Search Results (2,049)

The presented study aimed to fully characterise berry powders derived from raspberry, blackberry and strawberry (RB, BB, SB) as well as raspberry and blackberry seed powders (RBS, BBS) in terms of proximate composition, the individual profile of minerals, sugars, organic and fatty acids, and phenolic and volatile compounds. Additionally, testing of powders’ colour and antioxidant activity, as well as spectroscopic analysis, were also performed. Higher total and individual sugars, organic and phenolic acids, flavonols and anthocyanins content distinguished berry powders from the seed powders. Individually, RB contained significant amounts of citric and chlorogenic acids, BB was superior in cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside content, while SB was characterised by high sucrose, fructose, omega-3, and mineral (Ca, Mg, Fe) content. Berry seed powders exhibited remarkable TDF content, beneficial PUFA/SFA ratio, lighter colour, higher individual flavan-3-ols quantity, TPC and DPPH activity compared to berry powders. Mentioned discrepancies between berry and berry seed powders on a compositional level were also visible on ATR-FTIR spectra across all detected regions reflecting bonds attributed to cellulose, lipids, phenols and sugars. Pleasant, predominantly green, fruity and floral aromas were associated with berry powders, whilst additional herbal notes were characteristic of berry seed powders, all derived from the alcohols, aldehydes, esters and ketones as paramount volatile compounds. All examined powders can bear a nutritional claim of “high in” fibre (20.47–65.33%) and Mg (114.52–128.70 mg/100 g), enabling the design of food products packed with nutrients and bioactives while simultaneously reducing fresh fruit and fruit-processing waste. Full article

Walnut oil is growing in consumer demand due to its rich nutritional profile; however, its fatty acid composition exhibits an imbalanced SFA:MUFA:PUFA ratio (0.13:0.18:1). To improve the fatty acid balance using locally available vegetable oils in Xinjiang, we investigated the effects of blending walnut oil with linseed oil, safflower seed oil, sunflower seed oil, rapeseed oil, peanut oil, and soybean oil on physicochemical indexes, fatty acid composition, and bioactive components. Aroma characteristics were assessed by E-nose and HS-GC-IMS. The results showed that the acid value and peroxide value of the blended oil decreased, while the content of vitamin E and squalene increased inversely. The ratio of ω-6/ω-3 maintain steadily at 4–6:1, and the ratios of SFA, MUFA, and PUFA were close to 0.27:1:1. Significant differences were observed between the aroma characteristics of walnut oil and the blended oil. HS-GC-IMS identified 85 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), among which walnut oil had a higher content of alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones, with 4-hydroxy-5-ethyl-2-methyl-3(2H)-furanone as its characteristic aroma compound. The acetophenone serves as the key aroma component after blending, and the unique flavor components of each base oil (e.g., 4-nonanone in linseed oil, 3-methyl-2-pentanone in rapeseed oil, etc.) exert a synergistic effect after rationing to present a composite aroma characteristic of blended oils, which mainly consists of 3-methylbutyl butyrate and 4-ethylphenol. Full article

Zn-CS chelate has shown beneficial effects on gut health and growth in piglets, but its impact on weaned foals remains largely unknown. This study evaluated the effects of dietary Zn-CS supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, physiological status, and fecal microbiota in weaned Ili foals. Thirty-two six-month-old foals were randomly assigned to four treatment groups receiving 0, 2, 4, or 6 mg Zn-CS/kg body weight per day for 90 days. Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, plasma biochemical parameters, liver function enzymes, serum hormones, antioxidant indices, fecal pH, volatile fatty acids, and fecal microbial composition were measured. Dietary Zn-CS supplementation significantly increased final body weight, total weight gain, and average daily gain (p < 0.05), while linearly improving body size indicators. Apparent digestibility of dry matter, digestible energy, metabolizable energy, and acid detergent fiber was markedly enhanced (p < 0.05). Zn-CS supplementation also effectively regulated plasma albumin and total cholesterol levels and hepatic enzyme activities, and strongly enhanced antioxidant function by increasing superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase activities, and total antioxidant capacity, while reducing malondialdehyde content (p < 0.01). Additionally, Zn-CS upregulated plasma growth hormone, insulin, and triiodothyronine concentrations, decreased somatostatin secretion (p < 0.05), reduced fecal pH, and increased VFA contents. Notably, Zn-CS reshaped the fecal microbial structure by increasing beneficial bacteria and inhibiting potential pathogens. In conclusion, dietary Zn-CS supplementation effectively promotes growth and health in weaned Ili foals, with 6 mg/kg BW/day being the optimal supplemental dose under experimental conditions. Full article

