Search Results (328)

This study evaluated the carcass characteristics and nutritional composition of duck meat from farmed (organic and conventional) and wild sources. Duck carcasses were analyzed to determine carcass traits (weight and yield of individual carcass portions) and meat quality parameters, including chemical composition and fatty acid profile. Results showed that farmed ducks (conventional and organic) had significantly higher live weight, carcass weight, and dressing percentage compared with wild ducks (p < 0.05). Conventional and organic groups exhibited comparable carcass yields; however, organic ducks demonstrated greater deposition of skin and subcutaneous fat, which may be partly attributed to their longer production period (~7 months) compared with conventional ducks (~45 days). Wild ducks had markedly lower carcass yield but a higher proportion of muscle protein in breast and thigh meat. Fatty acid analysis revealed that conventionally farmed ducks had significantly higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), particularly PUFA n-3, compared with organic and wild ducks (p < 0.05), which could be attributed to dietary basis (rapeseed-rich compound feed). Organic and wild ducks had higher levels of monounsaturated fatty acids than conventionally famed ducks. The study demonstrates that the rearing system significantly influences duck carcass traits and meat quality. Farmed ducks showed higher carcass yields, whereas wild ducks provided leaner meat with a higher protein content. These findings enhance understanding of the nutritional and technological properties of duck meat from different production systems. Full article

This study developed a complex functional ingredient based on beef offal paste, whey, rapeseed and sunflower cake powder, and flax flour, and evaluated its effect on beef cutlets formulated with 0, 5, 10, and 15% additive. The study examined chemical composition, pH, water activity, functional and technological properties, color, fatty acid profile, texture, sensory quality, and refrigerated storage stability. The additive improved the nutritional profile of the cutlets by increasing the protein content from 16.20% in the control to 17.78% at the highest inclusion level, while reducing fat content from 12.50% to 11.20%. The lipid fraction also became more favorable, as total polyunsaturated fatty acids increased from 7.03% to 13.34%, and α-linolenic acid appeared only in additive-containing samples. The additive also modified the functional and structural characteristics of the products. The 10% formulation showed the most pronounced improvement in texture, with the highest hardness, gumminess, and chewiness values, while sensory quality remained comparable to the control at 5 and 10% inclusion but declined at 15%. During 7 days of refrigerated storage, additive-containing samples showed lower acid and peroxide values than the control, together with a slight reduction in microbial growth. Overall, the developed additive acted as a multifunctional ingredient that improved nutritional and technological quality. Among the tested formulations, the 10% inclusion level provided the best balance between quality, storage stability, and sensory acceptability. Full article

Rapeseed press cake (RPC), the protein-rich residue from edible oil production, is currently underutilized and is primarily used as animal feed. This study aimed to investigate pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) for protein recovery from RPC using response surface methodology (RSM) with precipitation yield (PY) as the response variable. Following alkaline extraction, proteins were precipitated at their isoelectric point, and solid residues were freeze-dried to obtain protein powders. Conventional extraction (CE) under magnetic stirring at room temperature was used as a reference. The results demonstrated that increasing pH from 8 to 11 significantly enhanced protein extraction efficiency for both methods. PLE exhibited superior performance, achieving higher PY compared to CE while drastically reducing extraction time from 120 min (CE) to 6 min (PLE). Optimal conditions were identified at a solid-to-liquid ratio of 0.10 g/mL, 150 °C, and 6 min, yielding a PY of 14.9%, protein recovery in extract (PR_E) of 43.8%, and protein recovery in precipitated mass (PR_P) of 20.0%, with a protein content (PC_P) of 647.2 mg albumin eq./g. RSM analysis identified extraction temperature as the most critical parameter for PLE, highlighting its dominant role in mass transfer. Finally, amino acid (AA) analysis revealed that protein powders were rich in essential AAs, with glutamic and aspartic acids being the most abundant. Additionally, PLE-derived protein powders exhibited enhanced solubility. This study confirms PLE as a highly promising and time-efficient technique for protein recovery from RPC, supporting the potential of sustainable valorization of agro-industrial by-products and promoting a circular economy model within the food industry. Full article

