Animal Safety Research Articles

Influence of complex feed additive on the microstructure of the spleen of white rats

Feeding calves during the dairy period is a very important and responsible moment, since it is during this period that the intensive growth and development of animals, the formation of the immune system, and the reserve for future productivity take place. Therefore, diets should be balanced not only in terms of the nutritional value of the main components, but also in terms of vitamin and mineral composition. Very often, in order for the diet to be balanced in biologically active substances, various feed additives are used, the effectiveness of which varies. Therefore, the purpose of the research was to evaluate the possibility of using and study the effect of liposomal feed additives on the growth and safety of calves. The research was conducted in one of the farms of the Leningrad region. The duration of the experiment was 60 days. During the study period, the drug "LipoLad" was introduced into the diet of experimental animals in the form of a feed additive, the animals of the control group received the main diet of the dairy period. The dynamics of changes in live weight were determined by the results of weighing calves at the ages of 2 and 4 months, in addition, the effectiveness of the drug was checked by the safety of young animals during the study period. At the end of the experiment, biochemical blood tests were performed. As a result of the conducted research, it was found that the use of liposomal feed additives has a positive effect on the growth and safety of young animals.

Study on Rapid, Quantitative, and Simultaneous Detection of Drug Residues and Immunoassay in Chickens.

Different levels of residual drugs can be monitored within a relatively safe range without causing harm to human health if the appropriate dosing methodology is considered and the drug withdrawal period is controlled during poultry and livestock raising. Antimicrobials are factors that can suppress the growth of microorganisms, and antibiotic residues in livestock farming have been considered as a potential cause of antimicrobial resistance in animals and humans. Antimicrobial drug resistance is associated with the capability of a microorganism to survive the inhibitory effects of the antimicrobial components. Antibiotic residue presence in chicken is a human health concern due to its negative effects on consumer health. Neglected aspects related to the application of veterinary drugs may threaten the safety of both humans and animals, as well as their environment. The detection of chemical contaminants is essential to ensure food quality. The most important antibiotic families used in veterinary medicines are β-lactams (penicillins and cephalosporins), tetracyclines, chloramphenicols, macrolides, spectinomycin, lincosamide, sulphonamides, nitrofuranes, nitroimidazoles, trimethoprim, polymyxins, quinolones, and macrocyclics (glycopeptides, ansamycins, and aminoglycosides). Antibiotic residue presence is the main contributor to the development of antibiotic resistance, which is considered a chief concern for both human and animal health worldwide. The incorrect application and misuse of antibiotics carry the risk of the presence of residues in the edible tissues of the chicken, which can cause allergies and toxicity in hypersensitive consumers. The enforcement of the regulation of food safety depends on efficacious monitoring of antimicrobial residues in the foodstuff. In this review, we have explored the rapid detection of drug residues in broilers.

Degradation mechanism of PGNa by the immobilized degrading enzymes from magnetic fermentation residue biochar.

The development of a method to efficiently remove high concentrations of penicillin G sodium (PGNa) from the environment is important for human and animal health and safety. In this study, the degradative enzymes were immobilized by adsorption using biochar from penicillin fermentation waste residue, which could efficiently remove PGNa (900mg/L) from an aqueous solution, with a removal rate of 99.84% within 20min. The successful immobilization of the PGNa-degrading enzymes was verified by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analyzer. The adsorption mechanism of SAMB on the enzymes was also analyzed by adsorption kinetics and molecular docking calculations, which were mainly chemisorption and physisorption. By comparing with the free enzymes, the immobilized enzymes were found to have better thermal stability, pH adaptability, reusability, and storage stability. In addition, combined with the LC-MS analysis of the removal products, three removal pathways were postulated, including the reactions of β-lactam ring cleavage, decarboxylation, demethylation, deamidation, and oxidation. Finally, the toxicity of the removal products was evaluated using ECOSAR software, and the results showed that the intermediate products had low toxicity. This study is the first to use penicillin waste residue immobilized degradative enzymes to remove PGNa, and it provides a new low-cost option for remediation of PGNa contamination in the environment. It is important for the efficient degradation of residual PGNa in the environment.

