Search Results (8,109)

Solid-state fermentation (SSF) can reduce antinutritional factors and improve the nutritional value of plant feed substrates. Here, we characterized mulberry leaves fermented with Ganoderma lucidum and evaluated a 3% dietary inclusion level in aged laying hens. Fermentation increased crude protein by 19.51% and increased total, essential, and branched-chain amino acids. Tannin and phytic acid contents decreased by 31.03% and 19.61%, respectively. After 60 days, the FML group showed a laying rate of 76%, comparable to Con (76%) and UML (74%), and no significant differences were detected in egg quality traits; however, the FML diet significantly reduced egg-yolk cholesterol relative to both Con and UML. Both UML and FML increased serum T-AOC, SOD, and CAT activities and reduced MDA. FML produced greater increases in T-AOC and SOD than UML. UML increased serum IgA, whereas FML increased IgG. Both products reduced serum TC and LDL-C. Thus, G. lucidum-mediated SSF improved the nutritional profile of mulberry leaves and altered selected physiological indices at a 3% dietary inclusion level. Dose–response and mechanistic studies are needed to establish efficacy and practical value. The mechanisms underlying the observed changes in antioxidant status, serum lipid profiles, and immunoglobulin concentrations require further elucidation. Full article

Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) is a brewing by-product with potential as a sustainable protein source. However, its limited amino acid profile and weak gelation properties limit its use in plant-based yoghurt alternatives (YAs). This study evaluated the compositional and techno-functional properties of brewers’ spent grain protein isolate (BSGI), pea protein isolate (PPI), mung bean protein isolate (MBP), and chickpea protein concentrate (CPC), and investigated their suitability in fermented YAs. BSGI was deficient in lysine, while PPI and MBP were limited in sulfur amino acids, highlighting the potential nutritional complementarity of cereal-legume protein blends. BSGI was blended with each legume ingredient at a fixed 50:50 ratio and fermented to a pH of 4.5 using a Streptococcus thermophilus culture. All YAs contained over 3.0% protein and showed improved indispensable amino acid profiles. The BSGI + MBP blend demonstrated the highest water retention, firmness, consistency, and rheological strength, followed by BSGI + PPI, whereas BSGI + CPC had the weakest gel structure. These formulation-level differences cannot be attributed solely to the intrinsic functionality of the individual protein ingredients, as protein content and non-protein components, particularly dietary fibre, differed among formulations. Overall, BSGI shows potential for incorporation into mixed plant-protein YAs and supports further optimisation of sustainable cereal-legume protein systems. Full article

Native Mexican turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo gallopavo) are an important genetic resource in family-based production systems exposed to marked regional and seasonal environmental variation. This study evaluated the associations between environmental gradients, diet composition, and hematological responses in native Mexican turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo gallopavo) raised under traditional family-based production systems. Fifty approximately six-month-old males were evaluated in a 5 × 2 factorial design including five physiographic regions and two seasons (rainy and dry). Crop content composition, estimated dietary nutrient composition, body weight, and hematological profile were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance, principal component analysis (PCA), and multiple regression. Grains and energy-rich by-products predominated in the diet (58.2–76.2%), whereas the dry season increased dry plant fragments and crude fiber while reducing crude protein from 17.5 to 14.3% (p < 0.001). Body weight was greatest in the Neovolcanic Axis region (5.20 kg) and lowest in the Coast region (4.35 kg) (p < 0.001). Erythrocyte-related variables were higher in temperate, high-altitude regions, whereas leukocyte-related variables predominated in warmer regions (p < 0.05). PCA explained 71.3% of the total variation, identifying nutritional–productive and immunological–adaptive components. Physiographic region was the factor most strongly associated with the diet composition and hematological responses, whereas the dry season intensified nutritional constraints and their effects on physiological adaptation. Full article