Organic fertilizer substitution is increasingly used to reduce chemical nitrogen input in rice production, but the agronomic effects may vary with fertilizer source. This study compared chemical fertilizer alone with seven organic substitution treatments based on rapeseed cake, peanut bran, mushroom residue fertilizer, cattle manure, chicken manure, goat manure, and pig manure under the same nitrogen substitution ratio. Rice yield, grain quality, post-harvest soil physicochemical properties, and integrated performance were evaluated in the 2025 final-year dataset after two consecutive years of continuous fertilization. Responses differed clearly among fertilizer sources. Chicken manure and cattle manure produced the highest grain yields, mainly through stronger effects on grains per panicle, seed-setting rate, and grain filling. Grain quality showed more selective responses: mushroom residue fertilizer resulted in the highest head rice rate, peanut bran increased chalkiness-related traits, and mushroom residue fertilizer and goat manure were associated with higher grain protein content. In contrast to the yield pattern, plant-derived fertilizers, especially rapeseed cake and mushroom residue fertilizer, showed stronger advantages in post-harvest soil improvement. Rapeseed cake produced the highest soil quality index, whereas mushroom residue fertilizer showed the most balanced overall performance across yield, grain quality, and soil variables. These results indicate that the effects of organic fertilizer substitution in rice are strongly source-dependent. Animal-derived fertilizers were more favorable for short-term yield improvement, rapeseed cake was more effective for soil fertility enhancement, and mushroom residue fertilizer provided the best overall balance among productivity, grain quality, and soil improvement. Full article

Rapeseed straw and peanut vine are abundant agricultural by-products in China, but their low digestibility has largely restricted their application in ruminant production. Extrusion processing has been shown to improve the fiber structure and nutrient availability of roughages, yet the underlying metabolic mechanisms by which extruded rapeseed straw (ERS) influences growth performance remain insufficiently elucidated. This study aimed to explore the metabolic mechanisms of average daily gain (ADG) affected by rapeseed straw feeding through studying metabolites from four biological matrices (rumen fluid, serum, liver and muscle) collected from 24 Hu lambs fed extruded rapeseed straw (ERS, n = 12) and peanut vine hay (PVH, n = 12). The Hu lambs fed ERS exhibited greater ADG during the late finishing stage (60–90 d) than those fed PVH (p = 0.03). A total of 666, 274, 147, and 96 metabolites were identified in the rumen fluid, liver, serum and muscle, respectively. In addition, nine, 12, seven, and three significantly different metabolites (VIP > 1 and p < 0.05) related to eight significant pathways (starch and sucrose metabolism, galactose metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, Gly, Ser, and Thr metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, and purine metabolism) were identified in the four biological matrices between the ERS- and PVH-fed Hu lambs. Further integrated key metabolic pathway analysis showed that the ERS-fed Hu lambs may have more comprehensive amino acid and energy metabolisms with relatively fewer carbohydrate metabolisms, suggesting enhancing protein deposition and energy utilization efficiency with associated metabolites and pathways serve as key biomarkers for a higher ADG of Hu lambs when fed ERS. Full article

This study investigated the effects of replacing soybean meal with fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) in the diets of sika deer (Cervus nippon) during the pre-antler growth period. A single-factor experimental design was employed. A total of 24 male sika deer aged 2–3 years were randomly divided into four groups with six deer per group, including a control group (0% substitution) and three treatment groups fed diets containing 2.8%, 5.6%, and 8.4% fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM), defined as the low (L-FRSM), medium (M-FRSM), and high (H-FRSM) substitution groups, respectively. The feeding trial lasted 63 days, with measurements collected on days 30 and 63. Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemical indices, and rectal fecal microbiota were determined. The results showed that the final body weight, total weight gain, and average daily gain L-FRSM were higher in the L-FRSM group than in the control group and other substitution groups (p < 0.05), accompanied by a reduced feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05). In addition, body height and chest circumference were improved in the L-FRSM group. Regarding nutrient digestibility, the apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and dry matter at day 30, as well as calcium digestibility at day 63 were higher in the L-FRSM group compared to the control and higher-substitution groups (p < 0.05). In contrast, crude fat and dry matter digestibility were significantly lower in the H-FRSM group (p < 0.05). No statistical differences were observed among treatments in serum biochemical indices related to energy metabolism, protein metabolism, liver function, lipid metabolism, antioxidant capacity, or humoral immunity (p > 0.05). Similarly, no significant differences were detected in core microbial composition or α-diversity of rectal fecal microbiota among groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, substituting soybean meal with 2.8% fermented rapeseed meal effectively improves growth performance and nutrient utilization without compromising health status or intestinal microbial stability in sika deer during the pre-antler growth period. The findings provide a scientific basis for optimizing dietary strategies and support the rational application of fermented rapeseed meal in sika deer production. Full article

