Outdoor systems offer benefits to pig welfare but they also pose challenges and are less well researched than indoor. This study characterized, for the first time, current husbandry and management practices of outdoor pig production on the island of Ireland, in order to understand associated drivers, challenges and changes needed for sustainable development. An online survey conducted from December 2022 to April 2023 (n = 90 respondents) revealed that animal welfare, food quality, and traceability concerns were the primary reasons for raising pigs outdoors, regardless of whether the pigs were raised for sale (meat or live pigs) or other (e.g., personal meat consumption, pet, land management) purposes. Most of the respondents expressed concerns about animal welfare in conventional systems, and emphasized the importance of the “Five Freedoms”. A significant cohort of respondents (56%) adopted alternative health management strategies based on season and soil management (paddock rotation, use of straw bedding on muddy areas), and by avoiding the use of antibiotics and other chemicals. Farms were small (median: 20.5 pigs, 1.02 ha), half were engaged with pig societies, and used traditional/rare breeds, which are adapted to outdoor conditions and that farmers can sell as superior quality pigmeat. The most frequently reported challenges were feed costs, inclement weather, fencing and soil maintenance. The most mentioned “needs” of the industry were financial support and consumer education. While participants chose to raise pigs outdoors to improve animal welfare, meat quality and traceability; overcoming challenges related to finance, infrastructure, and education is vital to their future sustainability.

Salmonella infection poses a major threat to poultry production, affecting both animal health and food safety. With rising concerns over antimicrobial resistance, probiotics have gained attention as effective non-antibiotic interventions to control enteric pathogens while supporting gut health. This study evaluated the efficacy of a locally isolated probiotic blend comprising Ligilactobacillus salivarius BF12, and Pediococcus acidilactici strains BF9 and BYF20 (ProCU) in comparison with a commercial Clostridium butyricum-based probiotic (TOP GUT) in broiler chicks challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium (ST). A total of 196 chicks were assigned to seven groups receiving different treatments with or without Salmonella challenge. Parameters assessed included growth performance, intestinal histomorphometry, cecal Salmonella load, and microbiota composition and function. Before challenge, ProCU increased fecal lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and enriched amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism pathways. Post-challenge, TOP GUT significantly reduced Salmonella load and maintained growth, while ProCU showed a limited effect on pathogen reduction. Both probiotics improved intestinal morphology, increased Lactobacillus and Akkermansia abundance, and upregulated oxidative stress defense genes. Notably, TOP GUT also enriched Parabacteroides and other Bacteroidetes members and prolonged microbial metabolic activity. These findings emphasize strain-specific probiotic effects and suggest that continuous supplementation, particularly with spore-forming strains, may enhance gut health and reduce the Salmonella burden in poultry.

Bacterial zoonoses pose a serious threat to the development of animal husbandry, food safety, and public health. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a major infectious and food-borne pathogen worldwide, and there was an urgent need to develop relevant methodologies for the control of bacterial infections. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cell-free supernatants (CFSs) produced by selected strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum), Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus), Streptococcus thermophilus (S. thermophilus), and Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis (B. infantis) to inhibit in vitrogrown S. aureus BNCC 186335. CFSs of S. thermophilus, B. infantis, L. plantarum, and L. rhamnosus not only showed good antibacterial activity against S. aureus but also have strong stability and tolerance, which could destroy the integrity of cell membrane, lead to changes in cell morphology, and then strongly and rapidly kill bacteria. Notably, the primary antimicrobial substances in the CFSs of L. plantarum and L. rhamnosus were organic acids and protein components, whereas the main antimicrobial substances in the CFSs of S. thermophilus and B. infantis were organic acids. Meanwhile, four CFSs achieved substantial removal of biofilms and inhibited decreased ATP content. These findings suggest that the CFSs of S. thermophilus, B. infantis, L. plantarum, and L. rhamnosus may have potential applications as biological preservatives to control the contamination of S. aureus in the food industry and animal husbandry.