Barley hay (BH), characterized by high crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and various bioactive compounds, is hypothesized to optimize ruminal microbiota and enhance systemic immune responses in sheep. This study assessed how the graded substitution of traditional forage with BH impacts ruminal fermentation, microbiota composition, and blood immune and antioxidant status in sheep. Forty-five male Dorper × Small-tailed Han crossbred lambs (aged 110 ± 10 days, BW 33.93 ± 1.11 kg) were stratified into five cohorts (n = 9 each), including a control (CON) and four experimental groups (BH25, BH50, BH75, and BH100), where BH replaced 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of their forage mixture, respectively. Results showed that BH supplementation consistently increased ruminal acetate concentrations. Specifically, BH75 and BH100 significantly enhanced the acetate-to-propionate ratio (p < 0.05) and concurrently reduced NH₃-N concentrations in BH50 and BH100 (p < 0.05). Regarding ruminal microbiota, BH treatment did not alter alpha diversity but significantly enriched fiber-degrading bacteria, including Clostridia, Bacteroidales, and Prevotella, whereas the CON group favored Eubacterium. Blood analysis indicated a time-dependent modulation of immune and antioxidant markers. At day 30, BH treatment resulted in elevated immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p < 0.05), whereas catalase (CAT) concentrations were markedly reduced (p < 0.05). By day 60, BH continued to enhance IgA, IgG, and IL-6 levels; meanwhile, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels were up-regulated by BH25-BH75 (p < 0.05), while supplementation with BH75 and BH100 led to a decline in interleukin-4 (IL-4), CAT, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that a positive correlation was observed between total volatile fatty acids and Prevotella UCG-003/001, which conversely displayed a negative relationship with IgM. The norank f Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group showed an inverse association with valerate and IgG, but a positive correlation with interleukin-1β (IL-1β). In parallel, the norank f Bacteroidales RF16 group exhibited an inverse association with NH₃-N and CAT, while unclassified c Clostridia was positively correlated with IL-1β. In conclusion, BH substitution modulates ruminal fermentation and immune responses by enriching fiber-degrading bacteria, though it may trigger oxidative stress. Given that BH100 maximized acetate and immunoglobulin production while minimizing MDA levels, complete replacement appears superior to partial substitution. Full article

Conifer-derived essential oils have gained attention as versatile natural additives with potential applications in animal production, including influencing microbial processes and supporting environmental sustainability. This study aimed to characterize the chemical composition of selected conifer essential oils (EOs), evaluate their antimicrobial activity against rumen microorganisms in vitro, and assess the effects of Pinus sylvestris essential oil on rumen fermentation and methane production under in vitro and in vivo conditions. EOs from Thuja occidentalis, Cupressus sempervirens, Juniperus communis, Picea mariana, Pinus sylvestris, and Pinus pinaster were analyzed by GC–MS, and their inhibitory activity against selected rumen bacteria was determined by MIC and IC₅₀ assays. Based on these results, P. sylvestris oil was selected for fermentation experiments. Ninety-two volatile compounds were identified, with monoterpenes as the dominant constituents and α-pinene as the major compound in P. sylvestris oil. In vitro, P. sylvestris oil influenced fermentation in a dose-dependent manner without affecting ruminal pH. In vivo, ruminal pH, ammonia-related parameters, and total VFA concentration were not significantly affected by treatment, whereas several variables showed a significant effect of time. Temporal changes in VFA profiles suggested a transient adaptation of ruminal fermentation. Methane concentration was significantly (p < 0.01) reduced by Pinus sylvestris essential oil supplementation, with a decrease of approximately 28.7% after 14 days. These findings indicate that P. sylvestris EOs may serve as a promising natural modulator of rumen fermentation, although further studies are needed to optimize dosage and confirm long-term effects. Full article

