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This study investigated the effects of non-phosphate and low-sodium (NPLS) marination on properties of white striping chicken breasts (WSCB). Chicken breasts were collected from slaughterhouse and classified as normal (NCB, n = 24) and severe WS (WSCB, n = 120). Sixty WSCB samples were vacuum-tumbled (30min, 2 °C)withNPLS solution, containing 2.8% (w/v) potassium bicarbonate, 2.9% (w/v) potassium chloride, and 1.5% (w/v) sorbitol at the ratio of meat-to-marinade of 4 to 1 (w/w). The other 60 WSCB received no marination were assigned as nonmarinated WSCB. Properties of marinated (n = 12) and nonmarinated (n = 12) WSCB samples were determined at 0, 3, 7, 10, and 14 days of the storage at 4 °C.Propertiesof the NCB were also determined on day 0. Concerning day 0, the marinated WSCB exhibited higher (p&nbsp

The present study aimed at assessing the impact of lysine restriction performed during different feeding phases on growth performances, meat quality traits and technological properties as well as on the incidence and severity of breast muscle abnormalities. For this purpose, a total of 945 one-day-old Ross 308 male chicks was randomly divided into three experimental groups: CONT, fed a four feeding phases commercial diet, GRW I, and GRW I + II fed CONT diet with the depletion of synthetic lysine during grower I and grower I and II feeding phases, respectively. Productive performances were recorded throughout the whole rearing cycle and the incidence of breast muscle growth-related abnormalities assessed at slaughter (49 d) on 280 breasts/group. Quality traits and technological properties of breast meat were measured on a total of 54 Pectoralis major muscles. Lysine restriction only marginally affected the productive performances and the quality parameters of breast meat. The increased (p &lt, 0.05) solubility of the protein fraction along with the remarkably higher (p &lt, 0.05) anserine content found in GRW I + II suggests an increased energy requirement in the pectoral muscles belonging to lysine-restricted birds and supports the hypothesis of a reduced protein synthesis taking place within these muscles.

Long COVID refers to patients with symptoms as fatigue, “brain fog,” pain, suggesting the chronic involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) in COVID-19. The supplementation with probiotic (OB) would have a positive effect on metabolic homeostasis, negatively impacting the occurrence of symptoms related to the CNS after hospital discharge. On a total of 58 patients hospitalized for COVID-19, 24 (41.4%) received OB during hospitalization (OB+) while 34 (58.6%) taken only the standard treatment (OB–). Serum metabolomic profiling of patients has been performed at both hospital acceptance (T0) and discharge (T1). Six months after discharge, fatigue perceived by participants was assessed by administrating the Fatigue Assessment Scale. 70.7% of participants reported fatigue while 29.3% were negative for such condition. The OB+ group showed a significantly lower proportion of subjects reporting fatigue than the OB– one (p < 0.01). Furthermore, OB+ subjects were characterized by significantly increased concentrations of serum Arginine, Asparagine, Lactate opposite to lower levels of 3-Hydroxyisobutirate than those not treated with probiotics. Our results strongly suggest that in COVID-19, the administration of probiotics during hospitalization may prevent the development of chronic fatigue by impacting key metabolites involved in the utilization of glucose as well as in energy pathways.

