Search

The trial was performed with 80 laying hens belonging to two Tuscan autochthonous breeds: 40 birds of the Mugellese (MU) breed and 40 of the White Leghorn (WL) breed.The animals were allotted to 4 groups of individually caged 20 hens each: two groups were fed on a commercial diet and worked as the control groups (MUC and WLC); the other two groups received the same diet, integrated with 2 g of chestnut tannin (CT) extract per kg of diet (MUT and WLT).A sample of 70 eggs were randomly collected and analysed for cholesterol content, fatty acid (FA) profile, weight, thickness of shell and colour of yolk.Physical parameters, including yolk colour, and indices of egg quality were not affected by the treatments.The concentration of unsaturated FAs increased, whereas cholesterol was significantly decreased: −17% in WLT and −9% in MUT. Dietary supplementation with CT extract resulted in a modification of lipid composition, towards a more healthy quality of eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Background and aim: Some studies recently reported a favourable effect for cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on plasma lipoprotein profile of healthy subjects. Aim of this crossover intervention study was to evaluate the influence of a short-term dietary intake of a cheese derived from sheep''s milk naturally rich in CLA on several atherosclerotic biomarkers, in comparison with a commercially available cheese. Methods and results: Ten subjects (6 F; 4 M) with a median age of 51.5 followed for 10 weeks a diet containing 200g/week of cheese naturally rich in CLA (intervention period) and for the same period a diet containing a commercially available cheese of the same quantity (placebo period). Consumption of the dairy product naturally rich in cis-9, trans-11 CLA determined a significant (p <0.05) reduction in inflammatory parameters such as interleukin-6 (pre: 8.08±1.57 vs. post: 4.58±0.94pg/mL), interleukin-8 (pre: 45.02±5.82 vs. post: 28.59±2.64pg/mL), and tumour necrosis factor-α (pre: 53.58±25.67 vs. post: 32.09±17.42pg/mL) whereas no significant differences in the placebo period were observed. With regard to haemorheological parameters, the test period significantly ameliorated erythrocytes'' filtration rate (pre: 7.61±0.71% vs. post: 9.12±0.97%; p =0.03) with respect to the placebo period. Moreover, a reduction in the extent of platelet aggregation, induced by arachidonic acid [pre: 87.8±1.76% vs. post: 77.7±3.56%; p =0.04] was observed during the test period in comparison with the placebo period. Conclusions: Dietary short-term intake of the tested dairy product naturally rich in cis-9, trans-11 CLA appeared to cause favourable biochemical changes of atherosclerotic markers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Tannins are bioactive compounds able to interfere with protein and lipid metabolism in the rumen, by forming undegradable complexes with dietary proteins and by modulating several bacterial activities, including the biohydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The aim of this trial was to study the effect of dietary supplementation with chestnut hydrolysable tannin extract on ewes milk yield and quality. Ninety-six multiparous Sarda ewes in their mid-lactation phase were allotted to two homogeneous groups (control group, C group; group fed concentrate supplemented with chestnut tannin extract, CHE group), each of 48 animals, for a feeding trial. Animals of both groups grazed 8 h per day on the same pasture based on a mixture of Lolium multiflorum, Avena sativa and Trifolium repens (1:1:1). The two diets differed only in their concentrate supplement. The control group received 450 g/head per day of a concentrate feed without chestnut tannin extract, whereas the CHE group received 500 g/head per day of a concentrate feed formulated with the same ingredients of the control concentrate plus 80.0 g/kg DM of chestnut tannin extract. The amounts of concentrate offered to the animals of both groups were calculated in order to obtain isoproteic and isoenergetic dietary treatments considering the expected DM intake of animals. The inclusion of chestnut tannin in the concentrate resulted in a greater production of milk (+18.64%; P < 0.001). Moreover, no differences in casein fraction profile between milks from both groups were found while the casein index was greater ( P = 0.034) in milk from ewes fed CHE than milk from ewes fed C. As regard fatty acid composition, milk from CHE group had a greater concentration of omega-3 fatty acids if compared to milk from C group (alpha-linolenic acid: 2.18 vs 2.57 g/100 g of total lipids in C and CHE group, respectively), whereas the percentage of CLA and of C18:1 trans 11 in milk fat from CHE group was smaller (CLA: 2.20 vs 1.85 g/100 g of total lipids, in C and CHE group, respectively with P = 0.001; C18:1 trans 11: 3.89 vs 3.57 g/100 g of total lipids in C and CHE group, respectively with P = 0.001). The use of practical doses of CHT in the diet of grazing ewes may improve the response to dietary linseed supplementation, resulting in milk with a greater concentration of