Slaughterhouse Research Articles

Dietary supplementing South African indigenous rams with flaxseed oil and ascorbic acid improves cryopreserved semen quality and in vitro fertility

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how ascorbic acid with dietary flaxseed oil affects the quality and fertility of cryopreserved ram sperm in South African indigenous rams. Treatment diets were supplemented 60 days before semen collection to afford proper spermatogenesis, adaptation to the feed formulated and fed throughout the study. Semen was collected with the use of artificial vagina following dietary supplementation with five treatment diets (neg. cont. – negative control, pos. cont. – positive control, FLO – 5% Flaxseed oil, ASA – 4% Ascorbic acid, and FLO + ASA). Semen was then extended using tris-based extender and cryopreserved using the programmable freezer (CBS Freezer 2100 series, Laboratory consumables & chemical suppliers, America). Ovaries were collected from a neighbouring slaughter house and conveyed to the lab in 0.9% saline at 37 °C. Data (sperm parameters and in vitro fertility) was then exposed to the GLM (General Linear Model) in Minitab 17. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was utilized to investigate the relationship between cryopreserved sperm quality and in vitro fertility. The student Least Significant Difference Test was used to separate the treatment means, and differences were accepted when the p-value was less than 0.05. The FLO + ASA group had higher (p < 0.05) progressive (36.33 ± 1.87), total (88.24 ± 2.24), rapid motility (27.52 ± 1.74), intact plasma membrane (75.67 ± 2.08), total fertilization (65.98 ± 7.39), and total cleavage (66.19 ± 6.50) when compared to other treatment groups. Total fertilization rate had a medium significant (p < 0.001) medium correlation with the progressive motility (r2 = 0.435), total motility (r2 = 0.447) and rapid motility (r2 = 0.409). In conclusion, dietary flaxseed and ascorbic acid (FLO + ASA) improves cryopreserved semen quality, in vitro fertilization rate, and the total cleavage rate. Noteworthy, the progressive, total and rapid motility play a crucial in the in vitro fertilization rate.

The role of ionized water as a safe alternative to disinfectants in poultry Slaughter houses

The role of ionized water as a safe alternative to disinfectants in poultry Slaughter houses

Islamic Etiquette for Slaughter viz a viz Mechanical Slaughtering

Meat consumption has become the basic need of a human societies. According to Islamic Shariah, Allah the Creator, has allowed humans to consume the meat of halal animals and has stated a complete procedure of slaughtering the legally permitted animals. Adopting this process ensures the meat lawful for human consumption. There are other methods and practices of slaughtering and killing animals followed by different people of different religions and thoughts. In the modern world various techniques are being used to kill animals on mass level in slaughterhouses. Gas chambers, electric current, rods and mechanical knives are used for this purpose. The users of these practices claim that these techniques make the slaughtering process easier and more convenient for the animal as compare to the shariah guided ways of slaughtering. In this article I have discussed various procedures of slaughtering and killing an animal. I have analyzed these procedures in order to find out the most convenient way for the animal. I have also discussed the impact of slaughtering process on the end product; the meat and its effect on human health. This article concluded that shariah guided way of slaughtering is the most convenient way of slaughtering and the animal bears less pain as compared to the rest of the methods and the meat produced as a result of shariah way of slaughtering is healthier and has better psychological impact on human's health.

Observational Study Of Animal Slaughterhouses (RPH) Muaro Kumpeh Village Muaro Jambi

A slaughterhouse (RPH) is a building or building complex with certain designs and conditions used for slaughtering animals to produce safe, healthy, whole, and halal (ASUH) meat for consumption by the general public. This research aims to find out the process carried out by the RPH in carrying out its duties by Islamic law. In this research, the method used to analyze the Muaro Jambi Mandiri Enterprise RPH was to use literature review and observation methods to describe and explain the condition of the Mandiri Enterprise RPH in Muaro Kumpeh Village. The data used in this research uses primary data obtained directly through observation or interviews and secondary data. The data collection methods in this research are interviews and observations regarding the suitability of animal slaughtering, physical facilities, distribution of slaughtered products, and critical points. at this RPH. The study results show that this abattoir has carried out its business by Islamic law and has MUI halal certification. It was found that the critical point in this abattoir is in the place used for slaughtering animals, where the condition of the place is very at risk of unclean contamination.