Histidine triad (HIT) family proteins contain a conserved histidine triad motif and play key roles in fungal metabolism and pathogenicity. This study focused on VD9136, a member of the HIT family in Verticillium dahliae, aiming to elucidate its biological function and mechanism underlying its role in cotton pathogenesis. A systematic investigation of the VD9136 gene in V. dahliae was conducted using bioinformatics analysis, gene knockout, genetic complementation, and pathogenicity assays. The results showed that VD9136 protein consists of 136 amino acids and is a stable, neutral, and weakly hydrophilic protein that lacks transmembrane domains and signal peptides; it is localized to the extracellular space via a non-classical secretion pathway. Its secondary structure is predominantly composed of α-helices and random coils. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that VD9136 is closely related to VliHIT, a homologous protein from V. longisporum, the pathogen responsible for Verticillium wilt in rapeseed. The promoter region of VD9136 contains multiple cis-acting elements, including light-responsive, hormone-responsive, and stress-responsive elements, indicating that its transcription may be regulated by multiple signaling pathways. VD9136 was significantly upregulated during the early stage of cotton infection (6–24 h post-inoculation). Pathogenicity assays demonstrated that V. dahliae knockout mutants lacking VD9136 exhibited a significant reduction in virulence, as evidenced by a lower disease index, decreased fungal biomass within plant tissues, and attenuated vascular browning in cotton plants. The pathogenic phenotype was successfully restored in genetic complementation strains. This study identified VD9136 as a key regulatory factor in the pathogenic process of V. dahliae, and its loss of function reduces the pathogenicity of V. dahliae. The findings provide a theoretical basis for elucidating the pathogenic mechanism of cotton Verticillium wilt and for developing corresponding prevention and control strategies. Full article

This study investigated the synergistic effects of liquid fermentation of rapeseed meal (RSM) on feed microbiota, growth performance, and muscle development in growing pigs. RSM was fermented using four compound probiotics and eleven enzyme preparations, and microbial changes were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Seventy-two Duroc × Jingfen White pigs were randomly assigned to three groups: soybean meal (Ctrl), RSM, and fermented RSM (FRSM). FRSM showed higher trichloroacetic acid-soluble protein (TCA-sp) content and significantly lower neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), and toxins (TS) (p < 0.01). Fermentation increased microbial diversity, with higher abundances of Lactobacillus and Pediococcus. Compared with Ctrl and RSM, the feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) decreased in the FRSM group (p < 0.01). FRSM also improved serum antioxidant capacity, enhanced intestinal villus height (VH)and villus height/crypt depth ratio (VH/CD), and upregulated the expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin) and the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 (p < 0.01). FRSM group also increased myofiber diameter and cross-sectional area in the longissimus dorsi and elevated MyoD, MyoG and Myf5 expression (p < 0.01). RNA-seq revealed 2094 differentially expressed genes enriched in metabolic pathways. Overall, FRSM improved growth performance, intestinal health, and muscle development in growing pigs, which may guide the development of protein resource utilization technologies. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of carotenoid-biofortified Pexeso wheat compared with those of common Tercie wheat on performance characteristics, nutrient retention, and tissue antioxidant concentrations in broiler chickens. A total of 180 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 2 dietary treatments (i.e., Tercie vs. Pexeso), with 6 replicate pens and 15 chicks per pen. Pexeso wheat, characterized by increased lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations, in combination with rapeseed oil as the primary dietary fat source, significantly improved the feed conversion ratio (FCR; p < 0.001), despite not affecting the body weight of the chickens at 35 days of age or feed intake. This improved efficiency was consistent with the significantly increased retention of crude protein (p = 0.004). Specifically, the concentrations of γ-tocopherol (p = 0.006) and lutein (p = 0.004) in the breast meat and γ-tocopherol (p = 0.047), lutein (p < 0.001), and zeaxanthin (p < 0.001) in the liver significantly increased in the Pexeso group. This accumulation was supported by the significantly greater retention of these antioxidants (p = 0.008, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, the inclusion of carotenoid-biofortified Pexeso wheat effectively improved the FCR and enhanced the antioxidant profile of chicken tissues. These findings suggest that Pexeso wheat represents a viable strategy for improving nutrient utilization and the nutritional quality of poultry meat. Full article

