Tannins in ruminant feeding: effects of tannin type and dosage on rumen fermentation, production performance, health, and sustainability.

Integrated biological characteristics, enzyme activity, and gene expression profile analyses of Spodoptera frugiperda larvae in response to caffeic acid exposure.

Dietary fiber (DF) in poultry nutrition was once viewed mainly as an anti-nutritional factor that reduced energy density and nutrient digestibility. Current research shows DF can play important functional roles in gut health, nutrient utilization, and overall performance when its type and inclusion level are carefully managed. Fiber fractions differ widely in chemical composition and physical properties such as solubility, water-holding capacity, and water-binding capacity. These factors influence digesta viscosity, passage rate, microbial fermentation, and satiety, making precise fiber characterization critical for effective diet formulation. Traditional methods like crude fiber analysis underestimate total fiber and miss key soluble fractions. Modern approaches, including total dietary fiber analysis and near-infrared spectroscopy allow for better quantification of both insoluble and soluble components and support incorporation into real-time feed formulation. By understanding and targeting specific non-starch polysaccharides or oligosaccharides, nutritionists can promote beneficial fermentation, encourage short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and minimize undesirable protein fermentation or pathogen growth. Dietary fiber also supports intestinal barrier function by stimulating gut development, increasing villus height, and fueling epithelial cells through SCFAs. However, poorly balanced fiber can impair nutrient absorption, increase maintenance energy needs, or elevate digesta viscosity, particularly in young birds. Monitoring gut health is now possible by using biomarkers as tools to evaluate intestinal integrity, inflammation, and microbial balance as we investigate the impact of dietary fiber, but further work is needed to standardize these measures and account for flock variability When properly applied, DF can enhance feed efficiency, improve welfare by reducing hunger-driven behaviors, support reproductive performance, and strengthen disease resilience. A data-driven, precision approach combining accurate fiber analysis, enzyme supplementation, microbiome profiling, and non-invasive gut health biomarkers offers the greatest potential to optimize both productivity and sustainability in poultry systems. The purpose of this symposium was to stimulate discussion and enhance understanding of dietary fiber and its potential benefits in improving poultry production. This paper provides an overview of each contributing author's role in the symposium. Dr. Caitlin Evans addressed the challenges associated with current fiber nomenclature and emphasized the need to improve analytical methods and overall understanding of fiber. She brings strong credibility to this topic as a Technical Manager for Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Feed Milling Engineer at AB Vista, and as a Ph.D. graduate of Kansas State University. Dr. Amy Petry shared her expertise on the impact of fiber in swine nutrition and how these findings can be applied to poultry. She is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Animal Sciences at the University of Missouri, where her research focuses on improving fiber utilization and its effects on energy efficiency and animal health. Dr. Tim Johnson, Professor in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Minnesota, highlighted the importance of understanding the poultry microbiome and its role in developing strategies to enhance bird performance. Dr. Mike Kogut contributed his expertise as a Research Microbiologist and Lead Scientist with the Food and Feed Safety Research Unit at the Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center. Finally, Dr. Carrie Walk, Head of Research at AB Vista, along with Dr. Tara York, AB Vista's Technical Director for North America, integrated the key themes of the symposium, connecting the presented research and practical applications.

Effects of esculetin on growth performance, carcass traits, intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme, barrier function and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens.

Assessment of the energy and protein requirements for tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum, Cuvier 1818) using the factorial approach

Interaction of milk fat globule membrane protein with liposome and its influence on the physicochemical properties, structure, and lipid digestion of infant formula emulsions: Toward mimicking the human milk fat globule.