alpha-linolenic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of chestnut or quebracho tannin extracts in the diet of grazing ewes supplemented with soybean oil, on the blood plasma and milk fatty acid profile, milk quality traits and animal metabolic profile. Eighteen Comisana ewes at 172 ± 6 days in milking were allotted into 3 experimental groups. Diets were characterized by pasture ad libitum administered and by 800 g/head and day of 3 experimental concentrates containing 84.5 g of soybean oil/kg of DM and 52.8 g/kg DM of bentonite (Control diet) or 52.8 g/kg DM of chestnut tannin extract (hydrolysable tannins, CHE diet) or 52.8 g/kg DM of quebracho tannin extract (condensed tannins, QUE diet). The trial lasted 4 weeks after 15 days of adaptation to the feeding regimen. Milk yield was daily recorded while milk composition and blood parameters were weekly analysed. CHE and QUE did not affect the milk yield and composition. Casein Index was affected by diet and it was significant higher in milk from animals fed QUE (P < 0.0259). The clotting parameters with the exception of a 30 were affected by tannins: r was higher for QUE milk while k 20 increased regardless the kind of tannin. Blood parameters were not affected by tannins and the oxidative status of ewes, determined using MDA as indicator, did not present significant differences among groups, regardless the concentrates fed to animals. Fatty acid profile of blood plasma demonstrated that tannin extract, regardless the source, favored the accumulation of vaccenic acid ( trans-11 18:1) reducing the hematic concentration of stearic acid (18:0). Only few significant differences in milk fatty acid profile were found. In particular, rumenic acid ( cis -9, trans -11 18:2) increased when the concentrates contained polyphenols and the stronger effect is reached with QUE (P < 0.0002). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the transfer of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and of C18:1 isomers from sheep milk to Pecorino Toscano protected denomination of origin cheese and to monitor the stability of these fatty acids during ripening. The total content of C18:1 fatty acids was not affected by milk treatment but there were changes in the isomers profile. In particular, the milk trans11 C18:1 decreased with pasteurization and after starter culture addition. In contrast, trans10 C18:1 and cis9, trans11 C18:2 were enhanced by the thermal treatment of milk. The fatty acid profile of cheese reflected that of milk used for cheese making with the exception of the C18:1 and CLA isomer profile. The cheese ripening affected the percentage of cis9, trans11 C18:2, which increased more than 10% on total content of CLA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Samples of two diets with the same forage/concentrate ratio (60/40 DM) and characterized by the presence of dried herbage (Diet D) or green herbage (Diet G), obtained from the same natural pasture and Lucerne (Medicago sativa), were incubated in vitro with rumen fluid with the aim of monitoring the concentration of cis and trans C18:1 fatty acids and of rumenic acid (RA) with fermentation time. More vaccenic acid (VA) and less RA were produced with Diet G than with Diet D. In particular, the biohydrogenation of unsatured fatty acid (UFA) showed a lower rate with Diet D than with Diet G. Moreover, for Diet G, the highest content of VA was reached as a simultaneous contribution of the direct hydrogenation of RA and linonenic acid (LNA), as reaction intermediate. The presence of green or dried herbage in the diets modified the profile of C18:1 isomers produced during rumen fermentations. In particular cis12, trans12 and cis13 isomers percentages were enhanced by the presence of fresh herbage in the diets while cis11 C18:1 increased with hay. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Olive oil coproducts and their phenolic extracts have shown beneficial effects when added to the diets of food-producing animals, whereas data on their effects on pets are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with olive flour (MOP ® ) on oxidative blood biomarkers in dogs. Thirty dogs were recruited and divided into two groups. Both groups were fed the same kibble feed twice daily. The treatment group (T) also received canned wet feed supplemented with 11.5 mg/kg of body weight of organic olive flour per day, whereas the control group (C) received the same wet feed without any supplementation. The findings showed that oil-free olive pulp flour supplementation led to a significant decrease in d-ROMs ( p < 0.044) in the blood of the T group (from 101.26 to 86.67 U CARR), whereas no significant changes were observed in the C group. An increasing OXY trend was found in the blood of the T group. Polyphenols in olive flour at a dose of 11.5 mg/kg of body weight contributed to lowering the oxidative stress threshold in dogs, reducing the levels of d-ROMs in dogs and leading to increasing trends in the amount of blood antioxidants. The use of olive pulp flour in dog diets has proven to be beneficial for their health and could also reduce the waste associated with olive oil production.

