Search Results (203)

Background: Adopting novel feed ingredients and aligning feeding strategies with these formulations are key to improving aquaculture sustainability. This study assessed the combined effects of alternative protein and lipid sources and feeding regime on growth, nutrient utilization, and body composition of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles. Methods: Two isoenergetic and identical digestible protein diets (39%) were formulated: a control (conventional fishmeal/fish oil (FM/FO) and plant proteins, containing 20% FM and 6% FO) and an alternative diet replacing 50% of FM and 25% of vegetable proteins with a blend of poultry by-products, insect meal, and single-cell protein (Corynebacterium glutamicum) and totally replacing fish oil with alternative lipid sources (microalgae and by-product oils). Fish (28 g of initial body weight) were fed for 210 days either to apparent satiety (AS) or under moderate restriction (85% and 65% of AS). The number of fish used was 65 fish per 500 L tank (triplicate for each experimental group). Growth performance, feed conversion, nutrient efficiency ratios, protein retention, and proximate and fatty acid composition were measured. Results: The alternative diet significantly improved growth, feed and nutrient efficiency, and protein retention compared with the control. Whole-body fatty acid profiles of fish fed the alternative diet showed higher contents of nutritionally important fatty acids, including DHA. Restricted feeding at 65% of AS enhanced nutrient efficiency ratios and protein retention relative to 85% and AS, but reduced growth. Feeding to AS produced the highest feed intake and growth but poorer feed conversion and nutrient efficiency. No significant interaction between diet and feeding strategy was observed. Conclusions: Incorporating novel protein and lipid sources can improve sea bass performance and product nutritional value while supporting sustainability. Feeding at ~85% of AS may offer a practical compromise between growth and efficient nutrient utilization. Full article

Background: Healthier between-meal snacks can improve diet quality in the US and globally. Objectives: To assess the impact on diet quality of replacing solid snacks with almonds or adding almonds (30 g) to the diet. Methods: Dietary data for 4333 children (4–19 y) and 10,925 adults (>19 y) came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2017–23). Nutrient composition data came from the Food and Nutrient Databases for Dietary Studies (FNDDS). Substitution Model 1 replaced all solid snacks with almonds on a per-calorie basis. Model 2 exempted “healthy” snacks. Model 3 added almonds to the observed diet. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2020), Nutrient Rich Food Index (NRF), Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR), and Mean Excess Ratio (MER) were measures of diet quality. Results: Solid snacks provided 329 kcal/day (15.6% of dietary energy), of which 58 kcal came from healthy snacks (2.9%). The 4–13 y age group consumed the most energy from snacks. Diets with almonds replacing solid snacks were lower in added sugar, sodium, and saturated (solid) fat but higher in protein, fiber, mono- and polyunsaturated fats, and magnesium. MAR dietary nutrient density scores were significantly higher, and MER scores were lower. Total HEI-2020 scores rose from 52.4 (observed) to 59.6 (Model 1) and to 60.6 in Model 2_100. The addition of almonds (30 g or 50 g) increased HEI-2020 values to 59.2 and to 61.4, respectively. Several HEI-2020 sub-scores increased as well. The greatest dietary benefits were obtained for children and young adults. Conclusions: Replacing solid snacks with small amounts of almonds led to higher quality modeled food patterns, especially for younger age groups. The DGA 2025–30 should address the inclusion of healthy energy-dense snacks into everyday diets. Full article