Preovulatory follicular fluid secretome added to in vitro maturation medium influences the metabolism of equine cumulus-oocyte complexes

BackgroundIn vitro embryo production is a highly demanded reproductive technology in horses, which requires the recovery (in vivo or post-mortem) and in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes. Oocytes subjected to IVM exhibit poor developmental competence compared to their in vivo counterparts, being this related to a suboptimal composition of commercial maturation media. The objective of this work was to study the effect of different concentrations of secretome obtained from equine preovulatory follicular fluid (FF) on cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) during IVM. COCs retrieved in vivo by ovum pick up (OPU) or post-mortem from a slaughterhouse (SLA) were subjected to IVM in the presence or absence of secretome (Control: 0 µg/ml, S20: 20 µg/ml or S40: 40 µg/ml). After IVM, the metabolome of the medium used for oocyte maturation prior (Pre-IVM) and after IVM (Post-IVM), COCs mRNA expression, and oocyte meiotic competence were analysed.ResultsIVM leads to lactic acid production and an acetic acid consumption in COCs obtained from OPU and SLA. However, glucose consumption after IVM was higher in COCs from OPU when S40 was added (Control Pre-IVM vs. S40 Post-IVM: 117.24 ± 7.72 vs. 82.69 ± 4.24; Mean µM ± SEM; p < 0.05), while this was not observed in COCs from SLA. Likewise, secretome enhanced uptake of threonine (Control Pre-IVM vs. S20 Post-IVM vs. S40 Post-IVM: 4.93 ± 0.33 vs. 3.04 ± 0.25 vs. 2.84 ± 0.27; Mean µM ± SEM; p < 0.05) in COCs recovered by OPU. Regarding the relative mRNA expression of candidate genes related to metabolism, Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) expression was significantly downregulated when secretome was added during IVM at 20–40 µg/ml in OPU-derived COCs (Control vs. S20 vs. S40: 1.77 ± 0.14 vs. 1 ± 0.25 vs. 1.23 ± 0.14; fold change ± SEM; p < 0.05), but not in SLA COCs.ConclusionsThe addition of secretome during in vitro maturation (IVM) affects the gene expression of LDHA, glucose metabolism, and amino acid turnover in equine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), with diverging outcomes observed between COCs retrieved using ovum pick up (OPU) and slaughterhouse-derived COCs (SLA).

Struktur Populasi Ternak Sapi Bali di Pulau Semau

Semau Island is an island across the west of the island of Timor which is an area of ​​Kupang Regency with the potential for developing Bali cattle. This study aims to determine the population structure of Bali cattle in Semau Island. This research uses simple random sampling method. Collecting data in the form of primary data (interviews/questionnaires) and secondary data. The total sample used is 110 farmers. The parameters measured in the population structure are livestock birth rates, livestock purchases, livestock mortality, livestock slaughter, livestock sales, livestock income, livestock expenditure, and natural increase values. The results showed that the population structure of Bali cattle on Semau Island which was owned by the respondents was dominated by 455 female cows with a total of 1103 cows. Birth rate of 16.59%, purchase rate of 4.26%, death rate of 4.17%, slaughter rate of 0.18%, sales rate of 10.06%, income rate of 20.85%, expenditure rate of 14.42%, and the Natural Increase (NI) value of 12.42%.

Investigation of Mitochondrial Cytb Gene Region of Both Echinococcus granulosus Eggs from Dogs and Cystic Echinococcosis Isolates Obtained from Sheep and Cattle by Molecular Methods.

We aimed to determine the common Echinococcus granulosus genotypes in Ağrı, Türkiye and to obtain information on the transmission of this parasite. Cystic echinococcosis samples from 100 slaughtered cattle and 100 slaughtered sheep and faecal samples from 200 stray dogs were included in 2021. Collected cyst fluid samples and faces were examined microscopically. DNA was isolated from the germinal membrane of the cysts and from the parasite eggs in the stool samples. The mitochondrial cytb gene region of the parasite was amplified by PCR. Genotypes were determined using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) after sequence analysis of PCR amplicons. The highest percentage of cysts was found in the lungs of sheep and the liver of cattle. In addition, 75% of sheep cysts and 25.6% of cattle cysts were fertile. Taenia spp./Echinococcus spp. eggs were found in 6% of the faeces of 200 dogs examined microscopically. E. granulosus eggs were detected in 4 out of 50 stool samples analysed by PCR. All samples analysed by sequence analysis were identified as E. granulosus s.s. G1 genotype. Sequence comparison revealed revealed one or more-point mutations in different regions of the five samples. E. granulosus s.s. G1 genotype, known as sheep strain, is common in the Ağrı, Türkiye. The controlled slaughter of livestock, especially sheep, and the avoidance of feeding hydatid cyst organs to dogs, together with public education, were necessary to prevent the spread of the disease.