This study developed and optimized a niosomal delivery system for fermented corn bran extract (FCBE) to enhance its stability and evaluate its antioxidant potential for nutritional and health applications. Niosomes were prepared using a central composite design (CCD) to assess the effects of surfactant hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) and cholesterol content on encapsulation efficiency (EE) and particle size. The optimized formulation, obtained at an HLB of 13.5 and 92 mg cholesterol, achieved an EE of approximately 56% and a mean particle size of 205 nm. Antioxidant activity assays showed that the DPPH scavenging capacity of encapsulated FCBE was comparable to that of the free extract, whereas ABTS scavenging activity was lower for the encapsulated extract (9.54%) than for the free extract (16.8%). This lower apparent ABTS activity was attributed to the restricted release of phenolic compounds from the niosomal vesicles in the aqueous assay medium, rather than to a loss of their intrinsic antioxidant capacity. In vitro release studies confirmed that niosomal encapsulation provided a more controlled and sustained release profile. Stability evaluation demonstrated good preservation under refrigerated conditions, while higher temperatures and acidic pH reduced encapsulation efficiency over time. These findings highlight the potential of niosomes as carriers of plant-derived bioactive compounds for functional food and pharmaceutical applications. Full article

The essential oil (EO) industry generates large volumes of solid distillation residues that are commonly discarded as waste, despite their potential as a source of nutrients and bioactive compounds. This study evaluated the chemical quality and the volatile profile of four types of exhausted biomasses (EBs) obtained after steam distillation of EOs from bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), lavandin (L. angustifolia × L. latifolia) and two industrial hemp specimens (Carifit1p, a breeding line, and Codimono, a cultivar), with a view to their potential valorisation in animal feeding. The nutritional composition of the distillation residues was determined according to AOAC methods, while the headspace volatile fraction was characterised by HS-SPME–GC/MS. The EBs were generally characterised by a high fibre content, with the highest crude fibre and NDF values in whole lavender and lavandin plants, whereas the industrial hemp line Carifit1p showed the highest crude protein (17.1% DM) and ash contents. The volatile profiles of the residues differed markedly from those typical of the corresponding fresh EOs: the bay laurel residue was dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons (74.5%) with strongly depleted 1,8-cineole (1.9%), while lavender and lavandin retained high levels of β-caryophyllene (35.8% and 32.4%, respectively). Industrial hemp residues were enriched in oxygenated sesquiterpenes, with caryophyllene oxide reaching 21.2% in Carifit1p and exceeding β-caryophyllene. Overall, the results indicate that EO exhausted biomasses retain a species-specific profile of fibre, residual nutrients and less volatile, less water-soluble terpenoids, supporting their potential reuse as feed ingredients and contributing to a more sustainable, near-zero-waste distillation supply chain. Full article

Soy protein, apple fiber, and corn starch are widely used functional ingredients, yet their combined effects on food matrix properties remain poorly characterized. A D-optimal mixture design (16 runs) was used to evaluate how these three components, individually and in binary and ternary combinations, determine the proximate composition, CIELab color parameters, and techno-functional properties (water and oil absorption and solubility, pH, apparent density, emulsifying and foaming capacity, least gelation concentration, and foam stability over 120 min) of model blends. Response surface models were statistically significant for 19 of the 21 responses evaluated (R² = 0.70–1.00, p ≤ 0.05); water and oil absorption capacity did not reach significance (R² = 0.66–0.72, p > 0.05). Formulation was the main driver of the system’s behavior. Starch increased moisture, carbohydrate content, and lightness; protein determined ash, protein content, and water solubility; and fiber dominated crude fiber, lipid content, and red–yellow chromaticity, producing the greatest total color difference relative to pure starch. Unlike composition and color, which followed largely additive, single-ingredient-driven trends, interfacial functionality was governed by strong binary interactions: a synergistic protein–fiber interaction dominated emulsifying capacity (positive) and foaming capacity (strongly negative, almost completely suppressing foam formation even at protein levels comparable to the pure-protein vertex), while a synergistic protein–starch interaction enhanced foam stability. Water and oil absorption capacities varied within narrow, statistically non-significant ranges, indicating structural rather than compositional control. These findings show that mixture design and response surface methodology can quantitatively predict and tune the physicochemical, color, and functional performance of protein–fiber–starch blends, providing a practical framework for designing plant-based functional ingredients with targeted nutritional and technological profiles. Full article

