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28 pages, 877 KB  
Review
Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Nutrition: Current Uses, Challenges, and Opportunities
by Kasuen Mauldin, Anthony D. Pham, Sneha Dodaballapur and Berkeley N. Limketkai
Nutrients 2026, 18(16), 2638; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18162638 - 12 Aug 2026
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being applied in healthcare, with growing relevance to clinical nutrition. This narrative review examines current and emerging uses of AI in nutrition care within the Nutrition Care Process framework, with attention to assessment, monitoring and evaluation, diagnosis, intervention, [...] Read more.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being applied in healthcare, with growing relevance to clinical nutrition. This narrative review examines current and emerging uses of AI in nutrition care within the Nutrition Care Process framework, with attention to assessment, monitoring and evaluation, diagnosis, intervention, and clinical support tools. Current applications include AI-assisted dietary assessment using image recognition, wearable sensors, analysis of continuous glucose and other physiologic data for early risk detection, and support for malnutrition screening and diagnosis. AI is also being explored for identifying micronutrient deficiencies and complications of nutrient excess, as well as for screening and early intervention in eating disorders. In nutrition intervention, AI has potential to support personalized dietary planning, nutrition support in intensive care settings, behavioral interventions, and precision nutrition approaches such as digital twins. Additional applications include clinical decision support and documentation assistance. However, despite its usefulness, concerns about AI systems exist. Its performance depends on the quality of the data used to train it; it can introduce bias, and it can produce inaccurate or misleading outputs. In addition, overreliance on AI may also reduce clinician attentiveness and contribute to cognitive errors. For these reasons, AI should be regarded as a support tool rather than a replacement for human clinical care. Overall, AI offers substantial opportunities to improve the personalization, efficiency, and scalability of clinical nutrition practice, but its safe and effective implementation will require continued validation, careful oversight, and integration with clinical expertise. Full article
31 pages, 12538 KB  
Article
Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Environmental Drivers of Surface Chlorophyll-a in the Gulf of Guinea (2003–2022)
by Loïc Cabrel Youmbi Tchaewo, Charles Verpoorter and Elena Alekseenko
Remote Sens. 2026, 18(16), 2717; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18162717 - 12 Aug 2026
Abstract
The mechanistic understanding of biogeochemical dynamics in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) has historically been hindered by persistent cloud cover and reliance on static geographic boundaries. In this study, we analysed a 20-year (2003–2022) satellite-derived chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) dataset to overcome these observational limitations [...] Read more.
The mechanistic understanding of biogeochemical dynamics in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) has historically been hindered by persistent cloud cover and reliance on static geographic boundaries. In this study, we analysed a 20-year (2003–2022) satellite-derived chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) dataset to overcome these observational limitations through a three-part spatial and machine-learning framework. First, the Data Interpolating Empirical Orthogonal Functions (DINEOF) algorithm reconstructed a gap-free climatology, demonstrating robustness under extreme simulated cloud cover (R2 = 0.884). Second, a Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) clustering algorithm objectively partitioned the basin into three dynamic, physically driven bioregions: an oligotrophic gyre, river plumes, and an upwelling mega-cluster. Third, we applied an explainable Random Forest framework, supported by SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), to identify the main physical and biogeochemical predictors associated with coastal Chl-a variability using hindcast nutrients and a strict chronological split (training: 2003–2018; test: 2019–2022). The models produced conservative but meaningful independent test-period performance across coastal zones, with R2log values from 0.437 to 0.595. Rather than revealing a new ecological paradox, the framework provides a basin-specific interpretation of a globally documented pattern: offshore oligotrophication alongside localized coastal enrichment. The open ocean and transition/upwelling sectors show negative Chl-a tendencies consistent with sea surface warming, enhanced stratification, and reduced upward nutrient supply. Conversely, coastal ecosystems are structured by local hydrological and wind-driven forcings that modulate the regional climate signal. In the Congo plume, Chl-a variability is primarily structured by haline plume dynamics and secondary nutrient constraints, whereas the Niger plume reflects coupled mixed-layer and terrigenous nutrient controls. These findings establish a spatially objective typology of the GoG, providing a regional reference framework for future high-resolution missions, monitoring, and coupled physical–biogeochemical modelling. Full article
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29 pages, 1998 KB  
Article
Dietary Analyses and Personalized Advice in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The DAPA Study
by Marjo J. E. Campmans-Kuijpers and Gerard Dijkstra