To address the seasonal forage shortage in the southern foothills of the Greater Khingan Mountains in Inner Mongolia, this study investigated the effects of intercropping forage oat with rapeseed on forage yield, nutritional quality, and resource utilization. The experiment was conducted in Arun Banner, Hulunbuir City during 2023–2024, where a second crop was established after a first cut of forage oat. Three planting patterns were compared: monoculture oat (AO), monoculture rapeseed (BR), and oat–rapeseed intercropping (CO‖CR). The results showed that the yield of the intercropping system was higher than monoculture oat but lower than monoculture rapeseed. However, the system demonstrated an advantage in land use efficiency, with a land equivalent ratio (LER) of 1.161. Compared to their respective monocultures, intercropping significantly increased the dry matter yield of rapeseed by 38.4%, whereas the effect on oat yield was limited. Intercropping significantly increased the crude protein and crude fat content in both crops compared to their monocultures but had no significant effect on soluble sugar content. Furthermore, intercropping significantly reduced the neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber content in both crops, resulting in higher relative feed value. Regarding water and nitrogen utilization, the water use efficiency of monoculture rapeseed was significantly higher than that of the intercropping system and monoculture oat by 20.7–21.5% and 90.2–113.2%. The total nitrogen accumulation in the intercropping system was significantly higher than in monoculture oat by 97.7–117.3% but showed no significant difference from monoculture rapeseed. In conclusion, adopting the oat–rapeseed intercropping pattern can significantly increase forage yield, improve nutritional quality, enhance water and nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency, and achieve a coordinated improvement in high yield, quality, and efficiency for forage production in the southern foothills of the Greater Khingan Mountains. Full article

This study aimed to determine the ileal digestibility of amino acids (AA) in various protein sources for 21-day-old broilers. A total of 448 Ross 308 male broilers were allocated to eight dietary treatments with eight replicates in a randomized complete block design. Experimental diets included one nitrogen-free diet and seven test diets, each containing one of the following feed ingredients—dehulled soybean meal (SBM), fermented SBM (FSBM), rapeseed meal (RM), copra meal (CM), palm kernel meal (PKM), corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and fish meal (FM), as the sole source of AA. On day 21, all birds were euthanized and subsequently ileal digesta was collected from the distal two-thirds of the ileum, extending from Meckel’s diverticulum to 1 cm proximal to the ileocecal junction. The ileal digestibility of AA in the FM was the greatest, followed by the SBM. The ileal digestibility for AA in the SBM was greater than that in the RM. The ileal AA digestibility in the RM was greater than or not different from that in the FSBM, except for Val and Pro, and superior to the CM and the PKM. The ileal digestibility of AA in the FSBM was greater than or not different from those in corn DDGS, except for Met and Cys. Corn DDGS exhibited greater or not different ileal digestibility of AA compared to that of the CM and the PKM, except for Val and Asp, and the PKM was the lowest. In conclusion, the ileal digestibility of AA was the greatest in the FM, followed by the SBM, FSBM, the RM, corn DDGS, the CM, and the PKM. Furthermore, the results underscore the necessity for continuous evaluation of ileal AA digestibility in various protein sources. Full article

Aquaporins are key membrane proteins that mediate water transport in plants and are indispensable for maintaining cellular water homeostasis and normal physiological processes. This study investigated the function of SbPIP1-3, an aquaporin gene isolated from drought-tolerant Sorghum bicolor. Bioinformatics analysis, subcellular localization, and heterologous expression of SbPIP1-3 were performed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Arabidopsis thaliana, and rapeseed. Sequence analysis revealed that SbPIP1-3 encodes a basic hydrophobic protein targeted to the plasma membrane, a finding further corroborated by subcellular localization assays. In yeast expression assays, SbPIP1-3-transformed strains retained viability under osmotic stress induced by 1.2 M mannitol, whereas non-transgenic control strains failed to survive. In Arabidopsis and rapeseed experiments, the SbPIP1-3 overexpression enhanced drought tolerance (improved germination, root growth, antioxidant enzyme activity, proline content, PSII repair capacity, and survival after drought–rewatering) and reduced intracellular H₂O₂ accumulation. Transcriptome profiling of drought-stressed transgenic Arabidopsis and control plants demonstrated significant upregulation of mostly stress-responsive pathways (e.g., MAPK signaling pathway and hormone signaling pathways) and key drought-tolerance genes (e.g., SNRK2-2, SOD1, APX3, GPX3, P5CS1). Collectively, these findings suggest that SbPIP1-3 enhances plant drought tolerance through the following mechanisms: improving transmembrane water transport efficiency to sustain cellular osmotic balance; activating the antioxidant defense system to increase enzyme activity and mitigate reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation; optimizing photosynthetic protection mechanisms to preserve the structural and functional integrity of PSII; and regulating the expression of stress-responsive signaling pathways and associated functional genes. Full article

