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Simple Summary: Pigs play a crucial role in human sustenance, with their intestinal microbiota composition significantly influencing their nutrition and metabolism. Recent research has focused on understanding these differences among various swine breeds to attain improved food quality and safety. We sought the microbial evidence of differential performances of Tibetan pigs. In this study, six Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) pigs and six Tibetan pigs at 200 days of age were examined. Analysis revealed distinct microbial compositions in DLY pigs, with higher levels of Alloprevotella and Prevotellaceae_UCG-003. This resulted in variations in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentrations, contributing to enhanced growth performance. Tibetan pigs exhibited increased abundance of NK4A214_group, leading to higher L-cysteine levels and the subsequent elevation of taurine in the colon and plasma. Taurine influences microbiota dynamics and metabolism, particularly in bile acid metabolism, showcasing Tibetan pigs' proficiency in this area. Overall, DLY pigs excel in SCFA metabolism, while Tibetan pigs exhibit competence in bile acid metabolism. Leveraging these breed-specific differences could improve production performance in these pig breeds. Pigs stand as a vital cornerstone in the realm of human sustenance, and the intricate composition of their intestinal microbiota wields a commanding influence over their nutritional and metabolic pathways. We employed multi-omic evaluations to identify microbial evidence associated with differential growth performance and metabolites, thereby offering theoretical support for the implementation of efficient farming practices for Tibetan pigs and establishing a robust foundation for enhancing pig growth and health. In this work, six Duroc × landrace × yorkshi (DLY) pigs and six Tibetan pigs were used for the experiment. Following humane euthanasia, a comprehensive analysis was undertaken to detect the presence of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), microbial populations, and metabolites within the colonic environment. Additionally, metabolites present within the plasma were also assessed. The outcomes of our analysis unveiled the key variables affecting the microbe changes causing the observed differences in production performance between these two distinct pig breeds. Specifically, noteworthy discrepancies were observed in the microbial compositions of DLY pigs, characterized by markedly higher levels of Alloprevotella and Prevotellaceae_UCG-003 (p < 0.05). These disparities, in turn, resulted in significant variations in the concentrations of acetic acid, propionic acid, and the cumulative SCFAs (p < 0.05). Consequently, the DLY pigs exhibited enhanced growth performance and overall well-being, which could be ascribed to the distinct metabolite profiles they harbored. Conversely, Tibetan pigs exhibited a significantly elevated relative abundance of the NK4A214_group, which consequently led to a pronounced increase in the concentration of L-cysteine. This elevation in L-cysteine content had cascading effects, further manifesting higher levels of taurine within the colon and plasma. It is noteworthy that taurine has the potential to exert multifaceted impacts encompassing microbiota dynamics, protein and lipid metabolism, as well as bile acid metabolism, all of which collectively benefit the pigs. In light of this, Tibetan pigs showcased enhanced capabilities in bile acid metabolism. In summation, our findings suggest that DLY pigs excel in their proficiency in short-chain fatty acid metabolism, whereas Tibetan pigs exhibit a more pronounced competence in the realm of bile acid metabolism. These insights underscore the potential for future studies to leverage these breed-specific differences, thereby contributing to the amelioration of production performance within these two distinct pig breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the changes in the blood metabolic profiles of grazing yaks during the cold season to reveal their physiological status and seek the nutrients needed to be supplemented. Six castrated yaks (3 years old) with 166.8 kg (standard deviation = 5.3) of liveweight grazed in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau were used as experimental animals without supplementary feeding. Blood samples of each animal were collected in October and December 2015, and March 2016 for the analysis of serum biochemicals and metabolome. Results showed serum indices involved in protein metabolism in grazing yaks showed greater differences during the cold season than the metabolisms of energy or minerals. Cold stress in December had minor effects on the serum metabolic profiles of yaks compared with those in October. Yaks in October and December shared seven differential serum metabolites and enrichments of the "arachidonic acid metabolism" and "glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism" pathways compared with those in March caused by the shortage of feeds. Summarily, the nutrient deficiency would be influential on the physiological status of grazing yaks during the cold season, especially on the protein metabolism, which could be improved by supplementary feeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of fennel essential oil (FEO) and peppermint essential oil (PEO) on chitosan-based films were evaluated in this study. The results showed that the addition of FEO and PEO slightly increased the density and thickness, while significantly decreasing the moisture content, water swelling, and solubility properties. The color values (L, a, b, ΔE and whiteness index (WI)) of the composite films containing FEO and PEO changed obviously with a tendency toward yellowness, which was beneficial in resisting food decomposition caused by ultraviolet light. