Search Results (1,128)

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

Microbial feed additives can effectively promote the healthy development of aquaculture, and Lactobacillus acidophilus can be utilized to mitigate disease risks and enhance productivity while minimizing antibiotic use. This article summarizes research on the application of L. acidophilus in aquaculture, focusing on growth and nutrient utilization, intestinal structure and microbial communities, disease prevention and control in aquatic organisms, and the regulation of water quality. This review holds significant implications for the development of compound feed additives and environmental regulators involving L. acidophilus, as well as for future aquatic food safety. Full article

Background/Objectives: In many parts of the world, pharmacists hold the primary responsibility for providing safe and effective pharmacotherapy. A key aspect is the availability of appropriate medicines for each individual patient. When industrially manufactured medicines are unsuitable or unavailable, pharmacists can prepare tailor-made medicines. While this principle applies globally, practices vary between countries. In the Netherlands, the preparation of medicines in pharmacies is well-established and integrated into routine healthcare. This narrative review explores the role and significance of extemporaneous compounding, pharmacy preparations and related product care in the Netherlands. Methods: Pharmacists involved in pharmacy preparations across various professional sectors, including community and hospital pharmacies, central compounding facilities, academia, and the professional pharmacists’ organisation, provided detailed and expert insights based on the literature and policy documents while also sharing their critical perspectives. Results: We present arguments supporting the need for pharmacy preparations and examine their position and role in community and hospital pharmacies in the Netherlands. Additional topics are discussed, including the regulatory and legal framework, outsourcing, quality assurance, standardisation, education, and international context. Specific pharmacy preparation topics, often with a research component and a strong focus on product care, are highlighted, including paediatric dosage forms, swallowing difficulties and feeding tubes, hospital-at-home care, reconstitution of oncolytic drugs and biologicals, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), radiopharmaceuticals and optical tracers, clinical trial medication, robotisation in reconstitution, and patient-centric solid oral dosage forms. Conclusions: The widespread acceptance of pharmacy preparations in the Netherlands is the result of a unique combination of strict adherence to tailored regulations that ensure quality and safety, and patient-oriented flexibility in design, formulation, and production. This approach is further reinforced by the standardisation of a broad range of formulations and procedures across primary, secondary and tertiary care, as well as by continuous research-driven innovation to develop new medicines, formulations, and production methods. Full article