Nutrients 2026, 18(16), 2626; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18162626 - 11 Aug 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently experience food-related symptoms and express a strong need for dietary guidance, yet evidence-based recommendations remain limited. This often leads to self-imposed dietary restrictions, potentially compromising nutritional intake and food-related quality of life (Fr-QoL). The [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently experience food-related symptoms and express a strong need for dietary guidance, yet evidence-based recommendations remain limited. This often leads to self-imposed dietary restrictions, potentially compromising nutritional intake and food-related quality of life (Fr-QoL). The primary aim of this study was to evaluate changes in Fr-QoL, following personalized feedback on an IBD-specific food frequency questionnaire and access to an online nutritional knowledge portal over a 6-month period. Secondary exploratory outcomes included changes in dietary intake and diet quality. Methods: In this nationwide pre–post study, 108 patients with IBD completed baseline and 6-month assessments. Dietary intake was measured using the validated GINQ-FFQ and Fr-QoL using a 29-item questionnaire. Nutrient intake was compared with EFSA reference values. Participants received automated personalized feedback and had access to educational tools and dietitian resources. Changes over time were analyzed using paired statistical tests. Results: A significant improvement in Fr-QoL was observed (mean difference 8.1 points, 95% CI 5.5–10.7; p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 0.39). Baseline intake was characterized by high fat and low fiber consumption. After 6 months, total energy intake decreased (p < 0.001), along with reductions in protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, and several micronutrients, including iron, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. Diet quality did not improve, and adherence to EFSA guidelines remained suboptimal. The digital tools were positively evaluated. Conclusions: In this single-arm pre–post study, Fr-QoL scores were higher at follow-up than at baseline among participants who completed both assessments, whereas dietary intake and overall diet quality did not improve. The findings support the feasibility and acceptability of the developed digital tools for dietary assessment and nutrition education, although their effectiveness requires further evaluation in controlled studies. Additional strategies, including structured dietitian-led support combined with digital resources, may be required to optimize nutritional outcomes in patients with IBD. Full article
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24 pages, 2387 KB  
Perspective
From Kernel to Clinic: A Perspective on Upcycled Wheat-Milling Co-Products as a Functional “Altograno” Pasta for Cardiometabolic Health
by Fabiana D’Urso and Francesco Broccolo
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(16), 8007; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16168007 - 11 Aug 2026
Abstract
Conventional milling separates the wheat germ and bran from the endosperm to obtain white semolina; although these fractions retain recognized nutritional value, a substantial share is still diverted to feed and other comparatively low-value uses rather than into food for direct human consumption. [...] Read more.
Conventional milling separates the wheat germ and bran from the endosperm to obtain white semolina; although these fractions retain recognized nutritional value, a substantial share is still diverted to feed and other comparatively low-value uses rather than into food for direct human consumption. In this Perspective we ask whether recovering a larger share of these fractions—through a controlled industrial sequence of selection, de-oiling and physical fractionation—can be turned into a functional ingredient, commercialized as “altograno”, that improves the health profile of an ordinary pasta without compromising palatability or shelf stability. To address this objective we proceed in a fixed analytical sequence: what the product is and what a habitual portion actually delivers; a nutrient-by-nutrient appraisal graded by level of evidence; the biological mechanisms from the intestinal lumen to the hepatocyte; and only then the clinical endpoint. The evidence base integrates two complementary studies of one product line from the Casillo Next Gen Food chain: a full nutritional, microbiological and gastrointestinal characterization in healthy volunteers, and a double-blind randomized controlled trial with in vitro hepatocyte evidence in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS), with and without major psychiatric disorders (MPDs). Because the clinically tested product (67% semolina, 27% de-oiled wheat germ, 6% microencapsulated wheat-germ oil) shares the same nominal formulation as the germ-plus-oil pasta (EP3) of the characterization study—although the measured nutritional values reported in the two papers differ, so the two products cannot be regarded as analytically identical—the two datasets can be read together, with due caution, across kernel processing, composition, hepatocellular mechanism and gut-microbiota switching to a clinical endpoint: a ~13.5% fall in non-HDL cholesterol, roughly 2.5-fold greater than with conventional pasta, with no statistically significant interaction with the polygenic risk score detected, and paralleled by normalized hepatocyte lipid loading in vitro. We argue that de-oiling is best understood as a deliberate technological optimization—trading a portion of labile lipids for stability and standardization while recovering the bioactive oil for protected re-addition—and that this evidence, while still preliminary on several fronts, supports dedicated, mechanistically instrumented clinical development of upcycled-kernel staples rather than establishing these products as proven therapeutic tools. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Food Science and Technology)
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28 pages, 8190 KB  
Article
Dissolution of Phosphate and Precipitation of Carbonate in the Biomineralization of the Bivalve Shell Limnoperna fortunei
by Antonio Valadão Cardoso and Rodrigo Novaes Ferreira
Animals 2026, 16(16), 2488; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16162488 - 10 Aug 2026
Viewed by 80
Abstract
The mantle of bivalves plays a fundamental role in shell formation and maintenance through biomineralization. Experiments performed on mantle–shell preparations using different experimental techniques revealed the presence of phosphorus (P)-containing compounds in the shell as the first mineral phase formed at the growing [...] Read more.