Categorising reported errors and incidents from morbidity and mortality meetings (M&Ms) in a small animal multi-specialty veterinary teaching hospital.

Errors in veterinary clinical settings can lead to patient harm. Morbidity and mortality meetings (M&Ms) are forums to discuss errors and incidents that can lead or have led to adverse outcomes, potential harm or unsafe conditions, with the purpose of improving patient safety in future. Despite growing implementation of M&Ms in veterinary medicine, their effectiveness in improving future patient safety may be constrained by the need for absolute confidentiality during meetings. To pilot the use of a simple framework to categorise errors and incidents triggering M&Ms in a multi-specialty Australian veterinary teaching hospital. A retrospective analysis of deidentified M&M summaries over 5 years (2018-2023) from a small animal multi-specialty veterinary teaching hospital. Animal demographic and incident information were extracted, classified by incident type and severity of harm adapted from Wallis and colleagues (2019). Descriptive statistics were produced for error category, severity, incident type and quarter of the year they occurred in. Recommendations were analysed using codebook thematic analysis. There were 68 cases in total. The most common overall errors were oversight (n = 26/25.0%), drug (n = 20/19.2%), iatrogenic (n = 17, 16.3%) and staff (n = 17, 16.3%). Most cases resulted in temporary harm (n = 36, 52.9%), though 20.6% (n = 14) resulted in death, euthanasia or permanent harm. The most frequent recommendations were 'improving communications and record keeping', improving staff training' and 'ensuring appropriate equipment is available'. Categorisation of errors using this simple framework can facilitate sharing of information which can be used to refine practices and improve animal safety, without compromising confidentiality of M&M meetings.

Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Neuroinflammation Intervention with Medicinal Plants: A Critical and Narrative Review of the Current Literature.

Neuroinflammation is a key factor in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, driven by the dysregulation of molecular pathways and activation of the brain's immune system, resulting in the release of pro-inflammatory and oxidative molecules. This chronic inflammation is exacerbated by peripheral leukocyte infiltration into the central nervous system. Medicinal plants, with their historical use in traditional medicine, have emerged as promising candidates to mitigate neuroinflammation and offer a sustainable alternative for addressing neurodegenerative conditions in a green healthcare framework. This review evaluates the effects of medicinal plants on neuroinflammation, emphasizing their mechanisms of action, effective dosages, and clinical implications, based on a systematic search of databases such as PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. The key findings highlight that plants like Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala, Curcuma longa, Cannabis sativa, and Dioscorea nipponica reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β), inhibit enzymes (COX-2 and iNOS), and activate antioxidant pathways, particularly Nrf2. NF-κB emerged as the primary pro-inflammatory pathway inhibited across studies. While the anti-inflammatory potential of these plants is significant, the variability in dosages and phytochemical compositions limits clinical translation. Here, we highlight that medicinal plants are effective modulators of neuroinflammation, underscoring their therapeutic potential. Future research should focus on animal models, standardized protocols, and safety assessments, integrating advanced methodologies, such as genetic studies and nanotechnology, to enhance their applicability in neurodegenerative disease management.

Feed additives for methane mitigation: Regulatory frameworks and scientific evidence requirements for the authorization of feed additives to mitigate ruminant methane emissions.