This study investigated the effect of ozonation of wheat flour (30 ppm O₃ for 30 min) on the microbiological status of flour, as well as the profile of volatile compounds, the mechanical properties, and the sensory characteristics of the resulting bakery products. Ozonation significantly reduced the microbial load of the flour, decreasing aerobic bacteria from 1.4 × 10⁵ to 1.7 × 10⁴ CFU·g⁻¹ and yeasts and moulds from 2.8 × 10³ to 1.3 × 10² CFU·g⁻¹, while lactic acid bacteria populations remained unchanged. HS-SPME-GC-MS analysis revealed that the ozonated flour contained six volatile compounds (compared to three in the control), predominantly nonanal (80.62%), an aldehyde formed via the ozonolysis of unsaturated fatty acids. Although these ozone-induced aldehydes were also detected in the final bakery products, their peak areas decreased substantially (to ≤3.3% of the flour values), suggesting thermal desorption during baking. Texture profile analysis demonstrated that products baked from ozonated flour exhibited increased hardness (Cycle 1: 68.06 N vs. 53.42 N; Cycle 2: 59.41 N vs. 47.52 N) and chewiness (427.95 mJ vs. 404.70 mJ) compared to controls. This textural degradation is likely due to ozone-induced modifications in enzyme activity (proteolytic, amylolytic, and lipolytic) and gluten protein cross-linking via disulphide bond formation. Furthermore, sensory evaluation using a five-point scale showed lower acceptability for the ozonated products (3.04 vs. 3.74), with panellists noting inferior taste, aroma, crumb colour, and flexibility. In conclusion, while ozonation effectively reduces the microbiological load of wheat flour, the applied high-dose treatment (30 ppm, 30 min) negatively impacts the sensory and textural quality of the bakery products, indicating that milder processing parameters are necessary to balance safety and quality. Full article

Efficient utilization of lignocellulosic biomass by the rumen microbiome is critical for improving feed efficiency in ruminants, yet the development of stable, functionally specialized microbial consortia remains limited. This study aimed to assemble substrate-adapted rumen microbial consortia using an ecology-guided enrichment approach. Rumen fluid collected from cannulated Angus × Hereford heifers was sequentially enriched over 10 generations on four substrates with distinct cell wall characteristics: alfalfa, barley straw, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and xylan. Fermentation parameters, including gas production and volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and bacterial community dynamics were analyzed, and selected consortia (alfalfa and xylan) were evaluated for stability following one month of cryopreservation. Across enrichments, total VFA concentrations declined (e.g., xylan: 109.8 mM (G0) to 56.37 mM (G10)), accompanied by reduced gas production and decreased alpha diversity, indicating substrate-driven selection. Distinct functional profiles emerged, including increased propionate in alfalfa consortia, higher acetate in barley straw, lactate–propionate cross-feeding with CMC, and caproate production (6.3 mM at G10) in xylan enrichments associated with Caproiciproducens and Megasphaera. Cryopreserved consortia retained core community structure and fermentation characteristics upon revival. These results demonstrate that substrate-driven enrichment can generate stable, functionally specialized rumen consortia and provide a framework for developing ecologically compatible microbial communities with potential applications in improving rumen fermentation efficiency. Full article

Lignocellulose is degraded in the rumen by diverse microorganisms. This study aimed to select the top ruminal microbes associated with an anaerobic fungus (AF) capable of forming consortia that facilitate biogas production from wheat straw. The workflow included the following steps: (1) batch reactors, divided into three compartments with porous membrane bags containing wheat straw, were assembled. The outermost compartment was inoculated with freshly collected rumen content. The first microbes colonizing the wheat straw in the innermost compartment within 72 h were identified. (2) Synthetic consortia were assembled comprising the following identified microbes: an anaerobic fungus (AF) (Neocallimastix lanati); methanogenic archaea (M) (Methanobrevibacter ruminantium or Methanobrevibacter gottschalkii); bacteria (B) (Butyrivibrio hungatei or Succinoclasticum ruminis). (3) Wheat straw was subjected to 7-day pretreatments with these synthetic consortia. (4) The pretreated straw served as substrate in biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests that used a biogas reactor digestate as the inoculum. The pretreated straw produced elevated biomethane yields; nonetheless, this process needs further optimization. The cross-kingdom AF + M + B consortia increased methane production by 35–70%, and superior volatile fatty acid production was confirmed via HPLC. The results suggest novel strategies for advanced practical biogas/biomethane technologies. Full article

