Search Results (134)

The aim of this study was to confirm the suitability of game meat as a sustainable substitute for farmed meat for use as a raw material in the production of dried meat products. Red deer and wild boar meat were selected for the study, and a hybrid drying method was employed, i.e., hot air drying (HAD) assisted by microwave–vacuum drying (MVD). The selection of the research material was guided by the assumed low carbon footprint of game meat (as there are no precise LCA (life cycle assessment) data), while the selection of processing methods was guided by the possibility of obtaining high-quality products with reduced energy consumption. All these aspects were intended to support sustainability in the dried meat products industry. The dried game meat obtained in this study is microbiologically stable (water activity 0.62–0.68, moisture content approx. 10% w.b.) and characterized by high quality, confirmed by high sensory quality index scores (SQI > 4.5 on a 5-point scale). The process parameter optimization of the applied hybrid three-stage drying method (HAD-MVD-HAD) also allowed for a reduction in energy consumption of almost 40% compared to the most commonly used single-stage HAD method. These achievements confirm the great potential of using game meat in the food industry, which in turn may contribute to more sustainable production practices. Full article

Game meats are particularly prone to oxidation and microbial spoilage due to their specific characteristics and the procedures required to obtain them. Various sustainable bioactive molecules derived from food industry by-products, such as olive mill wastewater, have the potential to enhance the stability and safety of game meats. The use of different levels of polyphenolic extracts from olive mill vegetation water, encapsulated through a freeze-drying process, was tested on wild boar meat patties as an antioxidant and antimicrobial. Two separate trials were performed. Trial 1 was carried out by adding different concentrations of polyphenolic extract (0, 1, and 2%) during the production of wild boar patties, and trial 2 by adding 1.5% salt and adding or not adding 2% polyphenolic extract. The first trial revealed antioxidant effects on the raw patties during storage time, both on colour (increasing in saturation index) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (0.306, 0.268, and 0.254 mg MDA/kg after 5 days of storage in the control with 1% and 2% polyphenolic extract groups, respectively). Oxidation was also reduced during cold storage of cooked patties. Trial 1 also revealed a dose-dependent antimicrobial effect, mainly on Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas spp. Trial 2 confirmed that salt plus extract addition had an overall higher antimicrobial effect than when singularly added, but with a moderate increase in the hardness of the products. Full article

The product of game or wild meat has been analyzed from a nutritional, ecological, and economic perspective in numerous studies. Consumers have various opinions regarding this source of meat due to a number of reasons. In our research, based on a survey of more than one thousand consumers, we reveal the characteristics of these consumers in a region producing a significant quantity of game meat, Andalucia. However, despite a significant production of this meat in Andalucia, consumption appears surprisingly low, as approximately 90% of this meat is exported. Consumer attitudes to this source of meat are both varied and complex, and a full understanding of the reasons for this remains lacking. In summary, this study attempts to reveal the profile of the Andalusian consumer and actions that should be taken, both in public administration and the production sector, to increase the consumption of this food source. Full article

The Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is an opportunistic invasive species in the Mediterranean that is negatively affecting biodiversity, fisheries, and tourism. In Italy, it is appreciated for its good meat quality, but the processing yield is low (21.87 ± 2.38%), generating a significant amount of by-products (72.45 ± 4.08%), which are underutilized. Valorizing this biomass is in line with circular economy principles and can improve both environmental and economic sustainability. This study aimed to valorize Atlantic blue crab by-products (BCBP), producing protein hydrolysates and assessing their in vitro bioactivities, in order to plan applications in animal food and related sectors. BCBP hydrolysates were obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis using Alcalase and Protamex enzymes. The treatment with Alcalase resulted in a higher degree of hydrolysis (DH = 23% in 205 min) compared to Protamex (DH = 14% in 175 min). Antioxidant activity of the hydrolisates was evaluated through DPPH, ABTS, reducing power and FRAP assays, as well as in vitro test in fibroblasts (HS-68). At 10 mg/mL, hydrolysates from both enzymes exhibited the maximum radical scavenging activity in DPPH and ABTS assays. In HS-68 cells, 0.5 mg/mL hydrolysates protected against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress, showing a cell viability comparable to cells treated with 0.5 mM N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), as an antioxidant. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Student–Newman–Keuls (SNK) or Games–Howell post hoc tests, with significance set at p < 0.05. Overall, both enzymes efficiently hydrolyzed BCBP proteins, generating hydrolysates with significant antioxidant activity and cytoprotective effects. These results demonstrate the potential to produce high-quality bioactive compounds from BCBPs, suitable for food, nutraceutical, and health applications. Scaling up this valorization process represents a viable strategy to improve sustainability and add economic value to the management of this invasive species, turning a problem in a resource. Full article