This article describes the regulatory and evidence requirements necessary for the authorization of antimethanogenic feed additives (AMFA) aimed at mitigating enteric methane (CH4) emissions from ruminants. It outlines the legislation and legal procedures in Australia, Canada, the European Union, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States as illustrative examples, offering insights for applicants seeking authorization. Additionals objectives are to highlight consequential similarities and differences in regulations and evidence requirements and offer recommendations for scientists and applicants. The pivotal role that scientific evidence plays in the evaluation and approval processes is emphasized, along with the need for applicants and researchers to understand and adhere to the specific regulations of each jurisdiction. Feed additives are regulated to ensure their safety for animals, humans, and the environment, and to verify their effectiveness for the intended use of enteric CH4 mitigation. Regulations cover various aspects, including ingredient safety, manufacturing practices, product labeling, and the establishment of permissible limits for certain substances to ensure their safe use in animal feed. Compliance with these regulations is mandatory, and they are enforced by regulatory agencies within each jurisdiction, aiming to protect animal health, promote food safety, and prevent misleading claims and unsafe practices. The assessment processes involve evaluating scientific evidence submitted by applicants, along with evaluations of quality control procedures, and record-keeping practices. The major difference in regulations is that each jurisdiction developed unique criteria to legally classify AMFA, making it challenging to satisfy all legal classifications with a single set of criteria for scientific evidence. However, numerous similarities and a universal reliance on the concept of intended use indicate consistency across all jurisdictions on the need for robust evidence for efficacy, safety, and product quality and documentation even if the type, size, duration, and location of the studies they require differ. Recommendations are made for both scientists and applicants, emphasizing the importance of designing, conducting, and reporting scientific evaluations transparently, using validated standards and methods, and communicating with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with regulations and evidence requirements.

The effect of Phytostimplus on blood biochemical parameters, average daily growth and disease resistance of calves

The purpose of the research is to study the effect of the Phytostimplus supplement on the clinical and physiological status, average daily growth and viability of calves during the dairy growing period. The phytobiotic contained an extract from three herbs (safflower rhaponticum, crowned sickle, viscose meadowsweet) and lactic acid microorganisms dried lyophilically. The work was carried out in 2023. The experiment involved calves of the Holstein breed, starting at the age of 2 days. Experimental and control groups of 10 heads each were formed. In the control group, the calves were kept on a regular diet, without the use of any drugs. The additive was soldered to calves of the experimental group at a dose of 30.0 ml / head per day after preliminary dilution in water. The duration of the experiment was 2 months. Thirty days after the start of the experiment, the albumin in the calves of the experimental and control groups exceeded the reference values by 17.8–18.1 %. In both groups of calves, α-globulin decreased in comparison with the physiological norm by 3.3–4.1 %, γ-globulin – by 6.0–6.2 %. A decrease of β-globulin by 5.5 % was observed in animals in the experiment. The rest of the studied blood parameters of calves (urea, zinc sulfate test) in both groups were within the normal range and did not differ significantly. By the end of the experiments, the total protein in the calves in the experiment exceeded the indicator in the control by 30 %, albumin – by 8.1 %, γ-globulin – by 4.9 %, while there was a decrease in α-globulin by 8.6 %, β-globulin – by 4.4 %. The studied parameters did not exceed the limits of the physiological norm. The duration of treatment of enteritis in calves in the experimental groups turned out to be less than in the control with Phytostimplus by 0.7±0.2 days. The safety of animals by the end of the experiments was 100 %. The average daily increase in live weight of calves after the use of phytobiotics for 60 days exceeded that in the control by 4.9 %.

Machine Learning for Predicting Zearalenone Contamination Levels in Pet Food.

Zearalenone (ZEN) has been detected in both pet food ingredients and final products, causing acute toxicity and chronic health problems in pets. Therefore, the early detection of mycotoxin contamination in pet food is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of animals. This study aims to develop a rapid and cost-effective method using an electronic nose (E-nose) and machine learning algorithms to predict whether ZEN levels in pet food exceed the regulatory limits (250 µg/kg), as set by Chinese pet food legislation. A total of 142 pet food samples from various brands, collected between 2021 and 2023, were analyzed for ZEN contamination via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Additionally, the "AIR PEN 3" E-nose, equipped with 10 metal oxide sensors, was employed to identify volatile compounds in the pet food samples, categorized into 10 different groups. Machine learning algorithms, including liner regression, k-nearest neighbors, support vector machines, random forests, XGBoost, and multi-layer perceptron (MLP), were used to classify the samples based on their volatile profiles. The MLP algorithm showed the highest discrimination accuracy at 86.6% in differentiating between pet food samples above and below the ZEN threshold. Other algorithms showed moderate accuracy, ranging from 77.1% to 84.8%. The ensemble model, which combined the predictions from all classifiers, further improved the classification performance, achieving the highest accuracy at 90.1%. These results suggest that the combination of E-nose technology and machine learning provides a rapid, cost-effective approach for screening ZEN contamination in pet food at the market entry stage.