Competing Interests: None to declare for all authors. Figure 1.Mean Hb levels during the observation period. The grey thinner box corresponds to the lower dose of bevacizumab. Hb = haemoglobin, BVZ = bevacizumab.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), can trigger autoimmunity in genetically predisposed individuals through hyperstimulation of immune response and molecular mimicry. Here we summarise the current knowledge about auto-immune liver diseases (AILDs) and SARS-CoV-2, focusing on: (1) The risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the course of COVID-19 in patients affected by AILDs; (2) the role of SARS-CoV-2 in inducing liver damage and triggering AILDs; and (3) the ability of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 to induce autoimmune responses in the liver. Data derived from the literature suggest that patients with AILDs do not carry an increased risk of SARS-Cov-2 infection but may develop a more severe course of COVID-19 if on treatment with steroids or thiopurine. Although SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to the development of several autoimmune diseases, few reports correlate it to the appearance of de novo manifestation of immune-mediated liver diseases such as autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) or AIH/PBC overlap syndrome. Different case series of an AIH-like syndrome with a good prognosis after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination have been described. Although the causal link between SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and AIH cannot be definitively established, these reports suggest that this association could be more than coincidental., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: Gerardo Nardone has served as a speaker and advisory board member for AG Pharma, Reckitt Benckiser, and has received research funding from SOFAR Spa and Alfasigma. No relevant conflicts of interest exist for the other authors., (©The Author(s) 2023. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