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fourier-transform-infrared (FTIR) results indicated that the addition of FEO and PEO affected the structure of the chitosan films, while the interaction between the chitosan and polyphenols in FEO and PEO established new hydrogen bonds and improved the thermal stability. The environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) illustrated that the surfaces of the composite films containing FEO and PEO were smooth, but the cross-section was rougher than in pure chitosan film. Furthermore, the composite films containing FEO and PEO exhibited prominent antioxidant activity. In short, the novel active chitosan-based films with incorporated FEO and PEO present broad application prospects in fresh-cut meat or vegetable packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Whole-genome re-sequencing data from 10 geographically isolated Tibetan pig populations were collected and analyzed in this study. Population genetic analyses, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), phylogenic tree, genetic differentiation, deleterious variant, contribution to meta-population genetic diversity and selective sweep were performed. Limited genetic differentiation was identified among these Tibetan pig populations. Most deleterious variants were low-frequency mutations and population specific. Contribution to the meta-population was largest in the TT population, based on gene and allelic diversity. Genes under selection were involved in hypoxia adaptation, hard palate development, facial appearance, and perception of smell. Several geographically isolated populations of Tibetan pigs inhabit the high-altitude environment of the Tibetan Plateau. Their genetic relationships, contribution to the pool of genetic diversity, and their origin of domestication are unclear. In this study, whole-genome re-sequencing data from 10 geographically isolated Tibetan pig populations were collected and analyzed. Population genetic analyses revealed limited genetic differentiation among the Tibetan pig populations. Evidence from deleterious variant analysis indicated that population-specific deleterious variants were the major component of all mutational loci. Contribution to the meta-population was largest in the TT (Qinghai-Tibet Plateau) population, based on gene diversity or allelic diversity. Selective sweep analysis revealed numerous genes, including RXFP1, FZD1, OR1F1, TBX19, MSTN, ESR1, MC1R, HIF3A, and EGLN2 which are involved in lung development, hard palate development, coat color, hormone metabolism, facial appearance, and perception of smell. These findings increase our understanding of the origins and domestication of the Tibetan pig, and help optimize the strategy for their conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to produce antioxidant hydrolysate from Tibetan egg white protein hydrolyzed with papain, and to investigate the effect of added papain egg white hydrolysate (PEWH) on the quality characteristics and amino acid profiles of yak milk yogurt. A response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized to analyze the effects of hydrolysis time (X1), the ratio of enzymes to substrates, and enzyme dosage (X3) on the superoxide anion radical (O2−) scavenging activity of hydrolysates. The predicted maximum value of O2− scavenging activity (89.06%) was obtained an X1 of 2.51 h, X2 of 4.13%, and X3 of 4500 U/g of substrate, almost approaching the experimental value (88.05 ± 1.2%). Furthermore, it was found that the addition of PEWH to yak milk can enhance acidification, sensory score, the number of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and the amino acid content in yak milk yogurt. The results suggested that PEWH displayed an exceptional potential to be developed as a functional food ingredient that could be applied during the manufacturing process of yak milk yogurt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to produce antioxidant hydrolysate from Tibetan egg white protein hydrolyzed with papain, and to investigate the effect of added papain egg white hydrolysate (PEWH) on the quality characteristics and amino acid profiles of yak milk yogurt. A response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized to analyze the effects of hydrolysis time (X 1 ), the ratio of enzymes to substrates, and enzyme dosage (X 3 ) on the superoxide anion radical (O 2 - ) scavenging activity of hydrolysates. The predicted maximum value of O 2 - scavenging activity (89.06%) was obtained an X 1 of 2.51 h, X 2 of 4.13%, and X 3 of 4500 U/g of substrate, almost approaching the experimental value (88.05 ± 1.2%). Furthermore, it was found that the addition of PEWH to yak milk can enhance acidification, sensory score, the number of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and the amino acid content in yak milk yogurt. The results suggested that PEWH displayed an exceptional potential to be developed as a functional food ingredient that could be applied during the manufacturing process of yak milk yogurt.