A Method of Applying Mixtures to Optimize Grounding during Installation of Vertical Composite Grounding Devices

The article considers the method of using mixtures to optimize the electrophysical parameters of grounding devices in conjunction with vertical composite grounding conductors. It has been found that fluctuations in soil resistivity caused by changes in weather and climatic conditions can lead to instability of the ground loop resistance. The study shown that without appropriate measures, the resistance of the loop as a result of seasonal changes in soil properties may exceed acceptable values. This is fraught with deviations in the resistance to current spreading of grounding devices beyond the limits of acceptable parameters. To compensate for these fluctuations, a method is proposed to reduce the seasonality factor. Reducing seasonality plays an important role in ensuring the safety of service personnel and farm animals by maintaining the resistance of the grounding device within the limits of regulatory values. The authors discuss methods for artificially reducing the resistance of the ground loop, including increasing its size and using deep ground electrodes. The results of vertical electrode probing of the soil at the sites of grounding conductors are presented, the effect of humidity on the resistivity of the soil is shown, the influence of soil layering and the presence of moisture-saturated soil layers is considered. A method is proposed that allows the mixture to be introduced together with a vertical composite grounding device, the design of the coupling, tip and auxiliary device, experimental studies of the proposed designs are carried out and the results of measuring the current spreading resistance of such a grounding device with both standard and proposed couplings are presented. A comparison was made with a grounding device without the use of mixtures. The measurement results demonstrate that with an increase in the length of the grounding device, its diameter and the volume of the injected mixture, the resistance decreases. It is shown that the proposed solution makes it possible to reduce seasonality by 1.64–2.1 times, depending on the couplings used, and to obtain a grounding conductor with an equivalent diameter dozens of times larger than the diameter of a composite grounding conductor. The authors propose the use of soil-replacing mixtures to reduce soil resistivity and ensure the stability of the grounding loop throughout the entire service life. The proposed method of applying mixtures without pre-drilling makes it possible to reduce the cost of constructing grounding devices.

Recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae EBY100/pYD1-FaeG: a candidate for an oral subunit vaccine against F4+ ETEC infection.

Diarrheal diseases attributable to multidrug-resistant F4+ enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) are escalating in severity, posing significant risks to the health and safety of both humans and animals. This study used Saccharomyces cerevisiae EBY100 to display the FaeG subunit of F4 colonizing factor as an oral vaccine against F4+ ETEC infection. Mice were orally immunized twice with 108 CFU of EBY100/pYD1-FaeG, followed by a challenge with F4+ ETEC EC6 on day 7 post-immunization. The results showed that the recombinant strain EBY100/pYD1-FaeG orally enhanced the growth of the small intestine villi, significantly boosted the expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Occludin, MUC2, and Claudin) (P < 0.05), and modulated the gut microbiota composition. Additionally, immunization with EBY100/pYD1-FaeG also upregulated the levels of IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ in the intestines of mice (P < 0.01), while serum IgG and fecal sIgA titer significantly increased (P < 0.05). These immune responses enhanced the capacity to fight against ETEC, leading to an increased survival rate of mice and relieved damage to tissues and organs of mice infection. In summary, the study suggested that the recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae EBY100/pYD1-FaeG could effectively stimulate the immune response and generate specific antibodies against F4+ ETEC, showing its potential to serve as a subunit oral vaccine candidate for preventing F4+ ETEC infection.IMPORTANCEThe multidrug-resistant F4+ enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains are the primary clinical pathogens responsible for post-weaning diarrhea in piglets, resulting in substantial economic losses in the pig farming industry. In the study, we developed an oral vaccine candidate, Saccharomyces cerevisiae EBY100/pYD1-FaeG, to prevent diarrhea caused by multidrug-resistant F4+ ETEC. Oral administration of EBY100/pYD1-FaeG significantly enhanced immune responses, improved intestinal health, and provided protection against F4+ ETEC infection in mice. This approach offers a potential application prospect for preventing F4+ ETEC infections that lead to post-weaning diarrhea in clinical settings and provides a promising solution for addressing the growing threat of antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens.

