Animal Products Research Articles

Development and application of a nutritional quality model for life cycle assessment of protein-rich foods

Alternative protein sources (APSs) have emerged as a potentially healthy and, presumably, environmentally sustainable solution for meeting future food demand. Here we develop a new complex nutrient profile model to assess the nutritional quality of protein-rich foods, which, concurrently, allows to evaluate their environmental implications efficiently through the application of life cycle assessment (LCA). The development of the index was guided by the identification of priority nutrients in APSs and main deficiencies of similar models, which gave rise to the ‘quality Nutrient Rich Food 1.10.2’ (qNRF1.10.2). This model is the first nutrient profile system that combines various essential nutrients and a protein quality scoring system, namely Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS). From a nutritional perspective, its accuracy was proven and its application identified animal products as the most nutritionally complete food group, surpassing plant-based alternatives. However, when using the index as functional unit in LCA of protein-rich foods, we discovered that seeds, nuts, and mixtures of vegetable foods reported the lowest environmental impacts as a function of their nutrient density. Some exceptions were found for algae or insects, which performed worse than animal-derived foods in terms of resources consumption, or for cereals, which shown an important water deprivation potential. These results suggest that we should find a trade-off between the production of emerging and conventional foodstuffs, and that main environmental issues of each region should condition the location of production systems.

Willingness to Reduce Animal Product Consumption: Exploring the Role of Environmental, Animal, and Health Motivations, Selfishness, and Animal-oriented Empathy

Increasing the willingness to reduce animal product consumption has the potential to contribute to ameliorating the impact of animal agriculture on the environment, as well as foster healthier diets and improve the lives of farmed and wild animals. Reduction of animal product consumption is a prosocial behaviour (PSB), and factors that are considered to influence it are empathy and selfishness. In this research, animal-oriented empathy examined empathy specifically for animals. Animal oriented empathy and three types of selfishness: adaptive, egoistic, and pathological were measured to determine if they could predict willingness to reduce animal product consumption. PSB is also influenced by motivations and motivations can lead to willingness. The three most common motivations to reduce animal product consumption: animal welfare, the environment, and health were examined to determine whether they predict willingness. A sample of 492 Australian adults completed questionnaires via the Zoho survey platform, and the data underwent a hierarchical regression. Higher pathological selfishness predicted a greater willingness to reduce animal product consumption, as did environmental and animal welfare motivations. However, higher health motivation predicted a lower willingness to reduce animal product consumption. Interpretation of the perplexing results in relation to pathological selfishness suggested further research. The practical value of utilising environmental and animal motivations to increase willingness to reduce animal products whilst bringing attention to the health issues was also discussed.

Stable cytoactivity of piscine satellite cells in rice bran-gelatin hydrogel scaffold of cultured meat

In order to achieve high cell adhesion and growth efficiency on scaffolds for cultured meat, animal materials, especially gelatin, are necessary though the disadvantages of weak mechanical properties and poor stability of their hydrogel scaffolds are present during cell cultivation. Here, we use rice bran as a kind of filling and supporting materials to develop a composite scaffold with gelatin for fish cell cultivation, where rice bran is also inexpensive from high yield fibrous agricultural by-product. The rice bran (with a proportion of 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 to 3 of gelatin) could evenly distributed in the three-dimensional network composed of gelatin hydrogel. It contributed to delaying swelling and degradation rates, fixing water and improving elastic modulus. It is important that rice bran-gelatin hydrogel scaffolds (especially the hydrogel with 70 % rice bran, db) promoted piscine satellite cells (PSCs) proliferation effectively compared to the pure gelatin hydrogel, and the former could also support the differentiation of PSCs. Overall, this work showed a positive promotion to explore new source of scaffold materials like agricultural by-product for reducing the cost of cell cultured meat production.