The recovery, safeguarding, and valorization of autochthonous poultry breeds may contribute toward the preservation of animal biodiversity and utilization of marginal lands that otherwise offer little agricultural or industrial value. A key strategy in promoting local breeds involves the characterization of morphological traits and productive performances, which are influenced by the breed's genetic make-up as well as its environment. The Mugellese breed is an Italian local poultry breed originating in the Mugello area of north-east Tuscany. It is characterized by frugality, resilience and resistance to disease, cold, and heat stress. Moreover, these birds are particularly suitable for free-range farming. The Mugellese chicken is described as a dwarf breed with a medium neck, broad shoulders, fairly long and horizontal wings, wide, and well-developed breast (especially in the hen). Over the course of a 1-yr observation and data collection period, involving 23 breeders and 405 adult chickens, the Mugellese breed showed the following performances: 1) a hen-day egg production characterized by 2 major peaks: the first in the spring time (March-April, 65.75%), and the second in the late summer period (August-September, 51.86%); 2) high true fertility values (94.35%) throughout the entire breeding season; 3) a weight gain of 732.44 ± 117.06 g and a feed conversion ratio of 3.94 ± 2.42 at an age of 140 d; 4) a slaughter yield of 77.80% (± 3.91); v) a respective protein, fat, and mineral content in the yolk and albumen were: 27.21 ± 4.21 g, 57.77 ± 1.03 g and 3.47 ± 0.40 g per 100 g of yolk; and 82.50 ± 0.57 g, 0.12 ± 0.01 g and 5.43 ± 0.34 g per 100 g of albumen. More data are needed to validate the data obtained in this trial., Competing Interests: DISCLOSURES The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the preventive and the therapeutic effect of Stodi ® as phytogenic feed additive rich in phenolic substances on the calf diarrhea, during the first 24 days of life. A total of 40 calves were included and randomly divided into Group C (control group) and Group T (treated group) with placebo or treatment administration started from the third day of life (T0). Calves belonged to group C received 2 L of warm water, while the calves assigned to group T received 2L of warm water plus 30 g of Stodi ® . Solutions administration was maintained until day 21 (T21) that was the end of the experimental period. Calves were weighed at T0 and T21 to assess the average daily gain (ADG). Physical examination and fecal score evaluation were performed daily. The duration of a diarrheic episode, the age of the first diarrhea outbreak (TDE) and the frequency of diarrheic episodes were recorded. Complete blood count, methemoglobin and liver enzymes were evaluated at T0 and at T21 in all the calves by spectrophotometer and clinical chemistry analysis, respectively. Data were analyzed using a mixed model. A Chi-square and a Mann-Whitney test were also performed. No difference was found for ADG between the groups. The difference of mean age at TDE was not statistically significant between C and T group. The number of calves with diarrhea in the C group tended to be higher than that of T group ( p = 0.13). Calves in group C spent more days with clinical sign of diarrhea compared to group T ( p = 0.016). Complete blood count, methemoglobin and liver enzymes were within the reference ranges. The feed additive Stodi ® seemed to be effective in shortening neonatal diarrhea episodes in calves thanks to the administration of 30 g per day of product. The fixed dosage of Stodi ® used in our study did not show a preventive effect to reduce the incidence of calf diarrhea., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Turini, Mantino, Tozzi, Bonelli, Silvi, Mele, Sgorbini, Meucci and Minieri.)

Chestnut tannins (CT) and saturated short medium chain fatty acids (SMCFA) are valid alternatives to contrast the growth of pathogens in poultry rearing, representing a valid alternative to antibiotics. However, the effect of their blends has never been tested. Two blends of CT extract and Sn1-monoglycerides of SMCFA (SN1) were tested in vitro against the proliferation of Clostridium perfringens , Salmonella typhymurium , Escherichia coli , Campylobacter jejuni . The tested concentrations were: 3.0 g/kg of CT; 3.0 g/kg of SN1; 2.0 g/kg of CT and 1.0 g/kg of SN1; 1.0 g/kg of CT and 2.0 g/kg of SN1. Furthermore, their effect on broiler performances and meat quality was evaluated in vivo: one-hundred Ross 308 male birds were fed a basal diet with no supplement (control group) or supplemented with CT or SN1 or their blends at the same concentration used in the in vitro trial. The in vitro assay confirmed the effectiveness of the CT and SN1 mixtures in reducing the growth of the tested bacteria while the in vivo trial showed that broiler performances, animal welfare and meat quality were not negatively affected by the blends, which could be a promising alternative in replacing antibiotics in poultry production.

The addition of polyphenol extracts in ruminant diets is an effective strategy to modulate rumen microflora. The aim of this in vitro trial was to study the effects of chestnut tannin extract (CHT), vescalagin (VES) and gallic acid (GAL) on dietary fibre degradability and on the dimethyl acetals (DMA) profile and microbial community composition of rumen liquor. Four diets (basal diet; basal diet plus CHT; basal diet plus VES; basal diet plus GAL) were fermented for 24 h using ewe rumen liquor. At the end of the fermentation, the microbial communities were characterized by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. The DMA profile was analyzed by gas chromatography. Chestnut tannin extract did not affect fibre degradability, whereas VES and GAL showed a detrimental effect. The presence of CHT, VES and GAL influenced the concentration of several DMA (i.e., 12:0, 13:0, 14:0, 15:0, 18:0 and 18:1 trans -11), whereas the composition of the microbial community was marginally affected. The inclusion of CHT led to the enrichment of the genera Anaerovibrio , Bibersteinia , Escherichia/Shigella , Pseudobutyrivibrio and Streptococcus . The results of this study support the hypothesis that the activity of CHT is due to the synergistic effect of all components rather than the property of a single component.