Feeding spent hemp biomass does not adversely affect fertility in rams.

To determine the reproductive effects of feeding spent hemp biomass (SHB) to rams. Several studies suggest cannabidiols negatively affect reproductive characteristics, and the reproductive effects of SHB ingestion have not been investigated in any species. Spent hemp biomass is high in protein and essential fatty acids, indicating a potential use in livestock diets pending studies investigating its safety in animals. Polypay rams approximately 6 months old were randomly assigned to 5 feeding trial groups (n = 7/group): either a low or high concentration of SHB in diet for either 4 or 8 weeks plus a control group. Blood samples were collected for hormone assays. At the conclusion of the feeding trial, the testes were removed, and sperm collected directly from the vas deferens were evaluated for motility (total, progressive, and speed), morphology, and concentration. A section from each ram's testes was formalin fixed, paraffin embedded, and subjected to routine immunohistochemistry to determine the expression of fertility-associated proteins deleted in azoospermia-like and Boule, followed by quantitative image analysis. Rams fed either 10% or 20% SHB for 8 weeks had significantly higher progressive sperm motility compared to controls. There were no significant differences between the treatment and control groups in the other parameters studied. Boule immunoexpression was adversely affected, whereas deleted in azoospermia-like immunoexpression was differentially affected by SHB ingestion. We conclude that up to 20% of the diet can be fed as SHB to rams for 8 weeks without adversely affecting testicular or sperm function. Supplementing young rams with SHB is unlikely to affect fertility.

Animal Welfare or Own Welfare: What Motivates Consumers’ Choice of Cage‐Free Products?

ABSTRACTThis study addresses the puzzle of animal welfare regulations consistently passing by majority votes, despite potential welfare losses evident in market data. To understand this phenomenon, we propose a conceptual framework that considers two possibilities: first, animal welfare might not be valued in the market, as suggested by classical externality analysis, and second, it could be valued due to altruistic motivations. To illustrate the framework, we uncover the motives driving consumers’ demand for animal welfare products jointly utilizing the results of a discrete choice experiment and respondents’ perception data obtained in China. Our findings align with the predictions made by classical externality analysis, indicating that the public good aspect of animal welfare is not valued in this market and thereby challenging the existence of altruistic behavior. Moreover, our analysis of consumer heterogeneity reveals that as consumers’ knowledge increases, they exhibit a decreased inclination to prioritize the animal welfare attribute for fulfilling their private needs, and may raise concerns about the safety of animal welfare‐friendly products.