Pengolahan Kopi Menjadi Kompos: Analisis Proses Pembuatan Kompos dan Digital Marketing

In Indonesia, the use of inorganic fertilizers is one area that is produced continuously to be used to increase crop yields, especially vegetables. Organic fertilizer and compost also have long-term benefits because they can increase the fertility of plants such as coffee. Indonesia is a coffee producer with unique characteristics. There is one type of coffee that is not widely known by the Indonesian people, namely Excelsa coffee. Excelsa coffee has very distinctive characteristics and aroma. Most of Wonomerto's residents have agricultural land and livestock that can produce coffee and livestock. However, villages that have cattle farms are still unable to utilize animal waste properly, and also residents who have coffee production only process it into ground coffee. Therefore, educational events and new programs for the Bokashi compost coffee market are being held. Apart from that, agricultural products and animal products that cannot yet be processed can be used as organic fertilizer using EM4 technology. The benefits of bokashi fertilizer are that it can increase the nutrient content of plants, reduce organic waste, and encourage the growth of plant microorganisms.

Air quality assessment of poultry and swine houses in Chonburi Province

ABSTRACT The increased consumption of animal products has led to a proliferation of animal husbandry operations, particularly in agricultural countries. Animal husbandry facilities or livestock farming directly impact the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of the environment, giving rise to various issues such as odors, contamination of water and air sources with pathogens, and potential contamination of meat products originating from these facilities. This research aims to assess the impacts on the physical (temperature, relative humidity and air velocity), chemical (carbon dioxide, total volatile organic compounds and particulate matter), and biological air quality assessment (amount and type of bioaerosols) aspects resulting from pig and poultry farming. The findings will serve as valuable data for managing and addressing these aforementioned issues. It was found that both in poultry and swine houses generated total suspended particles (TSP) and PM10 (Particulate Matter with a diameter of 10 µm or less). Analysis of poultry house exhaust revealed elevated concentrations of TSP and PM10 exceeding established health benchmarks. Chickens tend to produce a higher concentration of VOCs (2.07 ± 0.57 ppm) compared to swine (0.82 ± 0.53 ppm). Staphylococcus epidermidis was predominant bacteria in both swine and poultry houses while Cladosporium sp was the most prevalent fungi in poultry houses. These results in this study are very useful for developing targeted mitigation strategies, products, devices to address specific pollutants produced by each type of livestock, reducing overall environmental impact and improving air quality within and around animal husbandry facilities. Implications: This research highlights how the growing demand for meat is affecting the environment, especially in farming areas. By studying the effects of pig and poultry farming on things like air and water quality, the study shows the challenges these farms pose, like bad smells and pollution. They found that both types of farms release a lot of tiny particles and smelly chemicals into the air, but there are differences between them. Understanding these findings can help us develop ways to reduce the pollution from these farms and make the air cleaner for everyone.

Sustainable Fish Meal-Free Diets for Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata): Integrated Biomarker Response to Assess the Effects on Growth Performance, Lipid Metabolism, Antioxidant Defense and Immunological Status.

The growth of the aquaculture industry requires more sustainable and circular economy-driven aquafeed formulas. Thus, the goal of the present study was to assess in farmed gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) how different combinations of novel and conventional fish feed ingredients supported proper animal performance in terms of growth and physiological biomarkers of blood/liver/head kidney. A 77-day feeding trial was conducted with three experimental diets (PAP, with terrestrial processed animal protein from animal by-products; NOPAP, without processed animal protein from terrestrial animal by-products; MIX, a combination of alternative ingredients of PAP and NOPAP diets) and a commercial-type formulation (CTRL), and their effects on growth performance and markers of endocrine growth regulation, lipid metabolism, antioxidant defense and inflammatory condition were assessed at circulatory and tissue level (liver, head kidney). Growth performance was similar among all dietary treatments. However, fish fed the PAP diet displayed a lower feed conversion and protein efficiency, with intermediate values in MIX-fed fish. Such gradual variation in growth performance was supported by different biomarker signatures that delineated a lower risk of oxidation and inflammatory condition in NOPAP fish, in concurrence with an enhanced hepatic lipogenesis that did not represent a risk of lipoid liver degeneration.