Work Posture Analysis using the RULA and OWAS Methods in the Cement Packing Section at the Packing Plant Indarung Unit of PT. Semen Padang

PT Semen Padang is a cement manufacturer. According to preliminary observations, the cement packing process, which is done at the Packing Plant Indarung unit, is the last step of the cement production process. Due to the sideways and bowed body positions, cement bagging is performed manually with a less ergonomic working position. This is performed continuously, causing workers complaints of musculoskeletal disorders. The results of distributing the Nordic Body Map questionnaire to employees indicate that many operators experience pain due to their work positions. Based on these findings, the RULA method was used to analyze work posture, yielding a group A posture score of 7, a group B posture score of 4, and a final RULA assessment score of 7. The OWAS method assessment, meanwhile, earned a score code of 2141 and was categorized as a level 3 risk. The results of the risk assessment using the RULA method yield a score of 7, indicating that the operator's work attitude needs to change immediately, whereas the results of the assessment using the OWAS method yield a score of 3, indicating that work posture has a very significant impact on tension and needs to be corrected as soon as possible. On the basis of the results of these assessments, a recommendation was made to design a trolley work facility that can be utilized to reduce the risk of MSDs for cement packaging operators

Pengaruh Penerapan Sistem IPAL terhadap Kulitas Air Buangan Rumah Pemotongan Hewan

PT X is a company engaged in animal slaughtering and produces liquid waste in the process of its activities. Located in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java Province, this study aims to determine the effect of the implementation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) system on the quality of PT X's wastewater. The effect of implementing the WWTP system can be measured through baseline data collection, evaluation of WWTP effectiveness, observation of WWTP operation and maintenance, and recommendations in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia Number 68 of 2016 concerning Domestic Wastewater Quality Standards. Pollutant parameters in wastewater include BOD, COD, TSS, and O&amp;G (Oil &amp; Grease) that exceed the quality standards. After the implementation of the WWTP system, the effluent results showed a decrease and no longer exceeded the quality standards, proving that the implemented WWTP system has a positive effect on the quality of the PT X abattoir discharge water.

Farm Labor Shortage in the Pennsylvania Mushroom Industry: A Gender‐Sensitive Comparison of Farmer and Farmworker Perspectives☆

AbstractU.S. farmers are facing a widespread labor shortage. Previous literature on the causes, mostly written by agricultural economists, has focused on the macro‐economic and political factors that have reduced the traditional agricultural labor supply from rural Latin America. In this article, we present a sociological approach that probes the settlement of immigrant farmworkers in rural communities and their associated family responsibilities as possible contributing factors to the farm labor shortage. We conducted online questionnaires with 23 mushroom farm and packing plant representatives and structured interviews with 105 women and men workers in the Pennsylvania mushroom industry. Our findings suggest that if compensation and scheduling were more amenable to raising families, the labor shortage would be less acute. Moreover, workers, particularly women, identified the need for more respectful treatment by their supervisors. We conclude that, while farm employers are taking measures to address these concerns, their efforts do not fully address the economic conditions and sense of disrespectful treatment that may contribute to the labor shortage. As a result, farm employers feel forced to turn to labor contracting services, whose practices may exacerbate the vulnerability of mushroom workers.

RELIGIOUS SLAUGHTER AND ANIMAL WELFARE: A COMPARATIVE LEGAL STUDY OF KAZAKH AND EUROPEAN LEGISLATIONS

n Kazakhstan, until recently, issues regarding the responsible and humane treatment of animals were unregulated. The first law, “On Responsible Treatment of Animals,” was adopted in 2021, defining the place of animals in the system of public relations and guaranteeing their protection. However, the law includes an exception regarding the slaughter of animals during religious ceremonies, which has caused discussions and disputes between public organisations for the protection of animals and religious communities. Impressive results of balancing animal welfare with religious freedom can be found in the EU. This article conducts a comparative legal study of Kazakh and some EU Member State legislations with regard to religious slaughter. Methods: This study employed various methodologies, utilising both theoretical and empirical approaches. These methodologies encompassed the comparative legal method, which allowed the authors to analyse and research foreign experience in animal rights protection to pinpoint the most important features applicable to Kazakh legislation. Statistical data was also collected to identify patterns and trends. Based on this, a forecast was made indicating a growing population, thereby suggesting an increase in animal consumption and utilisation. Therefore, this article on the protection of animal rights is a timely and relevant study. Moreover, the authors conducted an analysis of specific cases from foreign countries, aiding in the identification of the features and challenges of law enforcement practice. The dialectical method was central to examining the research problem. It enabled the identification of contradictions and interrelationships between classical and religious methods of mortification. Results and Conclusions: Based on the study’s results, several practical proposals are put forward to eliminate or regularise the existing legislative derogation in respect of religious slaughter. The present contribution concludes that the Kazakh legal framework on animal rights protection has shortcomings that require improvements by enshrining specific methods of animal slaughtering, which can be drawn on European experience.