The increasing demand for sustainable aquafeeds necessitates the development of alternative protein sources that support both economic efficiency and ecological responsibility. This study evaluates the potential of using hempseed meal (a nutrient-dense agro-industrial by-product) as a functional ingredient in carp aquaculture diets. The paper presents a proof-of-concept evaluation demonstrating the potential of hempseed meal as a circular bio-ingredient that aligns with the principles of sustainable aquaculture, rather than providing a comprehensive assessment of its long-term physiological effects on fish. A 90-day feeding trial was conducted under controlled pond conditions to assess the effects of graded hempseeds meal inclusion levels on growth performance, feed utilization, and environmental sustainability indicators for three Cyprinus carpio varieties. Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated: a control diet (R1) based on conventional plant protein sources such as soybean and pea meal, and three experimental diets containing 5%, 10%, and 20% hempseed meal (R2–R4). Growth indices including absolute weight gain (WG), average daily gain (ADG), specific growth rate (SGR), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined, and data was analyzed via two-way ANOVA with Tukey HSD post hoc testing. Results indicated that 10% hempseed meal inclusion produced optimal growth responses, improving specific growth rate by 12.6% and reduced feed conversion ratio by 10.8% compared to the control. The most pronounced effects were observed for Frăsinet carp variety (SGR 1.23%·day⁻¹; FCR 1.39). Environmental assessments demonstrated that substituting conventional protein sources (soybean and pea meal) with hempseed meal at 20% inclusion valorized 200 kg of hemp press cake per ton of feed, reduced conventional protein use by 33.3%, diverted up to 80% of waste from disposal. These findings validate hempseed meal as a sustainable, cost-effective, and nutritionally viable alternative to conventional protein sources in freshwater aquaculture, advancing circular bioeconomy strategies and supporting low-carbon fish production systems. Full article

A 16-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of different feed forms on the productivity, egg quality, nutrient digestibility, and organ development of laying hens. A total of 252 Lohmann Brown laying hens, 20 weeks of age, were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments: mash, pellet, or crumble. Each treatment consisted of seven replicates with 12 hens per replicate. All diets were formulated primarily with corn and soybean meal to provide 2801 kcal/kg of metabolizable energy and 17.99% crude protein. Productive performance (egg production, egg weight, feed intake, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio), egg quality traits (haugh unit, eggshell strength, and eggshell thickness), apparent nutrient digestibility (dry matter, crude protein, calcium, and phosphorus), and relative organ weights (crop, gizzard, and abdominal fat) were measured. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed among the feed form treatments for productive performance, egg quality, nutrient digestibility, or organ development. These results indicate that feed form (mash, pellet, or crumble) does not significantly affect performance, egg quality, nutrient utilization, or organ development in Lohmann Brown laying hens under the conditions of this study. Full article

Nutritional supplementation is widely used in resistance training, yet assessment of “hypertrophy” is often confounded by body-composition surrogates. This narrative review, anchored in mechanistic plausibility, integrates trials reporting morphology-direct outcomes (ultrasound/MRI). Across 46 eligible trials, protein/essential amino acids (EAA) showed consistent benefits when daily intake was <1.6 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹ or when per-meal leucine provision was <2–3 g; effects plateaued once intakes exceeded ~2.0 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹. Creatine monohydrate (3–5 g·day⁻¹, with or without loading) produced measurable increases in muscle thickness or cross-sectional area in interventions lasting ≥8–12 weeks, mediated by enhanced training volume and quality. β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB, 3 g·day⁻¹) demonstrated conditional utility during high training stress or caloric deficit, but was largely neutral in well-fed, resistance-trained cohorts. Adjuncts such as omega-3 fatty acids (1–2 g·day⁻¹), citrulline (6–8 g pre-exercise), and collagen (10–15 g·day⁻¹ plus vitamin C) primarily facilitated training tolerance, recovery, or connective-tissue adaptation, rather than driving hypertrophy directly. A tiered model is proposed: protein/EAA as the foundation, creatine as amplifier, HMB as conditional agent, and adjuncts as facilitators. Methodological heterogeneity, short intervention length, and inconsistent imaging protocols remain limiting factors, underscoring the need for standardized ultrasound/MRI and adequately powered, preregistered trials. Full article

