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Context: The feeding of pigs raised in an intensive system has been made, in general, with rations formulated using corn and soybean meal as the main ingredients. Brown rice bran, a by-product of the processing of rice grains for human consumption, presents itself as an alternative for total or partial replacement. Aims: The objective of the present study was to observe the effects of including 10% of whole rice bran (WRB), adding 0.02% exogenous multienzyme complex (MC) and changing the levels of metabolisable energy and available phosphorus (ME.aP) together in rations for newly weaned piglets. Methods: Digestibility and metabolisability of the rations, as well as zootechnical performance, were evaluated using 24 and 144 animals respectively, distributed in randomised blocks in time, with eight treatments, in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial scheme. Three repetitions were used in the metabolism essay, with one animal housed per cage, and six repetitions were made in the performance test, with three animals per stall, which was considered the experimental unit. Digestibility and metabolisability coefficients, weight gain and feed intake, as well as feed efficiency, were evaluated. Key results: The results showed that the inclusion of WRB reduced the digestibility and metabolisability coefficients of the rations, while the addition of MC provided an improvement in these indexes. The performance test showed that the inclusion of WRB worsened (P < 0.05) the feed efficiency. Conclusions and implications: The multienzyme complex improves the digestibility and metabolisability of experimental rations, although it does not influence the performance of piglets in the nursery phase. The search for foods that can replace the corn in feed without compromising the performance of the animals, has been the object of study by many researchers. Brown rice bran presents as antinutritional factors, high levels of crude fibre and phytic phosphorus, which result in low nutritional availability. However, addition of exogenous enzymes, a product of the development of the food-additives industry, can be an effective way to optimise the use of this type of food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edible insects have huge potential as an important alternative food and feed, and research in this area has developed considerably over the past few decades. In this study, a bibliometric analysis was conducted for the first time to provide a quantitative and visualization analysis of the trends in the edible insect research landscape. Documents on 'edible insects' OR 'insects as food' OR 'entomophagy' published from 1953 until 2021 were retrieved from the Scopus database and analyzed in terms of publication output, active journals and countries, leading authors, and institutes, and main keywords. The VOSviewer program was used to visualize trends in the bibliographic information. A total of 1376 documents were published in this time duration on the topic. Meyer-Rochow, Van Huis; Journal of Insect as Food and Feed; and Wageningen University and Research were respectively the top publishing authors, leading journals, and research institutes. Keywords analysis and categorization of studies highlighted 'food security', 'food neophobia', 'functional properties', 'food processing', and 'sustainability' as some of the main areas of interest and research trends, and that research on 'edible insects' is highly multidisciplinary. We have surmised potential 'hotspot' areas of developing research and key players and activities that can drive the research and development of edible insects for use as food. International collaborations to bridge knowledge and habit of entomophagy in many developing countries with the skills and facilities of developed countries could lead to accelerated utilization and commercialization of this food source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was carried out to evaluate the effect of replacing dietary soybean meal with peanut meal, on intake and digestibility, microbial protein synthesis, and nitrogen balance in lactating cows. Twelve crossbred Holstein × Gyr cows at 84 days in milk (DIM) were distributed in a triple 4 × 4 Latin square. The treatments consisted of increasing peanut meal levels (0, 330, 670, and 1000 g/kg dry matter basis) in replacement of soybean meal in the diet. Replacing soybean meal with peanut meal had no effect on the intake and digestibility of dry matter and nutrients. Nitrogen balance and percentage of retained were similar among treatments. Microbial nitrogen synthesis and microbial protein synthesis efficiency were similar among treatments. Thus, in regions where its cost is lower, peanut meal can totally replace soybean meal in dairy cow diets without affecting nitrogen balance and microbial protein synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of MESO is the property of Zadruzna Stampa D.D. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article uses actor network theory and the field of market studies to take a processual and relational approach to the alternative/mainstream food duality. Questions about how food systems or products make claim to be of the alternative or mainstream, and to what consequence, underpin the study. Analysis traces the making and shaping of two market versions for male dairy calves, a by-product of the dairy industry, often treated as ‘waste’ in the UK. Analysis focuses on the assemblage of actors, the breaking of matters of fact and shaping and communication of concerns, and at actions. Contrary to many approaches to the alternative, focus is paid to overlap between systems, knowledge and actors and simultaneous development of two products. From this, the ethicality of the mainstream, the continued duality and its consequences are discussed. Beyond seeing mainstream/alternative as co-constituted constructs, the two are symbiotic, mutually supportive and implicated in the circuit of culinary capital. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

