two-dose regimen was associated with a lower incidence of influenza infections, suggesting potential benefits in enhancing protection among infants aged 6–11 months. Full article

Food allergies are becoming more common globally. The strict elimination diet, as the main approach so far, has a negative impact on different areas of the lives of children suffering from food allergies, as well as on their caregivers. Oral immunotherapy (OIT), which consists of ingesting small, gradually increasing amounts of food allergens, is a promising approach. Although efficient, this approach is accompanied by frequent adverse reactions (AR), some of which are as severe as anaphylaxis. It seems that, generally, slow dose escalation, as well as low maintenance doses with longer durations, make OIT safer, especially in children with severe food allergies. Furthermore, less allergenic forms of allergens, such as baked milk or egg, also contribute to OIT safety. Adjuvant therapy in combination with OIT has the potential to improve OIT efficiency and safety. Treatment with monoclonal antibodies such as omalizumab and dupilumab in combination with OIT is promising. While both could improve efficiency, omalizumab seems to have a better effect on safety. Interferon γ shows promising results. In contrast, the effect of probiotics and vitamin D supplementation in combination with OIT is still controversial, and new trials about their synergistic effect are needed. Full article

Eggs, recognized as a “complete nutritional food”, constitute a crucial source of high-quality protein and maintain an essential position in China’s animal protein supply system. However, extended storage periods induce biochemical degradation, including protein denaturation, air cell expansion, and microbial growth, substantially affecting both food safety and nutritional value. As consumer demand for food quality assurance increases, research in egg freshness evaluation has made substantial progress. While existing studies have focused on isolated detection methods for egg freshness, there remains a critical gap in systematically integrating multidisciplinary approaches and evaluating their synergistic potential for comprehensive quality assessment. This review systematically categorizes conventional and emerging detection methodologies, including sensory assessment, physical characterization, chemical analysis, and intelligent detection technologies. The paper presents a comprehensive analysis of current research developments while offering perspectives on practical applications and future directions for egg freshness evaluation systems. Full article

Mycotoxins are among the primary factors compromising food quality and safety. To investigate mycotoxin contamination, microbial diversity, and functional profiles in maize across distinct geographic regions, this study analyzed samples from Xuanwei, Fuyuan, and Zhanyi. Mycotoxin concentrations were quantified through standardized assays, while microbial community structures were characterized using metagenomics sequencing. Metabolic pathways, functional genes, and enzymatic activities were systematically annotated with the KEGG, eggNOG, and CAZy databases. The results demonstrated an absence of detectable aflatoxin (AF) levels. Deoxynivalenol (DON) concentrations varied significantly among experimental cohorts, although all values remained within regulatory thresholds. Zearalenone (ZEN) contamination exceeded permissible limits by 40%. The metagenomic profiling identified 85 phyla, 1219 classes, 277 orders, 590 families, 1171 genera, and 2130 species of microorganisms, including six mycotoxigenic fungal species. The abundance and diversity of microorganisms were similar among different treatment groups. Among 32,333 annotated KEGG pathways, primary metabolic processes predominated (43.99%), while glycoside hydrolases (GH) and glycosyltransferases (GT) constituted 76.67% of the 40,202 carbohydrate-active enzymes. These empirical findings establish a scientific framework for optimizing agronomic practices, harvest scheduling, and post-harvest management in maize cultivation. Full article