Tannins were recently evaluated as feed additives in order to increase antioxidant compounds in animal diet, mainly to enhance resistance to lipid oxidation in meat. Rabbit meat is one of the most susceptible animal products, thus the main aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of tannins to elongate shelf life of rabbit meat. Ninety hybrid rabbits were fed with three different diets: basal diet (control, C) and basal diet supplemented with 0.3% or 0.6% of tannins mix. Meat samples were refrigerated as raw at 4°C up to 11 days and analysed both as raw and cooked for physical-chemical characteristics, fatty acids profile, lipid oxidation and antioxidant capacity. Results showed that dietary tannins affected meat colour of raw samples (mostly yellowness). Lipid peroxidation (TBARS) of raw samples was lower in tannins group than C group; a further inhibition of peroxidation was showed also in cooked samples only by the highest dose of tannins mix. Moreover, antioxidant capacity (ABTS) of raw samples increased with the percentage of tannins. In conclusion, supplementation with 0.6% of tannins mix seems to positively affect the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity of meat without modifying the intrinsic characteristics of rabbit meat., (© 2019 Japanese Society of Animal Science.)

Olive oil pomace (OOP) is a bio-waste rich in highly soluble polyphenols. OOP has been proposed as an additive in ruminant feeding to modulate rumen fermentations. Three groups of ewes were fed the following different diets: a control diet and two diets supplemented with OOP, obtained with a two-phase (OOP2) or three-phase (OOP3) olive milling process. Rumen liquor (RL) showed a higher content of 18:3 cis9 cis12 cis15 (α-linolenic acid, α-LNA) with OOP2 inclusion, and of 18:2 cis9 trans11 (rumenic acid, RA) with OOP3 inclusion. The overall composition of the RL microbiota did not differ among treatments. Significant differences, between control and treated groups, were found for six bacterial taxa. In particular, RL microbiota from animals fed OOPs showed a reduction in Anaerovibrio, a lipase-producing bacterium. The decrease in the Anaerovibrio genus may lead to a reduction in lipolysis, thus lowering the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids available for biohydrogenation. Milk from animals fed OOP showed a higher content of 18:1 cis9 (oleic acid, OA) but the α-LNA concentration was increased in milk from animals treated with OOP2 only. Therefore, inclusion of OOP in ruminant diets may be a tool to ameliorate the nutritional characteristics of milk.

Ruminants derived products have a prominent role in diets and economy worldwide; therefore, the capability to control the rumen microbial ecosystem, for ameliorating their quality, is of fundamental importance in the livestock sector. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with chestnut and quebracho tannins on microbial community and fatty acid profile, in the rumen fluid of dairy ewes. Multivariate analysis of PCR-DGGE profiles of rumen microbial communities showed a correlation among the presence of chestnut or quebracho in the diet, the specific Butyrivibrio group DGGE profiles, the increase in 18:3 cis 9, cis 12, and cis 15; 18:2 cis 9 and cis 12; 18:2 cis 9 and trans 11; 18:2 trans 11 and cis 15; and 18:1 trans 11 content, and the decrease in 18:0 concentration. Phylogenetic analysis of DGGE band sequences revealed the presence of bacteria representatives related to the genera Hungatella , Ruminococcus , and Eubacterium and unclassified Lachnospiraceae family members, suggesting that these taxa could be affected by tannins presence in the diets. The results of this study showed that tannins from chestnut and quebracho can reduce the biohydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids through changes in rumen microbial communities.