COUNSELING ON QURBANI PROCEDURES

Socialization of the Slaughter of Sacrificial Animals following Islamic law and for the sake of public health is a form of community service. One of the purposes of this activity is to provide briefings on how to choose good sacrificial animals and how to slaughter and handle sacrificial meat following sharia. The target of this PPM activity is the mosque or musholla ta'mir in Cirebon, high school students in charge of spirituality, the organizing committee, and students. This community service activity took place on June 12, 2024, from 08.00 to 12.00 with counseling presented and assisted by audiovisuals. The socialization activity of slaughtering sacrificial animals received enthusiasm from the participants with a discussion session with three speakers. The message from the participants is that this activity can be carried out 30 days before the Eid al-Adha celebration so that they can choose sacrificial animals according to Islamic law.

Exploring drivers of environmental degradation in urban centres of developing countries: a case study.

A serene and pollution-free environment is the desire of the United Nations through its Sustainable Development Goal 11. This research was designed to explore various human endeavours that drive pollution in urban environs in the developing countries with Iwo, Nigeria, as a case study. Out of the four hundred and fifty (450) respondents that were randomly selected, 410 copies of structured questionnaire were completed and returned for analysis. Descriptive and inferential analytical methods were adopted for the purpose data analysis. Of all the respondents, 69.5% were females, and 95.1% were between the ages of 18 and 65years, while 85.3% of the respondents have a minimum of secondary education. The dataset was further subjected to KMO and Bartlett's Test, the results which showed that the data is factorable with 68% at confidence level of p ≤ 0.05. Factor analysis extracted 7 variables out of the 21 variables analysed. The identified and extracted variables explained 87.745% of the variance explained by the extracted factors and their respective explanation variance are as follows: (i) palm oil activities in urban centres (20.521%); (ii) food vending outlets (14.153%); (iii) individual households within cities (13.786%); (iv) activities in the slaughter slabs and houses (11.384%); (v) auto repair workshops (9.812%); (vi) unplanned refuse dumpsites (9.571%); and (vii) in-urban free-range keeping of animals (8.745%). This research should give further insights to stakeholders, especially the policy makers in urban planning on subduing the challenges of unabated urban degradation in developing nations if human comfort and sustainability will be enhanced and that SDG 11 will be a reality come 2030.

Tradition and Transformation: Islamic influence on animal slaughter in Padang Bolak funeral customs

This research aims to describe the acculturation of Islam and local culture in the tradition of animal slaughter at funeral ceremonies preserved by the Padang Bolak community, as part of the religious system reflecting the community's understanding of the Hadith. This study is a field study employing a qualitative method within the framework of living Hadith theory. The research findings indicate that this tradition of animal slaughter at funeral ceremonies in the community is motivated by several factors, including efforts to preserve customs and culture, as an act of devotion to parents, the deceased's will to conduct an animal slaughter before passing away, to honor guests, maintain the good name of the deceased parents within the community, as an expression of love for parents, and the belief that the merits of charity performed on that day will benefit the deceased. In Islamic legal studies, this tradition is fundamentally contradictory to Islamic teachings in all its processes and requirements. The acculturation of Islam with this tradition has led to modifications that eliminate elements conflicting with Islamic teachings. Further studies are needed on how such modifications can aid in understanding and potentially guiding the process of cultural adaptation in other Islamic communities. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menggambarkan akulturasi Islam dan budaya lokal dalam tradisi penyembelihan hewan pada upacara pemakaman yang dipertahankan oleh komunitas Padang Bolak, sebagai bagian dari sistem religius yang mencerminkan pemahaman masyarakat tentang Hadits. Studi ini adalah studi lapangan yang menggunakan metode kualitatif dalam kerangka teori Hadits hidup. Temuan penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tradisi penyembelihan hewan pada upacara pemakaman di komunitas tersebut didorong oleh beberapa faktor, termasuk upaya untuk melestarikan adat dan budaya, sebagai tindakan pengabdian kepada orang tua, keinginan almarhum untuk melakukan penyembelihan hewan sebelum meninggal, untuk menghormati tamu, mempertahankan nama baik orang tua yang telah meninggal di dalam komunitas, sebagai ungkapan cinta kepada orang tua, dan keyakinan bahwa pahala amal yang dilakukan pada hari itu akan menguntungkan almarhum. Dalam studi hukum Islam, tradisi ini secara mendasar bertentangan dengan ajaran Islam dalam semua proses dan persyaratannya. Akulturasi Islam dengan tradisi ini telah mengarah pada modifikasi yang menghilangkan elemen-elemen yang bertentangan dengan ajaran Islam. Studi lebih lanjut diperlukan tentang bagaimana modifikasi tersebut dapat membantu dalam memahami dan berpotensi mengarahkan proses adaptasi budaya di komunitas Islam lainnya.

