Use Of Agro-industrial By-products Research Articles

New approaches for solubilization of phosphate rocks through solid-state fermentation by optimization of oxalic acid production

This study explores the enhancement of phosphate rock (PR) solubilization through solid-state fermentation (SSF) by optimizing oxalic acid production using Aspergillus niger. Key process parameters, including the use of agro-industrial by-products (sugarcane bagasse (SCB), wheat bran (WB), soybean bran (SB)), pH levels, sucrose supplementation, and methanol addition, were systematically evaluated through sequential experimental designs. The results identified SCB and SB in a 1:1 ratio as the most effective substrate. Remarkably, the inclusion of methanol (7 %) and sucrose (0.5 %) resulted in a 3-fold increase in oxalic acid production. Under these optimized conditions, significant phosphorus solubilization of Bayóvar, Itafós, and Registro PRs was achieved, with Bayóvar rock releasing up to 12.1 g/kgds of soluble P (63.8 % efficiency). Additionally, the SSF process effectively released organic phosphorus from the agro-industrial substrates. These findings hold promise for advancing the bio-based economy and developing future industrial biofertilizers.

Cryptococcus laurentii: a wild yeast for xylanase production from agricultural by-products.

The development of technologies that allow the production of enzymes at a competitive cost is of great importance for several biotechnological applications, and the use of agro-industrial by-products is an excellent alternative to minimize costs and reduce environmental impacts. This study aimed to produce endo-xylanases using agro-industrial substrates rich in hemicellulose as sources of xylan in culture media. For this purpose, the yeast Cryptococcus laurentti and five lignocellulosic materials (defatted rice bran, rice husk, corn cob, oat husks, and soybean tegument), with and without pretreatment, were used as a source of xylan for enzyme production. To insert the by-products in the culture medium, they were dried and treated (if applicable) with 4% (w.v-1) NaOH and then added in a concentration of 2% (w.v-1). The cultures were agitated for 96h, and the aliquots were removed to determine the enzymatic activities. Among the by-products studied, the maximum activity (8.7 U. mL-1 at pH 7.3) was obtained where rice bran was used. In contrast, corn cob was the by-product that resulted in lower enzyme production (1.6 U.mL-1). Thus, the defatted rice bran deserves special attention in front of the other by-products used since it provides the necessary substrate for producing endo-xylanases by yeast.

Quality of High-Fibre Pasta Supplemented with Watermelon Rind Powder with Different Particle Sizes.

Watermelon rind, a by-product of watermelon juice processing, contains large amounts of dietary fibre and phenols with antioxidant capacity. The use of agro-industrial by-products would both improve economic benefits and reduce environmental emissions. The aim of this research is to examine the effect of the particle size of watermelon rind powder on the quality of high-fibre pasta. The nutritional, physical and physicochemical quality of three samples of watermelon rind powder, sieved through three sieves with aperture size of 400, 210 and 149 μm, were analysed. Durum wheat semolina with watermelon rind powder mass fraction of 10 % were mixed and used to make pasta. Nutritional, textural and cooking quality, sensory acceptability, in vitro glycaemic index and antioxidant bioaccessibility of high-fibre pasta with added watermelon rind powder of different particle sizes were evaluated and compared. When the sieve aperture size was reduced from 400 to 149 µm, the soluble dietary fibre and total phenolic contents of watermelon rind powder were increased by 35 and 15 %, respectively, while its insoluble dietary fibre content was decreased by 21 %. Decrease in sieve aperture size from 410 to 149 µm reduced phenolic bioaccessibility of the fortified pasta from 63 to 57 %, but enhanced its predicted glycaemic index from 50 to 69. It also decreased the pasta hardness by 13 %, but improved its elongation rate and tensile strength by 13 and 40 %, respectively. The finer the particles of the watermelon rind powder, the longer the optimal cooking time, the higher the water absorption index, and the lower the cooking loss of the supplemented pasta. Consumers did not notice any significant differences in the overall acceptability among all pasta samples. The particle size of the watermelon rind powder had a major effect on nutritional value, texture and cooking quality of the fortified pasta. In particular, the predicted glycaemic index and antioxidant bioaccessibility of high-fibre pasta were significantly affected by the particle size of the dietary fibre material used in the recipe.