Understanding the variations of muscle and plasma metabolites in response to high environmental temperature can provide important information on the molecular mechanisms related to body energy homeostasis in heat-stressed broiler chickens. In this study, we investigated the effect of chronic heat stress conditions on the breast muscle (Pectoralis major) and plasma metabolomics profile of broiler chickens by means of an innovative, high-throughput analytical approach such as the proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectrometry. A total of 300 Ross 308 male chicks were split into two experimental groups and raised in either thermoneutral conditions for the entire rearing cycle (0–41 days) (TNT group; six replicates of 25 birds/each) or exposed to chronic heat stress conditions (30 °C for 24 h/day) from 35 to 41 days (CHS group; six replicates of 25 birds/each). At processing (41 days), plasma and breast muscle samples were obtained from 12 birds/experimental group and then subjected to 1H NMR analysis. The reduction of BW and feed intake as well as the increase in rectal temperature and heterophil: lymphocyte ratio confirmed that our experimental model was able to stimulate a thermal stress response without significantly affecting mortality. The 1H NMR analysis revealed that a total of 26 and 19 molecules, mostly related to energy and protein metabolism as well as antioxidant response, showed significantly different concentrations respectively in the breast muscle and plasma in response to the thermal challenge. In conclusion, the results obtained in this study indicated that chronic heat stress significantly modulates the breast muscle and plasma metabolome in fast-growing broiler chickens, allowing to delineate potential metabolic changes that can have important implications in terms of body energy homeostasis, growth performance and product quality.

Candida species are the most common cause of opportunistic fungal infections. Rapid identification and novel approaches for the characterization of these fungi are of great interest to improve the diagnosis and the knowledge about their pathogenic properties. This study aimed to characterize clinical isolates of Candida spp. by proteomics (MALDI-TOF MS) and metabolomics (1H-NMR), and to correlate their metabolic profiles with Candida species, source of infection and different virulence associated parameters. In particular, 49 Candida strains from different sources (blood, n = 15; vagina, n = 18; respiratory tract, n = 16), belonging mainly to C. albicans complex (61%), C. glabrata (20%) and C. parapsilosis (12%) species were used. Several extracellular and intracellular metabolites showed significantly different concentrations among isolates recovered from different sources of infection, as well as among different Candida species. These metabolites were mainly related to the glycolysis or gluconeogenesis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, nucleic acid synthesis and amino acid and lipid metabolism. Moreover, we found specific metabolic fingerprints associated with the ability to form biofilm, the antifungal resistance (i.e. caspofungin and fluconazole) and the production of secreted aspartyl proteinase. In conclusion, 1H-NMR-based metabolomics can be useful to deepen Candida spp. virulence and pathogenicity properties.

This paper presents the results of the lab-scale thermophysical characterization of materials for the next generation of solar receivers employed in CSP plants. The receiver material plays a crucial role in absorbing sunlight, minimising heat losses and transferring heat to the working fluid. Therefore, new receivers should be mechanically tough and highly thermally conductive. Porous SiC and SiSiC were the two industrial grade solutions investigated for this purpose. The Laser Flash Method was employed to analyse the transient thermal behaviour of the materials. The results of the measurements in terms of thermal diffusivity, specific heat and thermal conductivity are provided and compared with the literature data available.

Yak represents the main meat source for Tibetan people. This work aimed to investigate the metabolome of raw meat from Jiulong yaks, focusing on specimens farmed and harvested locally through traditional procedures. Untargeted nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) was selected as the analytical platform. Samples from longissimus thoracis, trapezius, triceps brachii and biceps femoris muscles, with different prevalences of red and white fibers, were selected. Among the fifty-three metabolites quantified in each of them, carnitine, carnosine, creatine and taurine are known for their bioactive properties. Twelve molecules were found to be differently concentrated in relation to muscle type. Longissimus thoracis, compared to biceps femoris, had higher concentrations of carnosine and formate and lower concentrations of mannose, inosine, threonine, IMP, alanine, valine, isoleucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine and leucine. A metabolic pathway analysis suggested that the main pathways differing among the muscles were connected to the turnover of amino acids. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of yak raw meat metabolism and muscle type differences, which can be used as an initial reference for the meat industry to set up muscle-specific investigations. The possibility of simultaneously quantifying several bioactive compounds suggests that these investigations could revolve around meat&rsquo, s nutritional value.