Spray-dried microencapsulation enhances probiotic viability and stability during food processing and digestion, but process evaluation typically measures only cultivable cells, which overlooks sublethal cellular damage. Accurate assessment of probiotic survival and functionality requires integrating structural, physiological, and viability analyses, particularly when optimizing processes or using new protective materials. This study addresses this knowledge gap by using galactoglucomannans (GGM) and glucuronoxylans (GX), emerging polysaccharide-based materials derived from forest industry side-streams with multicomponent and heterogeneous molecular structures, as protective matrices for the well-characterized, dehydration-sensitive probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) during spray drying at low (140/50 °C) and high (170/70 °C) inlet/outlet temperatures, with gum Arabic (GA) serving as a reference. The effects of these materials and processing conditions on probiotic survival and cell integrity, as well as on the physicochemical and microstructural properties of the resulting powders, were investigated. The results showed that elevated drying temperatures markedly decreased LGG viability and compromised cell integrity, especially in GGM-based powders, as indicated by greater salt sensitivity, lower ζ-potential, and surface damage observed via atomic force microscopy. Conversely, higher temperatures improved yield, lowered water activity and moisture content, and had minimal effects on particle size, amorphous structure, and water sorption isotherms, including monolayer moisture content. Although all microcapsules remained spherical, elevated drying temperatures produced thinner, less uniform protective layers, especially in GX- and GGM-based microcapsules. These findings highlight the importance of carefully controlling probiotic spray drying conditions when using wood-based hemicellulose matrices to balance structural integrity and viability with desirable powder properties. • Wood hemicelluloses were used as sustainable carriers for probiotic encapsulation. • Elevated drying temperatures significantly reduced probiotic viability. • Structural damage to cells during spray drying adversely affected probiotic survival. • Higher drying temperatures enhanced process yield but reduced moisture content. • High-temperature drying produced thinner and less uniform protective layers.

Angus-based heifers (F0; n = 72; 14 to 15 mo; initial body weight [BW] = 380.4 ± 50.56 kg) were ranked by BW, bred via artificial insemination (AI) with female-sexed semen, and assigned to receive a basal diet (CON; n = 36) or the basal diet plus a vitamin and mineral supplement (VTM; n = 36) with the total mixed ration. Treatments were applied from breeding through calving, after which cow-calf pairs (n = 14 CON; n = 17 VTM) received a common diet. A subset of F1 heifers (n = 7 CON; n = 9 VTM) were bred via AI with female-sexed semen and evaluated from breeding through d 250 of gestation when pregnant heifers were slaughtered. Nutrient balance and energy metabolism were measured each trimester via apparent total tract digestibility and indirect calorimetry. Blood samples were collected each trimester and at harvest for hormone/metabolite analysis. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with repeated measures where appropriate, with treatment, time, and interaction included as fixed effects and animal as the experimental unit. In F1 heifers, digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and N was not influenced by treatment (P ≥ 0.21) but decreased (P ≤ 0.03) as gestation advanced. Fecal energy (FE) losses, heat production (HP) as a percentage of gross energy intake, and retained energy (RE) were not affected by treatment (P ≥ 0.52); however, FE and HP increased (P ≤ 0.03) while RE decreased (P = 0.01) with advancing gestation. Circulating insulin concentration was greater (P < 0.01) in VTM heifers, whereas glucose decreased (P < 0.01) and non-esterified fatty acids and blood urea nitrogen increased (P ≤ 0.01) as gestation progressed. Body weight was greater (P < 0.01) in VTM heifers and at slaughter, VTM heifers tended (P ≤ 0.10) to have heavier carcasses and greater ribeye area than CON. The F1 CON heifers had heavier spleens relative to BW (P = 0.04) whereas other organs did not differ (P ≥ 0.17). In F2 fetuses, CON tended to have heavier reproductive tracts and spleens (P ≤ 0.10) with no other differences in organ weights (P ≥ 0.13), whereas VTM fetuses had greater (P = 0.01) blood glucose concentration. These results indicate that prenatal micronutrient supplementation programs growth and metabolic function across generations, with minimal effects on organ mass. Advancing gestation reduced efficiency of energy and nitrogen use, reflecting nutrient partitioning shifts supporting fetal growth.