Background: Stoned olive pomace (SOP), which represents approximately 50% of the conversion process of olives to olive oil, is largely not utilised and creates costs for its disposal and has negative environmental impacts. In vitro trial experiments were employed to study the effect of feeds integrated with this bio-waste, which is rich in polyphenols, on rumen biohydrogenation, using sheep rumen liquor as inoculum., Results: Fatty acid (FA) analysis and a polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) approach aimed at characterising the microbial community indicated that including SOP in feeds at the level of 50 g/kg and 90 g/kg induced changes in the FA profile and microbial populations. The simultaneous decrease of Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus and accumulation of vaccenic acid was observed. A depression in the populations of Neisseria weaveri, Ruminobacter amylophilus and other unclassified bacteria related to members of the Lachnospiraceae and Pasteurellaceae families was detected, suggesting that these microbial groups may be involved in rumen biohydrogenation., Conclusions: Supplementation of feeds with SOP alters the rumen bacterial community, including bacteria responsible for the hydrogenation of vaccenic acid to stearic acid, thereby modifying the FA profile of the rumen liquor. Hence, a use of SOP aimed to produce meat or dairy products enriched in functional lipids can be hypothesised.

Tannins are phenolic compounds that interfere with biohydrogenation (BH) of polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs). The aim of the present in vitro study was to investigate the effects of two different sources of tannins on FA profiles of rumen bacteria, with particular reference to rumenic and vaccenic acid. A control diet (C; composed of 300 g/kg of wheat straw, 132 g/kg of soyabean meal, 96 g/kg of barley meal, 152 g/kg of maize meal, 300 g/kg of maize gluten and 20 g/kg of mineral vitamin premix, all expressed on dry matter (DM)) and four diets, obtained by adding to C two different types of tannins from chestnut (TC) and from quebracho (TQ) at two concentration levels (49 and 82 g/kg DM), were compared. The content of the main unsaturated FAs (C18:1 cis9, C18:1 trans11, C18:2 cis9, cis12 and C18:3 cis9, cis12, cis15) from solid-associated bacteria (SAB) and liquid-associated bacteria (LAB) was affected by the presence of tannins in the diets. In particular, C18:1 trans11 content was significantly increased, especially with TC1, whereas the decreasing of C18:1 cis9 was unaffected, regardless of the presence or the kind of tannins added to feeds. SAB contained higher amounts of intermediates of polyunsaturated FA BH (as C18:1 trans11 and C18:2 cis9, trans11) than LAB that were characterized by a higher amount of C18:0. In the concentration range adopted in this study, the effect of TC and TQ on changes of bacterial FA profile was comparable. Tannins seem to be a good means to modulate the FA profile of rumen bacteria, favouring the accumulation of C18:1 trans11 during in vitro rumen fermentation.

The purple non-sulfur photosynthetic bacteria Rhodopseudomonas palustris (strain 42OL) was investigated for a co-production of both bio-H(2) and biodiesel (lipids). The investigation was carried out using malic and glutamic acids in a fed-batch cultivation system under continuous irradiances of 36, 56, 75, 151, 320, 500, and 803 W m(-2). Boltzmann's sigmoidal regression model was used to determine growth kinetic parameters during hydrogen photoevolution. The upper limit of volumetric hydrogen photoevolution was 15.5 + or - 0.9 ml l(-1) h(-1). During the entire cultivation period (408 h), the highest average hydrogen production rate (HPR(av)) of 11.1 + or - 3.1 ml l(-1) h(-1) was achieved at an irradiance of 320 W m(-2). Biomasses stored at the end of each experimental set were analyzed in order to determine lipid content, which ranged from a minimum of 22 + or - 1% to a maximum of 39 + or - 2% of biomass dry weight., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Rhodopseudomonas palustris was grown under continuous irradiances of 36, 56, 75, 151, 320, 500, and 803 W m(-2), for a co-production of both bio-H(2) and biodiesel (lipids) using fed-batch conditions. The highest overall bio-H(2) produced [4.2 l(H(2)) l(culture) (-1)] was achieved at 320 W m(-2), while the highest dry biomass (3.18 g l(-1)) was attained at 500 W m(-2). Dry biomass contained between 22 and 39% lipid. The total energy conversion efficiency was at its highest (6.9%) at 36 W m(-2).