The mantle of bivalves plays a fundamental role in shell formation and maintenance through biomineralization. Experiments performed on mantle–shell preparations using different experimental techniques revealed the presence of phosphorus (P)-containing compounds in the shell as the first mineral phase formed at the growing edge of the periostracum in the freshwater bivalve Limnoperna fortunei. The low P concentration in the shells suggests that phosphate is restricted to the growth regions and occurs at concentrations too low to be detected by techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD). Nevertheless, a crystal morphology closely resembling that of hydroxyapatite (HAp) was identified at the shell growth front, and a Ca/P ratio of 1.67, consistent with HAp, was determined in two of these regions. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy also revealed the principal and most intense absorption band of the phosphate group (PO43−) at 1024 cm−1. Enzymes such as carbonic anhydrase (CA), or proteins with equivalent functions, are likely involved in phosphate dissolution and the subsequent precipitation of calcium carbonate. In addition, the occurrence of calcium phosphate was confirmed in the shells of the marine bivalve Perna perna. Phosphate dissolution and carbonate precipitation during biomineralization suggest two important evolutionary advantages: first, the release and availability of phosphate, an essential nutrient for energy production and other metabolic functions; and second, the formation of a calcium carbonate shell, a structure indispensable for the protection, mechanical support, and survival of mollusks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Aquatic Animals)
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13 pages, 4160 KB  
Article
Plant Growth-Promoting Effects of Bacterial Isolates Obtained from Funneliformis mosseae Spores on Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Seed Germination and Early Plant Development
by Wannalak Senagul, Areeya Mungsachat and Salisa Suchitwarasan
Seeds 2026, 5(4), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds5040047 - 10 Aug 2026
Viewed by 68
Abstract
Bacterial isolates obtained from spores of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been reported to possess various plant growth-promoting traits. These bacterial isolates enhance plant growth and development through mechanisms such as phytohormone production and nutrient mobilization. The objective of this study was [...] Read more.
Bacterial isolates obtained from spores of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been reported to possess various plant growth-promoting traits. These bacterial isolates enhance plant growth and development through mechanisms such as phytohormone production and nutrient mobilization. The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of bacterial isolates to promote plant development. Five bacterial isolates, Bacillus methylotrophicus, Fictibacillus barbaricus, Stutzerimonas stutzeri, Bacillus aryabhattai, and Priestia aryabhattai, were isolated from AMF (Funneliformis mosseae) spores. The results indicated that all five bacterial isolates promoted plant growth. The greatest positive effects on the tomato seed germination were obtained with Bacillus methylotrophicus and Stutzerimonas stutzeri, with germination percentages of 90% and 95%, respectively. In addition, Stutzerimonas stutzeri enhanced early tomato seedling growth. Priestia aryabhattai produced the highest amount of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) at 94.43 µg mL−1, which is the auxin phytohormone for plant growth promotion. Furthermore, Bacillus methylotrophicus, Fictibacillus barbaricus, and Bacillus aryabhattai were able to produce high levels of ammonia, which may contribute to improving plant growth in nutrient-deficient environments. In addition, Bacillus methylotrophicus, Bacillus aryabhattai, and Priestia aryabhattai were able to solubilize both phosphate and potassium. These findings suggest that the investigated bacterial strains could be combined with AMF to improve crop establishment and support sustainable agricultural systems by enhancing nutrient availability and reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers. Full article
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21 pages, 10571 KB  
Article
Nitrogen Sources Reshape Microbial Community Assembly and Interaction Networks to Regulate Straw Decomposition and Carbon Release in Cropland Soils of the North China Plain
by Yaxian Wang, Tengfei Guo, Chao Ai, Shuyan Fan, Yilun Wang, Fengjun Zheng and Qian Zhang
Microorganisms 2026, 14(8), 1753; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14081753 - 9 Aug 2026
Viewed by 220
Abstract
The decomposition of crop residue is indispensable for carbon (C) cycling in agricultural ecosystems, and nitrogen (N) application has a pronounced effect on this by regulating the C/N ratio and microbial growth strategy. This study investigated how different inorganic and organic nitrogen sources [...] Read more.