Microplastic contamination in food systems has emerged as a growing concern for food safety and public health. The presence of microplastics in raw milk may represent a potential exposure pathway for both animals and humans. This study investigated the occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in raw milk collected from smallholder dairy farms in Northeastern Thailand. Hand-milked raw milk and bulk tank milk samples were obtained from ten farms and analyzed for microplastic contamination. Suspected microplastic particles were identified and quantified using stereomicroscopy and characterized according to their shape, color, and size, while polymer composition was confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Microplastics were detected in both hand-milked and bulk tank milk samples, with fiber-shaped particles being the most frequently observed. The majority of detected particles were 0.05–0.15 mm in size and predominantly yellow in color. Polymer analysis revealed that Polydimethylsiloxane, followed by a semi-synthetic composite of Elastane and Rayon. These findings demonstrate that microplastics can be present in raw milk produced by smallholder dairy farms, highlighting the need for improved farm management and milk-handling practices to reduce contamination risks. From a One Health perspective, reducing plastic use and enhancing hygiene during milking and milk storage may help protect animal health, food safety, and consumer well-being.

Background: Vancomycin is a critically important antimicrobial in human medicine, and vancomycin-non-susceptible enterococci represent a One Health concern when animal reservoirs contribute to the wider resistance ecology. We aimed to characterize vancomycin non-susceptibility among poultry-derived Enterococcus spp. from Hungary, using a combined phenotypic–genomic approach. Methods: Following a phenotypic pre-screen with antimicrobials authorized for poultry, 218 isolates with elevated minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were selected for extended broth microdilution testing including vancomycin. Vancomycin susceptibility was interpreted using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) clinical breakpoints and European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) epidemiological cut-off values (ECOFFs). Whole-genome sequencing was performed on a targeted multidrug resistant (MDR) subset (n = 42), enriched for elevated or borderline vancomycin MICs and stratified by region and host species (chicken, turkey), and resistance determinants were annotated against the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) using stringent similarity/coverage thresholds. Results: Among the 218 pre-screened isolates (126 from chickens; 92 from turkeys), 196 (89.9%) met MDR criteria. For vancomycin, 15.6% of isolates were resistant and 9.2% intermediate by CLSI, while EUCAST ECOFF classification placed 34.9% in the non-wild-type group. The vancomycin MIC distribution was right shifted, with high-end MICs observed. In the sequenced subset, vancomycin-associated determinants consistent with the vanC pathway (including regulatory and auxiliary components) were detected in five isolates. Beyond vancomycin-related determinants, the WGS subset harbored common resistance genes consistent with the observed multidrug-resistant phenotypes. Conclusions: Vancomycin non-susceptibility was detected among pre-screened poultry-derived Enterococcus isolates in Hungary, and genomic analysis revealed vanC-associated and other peptide antibiotic resistance signatures. These findings support targeted One Health surveillance integrating MIC distributions with genomic resistance determinants in food animal reservoirs.

Leather has been a commodity since ancient times, when primitive men hunted animals for food and used their hides and skins for clothes and tents. Nowadays, the tanning process is highly industrialised. The chromium tanning is the most widely used because it produces high-quality leather despite its serious environmental impacts. The purpose of this study is to analyse the environmental impact of an Indian company that carries out post-tanning operations on bovine hides, that is to say, from the so-called wet-blue to finished crust. To do this, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is implemented using the primary data provided by the company. The analysis has been carried out by the OpenLCA software, and 16 environmental impact categories have been evaluated. The results show that the processes for producing fuel (coal and diesel oil) and chromium(III) salts are the main contributors to the environmental impact for nearly all categories. These types of impacts are upstream, whereas the operations carried out by the company have impacts on the climate change category, due to the use of fossil fuels in the production process. Therefore, the direct action that the company could take is the substitution of fuel to produce energy with a renewable energy source. The comparison of these results with the whole tanning process present in the software confirms the limited impact of the post-tanning. At last, the results also evidence the methodological value of Life Cycle Assessment, which can be used to show what can be improved in one installation to reduce its environmental impact.

Background: The extensive use of beta-lactam antibiotics in food animals and humans has aggravated the issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatening global health. The rapid spread of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBLs) producing resistant bacteria mainly in Enterobacteriaceae has raised alarm worldwide. Methods: In the present study, we investigated the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance pattern and genotypic detection of AMR genes of ESBL-positive Escherichia coli (E-EC) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (E-KP) isolated from pigs and animal handlers. Overall, 140 faecal samples from pigs and 33 hand swabs from pig handlers were screened for ESBL production. Among these samples, 70 (65.42%) E-EC strains were identified from pigs whereas only one E-KP and E-EC from pigs and handlers, respectively. Result: The present study revealed a high level of antibiotic resistance dominated by ceftazidime (81.94%) and cotrimoxazole (80.55%). The presence of multidrug resistance (MDR) was observed in 70 ESBL isolates and the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index of all the isolates was more than 0.21. The genotypic detection of ESBL genes by PCR revealed the dominance of the blaTEM gene (98.59%) in ESBL-E. coli isolates. On analyzing the genotypic results of various tetracycline (tet) and quinolone (qnr) resistance antibiotic genes, tet-A accounted for a significant proportion of 95.77% while qnr-S was detected at a proportion of 21.12%. The findings in our study highlight that the pig farms can act as potential carriers of ESBLs and multidrug-resistant E. coli which eventually culminates in a higher concentration of AMR genes in the ecosystem.