Novel feed additive delivers antimicrobial copper and influences fecal microbiota in pigs.

Dehydrated alginate beads formulated with copper were synthesized and tested as a feed additive to influence the microbiota in finishing pigs and potentially use them as a preharvest intervention to reduce fecal pathogen shedding. The efficacy of the copper beads was tested in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, Salmonella was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced when in contact with the copper beads solution for up to 6 h, with a 5.4 log CFU/mL reduction over the first hour. Chemical analysis of the soak solutions demonstrated the beads delivered their copper payload gradually over the same period the bactericidal effect was observed. For the in vivo experiments, pigs (n = 48) supplemented with the copper beads experienced significant shifts in their microbiota. Enterobacteriaceae (EB) increased by 1.07 log CFU/g (P < 0.05), while lactic acid bacteria (LAB) decreased by 1.22 log CFU/g (P < 0.05) during the treatment period. When beads were removed from the feed, EB and LAB concentrations returned to baseline, indicating copper beads led to measurable and significant changes in microbial loads. Fecal microbiome analysis conducted to explore additional changes by copper bead supplementation demonstrated that, at the phylum level, there was an increase in Firmicutes, Euryarchaeota, and Acidobacteriota, while at the genus level, an increase in Methanosphaera and Pseudomonas was observed. Measures of copper in swine feces showed values ~20 times higher in the treatment group than in the control group during the treatment period, suggesting that dehydrated alginate copper beads were effective in delivering antimicrobial copper to the animal hindgut.IMPORTANCECopper has long been known to have antimicrobial properties. However, when water-soluble salts are fed to livestock, the copper may rapidly dissolve in gastric contents and fail to reach the gut. Here, specially formulated copper beads are seamlessly incorporated into feed and allow copper to remain longer in the gastrointestinal tract of animals, reach deep into both the foregut and hindgut, and shift microbial populations. The technology delivers antimicrobial copper to the animal hindgut and potentially reduces pathogenic microorganisms before animal slaughter.

Epizootological and epidemiological situation of anthrax in Siberia and the Far East (1985–2023)

Anthrax remains relevant in the world and in the Russian Federation. In Siberia and the Far East, epizootological, epidemiological, environmental and microbiological monitoring of anthrax is constantly carried out. To analyze the epizootological and epidemiological situation of anthrax, we used the information from veterinary institutions and Rospotrebnadzor for 24 regions, as well as reference and archive materials. On the territory of Siberia and the Far East for the period from 1985 to 2023, pronounced epizootological and epidemiological problems of anthrax are observed in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, the Republic of Buryatia, Omsk Region and the Altai Territory. Over the last five-year observation period, high epizootic activity has been observed in the west of the Republic of Tyva. A total of 3,375 livestock animals and 128 people fell ill. The anthrax database contains information on 7,491 stationary anthrax-infected points in 22 subjects and 562 anthrax burials and cattle burials in 17 subjects of Siberia and the Far East. B. anthracis strains have slight variability in biological properties and belong to two global genetic lines – A and B. In order to prevent anthrax, it is necessary to ensure surveillance of soil foci of anthrax (anthrax burials and cattle burials, “plague fields”), a high level of livestock animals registration and their specific vaccination coverage; to control the implementation of veterinary and sanitary requirements for pre-mortem inspection and emergency slaughter of livestock, the sale of meat and meat products, and biological waste disposal; to carry out explanatory work among the population.

