Search Results (293)

Intensive broiler chicken farming is one of the most important livestock sectors globally. However, intensive production systems raise concerns about farm sustainability, as well as ensuring animal welfare and product quality. For this reason, identifying novel, high-value-added feed ingredients is crucial. Winery by-products (WBPs) are a valuable source of bioactive compounds and can be utilized as functional feed ingredients. This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with grape seed meal and grape pomace meal in diets for broilers up to 42 days of age. Three dietary treatments were formulated—grape seed meal (3% and 6%), grape pomace meal (3% and 6%), and a combination (3% seed meal + 3% pomace meal)—along with a standard diet (control). The proximal composition (moisture, protein, fatty acid profile, fats, ash), antioxidant parameters (ROS, GSH, NO, POV), free radical scavenging activity (DPPH and ABTS^•+), and total phenolic content of the meat and physical characteristics (color) were assessed. While proximal composition of meat was not significantly influenced by the dietary treatment, some parameters, such as total phenolic content, PUFA levels, and antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity, were improved. These results demonstrate enhanced favorable traits improving chicken meat quality and confirm the potential of WBPs as functional feed ingredients, promoting a more sustainable production model aligned with the principles of the circular economy. Full article

Food loss and waste (FLW) is a chronic problem across food systems worldwide, with meat being one of the most resource-intensive and perishable categories. The perishable character of meat, combined with complex cold chain requirements and consumer behavior, makes the sector particularly sensitive to inefficiencies and loss across all stages from production to consumption. This review synthesizes the latest advancements in new preservation technologies and supply chain efficiency strategies to minimize meat wastage and also outlines current challenges and future directions. New preservation technologies, such as high-pressure processing, cold plasma, pulsed electric fields, and modified atmosphere packaging, have substantial potential to extend shelf life while preserving nutritional and sensory quality. Active and intelligent packaging, bio-preservatives, and nanomaterials act as complementary solutions to enhance safety and quality control. At the same time, blockchain, IoT sensors, AI, and predictive analytics-driven digitalization of the supply chain are opening new opportunities in traceability, demand forecasting, and cold chain management. Nevertheless, regulatory uncertainty, high capital investment requirements, heterogeneity among meat types, and consumer hesitancy towards novel technologies remain significant barriers. Furthermore, the scalability of advanced solutions is limited in emerging nations due to digital inequalities. Convergent approaches that combine technical innovation with policy harmonization, stakeholder capacity building, and consumer education are essential to address these challenges. System-level strategies based on circular economy principles can further reduce meat loss and waste, while enabling by-product valorization and improving climate resilience. By integrating preservation innovations and digital tools within the framework of UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, the meat sector can make meaningful progress towards sustainable food systems, improved food safety, and enhanced environmental outcomes. Full article

Issues related to malnutrition are addressed primarily through the consumption of fish meat, as it is both affordable and accessible to economically weaker sections of the population. Therefore, challenges observed in the aquaculture and fishery sectors, such as the detection of environmental changes, disease outbreaks, hindered growth, and poor fish health management, need to be addressed to increase production. The employment of modern technologies, such as (bio)sensors, helps to enhance production in artisanal and large aquaculture systems, because these can timely detect challenges, including climate change factors, sea-level-rise-induced salinity load, changes in inland temperatures, ocean acidification, changes in precipitation patterns, ammonia toxicity, infectious diseases, and stress factors in aquatic systems. As a result, appropriate and timely measures can be taken at various stages of fish culture to address common problems. Using major scientific electronic databases, we comprehensively reviewed the topic of emerging needs, expanding applications, and recent technological advances in biosensors, with a particular focus on pisciculture. We highlight the biosensor technology used in the fisheries industry, which represents a pivotal step towards addressing its various aspects. Full article

The global population is rising sharply and is expected to be 10 billion by 2050. Nutrition security, especially protein, is a major concern, as it is one of the essential ingredients for body growth. However, consumption of meat is unsustainable, as the use of natural resources and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are relatively high compared to plant-based protein sources. Aquatic plants like duckweed, Azolla, and water spinach, as well as macroalgae and microalgae, contain good amounts of protein, ranging from 25% to 60% dry weight (DW) and comprising major essential amino acids (EAAs). These plants are rich in vitamins and minerals and possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anti-fatigue properties. In addition, green food processing (GFP) technologies minimize the antinutritional factors, which in turn increase the bioaccessibility and biodigestibility of aquatic plants. Fermentation is one of the oldest known GFP methods. Recent advances include high-pressure processing, pulsed electric field, ultrasound-assisted, and microwave-assisted extraction, which are among the most promising techniques. Hence, government initiatives, as well as research and private sector collaboration for cultivation, processing, and advocating for such nutrient-dense food, are necessary. This will ensure sustainable production and consumption. Full article