The decomposition of crop residue is indispensable for carbon (C) cycling in agricultural ecosystems, and nitrogen (N) application has a pronounced effect on this by regulating the C/N ratio and microbial growth strategy. This study investigated how different inorganic and organic nitrogen sources interact with soil properties to regulate straw decomposition, nutrient release, microbial community assembly, and microbial interaction networks across typical cropland soils of the North China Plain. Five treatments, i.e., no N addition, urea, calcium nitrate, yeast derivatives, and glutamate, were conducted in fluvo-aquic soil, lime concretion black soil, cinnamon soil, and yellow-cinnamon soil. We found that soil type strongly regulated straw decomposition dynamics, with cumulative decomposition rates varying greatly among the four soil types after 180 days, ranging from 55.78% to 68.75%. In particular, the lime concretion black soil exhibited the highest straw decomposition and C release rates, which harbored higher relative abundances of potential straw-decomposing taxa, including Luteibacter, Chitinophaga, Dothideomycetes, and Leotiomycetes. Bacterial community assembly shifted from stochastic dominance at early stages to deterministic selection at later stages, whereas fungal community assembly remained predominantly stochastic with increasing dispersal limitation during late decomposition. The dominant bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota, and the fungal community composition succeeded from Alternaria, Rhizopus, Cladosporium and Meyerozyma to Chaetomium, Schizophecium and Apodus. Compared with no N addition, yeast derivatives significantly increased the straw decomposition rate in fluvo-aquic soil, lime concretion black soil, and cinnamon soil by 15.00, 10.66, and 12.19 percentage points, respectively, within 14 days. This is related to the enhanced complexity of the bacterial co-occurrence network, among which Altererythrobacter, Sphingomonas, Candidatus_Xiphinematobacter, Devosia, and Chitinophaga were identified as key microbial groups. Glutamate stimulated later decomposition by modifying the fungal community structure and strengthening fungal interactions centered on Alternaria and Schizothechium. These findings reveal how N forms regulate straw decomposition through soil-dependent microbial assembly and interaction networks, providing a mechanistic basis for optimizing nitrogen management strategies for efficient straw nutrient recycling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Plant Microbe Interactions)
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15 pages, 1490 KB  
Review
Material Selection for Mycelium-Based Composites: A Systematic Review and Opportunities for Chilean Industrial Residues
by Fabián N. Echeverría-Sáez, Alexandre Carbonnel-Torralbo, Matías Mann Elliott-Oyarce and Cristina A. Villamar-Ayala
Designs 2026, 10(4), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/designs10040086 (registering DOI) - 9 Aug 2026
Viewed by 103
Abstract
In response to the health and environmental impacts of particleboard production and use, this research highlights the value of sustainable construction materials. Mycelium-based composites are a promising biobased solution that proposes the substitution of synthetic binders with fungal binders, while valorizing lignocellulosic residues. [...] Read more.
