Search Results (5,977)

Genomic selection often faces challenges of insufficient prediction accuracy in cross-population applications, primarily due to differences in linkage disequilibrium patterns between populations. This study proposes an Fst-based strategy to enhance prediction performance by constructing a cross-population reference set with high genetic similarity to the target population (PopA). By integrating Fst-mediated SNP screening and Euclidean genetic distance analysis, the top 10%, 15% and 20% of individuals genetically most similar to PopA were screened from PopB and PopC, respectively, leading to the generation of six reference sets characterized by different mixing proportions. The results demonstrate that incorporating the top 10–20% of the most similar individuals significantly improves the accuracy and robustness of genomic estimated breeding value predictions. Among the methods evaluated, ssGBLUP and wGBLUP performed best, with prediction accuracy increasing as the mixing proportion rose up to 20%. This approach effectively mitigates structural bias caused by inter-population genetic differences and significantly enhances prediction efficiency. The multi-level mixing experiment not only validates the practical value of Fst and Euclidean distance but also provides theoretical support and a feasible solution for the efficient integration of cross-population germplasm resources. Full article

Differences in metabolic traits between traditional and modern pig breeds may influence their physiological responses to stress hormones. This study evaluated the in vivo metabolic effects of an acute adrenaline challenge in Iberian (obese, slow-growing) and Landrace (lean, fast-growing) pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus). Four Iberian and five Landrace barrows (≈50 kg body weight; BW) fitted with a carotid catheter received an injection of adrenaline (3 µg/kg BW), and serial blood samples were collected for 105 min. Adrenaline transiently increased plasma glucose (p < 0.001) and lactate (p < 0.001) concentrations, both peaking at 5 min post-injection. Iberian pigs showed higher plasma lactate (1.26 vs. 1.03 mM; p = 0.002), triglycerides (0.34 vs. 0.27 mM; p < 0.001), and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA; 0.38 vs. 0.29 mM; p = 0.021), but lower glucose (4.80 vs. 5.03 mM; p = 0.010) than Landrace pigs, while cholesterol remained unaffected (p > 0.10). No breed × time interaction was detected for any metabolite. The relative increase in glucose reached +47% in Iberian and +27% in Landrace pigs, whereas lactate rose +140% and +113%, respectively, indicating stronger glycolytic activation in Iberian pigs. Despite the limited sample size, the results provide physiologically relevant evidence supporting increased metabolic flexibility in Iberian pigs, characterized by a heightened sensitivity to adrenergic stimulation and associated with enhanced lipolytic and glycolytic responses; however, these conclusions should be interpreted within the specific experimental conditions under which the study was conducted. These findings demonstrate that Iberian pigs have higher metabolic sensitivity to adrenergic stimulation, with enhanced lipolytic and glycolytic activity. In conclusion, breed-dependent differences in stress-related metabolism suggest that Iberian pigs are furnished with increased metabolic flexibility to face short-term stress. Full article

As a vital ecological security barrier and climate regulator in northwestern China, the spatial patterns and evolving formation mechanisms of ecosystem services within the Qinghai Lake basin hold significant strategic value for ecological conservation and national park development in the region. This study selected land use data during 2000–2020, integrating the equivalent factor method, spatial correlation analysis, and the geodetector approach to systematically investigate the spatial heterogeneity characteristics of ESV in the Qinghai Lake basin and its corresponding driving mechanisms. The results indicate the following: (1) During the period 2000–2020, grassland consistently constituted the primary land cover category within the Qinghai Lake Basin, accounting for over 60% of the total area; water bodies (16.67%) and unused land (16.56%) represented the secondary land use categories. Over this twenty-year period, the total ESV exhibited a slight increasing trend, rising from USD 30.30 × 10⁸ to USD 30.75 × 10⁸, representing a growth of 0.31%. Regulating services constituted the primary component of ESV. The highest contribution to ESV originated from water bodies, with grassland ranking second. (2) ESV displayed a spatial arrangement marked by “high values in the lake center and low values in the surrounding areas” and “higher values in the southeast and lower values in the northwest.” Its spatial correlation exhibits a pronounced positive relationship. The number of units classified as high-high clusters (primarily water bodies at low elevations) and low-low clusters (mainly grasslands and unused land at high elevations) both increased over the study period, indicating a continuous intensification of ESV spatial agglomeration. (3) Results from the geographical detector reveal that both natural and anthropogenic factors collectively drive the spatial variation in ESV, with natural factors exhibiting stronger explanatory capacity. Among these, elevation and temperature are identified as the dominant drivers of ESV spatiotemporal differentiation. The combined effect of two interacting factors surpasses the influence exerted by any single factor in isolation. This research clarifies that the spatial distribution of ESV in the Qinghai Lake Basin, which features “high values in the lake center and low values in the surrounding areas” as well as “higher values in the southeast and lower values in the northwest,” is jointly shaped by the combined control of vertical zonality governed by topographic and climatic factors and the spatial differentiation of human activities. In low-altitude lakeshore zones, ESV rose as a consequence of water body expansion and the enforcement of ecological conservation measures, leading to the emergence of high-value clusters. In contrast, ESV improvement in high-elevation regions remained limited, constrained by fragile natural conditions and minimal human intervention. The insights derived from this research offer a scientific foundation for refining the “one core, four zones, one ring, multiple points” functional zoning framework of the Qinghai Lake National Park, as well as for developing tailored management approaches suited to distinct elevation-based regions. Full article