While consumers in affluent countries are ever hungry for alternatives to the ‘Big-Food’ mainstream, critical scholars have raised serious questions about the meaning of ‘alternative’ food products. I explore scholarly critiques of alternative food, and argue against a binary approach that sees foods as either alternative or not alternative. Instead, I suggest the utility of taking a multifaceted, ‘family of issues’ approach that is both reflexive and materialist. The case of ethical meat is used to explore the myriad, often contradictory ideals contained within consumers’ search for alternatives to mainstream market options. Three cautionary lessons are put forward. First, the goal of producing myriad consumer alternatives is significantly hampered by the competing, and often contradictory demands of market forces. Second, the discourse of food alternatives uses a ‘win-win’ logic suggesting that consumer sacrifice or change is unnecessary; the challenge of reshaping, and even downgrading consumer expectations is a necessary, but tremendous challenge facing consumer projects for ecological and social change. Third, the search for eco-social alternatives cannot simply make consumersfeel goodabout their purchases, but must address the material realities and limitations of niche markets, and the need for structural reform to the food system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Biological pest control is becoming increasingly important for sustainable agriculture. Although many species of natural enemies are already being used commercially, efficient biological control of various pests is still lacking, and there is a need for more biocontrol agents. In this review, we focus on predatory soil mites, their role as natural enemies, and their biocontrol potential, mainly in vegetable and ornamental crops, with an emphasis on greenhouse systems. These predators are still underrepresented in biological control, but have several advantages compared to predators living on above-ground plant parts. For example, predatory soil mites are often easy and affordable to mass rear, as most of them are generalist predators, which also means that they may be used against various pests and can survive periods of pest scarcity by feeding on alternative prey or food. Many of them can also endure unfavourable conditions, making it easier for them to establish in various crops. Based on the current literature, we show that they have potential to control a variety of pests, both in greenhouses and in the field. However, more research is needed to fully understand and appreciate their potential as biocontrol agents. We review and discuss several methods to increase their efficiency, such as supplying them with alternative food and changing soil/litter structure to enable persistence of their populations. We conclude that predatory soil mites deserve more attention in future studies to increase their application in agricultural crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acanthocereus tetragonus (L.) Hummelinck is used as an alternative food source in some Mexican communities. It has been shown that the young stems of A. tetragonus provide crude protein, fiber, and essential minerals for humans. In this work, we analyzed the phytochemical profile, the total phenolic content (TPC), and the antioxidant activity of cooked and crude samples of A. tetragonus to assess its functional metabolite contribution to humans. The phytochemical profile was analyzed using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-PDA-HESI-Orbitrap-MS/MS). Under the proposed conditions, 35 metabolites were separated and tentatively identified. Of the separated metabolites, 16 occurred exclusively in cooked samples, 6 in crude samples, and 9 in both crude and cooked samples. Among the detected compounds, carboxylic acids, such as threonic, citric, and malic acids, phenolic acids, and glycosylated flavonoids (luteolin-O-rutinoside) were detected. The TPC and antioxidant activity were analyzed using the Folin–Ciocalteu method and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical inhibition method, respectively. The TPC and antioxidant activity were significantly reduced in the cooked samples. We found that some metabolites remained intact after the cooking process, suggesting that A. tetragonus represents a source of functional metabolites for people who consume this plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intraguild predation (IGP) and cannibalism influence the effectiveness of biological control with generalist predators. In Japanese citrus orchards, two generalist phytoseiid species, Euseius sojaensis (Ehara) and Amblyseius eharai Amitai et Swirski, occur simultaneously, but only the former can control Aculops pelekassi (Keifer). First, we investigated the intensity of IGP and cannibalism in E. sojaensis and A. eharai in the presence and absence of pine pollen, which is a high-quality alternative food for these predatory mites. Amblyseius eharai was a stronger intraguild predator and cannibalistic predator than E. sojaensis with or without pollen. In the presence of pollen, although IGP and cannibalism were relaxed in both species, they were not dramatically reduced in A. eharai. Next, we investigated the effects of IGP and cannibalism on A. pelekassi control by changing the release ratio of E. sojaensis and A. eharai in the presence of pollen. With release of E. sojaensis alone, the E. sojaensis population increased and thus A. pelekassi was controlled. With release of A. eharai alone, however, the A. eharai population did not increase and thus A. pelekassi was not controlled. Simultaneous release of E. sojaensis and A. eharai reduced the rate of E. sojaensis population increase. Moreover, A. pelekassi densities were higher with a higher release ratio of A. eharai. These results suggest that A. eharai diminishes the biological control efficiency of the phytoseiid complex owing to IGP and cannibalism, even in the presence of high-quality food, and thus could indirectly increase pest populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the histological characteristics in the digestive and renal systems of lambs fed diets containing coconut by-product (CB). A total of 35 male lambs with an initial weight of 16.9 ± 2.93 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design with five levels of CB in the diet (0; 4.8; 9.6; 14.4 and 19.2% in total dry matter). Samples of the liver, kidney, rumen, and intestine were histomorphometrically evaluated, and the data were submitted to regression analysis, at a 5% error probability. The inclusion of CB linearly decreased the dry matter intake and caused a quadratic effect for the height of ruminal papillae, absorption area, epithelium thickness, as well as for average daily gain. The inclusion of CB linearly increased the mucous layer and reduced the submucosal layer, as well as promoted a decrease in goblet cells in the small intestine. The inclusion of CB did not influence hepatic glycogen; additionally, the histopathological examination did not reveal liver damage or congestion, vacuolization, and necrosis of the renal tissue. Therefore, our results indicate that CB can be included in lambs diet up to the level of 7.2% without causing changes in the histomorphometry characteristics of the gastrointestinal tract and changes in liver and kidney tissue that compromise animal performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to evaluate increasing levels of fish waste oil in diets for laying hens on serum biochemistry profile. 192 Hisex White laying hens at 29 weeks of age were used, with water and food ad libitum. The experimental design was completely randomized consisting of eight treatments corresponding to the inclusion levels of fish waste oil (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5%) in the diets, with four replicates of six birds each. Data collected were subjected to polynomial regression at 5% of significance. Significant differences (P