Soybean meal causes health issues in piglets due to the presence of antigenic proteins. Although enzymatic treatment can break down antigenic proteins, subsequent high-temperature drying may impair amino acid (AA) digestibility via the Maillard reaction. This study evaluated whether the air-drying temperature affects the ileal AA digestibility of a novel reduced-sugar enzyme-treated soybean meal (ESM) in 25 kg pigs, using fishmeal as a high-digestibility reference. In two trials using pigs fitted with simple T-cannulas in the terminal ileum, ileal digestibility was assessed. In trial 1, a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with three diets (fishmeal, ESM, and a nitrogen-free diet; two pigs per diet) and three periods were used per square. Fishmeal showed greater apparent (82.50% vs. 45.01%) and standardized (86.60% vs. 48.86%) digestibility of crude protein and all amino acids than ESM dried at 130 °C. In trial 2, eight pigs were allocated to two diets in a two-period crossover design to compare the AA digestibility of ESM dried at high (130 °C; HtESM) and low (80 °C; LtESM) temperatures. LtESM exhibited greater apparent (82.24% vs. 52.40%) and standardized (86.37% vs. 56.47%) digestibility of crude protein and more amino acids than HtESM. Collectively, the drying temperature critically determined the AA digestibility of ESM, irrespective of its reducing sugar content. Full article

Theory of planned behavior (TPB) constructs and shopping routines are strong predictors of food waste behavior, while socio-demographic factors show mixed and weaker associations. We analyzed survey data from a nationally representative sample of 1066 U.S. households, measuring self-reported food waste frequency across meals, food types, and disposal methods. We applied k-medoid clustering on 19 TPB constructs and 25 shopping characteristics to identify three distinct consumer segments. “Structured Planners” (Cluster 1) showed the most deliberate shopping habits and strongest engagement in food waste reduction. “Flexible Planners” (Cluster 2) shared similar waste outcomes but approached shopping with greater spontaneity, while “Younger Wasters” (Cluster 3) were younger, lower-income, and less educated, with casual shopping habits, lower ratings of TPB constructs, and the highest food waste frequency overall. These distinct behavioral profiles enable policymakers to directly identify and target specific demographic segments for tailored food waste interventions. Particularly, “Younger Wasters” reported a significantly higher food waste frequency at 6.7 times per week, while “Structured Planners” and “Flexible Planners” were statistically similar at approximately 4.6 and 4.4 times per week. Dinner is the meal resulting in the most food waste across all groups, and “Younger Wasters” reported the highest frequency of waste in protein, oil, and grain. Post-clustering ANOVA analysis tested the predictive power of TPB, shopping characteristics, and cluster membership on food waste frequency. Results show that “Younger Wasters”, along with variables like attitude, store shopping frequency, and shopping behavior, are significantly positively associated with food waste frequency. This study demonstrates the potential of clustering analysis in exploring food waste determinants and suggests using clustered indices as proxies for respondents’ overall traits. Full article

Proteins elicit various metabolic and physiological functions that are related to physical performance. Due to increased need in athletes, protein supplementation has been widely used to support recovery and performance. However, the extent to which acute gains in muscle protein synthesis translate into measurable performance remains debated. This narrative review synthesizes evidence from trials on supplemental proteins across resistance, endurance, and mixed-modality training, comparing sources (whey, casein, soy, pea, and blends). Moreover, this review summarizes dosing and timing strategies, with notes for master, diabetic, and female athletes. It is well-established that supplemental protein enhances fat-free mass and, to a lesser extent, strength when baseline dietary protein is suboptimal. However, the effects are smaller when habitual intake already meets athletic targets. Whey, as a rapid protein and rich in leucine, reliably elicits an acute anabolic response, while casein provides prolonged elevated aminoacidemia. When total intake and leucine thresholds are matched, plant proteins and blends can yield comparable long-term adaptations. In addition, studies showed that the distribution and strategic timing around exercise (post-exercise first, with optional pre-sleep casein or blends) support recovery during high-frequency training or energy deficit. Protein co-ingested with carbohydrate in endurance and high-intensity functional training (HIFT) can also help glycogen restoration and attenuate muscle-damage markers, though effects on sport outcomes are inconsistent. The evidence in diabetic athletes is limited; guidance extrapolates from diabetes and athlete studies, with benefits apparent when intake, quality, or distribution are limited. Furthermore, evidence indicates that anabolic resistance in master athletes requires higher per-meal doses and distribution, with post-exercise and pre-sleep feedings valuable. Consistently, female athletes partaking in aerobic and resistance training while supplementing with protein demonstrate desired body composition adaptations. Overall, although supplemental protein helps close gaps between intake and physiological demand, various factors may influence its regimen. Protein source may help the kinetics balance, amino-acid profile, and dietary preferences. Alternatively, timing may influence the protein effects on training and recovery. Full article