Chromium in its hexavalent form (Cr6+) is highly toxic and widely recognized for its persistence and bioaccumulative potential in aquatic ecosystems. Despite extensive reports on chromium toxicity, information on its integrated physiological, biochemical and enzymatic impacts on widely cultured fishes remains limited. The present study evaluated both acute and sublethal effects of chromium on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), an ecologically and commercially important fish species. The results of the acute toxicity testing revealed a 96-h LC50 value of 49.40 mg L-1. During the 30-day sublethal trial, significant (p < 0.05) alterations in haematological parameters were recorded, including 28%-40% reductions in RBC, haemoglobin and haematocrit, along with an increase in WBC, indicating anaemia and stress-induced immune activation. Serum biochemical results showed a 40%-45% rise in glucose levels and a significant decline in total protein and albumin (p < 0.05), reflecting metabolic stress and impaired liver function. Digestive enzyme activities were inhibited, with protease, amylase and lipase decreasing by 10%-35%, suggesting impaired nutrient digestion and assimilation. Physiological indices, including HSI and GaSI, decreased by over 50%, whereas specific growth rate (SGR) indicated negative values, demonstrating suppressed growth and reduced energy utilization. Collectively, these findings provided mechanistic evidence that chromium toxicity induces haematological alterations, leading to impaired oxygen transport, metabolic imbalance and reduced digestive efficiency in O. niloticus. These results also highlighted the ecological risk of chromium contamination in freshwater systems and emphasize the need for stricter regulation of metal discharge to safeguard aquatic biodiversity and aquaculture productivity.

Immunoglobulin M response in different intestinal segments of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) following largemouth bass virus (LMBV) infection.

Effects of water temperature on digestive protease activity and apparent nutrient digestibility in Pacific whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931)

Infill density mediates human oral breakdown and nutrient digestion kinetics of 3D-printed wheat-pea protein foods

Animal gastrointestinal tracts generally evolved towards a diverse and spatially structured organ system for efficient food digestion. In it, food is chemically broken down and bacterial load reduced by gastric acid in the stomach, acting as a "gatekeeper" for microbes entering the intestines where chyme nutrients and water are absorbed. The natural microbiota across gastrointestinal tract zones support digestion, compete with ingested pathogens and acts itself as an immune stimulus. Despite its important role, several lineages of fish, such as pipefishes, have secondarily lost their stomach and evolved agastric digestion, with unknown consequences to their intestines' microbiomes. Here, we test how stomach loss might affect the microbiome by investigating the fore-, mid- and hindgut's autochthonous microbiota of the Baltic Sea broadnosed pipefish, Syngnathus typhle, and comparing it to the stomach, fore- and hindgut's autochthonous microbiota of the sympatric and ecologically similar three-spine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus. Using 16S-rRNA gene sequencing and qPCR, we show that microbial abundance is high in the stomach, accompanied by high alpha diversity, but low in the intestine of G. aculeatus, although microbial diversity remains at intermediate levels - a pattern almost inversed in S. typhle. G. aculeatus' stomach has the most distinct microbiota across gastrointestinal zones; however, this species' intestines' microbes are also found in S. typhle. In contrast, the pipefish's hindgut is the most distinct zone, and many microbes shared across its whole intestine are not found in the G. aculeatus. Our data supports the notion of the stomach and its distinct microbiome being an immunological gatekeeper for the gut, but also suggests that S. typhle might benefit from the additional microbes as many indicator taxa are suspected to act as mutualistic symbionts. Stomach-loss may therefore be a trade-off between improved chemical digestion capabilities and an immunological gate-keeper vs. improved microbial digestion and increased immune stimulation.