Providing food security to the growing global population, and the resource depletion associated with current food systems, let to calls for more sustainable food sources. Food that can be produced in a sustainable way (taking all three aspects of sustainable development into consideration) is currently emerging in Western societies. Through tastings, insight can be gathered not only into sensory characteristics but also other aspects that aid innovation and development of food. The current study identified aspects that can affect tastings of emerging food by reviewing relevant literature. General aspects; meat alternatives; ingredients or processing technologies; information, prior knowledge and (un)familiarity; taste and liking; emotional factors; and willingness to engage with emerging food can affect tastings of emerging food. Awareness of the effect that these aspects can have on methodological considerations and results can be constructive in future research that use tastings as a platform to develop new and emerging food. The findings are significant for food science in terms of cornerstones towards potential industrial applications. These include innovating new types of food, assessing most effective technologies in the context of such food, developing new products, and understanding engagement with emerging food products.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance and intestinal biometry of Japanese quails fed levels of corn distillery dry grain (DDG) in the rearing phase. A total of 660 Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and six replications, with 22 quails per experimental unit during 20 days of experimentation. The treatments used were diet with 0% (control), 5, 10, 15 and 20% of corn DDG inclusion. The variables evaluated were feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion and intestinal biometry. Data were analyzed using the linear and quadratic regression model at 5% probability and Dunnett's test at 5% probability. The use of corn DDG showed a difference (P<0.05) for feed intake, and the inclusion level of 9.51% of DDG maximized this parameter. There were no differences (P>0.05) for weight gain and feed conversion. For intestinal biometry there was difference (P<0.05) only for jejunum and ileum length. In conclusion, it is recommended to include corn DDG in diets of Japanese quails in the rearing phase up to 10.1% without causing damage to performance parameters and intestinal biometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Atencao Primaria a Saude is the property of Revista de Atencao Primaria a Saude and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

There has been growing attention among major developed countries to alternative food products using vegetable-derived ingredients to help animal welfare and environmental sustainability. The development of ICT technology and awareness of animal welfare, health, and environmental damage have led to a rise in alternative food products. This study explains consumer selection attributes for alternative foods in categories of intrinsic and extrinsic attributes, storage and usage, ethical consumption, awareness of the environment, and vegetarianism. It also intends to clarify the connection between purchase intentions and purchase preferences caused by selection attributes. The bivariate probit model (BPM) was used to quantitatively analyze consumers' selection attributes for alternative foods. Element analysis was conducted on twenty-three variables for alternative food selection attributes to derive five elements: quality and safety, environmental awareness, product specifications, ethical consumption, and storage and usage. Analysis indicated that of the five selection attributes, quality and safety and ethical consumption significantly affected vegetarian or semi-vegetarian purchase intentions and preferences. This study intends to identify the elements that affect consumer purchase intentions for alternative foods introduced from an expanding alternative food market, investigate directions for future food development, and provide useful information for consumption promotion strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we have modified the traditional May-Holling-Tanner predator-prey model used to represent the interaction between least-weasel and field-vole population by adding an Allee effect (strong and weak) on the field-vole population and alternative food source for the weasel population. It is shown that the dynamic is different from the original May-Holling-Tanner predator-prey interaction since new equilibrium points have appeared in the first quadrant. Moreover, the modified model allows the extinction of both species when the Allee effect (strong and weak) on the prey is included, while the inclusion of the alternative food source for the predator shows that the system can support the coexistence of the populations, extinction of the prey and coexistence and oscillation of the populations at the same time. Furthermore, we use numerical simulations to illustrate the impact that changing the predation rate and the predator intrinsic growth rate have on the basin of attraction of the stable equilibrium point or stable limit cycle in the first quadrant. These simulations show the stabilisation of predator and prey populations and/or the oscillation of these two species over time.

The aim of this study was to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients and digestible values of crude protein, ethereal extract, gross energy and dry matter of mulberry leaf meal (MLM) (Morus alba L.) as Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) feed. A total of 135 Nile tilapia juveniles were used, and the indirect methodology (Cr2O3) was applied for digestibility determinations. Mulberry leave meal presented good apparent digestible coefficients of protein, ethereal extract and energy with respective values of 0.94, 0.58 and 0.39. The mulberry leave meal thus comprises adequate digestible protein and digestible energy values, similar or better than other leafy foods, presenting potential for inclusion in Nile tilapia diets.