Lactobacillus sakei is widely used as a starter culture in fermented sausages since it is well adapted to meat environments and able to maintain high viability thanks to secondary pathways activated when hexoses are depleted (i.e., metabolism of pentoses and amino acids). In this study, a commercial strain of L. sakei was inoculated in a defined medium with ribose or glucose as the carbon source, at optimal or reduced concentrations, to evaluate its different physiological and metabolic responses in relation to different growth conditions. The results obtained with different approaches (HPLC, 1H-NMR, flow cytometry) evidenced different growth performances, amino acid consumptions and physiological states of cells in relation to the carbon source as an active response to harsh conditions. As expected, higher concentrations of sugars induced higher growth performances and the accumulation of organic acids. The low sugars amount induced the presence of dead cells, while injured cells increased with ribose. Arginine was the main amino acid depleted, especially in the presence of higher ribose, and resulted in the production of ornithine. Moreover, the 1H-NMR analysis evidenced a higher consumption of serine at the optimal sugars concentration (pyruvate production). This information can be helpful to optimize the use of these species in the industrial production of fermented sausages.

This research investigated the effects of different synbiotic administration programs on broiler productive performance and foot pad dermatitis (FPD). Molecular insights on caecal microbiota and plasma metabolomics were also performed. - A total of 1000 one-day-old male chicks were grouped by the synbiotic treatment. The synbiotic was either sprayed as gel droplets onto newly hatched chicks at the hatchery (100 g/10,000 birds) or supplemented in-feed during the entire rearing period (1000, 500, and 250 g/ton according to feeding phase), or both. Only the treatments&rsquo, combination produced significant results in comparison with the control group (untreated), improving feed conversion ratio from 14 to 29 d and in the overall period of the trial (1.570 vs. 1.509 and 1.643 vs. 1.596, respectively, p &lt, 0.05) while lowering FPD occurrence at slaughter (17% vs. 5%, 0.05). These findings can be related to significant variations of caecal microbiota, like higher Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio (with favorable implications for host&rsquo, s energy-harvesting potential from the diet) and more beneficial microbial consortium presumably sustaining eubiosis. Overall, these results indicate that administering synbiotics through gel droplets at the hatchery combined to in-feed supplementation for the whole growing cycle positively affects broiler feed efficiency and welfare.

The thermal and mechanical properties of a lightweight alkali bonded material were investigated in correlation with the microstructure and porosity. The material was produced using fine granules of expanded perlite as raw powder and potassium di-silicate aqueous solution as alkaline activator, instead of the commonly used sodium silicate, to improve thermal performances. After consolidation, the material was subjected to microstructural analyses, as well as to thermo-physical and mechanical tests. Density was 467 ± 40 kg·m−3, the total porosity 80 vol%, the average pore size 0.2 µm and compressive strength was 1.5 ± 0.5 MPa. It was observed that, besides the action of potassium di-silicate as an alkali binder, expanded perlite granules reacted on the surface forming geopolymer nano-precipitates. Laser Flash Method was employed to evaluate the whole thermal behavior within the temperature range 25–550 °C: thermal conductivity was 0.084 m−1K−1 at 25 °C and 0.121 W·m−1K−1 at 550 °C. At high temperature, the thermal conductivity resulted similar or even lower when compared with commercial perlite – sodium silicate materials with lower densities in the range 180–260 kg/m3. Results show that lightweight alkali bonded expanded perlite materials can be produced with improved thermal properties by exploiting potassium silicate and overcoming the poor temperature resistance of organic binders.