In response to the health and environmental impacts of particleboard production and use, this research highlights the value of sustainable construction materials. Mycelium-based composites are a promising biobased solution that proposes the substitution of synthetic binders with fungal binders, while valorizing lignocellulosic residues. Therefore, the aim of this study is identifying the most suitable material combinations for mycelium-based composite production using Chilean residues through a systematic literature review. The methodology involved a systematic review of 346 scientific publications from Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed, of which 84 were chosen through a PRISMA-based review. Scientific publications permitted us to determine the most frequently used fungal strains, substrates, and additives. Co-occurrence analysis revealed that Pleurotus ostreatus was the predominant fungal strain (35/84, 41.67%), followed by Ganoderma lucidum (23/84, 27.38%) and Trametes versicolor (19/84, 22.62%). Meanwhile, agro-industrial subproducts (30/84, 35.71%) were the most frequently reported substrate, followed by wood subproducts (26/84, 30.95%). Among the additives, wheat bran (14/84, 16.67%) was the most used, followed by calcium sulfate (12/84, 14.29%) and calcium carbonate (11/84, 13.1%). These findings to demonstrate that Chilean forestry (5–7 million ton/year) and agro-industrial residues (4 million ton/year) can be effectively integrated into scalable mycelium-based composites, considering that, for the most part, they are simply burned as biomass. These residues are circular economy, low-impact and alternative sustainable construction materials that reduce the dependence on fossil-derived binders. Moreover, there is the potential to explore other residue additives that do not compete with the food industry (e.g., wheat ban) and are rich in nutrients (e.g., biological sludge) and regulate pH. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainable Building Development and Promotion)
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31 pages, 2404 KB  
Article
Combined and Individual Effects of Chlorella sp. and Bacterial Probiotics in Biofloc Systems for White Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei)
by Tatiana Cascales-Martos, Jessica Brol, Silvia Martínez-Llorens, Ana Tomás-Vidal, M. Jover-Cerdá, F. J. Moyano and D. S. Peñaranda
Animals 2026, 16(16), 2469; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16162469 - 8 Aug 2026
Viewed by 135
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of establishing a population of the green microalgae Chlorella sp. on different key aspects of a biofloc culture of Penaeus vannamei in comparison with those obtained with a commercial probiotic. The aspects evaluated were shrimp zootechnical [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of establishing a population of the green microalgae Chlorella sp. on different key aspects of a biofloc culture of Penaeus vannamei in comparison with those obtained with a commercial probiotic. The aspects evaluated were shrimp zootechnical performance, nutritional composition of biofloc and microbial populations of shrimp intestinal microbiota and biofloc. Four treatments were tested: two of them included Chlorella sp. alone (M) or in combination to a bacterial probiotic (MP), while the other two included only the probiotic (P) or none of them (C). The presence of Chlorella sp. enhanced protein and phosphorus bioavailability in the biofloc and contributed to nutrient bioremediation within the system. However, shrimp growth performance and survival were significantly reduced, likely due to greater and more prolonged nitrate exposure following microalgae inoculation. Although overall nitrate and phosphate concentrations were higher in microalgae treatment, their accumulation over the experimental period was lower in the presence of Chlorella sp. In addition, microalgal supplementation reduced the abundance of bacterial groups associated with oligotrophic lifestyles, complex organic matter degradation, and nitrogen cycling in the intestinal microbiota. In contrast, probiotic supplementation increased protein content in shrimp and phosphorus bioavailability in the biofloc, while zootechnical performance remained comparable to the control and was higher than in microalgae treatments. Furthermore, probiotic addition reduced the abundance of Flavobacteriaceae, a bacterial family proposed as a bioindicator of White Feces Syndrome (WFS) in P. vannamei. Full article
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22 pages, 836 KB  
Article
Effects of Fibrafid Supplementation in Standard and Nutrient-Reduced Diets on Growth Performance, Production Efficiency, Carcass Traits, Meat Quality, and Intestinal Morphology in Broilers
by Maged A. Al-Garadi, Rashed A. Alhotan, Elsayed O. Hussein, Mohammed M. Qaid, Gamaleldin M. Suliman, Esam H. Fazea, Mohammed A. Al-Badwi and Isiaka O. Olarinre
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(8), 792; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13080792 - 8 Aug 2026
Viewed by 198