ABSTRACT Aquaculture is the fastest‐growing sector of animal food production, yet it faces increasing challenges in maintaining fish health and sustainability due to the widespread use of antibiotics and synthetic feed additives. Green tea ( Camellia sinensis ), a natural source of polyphenols and bioactive compounds, has gained attention as a functional feed additive capable of enhancing growth performance, immune function and disease resistance in aquaculture species. This review critically examines genomic and omics‐based evidence supporting the efficacy of C. sinensis in fish and shrimp nutrition. Findings from quantitative PCR (qPCR) and transcriptomic studies reveal that green tea supplementation significantly modulates the expression of key immune and antioxidant genes, including IL‐1β , TNF‐α , SOD and CAT , thereby strengthening innate immune responses and oxidative stress resistance. In addition, green tea influences critical stress and pathogen‐response pathways through the upregulation of HSP70 , toll‐like receptors (TLRs) and activation of the NF‐κB signalling cascade. These molecular responses collectively contribute to enhanced physiological resilience and reduced reliance on antibiotics. Comparative data indicate consistent improvements in growth metrics, gene expression profiles and immune biomarkers across multiple aquaculture species, emphasizing dose specificity and conserved pathways across species. The integration of green tea into aquafeeds presents a sustainable, eco‐friendly strategy aligned with modern functional feed innovations. Future research should aim to optimize dosage levels, evaluate species‐specific responses and employ integrative multi‐omics approaches to further elucidate long‐term effects on aquatic health and environmental sustainability.

A Machine Learning Approach to Deciphering the Genomic Basis of Host Specificity and Geographic Origin in Salmonella Kentucky.

Salmonella infections are regarded as a leading global cause of foodborne illnesses in humans, with poultry products frequently identified as sources of these infections. Therefore, understanding the epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Salmonella is essential for minimising its impact on both animal health and public safety. Boot swabs were collected from chicken farms in different regions of Türkiye and tested for the presence of Salmonella. Following serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Salmonella strains was performed using the disk diffusion method. Thirteen rare serovars, including Agbeni, Bahrenfeld, Bredeney, Braenderup, Barranquilla, Caen, Eppendorf, Grampian, Isangi, Kimuenza, Othmarschen, and Rissen were identified. High levels of resistance were observed to ciprofloxacin; nine isolates were resistant to more than one antibiotic, and four were multidrug-resistant. The representativeness of the antimicrobial resistance profiles of the samples for the whole country or the geographical area is unclear. This study provides the first documentation of aforementioned Salmonella serovars in chicken flocks in Türkiye, underscoring the occurrence of multidrug resistance among these serovars. The identification of rare, multidrug-resistant Salmonella serovars in poultry signifies a potential emerging threat to animal health, food safety, and public health.

BackgroundAflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination in animal feed poses a serious risk to livestock health due to its hepatotoxic effects. Many medicinal herbs which may be used as feed additives exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties with potential hepatoprotective outcomes. We investigated effects of AFB1 in three concentrations (30 µg/kg BW, 60 µg/kg BW, 120 µg/kg BW) as well as three medicinal herbs, i.e., kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), milk thistle (Silybum marianum), and turmeric (Curcuma longa) in pigs. Hepatic expression of genes involved in biotransformation, detoxification, antioxidation, energy homeostasis, and immunity were evaluated by high-throughput real-time PCR.ResultsWe found that AFB1 significantly suppressed genes involved in biotransformation (CYP2U1, CYP4V2, CYP7B1, CYP26A1, CYP51A1), detoxification (GSS, ABCC2, SULT1E1), redox balance (GPX1, PRDX4), lipid homeostasis (ACOX1), and immune regulation (CP, CRP). Kalmegh and, to a lesser extent, milk thistle supplementation provided a comprehensive upregulation of genes involved in key hepatic pathways maintaining liver integrity. Under the specific experimental conditions, the applied dietary turmeric supplement did not induce consistent effects on the analyzed target genes.ConclusionsThe results indicate that certain medicinal herbs could counteract AFB1-induced gene expression responses in liver. Their application as dietary supplements to reduce potentially harmful effects caused by AFB1 toxicity in farm animals might be an effective tool in improving animal health, productivity and food safety.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-025-05270-1.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for Anaplasma marginale seropositivity in cattle in California between 2010 and April 2023.