Perception of the use of agro-industrial by-products as ingredients for food product development: a qualitative study

Perception of the use of agro-industrial by-products as ingredients for food product development: a qualitative study

In-depth characterization of the sarcoplasmic muscle proteome changes in lambs fed with hazelnut skin by-products: Relationships with meat color

This study investigated the effect of agro-industrial hazelnut skin by-products supplementation on lamb meat color variation and the changes in the sarcoplasmic muscle proteome during post-mortem storage (0, 4 and 7 days). Gel-based proteomics and bioinformatics approaches were applied to better understand the potential role of feeding strategies in modulating the mechanisms underpinning meat discoloration and post-mortem changes during storage. Therefore, twenty-two Valle del Belice male lambs were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments: control (C), lambs fed with maize-barley diet, and hazelnut skin (H), lambs fed hazelnut skin by-product as maize partial replacer in the concentrate diet. Hazelnut dietary treatment led to better lamb meat color stability as evidenced by the lowest decrease in redness and saturation index values. Proteomics and bioinformatics results revealed changes in the abundance of 41 proteoforms, which were mainly involved in glycolytic processes, responses to oxidative stress, and immune and endocrine system. The proteins allowed revealing interconnected pathways to be behind meat color variation as a consequence of using hazelnut skin by-products to sustainable feed lamb. The proteins can be used as potential predictors of lamb meat color variation. Accordingly, the regression equations developed in this paper revealed triosephosphate isomerase (TPI1) as a reliable candidate biomarker of color stability in lamb meat. SignificanceThe use of agro-industrial by-products in animal feeding can be a potential sustainable strategy to reduce the environmental impacts of the food production chain and consequently improve animal welfare and product quality. The inclusion of hazelnut skin by-products in the animal's diet, due to the high concentration of polyphenols, represents an effective strategy to improve the oxidative stability of meat, with significant implications on color. The use of proteomics combined with bioinformatics on the sarcoplasmic proteome is a powerful approach to decipher the underlying mechanism. Accordingly, this approach allowed in this trial a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the post-mortem processes through the discovery of several biological pathways linked with lamb meat color variation. Glycolysis, followed by responses to oxidative stress, and other proteins involved in the immune and endocrine system were found as the major interconnected pathways that could act as potential predictors of lamb meat color stability. Candidate proteins biomarkers were further revealed in this study to be related with multiple meat color traits.

Silages of agro-industrial by-products in lamb diets – Effect on growth performance, carcass, meat quality and in vitro methane emissions

The use of agro-industrial by-products in animal feed is an opportunity to reduce imports, food waste and promote a clean and circular economy, turning worthless raw materials into high-quality and low-cost animal feeds, which does not compete with human food. This study aims to produce silages with by-products of carrot, sweet potato, potato, and tomato pomace and integrate them in lamb diets, replacing 50% of dry matter (DM) of a concentrate-based diet. Effects on growth performance, meat quality and methane production were evaluated. Three silages were produced using 350 g/kg tomato pomace, 200 g/kg wheat bran, 150 g/kg alfalfa hay and 300 g/kg potato (Psil) or 300 g/kg sweet potato (SPsil) or 300 g/kg carrot (Csil). Thirty-two lambs were housed individually and divided into four groups (8 animals/group) on the following diets: Control - 850 g/kg concentrate and 150 g/kg hay; P - 500 g/kg concentrate and 500 g/kg Psil in DM; SP – 500 g/kg concentrate and 500 g/kg SPsil in DM; C – 500 g/kg concentrate and 500 g/kg Csil in DM. The trial lasted 6 weeks after 1 week of adaptation. Methane production was assessed in vitro by the Ankom system, using as inoculum rumen content samples collected individually from 6 lambs on each diet at slaughter. Diet had no effect on DM intake, average daily gain and DM conversion ratio, averaging 1055 ± 248 g, 320 ± 61.1 g and 3.35 ± 0.600, respectively. Also, carcass characteristics were not affected by the diet except for the lightness of subcutaneous fat which was increased by the silage diets (L* value, P = 0.016). The meat parameters, pH, intramuscular fat, shear force, cooking losses and sensory attributes, were not affected by the diet. In meat color, the parameters a* and Chroma were highest in animals fed diet C, have an intermediate value with Control diet and are lowest with diets P and SP (P = 0.027 and P = 0.012, respectively). Diets had no impact on total methane emissions. The costs of the silage diets per kg live weight gain were lower than those of Control diet (P = 0.018). In summary, by-product silage can be a good option to replace concentrated feed in lamb diets without altering the growth performance and meat quality or methane production and thus contributing to the sustainability of livestock farms and the environment.

