Aim: This study evaluated the effect of a probiotic consortium (70% yeast, 30% bacteria) on lipid metabolism in Triton X-100/high cholesterol-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Study Design: Male Wistar rats (50-110 g) were obtained from Onyewuchi Farm, a certified animal farm located at Ifite Awka, Anambra State. Rats were randomized into different groups. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the laboratories of the Microbiology and Biochemistry Department of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. This study was conducted over duration of 2 months at intervals. Methodology: Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 6): normal control, hyperlipidemic control (HCD), low-dose probiotic (30 mg/kg), and high-dose probiotic (40 mg/kg). The animals were acclimatized for seven days in the animal house and fed with normal animal feed. Hyperlipidemia was induced by administering a single injection of Triton X-100 intraperitoneally at a dose dependent on the weight (100 mg/kg body weight) of the rats. A normal control group of rats received an equivalent volume of saline. The rats were slaughtered after 14 days of probiotics bacteria and yeast combination treatment. The stomach content, blood, liver were harvested and used for further analysis. After 14 days of probiotic administration, biochemical and microbial analyses were performed. Results: Rat fed with HCD fasting blood glucoses significantly increased to (90.33 mg/dL) when compared to the Normal Diet group which had 68.67 mg/dL. Treatment with Probiotic significantly reduced glucose levels to 53.33 mg/dL (low dose) and 76 mg/dL (high dose). The rats fed with HCD had the body weight gain of 22 g which was significantly higher than that of the Normal Diet group (17.67 g), while probiotic supplementation reduced weight gain to 18.33 g (low dose) and 17 g (high dose), Total cholesterol significantly increased (p < 0.05) in HCD rats (231.08 mg/dL) compared to the Normal group (135.99 mg/dL), but decreased markedly following probiotic treatment to 146.0 mg/dL (low dose) and 143.96 mg/dL (high dose). Similarly, triacyl glyceride levels rose significantly in HCD rats (342.92 mg/dL) but decreased to 238.75 mg/dL (low dose) and 249.58 mg/dL (high dose) after probiotic administration. LDL-C levels increased significantly in the HCD group (108.49 mg/dL) but were reduced to 99.92 mg/dL (low dose) and 60.78 mg/dL (high dose), while HDL-C dropped in the HCD group (52.89 mg/dL) and improved significantly with probiotic treatment to 50.44 mg/dL (low dose) and 76.22 mg/dL (high dose). Gut microbiota analysis showed that HCD reduced beneficial lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and increased coliform counts. Gastric analysis revealed that probiotics significantly increased gastric pH (p < 0.05) from 1.42 ± 0.10 (HCD) to 1.93 ± 0.08 (low dose) and 2.00 ± 0.12 (high dose), suggesting a buffering and gastroprotective effect, while total acidity and gastric volume were not significantly affected (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The probiotic combination effectively ameliorated high-fat diet–induced hyperlipidemia, reduced LDL-C, elevated HDL-C, improved glycemic control, restored gut microbial balance, and protected gastric function. These findings support the potential of yeast–bacterial probiotic formulations as a functional dietary supplement for the management of hyperlipidemia and metabolic disorders.

Bridging the phylodynamic antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong through a One Health Lens.

Smartphone-enabled detection of urea in animal feed based on a disposable electrode modified with silver nanoparticles decorated on nitrogen-doped graphene nanoplatelets.

Independent laboratory validation of a Salmonella loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay in 27 human and animal food matrices of 9 ISO food categories.

Biological detoxification and application of emerging control strategies of zearalenone in food.

Deoxynivalenol toxicity along the gut-liver-brain axis in animal models: Mechanisms of action and strategies for mitigation.

Four-year surveillance of mycotoxins in feed and raw materials (2021-2024): Occurrence, co-contamination, and risk implications.

From lab to field: Supramolecular probe for gossypol real-time quantification.

Dual-centered MOF-on-MOF sensor assisted by molecularly imprinted polymer for rapid and sensitive detection of aflatoxin B1 with dual selectivity mechanism.