Microalgal protein demonstrates considerable potential for reducing dependence on fishmeal in aquafeeds. However, limited research has been conducted on the effects of Chlorella pyrenoidosa meal (CM) on carnivorous fish species. This study evaluated the impact of replacing 0% to 40% of fishmeal with CM within isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets (designated as CM0, CM5, CM10, CM20, and CM40) on juvenile tiger puffer (initial weight: 11.34 ± 0.01 g) over a 56-day feeding trial. Three replicate tanks were established for each experimental group, with 30 fish per tank. The experimental data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression analysis. The results showed that no significant differences were observed in final body weight (FBW: CM0, 55.45 ± 1.87 g; CM40, 45.6 ± 2.09 g) or specific growth rate (SGR: CM0, 2.83 ± 0.06%/d; CM40, 2.48 ± 0.08%/d) among the dietary groups; however, the growth linearly decreased with increasing CM levels. The CM40 group exhibited a significantly higher feed conversion ratio (FCR: CM0, 1.17 ± 0.02; CM40, 1.28 ± 0.03). Muscle texture parameters (hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness) and proximate composition were not significantly affected by dietary treatments. In contrast, the CM40 diet significantly decreased the n-3/n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio in the muscle, while increasing the contents of 18:2n-6 and total n-6 PUFAs. These results indicate that substituting up to 5% of fishmeal with CM did not produce significant adverse effects on growth or body composition, although linear trends indicated a progressive decline in performance at higher inclusion levels. This investigation provides valuable insights into the application of sustainable protein alternatives in feeds for marine carnivorous fish. Full article

This study aimed to explore the effects of dietary rapeseed meal replacing fish meal on growth performance, intestinal structure, gut microbiota, and related gene expression of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were designed, in which rapeseed meal replaced 0% (FM, control), 5% (RM5), 10% (RM10), 15% (RM15), and 25% (RM25) of fish meal. Then, largemouth bass (11.00 ± 0.20 g) were randomly and equally allocated to 15 experimental tanks (25 fish per tank) for an 8-week feeding trial. The results showed that growth performance declined as replacement levels increased to 25%. However, the RM5 group had the highest body crude protein, distal intestinal muscle layer thickness (MLT), and plica height (PH) and width (PW), which were significantly higher than those of the FM group. In addition, compared to the FM group, the RM15 and/or RM25 groups had higher levels of D-lactic acid, diamine oxidase, and lipopolysaccharide. Furthermore, the RM25 group exhibited higher abundances of Lactococcus and Weissella but lower levels of Aeromonas and Staphylococcus compared to the FM group. Intestinal transcriptome analysis revealed that the PI3K-Akt and NF-κB signaling pathways were significantly up-regulated when comparing the RM25 and FM groups. The results demonstrate that the replacement of 5% fish meal with rapeseed meal did not have a negative impact on the physiological status of largemouth bass. However, a replacement level of 25% reduced growth performance and damaged intestinal structure, potentially by altering the abundance of intestinal microbiota and up-regulating the PI3K-Akt and NF-κB signaling pathways. Full article