Background: Hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a leading cause of severe neurological impairments in childhood. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is both safe and effective in neonates born at ≥36 weeks gestation with moderate to severe HIE. We aimed to evaluate short-term outcomes—including brain injury detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—in infants born at 34–35 weeks of gestation drawing on our clinical experience with neonates under 36 weeks of gestational age (GA). Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 20 preterm infants with a GA of 34 to 35 weeks and a matched cohort of 80 infants with a GA of ≥36 weeks who were diagnosed with moderate to severe HIE and underwent TH were included. Infants were matched in a 1:4 ratio based on the worst base deficit in blood gas and sex. Maternal and neonatal characteristics, brain MRI findings and short term outcomes were compared. Results: Infants with a GA of 34–35 weeks had a lower birth weight and a higher rate of caesarean delivery (both p < 0.001). Apgar scores, sex, intubation rate in delivery room, blood gas pH, base deficit and lactate were comparable between the groups. Compared to infants born at ≥36 weeks of GA, preterm neonates were more likely to receive inotropes, had a longer time to achieve full enteral feeding, and experienced a longer hospital stay. The mortality rate was 10% in the 34–35 weeks GA group. Neuroimaging revealed injury in 66.7% of infants born at 34–35 weeks of gestation and in 58.8% of those born at ≥36 weeks (p = 0.56). Injury was observed across multiple brain regions, with white matter being the most frequently affected in the 34–35 weeks GA group. Thalamic and cerebellar abnormal signal intensity or diffusion restriction, punctate white matter lesions, and diffusion restriction in the corpus callosum and optic radiations were more frequently detected in infants born at 34–35 weeks of gestation. Conclusions: Our study contributes to the growing body of literature suggesting that TH may be feasible and tolerated in late preterm infants. Larger randomized controlled trials focused on this vulnerable population are necessary to establish clear guidelines regarding the safety and efficacy of TH in late preterm infants. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pumpkin seed pulp from processing plants offers high nutritional value due to its rich β-carotene content, making it a potential functional feed ingredient. This study investigated the effects of pumpkin seed pulp, which has already been administered as livestock feed, on key physiological parameters in cattle, including the concentration of β-carotene in the blood measured during routine health monitoring. Methods: Here, pumpkin waste cultivated in various fields was processed into cattle feed (pumpkin seed pulp flakes, PSPFs) by grinding and drying, and residual pesticide (heptachlor) and β-carotene contents were measured. A pilot feeding trial was conducted with 13 cattle (7 in the treatment group and 6 in the control group) and blood component analysis was performed, and findings were contextualized with a literature review. Results: Heptachlor concentrations varied depending on the cultivation site of raw pumpkins. Among the six lots produced using raw materials sourced from fields not contracted by the Air Water Group—a collective of companies in which Air Water Inc. holds more than 51% ownership—three exceeded the regulatory limits for animal feed established in Japan. PSPFs contained high levels of β-carotene, as expected. Blood tests before and after the feeding trial indicated absorption of β-carotene in the cattle. Maintaining high plasma β-carotene concentrations in cattle has been associated with improved immune function and reproductive performance. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that PSPFs are a promising, environmentally friendly, and natural β-carotene-rich feed ingredient. Tracing the cultivation fields of raw pumpkins can help ensure feed safety. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hermetia illucens larvae can efficiently convert agri-food residues into high-protein biomass for animal feed and nutrient-rich frass for soil amendment. However, the potential spread of carbapenem resistance genes (CRGs), which confer resistance to last-resort carbapenem antibiotics, and Enterobacteriaceae, common carriers of these genes and opportunistic pathogens, raises important safety concerns. This study aimed to assess the influence of different agri-food-based diets on Enterobacteriaceae loads and the CRG occurrence during the bioconversion process. Methods: Four experimental diets were formulated from agri-food residues and anaerobic digestate: Diet 1 (peas and chickpea waste), Diet 2 (peas and wheat waste), Diet 3 (onion and wheat waste), and Diet 4 (wheat waste and digestate). Enterobacteriaceae were quantified by viable counts, while five CRGs (bla_KPC, bla_NDM, bla_OXA-48, bla_VIM, and bla_GES) were detected and quantified using quantitative PCRs (qPCRs). Analyses were performed on individual substrates, formulated diets, larvae (before and after bioconversion), and frass. Results: Plant-based diets sustained moderate Enterobacteriaceae loads. In contrast, the digestate-based diet led to a significant increase in Enterobacteriaceae in both the frass and mature larvae. CRGs were detected only in legume-based diets: bla_VIM and bla_GES were found in both mature larvae and frass, while bla_OXA-48 and bla_KPC were found exclusively in either larvae or frass. No CRGs were detected in onion- or digestate-based diets nor in young larvae or diet inputs. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the diet composition may influence the proliferation of Enterobacteriaceae and the persistence of CRGs. Careful substrate selection and process monitoring are essential to minimize antimicrobial resistance risks in insect-based bioconversion systems. Full article