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of Fibrafid, a plant-based functional feed additive, on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and intestinal histomorphometry of broilers fed standard or moderately nutrient-reduced diets. A total of 432 one-day-old Ross 308 chicks (initial body weight, 44.9 ± [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the effects of Fibrafid, a plant-based functional feed additive, on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and intestinal histomorphometry of broilers fed standard or moderately nutrient-reduced diets. A total of 432 one-day-old Ross 308 chicks (initial body weight, 44.9 ± 0.30 g) were randomly allocated to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement comprising two dietary nutrient densities (standard or diets with 1.5% lower metabolizable energy and 5% lower digestible amino acid density) and three Fibrafid inclusion levels (0, 1.5, or 2.5 kg/ton). Each treatment comprised six replicates of 12 birds (six males and six females) and was evaluated from day 1 to 24. Dietary nutrient reduction affected growth performance and breast meat quality pH and ultimate lightness values, whereas Fibrafid supplementation, particularly at 2.5 kg/ton, improved overall gain by 5.3%, grower-phase feed conversion ratio by 4.0%, EPEF by 8.08%, relative thymus weight by 64.8%, while reducing abdominal fat deposition by 27.1% relative to the unsupplemented control (p < 0.05). Several breast meat quality traits were also improved, including greater water-holding capacity and myofibril fragmentation index and lower drip and cooking losses (p < 0.05). Jejunal morphology was enhanced, as indicated by increased villus dimensions and goblet cell density (p < 0.05). Significant Diet × Fibrafid interactions were observed for grower performance, EPEF, overall feed intake, and several intestinal morphological variables (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Fibrafid supplementation, particularly at 2.5 kg/ton, was associated with improved growth performance, EPEF, selected carcass and breast meat quality traits, and jejunal morphology during the first 24 days of age. These findings suggest that Fibrafid may be a promising natural feed additive for broiler diets formulated at standard or moderately reduced nutrient densities. However, further studies extending to market age and evaluating nutrient digestibility, intestinal microbiota, blood biochemical indices, and economic returns are warranted to clarify its mechanisms and practical value under commercial production conditions. Full article
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40 pages, 4556 KB  
Review
Synergies and Trade-Offs in Modern Poultry Nutrition: An Integrated Framework Linking Animal Health, Productivity and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation
by Dexin Zhao, Haoliang Chai, Linfeng Zhou, Ruicheng Han, Weiqi Peng and Hongzhi Wu
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(8), 789; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13080789 - 7 Aug 2026
Viewed by 278
Abstract
Poultry nutrition simultaneously affects animal health, productive efficiency, product quality and the environmental burdens associated with feed production and manure management. Nutritional interventions may generate synergies among these outcomes, but they can also shift costs or environmental impacts across biological and supply-chain boundaries. [...] Read more.
Poultry nutrition simultaneously affects animal health, productive efficiency, product quality and the environmental burdens associated with feed production and manure management. Nutritional interventions may generate synergies among these outcomes, but they can also shift costs or environmental impacts across biological and supply-chain boundaries. This review critically evaluates low-protein diets, functional additives, feed enzymes, alternative protein sources, precision-feeding technologies and nutritional approaches to manure-emission mitigation. The evidence indicates that improved intestinal function and nutrient retention can reduce feed requirements and nutrient excretion, whereas excessive protein restriction, unstable additive responses, limited alternative-ingredient supply and poorly validated digital systems may compromise performance, product quality or economic feasibility. Environmental benefits are also sensitive to ingredient origin, processing, transport, crystalline amino acid and additive manufacture, coproduct allocation and life cycle assessment assumptions. To integrate these considerations, we propose a four-level conceptual decision framework comprising physiological adequacy, precision nutrient supply, constraint-specific functional intervention and whole-chain verification. The framework treats health, productive performance, product quality, economic feasibility and environmental impact as simultaneous decision criteria, while genotype, production stage, disease pressure, climate, ingredient availability and market objectives define the conditions of application. Standardized life cycle assessment and commercial validation are required to distinguish reproducible net benefits from improvements confined to individual indicators. This approach provides a structured basis for selecting poultry nutritional strategies that remain biologically effective, economically accessible and environmentally beneficial under practical production conditions. Full article
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20 pages, 419 KB  
Article
Lactobacillus casei TH14 and Hydrolysable Tannin as Corn Silage Additives Modify In Vitro Rumen Fermentation and Reduce Methane Production
by Rittikeard Prachumchai and Anusorn Cherdthong
Animals 2026, 16(16), 2447; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16162447 - 7 Aug 2026
Viewed by 258
Abstract
This study evaluated L. casei TH14 (TH14) and two levels of hydrolysable tannin (HT; sweet chestnut, Castanea sativa) as corn ensiling additives, hypothesising that their combination would improve fermentation quality and reduce in vitro CH4. Whole-plant corn was ensiled for [...] Read more.