This paper critically examines the marginalisation of veganism within leftist or progressive political discourse, particularly through the lens of Marxist theory, in the context of the Anthropocene. While Marxism has provided incisive critiques of capitalism’s exploitation of labour and nature, it has largely overlooked the ecological and ethical implications of animal agriculture, which is a glaring omission given its central role in driving environmental degradation and climate change. Drawing on Marx’s concepts of metabolic rift, alienation and value, the paper argues veganism is essential to any comprehensive critique of capitalism’s destructive relationship with both human and non-human life. It explores the parallels between the exploitation of humans and animals under capitalist systems and critiques the left’s inconsistent treatment of animal liberation as a peripheral concern, despite its deep entanglement with environmental justice, labour struggles, and anti-capitalist movements. By integrating veganism into Marxist ecological thought, the paper calls for a reimagining of leftist or progressive political frameworks to address the interconnected crises of food production, animal exploitation, and climate catastrophe. The Anthropocene demands an expanded vision of solidarity that transcends species boundaries, recognising veganism as a vital building block in the struggle for a more just, sustainable, and equitable world. A version of this paper was first presented at the Marx in the Anthropocene conference at Università Iuav di Venezia (Iuav University of Venice), Italy, in March 2025.

Tigecycline, a last-resort antibiotic against multidrug-resistant bacteria, has recently faced emerging resistance mediated by tet (X) genes. Livestock, particularly swine, are considered potential reservoirs for these resistance determinants. This study investigated the prevalence and molecular characteristics of tigecycline-resistant Escherichia coli in healthy weaning pigs in Thailand. Fecal samples were collected from healthy weaning pigs in 2024. Detection of tet (X) genes was performed using PCR. Among the 305 fecal samples, four were positive for the tet (X4) gene. A total of four tet (X)-positive E. coli isolates exhibited low-level resistance to tigecycline (minimum inhibitory concentration: 0.5–4 mg/L). Whole-genome sequencing analysis identified the tet (X4)-positive isolates as belonging to sequence types (STs) rST-153719, rST-59143, rST-45855, and rST-86073. Multiple antimicrobial resistance genes coexisting with tet (X4) were detected, including aph(6)-Id , aph(3'')-Ib , bla TEM-1B , bla TEM-215 , sul2 , floR , tet (A), and qnrS1 . Plasmids carrying tet (X4) in the E. coli isolates were identified as IncN (in strains NO25 and T8) and IncR (in strains C2 and OS57). This study reports the first detection of tigecycline-resistant E. coli from weaning pigs in Thailand, raising significant concerns for both food animal production and public health.

In some parts of the world, Cyperus esculentus L. is widely used as a healthy food for both humans and animals due to their nutritional and functional properties. Current research and reviews on this plant have focused mainly on organoleptic properties, phytochemical compositions, oil content, biochemical activities, and nutritional values. The medicinal properties of Tiger nut are seldom discussed, although its medicinal l.se well known in folklore activities. To explore the medicinal properties of Tiger nut, this review tries to investigate the potential anticancer properties of components issued from Tiger nut by reviewing the existing literature in the field. Based on the evidence from the review, it is recommended that there is a need for further investigation into the proposed anticancer properties of Tiger nut.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression, are mediators of intercellular and cross-kingdom communication. They are detected in foods, and studies argue for their uptake by intestinal cells. To investigate the cumulative influence of food-derived miRNAs on human health, we performed a bioinformatic analysis of miRNomes of eight commonly consumed foods: four fruits (apple, banana, grape, orange) and four animal products (beef, chicken, pork, milk). We identified 2 and 4 common miRNAs among the 20 most abundant in fruits and animal foods, respectively. Functional predictions revealed that miRNAs are likely involved in regulating cell adhesion, cellular organization, or metabolism. Several miRNAs were shown, in the literature, when overexpressed, to exert beneficial effects on physiological functions and to contribute to disease prevention. This study suggests that food-derived miRNAs may act as novel dietary bioactives contributing to the health-promoting properties of whole foods, and when these foods are consumed in combinations.