Leaves, the main by-product of lingonberry harvesting, can be effectively used as a functional feed additive due to their health-promoting properties. This study evaluated the effects of lingonberry leaf (LL) supplementation on rumen fermentation, protozoal populations, and gastrointestinal morphology in sheep. Eight one-year-old Polish Mountain Sheep ewes (mean body weight: 33 kg) were allocated to a control (basal diet; forage-to-concentrate ratio 60:40) or an experimental group (basal diet + 9.30 g/kg DM dried LLs) in a completely randomised design (n = 4 per group) over 34 days. Both diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isonitrogenous. LL additive significantly reduced Isotrichidae protozoal counts (p < 0.001) and ruminal pectinolytic activity (p = 0.043), without altering short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) or methane concentrations (p > 0.1). Histological analyses showed increased ruminal papilla width and surface area (p < 0.001) and decreased duodenal villus height and muscular layer thickness (p < 0.01). Inflammatory lesions (reddish foci) were identified in the liver in both groups. These findings demonstrate that LL supplementation affected specific protozoal population, fibrolytic activity, and gastrointestinal morphology. Further study on a larger number of animals is recommended to validate the effects and assess the safety and efficacy of LLs as a dietary additive in ruminant nutrition. Full article

The demand for sustainable animal production is increasing. Microalgae such as Chlorella and Spirulina show promise as sustainable and functional ingredients in animal (poultry) feed. However, little is known about consumer perceptions regarding the use of algae in broiler diets and potential effects of algae on chicken meat. Residents of Flanders (Belgium) were surveyed to evaluate consumer knowledge, attitudes and willingness to buy chicken meat produced with algae-supplemented feed. Demographic data were collected, and both descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to assess influencing factors (n = 275 respondents who purchase chicken meat). While most respondents (69.6%) had tasted macroalgae (seaweed), only 11.4% and 24.6% indicated having tasted Chlorella and Spirulina before, respectively. Health, taste and safety were the most important drivers for consuming algae. Meat quality was the most important factor when purchasing chicken meat, while organic production was least valued. Regarding algae-fed chicken, 72.5% expressed willingness to purchase meat labeled as such, and 83.7% would buy algae-fed chicken regardless of its color. Sustainability beliefs significantly influenced willingness to accept a yellower meat color (β = 0.42 to 0.66, p < 0.001). Educational level and age also played a role, with higher-educated consumers showing greater acceptance. The influence of age was also related to the price of the meat, with consumers over 30 expressing a greater willingness to pay more than young people (under 30). Despite limited general knowledge about microalgae, the consumers surveyed are open to the idea of algae-fed chicken meat, particularly when it is framed as more sustainable. Clear ingredient labeling and consumer education may further support market acceptance. Full article

Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) is pivotal for flexible, worker-centric manufacturing in Industry 5.0, yet dynamic task allocation remains difficult because operator states—fatigue and skill—fluctuate abruptly. I address this gap with a hybrid framework that couples real-time perception and double-estimating reinforcement learning. A Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) classifies nine fatigue–skill combinations from synthetic physiological cues (heart-rate, blink rate, posture, wrist acceleration); its outputs feed a Double Deep Q-Network (DDQN) whose state vector also includes task-queue and robot-status features. The DDQN optimises a multi-objective reward balancing throughput, workload and safety and executes at 10 Hz within a closed-loop pipeline implemented in MATLAB R2025a and RoboDK v5.9. Benchmarking on a 1000-episode HRC dataset (2500 allocations·episode⁻¹) shows the hybrid CNN+DDQN controller raises throughput to 60.48 ± 0.08 tasks·min⁻¹ (+21% vs. rule-based, +12% vs. SARSA, +8% vs. Dueling DQN, +5% vs. PPO), trims operator fatigue by 7% and sustains 99.9% collision-free operation (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.05; post-hoc power 1 − β = 0.87). Visual analyses confirm responsive task reallocation as fatigue rises or skill varies. The approach outperforms strong baselines (PPO, A3C, Dueling DQN) by mitigating Q-value over-estimation through double learning, providing robust policies under stochastic human states and offering a reproducible blueprint for multi-robot, Industry 5.0 factories. Future work will validate the controller on a physical Doosan H2017 cell and incorporate fairness constraints to avoid workload bias across multiple operators. Full article