Phenotypic analysis of native goats suitable for export at the Organic and Akseker slaughter houses for the purpose of meat consumption in Modjo town, Ethiopia

Phenotypic analysis of native goats suitable for export at the Organic and Akseker slaughter houses for the purpose of meat consumption in Modjo town, Ethiopia

Al-Ḥajjāj’s rhetoric of intimidation and humiliation

Abstract This article discusses the strategy of intimidation and humiliation in Al-Ḥajjāj ibn Yūsuf al-Thaqafῑ’s most famous speech delivered in the city of Kufa in Iraq in the seventh century. The linguistic devices used by Al-Ḥajjāj are analyzed by applying the theory of Critical Discourse Analysis. This approach reveals his rhetoric of intimidation, humiliation, and emotional manipulation, reflecting Al-Ḥajjāj’s intention to act with extreme cruelty against the Kufa rebels. In this speech, he strove to normalize and legitimize violence against the rebels, for example, by likening the inhabitants of Kufa to animals, thereby framing the beheading and slaughtering of them as normal, in the way that animal slaughter is perceived as normal behavior.

Emergence of Salmonella Infantis carrying the pESI-like plasmid from eggs in egg grading and packing plants in Korea

The plasmid of emerging S. Infantis (pESI) or pESI-like plasmid in Salmonella enterica Infantis are consistently reported in poultry and humans worldwide. However, there has been limited research on these plasmids of S. Infantis isolated from eggs. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the prevalence and characteristics of S. Infantis carrying the pESI-like plasmid from eggs in egg grading and packing plants. In this study, the pESI-like plasmid was only detected in 18 (78.3%) of 23 S. Infantis isolates, and it was absent in the other 9 Salmonella serovars. In particular, S. Infantis isolates carrying the pESI-like plasmid showed the significantly higher resistance to β-lactams, phenicols, cephams, aminoglycosides, quinolones, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines than Salmonella isolates without the pESI-like plasmid (p < 0.05). Moreover, all S. Infantis isolates carrying the pESI-like plasmid were identified as extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producer, harboring the blaCTX-M-65 and blaTEM-1 genes, and carried non-β-lactamase resistance genes (ant(3′′)-Ia, aph(4)-Ia, aac(3)-IVa, aph(3′)-Ic, sul1, tetA, dfrA14, and floR) against five antimicrobial classes. However, all isolates without the pESI-like plasmid only carried the blaTEM-1 gene among the β-lactamase genes, and either had no non-β-lactamase resistance genes or harbored non-β-lactamase resistance genes against one or two antimicrobial classes. Furthermore, all S. Infantis isolates carrying the pESI-like plasmid carried class 1 and 2 integrons and the aadA1 gene cassette, but none of the other isolates without the pESI-like plasmid harbored integrons. In particular, D87Y substitution in the gyrA gene and IncP replicon type were observed in all the S. Infantis isolates carrying the pESI-like plasmid but not in the S. Infantis isolates without the pESI-like plasmid. The distribution of pulsotypes between pESI-positive and pESI-negative S. Infantis isolates was clearly distinguished, but all S. Infantis isolates were classified as sequence type 32, regardless of whether they carried the pESI-like plasmid. This study is the first to report the characteristics of S. Infantis carrying the pESI-like plasmid isolated from eggs and can provide valuable information for formulating strategies to control the spread of Salmonella in the egg industry worldwide.

Meat Alternatives and Their Impact on Human Health: A Comprehensive Review

In the contemporary landscape, conventional meat faces increasing scrutiny due to recent allegations raised by various associations and scientific groups. While these criticisms are often linked to excessive meat consumption, a growing number of individuals are reducing or eliminating meat from their diets, questioning its role in a healthy diet. The consequent request for alternative protein sources has prompted the food industry to create so-called &amp;ldquo;meat alternatives&amp;rdquo; products. These emerging foods aim to replicate the sensory characteristics of conventional meat, eliminating the need to slaughter animals, and minimize environmental impact. Despite the misleading claims of various supporters, the long-term nutritional sustainability of these novel products remains unclear. To date, products resembling meat, which exploit different sources such as plants, algae, fungi, insects, and in vitro&amp;ndash;cultured animal cells (cell-based food) require an unavoidable level of industrial processing, rendering the final products as ultra-processed foods (UPF). Given the well-established adverse effects associated with prolonged consumption of UPF, it raises questions about whether these products truly serve as a viable substitute for whole and unprocessed foods, like meat. With limited scientific knowledge and technological innovation to date, the long-term effects of meat alternatives on human health remain unclear. Addressing this crucial gap, together with guaranteeing transparency of research, should be a top priority for the food industry, guiding decisions on whether investment in these emerging food products is not only a cost-effective but also a health-conscious strategy.