Subsistence hunting remains vital for food security and cultural identity in the Amazon, but its sustainability is uncertain. In Loreto, Peru, hunters often target commercially valuable species such as paca (Cuniculus paca), collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), and red brocket deer (Mazama americana). Other species, including the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), are commonly eaten but rarely sold, suggesting potential as “subsistence-only” game. We conducted weekly interviews with 19 hunters in the Indigenous Maijuna community of Sucusari from 2018 to 2019, recording 671 hunting events. Market-preferred species dominated sales, while armadillos accounted for 14 kills (58 kg) and only 0.22% of sales. Complementary camera trap surveys in 2023 (7259 trap nights) recorded 410 independent detections of armadillos. A multiseason occupancy model indicated high occupancy (98.0%, 95% CI: 91.2–99.7%) across the basin, with positive associations with palm density and elevation, and no evidence of reduced occupancy under hunting pressure. These results suggest armadillos are both widespread and resilient, supported by their unique reproductive strategy of producing four genetically identical offspring per pregnancy. Promoting subsistence use of resilient species like armadillos could enhance local food security while reducing pressure on vulnerable taxa, aligning conservation and livelihood goals in Amazonian communities. Full article

Serious games are an important tool for education and training that offers interactive and powerful experience. However, a significant challenge lays with adapting a game to meet the specific needs of each player in real-time. The present paper introduces a framework to guide the development of serious games using a phased approach. The framework introduces a level of standardization for the game elements, scenarios and data descriptions, mainly to support portability, interpretability and comprehension. This standardization is achieved through semantic annotation and it is utilized by digital twins to support self-adaptation. The proposed approach describes the game environment using ontologies and specific semantic structures, while it collects and semantically tags data during players’ interactions, including performance metrics, decision-making patterns and levels of engagement. This information is then used by a digital twin for automatically adjusting the game experience using a set of rules defined by a group of domain experts. The framework thus follows a hybrid approach, combing expert knowledge with automated adaptation actions being performed to ensure meaningful educational content delivery and flexible, real-time personalization. Real-time adaptation includes modifying the game’s level of difficulty, controlling the learning ability support and maintaining a suitable level of challenge for each player based on progress. The framework is demonstrated and evaluated using two real-word examples, the first targeting at supporting the education of children with syndromes that affect their learning abilities in close collaboration with speech therapists and the second being involved with training engineers in a poultry meat factory. Preliminary, small-scale experimentation indicated that this framework promotes personalized and dynamic user experience, with improved engagement through the adjustment of gaming elements in real-time to match each player’s unique profile, actions and achievements. Using a specially prepared questionnaire the framework was evaluated by domain experts that suggested high levels of usability and game adaptation. Comparison with similar approaches via a set of properties and features indicated the superiority of the proposed framework. 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