Innovations and developments in single cell protein: Bibliometric review and patents analysis.

Global demand for food products derived from alternative proteins and produced through sustainable technological routes is increasing. Evaluation of research progress, main trends and developments in the field are valuable to identify evolutionary nuances. In this study, a bibliometric analysis and search of patents on alternative proteins from fermentation processes was carried out using the Web of Science and Derwent World Patents Index™ databases, using the keywords and Boolean operators "fermentation" AND "single cell protein" OR "single-cell protein." The dataset was processed and graphics generated using the bibliometric software VOSviewer and OriginPro 8.1. The analysis performed recovered a total of 360 articles, of which 271 were research articles, 49 literature review articles and 40 publications distributed in different categories, such as reprint, proceedings paper, meeting abstract among others. In addition, 397 patents related to the field were identified, with China being the country with the largest number of publications and patents deposits. While this topic is largely interdisciplinary, the majority of work is in the area of Biotechnology Applied Microbiology, which boasts the largest number of publications. The area with the most patent filings is the food sector, with particular emphasis on the fields of biochemistry, beverages, microbiology, enzymology and genetic engineering. Among these patents, 110 are active, with industries or companies being the largest depositors. Keyword analysis revealed that the area of study involving single cell protein has included investigation into types of microorganisms, fermentation, and substrates (showing a strong trend in the use of agro-industrial by-products) as well as optimization of production processes. This bibliometric analysis provided important information, challenges, and trends on this relevant subject.

Effect of hazelnut skin by-product supplementation in lambs' diets: Implications on plasma and muscle proteomes and first insights on the underlying mechanisms

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hazelnut skin by-product supplementation on lamb meat quality characteristics and plasma and muscle proteomes. Twenty-two Valle del Belice male lambs were divided into two experimental groups: control (C), fed a maize-barley diet and hazelnut (H), fed hazelnut skin by-product as maize partial replacer in the concentrate diet. The meat of lambs fed hazelnut skin showed greater values of lightness, redness, yellowness, and chroma color parameters together with the highest myofibril fragmentation index. Two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry applied on plasma proteome identified 20 protein spots corresponding to 18 unique gene names to be differently expressed due to hazelnut skin by-product substitution. For the early post-mortem muscle, 23 protein spots (42 unique gene names) were significantly up-regulated due to hazelnut skin by-product supplementation. Four proteins these being APOA1, PHB, ACTG1 and ALB, were found to be common to the two proteomes suggesting that these proteins could be candidate biomarkers to monitor in vita and post-mortem lamb meat quality traits. This study evidenced the main mechanisms involved in the supplementation of hazelnut skin by-product in lambs' diet and confirmed the possibility of using plasma proteome as a non-invasive way to predict lamb meat quality. SignificanceMaximizing the use of agro-industrial by-products as replacers of traditional feedstuff for improving animal products is one of the important challenges to preserving natural resources and guaranteeing environmental sustainability. Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) skin, obtained as a results of hazelnut roasting, represents a valuable by-products due to its high content in unsaturated fatty acids, tannins, and vitamins. Thus, including hazelnut skin by-product in small ruminant nutrition could reduce the costs of animal feedings for farmers as well as improve meat nutritional and sensorial characteristics. Additionally, monitoring the meat quality characteristics with fast, accurate, and non-invasive tools to find, before slaughter, animals with desired quality characteristics is of growing interest in the last years. In this regard, the objectives of this study were to assess i) the effect of hazelnut skin supplementation on lamb meat quality characteristics and plasma and muscle proteomes, and ii) whether analyzing plasma proteome by using a gel-based proteomic approach could effectively offer a more readily available option for determining lamb meat quality. Taken together, the proteomic approach applied to plasma and muscle proteomes, allowed us to reveal the pathways and the potential candidate plasma biomarkers to predict lamb meat production in the pre-slaughter phase.