The objective of this study was to determine the mineral composition of the kernel cake derived from the seeds of five rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) clones commonly cultivated in Côte d’Ivoire (PB217, GT1, IRCA41, IRCA230, and IRCA331). The experiment was conducted at the CNRA Research Center of Bimbresso, Abidjan, from March 2024 to January 2025. Oil extraction was performed using a Soxhlet apparatus with hexane, and mineral profiling was carried out according to AOAC (1990) procedures. Results showed significant variation (p < 0.05) in macro- and micronutrient contents among clones. GT1 exhibited the highest levels of magnesium (526.48 mg/100 g) and potassium (2275.86 mg/100 g), whereas PB217 showed the highest phosphorus (1182.21 mg/100 g), sulfur (561.29 mg/100 g), and calcium (270.39 mg/100 g) concentrations. IRCA331 presented the highest sodium (22.40 mg/100 g), copper (4.89 mg/100 g), and iodine (3.24 mg/100 g) levels. These findings demonstrate the nutritional potential of rubber seed kernel cake as a valuable mineral source for animal feeding and as an organic soil amendment in sustainable agriculture.

Metals are widely used in animal feed for their growth-stimulating and antimicrobial effects; yet, there is potential concern that their use can promote antimicrobial resistance through co-selection. However, the prevalence of these metal resistance genes in Salmonella and their impact on the induction of antimicrobial resistance remain unclear. To aid in this understanding, this study investigated of the prevalence of heavy metal resistance genes (HMRGs) and their comparison with antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in Salmonella enterica strains isolated from various sources, across different locations and time periods. Data on stress and AMR genotypes, serovar, source, location, and collection date were retrieved from the NCBI Pathogen Detection Isolate Browser. Isolates from the United States with complete metadata were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and PANDAS (Python Data Analysis Library). Chi-square tests were conducted to assess differences in ARG presence between HMRG-positive and HMRG-negative isolates. Additionally, the co-localization of HMRGs and ARGs on plasmids was examined, and plasmid incompatibility types were assessed. The results show that HMRG prevalence varied significantly across serovars and sources. Certain ARGs occurred at significantly higher frequencies in isolates harboring HMRGs. Co-localization of HMRGs and ARGs on plasmids was frequently observed, although no specific plasmid incompatibility group was uniquely associated with this co-localization. These findings highlight a potential link between metal resistance and antibiotic resistance in S. enterica, reinforcing concerns about the use of heavy metals in agriculture. The results provide important insights for risk assessment and inform strategies aimed at mitigating AMR as a global public health threat.

Pretreatment techniques have been widely used to improve the quality of animal feed ingredients. In the current study, the chemical composition and the physicochemical properties of treated corn grain (extrusion, microwave irradiation, gamma irradiation, or NaOH hydrolysis) were investigated. The in vitro digestibility was evaluated using digestive enzyme extracts from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and broiler chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), as well as the pepsin-cellulase technique of the ruminant model. There were notable changes in the chemical compositions (p < 0.001), as well as a nutritive profile assessment with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The extrusion pretreatment significantly increased crude protein and ether extract contents, as well as gross energy. However, this method reduced ash and non-fiber carbohydrate contents while increasing the amount of neutral detergent fiber (p < 0.001). The determination of pH, water solubility, water absorption capacity, and thermal properties, and observation of diffraction patterns and microstructures indicated that the altered physicochemical properties of treated corn enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis. The results of carbohydrate digestibility testing suggested that microwave irradiation or extrusion were the best pretreatments for aquatic animals, while only extrusion was suitable for poultry. However, the pepsin-cellulase digestibility test revealed no differences in cellulase organic matter solubility, digestible organic matter, and metabolizable energy. Therefore, the most suitable pretreatment method for corn grain used in animal feed is dependent on the target animal group.