This study aims to develop and apply a novel methodology to assess the scope, benefits and challenges of distributed photovoltaic generation (DG-PV). The research provides a replicable framework applicable to any country, as long as official energy consumption data are available and the nation is seeking to modify its energy matrix as part of a sustainable transition through the design of renewable-energy-based policies. To support the viability of the proposal, data from the Ecuadorian electrical system for the period between 2014 and 2024 were analyzed using technical, operational and socio-economic indicators defined in the methodology. These include renewable participation, energy diversification, DG-PV, technical efficiency, regulatory index, operational resilience and electrical coverage. The investigation concludes with the definition of a Distributed Photovoltaic Integration Index (DPII), which can be used to measure a country’s progress toward the proper implementation of renewable energy. The DPII supports informed decision-making by allowing utilities and policymakers to prioritize distributed photovoltaic integration and compare alternative energy transition scenarios. In the case of Ecuador, a DPII of 0.170 is obtained for 2024 compared to a value of 0 for 2014. This result is mainly due to an increase in renewable energy participation (P1), which rose from 0.49 to 0.76 during this period, largely supported by hydropower expansion. This value was obtained because over the last ten years, Ecuador has committed to implementing active policies that incorporate renewable energies, as well as other aspects such as technical efficiency and the expansion of electrical coverage. This approach offers a replicable quantitative tool for evaluating the integration of DG-PV, providing key information for energy planning and for the formulation of policies that promote the decarbonization, decentralization and digitalization of the national electrical system. Full article

Background/Objectives: Branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) exhibit a range of biological activities; however, their limited natural abundance and high cost have constrained in vivo research. Lanolin represents a promising source for enriching BCFAs. Nevertheless, the in vivo application, safety, and dose-effect relationship of BCFAs derived from lanolin (BCFAs-DFL) remain unassessed. Methods: In this study, the acute toxicity in C57BL/6J mice was first evaluated for 7 days by a single oral administration of 5000 mg/kg BW of BCFAs-DFL. Subsequently, 40 mice were divided into four groups (control group, low dose of 100 mg/kg BW, medium dose of 300 mg/kg BW, and high dose of 600 mg/kg BW) and were continuously administered by gavage for 28 days to study the effects of BCFAs-DFL on the growth, blood biochemistry, intestinal morphology, and intestinal flora of the mice. Results: In the acute toxicity test, BCFAs-DFL exhibited no lethality or abnormalities in mice, indicating its non-toxic nature. Throughout the 28-day trial, mice in the medium- and high-dose groups experienced a notable decrease in average daily feed intake (p < 0.05), yet their weight gain remained unaffected (p > 0.05). Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels declined in the high-dose group (p < 0.05). Conversely, serum aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin levels escalated in the medium- and high-dose groups, while triglycerides and urea nitrogen levels decreased (p < 0.05). The serum’s total antioxidant capacity and immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgG) rose in proportion to the dosage (p < 0.05). BCFAs-DFL notably enhanced the villus height of the jejunum and ileum in mice (p < 0.05). Gut microbiota analysis indicated no significant impact on overall α and β diversity. Conclusions: The 28-day intervention revealed that BCFAs-DFL can modulate feeding behavior, TG, T-AOC, and immunoglobulin levels in mice. Additionally, it promotes the development of intestinal villi. Based on various indicators, a dosage of 100 mg/kg BW effectively induces beneficial metabolic regulation, such as the reduction of triglycerides, without causing a burden on liver metabolism. This dosage may represent a more suitable application for potential use. Full article