Two experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that there are interactive effects of feed intake and fiber type on energy and nutrient digestibility in growing pigs. In Exp. 1, twelve barrows with an initial body weight (BW) of 34.0 kg (SD = 2.6) were allotted to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangements consisting of 2 daily feeding levels (9.0% and 4.5% × BW0.75) and 3 experimental diets in a replicated 6 × 4 incomplete Latin square design with 6 treatments and 4 periods. The experimental diets were a corn-soybean meal-based diet, a diet containing 30% sugar beet pulp (SBP, soluble dietary fiber 19.1% and insoluble dietary fiber 48.5%), and a diet containing 15% corn cobs (soluble dietary fiber 1.1% and insoluble dietary fiber 83.8%). Results indicated that there were no interactions between feed intake and fiber type on energy and nutrient digestibility. The reduction of feed intake increased (P < 0.05) digesta passage time and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy, dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in pigs. The SBP diet had greater (P < 0.05) ATTD of energy, DM, OM, NDF, and ADF compared with the corn cob diet. The ingredient SBP also had greater (P < 0.01) ATTD of energy, DM, OM, crude protein, NDF, and ADF compared with corn cobs. In Exp. 2, ten ileal-cannulated barrows with an initial BW of 38.3 kg (SD = 5.4) were allotted to 5 treatment groups in a replicated 5 × 4 incomplete Latin square design with 5 treatments and 4 periods to obtain 8 observations for each treatment. A 1 + 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement consisted of a corn-soybean meal-based diet fed at 9.0% × BW0.75 per day and 2 main effects of feeding levels (9.0% and 4.5% × BW0.75) and fiber type (a 30% SBP diet and a 15% corn cob diet). The ATTD and hindgut disappearance of energy, DM, OM, NDF, and ADF in the SBP diet were greater (P < 0.05) compared with the corn cob diet. When calculated by difference for the digestibility of ingredients, the ATTD and hindgut disappearance of energy, NDF, and ADF in SBP was greater (P < 0.05) than those in corn cobs. Taken together, feed intake reduction resulted in increased fiber digestibility. The SBP rich in soluble dietary fiber had greater energy and fiber digestibility compared with corn cobs composed mostly of insoluble dietary fiber. No interaction existed between feed intake and fiber type in the digestibility of growing pigs.

This study elucidated how synchronized glucose and amino acid availability regulates muscle deposition. 540 21 day-old broilers followed a 3 × 3 factorial design: AM/AP ratios (0.19, 0.29, 0.41) and SID Lys levels (1.00%, 1.20%, 1.40%). Significant interactions between AM/AP ratios and SID Lys levels on BW, BWG, breast and thigh muscle percentage, and protein deposition, 0.19 AM/AP with 1.20% SID Lys was highest, whereas 0.41 AM/AP with 1.40% SID Lys was lowest. These represented synchronized (RDS) and asynchronous (SDS) model, respectively. Compared to SDS, RDS increased serum glucose and IGF-1 levels, nutrient digestibility, and transporter expression (GLUT2, SGLT1, CAT1). Metabolomics revealed RDS optimized glycolytic and TCA flux while attenuating Lys catabolism (AASS, ALDH7A1, AADAT). Molecularly, RDS activated AKT/mTOR-mediated synthesis and suppressed AMPK/FoxO3a-mediated degradation. Collectively, synchronizing nutrients via rapidly digestible starch (0.19 AM/AP) optimizes metabolic flux and mitigates amino acid wastage, offering a critical strategy for enhancing performance in low-protein diets.

Decoding the complexity of intestinal immunity with spatial transcriptomics.

Cellular pulse flours, containing intact cotyledon cells, can be incorporated in various food products to stimulate pulse consumption. This has been shown to slow gastric and small intestinal nutrient digestion compared to traditional, raw-milled flours. Though increasing evidence points to the considerable contribution of the oral phase in the digestion of solid starch-rich food products, this phase has been omitted from most studies. Therefore, this study applied both in vivo and in vitro oral processes to study their impact on starch digestion in innovative bean-based wraps with distinct microstructures. In vivo mastication was performed by 38 participants, who showed large differences in chewing behaviour. However, this variability did not affect bolus microstructure, with intact cells present in all boluses of wraps containing cellular flour. Incorporation of these cells significantly decreased oral starch hydrolysis from 10 to 7%, although large inter-individual differences were seen. This variation probably contributed to the absence of clear correlations between mastication parameters and starch digestibility. All tested in vitro oral phase simulations resulted in similar bolus microstructures to in vivo observations, with intact cells causing a non-significant decrease in starch digestion. In vitro amylolysis levels were within the in vivo range, while the exact extent was significantly affected by the applied amylase activity. Moreover, Bacillus sp. amylase was shown to be a suitable, cost-efficient alternative to human salivary amylase. As substantial amounts of starch were hydrolysed, this study highlights the importance of considering a relevant oral phase when evaluating the digestibility of starch-rich solid foods.