Background: Participation in home and wild food procurement (HWFP) activities (i.e., gardening, hunting, fishing, foraging, preserving food, raising livestock, and raising poultry for eggs) skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Procuring food through HWFP activities may have important food security and nutrition benefits, while also enhancing food sovereignty and food system resilience. This cross-sectional study examined the effect of HWFP activities on food security status, fruit and vegetable intake, and meat consumption. Methods: We used data collected in 2021 and 2022 from adults (n = 2001) through two statewide representative surveys in Maine and Vermont, United States. Dietary intake was assessed using the Dietary Screener Questionnaire. Food security status was assessed using the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 6-item short-form food security module. We analyzed the data using linear regression, logistic regression, and ordinal logistic regression models. Results: Sixty-one percent of respondents engaged in HWFP activities; the majority of those gardened. Households engaging in most individual HWFP activities had greater odds of being food insecure. HWFP engagement was positively associated with fruit and vegetable consumption. Specifically, gardening was associated with an additional one cup-equivalent in fruit and vegetable consumption per week compared to respondents that did not garden. Furthermore, when exploring these relationships disaggregated by food security status, we find that this effect is stronger for food insecure households than food secure households. Respondents from households that hunted were more likely to eat wild game meat and also consumed red and white meat more frequently compared to households that did not hunt. Conclusions: Overall, our results indicate potential nutrition and food security benefits from engaging in HWFP activities. Future research should continue to examine a full suite of HWFP activities and their relationship to diet, health, food security, and food sovereignty. Full article

Food is essential for sustaining human life. While people love delicious food, they often neglect the care for it. One of the most commonly wasted foods is bread. There has not been much research on bread waste. Carbon emissions from bread are not less than those from meat products. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate sustainable concepts with mixed learning approaches into a mixed reality (MR) interactive system, focusing on bakeries. We conducted field research and observations of leftover bread from eight local bakeries, categorizing and photographing them. We combined knowledge and teaching about carbon emissions with interactive games to help users understand the relationship between bread and carbon emissions. Users can learn about relevant knowledge and content by playing the MR game. The interactive game provides a reference for sustainability research in the future. Full article

The consumption of wild red deer (Cervus elaphus) meat is growing due to its nutritional benefits and sustainability. However, challenges like a shorter shelf life and increased microbial load of game meat highlight the need to investigate effective preservation techniques. This study investigated the effects of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on the quality parameters of wild red deer meat, including pH, color characteristics, microbial load, texture attributes, and protein stability, assessed on different days. Wild red deer meat was treated with pressures ranging from 150 to 600 MPa, followed by storage at 4 °C for up to 14 days. Results showed that HHP at or above 300 MPa stabilized pH and suppressed microbial growth. On Day 1, the control samples had a microbial count of 4.67 log CFU/g, while treatments at or above 500 MPa reduced microbial levels to below 1 log CFU/g. Texture analysis revealed improved tenderness at lower pressures (150–300 MPa) and enhanced firmness at higher pressures. Color parameters, including lightness and redness, were also influenced by HHP, as lightness increased with pressure, while redness decreased at higher pressure levels. SDS-PAGE analysis indicated protein denaturation, especially at ≥300 MPa, with significant degradation of sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins at ≥500 MPa. These findings suggest that HHP can be an effective method for improving certain quality parameters and extending the shelf life of wild red deer meat up to 14 days of storage, depending on the pressure level applied. Full article

Venison serves as a sustainable alternative to conventional protein sources and is closely tied to wildlife conservation efforts. This study sought to identify key factors influencing wild game consumption. Researchers conducted a self-administered mail-back survey targeting 5000 Illinois homeowners. Variables such as gender, dietary preferences, prior consumption experience, family involvement in hunting, and participation in outdoor activities were analyzed using Pearson correlation tests and logistic regression. The findings revealed that individuals who had previously consumed wild game, recently engaged in hunting or fishing, maintained a meat-rich diet, were male, or resided in rural areas were more likely to consume wild game. In conclusion, understanding these factors can help promote hunting as a sustainable food procurement method, raising awareness of its role in the food system and fostering greater societal acceptance of wild game meat. Full article