To address the bottlenecks of low water and fertilizer utilization efficiency and limited yield potential inherent in Henan Province’s traditional winter wheat cultivation model of “furrow irrigation + conventional row seeding”, this study delved into the synergistic regulatory mechanisms of drip irrigation combined with wide-row precision seeding. It focused on their effects on the physiological ecology and yield-quality traits of winter wheat. A two-factor experiment, encompassing “sowing method × irrigation method” will be carried out during the 2024–2025 wheat growing season, featuring four treatments: furrow irrigation + conventional row seeding (QT), drip irrigation + conventional row seeding (DT), furrow irrigation + wide-row precision seeding (QK), and drip irrigation + wide-row precision seeding (DK). Results reveal that wide-row precision seeding optimized the canopy structure, raising the leaf area index (LAI) at the heading stage by 20.19% compared to QT, thereby enhancing ventilation and light penetration and reducing plant competition. Drip irrigation, with its precise water delivery, boosted the net photosynthetic rate of the flag leaf 35 days after flowering by 62.99% relative to QT, stabilizing root water uptake and significantly delaying leaf senescence. The combined effect of the two treatments (DK treatment) synergistically improved the canopy structure and photosynthetic performance of winter wheat, prolonging the functional period of green leaves by 29.41%. It established a highly efficient photosynthetic cycle, marked by “high stomatal conductance-low intercellular CO₂ concentration-high net photosynthetic rate”. The peak net photosynthetic rate (P_n) 13 days post-flowering rose by 23.9% compared to QT. Moreover, while reducing total water consumption by 21.4%, it substantially increased water use efficiency (WUE) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) by 43.2% and 14.2%, respectively, compared to the QT control. Ultimately, the DK treatment achieved a synergistic enhancement in both yield and quality: grain yield increased by 14.7% compared to QT, wet gluten content reached 35.5%, and total protein yield per unit area rose by 13.1%. This study demonstrates that coupling drip irrigation with wide-row precision seeding is an effective strategy for achieving water-saving, high-yield, and high-quality winter wheat cultivation in the Huang-Huai-Hai region. This is achieved through the synergistic optimization of canopy structure, enhanced photosynthetic efficiency, and improved WUE. These findings provide a mechanistic basis and a scalable agronomic solution for sustainable intensification of winter wheat production under water-limited conditions in major cereal-producing regions. Full article

Roses held profound cultural and economic significance in ancient Greece and Rome, yet comprehensive documentation of their species diversity, cultivation practices, and horticultural innovations remains fragmented across archaeological, iconographic, and textual sources. This multidisciplinary study synthesizes evidence from classical texts, archaeological remains including recently identified rose stem fragments from Oplontis, and iconographic materials—including frescoes, coins, and mosaics—to reconstruct the horticultural systems and cultural landscape of roses in classical antiquity. Analysis of literary sources, particularly Theophrastus’s fourth-century BCE taxonomic descriptions, reveals systematic cultivation of diverse rose varieties with flowers ranging from white to deep crimson, including yellow variants, characterized by morphologies from simple to double forms and valued for fragrance intensity and re-blooming capacity. Archaeological evidence from sites such as Paestum, Pompeii, and Oplontis, including pollen samples, preserved wood fragments with diagnostic prickle patterns, and fresco representations, documents commercial rose production and specialized cultivation techniques that demonstrate significantly greater morphological diversity than textual sources alone indicate. Field research and collection documentation establish the origins of Mediterranean rose cultivation, while iconographic analysis identifies roses in religious ceremonies, festivals, and daily life contexts. Textual sources provide detailed propagation methods, seasonal management practices, and evidence of Mediterranean hybridization events, alongside extensive documentation of medicinal and cosmetic applications. Economic analysis reveals specialized trade networks, commercial production centers, and diverse applications in perfumery, garland making, and pharmaceutical industries. This research establishes that Greek and Roman civilizations developed sophisticated rose cultivation systems integrating botanical selection, horticultural innovation, and cultural symbolism that directly influenced medieval and Renaissance practices and informed modern trait categorization systems. These findings demonstrate the foundational role of classical antiquity in European rose heritage, revealing how ancient horticultural knowledge, species diversification through hybridization, and cultivation techniques created an unbroken transmission that shaped contemporary rose industries and established conservation priorities for this horticultural heritage. Full article