Removal of chlorpyrifos from water using biosorbents derived from cassava peel, crambe meal, and pinus bark

Given the widespread distribution of pesticides in our environment, it is crucial to identify low-cost interventions to mitigate their occurrence and detrimental health effects. This study aimed to evaluate the potential use of agro-industrial by-products with little value (peels from cassava roots, crambe meal, and pinus barks) as biosorbents to be used unmodified or modified through adding different reagents such as H2O2, H2SO4, or NaOH. Firstly, the biosorbents were characterized by their pH of the point of zero charge (pHPZC), their surface functional groups (FT-IR), morphological (scanning electron microscopy micrographs), and textural characteristics (specific surface area, pore-volume, and pore size). Adsorption studies were also conducted to evaluate the influence of the pH, adsorbent dose, contact time between adsorbent-chlorpyrifos, and isotherm studies. The pHPZC of the sixteen materials varied from 2.05 to 8.03; the surfaces were heterogeneous with functional groups such as CC, C-O, N-H, COO-, N-O, C-N, C-H, and O-H. In addition, the adsorbents presented a low specific surface area and pore volume. Moreover, CPF adsorption is not dependent on the pH in the evaluated range (3.0–7.0). The optimal results were found using doses higher than 16 g L−1, with the physicochemical equilibrium set within 10–20 min. Finally, the best fit was obtained for pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, and Freundlich, thus, suggesting multilayer CPF adsorption. Therefore, we propose using agro-industrial by-products as biosorbents as a low-cost strategy to attenuate the impact of CPF and potentially other organophosphates on water pollution.

Detoxified castor-bean meal replaces soybean meal in the diet of pasture-finished steers

The use of agroindustrial byproducts in cattle diets, such as castor-bean (Ricinus communis L.) meal, is a more sustainable practice because it does not compete with human food and reduces the volume of organic waste deposited in the environment. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of replacing soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) meal with castor-bean meal on the intake, digestibility, feeding behavior and performance of crossbred steers supplemented while on Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster ‘Marandu’ pasture. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete design with 40 animals, which started the experiment weighing 227.1 kg, at 10 mo of age, and were divided into four treatment groups. Castor-bean meal was added to replace soybean meal at the levels of 0, 90, 180, and 280 g kg-1 in the supplement, which was supplied at the rate of 0.4% of body weight. Total DM, pasture DM and neutral detergent fiber intakes did not change (P > 0.05) with the castor-bean levels added to the supplement. Ether extract intake and digestibility decreased linearly (P < 0.05). The animals showed no differences (P > 0.05) in production performance (average daily gain), which averaged 0.65 kg d-1. Grazing, idle, and rumination times were not influenced (P > 0.05) by the treatments. Castor-bean meal can be included up to 280 g kg-1 in the total diet without changing the performance of crossbred steers finished on tropical pasture.

Effect of Selenium-Enriched Substrate on the Chemical Composition, Mineral Bioavailability, and Yield of Edible Mushrooms.