Over the past few decades, scientific interest in mycotoxins—fungal metabolites that pose serious concern to food safety, crop health, and both human and animal health—has increased. While major mycotoxins such as aflatoxins, ochratoxins, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, zearalenone, citrinin, patulin, and ergot alkaloids are well studied, emerging mycotoxins remain underexplored and insufficiently investigated. Among these, moniliformin (MON) is frequently detected in maize-based food and feed; however, the absence of regulatory limits and standardized detection methods limits effective monitoring and comprehensive risk assessment. The European Food Safety Authority highlights insufficient occurrence and toxicological data as challenges to regulatory development. This study compares three analytical methods—CE-DAD, HPLC-DAD, and HPLC-MS/MS—for moniliformin detection and quantification in maize, evaluating linear range, correlation coefficients, detection and quantification limits, accuracy, and precision. Results show that CE-DAD and HPLC-MS/MS provide reliable and comparable sensitivity and selectivity, while HPLC-DAD is less sensitive. Application to real samples enabled deterministic dietary exposure estimation based on consumption, supporting preliminary risk characterization. This research provides a critical comparison that supports the advancement of improved monitoring and risk assessment frameworks, representing a key step toward innovating the detection of under-monitored mycotoxins and laying the groundwork for future regulatory and preventive measures targeting MON. Full article

Xylanase is an essential industrial enzyme for degrading plant biomass, pulp and paper, textiles, bio-scouring, food, animal feed, biorefinery, chemicals, and pharmaceutical industries. Despite its significant industrial importance, the extensive application of xylanase is hampered by high production costs and concerns regarding the safety of xylanase-producing microorganisms. The utilisation of renewable polymers for enzyme production is becoming a cost-effective alternative. Among the prospective candidates, non-pathogenic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are promising for safe and eco-friendly applications. Our investigation revealed that Pediococcus pentosaceus G4, isolated from plant sources, is a notable producer of extracellular xylanase. Improving the production of extracellular xylanase is crucial for viable industrial applications. Therefore, the current study investigated the impact of various medium components and optimised the selected medium composition for extracellular xylanase production of P. pentosaceus G4 using Plackett–Burman Design (PBD) and Central Composite Design (CCD) statistical approaches. According to BPD analysis, 8 out of the 19 investigated factors (glucose, almond shell, peanut shell, walnut shell, malt extract, xylan, urea, and magnesium sulphate) demonstrated significant positive effects on extracellular xylanase production of P. pentosaceus G4. Among them, glucose, almond shells, peanut shells, urea, and magnesium sulphate were identified as the main medium components that significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the production of extracellular xylanase of P. pentosaceus G4. The optimal concentrations of glucose, almond shells, peanut shells, urea, and magnesium sulphate, as determined via CCD, were 26.87 g/L, 16 g/L, 30 g/L, 2.85 g/L, and 0.10 g/L, respectively. The optimised concentrations resulted in extracellular xylanase activity of 2.765 U/mg, which was similar to the predicted extracellular xylanase activity of 2.737 U/mg. The CCD-optimised medium yielded a 3.13-fold enhancement in specific extracellular xylanase activity and a 7.99-fold decrease in production costs compared to the commercial de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe medium, implying that the CCD-optimised medium is a cost-effective medium for extracellular xylanase production of P. pentosaceus G4. Moreover, this study demonstrated a positive correlation between extracellular xylanase production, growth, lactic acid production and the amount of sugar utilised, implying the multifaceted interactions of the physiological variables affecting extracellular xylanase production in P. pentosaceus G4. In conclusion, statistical methods are effective in rapidly assessing and optimising the medium composition to enhance extracellular xylanase production of P. pentosaceus G4. Furthermore, the findings of this study highlighted the potential of using LAB as a cost-effective producer of extracellular xylanase enzymes using optimised renewable polymers, offering insights into the future use of LAB in producing hemicellulolytic enzymes. 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