The environmental effects of traditional livestock

Traditional livestock farming refers to rudimentary family-type livestock farms, which are carried out in small stables or caves and with limited resources. Traditional livestock farming has existed since ancient times, when humans began to domesticate animals for their benefit. Throughout history, traditional livestock farming has been an important source of food, products and services for rural communities. Eta is mainly dedicated to the breeding and management of domesticated animals for production purposes. These animals may include cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, poultry, among others. Traditional livestock activities may vary by region and community needs, but generally include the production of meat, milk, eggs, wool, and other animal products. In traditional livestock farming, native breeds adapted to the climatic and geographical conditions of the region are usually raised. These breeds tend to be more resistant to diseases and adverse conditions (greater rusticity). Natural feeding: Animals in traditional livestock farming feed mainly on grass and natural forage, which provides them with a balanced diet rich in nutrients. This contributes to the quality of the meat and dairy products obtained from these animals

Analyzing the Future of Pixar Based on the Current Status

Pixar Animation Studios is currently facing a challenging situation due to the intense competition in the animated film market. As a result, the study's purpose is to investigate how Pixar should develop in the future to get out of this predicament. To solve the research question, this article will discuss Pixar's achievements in animated films as a case study. The first reason for the problem is technological innovation. The suggestion is to develop the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) in animated film production and formats. The second reason for the problem is connected innovation; the suggestion is insisting on original IP and extending the industry chain. The third reason for the problem is not proactively catering to market needs; the suggestion is meeting diversified needs and strengthening international outreach cooperation. The value of this paper is to provide some reference suggestions for the development of animated films and fill the research gap in the future development of Pixar.

Predictors of Meat Reduction: The Case of Slovenia.

Health, environmental, and animal advocacy organisations emphasise reducing or eliminating high meat consumption due to its adverse effects on health, sustainability, climate change, and animal welfare. Increasingly, people are deciding to reduce their meat consumption frequency. Our study aimed to examine predictors of meat reduction among Slovenian consumers, focusing on gender, age, partner and children status, size of residential settlement, socioeconomic status, and political orientation. We conducted a survey using non-probability sampling. We examined demographic, socioeconomic, and political predictors of individuals' self-assessed intent to reduce meat consumption in the month following the survey. Additionally, we analysed respondents' meat reduction during the three years prior. A correlation analysis revealed that higher age and education levels were significantly positively correlated with meat reduction patterns. An ordinal logistic regression analysis indicated that age was the only significant predictor of meat reduction intentions and past behaviour. Our findings suggest that middle-aged and elderly individuals are more likely than younger adults to report meat reduction behaviours. Future public health interventions should tailor approaches to different age groups, and, in particular, target younger individuals. Educational campaigns should highlight the health and environmental benefits of reducing meat and animal product consumption, particularly in primary and secondary schools.

Comparison of EEVEE and Cycles Rendering Performance in Blender 3.5 in the Context of Interactive Visuals for 3D Animation

This research aims to compare the performance of two rendering engines, namely EEVEE and Cycles, available in Blender 3.5, in the context of developing interactive visual 3D animation. The rendering engine is a key element in 3D animation production, and the right choice between EEVEE and Cycles can have a significant impact on the final animation result. In this research, we conducted a series of experiments and analyzes to evaluate rendering speed, the quality of the resulting images, and the ability to achieve the visual effects desired by the animator. The results of this research provide deep insight into the strengths and limitations of each rendering engine in interactive 3D animation scenarios. These findings can help animators, game developers, and similar creative professionals make more informed choices when choosing a rendering engine that suits their project needs. Thus, this research contributes to the development of rendering techniques in the growing 3D animation industry.