Copyright of Revista Academica Ciencia Animal is the property of Revista Academica Ciencia Animal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Academica Ciencia Animal is the property of Revista Academica Ciencia Animal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this study was to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients and digestible values of crude protein, ethereal extract, gross energy and dry matter of mulberry leaf meal (MLM) (Morus alba L.) as Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) feed. A total of 135 Nile tilapia juveniles were used, and the indirect methodology (Cr2O3) was applied for digestibility determinations. Mulberry leave meal presented good apparent digestible coefficients of protein, ethereal extract and energy with respective values of 0.94, 0.58 and 0.39. The mulberry leave meal thus comprises adequate digestible protein and digestible energy values, similar or better than other leafy foods, presenting potential for inclusion in Nile tilapia diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we test to what extent Food Quality Schemes (FQS, including Geographical Indications and organic products) contribute to the social and economic sustainability of farmers and regions through employment and education. Through employment, FQS may counter the urban migration trend affecting rural regions, and help retain economic and social capital in the local region. Indeed, as FQS are often small and specialised sectors, the economic inefficiency of such businesses may translated into greater employment and social sustainability. Separately, by requiring a higher-level of quality and hence skills, FQS may encourage greater local educational attainment or skilled immigration. To test these propositions, we analyse the employment and educational outcomes of 25 FQS. Our results show that the FQS products examined have a 13% higher labour usage (labour-to-production ratio) compared to reference products, indicating that they provide greater employment. Additionally, wage levels are 32% higher in FQS compared to references. Despite providing greater employment and higher wages, profitability of FQS (i.e. how much turnover/profit is generated per employee) is nevertheless 32% higher for FQS compared to reference products, due to the ability to attract higher product prices. Finally, there is no clear link between FQS and greater (or lower) education attainment in the supply chain. Overall, our results suggest that FQS can provide a strong contribution to local employment, employee income and business profits, strengthening the social and economic sustainability of producers and regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terroir is a French concept suggesting that the qualities (and quality) of agricultural and rural products and services are determined by the physical and socio-cultural environment of their origin. In this paper, we refine the conceptualisation of terroir to clarify the integrated relationship between its physical-natural and socio-cultural constitutive domains through place, history and the senses. Using this reconceptualization, we theorise terroir 's unique and powerful contribution to sustainability through the integration of place and sensory, visceral experience. In turn, we derive six propositions that describe the relationship between terroir and business actions, with clear implications for the sustainability of rural businesses and regions. • We highlight terroir's connection to sustainability for rural businesses and regions. • Terroir links product and service qualities to characteristics of the place of origin. • Terroir integrates socio-cultural and natural domains through place, senses and history. • Terroir is theoretically connected to sustainability by place and viscerality. • Actors' views of terroir may influence their sustainability actions and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the replacement of soybean meal by extruded whole soybean in the feeding of pigs in the nursery phase. Thirty-six piglets (Landrace x Large White), with 45 days weighing on average 11.36 kg, distributed in a randomized block design, three treatments, six replicates, two animals per repetition were used. The treatments consisted of: control treatment (T1) basal diet, basal diet with 10% replacement of soybean meal by extruded soybean (T2), basal diet with 20% replacement of soybean meal by extruded soybean (T3). The variables analyzed were: average weight, feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion. The levels of ureatic activity, ether extract, crude protein, protein solubility and volatile moisture of extruded soybean were verified. No difference was found (P>0.05) between the inclusion levels of extruded soybean in piglet diets in the nursery phase for the variables studied. The processing of extruded whole soybean did not affect its digestibility. Extruded soybeans at a level of up to 20% included in piglet feeding during the nursery phase can be a possible substitute for soybean meal, without compromising the performance of the animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstrak Tiwul adalah pangan olahan berbahan baku utama umbi cassava yang proses pembuatannya relatif mudah. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah memberikan alternatif lain makanan pokok selain nasi putih dengan pertimbangan bahan baku yang melimpah, harga terjangkau, tinggi kalori dan bergizi, serta survei persepsi konsumen mengenai tiwul instan. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa uji hedonik konsumen dari tiwul instan secara keseluruhan bernilai 4,0 yang artinya konsumen beranggapan bahwa kesukaan terhadap tiwul instan biasa saja. Nilai rasa pada uji hedonik dan uji mutu hedonik bernilai 4,8 dan 5,4 yang artinya konsumen beranggapan bahwa rasa dari tiwul instan menunjukkan kualitas yang baik. Hasil dari penelitian survei persepsi konsumen menunjukkan bahwa 38,3% panelis memilih untuk mengonsumsi tiwul sebagai makanan sarapan, 31,7% panelis memilih untuk mengonsumsi tiwul sebagai makanan cemilan, 18,3% panelis memilih untuk mengonsumsi tiwul sebagai makanan penunda lapar, dan 11,7% panelis memilih untuk mengonsumsi tiwul sebagai makanan pengganti nasi. Kata kunci: makanan pokok alternatif, persepsi konsumen, tiwul instan, uji hedonik Abstract Tiwul is one of the foods derived from cassava, which the manufacturing process is relatively easy. The purpose of this research is to provide another alternative staple food in addition to white rice with consideration of abundant raw materials, affordable prices, high calorie and nutritious, and consumer perception surveys about instant tiwul. The results show that the consumer hedonic test of the instant tiwul is 4.0. It means the consumer assumes that the preference for the instant tiwul is normal. The taste score of hedonic test and the hedonic quality test is 4.8 and 5.4, which means the consumer thinks the quality of tiwul instant is good. The results of the consumer perception survey showed that 38.3% choose to consume tiwul as a breakfast food, 31.7% choose to consume tiwul as a snack food, 18.3% choose to consume tiwul as food for hunger delay, and 11.7% choose to consume tiwul as food for substituting rice. Keywords: alternative food, consumer perception, hedonic test, instant tiwul