The transition toward more sustainable diets has increased interest in alternative protein sources, including plant-based meat substitutes, cultured meat, edible insects, microalgae, and microbial fermentation products. Their successful adoption depends not only on technological advances and market availability but also on consumer acceptance shaped by cultural, sensory, psychological, ethical, and socio-demographic factors. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on consumer acceptance of alternative proteins in Poland, a country characterized by strong culinary traditions, high attachment to meat, and selective openness to food innovation. The evidence base is fragmented and uneven across product categories. Plant-based alternatives are the most established but face barriers related to price, sensory expectations, perceived nutritional quality, and concerns about ultra-processing. Cultured meat shows moderate acceptance, limited by perceived unnaturalness, safety concerns, and low familiarity. Edible insects remain the least accepted due to disgust, food neophobia, and cultural barriers. Evidence on microalgae and mycoproteins is scarce, while consumer responses to fermentation-derived proteins are largely unexplored. Overall, acceptance varies by product type and requires targeted improvements, culturally sensitive communication, and more robust research. Full article

Wild boars (Sus scrofa) forage on plant resources located both above and below the soil surface, but it remains unclear whether these resources are exploited simultaneously or used as complementary food pools according to season. This study examined seasonal changes in the use of understory plant resources by analyzing the stomach contents of 470 wild boars collected throughout the year in central Poland. Four dietary fractions were quantified: grass leaves, herb leaves, grass roots, and herb roots. Their frequency and proportional contribution were compared among six phenological seasons using non-parametric statistics and generalized linear models. Significant seasonal differences were found in both occurrence and dietary contribution. Aboveground plant parts, particularly grass leaves, dominated during the Greening and Flowering periods, whereas underground organs became more important in autumn and winter. Herb roots showed the strongest seasonal increase during the Shedding season, while grass roots remained uncommon throughout the year. Our findings indicate that wild boars switch between these complementary food pools according to plant phenology, tracking seasonal changes in the availability and nutritional quality of plant tissues rather than exploiting aboveground and belowground resources indiscriminately. This flexible foraging strategy provides new insight into the ecological mechanisms underlying rooting behavior. Full article

The plant Artemisia scoparia, of the Artemisia genus in the Asteraceae family, is known for its broad range of medicinal applications. Recent research on the traditional applications, phytochemistry, and potential biological activity of the plant is summarized in this review. Anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective properties of this plant are well known. The complex bioactive profile of the plant has been revealed by analysis of key chemical elements such as coumarins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, chromones, and essential oils. Research gaps show the necessity of toxicity analyses, clinical trials, and further bioactivity assays, to confirm the therapeutic potential of A. scoparia. The review also covers the morphology, distribution, traditional uses, and how this plant has adapted to desert ecosystems. This plant has the potential to be used in land restoration, herbicide, and associated plants in commercial agriculture. The present review provides an in-depth understanding of the chemical composition and promising biological activities of A. scoparia. These bioactivities draw attention to develop novel drugs. However, further research is needed to examine the toxicity and clinical effectiveness of this plant. Although not yet studied in poultry nutrition, A. scoparia shows potential as a natural feed additive based on evidence from other Artemisia species. Finally, the future research directions to deepen our understanding of this plant to confirm its clinical applications and use in poultry feed are also provided. Full article