To develop innovative, high-value utilization models for green manure rapeseed, this study investigated the effects of planting density (PD) and nitrogen (N) application rate on the yield and quality of rapeseed flowering stalks harvested at different plant heights. A factorial experimental design was employed, incorporating three factors, PD, N application, and harvesting height, each at three levels. Morphological traits, including stem diameter, fresh weight per plant, flowering stalk yield, and fresh biomass yield after stalk harvesting, were evaluated, together with biochemical traits comprising cellulose, soluble protein, soluble sugar, and vitamin C concentrations in the flowering stalks. The results showed that stem diameter, individual plant fresh weight, and flowering stalk yield generally declined with increasing PD and delayed harvesting height, whereas responses to N application varied depending on PD level. Flowering stalk yield ranged from low to high values across treatments, with the highest yields consistently recorded at a PD of 202,000 plants ha⁻¹ (PD2) across all N levels and at 303,000 plants ha⁻¹ (PD3) combined with 17.25 kg N ha⁻¹ (N1). Variations in PD and N application significantly influenced both yield performance and biochemical composition of the flowering stalks. Elevated concentrations of soluble protein, soluble sugar, and vitamin C were observed at a harvesting height of 25 cm under PD3N1 and at 30 cm under PD2N1 and PD2N2, whereas lower cellulose concentrations were detected at 30 cm under PD2N1 and PD2N2. Overall, these findings demonstrate that coordinated optimization of planting density, nitrogen input, and harvesting height can effectively balance yield and quality traits, providing a practical dual-purpose production strategy for rapeseed cultivated as both a vegetable and green manure in the Shanghai region. Full article

Reducing the dependence on traditional protein sources, and decreasing feeding costs and nitrogen emissions, are important tasks in livestock production. A 5 × 5 Latin square nitrogen balance trial (five castrated male pigs) and an animal growth experiment with 120 Landrace × Rongchang pigs were performed and randomly divided into five diets: a normal crude protein level diet (CON); LP diet; diversified LP containing broken rice, rapeseed meal, and DDGS (DLP); DLP + 0.05% cellulase (DLP + CE); and DLP + 20% fermented feed (FDLP). The CON group showed higher nitrogen intake, urinary nitrogen, and total nitrogen excretion than the other four groups (p < 0.05). The fecal nitrogen was decreased with the LP, DLP + CE, and FDLP groups compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression of jejunal fatty acid transport protein 1 was upregulated in the LP, DLP + CE, and FDLP groups compared to the CON and DLP groups (p < 0.05). The DLP + CE group showed a higher intramuscular fat content in pigs than the CON and DLP groups (p < 0.05). In the LD muscle, the FDLP and DLP + CE groups upregulated fatty acid synthase expression compared to the LP and DLP groups (p < 0.05). Colonic mRNA expression of zonula occludens-1 and claudin-1 was upregulated in the FDLP group compared to the CON and DLP groups (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the supplementation of cellulase and fermented feed in DLP diets improved nitrogen utilization and intestinal health without compromising growth performance or meat quality in Landrace × Rongchang pigs. Full article

Soil salinity represents a significant abiotic constraint limiting the productivity and geographical expansion of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), yet the coordination among the signaling, hormonal, metabolic, and regulatory layers underlying salt tolerance remains incompletely understood. This study elucidates the physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic responses of B. napus inbred line 383-5 to moderate salt stress (100 mM NaCl at day 10), identifying key lncRNA–mRNA regulatory networks. Salt stress induced pronounced, dose-dependent growth inhibition, oxidative damage, and osmotic adjustment, accompanied by extensive transcriptional reprogramming. Genome-wide analyses identified 6215 differentially expressed protein-coding genes and 941 salt-responsive long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), revealing coordinated regulation of ion transport, redox homeostasis, phytohormone signaling, and secondary metabolism. Functional enrichment analyses highlighted the central involvement of abscisic acid and ethylene signaling pathways, MAPK cascades, membrane transporters, and antioxidant systems. Notably, salt stress strongly activated the phenylpropanoid and lignin biosynthesis pathways, suggesting reinforced cell wall remodeling and enhanced oxidative stress mitigation. Integration of lncRNA–mRNA regulatory networks further indicated that non-coding transcripts act as important modulators linking hormone signaling, redox balance, and metabolic adaptation. Collectively, these results reveal a multilayered and tightly synchronized regulatory framework underlying salinity tolerance in B. napus and provide valuable molecular targets for the genetic improvement of salt-resilient rapeseed cultivars. Full article