ABSTRACT Tremendous amounts of organic waste are produced annually worldwide, and how to utilize this organic waste with low energy consumption and high efficiency without generating secondary pollution is a valuable research direction. Black soldier fly (BSF) has saprophytic characteristics in its larvae, and can effectively convert organic waste such as crop straw, feces and kitchen waste into insect nutrition (e.g., fat and protein). Therefore, the use of BSF as an alternative animal feed source is gaining attention. The ingestion of various organic wastes by black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) reduces the discharge and accumulation of organic waste and provides various usable substances for human life. For instance, fatty acids, chitin, melanin and antimicrobial peptides in BSF are important resources in biology, medicine and the chemical industry. Hence, BSF represents a promising candidate for future biotechnological applications, with far‐reaching implications for sustainable development and future human life. Currently, much progress has been made in the application of BSF in animal feed and health products. However, literature reviews summarizing the applications of BSF in the breeding and biomedicine industries are still lacking. This review not only highlights the role of BSF in organic waste valorization but also emphasizes its significant potential in enhancing animal growth performance, as well as its promising applications in biomedicine and cosmetic industries. Moreover, this review analyzes the current problems encountered in the application of BSF and future research directions to provide reference and potential targets for the development and utilization of BSF.

This study looked at a fungal–cyanobacterial co-pellet system for cleaning up coffee waste and producing high-value polymers. Optimization focused on the pelletization process, waste removal efficiency, and biomass yield. Optimal conditions, including pH (6.5), glucose concentration (6 g/L), and shaking speed (130 rpm), achieved a maximum cyanobacterial immobilization efficiency of up to 97% on the fungal mycelium. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the formation of an integrated co-pellet structure, with fungal hyphae acting as a physical scaffold and extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) enhancing cell–cell adhesion. The co-culture system exhibited superior performance compared to fungal (20.56 g/L) and algal (1.09 g/L) monocultures. It effectively removed major coffee effluent pollutants, achieving a significant reduction in total phenolic compounds (74.5%). Furthermore, the co-pellets displayed a remarkable final biomass yield (24.33 g/L) and high production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) (5.28 g/L) and intracellular polymeric substances (IPSs) (3.84 g/L). The synergistic relationship was further confirmed by high nitrogen contents in the co-pellets (15.24%), which significantly surpassed that of the individual fungal biomass, suggesting interspecies nutrient transfer. Valuable glycerol-lipids were detected and identified in the fermentative broth of the co-culture confirming a highly efficient bioconversion process. Analyses revealed a targeted metabolic flow toward the accumulation of monoglycerides, notably monooleoylglycerol and monopalmitin, highlighting a powerful cooperative compatibility for producing high-value emulsifiers. Overall, these findings firmly establish the cyano-fungal co-pellet system as a robust and sustainable biorefinery approach for treating complex industrial wastewater while producing a high-quality, value-added biomass suitable for utilization as a biofertilizer or animal feed.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fermented kacang tujuh jurai (seven-branched peanut) leaf (DKTJF) supplementation in drinking water on the performance of broiler chickens, and to determine the most effective inclusion level. The leaves are known to contain various bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, phenolic compounds, and pheromones. The experiment was carried out over three months at the Nutrition and Feed Technology, Animal Production, Quality Testing, and Analysis Laboratories of the Payakumbuh State Agricultural Polytechnic. The materials used for preparing the treatment solution included 2 kg of fermented kacang tujuh jurai, 1 liter of EM4, 1 liter of molasses, and water. The materials used for broiler maintenance included day-old chicks (DOC), DKTJF, corn, soybean meal, minerals, coconut oil, fish meal, rice bran, and commercial feed. The equipment used for the treatment application included cages divided into 20 units (0.5 m × 0.5 m). A completely randomized design (CRD) was used, consisting of five treatment groups with four replications each, totaling 20 experimental units. Each unit contained four day-old chicks (DOC), resulting in a total of 80 broiler chickens. The treatments included DKTJF in the drinking water at 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% levels. Observed parameters included body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), water intake, and broiler performance index. The results showed that DKTJF supplementation significantly (P<0.05) affected body weight gain and water intake, but had no significant effect (P>0.05) on feed intake, FCR, or performance index. In conclusion, supplementation of up to 2% DKTJF in drinking water did not alter feed efficiency or overall performance, but it improved growth and reduced water consumption. The optimal inclusion level was identified at 1.5%.