In Brazil, Anodontites trapesialis is a mussel species that occurs spontaneously in fish breeding sites. This species feeds on the remains of cultural treatments of other aquaculture species. The objective of the work is to understand the bromatological composition of mussel A. trapesialis. Individuals were selected to compose three samples of 500 g each of A. trapesialis for chemical composition, with viscera and viscera + shells being evaluated. The species presented 40.42 to 62.76 g of viscera per individual with a moisture content of 5.16% for viscera + shells and 86.5% for viscera. The mussel contains 42.6 and 12.96% crude protein, 3.16 and 1.76 of ether extract, 0.76 and 2.5% of crude fiber for viscera and viscera + shells. The total digestible nutrients were 74.16 and 36.96% for viscera and viscera + shells and 18.43 and 52.83% of mineral material for viscera and viscera + shells. A. trapesialis has relevant characteristics in its chemical composition as high protein content that gives the species potential for the human, animal, and other byproducts production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to evaluate the chemical characteristics of taro tuber silage (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott) with panela cane (POJ93) and its effect on productive indicators of gestating commercial sows, a total of 30 F1 Landrace x Duroc sows with an average weight of 218.87 ± 2.85 kg were used. They were divided into two treatments (0 and 50% inclusion of silage in the diet), in equal parts, according to a completely randomized design. In the silage samples, the pH, dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, ash, ether extract, nitrogenfree extracts and gross energy were determined. In the productive performance, the final weight of the sows, piglets born at birth, piglets born alive at birth, litter weight, piglet weight at born, food intake and the feeding cost per sow were evaluated. Data were processed by ANOVA and contrast of means with Fisher's test (P <0.05). The pH was stabilized between days four (4.15) and thirty (4.15). The silage showed good content of dry matter (70.99 %), crude protein (7.01 %), ash (13.16 %), nitrogen-free extract (72.42 %), gross energy (895.21 kJ/kg DM) and low content of ether extract (1.31 %) and crude fiber (6.13 %). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between treatments for the final weight of the sows, piglets born at birth, total live born piglets, litter weight, piglet weight at born and food intake. The sows that were fed silage showed the lowest (P <0.05) feeding cost per sow. Under the Ecuadorian Amazon conditions, the inclusion of 50 % taro tubers silage (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott) with panela cane (POJ93) in the diet for gestating commercial sows did not affect the productive performance and reduced the cost production on the stage, so it constitutes an alternative food source with optimal nutritional characteristics for this category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many protected crops, augmentative biological control heavily relies on generalist predators, which continuous presence on the crop allows an early response to pest immigration and outbreaks. Persistence is possible by their ability to feed on alternative food, such as pollen, plant-provided or artificially supplemented. However, fitness is decreased when feeding on alternative foods, hindering performance. We present a new approach to face this challenge: genetic improvement for better fitness feeding on suboptimal food. Orius laevigatus is one of the main biological control agents used in greenhouse vegetable crops. A breeding process was carried out on the basis of a broad intraspecific variability exploration for 10-day fecundity feeding on pollen (14.2–37.9 eggs/female for 30 wild and commercial populations). Life history traits were finally compared between our two selected strains and three commercial, wild and acclimated-to-pollen unselected populations, both on rich (Ephestia eggs) and suboptimal (dry honeybee pollen) diets. Selected lines showed considerably improved values for longevity (1.5-fold), early (1.3-fold) and lifetime fecundity (1.9-fold), nymphal survival (3.5-fold), intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) (7.3-fold) and net reproductive rate (R0) (6.7-fold) as compared to reference unselected strains when they were fed on pollen, although still lower than on the optimal diet. Selection feeding on plant material resulted in no trade-offs when feeding on the factitious prey. This improvement was due to genetic gain rather than to phenotypic plasticity to tolerate nutritious restriction. Finally, some potential contributions of these improved lines not only for augmentative biocontrol but also for artificial rearing are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generalist predatory mite, Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) is one of the most effective natural enemies on many crops in indoor cultivations. As supply of alternative food such as pollen is generally thought to enhance the reproductive and biological control performance of generalist predatory mites, the life table parameters of the predatory mite, N. cucumeris were determined in laboratory at 25±1°C, 60±5% RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L: D) hours when fed on seven different pollen (almond, bitter orange, maize, date palm, castor bean, sunflower, and bee-collected). Our results indicated that feeding the predator on castor bean, almond, date palm, and sunflower pollen led to better performance in terms of higher oviposition (38.18, 33.53, 32.87, and 29.48 eggs/female, respectively), intrinsic rate of increase (0.146, 0.129, 0.152, and 0.123 day-1, respectively) and net reproductive rate (19.55, 12.58, 14.93, and 14.06 eggs/individual, respectively), and shorter development time (7.08, 7.73, 7.19, and 9.30 days, respectively). Bitter orange and bee-collected pollen were not suitable diets for both development and reproduction of N. cucumeris. The shortest (7.08 days) and longest (16.09 days) development times were observed on castor bean and bee-collected pollen, respectively. Adult longevity varied from 6.88 days on maize to 60.4 days on castor bean pollen. The highest fecundity was obtained on almond, followed by date palm, and castor bean pollen, while feeding on maize pollen did not lead to oviposition. Overall, we found that castor bean along with date palm, almond, and sunflower pollen are suitable diets for large scale rearing of N. cucumeris for subsequent use in biological control of pests in greenhouses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acanthocereus tetragonus (L.) Hummelinck is used as an alternative food source in some Mexican communities. It has been shown that the young stems of A. tetragonus provide crude protein, fiber, and essential minerals for humans. In this work, we analyzed the phytochemical profile, the total phenolic content (TPC), and the antioxidant activity of cooked and crude samples of A. tetragonus to assess its functional metabolite contribution to humans. The phytochemical profile was analyzed using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-PDA-HESI-Orbitrap-MS/MS). Under the proposed conditions, 35 metabolites were separated and tentatively identified. Of the separated metabolites, 16 occurred exclusively in cooked samples, 6 in crude samples, and 9 in both crude and cooked samples. Among the detected compounds, carboxylic acids, such as threonic, citric, and malic acids, phenolic acids, and glycosylated flavonoids (luteolin-O-rutinoside) were detected. The TPC and antioxidant activity were analyzed using the Folin–Ciocalteu method and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical inhibition method, respectively. The TPC and antioxidant activity were significantly reduced in the cooked samples. We found that some metabolites remained intact after the cooking process, suggesting that A. tetragonus represents a source of functional metabolites for people who consume this plant species.