Nitrogen fertilizer application rate and storage duration are critical agronomic and environmental factors affecting rice quality stability. The milling appearance, eating and nutritional quality, physicochemical properties, microstructure, and volatile metabolic profiles during long-term storage were investigated using three indica-japonica hybrid cultivars at four nitrogen fertilizer application levels. High nitrogen fertilizer application (300 kg hm⁻²) promoted an over-filled protein matrix and induced structural defects such as micropores in starch granules, which acted as “trigger points” for accelerated aging. Specifically, storage duration was the dominant factor reshaping volatile profiles and lipid degradation, but high nitrogen amplified these effects by promoting lipid oxidation and the accumulation of off-flavor compounds. Correlation analysis revealed that gel consistency (GC) is a core determinant of eating quality, exhibiting significant negative correlations with amylose content, setback, hardness and fatty acid values, while showing positive correlations with peak viscosity, breakdown value, and adhesiveness. All correlation patterns collectively contributed to the deterioration of rice eating quality after storage, indicating GC might be served as an indirect indicator for evaluating rice deterioration and applied in the breeding of rice varieties with improved storage tolerance. Microstructural analysis via SEM high nitrogen induced distinct cultivar-specific deterioration characteristics after 12 months storage. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of replacing whole-crop maize silage with varying proportions of Pennisetum giganteum silage on rumen fermentation, microbial composition, and metabolic function in beef cattle. A single-factor completely randomized design was employed using 50 healthy crossbred Simmental cattle aged 11–12 months (average body weight: 251.08 ± 51.54 kg). Animals were randomly assigned to five groups, with 10 replicates per group and one animal per replicate. Diets contained 0% (Group A), 25% (Group B), 50% (Group C), 75% (Group D), or 100% (Group E) Pennisetum giganteum silage replacing whole-crop maize silage over a 67-day feeding period, including a 7-day adaptation phase. Rumen fluid samples were collected via rumen catheter at the end of the trial to assess bacterial diversity and functional characteristics. Increasing the proportion of Pennisetum giganteum silage resulted in quadratic changes in volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and propionate (PA) concentrations (p < 0.05), while ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N) increased linearly (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in α- or β-diversity among groups (p > 0.05). Group C exhibited significantly higher relative abundances of Verrucomicrobiota and Prevotellaceae_UCG_003 compared with the other groups (p < 0.05). At the phylum level, Proteobacteria increased linearly, whereas Spirochaetota decreased linearly; at the genus level, Treponema decreased linearly (p < 0.05). LEfSe analysis indicated enrichment of g__Prevotellaceae_UCG_003 and o__WCHB1_41 in Group C, while the relative abundances of f__Enterobacteriaceae and g__Citrobacter were elevated in Group E. Under the conditions of this study, replacing 50% of whole-crop maize silage with Pennisetum giganteum silage enhanced rumen fermentation efficiency and modulated key microbial populations in beef cattle. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with a defined blend of phytochemicals (DBP) composed of carvacrol, thymol, and cinnamaldehyde on the growth performance, slaughter performance, rumen fermentation, microbial diversity, and blood physiological and biochemical parameters of sheep. Twenty-four healthy male Altay lambs, aged six months, were randomly assigned to three groups: (1) fed a basal diet (CON), (2) basal diet with 400 mg/kg DM of DBP (DBP1), and (3) basal diet with 800 mg/kg DM of DBP (DBP2). Results show that DBP supplementation had no significant effect on growth or slaughter performance (p > 0.05). The molar proportion of acetate and the acetate-to-propionate ratio increased linearly, and the molar proportions of propionate and valerate decreased linearly (p < 0.05). DBP supplementation had no significant effect on rumen bacterial α-diversity; however, in the DBP1 group, the relative abundances of Succinivibrionaceae UCG-002, Prevotellaceae UCG-004, Sphaerochaeta, Monoglobus, and Moryella were significantly increased, whereas in the DBP2 group, the relative abundances of Coprococcus and U29-B03 were significantly increased (p < 0.05). DBP exhibited a significant quadratic effect on interleukin-2 and superoxide dismutase activity (p < 0.05). In conclusion, although the DBP altered the rumen microbial community structure and rumen fermentation pattern in sheep to some extent, it showed minimal efficacy in improving growth performance, slaughter performance, immune function, and antioxidant status. Further large-scale studies are warranted to determine the optimal inclusion level and timing of this phytochemical blend in sheep diets. Full article

Yaks (Bos grunniens) on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau face severe nutritional limitations during the dry season due to dependence on highly lignified, low-quality roughage. Identifying safe and effective rumen regulators capable of enhancing fiber utilization in this species is therefore of great practical importance. This study employed a two-pronged approach integrating in vitro mechanistic investigation and in vivo validation to evaluate the effects of the amphoteric surfactant cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) on rumen fermentation, the micro-spatial distribution of digestive enzymes, apparent total tract digestibility, and the macroscopic growth performance of yaks. In the in vitro fermentation trial (Experiment 1), a randomized block design was employed where a straw-based high-forage diet was used as the substrate and supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0% CAPB (based on substrate dry matter, DM) for a 48 h batch culture. The results showed that as the CAPB supplementation level increased, cumulative gas production, the degradation rates of DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and the yields of total volatile fatty acids and microbial protein all exhibited significant quadratic responses (p < 0.05), peaking at the 0.5–1.0% supplementation levels. Concurrently, CAPB significantly promoted the transfer and release of carboxymethyl cellulase and xylanase into the free liquid phase (p < 0.01). In the in vivo validation trial (Experiment 2), 24 healthy growing male yaks (initial body weight 131.2 ± 8.4 kg) were allocated in a completely randomized design to four groups and fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0% CAPB for 44 days. The results indicated that, while maintaining a stable DM intake, the addition of 0.5% CAPB significantly increased the average daily gain (ADG) of yaks (p < 0.05), improved the feed-to-gain ratio, and significantly enhanced the apparent total tract digestibility of NDF and ether extract (p < 0.05). However, when the supplementation dose exceeded the safety threshold (≥2.5% in vitro and ≥2.0% in vivo), both fermentation parameters and growth advantages declined. In conclusion, under the present experimental conditions, 0.5% CAPB improved roughage fermentation efficiency, putatively through an ‘enzyme elution’ mechanism, and was associated with macroscopic improvements in NDF and EE apparent digestibility and ADG in growing yaks. These findings identify 0.5% CAPB as a promising candidate rumen regulator for improving roughage utilization in growing yaks; broader generalization will require larger-scale and longer-duration trials. Full article