The Effects of Animal Bone Ash on Asphalt Pavement Mixtures

This study focuses on alternative raw material sources to meet the demand for sustainable construction materials. Particularly, it is suggested that waste materials, such as animal by-products, could provide a solution for enhancing the mechanical properties and durability of asphalt concrete. The research aims to improve the physical and mechanical properties of asphalt concrete by utilizing bone powder obtained from Category 3 animal by-products through a hydrolysis procedure. Experiments conducted showed that the addition of 5% bone powder increased maximum stability when used in conjunction with different percentages of bitumen. Overall, some positive developments were observed in the physical and mechanical properties of asphalt concrete containing animal bone ash, possibly due to strengthening the bond between aggregate particles and bitumen material. This study highlights the potential of animal bone ash in improving the mechanical properties of asphalt concrete and recommends a 5% bone powder addition for optimum stability and durability. However, further research and field tests are needed to better understand the long-term effects of animal bone ash and its performance under different road conditions.

Analysis of Odor Nuisance Emitted by a Rendering Plant Processing Animal By-products, Which is Located in the Center of a Several-thousand Population Village

The constantly growing need for livestock production for food purposes generates huge amounts of animal by-products unfit for human consumption. Therefore, the number of rendering plants that facilitate the recovery of animal waste in the form of fat and protein flour constantly grows. Odors emitted from rendering processes can significantly impact air quality, causing nuisance for humans, especially when the plant is close to residential areas. This research focuses on the concentration of odour emission from thermal rendering operations determined by dynamic olfactometry and removal efficiency in the 3-stage water scrubber used in the investigated plant. Among the 6 process air stream emitters investigated, 3 presented the major odorous contributions according to their high odorant concentrations. The elimination of odour nuisance by a 3-stage water scrubber revealed a low removal efficiency of less than 55%. Such an outcome suggested inappropriate conditions such as alkaline pH and low odorant solubility in water. Thus, other removal methods need to be implemented to achieve satisfactory results.

Collagen extraction and physicochemical characterization of animal by-products

Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in animals, being the main component of the skin, and can be researched and utilized by the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food, and packaging industries. The present study investigates the extraction and quantification of collagen from three different animal sources: beef mocotó, chicken feet, and tambaqui swim bladder. Using the method of extraction in soluble acid solution (acetic acid) and precipitation in sodium chloride saline solution, collagen yields and their physicochemical properties were determined. The results revealed that the tambaqui swim bladder, especially the outer layer, presented the highest yield (39.97%), followed by chicken feet (3.49%) and bovine mocotó (1.79%). This study highlights the viability of these sources for the production of high-quality collagen, with potential applications in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and biomaterials industries, promoting a sustainable and economical approach to the use of animal by-products.

Analysis and comparison of blood metabolome of forest musk deer in musk secretion and non-secretion periods

Musk is an important animal product, but the musk secretion mechanism of forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) is still unclear. The musk synthesis process in forest musk deer is extremely complex, and many raw materials are directly or indirectly derived from forest musk deer blood. In this study, metabolomics was used to analyze the blood of forest musk deer in secretory and non-secretory phases for the first time, aim at explaining the secretion mechanism from the perspective of blood metabolism. We found that P450-related, choline-related, axonal regeneration and other pathways and related metabolites were significantly enriched during the musk secretion of forest musk deer. These pathways and metabolites related to P450 and choline in blood may have important implications for the mechanism of musk secretion in forest musk deer, because blood components were closely related to musk components and could provide raw materials for musk synthesis in musk gland cells.