Habitual exercise is considered to be one of the factors that influence diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT). Still, whether DIT differs between athletes and non-athletes remains unclear due to the effects of test meal's volume and nutritional composition. This study aimed to reveal whether the DIT of athletes differs from that of non-athletes after ingesting an isoenergetic meal with a typical nutritional composition in Japan. Twenty-six highly trained male athletes and 11 male non-athletes participated in this study. Measurements for determining DIT consisted of measurements of resting energy expenditure (REE) and postprandial energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry using the Douglas bag technique. After measuring REE, participants ingested a liquid test meal (600kcal, 15% energy from protein, 25% energy from fat, and 60% energy from carbohydrates). Postprandial energy expenditure was measured up to 180min. Thermogenesis at each postprandial time point was calculated by subtracting REE from postprandial energy expenditure. DIT over the 200-min period was determined from the area under the curve. The results showed no significant differences in DIT and the percentage of DIT to test meal energy over the 200-min period. The thermogenesis at 20, 40, and 60min after ingestion of the test meal were 27.5%, 25.8%, and 27.0% greater in athletes than in non-athletes, respectively. There were no differences in DIT between athletes and non-athletes, but thermogenesis was significantly higher in athletes during the first 60min of the DIT measurement, indicating differences in digestion, absorption, or storage of nutrients.

Introduction Intensive swine production systems in China face dual challenges of severe soybean meal (SBM) resource shortages and environmental nitrogen pollution. While low-protein diets offer a potential solution, the synergistic effects of ingredient diversification and exogenous enzyme supplementation on the sow-milk-piglet axis remain poorly characterized. Methods A 2×2 factorial design experiment with 40 multiparous sows was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a low-protein, diversified diet (LDD, formulated with a variety of feed ingredients) supplemented with compound enzymes (E). Sows were assigned to four groups: conventional corn-SBM (CS), CS+E, LDD, and LDD+E. Results LDD maintained similar production performance including average daily feed intake, backfat loss, and piglet weaning weight compared with CS. The LDD+E group had the shortest weaning-to-estrus interval (4.5 d) and higher crude protein digestibility (83.47%). LDD+E decreased maternal serum urea nitrogen and piglet serum tumor necrosis factor-α concentration, and enriched beneficial bacteria Ligilactobacillus and Enterococcus in piglets. Conclusions LDD effectively reduces SBM without compromising production performance in lactating sows. When combined with compound enzymes, it further improves nitrogen utilization efficiency, alleviates maternal inflammation, and shortens the WEI, thereby promoting offspring health via the sow-milk-piglet axis.

This study evaluated the effects of forage source (alfalfa hay, AH; vs. wheat straw, WS) and delivery method (mixed, MIX; vs. separate, SP) on growth performance, health, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, and blood metabolites in Holstein dairy calves. Forty-eight heifer calves were assigned from d 4 to 79 of age to four treatments based on finely ground calf starters offered either separately or mixed with AH or WS: SP-AH, SP-WS, MIX-AH, and MIX-WS. Forage source and delivery method did not affect body weight (BW) or feed efficiency (FE). During the pre-weaning period, SP calves tended to have greater total dry matter intake (TDMI), starter, and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake, with the highest forage intake in SP-AH calves. Post-weaning, WS calves exhibited greater average daily gain (ADG), TDMI, starter, and NDF intake than AH calves. Overall, SP increased forage intake, whereas WS tended to increase TDMI, starter, and NDF intake. AH increased nutrient digestibility on day 72 and body length, and SP-AH calves had greater hip width at weaning. SP tended to reduce post-weaning diarrhea days, whereas WS calves required more medical treatments. WS feeding increased eating and ruminating time and reduced lying time across the study. Post-weaning, MIX calves had higher total volatile fatty acid (VFA) and acetate concentrations, and tended toward lower ruminal pH. Post-weaning, WS calves had higher blood glucose, while AH calves tended to have higher blood urea nitrogen. In conclusion, forage source and delivery method differentially influenced intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation, health, and selected growth responses of dairy calves in a stage-dependent manner.