Huajiao seed oil is a high-quality edible vegetable oil that is rich in unsaturated fatty acids. Because of this characteristic, it exhibits poor stability and is prone to oxidation. However, storage methods significantly influence oxidative stability. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of temperature (4, 25, and 37 °C), light exposure, and packaging materials (glass bottle, PET bottle, and iron can) on the quality of Huajiao seed oil during storage. The results demonstrate that low temperature effectively retarded the increase in acid value, peroxide value, p-anisidine value, and the content of secondary oxidation products. It also slowed down the degradation of squalene and α-tocopherols. Prolonged light exposure accelerated the oxidative rancidity of Huajiao seed oil. Oil stored in glass bottles exhibited a lower degree of oxidation than that stored in PET bottles or iron cans, and when stored under conditions of 4 °C/glass bottle/darkness, it had a shelf life of up to 7.34 months. The main volatile compounds generated in Huajiao seed oil during storage were aldehydes and acids. Full article

This study evaluated the effect of inulin addition and storage time on the chemical composition, fatty acid profile, mineral content, volatile compounds, and sensory properties of fermented milk drinks produced from cow’s milk with different fat contents (2% and 4%) using the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12. Four drink variants were produced: control drinks and drinks supplemented with 2% inulin. Analyses were conducted over 21-day refrigerated storage. The results showed that fat standardization led to significant differences in fat content, whereas protein levels remained relatively stable across samples. The addition of inulin significantly increased dry matter content and improved texture-related sensory attributes, including viscosity, creaminess, and smoothness. GC–IMS analysis revealed that fermentation and storage led to a progressive increase in the contents of volatile compounds, including esters, alcohols, and ketones, with the most complex aroma profile observed after 14 days. Samples with the higher fat content and inulin addition exhibited a greater diversity and intensity of volatile compounds compared to the control drinks. In turn, storage time influenced fatty acid composition, including CLA content, and caused fluctuations in mineral concentrations. Additionally, inulin addition and a higher fat content positively affected the survival of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 during storage. The results indicate that the combined application of inulin and an increased fat content enhances the functional and sensory quality of fermented milk drinks, demonstrating the potential of synbiotic formulations in dairy product development. Full article

Camphora officinarum (syn. Cinnamomum camphora) is an ecologically, medicinally, and economically important tree species widely known for its essential oils (EOs), timber, and long history of use in traditional medicine. In recent years, renewed interest in this species has been driven by taxonomic revision, the discovery of chemically distinct chemotypes, and advances in genomics, metabolomics, and biotechnological processing. This review summarizes current knowledge on the botany, distribution, phytochemistry, biological properties, agro-industrial value, and biotechnological potential of C. officinarum. Particular attention is given to the genetic and metabolic basis of terpene diversity, especially the role of terpene synthase (TPS) gene expansion in the formation of camphor-, linalool-, borneol-, cineole-, and citral-type profiles. We also discuss developments in essential oil extraction, the utilization of non-volatile constituents such as flavonoids and lignans, and the nutritional value of seed kernel oil rich in medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). In addition, recent progress in tissue culture, multi-omics analysis, metabolic engineering, and nano-enabled delivery systems is reviewed. The paper also considers important safety and ecological issues, including the dose-dependent toxicity of camphor and the contrasting status of the species as a protected native resource in East Asia and an invasive plant in some introduced regions. Overall, this review provides an updated and balanced overview of C. officinarum, identifies key knowledge gaps, and highlights future prospects for sustainable utilization, conservation of native genetic resources, and exploitative control of invasive populations. Full article