Background: Camel husbandry underpins food security in drylands, and dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) milk is valued as a functional food whose composition is thought to be shaped by the desert forage that camels browse. Dietary plant microRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as one molecular route linking diet to mammalian physiology, and two interactions are widely cited from experimental reports: rice miR168a repressing LDLRAP1 and plant miR159 repressing TCF7. The hypothesis remains contested, however, and it has not been tested for camel forage against camel transcripts. Methods: We generated de novo, hairpin-based miRNA repertoires for three arid-zone forage plants relevant to camel feeding (Moringa oleifera, Ziziphus jujuba, Medicago sativa) and screened the mature miRNAs against 48,746 reconstructed C. dromedarius 3′-UTRs under stringent thresholds, retaining one transcript per gene, weighting interactions by read abundance, normalising scores for 3′-UTR length, and testing over-representation against a matched background. The two previously reported cross-kingdom pairs served as internal positive controls and seed-level grouping as a sensitivity control. Results: The three forages yielded 170 hairpin-validated miRNA loci (81 M. sativa, 49 Z. jujuba, 40 M. oleifera) peaking at 21 nt, collapsing to 116 mature sequences and 104 seed groups. The pooled read set was strongly concentrated: five mature sequences shared by all three species carried 51% of reads, miR159 alone 31%, and 19 sequences assignable to conserved miRBase families carried 64%. The pipeline recovered the reported miR168a–LDLRAP1 pairing in the camel; the miR159–TCF7 pairing, by contrast, was not recovered, although TCF7 was among the genes targeted by other plant miRNAs. Genome-wide, predicted targeting was sparse (median 2 miRNAs per gene) and no GO, KEGG or Hallmark category was enriched at either threshold (best FDR 0.56); the nominal p-value distribution was approximately uniform, giving no evidence of systematic enrichment under the tested framework. Targeting multiplicity scaled with 3′-UTR length (Pearson r = 0.63; Spearman ρ = 0.58), so apparent “hub” genes are largely long-3′-UTR genes. Of 19, 12 curated milk-fat and lactation genes were among predicted targets, without over-representation (Fisher p = 0.36). Conclusions: A sensitive, species-matched analysis recovered a previously reported cross-kingdom pairing yet found no coordinated enrichment of dietary plant miRNAs on the dromedary transcriptome, and showed that an individual cross-kingdom pairing cannot be assumed to transfer between mammalian species. The work provides a first forage miRNA resource in the context of camel nutrition, sets out a reusable, species-matched analytical framework for cross-kingdom claims, and narrows future experimental work to five abundant forage-derived sequences and a short list of candidate genes (LDLRAP1, TCF7/TCF7L2, PRLR, INSR). Full article

Plant-based enteral formulas represent a hypoallergenic alternative to dairy-derived products, but incorporation of underutilized pseudocereals into enteral formulas remains insufficiently characterized. This study developed a laboratory-scale prototype of a fortified beverage for enteral administration (FBEA) from the soluble fraction of Amaranthus hypochondriacus, with added pea protein isolate, safflower oil, and carbohydrate components. Sequential enzymatic treatment with α-amylase and Alcalase hydrolyzed amaranth grain flour into soluble fraction, increasing free amino acid content relative to the unhydrolyzed flour, including arginine from 0.52 to 241.39 mg kg⁻¹, lysine from 3.91 to 129.10 mg kg⁻¹, and glutamic acid from 103.62 to 368.54 mg kg⁻¹. Fortification yielded a protein content of 25.46% DW, a lipid content of 24.95% DW, and an energy density of 1014 kcal L⁻¹, consistent with isocaloric formulas, with seven essential amino acids meeting FAO/WHO/UNU reference adequacy values. In vitro digestion showed that the soluble fraction and FBEA exceeded amaranth flour in bioaccessibility of antioxidant activity and phenolic content, with FBEA achieving the highest intestinal phenolic release. The formula met ESPEN physicochemical recommendations, with osmolality at 292 mOsm kg⁻¹ and viscosity at 51 mPa·s, and simulated tube flowability comparable to two commercial formulas. These findings indicate that enzymatically hydrolyzed amaranth shows potential as a plant-based enteral formulation prototype, though clinical suitability requires further safety, shelf-life, and tolerance data. Full article

The withdrawal of antibiotic growth promoters has fundamentally changed the priorities of poultry nutrition, shifting attention from growth promotion towards maintenance of intestinal homeostasis and physiological resilience, defined here as the capacity of the organism to maintain or restore functional homeostasis when exposed to biological, nutritional, or environmental challenges. Although plant-derived feed additives have attracted considerable interest as natural alternatives, their biological activity is still commonly interpreted as a collection of independent antimicrobial, antioxidant, or immunomodulatory effects. This fragmented perspective may not fully capture the interconnected and context-dependent nature of their effects across experimental models. This review develops an integrated conceptual framework in which phytogenic feed additives are considered as potential systems-level modulators of the microbiota–gut–immune axis rather than as isolated sources of bioactive compounds. We synthesise experimental evidence from 155 broiler chickens identified through searches of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar from database inception to June 2026, covering microbial ecology, intestinal morphology and barrier function, microbial metabolites, redox balance, inflammatory signalling, and innate and adaptive immunity across infectious, nutritional, and environmental challenge models. Particular attention is given to the different levels of evidence provided by culture-based and targeted analyses, microbiome profiling, integrated host–microbiome studies, and multi-omics approaches. The available evidence suggests that structurally diverse phytochemicals can influence overlapping regulatory networks linking microbial ecology, epithelial barrier integrity, redox balance, inflammatory signalling, and immune function. However, the magnitude and direction of these responses vary substantially according to botanical source, phytochemical composition, dose, formulation, duration of supplementation, animal genotype, basal diet, and experimental challenge. Collectively, the available evidence supports a paradigm shift from compound-centred interpretation towards network-based regulation of host homeostasis. Within this context, physiological resilience refers to the capacity to maintain or restore functional homeostasis in response to biological, nutritional, or environmental challenges. It may emerge from coordinated interactions among the intestinal microbiota, the epithelial barrier, and the immune system. Phytogenic supplementation may contribute to resilience by simultaneously modulating several components of this network, although causal relationships remain incompletely established for many proposed mechanisms. This systems-level perspective provides a framework for integrating heterogeneous evidence and for identifying priorities for future research, including dose–response relationships, phytochemical combinations, longitudinal multi-omics approaches, and validation under commercially relevant production conditions, with implications for precision poultry nutrition. Full article