The Trump administration signalled a shift toward protectionism in U.S. trade policy, imposing tariffs on imports from both strategic partners and competitors, which generated renewed uncertainty in international trade relations and the future of existing frameworks such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP). Earlier analysis has shown that a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the United States can be trade-creating and lead to improved macroeconomic outcomes in SACU countries. However, these positive effects decline over time, with varying impacts across different industries, influenced by initial tariff levels and export orientation relative to the US. This paper examines whether there are economic and strategic incentives for SACU to negotiate a more beneficial agreement than a simple across-the-board elimination of ad valorem import tariffs. Using a dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, the paper examines the outcomes if cereals, poultry, dairy products, red meat, and sugar products—often classified as sensitive due to their labour intensity, food security implications, and exposure to import competition—were to retain some level of protection under a SACU–US Free Trade Agreement. The results suggest that while the FTA boosts key macroeconomic indicators in the short run, gains taper off over time. Crucially, real wages and employment remain stagnant, and terms of trade deteriorate, raising questions about the inclusivity and sustainability of such a deal. Shielding vulnerable sectors initially enhances SACU’s exports and supports some industry growth, particularly in agriculture. However, without broader reforms and export diversification, long-term competitiveness remains weak. A nuanced FTA design, combined with structural support policies, is essential to unlock lasting and inclusive trade benefits. Full article

To ensure transparent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), climate impacts from cattle production must be consistently allocated among meat, milk and raw hides. This review examines allocation boundaries, compares physical and economic methods, and evaluates the upstream burden attributable to hides using extensive data from the Italian beef sector. Three hypotheses were tested: that hides, as marketable co-products, bear a non-zero share of upstream emissions (H1); that the burden assigned by economic allocation is lower than that assigned by physical (mass-based) allocation (H2); that allocation shares vary over time according to hide/meat price ratios (H3). The results from large-scale Italian datasets confirmed all three hypotheses. Physical allocation attributed an average of 5.9% of live weight to hides, whereas economic allocation assigned an average of 2.7% in 2023, decreasing over the historical price series. Consistent with available inventories, the upstream carbon footprint of raw hides was found to range from 1.63 kg CO₂e/kg (economic allocation) to 3.55 kg CO₂e/kg (physical allocation) when GWP₁₀₀ was used. These findings demonstrate that neglecting co-product allocation leads to the systematic overestimation of the environmental impact of meat and the underestimation of the environmental impact of leather. Overall, economic allocation is the most appropriate and policy-aligned approach to hide accounting, reflecting market value and reducing methodological bias in beef-chain life cycle assessments (LCAs). Full article

The EU–Mercosur agri-food trade is characterized by strong asymmetries reflecting long-standing structural differences between the two blocs. With the EU–Mercosur Agreement moving toward ratification, assessing these long-term trade patterns is essential for anticipating how liberalization may reshape comparative advantages and adjustment pressures in agri-food sectors. The analysis applies four quantitative indicators: the Revealed Comparative Advantage index (RCA), the Trade Complementarity Index (TCI), the Trade Intensity Index (TII), and the Export Similarity Index (ESI). Mercosur shows strong comparative advantages in raw and semi-processed commodities such as soybeans, meat, sugar and maize, while the EU specializes in higher value-added processed foods. High TCI values indicate strong alignment between Mercosur’s export structure and EU import demand, while low ESI values reveal limited direct competition. Low TII values suggest unrealized cooperation potential. Findings highlight both opportunities and vulnerabilities for agri-food sectors under future trade liberalization. Full article

It is well known that nitrite is widely used in industrial and agricultural sectors as a preservative, corrosion inhibitor, and intermediate in chemical synthesis; consequently, nitrite residues are often present in food, water, and the environment as a result of meat curing, fertilizer use, and wastewater discharge. Despite having several applications, nitrite exerts toxic effects on human beings and aquatic life. Therefore, the monitoring of nitrite is of particular significance to avoid negative impacts on human health, the environment, and aquatic life. Previously, the electrochemical method has been extensively used for the development of nitrite sensors using various advanced electrode materials. Additionally, zinc oxide (ZnO), cerium oxide (CeO₂), titanium dioxide (TiO₂), copper oxide (CuO), iron oxides, nickel oxide (NiO), polymers, MXenes, reduced graphene oxide (rGO), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphitic carbon nitride (gCN), metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), and other composites have been utilized as electrocatalysts for the fabrication of nitrite electrochemical sensors. This review article provides an overview of the construction of nitrite sensors using advanced electrode materials. The electrochemical activities of the reported nitrite sensors are discussed. Furthermore, limitations and future perspectives regarding the determination of nitrite are discussed. 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