Sauropods were the most gigantic land animals that ever lived on the Earth, and dominated herbivorous niches in many terrestrial ecosystems from the Jurassic to the end of the Cretaceous. Other than their great size, the elongated neck was the most remarkable feature of the sauropod bauplan and has been suggested as a key factor underpinning their evolutionary success. The necks of dicraeosaurid sauropods are particularly unusual, exhibiting extremely long neural spines and often being relatively short for sauropod necks, raising questions about their feeding strategies. In this regard, there are still many unknowns regarding the structure and function of the sauropod neck, especially concerning the soft tissues. Craniocervical muscles are particularly important, since they are responsible for the movement of the head relative to the neck, strongly implicated in the feeding behavior. The braincase of Amargasaurus cazaui, a dicraeosaurid from the Lower Cretaceous of Argentina, represents a chance to reconstruct the craniocervical muscles in a sauropod and, in turn, shed light on the feeding behavior. In this study, the insertions of the muscles are reconstructed using the extant phylogenetic bracket (EPB) approach, based on the anatomy of extant archosaurs and then compared with other studies performed on other groups of dinosaurs. There are several differences due to the disparity in the identification of the attachment areas and/or differences in the homologies of the muscles of the extant archosaurs. In the light of our findings, we discuss the high and low browsing modes for food acquisition and propose a three-step mechanism to explain the importance of the craniocervical muscles during animal feeding. This contribution represents the first complete reconstruction of the neck muscles inserting in the occiput for Dicraeosauridae.

Formate, valued at $700M globally, serves as a critical feedstock in de-icing, corrosion removal, and as a preservative in animal feed. Electrochemical CO2 conversion to formate delivers three quantifiable advantages over conventional production methods: (1) operation at ambient temperature and pressure, reducing capital equipment costs by 30-40%, (2) potential for direct utilization of intermittent renewable electricity, achieving a 60% lower carbon footprint than the petrochemical process, and (3) compatibility with downstream bioprocessing to high-value compounds like methanol and acetate, increasing potential market value by 2-3 times.1 This approach enables industrial decarbonization while creating new revenue streams from captured CO2. Various systems have demonstrated the ability to electrochemically reduce CO2 into formate with high selectivity,2 and recent advancements have enabled industrial-scale electrolysis. However, challenges such as energy efficiency, long-term stability, and cost-effectiveness persist, requiring further improvements in flow electrolyzers. Herein, we address one of the main failure mechanisms for CO2 electrolysis: flooding. Flooding is caused by inevitable salt formation, which leads to a gradual transition of gas diffusion electrodes from hydrophobic to hydrophilic properties, blocking CO2 diffusion channels and reducing CO2 availability. Additionally, in long-term testing, catalyst degradation further hinders performance due to catalyst dissolution and redeposition, nanoparticle agglomeration and sintering, carbonate formation blocking active sites, and membrane poisoning by electrolyte impurities. These issues collectively compromise Faradaic efficiency at low overpotentials, highlighting the need for further advancements in durability and stability.In this study, a zero-gap membrane electrode assembly architecture equipped with a conventional cation exchange membrane and commercial catalyst was used for the direct electrochemical synthesis of formate from CO2. Through careful optimization of the ink and deposition process, selection of improved carbon electrode substrates for better water management, and the use of a cost-effective and more efficient anode material in a lab-scale flow electrolyzer, an industrial-scale electrolyzer containing five cells with a total electrode area of 2500 cm2 were stacked to produce formate continuously. Our system demonstrated unprecedented stability, achieving over 1000 hours of continuous operation through strategic anolyte concentration management, impurity removal protocols, and systematic maintenance. This breakthrough performance yielded 600 L of 0.71 M formate solution, effectively fixing 14.33 kg of CO₂ as value-added product. These results validate the industrial viability of our electrochemical CO₂ conversion technology, overcoming critical barriers in scalability, energy efficiency, and long-term durability that have historically limited commercial deployment for carbon capture and utilization. Reference S. Guo, T. Asset, and P. Atanassov, ACS Catal, 11, 5172–5188 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.0c04862.S. Guo et al., Appl Catal B, 316, 121659 (2022) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926337322006002.