This study investigated the elemental composition along the soil–plant continuum of Sicilian citrus fruits grown in volcanic (Stromboli and Etna) and non-volcanic (Marsala) areas. Following microwave-assisted acid digestion, macro- and trace elements were quantified via ICP-MS in soils, whole fruits, peel, pulp, and juice. Citrus fruits from volcanic areas generally showed higher concentrations of K, P, Fe, and Al than those from Marsala. Potentially toxic elements in edible fractions were generally low, with Pb and Cd below the applicable regulatory limits. Elemental partitioning showed higher measured concentrations of several potentially toxic elements in the peel, with lower concentrations in pulp and juice. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed separation of samples according to geographical origin, while Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) achieved complete classification within the investigated dataset, with K, Al, Mg, and Ni. These findings indicate that elemental fingerprinting may support geographical characterization, together with nutritional and toxicological assessment. Full article

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) cv. BRS Anahí is a promising crop for agricultural diversification in the Brazilian semi-arid region, although saline irrigation can limit its development and productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological and productive responses of sesame irrigated with brackish water under different fertilization treatments. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Federal University of Ceará, using a completely randomized design in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme, with four replications. These corresponded to four fertilization treatments (F1: HomeBiogas liquid biofertilizer from CAGECE; F2: HomeBiogas from food waste; F3: shrimp biofertilizer; and F4: mineral fertilization—NPK) and two irrigation water salinity levels (0.8 and 3.0 dS m⁻¹). Irrigation with 3.0 dS m⁻¹ significantly reduced the analyzed variables; however, the intensity of these effects varied according to the fertilization treatment. Treatment F1 promoted greater physiological activity under saline conditions, partially mitigating saline stress. At low salinity, treatments F1 and F3 showed productivity performance similar to F4, while at high salinity, F3 was less effective. The results highlight the potential of the selected biofertilizers to improve sesame performance under saline irrigation. Full article

Watermelon is an important vegetable crop cultivated worldwide with significant nutritional and economic value. Due to its susceptibility to soilborne pathogens, grafted seedlings are highly preferred. Robust scions are a prerequisite for the quality of the grafted seedling. Seedling production in a plant factory with artificial lighting offers advantages in space-use efficiency and control over growth parameters. In these systems, dynamic lighting, i.e., changing lighting conditions over a given period, can improve energy-use efficiency or enhance the physiological performance of growing plants. Hence, this study aimed to test whether dynamically adjusted blue/red ratios during the production period influence the physiology, growth, quality, phytochemical composition, and antioxidant capacity of scion watermelon seedlings produced in a PFAL. Two blue/red (high and low) ratios were tested over a 10-day growth period under constant illumination (H and L) or with a change in the middle of cultivation (HL and LH). The results showed that a high blue/red light ratio during the growth of young watermelon scions, especially during the final days of production (average of H and LH), enhanced biochemical responses (+29.5% phenolic compound content and +26–158% antioxidant capacity compared to L). Conversely, a shift to a low blue/red light ratio (HL) improved overall seedling quality (+35% Dickson’s quality index, +33% sturdiness quotient, and +18% total leaf chlorophyll content compared to L). Full article