This study evaluated L. casei TH14 (TH14) and two levels of hydrolysable tannin (HT; sweet chestnut, Castanea sativa) as corn ensiling additives, hypothesising that their combination would improve fermentation quality and reduce in vitro CH4. Whole-plant corn was ensiled for 21 days in a completely randomised design (seven treatments, four replicates) combining Molasses, TH14, and HT at 20 or 40 g/kg DM. Silage pH was significantly affected by treatment (p < 0.01), with T4 reaching the lowest final pH (3.83), whereas the primary nutrients (DM, OM, CP, and NDF) were unchanged (p > 0.05). Hydrolysable tannin reduced ruminal NH3-N at 24 h (11.12 vs. 13.06 mg/dL; p < 0.05) and, at 40 g/kg DM, lowered CH4 by 50.0% at 24 h (2.45 vs. 4.90 mL/g DM; p < 0.01) in a dose-dependent manner, accompanied by a higher propionate proportion and a lower acetate-to-propionate ratio (p < 0.01). Independent of tannin, TH14 reduced CH4 by 12.7% (p < 0.05). Digestibility was transiently reduced at 24 h but unaffected at 48 h (p > 0.05). Corn silage with HT at 40 g/kg DM, alone or combined with TH14, is a promising strategy to mitigate CH4 without impairing nutrient digestibility. Full article
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29 pages, 12555 KB  
Article
Optimization of Compound Enzyme-Assisted Fermented Concentrate and Its Effects on Growth, Digestibility, and Rumen Fermentation in Yanbian Steers
by Qian Zhang, Yihui Liu, Zejun Xiao, Sajida Naseem, Enze Wang, Jiawei Xu, Zherui Zhu, Changguo Yan and Xiangzi Li
Animals 2026, 16(15), 2433; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16152433 - 6 Aug 2026
Viewed by 126
Abstract
This study developed a compound enzyme-assisted microbially fermented concentrate for Yanbian steers. The enzyme formulation was optimized using response surface methodology, with acid-soluble protein/crude protein ratio (ASP/CP), ammonia-N/total N ratio (AN/TN), and pH as response variables. The optimized enzyme preparation contained 619.15 U/g [...] Read more.
This study developed a compound enzyme-assisted microbially fermented concentrate for Yanbian steers. The enzyme formulation was optimized using response surface methodology, with acid-soluble protein/crude protein ratio (ASP/CP), ammonia-N/total N ratio (AN/TN), and pH as response variables. The optimized enzyme preparation contained 619.15 U/g protease, 742.08 U/g amylase, and 257.75 U/g β-mannanase. The measured ASP/CP, AN/TN, and pH values were 31.74%, 3.56%, and 4.32, respectively, closely agreeing with the predicted values of 32.00%, 3.55%, and 4.28. Membership function analysis, which normalized positive and negative indicators to a common 0–1 scale and integrated them into a comprehensive score, supported the selection of day 5 as the most balanced fermentation duration under the primary equal-indicator weighting scheme. Thirty Yanbian steers were randomly assigned to receive microbially fermented concentrate without compound enzyme addition (MF) or compound enzyme-assisted microbially fermented concentrate (MEF) at 500 g/head/day on an as-fed basis for 100 days. After adjustment for initial body weight using ANCOVA, MEF increased final body weight by 3.9% and average daily gain by 35.7% compared with MF (both p < 0.001). MEF also increased dry matter intake by 12.1% (p = 0.018) and reduced feed conversion ratio by 18.4% (p = 0.008). MEF increased dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber digestibility by 4.3%, 5.4%, 22.6%, and 15.6%, respectively, and reduced blood urea nitrogen by 18.9%. MEF also increased ruminal total volatile fatty acids and decreased ruminal NH3-N and the acetate-to-propionate ratio (p < 0.05). Observed ASVs, Chao1, and Shannon indices did not differ between treatments, whereas PERMANOVA detected a significant difference in overall rumen bacterial community structure (R2 = 0.180, p = 0.023). VIF-based redundancy analysis indicated that variation in rumen bacterial community structure were correlated with crude protein digestibility, total volatile fatty acids, and blood urea nitrogen. Overall, within the microbial-fermentation system evaluated in this study, compound enzyme addition increased growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility, reduced ruminal NH3-N and blood urea nitrogen concentrations, and improved feed efficiency in Yanbian steers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Nutrition)
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16 pages, 1189 KB  
Article
Guanidinoacetic Acid as a Dietary Additive for Lambs: A Meta-Analysis on Performance, Antioxidant Status, Nutrient Digestibility, Ruminal Fermentation and Meat Quality
by José Felipe Orzuna-Orzuna, Juan Eduardo Godina-Rodríguez, Germán David Mendoza-Martínez, Gabriela Vázquez-Silva, Pablo Benjamín Razo-Ortiz, Cesar Díaz-Galván, Nallely Sánchez-López and Pedro Abel Hernández-García
Biology 2026, 15(15), 1288; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15151288 - 4 Aug 2026