An amount of 40 male broilers, fed Roystonea regia (Kunth) O.F. Cook fruit meal in the ration, were used to determine morphometric indicators of their gastrointestinal tract. A completely randomized design was applied with four treatments, which consisted in the inclusion of 0, 5, 10 and 15% of palm kernel meal in the diet. At 42 days, animals were weighed and sacrificed. Gizzard, caeca and accessory organs (liver and pancreas) were weighed. There was an increase of gizzard size (23.28, 26.55, 25.68 g.kg-1) and of the empty caeca (4.42, 4.31, 5.38 g.kg-1) with respect to control (P <0.05). It is concluded that the inclusion of palm kernel meal in diets for broilers increased the weight of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, related to mechanical and fermentative digestion, which improves the use of the fibrous fraction by the animal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until this moment, there has been no work in the literature regarding about the pig farming in the Curitiba Metropolitan Area, by this way, this work aims to characterize the swine production in this region. Between November 2017 and December 2018 was developed a descriptive field research with pig farmers in CMA in the state of Paraná, Brazil. The results were obtained by applying a semi structured interview, exchanging with producers regarding sanitary issues and through personal observation. Participated in the survey 62 swine holders distributed in 14 counties in the area. Most of the evaluated properties (51.6%) had up to 10 hectares, 80.6% used only family labor and all analyzed producing facilities combined pig farming with other activities. Of the total, 52.5% had up to 10 pigs, 80.6% practiced full-cycle rearing and 45.2% kept the animals confined in pens. In swine feeding, was more frequently reported the use of corn and leftover food, which were obtained from their own property. It was observated that pig production in Curitiba Metropolitan Area is an activity that plays an economic and social role for small scale farmers. The visited properties, in general, develop pig farming as a subsistence activity, in association with other activities and through family labor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological control can be severely disrupted under climate change conditions. This is the case of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae in Spanish citrus orchards, where the omnivorous phytoseiid Euseius stipulatus, the most abundant predator in the system, was highly impacted by hot and dry conditions mimicking future warmer summers. Such a situation can often be compensated by the provision of alternative food to support generalist predators. As a first step to studying whether such a technique could be applied in this case, we studied at laboratory conditions whether pollen could mitigate the negative effects of hotter and drier conditions derived of climate change on three phytoseiids with different diet specializations. In addition to E. stipulatus, these predators, which all together, are considered key for the biological control of T. urticae in citrus, are Neoseiulus californicus and Phytoseiulus persimilis. Our results confirm the extremely fine‐tuning of T. urticae to hot–dry conditions. They also provide evidence of the poor performance of E. stipulatus, especially in terms of reproduction, compared to the other two phytoseiids at these conditions, even when high‐quality pollen was available. Moreover, access to pollen in combination with T. urticae eggs enhanced survival but reduced predation and oviposition relative to a T. urticae‐only diet for N. californicus and P. persimilis. Therefore, whether the overall effect of pollen would justify its use in citrus to counteract the deleterious effects of a hotter and drier climate on the natural regulation of T. urticae is still controversial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to investigate the complex dynamics of an eco-epidemic predator–prey system where disease is transmitted in prey species and predator population is being provided with alternative food. Holling type-II functional response is taken into consideration for interaction of predator and prey species. The half saturation constant for infected prey, the growth rate of susceptible prey and force of infection play a significant role to create complex dynamics in this predator–prey system where alternative food is present. It is seen that healthy disease-free system is possible here. The system shows some important dynamics viz. stable coexistence, Hopf bifurcation, period-doubling bifurcation and chaos. The analytical results obtained from the model are justified numerically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of the tiger-fly Coenosia attenuata Stein was examined when fed on larvae of the buzzer midge, Chironomus plumosus (Linnaeus), and combination of buzzer midge and fungus gnat, Bradysia impatiens (Johannsen). Significant differences were observed in the developmental time of larvae, body length, and body weight of pupae and adults of C. attenuata in response to species and preservation status of prey but not in response to instar and prey number of C. plumosus. Most biological characteristics except for developmental time of pupae, length of female pupae, survival rate from the 5th day to pupation, and adult emergence improved for tiger-fly larvae fed on live B. impatiens larvae in the first four days and live C. plumosus larvae from the fifth day to pupation compared to those fed on live C. plumosus larvae in all larval stages. When live alternative prey were replaced with the frozen prey, the developmental time of larvae was prolonged, and adult male body length, survival rate from the fifth day to pupation, and the percentages of pupation and adult emergence decreased. The survival rate of larvae in the first 4 days and percentage of pupation improved with decreased alternative prey instar and increased alternative prey number. These results indicate live C. plumosus larvae can serve as an alternative food source for mass rearing of C. attenuata. As an alternative food source, C. plumosus larvae provide significant advancements for the application of tiger-fly in banker media system and/or open rearing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous published methods for non-targeted screening of toxins in alternative foods such as leaf concentrate, agricultural residues or plastic fed to biological consortia are time consuming and expensive and thus present accessibility, as well as, time-constraint issues for scientists from under resourced settings to identify safe alternative foods. The