Seroprevalence of Brucella among Patients Visiting a Single-Center Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Brucellosis is a disease that can be contracted by humans through contact with infected animals or animal products. It can be transmitted through contaminated dairy products, so caution must be exercised when handling and preparing food. By taking precautions, the spread of this disease can be mitigated to protect both humans and animals. (1) Brucella spp is a type of bacteria that can cause an infection. The symptoms of this infection can range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe complications that affect different parts of the body. Because Brucella is able to invade the body and avoid the immune system, it's important to get an accurate diagnosis and start treatment as soon as possible. (2). (3)  Method: The study was conducted at Kalkaal Hospital from 2019 to 2023, spanning three years. Patients who went to the hospital's Outpatient department and were screened for Brucella were included in the study. Data on patients' demographics, including their residence, gender, age, and Brucella screening results, were collected and recorded over the study period. The participants' blood samples were gathered and analyzed for Brucella infection through a variety of diagnostic The clinical assessment included an examination of symptoms, medical history, and possible exposure to Brucella. To detect specific antibodies (IgM and IgG) against Brucella present in the blood serum, serological tests such as the Serum Agglutination Test (SAT), ELISA, and Rose Bengal Test were conducted. The blood samples were analyzed to identify the Brucella bacteria through blood cultures. In addition, the presence of Brucella DNA was confirmed in various clinical samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The Kalkaal Hospital Research Review Board gave approval for the study protocol. Data cleaning was carried out with the help of Excel. The analysis of data was performed using SPSS software version 25.  Results: According to the analysis of the data, 30.3% of patients were men, and 69.7% of patients were women. The age ranges were 0–19: 1245 (8.1%), 20–29: 3951 (25.7%), 30-39: 3027 (19.7%), 40–49: 1786 (11.6%), and 50+: 4582. (29.9 percent). In addition, 14884 (97.0%) of the outcomes were negative, while only 465 (3.0%) were positive.  Conclusion: The research carried out at Kalkaal Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia, has revealed important information about the prevalence of Brucella infection in the area. The results suggest that a significant number of patients have tested positive for Brucella antibodies, which indicates that the disease is a significant burden on the local population. These findings add to the global knowledge of brucellosis and emphasize its severe and long-term effects. It is important for experts in this field to have further discussions and come to a consensus on how to address this issue.

Enhancing Animal Nutrition and Sustainability: The Vital Role of Genetically Modified Crops in Animal Feeding

Agriculture and livestock are fundamental to the economies of developing countries. A substantial portion of crop harvests is allocated for animal feed. Thus, more technological advancements are necessary to enhance agricultural productivity and provide affordable feed. Future biotech crops are expected to play a crucial role in this area. The goal is often to introduce traits into plants that do not naturally occur in these species. These new traits may include resistance to pests, diseases, or environmental conditions, or the production of specific nutrients or pharmaceutical agents. GM crops have indirectly benefited the livestock sector by increasing the yield of feed ingredients and improving quality traits. These crops are primarily used in livestock feed rations as energy and/or protein sources. Numerous animal feeding studies have been conducted to demonstrate that genetically modified crops are as nutritious and wholesome as compared to their conventional counterparts. No biological relevant differences in animal performance, health, or animal product (meat and milk) composition had been observed in various studies conducted. Overall, no significant differences in gain, intake, and feed conversion have been reported. Since the GM crop’s composition is not different from its conventional counterpart [except for the introduced transgene(s) and expressed protein(s)] and the expressed transgenic protein is rapidly digested in the digestive system, one would not expect any unintended effects. The introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops into the market undergoes extensive testing and a rigorous approval process to ensure food, feed, and environmental safety. This process includes thorough analyses before GM crops are deemed safe for commercial use. GM livestock feed is assessed for its nutritional composition and digestibility by comparing it with conventional crops. Therefore, while GM crops have the potential to enhance the efficiency of animal agriculture by improving nutritional content, reducing pesticide use, and increasing crop yields, it is essential to approach their adoption with caution.

Population genomics of emerging multidrug-resistant Salmonella derby from pork and human in Guangdong, China

Salmonella is a foodborne pathogen that poses a severe public health threat. Salmonella enterica serovar Derby (S. Derby) is one of the top five serovars isolated from humans and animals, and it carries the potential risk of transmission to humans through consumption of pork and related products. This study isolated 98 S. Derby, mainly from pork, and clinical samples in Guangdong to investigate and compare their molecular characteristics, phylogenetic relationships, transmission routes, antimicrobial resistance phenotypes, genotypes, and virulence profiles. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) revealed that all S. Derby isolates belonged to ST40 and displayed a relatively large core genome. Phylogenomic analysis indicated the possibility of clonal transmission of S. Derby not only between pork and humans but also across geographic areas in Guangdong over an extended period of time. Discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) model showed that a significant proportion of S. Derby isolates retrieved from multiple hosts originated from pork. Furthermore, similar antimicrobial resistance phenotypes and genotypes were found in S. Derby strains recovered from animal products and humans. All S. Derby isolates were found to contain numerous virulence genes, primarily related to fimbrial adherence determinants and secretion system components. This study offers valuable insights into the transmission routes of S. Derby between pork and humans and provides essential data for public health management.