Tillage practices critically influence soil’s physical properties, which are fundamental to sustainable agriculture in temperate climates. This review evaluates how conventional tillage (CvT; e.g., moldboard and chisel plowing), reduced tillage (RT), and conservation tillage (CT), particularly no-tillage (NT), affect six key indicators: bulk density (BD), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), wet aggregate stability (WAS), penetration resistance (PR), available water capacity (AWC), and soil organic carbon (SOC). Special emphasis is placed on differentiating topsoil and subsoil responses to inform climate-resilient land management. A total of 70 peer-reviewed studies published between 1991 and 2025 were analyzed. Data were extracted for BD, Ks, WAS, PR, AWC, and SOC across tillage systems. Depths were standardized into topsoil (0–10 cm) and composite (>10 cm) categories. Descriptive statistics were used to synthesize cross-study trends. NT showed lower mean BD in the topsoil (1.32 ± 0.08 Mg/m³) compared with moldboard plow (1.33 ± 0.09) and chisel tillage (1.39 ± 0.12); however, the effects of tillage on BD were not statistically significant, while BD was higher at composite depths under NT (1.56 ± 0.09 Mg/m³), indicating subsoil compaction. Ks improved under NT, reaching 4.2 mm/h with residue retention. WAS rose by 33.4%, and SOC increased by 25% under CT systems. PR tended to be elevated in deeper layers under NT. Overall, CT, particularly NT, improves surface soil’s physical health and SOC accumulation in temperate agroecosystems; however, persistent subsoil compaction highlights the need for depth-targeted management strategies, such as controlled traffic, periodic subsoil alleviation, or deep-rooted cover crops, to sustain long-term soil functionality and climate-resilient production systems. Full article

This study evaluates the effects of hydrothermal and oleothermal treatments on the physical, colorimetric, and mechanical properties of Dabema wood. Samples were heated at 100, 160, and 220 °C for 2, 3.5, and 5 h. Equilibrium moisture content decreased from 13.16% in untreated wood to approximately 43% lower after hydrothermal treatment at 160 °C for 5 h and to 64% lower after oleothermal treatment at 220 °C for 5 h. Water absorption decreased from 78% in untreated samples to 25%–64% following hydrothermal treatment and to 17%–44% after oleothermal treatment. Hydrothermal treatment caused significant darkening, whereas oleothermal treatment maintained a lighter, more stable color. Mechanical properties improved substantially: in compression, MOE increased by 113% after oleothermal treatment at 220 °C for 5 h. In bending, MOR and MOE rose by 25%–35% under optimal oil-heat conditions. In tensile, MOE increased by 30%, and maximum tensile stress improved by up to 130%. Oleothermal treatments yielded the most stable enhancements, whereas severe hydrothermal treatments sometimes reduced mechanical performance despite improving moisture resistance. Multivariate analysis (PCA) and response surface methodology (RSM) indicate that oleothermal treatment at 160 °C for 3.5–5 h provides the best compromise between stiffness and color stability. Thermogravimetric analyses (TG/DTG) show hydrothermal treatment promotes hemicelluloses degradation, whereas oleothermal treatment stabilizes the cellulose–lignin network. Overall, hydrothermal treatment enhances dimensional stability, while oleothermal treatment achieves an optimal balance of stiffness, mechanical performance, and color retention. Deep color changes from furanic resin formation under hydrothermal conditions are strongly suppressed by oil during oleothermal processing, yielding lighter and more durable wood. For commercial applications such as furniture and structural components, oleothermal treatment is recommended, whereas hydrothermal treatment is more suitable when dimensional stability is prioritized over mechanical performance. Full article