Mushrooms absorb minerals from substrates in which they are cultivated, so they could be used as vehicles of minerals that are deficient in human or animal diets, such as selenium. Selenium deficiency aggravates cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and intestinal cancer. This work presents the latest discoveries related to the production of edible mushrooms in selenium-enriched substrates and discusses their use as an alternative to supply the deficiency of this mineral in human and animal diets. Selenized mushrooms and their derived extracts present bioaccessible and bioavailable forms of selenium, as antioxidant and antitumor activity, as demonstrated in various in vitro and in vivo experiments. Consequently, the consumption of these mushrooms reduces the levels of blood cholesterol and glucose. On the other hand, growing mushrooms in selenium-enriched substrates may alter the yield and their chemical composition, and this lack of standardization is still an obstacle to the scale up of the production process. On the other hand, the use of agro-industrial by-products as substrates can enable the cultivation of enriched edible mushrooms and their commercialization.

Sunflower Seed Husk as Promising By-Product for Soil Biodisinfestation Treatments and Fertility Improvement in Protected Lettuce Crop

One of the major challenges in biodisinfestation treatments against soilborne pathogens is the selection of the proper organic amendments and mixture features. The use of agro-industrial by-products is a sustainable alternative with proven efficacy, but the availability has to be considered in terms of location and quantity. Sunflower seed is one of the five major oil crops widely cultivated and the husk constitutes a significant part that is discarded. This by-product brings together the features to be considered an interesting organic amendment in agricultural soils because of its lignocellulose content, but no references have been found in this field. In this study, sunflower seed husk was used with fresh cow manure in biodisinfestation treatments, alone or combined with other by-products (rapeseed cake, beer bagasse and wheat bran). The assay was performed in summer in a commercial greenhouse with significant yield losses in lettuce crops caused by the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Four different amendment mixtures were applied which included 3kg/m2 cow manure, as common waste, and 1 kg/m2 of by-products (dry weight), considering 6mgC/g soil in all treatments but different C/N ratio (23, 29, 31, 34) and by-products. Data was collected in three moments: (i) before and (ii) after biodisinfestation treatments and (iii) after harvesting the first crop after biodisinfestations. Crop damage was assessed through root galling index and the number of eggs in roots. The effects on the pathogen population and the whole soil nematode community were assessed along with some physicochemical and soil microbiological variables (respiration rate, microbial organic C, water-soluble organic C and physiological profile of heterotrophic bacteria through Biolog Ecoplates™). All treatments reported effectiveness in disease control without significant differences among them, but among times. However, soil temperatures during biodisinfestations were higher at higher C/N ratios and fertility variables also increased in these cases, mainly in the treatment with husk as the only by-product. Sunflower seed husk proved to be an interesting source of organic C to improve both biodisinfestation treatments and soil fertility in humid temperate climate zones.

Effects of Agro-Industrial Byproduct-Based Diets on the Growth Performance, Digestibility, Nutritional and Microbiota Composition of Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.).