novel methodology presented here, utilizes a completely free and open source software toolchain for automatically screening unknown alternative foods for toxicity using experimental data from ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The process uses three distinct tools (mass spectrometry analysis with MZmine 2, formula assignment with MFAssignR, and data filtering with ToxAssign) enabling it to be modular and easily upgradable in the future. MZmine 2 and MFAssignR have been previously described, while ToxAssign was developed here to match the formulas output by formula assignment to potentially toxic compounds in a local table, then look up toxic data on the Open Food Tox Database for the matched compounds. This process is designed to fill the gap between food safety analysis techniques and developing alternative food production techniques to allow for new methods of food production to be preliminarily tested before animal testing. The methodology was validated against a previous method using proprietary commercial software. The new process identifies all of the toxic elements the previous process identified with more detailed information than the previous process was able to provide automatically. • Efficient analysis to find potentially toxic compounds in alternative foods and resilient foods. • Identification of potentially unsafe products without the use of live animal testing. • Modular free and open source design to allow for upgrading or fitting of user needs.

This study was performed to evaluate the production of gas and volatile fatty acids in diets containing byproducts from the national biodiesel industry (castor bean, canola, forage turnip, and black sunflower) in four levels (0, 30, 50 and 70%), through the use of a semi-automated in vitro technique. The inoculum for in vitro incubation was obtained from three fistulated Holstein cows. This was a 4 x 4 factorial completely randomized experimental design consisting of four levels of four byproducts. The byproduct of forage turnip was the ingredient of greatest potential for producing acetate, propionate, and butyrate. The increased production of carbon dioxide and methane in relation to the degraded dry matter was obtained using the byproduct of canola (P

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the nutrient metabolism and ingestive behavior of goats fed diets containing fruits of Carnauba and Tucum palm trees, abundant in the Northeast region with fruiting in the dry season and use as alternative food for ruminants. For this end, 21 goats fed three diets, one control and two with carnauba or tucum fruits, in a completely randomized design. We determined nutrient intake through total collection of leftovers, faces and urine, as well as energy and nitrogen balance. Ingestive behavior was assessed by visual observations every 5 min for 24 h. There was a reduction in dry matter intake of 0.183 and 0.223 kg/day for diets containing tucum and carnauba fruits, respectively. The intake of digestible protein (78.04 gDP/day) and metabolizable energy (2.51 McalME/day) of the diet containing tucum fruits met the nutritional requirements of the animals, besides resulting in nitrogen balance above 60% and increase of 0.57 Mcal/kgDM of digestible energy of the diets. Diets containing fruits of carnauba required a longer rumination (453.65 min/day), associated with the higher fiber content in their composition. The inclusion of carnauba and tucum fruits in diets composed of corn, soybean and Tifton 85 hay for growing goats promotes a reduction in dry matter intake due to the low quality of the fiber of these fruits. However, the diets containing tucum fruits met the nutritional requirements of goats regarding digestible protein and metabolizable energy, suggesting the use of this alternative food for this category.

This study aimed to evaluate açaí meal in diets for commercial laying hens on apparent nutrient digestibility and apparent metabolizable energy. A total of 72 Hissex White laying hens (52-wks-old) were distributed in a completely randomized design, where treatments consisted of a control diet and an experimental diet (25% açaí meal) with six replicates of six birds each. Data collected were subjected to polynomial regression at 5%. Differences (p < 0.05) were detected in digestibility of all evaluated nutrients. Hens fed diets with 25% açaí meal presented worse (p < 0.05) metabolization and use of energy content. It can be concluded that hens fed diets containing açaí meal presented better use of crude protein, non-fiber carbohydrates and mineral matter. However, there was worse use of dry matter, fiber carbohydrates and ether extract. This result directly affected the energy metabolism of the birds. The inclusion of açaí meal reduced the energy use.

This work presents an approach on alternative foods found today for broilers, since the addition of these in the nutrition of these birds is extremely advantageous, because it reduces dependence on commodities, such as soybeans and Corn. From research carried out, we have more prominently the foods cited in this work as, bran and sunflower pie, coconut bran, chestnut bran, almond and cashew pulp, manioc shavings, sugar cane yeasts and baking waste. For some authors the bran and sunflower pie have the problem of having low lysine content; its fiber and protein content is between 25% to 26% gross fiber and 29% to 42% of crude protein. His dietary addition ranges from 5%, 18% and 20% based on the age of the birds. The coconut bran has in its constitution protein content around 20% to 25% and gross fiber: 10% to 12%, for having high amount of oil may have problems with decomposition, but works showed that up to 20% did not significantly damage the performance Of the birds has not altered the housing characteristics. Just like the coconut bran, the chestnut bran has good indications for animal feed. Cassava zest is highly carbohydrate-rich, mainly starch-like, which characterizes it as an energetic food, an important source of energy, an essential component of chicken feed. The yeast extract promotes desirable performance and proper functioning of the intestinal mucosa, and consequently in the absorption of nutrients, this is explained due to the yeast extract containing free amino acids that participate in the Division and Growth Cellular in the immune system and help maintain animal health. It is therefore concluded that alternative foods are an excellent alternative to the use in broiler diets, however the pioneering foods should not be completely replaced, in view of the digestibility of most foods Alternative is low, which decreases the animal performance at the end.