Artificial cyanobacterial crusts (ACCs) are a potentially effective biological strategy for combating desertification. However, while functional microorganisms influence ACCs formation efficiency, research on their role is limited, and their underlying promotion mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of three functional synthetic microbial communities (SynComs), each dominated by microorganisms specialized in exopolysaccharide (EPS) production (3 strains), siderophore production (3 strains), or nitrogen fixation (4 strains), on ACCs formation following inoculation with Microcoleus vaginatus. This study was carried out in a controlled laboratory setting with a 12 h light/dark cycle and a light intensity of 2400–2700 lux. Following a 24-day cultivation period, EPS-producing or nitrogen-fixing SynComs significantly increased the chlorophyll-a content by 16.0–16.3%. Except for the nitrogen-fixing bacteria treatment, other SynComs enhanced the soil organic matter content of ACCs by 9.1% to 27.3%. The content of EPS was significantly improved by all three SynComs by 14.1~19.2%. Urease activity rose by 6.7% when siderophore-producing bacteria were added. The impacts of SynComs on ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) showed different temporal dynamics: nitrogen-fixing SynComs significantly increased NH₄⁺-N early (≤10 days), while EPS-producing and siderophore-producing SynComs enhanced accumulation later (17–24 days). SynComs inoculation markedly accelerated cyanobacterial and general microbial colonization and growth. In comparison to day 0, the 16S rRNA gene copy number of ACCs increased by 24.1% and 43.0%, respectively, in the EPS-producing and nitrogen-fixing SynComs. Additionally, correlation analysis showed that SynComs transformed the weak correlations in the control into a strong positive correlation between NH₄⁺-N and both Chl-a and microbial biomass. Our findings demonstrate SynComs, particularly the EPS-producing or nitrogen-fixing SynComs, enhance ACCs formation through elucidated mechanisms, providing a theoretical basis for optimizing ACCs-based desertification control strategies. Full article

Growing agricultural water demand, driven by climate change and land-use intensification, is accelerating global water scarcity and threatening food and environmental security. This study quantifies spatiotemporal changes in crop water requirements (CWR) and irrigation water requirement (IWR) from 1980 to 2017 for wheat, maize, and soybean. A corrected FAO crop coefficient method was used to estimate global CWR, while the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) was applied to decompose its drivers into climate and crop area changes. IWR was calculated to evaluate the increasing water stress in four representative river basins: the Haihe (HRB), Yellow (YRB), Mississippi (MRB), and Ganges (GRB) river basins. Multiple linear regression models were used to identify dominant drivers of water stress. Results show that from 1980 to 2017, CWR increased significantly for maize (+210 × 10⁸ m³) and soybean (+523 × 10⁸ m³) primarily due to crop area expansion, while wheat CWR declined (−109 × 10⁸ m³). Area growth contributed over +850 × 10⁸ m³ to global CWR increases. At the basin scale, IWR rose notably in HRB, YRB, and GRB, but declined in MRB. Regression analysis confirms that crop area change was the dominant driver of variations in IWR, particularly for soybean in HRB and maize in YRB, while precipitation exerted strong negative effects in some regions. This study provides a scalable framework for diagnosing agricultural water stress and its key drivers, supporting climate adaptation and irrigation planning under global change. Full article

To evaluate the fire safety performance of the joint region in prefabricated buildings, specifically when the grout in the slurry layer is under an unconstrained state. Total 54 pull-out specimens were designed to investigate the effects of elevated temperatures (20 °C, 200 °C, 300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C, and 600 °C) and steel bar positions (center, mid-side, and corner) on the bond behavior between the grout and steel rebars. The failure modes, bond strength, ultimate displacement, and load–slip curves of the specimens were recorded. The peak load of the specimens with the temperature increasing first rose and then declined, exhibiting a trend consistent with the variation in compressive strength of the grout with temperature. At 600 °C, the ultimate loads of the center, mid-side, and corner specimens decreased by 53.46%, 52.53%, and 51.28%, respectively, compared with those at ambient temperature. At ambient temperature, the bond strength of the mid-side specimen was 11.24% lower than that of the central specimen, but 19.98% higher than that of the corner specimen. At 500 °C, the bond strength of the mid-side and corner specimens decreased by 15.76% and 39.26%, respectively, compared with that of the center specimen. The failure mode changed from steel-rebar fracture to pull-out failure due to the high temperature exposure and the steel rebar position. Finally, based on the post-heating strength test results of grout specimens, a bond strength calculation formula and a bond–slip constitutive model, considering both steel rebar position and temperature, were developed, achieving a correlation coefficient (R²) close to 1.0. Full article