Based on the overview of theoretical issues on innovation and innovation capacity, the article has clarified the theoretical basis, influencing factors and the analytical framework of innovation capacity of Vietnamese animal feed enterprises in the context of strong innovation taking place in the animal feed industry. The proposed framework for researching innovation capability in Vietnamese animal feed production enterprises systematically covers the following contents: innovation management capability, learning and investment capability for innovation, capability for creating innovation results, and capability for commercializing innovation results to serve as a premise for subsequent empirical studies.

Abstract Across the world, the versatile crop soybean, Glycine max (L) Meril., is widely exploited for diversified use as a rich source of edible oil, protein-rich human food, animal feed, and even raw materials for industries. Through biological N-fixation with its indigenous nitrogen (N)-fixing symbionts, and its synergism with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, this miraculous legume contributes to soil N and phosphate for sustainable agriculture. Globally, agricultural lands are heavily impacted by tremendous pressure to meet the accelerating food demand for the world’s burgeoning population leading to soil health degradation. The application of plant growth-promoting microbes has emerged as a positive approach to upgrading the productivity of damaged soil. However, in this arena, few studies have been undertaken in West Bengal on nutrient-depleted lands as a nature-friendly low-budget cultivation strategy. At this juncture, the current investigation explored and compared the impact of soil augmentation with single-strain and multi-strain bio-inoculants of three previously reported novel plant growth-promoting bacilli strains, isolated from the native microbiome of the experimental soil itself, on growth and yield promotion of soybean plants. The most noteworthy finding was that soil amendment concomitantly with the three-strain bacilli consortium and vermicompost showed the most remarkable impact compared to the single-strain inoculants concerning the majority growth and yield parameters examined, indicating enrichment of the treated soil’s health. This unique soil augmentation strategy can be practiced to upgrade plant productivity in reclaimed arable lands growing Glycine max (L.) Meril. as an intercrop.

The identification and development of novel antimicrobials is a crucial challenge in the face of increasing antibiotic and antimycotic resistance. As such, there is growing interest in exploring the chemical diversity of natural sources, such as invasive seaweeds such as Asparagopsis armata. The valorization of such sources can further contribute to the development of bio-based industries, aligning with societal goals for environmental and economic sustainability. Therefore, a solid-liquid extraction method was performed using ethanol, and the obtained extract was studied for chemical composition elucidation, bioactivity, and toxicity evaluation. Analysis by GC-MS revealed some major chromatographic peaks, including floridoside (2-α-O-D-galactopyranosyl glycerol), glycerol, and oleamide. Also, several other smaller peaks were tentatively attributed to Low Molecular Weight Carbohydrate Derivatives, including isosaccharino-1,4-lactone, which had only been reported once in nature. The extract demonstrated significant antioxidant activity as measured by Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Potential and Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity, but not by Lipid Peroxidation Inhibitory Potential assays, which is in line with its polar nature. The extract exhibited antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms, with a MIC of 2 mg/mL observed for Staphylococcus epidermidis, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and the three yeast strains tested. Moreover, the extract inhibited the growth and phenotypic changes in filamentous fungi, which may result in reduced virulence. Specifically, the extract inhibited sporulation in Aspergillus fumigatus and orange pigmentation in Fusarium graminearum, possibly by a reduction in the production of aurofusarin, rubrofusarin, and mycotoxins. In vitro cell viability assays in 3T3, RAW264.7, and HaCaT demonstrated the extract was not cytotoxic or presented low cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 0.1 mg/mL, but a strong cytotoxic effect was observed at 1 mg/mL. At non-cytotoxic concentrations, the ethanol extract inhibited up to 48% of NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7. This may indicate that anti-inflammatory activity may add to the antimicrobial activity in human and animal systemic and topical applications of the extract. In this work, new molecules were reported in A. armata, and the bioactivities reported were novel for this extract and algal species—especially through the choice of uncommon but very relevant pathogens to study. Our findings are a valuable contribution to addressing challenges in human and animal health, food and feed technology, as well as animal husbandry and agriculture.