Background: The food sector plays a critical role in promoting population well-being and contributes significantly to economic, social, and environmental development. However, inefficiencies in distribution logistics often result in elevated operational costs, potentially compromising the viability of enterprises in this sector. This study focuses on evaluating the economic feasibility of a fresh beef and pork distribution center in the southern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods: A case study methodology with a quantitative approach was adopted. Methodological triangulation was applied by combining a traditional Economic Feasibility Analysis (EFA) with a Monte Carlo Simulation to incorporate uncertainty in key input variables. This approach enabled a comprehensive assessment of project viability under both deterministic and probabilistic conditions. Results: The results indicated that distribution price per kilogram, market share, population growth, and per capita meat consumption had a positive correlation with profitability. The economic analysis confirmed the viability of the proposed distribution center, with high expected profitability and a short payback period. The Monte Carlo Simulation revealed that market share, unit price, and consumption levels are the most influential drivers of financial performance, while logistics costs represent the main limiting factor. Conclusions: This study provides a robust, data-driven framework for investment decision-making in food logistics infrastructure. It demonstrates the value of integrating deterministic and probabilistic analyses to improve risk management and strategic planning in the food distribution sector. Full article

The search for sustainable and health-promoting food ingredients has positioned microalgae as promising candidates for the development of functional products. Haematococcus pluvialis, a unicellular green microalga, is the richest natural source of astaxanthin, a carotenoid with outstanding antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. In addition to astaxanthin, H. pluvialis provides high-value proteins, essential fatty acids, polysaccharides, and vitamins, which expand its potential applications in the food sector. This review compiles current knowledge on the biology and physiology of H. pluvialis, with emphasis on cultivation strategies, environmental stress factors, and biotechnological tools designed to enhance bioactive compound production. Advances in extraction and purification methods are also discussed, contrasting conventional solvent-based approaches with emerging green technologies. The integration of these strategies with biomass valorization highlights opportunities for improving economic feasibility and sustainability. Applications of H. pluvialis in the food industry include its use as a functional ingredient, natural colorant, antioxidant, and stabilizer in bakery products, beverages, meat analogs, and emulsified systems. Evidence from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies reinforces its safety and effectiveness. Looking ahead, industrial perspectives point to the adoption of omics-based tools, metabolic engineering, and circular economy approaches as drivers to overcome current barriers of cost, stability, and regulation, opening new avenues for large-scale applications in food systems. Full article

The integration of 3D printers into food production represents an unprecedented innovation, envisaging applications from the industry to missions in space to home cooking, with no geographical or sectoral limits. Extrusion food 3D printers are designed to use ‘food inks’ that must be produced from raw materials possessing a range of suitable characteristics (viscosity, elasticity, and others) that make them printable. Not all food matrices possess such characteristics, and additives are often needed to formulate food inks, which must also adapt to the complexity of the 3D model to be printed. Initially, mainly food matrices such as potatoes, chocolate, cereal, and legume flours and soluble-fiber-rich additives were tested with this new technology, with promising results. In recent years, alternative food matrices (e.g., based on insects, algae, cultured meat, and food waste) have begun to be experimented with, as 3D printing appears to be a suitable way to exploit their potential. This review aims to highlight recent studies that have investigated the development of innovative food ink formulations and trace a picture of the new food raw materials that are being tested for 3D food printing, the opportunities they represent, their nutritional properties, safety, and technological challenges. This review considered a total of 46 papers, selected from 330 papers published in the last 8 years (2018–2025) on the generic subject of 3D food printing. Full article