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Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) on growth performance, antioxidant status, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and meat quality in lambs through a meta-analysis. The electronic databases Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar were [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) on growth performance, antioxidant status, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and meat quality in lambs through a meta-analysis. The electronic databases Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar were used to identify the articles required for the meta-analysis using the Preferred Reporting Elements for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. The data used in this meta-analysis were obtained from 12 peer-reviewed English-language articles published in the last decade (January 2016 to April 2026). All data were analyzed using random-effects models. Dietary supplementation with GAA decreased the feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05) and increased (p < 0.05) dry matter intake, average daily gain, carcass weight and yield, and Longissimus dorsi muscle area. Dietary supplementation with GAA decreased (p < 0.001) serum malondialdehyde concentration and increased (p ≤ 0.05) serum concentrations of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity. Dietary supplementation with GAA decreased (p < 0.001) ruminal pH and increased (p < 0.05) the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber, as well as the ruminal concentrations of total volatile fatty acids, acetate, and butyrate. Dietary supplementation with GAA decreased (p < 0.001) drip loss in meat and increased (p < 0.001) meat pH and meat protein content. In conclusion, guanidinoacetic acid can be used as a dietary additive to improve growth performance, antioxidant status, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and meat quality in lambs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Physiology of Animals)
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17 pages, 11699 KB  
Article
The Effect of Lentinus edodes Stem Powder on the Growth Performance Immune Responses and Gut Microbiota of Sika Deer Fawns
by Chenmin Yu, Yuhang Zhang, Caiyue Zhao, Yichun Yang, Tao Hou, Shukun Zhang, Min Wu, Chongshan Yuan and Aiwu Zhang
Biology 2026, 15(15), 1284; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15151284 - 4 Aug 2026
Viewed by 190
Abstract
As the main byproduct of edible mushroom processing, mushroom stems are often discarded due to their rough texture and poor palatability, resulting in resource waste. However, as a ruminant animal, sika deer has good fiber digestion ability, providing the possibility for the resource [...] Read more.
As the main byproduct of edible mushroom processing, mushroom stems are often discarded due to their rough texture and poor palatability, resulting in resource waste. However, as a ruminant animal, sika deer has good fiber digestion ability, providing the possibility for the resource utilization of mushroom stems. This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with Lentinus edodes stem powder (LESP) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemical parameters, immune responses, and gut microbiota composition in sika deer fawns. A total of 120 weaned fawns (120 ± 10 days old; 35.0 ± 1.0 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, receiving a basal diet supplemented with 0% (control), 2.5% (LE1), 5% (LE2), or 7.5% (LE3) LESP for 35 days. Growth performance did not differ significantly among treatments (p > 0.05). However, apparent digestibility of ether extract and crude protein was significantly higher in the LE1 group (p < 0.05), while LE3 exhibited reduced digestibility of organic matter, ether extract, and crude protein (p < 0.05). Serum total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) levels increased with LESP inclusion, with the highest values observed in LE3 (p < 0.05). Serum glucose (GLU) decreased dose-dependently (p < 0.05). Immunoglobulin A (IgA), G (IgG), and M (IgM) concentrations were significantly elevated in LE2 and LE3 groups (p < 0.05). Gut microbiota analysis revealed that Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria were the dominant phyla. LE3 supplementation altered beta diversity and reduced microbial evenness. At the genus level, LE2 and LE3 increased the abundance of beneficial taxa such as Planomicrobium and Psychrobacter, while decreasing Ruminococcus and Clostridiaceae_Clostridium. In conclusion, adding 5% LESP to the diet can increase the digestibility of nutrients, enhance humoral immunity, and regulate the composition of the gut microbiota. This study promotes the transformation of mushroom stems from agricultural waste into functional feed additives, which helps reduce breeding costs, improve animal health, and provide a practical path for the coordinated and sustainable development of the edible mushroom industry and animal husbandry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Physiology of Animals)
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