Micro- and Nanoplastic (MNP) pollution is an emerging challenge globally, posing a significant threat to both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. This review critically examines the sources, exposure routes, and impact of plastics, with particular focus on implications for the livestock sector. MNPs enter animals’ bodies primarily through ingestion of contaminated feed and water, inhalation, and dermal exposure, subsequently accumulating in various organs, disrupting physiological functions. Notably, MNPs facilitate the horizontal transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), exacerbating the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In agricultural environments, sources such as organic fertilizers, wastewater irrigation systems, surface runoff, and littering contribute to soil contamination, adversely affecting plant growth and soil health, which in turn compromises feed quality and ultimately animals’ productivity. This review synthesizes current evidence demonstrating how MNP exposure impairs animal production, reproduction, and survival, and highlights the interconnected risks to food safety and ecosystem health. The findings call for the urgent need for comprehensive research under controlled conditions to underscore the fine details regarding mechanisms of MNP toxicity and to inform effective mitigation strategies. Addressing MNP pollution is crucial for safeguarding animal health, ensuring sustainable livestock production, and promoting environmental sustainability and integrity. Full article

The global escalation of organic waste generation, coupled with rising protein demand and environmental pressure, necessitates innovative, circular approaches to resource management. Hermetia illucens (Black Soldier Fly, BSF) has emerged as a leading candidate for integrated waste-to-resource systems. This review examines BSF biological and genomic adaptations underpinning waste conversion efficiency, comparative performance of BSF bioconversion versus traditional treatments, nutritional and functional attributes, techno-economic, regulatory, and safety barriers to industrial scale-up. Peer-reviewed studies were screened for methodological rigor, and data on life cycle traits, conversion metrics, and product compositions were synthesized. BSF larvae achieve high waste reductions, feed-conversion efficiencies and redirect substrate carbon into biomass, yielding net CO₂ emissions as low as 12–17 kg CO₂ eq ton⁻¹, an order of magnitude below composting or vermicomposting. Larval biomass offers protein, lipids (notably lauric acid), micronutrients, chitin, and antimicrobial peptides, with frass serving as a nutrient-rich fertilizer. Pathogen and antibiotic resistance gene loads decrease during bioconversion. Key constraints include substrate heterogeneity, heavy metal accumulation, fragmented regulatory landscapes, and high energy and capital demands. BSF systems demonstrate superior environmental and nutritional performance compared to conventional waste treatments. Harmonized safety standards, feedstock pretreatment, automation, and green extraction methods are critical to overcoming scale-up barriers. Interdisciplinary innovation and policy alignment will enable BSF platforms to realize their full potential within circular bio-economies. Full article

This paper provides a comparative study of unsupervised Deep Learning (DL) methods for anomaly detection in Flight Data Monitoring (FDM). The paper applies Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Gated Recurrent Units (GRUs), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), classic Transformer architecture, and LSTM combined with a self-attention mechanism to real-world flight data and compares the results to the current state-of-the-art flight data analysis techniques applied in the industry. The paper finds that LSTM, when integrated with a self-attention mechanism, offers notable benefits over other deep learning methods as it effectively handles lengthy time series like those present in flight data, establishes a generalized model applicable across various airports and facilitates the detection of trends across the entire fleet. The results were validated by industrial experts. The paper additionally investigates a range of methods for feeding flight data (lengthy time series) to a neural network. The innovation of this paper involves utilizing Transformer architecture and LSTM with self-attention mechanism for the first time in the realm of aviation data, exploring the optimal method for inputting flight data into a model and evaluating all deep learning techniques for anomaly detection against the ground truth determined by human experts. The paper puts forth a compelling case for shifting from the existing method, which relies on examining events through threshold exceedances, to a deep learning-based approach that offers a more proactive style of data analysis. This not only enhances the generalization of the FDM process but also has the potential to improve air transport safety and optimize aviation operations. Full article