Given the yearly challenging environmental scenario with more and more frequent and intense heat waves, the livestock sector has to find affordable and sustainable solutions to face the expected increase in meat demand by 2050. Among livestock species, rabbits are particularly sensitive to heat stress (HS) but, paradoxically, the scientific background on the response of different genetics to environmental stressors like HS is rather scarce. This is a significant gap, especially considering that most of the demographic growth, and meat demand, is expected in developing countries where rabbits play a key role in subsistence farming. Therefore, this research investigated the effects of environmental temperature (Control—20 °C; High—28 °C) on growth performance, slaughter traits and meat quality of three Hungarian rabbit genotypes (Pannon Large—PL; Pannon White—PW; Pannon Ka—PK). Animals (n = 360) were housed in wire-mesh cages (3 animals/cage) in two separate controlled-temperature rooms (60 rabbits/genotype/room), from 5 to 11 weeks of age, during which they received ad libitum feed and water. Even if the three genotypes were exposed to the same environmental challenge, they exhibited different responses. The PL line showed superior performance, with the highest carcass weight and yield (p < 0.001), and the greatest water-holding capacity (p < 0.01) in the loin muscle. The PW rabbits showed the largest reduction in overall weight gain (−24.7%; p < 0.001) and the lowest decrease in feed conversion ratio (−3.20%; p < 0.001). PK rabbits experienced the greatest reduction in total dissectible fat (−34.6%; p < 0.001) and hind leg lipid content (−20.3%; p < 0.01), with the highest proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (p < 0.01), which fostered meat lipid oxidation (p < 0.05). As expected, these differences in performance and meat quality traits reflected the distinct selection criteria and genetic background of these genotypes: the PL is a paternal line, the PK is a maternal line, and the PW is a productive line. Regarding the temperature effect, PK and PW genotypes were the most impacted by chronic HS: PW rabbits suffered the largest performance depression, while PK rabbits showed the worst carcass and meat quality traits. Instead, PL rabbits demonstrated the best outcomes under chronic HS, showing the greatest productive efficiency and satisfactory meat quality traits. Full article

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat that undermines treatment in humans and animals. In Zambia, where livestock production underpins food security and livelihoods, AMR challenges are aggravated by limited surveillance, weak diagnostics, and poor regulatory enforcement, facilitating the spread of resistant pathogens across the human–animal–environment interface. This study aims to analyse AMR patterns of bacterial isolates collected from Zambia’s animal health sector between 2020 and 2024, to generate evidence that informs national AMR surveillance, supports antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions, and strengthens One Health strategies to mitigate the spread of resistant pathogens. Methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis of previously collected routine laboratory data from five well-established animal health AMR surveillance sentinel sites between January 2020 and December 2024. Data were analysed by year, sample type, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) profiles using WHONET. Results: A total of 1688 samples were processed, with faecal samples accounting for 87.6%. Animal environmental samples (feed, manure, litter, abattoir/meat processing floor, wall, and equipment surface swabs) (collected from abattoirs, water, and farms) increased significantly over time (p = 0.027). Overall, Escherichia coli (E. coli) (50.4%) and Enterococcus spp. (30%) were the most frequently isolated bacteria. E. coli exhibited high resistance to tetracycline (74%) and ampicillin (72%) but remained susceptible to aztreonam (98%), nitrofurantoin (95%), and imipenem (93%). Enterococcus spp. were susceptible to penicillin (84%) and ampicillin (89%) but showed borderline resistance to vancomycin (53%) and linezolid (50%). Klebsiella spp. demonstrated resistance to ciprofloxacin (52%) and gentamicin (40%), whereas Salmonella spp. remained highly susceptible. Notably, resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid rose sharply from 22.2% to 81.8% (p = 0.027). Across 1416 isolates, high levels of multidrug resistance (MDR) were observed, particularly in E. coli (48.4%) and K. pneumoniae (18.6%), with notable proportions progressing toward possible Extensively Drug-Resistant (XDR) and Pan-Drug-Resistant (PDR) states. Conclusions: The findings of this study reveal rising resistance to commonly used antibiotics in the animal health sector. Despite the lack of molecular analysis, our findings underscore the urgent need for AMS programs and integrated AMR surveillance under Zambia’s One Health strategy. Full article

The meat industry is widely regarded as one of the most environmentally and economically burdensome sectors, playing a significant role in greenhouse gas emissions, resource depletion, and public health challenges. Additionally, its high production costs and inefficiencies in resource use exacerbate the economic strain on both local and global scales, making it a major contributor to unsustainable practices in food production. This study investigates the environmental and economic benefits of replacing conventional meat burgers with plant-based vegan burgers, through a cradle-to-gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and economic evaluation. The assessment was conducted using the GaBi 2023 software, applying the ReCiPe 2016 impact assessment method to evaluate multiple environmental indicators. The LCA results reveal substantial environmental advantages of vegan burgers, including a 92.25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a 99.51% decrease in fine particulate matter formation, and significant reductions in water and land usage. Additionally, the human health and ecosystem impacts associated with vegan burgers are markedly lower, highlighting their advantages as a healthier dietary option. An estimated ±10% data variability is expected, though it does not significantly affect the comparative results, as uncertainty applies consistently to both scenarios. From an economic perspective, the production of vegan burgers proves more cost-effective, with a production cost of €0.24 per vegan burger compared to €0.66 per meat burger. In conclusion, plant-based vegan burgers present a compelling alternative to conventional meat products, offering environmental, health, and economic benefits that support more sustainable food systems. Full article