Goji berry consumption provides various beneficial health effects, although little is known about the possible toxicological and pro-oxidant effects. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the subchronic oral toxicity of goji berry juice (GBJ) for 28 days in Wistar rats (OECD 407). The GBJ was prepared in a blender with water and then filtered. The total phenolic compounds were evaluated using the Folin method (μg equivalent of gallic acid/mL juice). Forty 90-day-old female Wistar rats were divided into four groups of 10 animals each. The control group received an oral saline solution of 1 mL/100 g, and the treatments received daily doses of 1.85, 5.68, and 11.36 μg GAE/100 g for 28 days. Our findings revealed that GBJ does not alter animal body weight or food intake, although we observed higher hepatic transaminase levels and reactive species generation in the liver and kidney, which may have led to imbalanced antioxidant defenses and damaged lipids and proteins. Additionally, we observed kidney damage with increased Bowman space. Our 28-day findings indicate that goji berry juice at doses equivalent to typical human consumption can induce early redox imbalances and hepatic and renal biochemical alterations in female Wistar rats, warranting caution and further long-term, sex-inclusive studies.

Salmonella is a globally prevalent and diverse group of pathogenic bacteria that reside in food animals, such as swine. They possess transmissible antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence factors, causing outbreaks with varying disease outcomes. This study identified and characterized 110 Salmonella enterica isolates from swine meat in abattoirs and wet markets of Metro Manila, Philippines. Thirteen different S. enterica serovars were identified using the Check & Trace microarray platform. The most prevalent were Rissen, Typhimurium 1, 4, [5], 12:i:-, Anatum, and Derby. This study is also the first to report serovar Soerenga in the Philippines and Asia. A high prevalence of virulence genes was observed, namely, hilA (75.45%), avrA (73.64%), mgtC (72.73%), pipB (66.36%), sseC (58.18%), and spi4R (53.64%), with no plasmid-borne spvC and spvR. A high prevalence of blaTEM (44.55%) was also observed, consistent with the phenotypic AMR profiles. Additionally, 14.81% of the isolates exhibited multidrug resistance. Statistical associations and predictions were also found among virulence genes, serovars, and location types, which highlight implications of Salmonella contamination and serovar variations. These findings suggest the need for continuous surveillance of Salmonella, especially for emerging or rare serovars, the deeper investigation of virulence and AMR mechanisms, and improved regulation and sanitation throughout food animal industries.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a major global challenge that is exacerbated by extensive antibiotic use in livestock farming. Identifying effective alternatives to widely used human antibiotics in animal production is vital to safeguard vital human medicines and ensure sustainable food systems. Here we describe studies identifying nitroxoline (NTX) as a promising antimicrobial candidate for use in poultry production. Methods: The antibacterial activity and resistance potential of NTX were assessed in vitro. In vivo studies in chickens evaluated tolerance, therapeutic efficacy in Salmonella-infected birds, pharmacokinetics, tissue residue depletion, growth performance, and effects on caecal microbiota. NTX was administered in-feed at different dose levels. Pharmacokinetic parameters and withdrawal periods were determined, and caecal microbiota composition was analysed using ribosomal RNA 16S sequencing. Results: NTX exhibits potent broad-spectrum antibacterial activity in vitro and low levels of resistance. NTX is well-tolerated in chickens at 500 mg/kg in-feed for 7 days and substantially reduces liver bacterial loads at 100 mg/kg in Salmonella-infected chickens. Pharmacokinetic and residue analyses reveal NTX manifests rapid absorption and distribution, high oral bioavailability (86%), and efficient tissue clearance with a 17-day withdrawal period required for skin-plus-fat clearance. NTX supplementation is associated with increased weight gain and improved feed efficiency compared to the control group, with performance comparable to chlortetracycline. Microbiota analysis indicates modulation of caecal bacterial communities, including increased Faecalibacterium and Lactobacillus. Conclusions: These results indicate that NTX is a viable alternative to important human antibiotics widely deployed in poultry production, offering a potential approach to minimise antimicrobial resistance whilst maintaining animal health and food biosafety.

A combinatorial stress-alleviation strategy for efficient β-carotene production in Escherichia coli.