Business Models and Cultural Negotiations between Chinese and Japanese Enterprises and Organizations: A Study Based on the IP Licensing Process of the Japanese Animation Industry

The Japanese animation industry has developed for a long time. It is one of the most mature animation markets. Globalization serves as a new and inexhaustible driving force for the Japanese animation industry. China as an active responder to globalization, has already become the largest consumer of the products of Japanese animation. However, there are some differences between the business models and cultures in Chinese and Japanese enterprises and organizations in trading and negotiating on IP licensing. In the early days, the Japanese animation industry generally adopted a single-investor financing model, which means where the investor bore all profits and losses. Since the 1990s, the Japanese animation industry has gradually formed and adopted a multi-member collaborative model centered around a "production committee" to invest and produce animation products, in which the members of the “production committee” co-invest, share risks, and achieve mutual benefits and win-win. The variation in business models is intricately linked to the different market economy environment at the time. With the development of globalization, as investors and copyright owners of animation works and products, the multi-member "production committee" plays a significant role in the overseas licensing operations of Japanese animation IPs, which requires professional teams or enterprises with cross-cultural experience necessitating coordination by.

Perceptions and practices of Swedish wild boar hunters in relation to African swine fever before the first outbreak in Sweden

BackgroundThe first outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Sweden was detected in 2023 in wild boar. This study was conducted before the first ASF outbreak with the objective of investigating Swedish hunters’ perceptions and practices pertaining to ASF ahead of any potential future outbreak.A mixed-methods interview study with Swedish wild boar hunters, consisting of focus group discussions and a questionnaire, was undertaken between October 2020 and December 2021. Six focus groups were conducted online, and an online questionnaire with questions related to practices and habits concerning hunting, the use of bait and hunting trips was sent to all members of the Swedish Hunting and Wildlife Association. A total of 3244 responses were received.ResultsThree general themes were identified in a thematic analysis of the data from the focus groups: hunters are willing to engage in ASF prevention and control, simplicity and feasibility are crucial for the implementation of reporting, sampling and control measures, and more information and the greater involvement of the authorities are required in ASF prevention and control. Results from the questionnaire showed that the use of bait was common. Products of animal origin were rarely used for baiting; the most common product used was maize. Hunting trips abroad, especially outside of the Nordic countries, were uncommon.ConclusionsHunting tourism and the use of bait do not seem to constitute a major risk for the introduction of ASF to wild boar populations in Sweden. The accessibility of relevant information for each concerned stakeholder and the ease of reporting and sampling are crucial to maintain the positive engagement of hunters.

Rancid rumors or Native wisdom: Evaluating the efficacy of animal fats as insect repellents attributed to historic-period Native Americans.

Little is known about Native American adaptations to blood-sucking arthropods prior to and following European contact. Multiple accounts starting in the 16th century suggest that rancid animal grease was employed by Gulf Coast indigenes as a mosquito repellent. Although many Native American ethnobotanical remedies for biting insects have been recorded, the use of animal products for this purpose is not well documented. Moreover, few traditional Native American mosquito repellents have been examined using controlled laboratory methods for repellency testing. In this study, we tested the repellent efficacy of fats derived from alligator, bear, cod, and shark that were aged to various stages of rancidity. Using yellow fever mosquitoes, (Aedes aegypti), we performed an arm-in-cage assay to measure the complete protection times resulted from these fats, when applied to human skin. We used a Y-tube olfactometer assay to evaluate long-distance repellency and tested tick-repellency in a crawling assay. Our results suggest that rancid animal fats from cod, bear, and alligator are potent albeit short-lived mosquito repellents. We found that both rancid and fresh fats do not repel ticks. Our findings show the validity of traditional ethnozoological knowledge of Native American people and support aspects of the ethnohistorical record.