Determination of the efficacy of the antiviral drug "NanoViroSan" in pigs

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) and porcine parvovirus infection are contagious diseases of pigs characterized by impaired reproductive function in sows, abortions, and the birth of mummified, dead, or weak piglets with high mortality. To date, vaccine prophylaxis has improved reproduction rates, but it does not solve the problem of eradicating the disease completely, and significant economic losses require systematic improvement of means of combating them. The development of new domestic low-toxic and highly active agents with a wide range of antiviral activity will significantly improve the epizootic situation with these viral diseases in the country. The aim of our work was to evaluate the effectiveness of the newly developed drug “NanoViroSan” in sows with reproductive disorders. The study was conducted in a stationary disadvantaged farm on sows with reproductive system damage caused by the association of PRRSV and PVS viruses, with the manifestation of underdeveloped offspring and respiratory disease in young animals. For the treatment of pigs, a drug with antiviral activity “NanoViroSan” was used, which contains Methisazone (inhibits mRNA synthesis in poxviruses) and Amixin (effective against influenza viruses, other acute respiratory viral infections, hepatitis A, B, C, and herpesviruses) with the addition of magnesium nanoxide with bactericidal action. 56 farrowing sows with reproductive disorders were treated with “NanoViroSan” at the rate of 1 cm3/10 kg, in the neck muscles for 3 consecutive days (I course). A total of 7 treatment courses were conducted with an interval of 10 days for 6 months. Production trials of the experimental drug “NanoViroSan” against reproductive and respiratory syndrome in association with parvovirus infection of pigs showed its high efficiency at the level of 95.8% in the recovery from reproductive pathology and reduction of massive abandonment of newborn piglets. The use of the experimental drug “NanoViroSan” allows to increase the safety of young animals and stabilize the epizootic situation regarding reproductive and respiratory syndrome and parvovirus infection of pigs in a permanently disadvantaged farm, which indicates the ability to break the epizootic chain of emergent infection

Distribution and Abundance of Wildlife Roadkills in Jengka, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia

Malaysia's growing transportation network has increased human impact on wildlife habitats, causing a rise in roadkill cases. This study aims to assess the distribution and abundance of roadkill in Jengka, Pahang. Surveys along selected roads for ten days in March 2022 recorded 72 incidents (0.36 roadkill km-1). The water monitor (Varanus salvator) was the most frequently recorded species with 12 incidents, while the least frequently recorded species, each with 1 incident, included the monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia) and the house rat (Rattus rattus). Species of particular concern based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Categories included the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) (Endangered), clouded monitor lizard (Varanus nebulosus) (Near Threatened), and Malayan flat-shelled turtle (Notochelys platynota) (Vulnerable). Main Federal Roads, particularly Jalan Bukit Tajau - Bandar Pusat Jengka (FT62) and Jalan Utama Jengka Utara/Selatan (FT83), had notable roadkill rates of 0.73 and 0.35 per kilometer, respectively. Jalan FELDA 25 (FT1553), linking Bandar Tun Abdul Razak to Jerantut and Kuala Krau, recorded the highest rate at 0.78 roadkill per kilometer, highlighting the need for attention. Proposed actions include wildlife crossings, wildlife warning reflectors and wildlife warning signs in hotspots, and table drains alongside roads. It is also essential to educate drivers on the importance of reducing speed, especially in wildlife crossing zones, to minimize incidents. These findings stress the importance of proactive measures in reducing roadkill and safeguarding wildlife in Jengka, urging collaborative efforts to enhance road safety for both humans and animals.

Elevated total mercury (THg) levels in water sources under the influence of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Tanzania.

This study investigated the presence and distribution of mercury in water bodies under the influence of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASGM) activities in Tanzania, which continue to predominantly rely on mercury for gold extraction. Various water bodies available for domestic and animal use in mining communities were sampled from surface water sources in ASGM settlements during the rainy and dry seasons. Water samples were analysed using cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrophotometer (CVAFS). The results indicate that most of water sources had THg levels above the WHO guideline of 1.0µg/L (1000ng/L) for safe drinking water. The levels were significantly higher during the wet season ranging from 3.4 to 96.3µg/L, whereas the range was from 0.84 to 2.12µg/L during the dry period. The higher THg values during the wet season are likely a result of increased lateral transport (e.g. via enhanced runoff) and physical properties of the waterways. Transportation and resuspension of matrix-bound mercury from surface soils and inflow of contaminated water from unprotected tailings were also observed to be potential means of lateral mercury transport. The lowest concentrations (0.846µg/L) were observed in water samples from the Mabubi River, upstream of a mining village. Downstream of the mining village in the same river, higher concentrations were observed in the Nungwe Bay region of Lake Victoria. In other surveyed mining settlements where there were no nearby rivers, pool water indicated high concentrations of THg, including levels above thresholds for safe human use. Immediate stringent measures are needed in order to ensure human and animal safety at ASGM mining settlements. Future investigation is suggested to focus on the distribution of mercury in different media, assessing the prevalence of different mercury species, and investigating the influence of weather and hydrological conditions on the impacts of mercury to organisms as part of the strategies to mitigate mercury pollution.