Low-fishmeal feed is increasingly being adopted across the global aquaculture industry. This study evaluated dietary Clostridium butyricum and alanyl-glutamine (Ala-Gln) supplementation in juvenile triploid rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) with a low-fishmeal diet. Four diets were tested: basal diet (SBM, 15% fishmeal and 21.6% soybean meal), SBM + 0.5% C. butyricum (CB), SBM + 1.0% Ala-Gln, and SBM + 0.5% C. butyricum + 1.0% Ala-Gln (CB-AG). Fish were fed in 500 L tanks in recirculating aquaculture systems for 8 weeks (62.52 ± 0.47 g). Each group comprised three tanks, with each tank housing 30 fish. Then 10 fish per tank were challenged with Aeromonas salmonicida. CB-AG showed significantly higher weight gain and specific growth rates than the SBM group (p < 0.05). Mortality was significantly lower in CB-AG and AG than in SBM after A. salmonicida challenge. Histomorphology revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) between CB-AG and SBM in muscularis thickness, villus width, and height. SBM sections showed inflammatory infiltration and border damage were attenuated in supplemented groups. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and dioxygenase (DAO) were significantly lower in CB-AG than SBM (p < 0.05), while serum and hepatic lysozyme (LZM) and hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) were higher. Digestive enzymes indicated significantly higher trypsin and lipase activities in CB-AG (p < 0.05). CB-AG upregulated intestinal tight junction proteins and PepT1 and downregulated pro-inflammatory mediators. Combined 0.5% C. butyricum and 1.0% Ala-Gln inclusion effectively preserved growth performance, antioxidant capacity, gut microbiome homeostasis, and intestinal health in rainbow trout on low-fishmeal diets. Full article

Valorizing agri-food waste through black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) bioconversion offers a promising path to enhance circular and sustainable food systems. This study used attributional Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental performance of BSFL reared on six agro-industrial residue diets: tomato, pea, onion, chickpea, wheat, and liquid digestate. The Environmental Footprint 3.1 method was used to assess multiple impact categories. The rearing trials were conducted in a dedicated pilot plant (13.5 m × 2.5 m × 2.7 m) that can treat about 1.58 t of residue per cycle. From the results, BSFL biomass yields were similar across diets, with 12–15% bioconversion and 70–85% substrate reduction. BSFL protein had higher impacts than fishmeal and pea protein but was comparable to soybean meal. BSFL lipids had greater impacts than rapeseed, palm, and sunflower oils yet were similar to soybean oil for bioenergy from fat. Electricity use for climate control was the main hotspot (~85%). Scenario analysis showed that using residual heat for climate control and scaling up via optimization could cut impacts by over 80%. The findings demonstrate the potential for producing BSFL on a medium-to-large scale to enhance circularity in the agri-food sector. Full article

Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software, using data from 64 global studies (288 dietary assessments, 194,356 broilers) evaluated the effects of substituting inorganic trace minerals (ITM) with proteinate trace minerals (PTM) in broiler diets at various inclusion levels. Replacing ITM with PTM at equivalent (100%) or reduced (11–80%) levels improved performance metrics, showing reduced total feed intake (FI) (−6 g/bird), lower average daily feed intake (ADFI) (−0.43 g/bird), higher average daily gain (ADG) (+0.36g), greater body weight gain (BWG) (+4.29 g/bird), higher final body weight (BW) (+7.50 g/bird), improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) (−1.26%), and lower mortality (−10.95%), all significant (p < 0.05). Median mineral inclusion reductions of 40% Cu, 59.82% Fe, 41.41% Mn, and 34.67% Zn had no adverse effects, instead enhancing outcomes. Across 17 studies (25,144 broilers, 85 dietary assessments), mineral excretion decreased significantly with PTM versus ITM by 16% Cu, 14% Fe, 21% Mn, and 15% Zn (p < 0.001). When PTM replaced ITM at 50–80% inclusion, further benefits were observed, including lower total FI (−7 g/bird), lower ADFI (−1.07 g/bird), higher ADG (+1.67), higher BWG (+2.65 g/bird), lower FCR (−4.50%) and lower mortality (−11.09%) with mineral inclusion reductions of 17% Cu, 42.16% Fe, 42.89% Mn, and 50% Zn. Meta-regression identified significant influences (p < 0.05) from study variables such as strain, study duration, and region. Life cycle assessment modelling demonstrated PTM inclusion lowered gross carbon emissions by 3.5% and lower emission intensities per unit live weight of both feed use and overall lifecycle by 4.5% and 4.1%, respectively on diets of high and low soybean meal inclusion. Overall, replacing ITM with PTM in broiler diets can promote production performance of broilers and lower mineral excretion levels while contributing to a lower CFP. Full article