Simple SummaryThe mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) is among the species considered to have the greatest potential to become a valid source of protein for consumption. In this study, mealworm larvae were reared on diets formulated with agro-industrial byproducts to evaluate the impact on their growth performance, digestibility, and nutritional composition as well as on the modulation of their gut microbiota profile. Depending on the diet composition, improvements were observed in the conversion rate (for diets with a smaller variety of byproducts and a higher starch content) or in the growth (for diets with a greater variety of byproducts and a higher protein content) of larvae. The diets also had repercussions for the gut microbiota profile and composition of the larvae. These results improve knowledge of the effects of byproducts used in mealworm larval rearing, which could contribute to their potential use in industrial-scale mealworm production.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of agro-industrial byproduct-based diets on the productive parameters, digestibility, insect composition, and gut microbiota of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae. Three formulations corresponding to three different levels of starch and protein were tested: one formulation based on bread remains and brewer’s yeast, representing a diet of high starch (61.1%) and low crude protein (18.5%) (HS-LP); and two formulations in which an additional four byproducts (courgette (Cucurbita pepo) remains, tigernut (Cyperus scelentus) pulp, brewer’s spent grains, and rice straw) were incorporated in different proportions, consistent with a diet of both moderate starch (29.8%) and crude protein (21.0%) (MS-MP); and another corresponding to a diet of low starch (20.0%) and high crude protein (26.3%) (LS-HP). A total of 1920 young larvae (average weight = 0.65 mg per larva) were used in this study. The larvae were randomly distributed into 16 replicates per treatment (boxes of 22.5 cm × 14.0 cm × 4.75 cm). Ten replicates for the growth performance–digestibility trial and six replicates for the complementary trial to determine uric acid levels in the frass were assigned per treatment. For growth performance, the diets were administered ad libitum during the experiment. The average number of days for the larvae to start pupating was lower in those reared on the HS-LP and LS-HP diets (88.90 and 91.00 days, respectively) than those on the MS-MP diet (120.09 days) (p < 0.001). The final individual weight was higher (p < 0.001) in larvae of the LS-HP group (168.69 mg) compared to those of the other groups (100.29 and 112.99 mg for HS-LP and MS-MP, respectively). However, the feed conversion ratio was better (p < 0.001) in the HS-LP group with the lowest value (1.39 g/g), with dry matter digestibility being the highest for the same diet (70.38%) (p < 0.001). Mealworms reared on LS-HP and MS-MP diets had a higher crude protein content than those reared on the HS-LP diet (p = 0.039). The most abundant phyla in the gut microbiota of larvae were Tenericutes, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes, with their abundance depending on the rearing substrate. The representation of Tenericutes phylum was higher (p < 0.05) in the mealworms reared on MS-MP and HS-LP diets, whereas Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria were higher in abundance (p < 0.001) in the insects reared on LS-HP. In conclusion, the larval growth, digestibility, insect composition, and gut microbiota of Tenebrio molitor were found to depend on the composition of the administered diet, and the results suggest great potential for the use of agro-industrial byproducts in their rearing and production.

Compost application in an olive grove influences nitrogen dynamics under Mediterranean conditions

Agro-industrial composts represent both a sustainable alternative to inorganic fertilizers and a waste recycling management tool. Albeit, there is still a great deal of uncertainty as to what extent their use can contribute to the global N2O budget. Here, two different composts [olive waste “alperujo” (AC) and biosolid (BC)] were tested during a three-year period to evaluate changes in N pools (NH4+ and NO3−), N2O emissions and key N-cycle associated genes [ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) and N2O reductase (nosZ)] in comparison with a control, treated only with mineral fertilization. To that end, a low dose (equivalent to 17.8 kg per tree of AC or BC) and high dose (equivalent to 26.7 kg per tree of AC+ or BC+) was applied to each individual plot composed of nine olive trees without irrigation in a completely randomized design. N2O emissions rates showed a high spatial and temporal variability and no significant changes were detected in N pools when comparing with the control. However, the fact that the soil treated with BC+ presented 20% more NO3− compared to the control after the second compost addition and that the low doses of both composts displayed about 30% less NH4+ than the control, suggests different pathways in N mineralization. Moreover, the N balance showed that soils treated with AC used all N provided and in turn promoted native N consumption while soil amended with BC only consumed part of the exogenous N provided. The assessment of the bacterial amoA and nosZ genes reflected that it was tillage practices rather than fertilization which had the most significant impact on their abundance, decreasing this effect towards the end of the experiment. Our results showed that under Mediterranean conditions the use of agro-industrial byproducts do not contribute to N2O emissions and therefore it could be potentially used as a replacement of inorganic fertilizers favouring a circular economy of zero waste.

Inclusion of Cocoa Bean Shell in the Diet of Dairy Goats: Effects on Milk Production Performance and Milk Fatty Acid Profile