Numerical and experimental analysis of structural optimization and flow resistance effect of safety barrier based on a pump device

The safety barrier is often positioned at the entrance of the inlet passage in large and medium-sized low-lift pump stations, to ensure the safety of people and animals. To elucidate the blocking effect of the safety barrier and its influence mechanism on the internal flow of the inlet passage, numerical simulation combined with the physical model test were employed to investigate the impact of the cross-section and bar spacing of the safety barrier on the head loss, and the impact mechanism was clarified. The results showed that the optimal cross-section form of the safety barrier was found to be circular from the standpoint of head loss. When the blockage ratio of the safety barrier exceeds 0.3; prompt clearance of the blockage is recommended.

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of fumaric acid for all animal species for the renewal of its authorisation and extension of use (Life SUPPLIES NV)

Abstract Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the assessment of the application for the renewal of the authorisation of fumaric acid as a technological and sensory additive (functional groups: preservative and flavouring compounds, respectively) and for a new use of the additive as a technological additive (functional group: acidity regulator) for all animal species. The applicant provided evidence that the additive currently in the market complies with the existing conditions of authorisation. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that fumaric acid remains safe under the authorised conditions of use for the terrestrial animals, consumers and the environment. However, the Panel cannot conclude on the safety for the aquatic animals under all authorised condition of use. Fumaric acid is irritant to skin, eyes and respiratory tract, and should be considered a skin and respiratory sensitiser due to the presence of nickel. The Panel also considers that the new use of the additive as an acidity regulator under proposed conditions of use would not introduce risks not already considered. There is no need to assess the efficacy of the additive in the context of the renewal of the authorisation (for its use as preservative and flavouring compound). The Panel is not in the position to conclude on the efficacy of fumaric acid as an acidity regulator in feed.

Isolation and characterization of &lt;i&gt;Salmonella enterica &lt;/i&gt; associated with diarrhea in chickens and ducks in Hai Duong province

Salmonella infections, or salmonellosis, represent a significant threat to poultry health and the global poultry industry, leading to considerable economic losses and serving as a major source of foodborne illnesses in humans and animals. Identifying the specific strains present in local poultry farms is crucial for implementing targeted interventions, including the development of effective biosecurity measures, vaccination strategies, and treatment protocols to mitigate outbreaks. This study focuses on isolating and characterizing Salmonella strains associated with diarrhea in chickens and ducks in Hai Duong province, Vietnam. The Salmonella strains were initially isolated using a culture-based method, followed by identification and characterization through Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization/Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF), PCR amplification of the invA gene, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. As a result, 18 Salmonella isolates were obtained, all of which contained the invA gene, indicating its potential significance in Salmonella pathogenesis. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences confirmed that all isolates belonged to the species Salmonella enterica, a well-known causative agent of intestinal diseases in humans and animals. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis revealed that all 18 isolates grouped with Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica strains from China and Korea, suggesting a close relationship with strains circulating in the broader Southeast Asian region. This regional similarity may be attributed to the movement of poultry and poultry products, facilitating the cross-border spread of Salmonella. Our findings underscore the importance of implementing robust biosafety measures throughout the poultry production chain to control the spread of Salmonella, thereby enhancing both animal and food safety.

Behavioral, electrocardiographic, and opercular beat recording characterization of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in immersion bath with different concentrations of tricaine (MS-222)

Behavioral, electrocardiographic, and opercular beat recording characterization of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in immersion bath with different concentrations of tricaine (MS-222)

Antimicrobial studies of visible light-responsive nanoflower spheres Bi2WO6/ZnO

Antimicrobial studies of visible light-responsive nanoflower spheres Bi2WO6/ZnO