Donkey milk is highly regarded for its nutritional, immunological and hypoallergenic properties. In this context, the global demand is increasing, and the challenges of low production and milk hygiene need to be addressed. This study evaluated the effects of dietary and phytogenic supplementation on milk yield, nutrient digestibility, and milk quality in lactating jennies (Equus asinus). All donkeys had unrestricted access to natural pasture during the study. In addition to grazing, animals were divided into three groups (n = 10 per group) that differed only in the type of supplemental feed. The control group (CG) received pasture grass with a corn-based supplement; Group 1 (G1) received the same basal feed enriched with sunflower meal and a phytogenic blend of medicinal plants; and Group 2 (G2) received the same compound feed as G1 but without the phytogenic additives. Over an eight-week period, milk production, apparent digestibility coefficients (dry matter, protein, fibre, and ether extract), and microbiological quality were assessed. G1 demonstrated the highest milk yield (p < 0.001), improved nutrient digestibility (e.g., crude protein digestibility: 57.89 ± 4.21%), and a significant reduction in total viable counts (TVC) from 2.848 ± 0.265 to 1.898 ± 0.404 log₁₀ CFU/mL (p < 0.001), compared to CG and G2. The latter maintained relatively stable TVC values (2.930 ± 0.260 → 2.838 ± 0.196; p = 0.356641), accompanied by reduced interindividual variability, whereas CG exhibited a slight increase (2.922 ± 0.253 → 2.949 ± 0.323; p = 0.792259) and greater variability, suggesting a negative trend. Crude protein digestibility was 55.86 ± 6.66% in G2 and 45.26 ± 9.85% in CG, further supporting the superior nutrient utilization efficiency observed in G1. The phytogenic supplement stabilized milk chemical composition, suggesting potential galactagogues, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial effects. These findings support the use of functional feed additives as a promising strategy to enhance productive performance and milk hygiene in sustainable donkey farming systems. Full article

Sustainable manure recycling in cold climates faces low efficiency and nutrient loss. This study evaluated housefly larva-pretreated manure (HL) for winter swine manure composting in East China, comparing it to sawdust-conditioned (CK2) and untreated manure (CK1). Larval pretreatment converted 12.71% of manure weight into biomass, assimilating 10.69% C, 30.55% N, 8.54% P, and 11.53% K. Harvested larvae contained 53.35% crude protein, with amino acids matching/exceeding fishmeal and soybean meal, while heavy metals were below safety limits. Theoretical annual larval protein yield per unit area (29,530 kg·mu⁻¹·year⁻¹) was 206.5 times higher than soybean crops. During composting, the HL treatment promoted early protease and catalase activation. This enzymatic synergy accelerated organic matter degradation and maturation, achieving a germination index of 147.67% by day 51. Coordinated nitrate and nitrite reductase activity in HL facilitated efficient denitrification, minimizing NO₂⁻ accumulation and N₂O emissions. Consequently, HL composting achieved faster stabilization, enhanced nutrient retention, and greater protein recovery compared to controls. These findings demonstrate that housefly larval pretreatment offers a climate-resilient and scalable strategy for winter manure management and protein valorization, with strong potential for applications in cold and resource-limited agricultural systems worldwide. Full article