The use of agro-industrial by-products in animal nutrition is a promising strategy to reduce the food-feed competition, the diet cost at farm level and the environmental impact of animal-derived food production. In this study, the suitability of cocoa bean shell (CBS), a by-product of the cocoa industry, as a feed ingredient in the diet of dairy goats was evaluated, with a focus on the related implications on feed intake, milk yield, milk main constituents, and fatty acid (FA) profile of milk fat. Twenty-two Camosciata delle Alpi goats were divided into two balanced groups. All the goats were fed mixed hay ad libitum. The control group (CTRL; n = 11) also received 1.20 kg/head × day of a commercial concentrate, while in the experimental group (CBS; n = 11) 200 g of the CTRL concentrate were replaced by the same amount of pelleted CBS. The total dry matter intake of the goats was reduced by the dietary inclusion of CBS (P ≤ 0.01). The milk yield, as well as the milk fat, protein, and casein contents and yields were unaffected by the treatment. Milk from the CBS-fed goats showed decreased urea content when compared to the CTRL group (P ≤ 0.001). Milk from the CBS group of goats also showed increased concentrations of total branched-chain FA (both iso and anteiso forms; P ≤ 0.001) and total monounsaturated FA (P ≤ 0.05), as well as a decreased ∑ n6/∑ n3 FA ratio (P ≤ 0.05). De novo saturated FA, total polyunsaturated FA, total conjugated linoleic acids, and the majority of ruminal biohydrogenation intermediates remained unaffected by the dietary treatment. These results suggest that CBS can be strategically used as an alternative non-conventional raw material in diets intended for lactating goats, with no detrimental effects on their milk production performance. The use of CBS in goat nutrition may be hindered by the presence of theobromine, a toxic alkaloid. Special attention is needed by nutritionists to avoid exceeding the theobromine limits imposed by the current legislation. Detheobromination treatments are also suggested in literature to prevent toxic phenomena.

Use of agro-industrial by-products containing tannins for the integrated control of gastrointestinal nematodes in ruminants.

Previous studies have illustrated that different bioactive legume fodders containing condensed tannins might represent one of the options for integrated sustainable control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in ruminants, which may help address the worldwide development of resistance to synthetic anthelmintics. More recently, impetus has been given to assess the potential antiparasitic activity of less conventional resources, represented by different agro-industrial by-products (AIBPs). This review presents in vitro and in vivo results obtained with a range of tannin-containing AIBPs of various geographical and botanical origins, namely AIBP of nuts, temperate and tropical barks, carob, coffee and cocoa. They tend to confirm the “proof of concept” for their antiparasitic effects and also for other aspects of ruminant production in an agro-ecological context. Socio-economic aspects of the exploitation of such non-conventional resources are also discussed as potential models of the circular economy, by using waste. The different modes of use of these resources are presented in this review, as well as strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analyses to illustrate the advantages and limitations of on-farm use.

Palm Kernel Cake in Diets for Lactating Goats: Qualitative Aspects of Milk and Cheese.

Simple SummaryFeedlotting lactating goats is a strategy to improve their productivity and the quality of their milk and dairy products. However, feedlotting is associated with increases in production costs, due mainly to the concentrate component of the diet. The use of agro-industrial byproducts allows the reduction of feed costs by replacing costly ingredients, as the former are more easily accessible. We tested the dietary inclusion of palm kernel cake (PKC), a byproduct of the biofuel industry, at the levels of 0, 80, 160 and 240 g kg−1, to evaluate its impact on the qualitative aspects of milk and cheese. The inclusion of up to 80 g kg−1 PKC is recommended for the diet of goats whose milk will be used in the production of Minas Frescal cheese.We investigated the effect of including palm kernel cake (PKC) at the levels of 0, 80, 160 and 240 g kg−1 in the diet of lactating goats on the quality and sensory parameters of Minas Frescal cheese. Twelve goats were used in a triple 4 × 4 Latin square design. The dietary addition of PKC was associated with a reduction in moisture (p = 0.004), which compromised the cheese yield (p = 0.030). The ether extract content showed a quadratic response. There was a decrease in caproic (p = 0.014), caprylic (p = 0.011), capric (p = 0.003) and palmitic (p = 0.049) acids and an increase in lauric (p = 0.012) and myristic (p = 0.02) acids. Monounsaturated fatty acids increased (p = 0.008), whereas the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids (p = 0.022) and thrombogenicity index (p = 0.023) decreased. Principal component analysis indicated that control treatment and the treatment with 80 g kg−1 PKC were the most acceptable to the cheese tasters. The use of palm kernel cake is a good alternative for lactating goats when added to the diet at levels up to 80 g kg−1.