A utilização de lipídios na dieta de vacas leiteiras é amplamente difundida na produção animal, visto que estes possuem grande capacidade de auxiliar na recuperação do estresse durante o pós-parto, onde os animais estão em condição corporal deficiente, advindo do baixo consumo de matéria seca no estado de Balanço Energético Negativo. Os ruminantes recebem os lipídios, principalmente na forma esterificada (mono e diglicerídios) nas forragens, e nos concentrados na forma de triglicerídios. Após a ingestão dos lipídios, ocorrem modificações químicas destes no ambiente ruminal, alterando a composição e o perfil dos ácidos graxos. A semente de linhaça é muito rica em ácido linoleico (C18:2), sendo este um importante ácido graxo secretado pela glândula mamária e em humanos está associado ao combate aos radicais livres. Tais características são estudadas por profissionais de ciências agrárias para otimizar a dieta de vacas leiteiras, com o intuito de aumentar o teor de ácidos linoleicos conjugados (CLA) no leite. O objetivo da presente revisão foi facilitar o entendimento quanto às questões de metabolismo, composição do leite e desempenho de vacas leiteiras colocadas frente à suplementação com semente de linhaça.

Two trials were conducted aiming to determine the chemical composition, the digestibility of nutrients and energy from dehydrated cashew apple meal, as well as to evaluate the effects generated by including increasing levels (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%) of this ingredient in growing rabbit feed, on performance, carcass characteristics and economic evaluation. In the digestibility trial, were used 24 rabbits with 55 days of age, distributed in a completely randomized design with two treatments and twelve repetitions, being one reference feed and the other test feed, composed by 70% of the reference feed and 30% DCAM. The coefficients of the dry matter digestibility, crude protein and gross energy of the DCAM were, respectively, 67.79; 30.03 and 48.61%. The digestible dry matter, digestible protein and digestible energy, based on dry matter, were, respectively, 59.55%; 4.76% and 2,119.66 kcal/kg. In the second trial, 120 mixed breed rabbits were used, with an average of 45 days of age and weight 1143 ± 153g. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design, with six treatments and ten repetitions with two rabbits of the same sex per cage. It was observed that the inclusion of DCAM did not affect (P > 0.05) the feed intake, but reduced (P < 0.05) the feed conversion efficiency, as well as a linear reduction in carcass yield. A quadratic effect on daily weight gain and the ratio meat/bone was observed, with better inclusion level estimated at 25.31 and 24.65%, respectively. The inclusion of DCAM linearly improved economic viability to the level of 50%, however not to harm the weight gain and the ratio meat/bone, it is recommended to include up to 25%.

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The focus of this article is community supported agriculture (CSA) as an alternative food movement and a bottom-up response to the problems of the dominant food systems. By utilizing social innovation approach that explores the relationship between causes for human needs and emergence of socially innovative food initiatives, the article examines how the CSA projects emerge and why, what is their innovative role as part of the social economy and what is their transformative potential. Based on qualitative data from four different models of CSA case studies in different regions of Wales, UK, and by using concepts from an alternative model for social innovation (ALMOLIN) as analytical tool, the article demonstrates that the Welsh CSA cases play distinctive roles as part of the social economy. They satisfy the needs for ecologically sound and ethically produced food, grown within communities of like-minded people and they empower individuals and communities at micro level, while at the same time experiment with how to be economically sustainable and resilient on a small scale. The paper argues that in order to become 'workable utopias', the CSA initiatives need to overcome the barriers that prevent them from replicating, participating in policies and decision-making at macro level, and scaling up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological control is an efficient pest control method but there are still limitations that are hindering its wider adoption. Genetic improvement of biological control agents (BCAs) can help to overcome these constraints, but the choice of key attributes for better performance that need to be selected is still an open question. Several characteristics have been suggested but the harsh reality is that selective breeding of BCAs has received a lot of attention but resulted in very little progress. Identifying the appropriate traits to be prioritized may be the first step to reverse this situation. In our opinion, the best way is to look at the factors limiting the performance of key BCAs, especially generalist predators (pesticide compatibility, prey‐density dependence, non‐suitable crops, and extreme environmental conditions), and according to these challenges, to choose the attributes that would allow BCAs to overcome those limitations. The benefits of selection for higher resistance to toxins, whether artificially applied (pesticides) or plant produced (plant defenses); increased fitness when feeding on non‐prey food (supplemented or plant‐derived); and better adaptation to extreme temperature and humidity are discussed. In conclusion, genetic improvement of BCAs can bring about new opportunities to biocontrol industry and users to enhance biocontrol resilience. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]