Background: Large positive responses to placebo are common in clinical trials and pose a major challenge when evaluating different treatments, including new foods. Standard between-group comparisons may fail to detect true effects when placebo improvements are significant. We aimed to demonstrate how a simple dose–response correlation method can help differentiate genuine positive responses from those experienced with placebo through secondary analysis of a randomized controlled clinical trial of powdered Rosa-canina fruits. Methods: Data were reanalyzed from a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (N = 120; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01459939) evaluating the effects of standardized Rosa-canina powder in hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA). Participants received fixed doses, leading to variability in mg/kg exposure due to different body weights. Pearson correlations between dose/kg and changes in WOMAC pain and function at 6 and 12 weeks were calculated separately for the active and placebo groups. Standard between-group comparisons were also performed. Results: Both groups showed significant improvement, over 50%, with no statistically significant differences between them in WOMAC pain or function. However, only the active group, which received a food supplement, exhibited a consistent negative correlation between body weight and symptom improvement at 6 and 12 weeks, suggesting greater benefit with higher dose per kilogram of body weight. No dose–response relationship was observed in the placebo recipients. Therefore, weight-stratified plots revealed an exposure–response gradient in the active group. Conclusions: Dose–response correlation analysis uncovered positive effects of Rosa-canina as a nutrient that were not detectable through standard between-group comparisons. This is consistent with findings from earlier rose-hip research. This low-cost, easy-to-implement method may help distinguish active effects from placebo responses in trials with large nonspecific improvements. Incorporating such analyses could improve the identification of nutrients containing biologically active preparations and support dose selection in future clinical research. Full article

Background: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) has been historically considered a contraindication for heart donation due to its transient left ventricular dysfunction. However, emerging evidence supports that hearts from donors with fully recovered Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy can be safely transplanted. Methods: This case series describes seven heart transplantations performed between January 2022 and September 2025 using donors with previously diagnosed Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Donor characteristics, intraoperative data, echocardiography data and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Results: The mean donor age was 33.5 years (range 18–58), with a male-to-female ratio of 6:1. All donors exhibited echocardiographic evidence of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy at the time of brain death, with full or partial recovery before procurement. Coronary angiography excluded obstructive coronary disease. Echocardiographic follow-up demonstrated the mean LVEF increased to 52 ± 6%, reaching 58 ± 4% at 12 months, global longitudinal strain (GLS) improved progressively (from −14.2 ± 2.8% to −18.5 ± 1.9%), confirming normalization of myocardial deformation and the right ventricular function, assessed by TAPSE, rose from 15 ± 3 mm at discharge to 20 ± 2 mm at 12 months. All patients transplanted with donors who had Takotsubo cardiomyopathy are alive at the 12-month follow-up. Conclusions: Hearts from donors with resolved Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy can be safely used for transplantation without compromising early- or mid-term outcomes. Expanding donor eligibility criteria to include selected TTC donors may contribute to mitigating organ shortages in advanced heart failure patients. Full article

This study developed enriched kurt formulations using buttermilk protein sediment, spray-dried whey, soy protein concentrate, and flaxseed cake, and assessed their effects on composition, physicochemical parameters, microbiological stability, and sensory quality. Protein content increased from 46.2% in the control to 48.7–52.4% in experimental samples. Calcium levels rose from 750 mg/100 g to 856 mg/100 g in Experiment 1 and 880.7 mg/100 g in Experiment 3 (p < 0.05), demonstrating strong mineral enhancement. Moisture decreased from 13.61% in the control to 11.68–12.90% in enriched variants (p < 0.05), indicating more efficient dehydration and a denser structure. pH remained within 4.1–4.3 and water activity stayed below 0.60, supporting long-term microbial stability. Amino acid profiling showed higher levels of essential amino acids, particularly leucine and lysine, in samples containing buttermilk protein sediment and whey. Microbiological analysis confirmed low total viable counts values (9.0 × 10²–1.2 × 10³ CFU/g), consistent with the high acidity and low moisture of traditional kurt. Sensory evaluation revealed significant variation among formulations. The control and Experiment 2 received the highest taste and aroma scores (4.67 points), while Experiment 3 showed the lowest values (3.33 points; p < 0.05). Appearance scores decreased notably in darker samples, with Experiment 3 showing a reduction from 4.67 to 2.67 points (p < 0.05). Texture also differed across variants; Experiment 2 maintained acceptable hardness and cohesiveness (4.33 points), whereas Experiment 3 displayed increased crumbliness (3.0 points; p < 0.05). The findings demonstrate that functional enrichment of kurt is feasible when ingredient levels remain within an optimal range. The Experiment 2 formulation achieved improved nutritional value without compromising sensory quality, providing a promising basis for further technological development and commercial application. Full article