Bioactive Ingredients Obtained from Agro-industrial Byproducts: Recent Advances and Innovation in Micro- and Nanoencapsulation.

The agro-industry produces numerous byproducts that are currently underused, and its waste contributes to environmental pollution. These byproducts represent an important and economical source of bioactive ingredients, which can promote the sustainable development of high-value-added functional foods. In this context, micro- and nanoencapsulation systems allow for the incorporation and stabilization of the bioactive agents in foods. This perspective will review recent advances in the use of agro-industrial byproducts as a source of bioactive agents. In addition, the latest advances in micro- and nanoencapsulation to improve the stability, solubility, and bioaccessibility of bioactive agents as functional food ingredients are exposed.

Investigation on thermal properties of rice husk ash-blended palm kernel shell concrete

The contribution of buildings to climate change as a result of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions necessitates the use of agro-industrial by-products as alternative construction materials. The present study examines the thermal properties of Rice husk ash-blended Palm Kernel Shell Concrete (RHA-blended PKSC). Three control concrete mixes with mix ratios of 1:1½:3, 1:2:4 and 1:3:6 using water-to-cement (w/c) ratios of 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7, respectively were made with cement, river sand and granite. For each mix ratio with the respective w/c ratio, five concrete mixes containing RHA fixed at 15% as replacement for cement and PKS at 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% as replacement for crushed granite were produced. The oven-dry density, compressive strength and thermal properties (thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, volumetric heat capacity and thermal resistivity) were determined. The results showed that the oven-dry density and compressive strength of concrete declined with increasing PKS content. Nevertheless, the compressive strength increased with curing age and the gain in strength of RHA-blended PKSC were higher than the control at the later age. The thermal conductivity and diffusivity decreased with increasing PKS contents but increase with curing age while volumetric heat capacity and thermal resistivity increased as PKS content increases but decreased with curing age. In addition, concrete with 1:3:6 mix ratio exhibited the lowest thermal conductivity and diffusivity but higher volumetric heat capacity and thermal resistivity than those with 1:1½:3, 1:2:4 mix ratios. RHA-blended PKSC with 40% PKS and 15% RHA for 1:1½:3 mix ratio attained the compressive strength and thermal conductivity values recommended for lightweight aggregate concrete which is suitable for structural and insulation purposes. It was concluded that the combined use of PKS and RHA as raw materials in concrete is effective in improving concrete's thermal and insulation properties.

Agro-industrial byproducts in rabbit food: Case of the complex of detoxified apricot kernel cake and dehydrated tomato pulp.

Background and Aim:The use of agro-industrial byproducts as an unconventional source of raw materials for monogastric feed is one possible solution. This study aimed to determine the effects of incorporating detoxified apricot kernel meal (DAKM) as a substitute for soybean meal and dehydrated tomato pulp (DTP) as a substitute for alfalfa hay on the local rabbit fattening.Materials and Methods:A total of 120 white strain rabbits, weaned at 33 days, were randomly assigned to four groups of 30. The rabbits in each group were ringed, placed in cages at 6 rabbits/cage, and fed according to DAKM and DTP incorporation rates (0%, 30%, 40%, and 60%).Results:The weights at 77 days were improved (p<0.05) with unchanged mean daily intakes. The vast majority of slaughter parameters and carcass characteristics improved. The chemical composition of the meat constituents improved significantly, with a 60% increase in the protein content of the batch (26.55% vs. 28.53%), 38% reduction in the total feed cost, and 40 DA saved for each kilogram of feed consumed per rabbit. The relative economic efficiency improved in proportion to the substitution rates of soybean meal by DAKM and alfalfa hay by DTP.Conclusion:Substituting DAKM and DTP, as byproducts of agro-industrial processing, for up to 60% induced satisfactory results in rabbit fattening. Therefore, it would be more insightful to increase the incorporation rates to determine the optimal threshold.