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen with multiple hosts, posing significant public health risks, especially in regions like Japan where game meat consumption is prevalent. This study investigated HEV infection and viral shedding in wild boars, sika deer, and Japanese serows across Japan. A total of 1896 serum samples were tested for anti-HEV antibodies, 1034 for HEV RNA, and 473 fecal samples for viral shedding. Anti-HEV antibodies were detected in wild boars from all seven prefectures studied, while HEV RNA was detected in wild boars from Fukuoka, Oita, and Miyazaki in southern Japan, as well as Yamaguchi prefecture. Genetic analysis revealed subtypes 3b, 4a, and 4g, with 3b being the most prevalent. Subtype 3b exhibited distinct geographical clustering, whereas 4g persisted exclusively in Yamaguchi for over 12 years. Infectious HEV particles were confirmed in wild boar feces, highlighting the risk of environmental contamination and zoonotic transmission. Sika deer showed no evidence of HEV infection, and only one Japanese serow tested positive for antibodies without detectable RNA. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance to assess the zoonotic risks from game meat consumption and prevention of HEV transmission to humans. Full article

Game meat is recognized as a high-quality food known for its unique sensory properties and numerous health benefits. Nevertheless, the consumption of game meat is still significantly lower compared to other types of meat. The aim of this study was to identify and describe consumer segments that are more inclined to consume game meat. An online survey was conducted with 603 participants from Croatia, and three consumer segments were identified: game meat lovers, occasional consumers of game meat, and consumers averse to game meat. This segmentation was based on consumer attitudes towards game meat, with the groups differing significantly in their consumption behavior, attitudes towards hunting, hunting experience, and sociodemographic characteristics. These results provide valuable insights for game meat producers and the industry, enabling them to develop targeted marketing strategies that cater to the different preferences and requirements of these consumer segments. Full article

Game meat production represents a unique opportunity to align ecological sustainability with the growing consumer demand for sustainable agri-food products. This study focuses on the perspectives of processors and landowners in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, examining their views on market trends, customer behaviours, barriers, and sustainability challenges. Focusing on these key stakeholders, the study highlights their central role as key drivers in shaping and sustaining the game meat value chain. This research combines secondary data analysis and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders to provide a comprehensive understanding of the game meat sector. Findings highlight that, while game meat is valued for its organic and sustainable qualities, barriers such as limited consumer awareness, high costs, and regulatory constraints hinder its market potential. The study reveals the vital role of consumer education, branding, and the development of value-added products in bridging the gap between ecological management and sustainable market growth. Moreover, the research underscores the need for tailored policies to address structural inefficiencies, promote collaboration across the value chain, and enhance accessibility to sustainable game meat products. By aligning production and marketing strategies with consumer preferences, the sector can contribute significantly to sustainable agri-food systems while supporting rural economies and biodiversity conservation. This study provides actionable recommendations for industry stakeholders and policymakers aiming to foster sustainable practices and consumer engagement in the game meat market. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Global Warming Potential Star (GWP*) refers to the amount of carbon dioxide equivalents produced by food items, with values available for n = 232 Australian food products. The aim of this study was to apply GWP* values to the AUSNUT 2011-13 food composition database to facilitate the calculation of the climate footprint of Australian dietary data. Methods: To create the GWP*-AUSNUT 2011-13 database, all n = 5740 food and beverage items in AUSNUT 2011-13 were reviewed and GWP* values applied or calculated via a systematic approach. Direct or approximate matches to a single GWP* value were prioritised. GWP* values were then calculated for composite foods with multiple ingredients. Finally, GWP* values were approximated based on food group, adjusted using other GWP* values, or foods were excluded if no appropriate match could be found. Results: A total of n = 5502 (95.85%) AUSNUT 2011-13 foods were matched to a GWP* value, with the majority requiring calculation based on multiple ingredients. Mean ± standard deviation GWP* values ranged from 0.18 ± 0.12 kg CO₂e/kg (‘Dairy and meat substitutes’) to 5.63 ± 7.55 kg CO₂e/kg (‘Meat, poultry and game products and dishes’). Conclusions: The GWP*-AUSNUT 2011-13 database can be applied to Australian dietary data to identify the climate footprint of different dietary patterns or to provide insight into dietary changes required to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Future research is now required to develop new GWP* values for a broader range of foods and to update this database when new Australian food composition databases are released. Full article