Purpose Qualitative and quantitative analysis of vitreous humor (VH) is important to discriminate between physiological and pathological conditions and may be particularly helpful when using animal models for ophthalmologic research. The aim of the present study was to investigate the physiological qualitative/quantitative composition of the VH of the standard pig using a metabolomics approach based on 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A secondary aim was the characterization of the VH of the porcine model of photoreceptor degeneration induced with iodoacetic acid (IAA), widely used in the biomedical field, and comparison with the physiological one. Methods VH samples were collected from 30 pigs (17 in the physiological condition and 13 treated with IAA) upon vitrectomy and analyzed by means of 1H NMR spectroscopy for characterization. Results On all analyzed samples, 40 molecules could be identified and quantified, with lactate being the most abundant in both physiological and photoreceptor degeneration conditions. Upon comparison, only 17 molecules showed statistical differences: In the IAA group, glucose and glutamine increased, while lactate, 4-amynobutyrate, hypoxanthine, dicarboxylic acids (succinate and fumarate), amino acids with their derivatives (creatine, alanine, valine, lysine, leucine, glycine, taurine, and isoleucine), and choline with its precursor sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine decreased. Conclusions The results validate the metabolic impairment determined by glycolysis inhibition upon systemic IAA administration. In conclusion, this work represents the first characterization of the porcine VH metabolome in physiological conditions and provides additional information for the characterization and refinement of the IAA-induced photoreceptor degeneration model.

During the past few years, there has been an increasing prevalence of broiler breast muscle abnormalities, such as white striping (WS) and wooden breast conditions. More recently, a new muscular abnormality termed as spaghetti meat (SM) because of the altered structural integrity of the Pectoralis major muscle often associated with WS has emerged. Thus, this study aimed at evaluating the effects of WS and SM conditions, occurring alone or combined within the same P. major muscle, on meat quality traits and muscle histology. In two replications, 96 P. major muscles were classified into four classes: normal (N), WS, SM and WS/SM. The whole fillet was used for weight assessment and morphometric measurements, then each sample was cut in order to separate the superficial layer from the deep one and used to evaluate proximate composition, histological features, nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation times, functional properties and both myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic proteins profile. Fillets affected by WS and SM abnormalities exhibited higher weights and increased thickness and length. SM condition was associated with a relevant decrease in protein content coupled with a significant increase in moisture level, whereas fat content was affected only by the simultaneous presence of WS. Histological evaluations revealed that abnormal samples were characterized by several degenerative aspects that almost completely concerned the superficial layer of the fillets. White striped fillets exhibited necrosis and lysis of fibers, fibrosis, lipidosis, loss of cross striation and vacuolar degeneration. Moreover, SM samples were characterized by poor fiber uniformity and a progressive rarefaction of the endo- and peri-mysial connective tissue, whereas WS/SM fillets showed intermediate histological features. Nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation analysis revealed a higher proportion of extra-myofibrillar water in the superficial section of all the abnormal fillets, especially in SM samples, which consequently led to a reduction of the water holding capacity of meat. As for functional properties, abnormal fillets exhibited a lower protein solubility and higher ultimate pH values on both the superficial and deep sections. Although abnormal fillets exhibited higher yellowness values, no relevant effect on meat color was observed. The occurrence of WS and SM abnormalities led to increased carbonylation levels and more intense proteolytic processes. Overall, muscle abnormalities mainly affect the superficial layer of P. major muscle and particularly the occurrence of SM myopathy seems to implicate a more pronounced modification of meat quality traits than the mere presence of WS.

Fabric Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) materials are composed of a dry fiber grid embedded in an inorganic matrix, which may contain short fibers. These materials are particularly well-suited for the reinforcement of masonry structures due to their high compatibility with the substrate, vapor permeability and durability against environmental agents. The most important information needed for the characterization of these composite systems, for use as strengthening materials of masonry structures, are the tensile behaviour and the shear bond properties. A Round-Robin Test was organized by the RILEM Technical Committee 250-CSM and the Italian association Assocompositi in order to experimentally characterize different FRCM systems composed of PBO, carbon, glass, basalt, aramid and steel textiles embedded in cementitious or lime-based mortars. The systems were tested at different universities and research centers in Europe in order to investigate the influence of samples preparation, test set-up and instrumentation. In this paper, the experimental tests performed on Carbon-FRCM systems are described and discussed. Important aspects are analyzed herein: differences in the testing procedure and instrumentation, influence of textile geometry and mechanical properties of the constituent materials, importance of specimen preparation and curing conditions. Moreover, a comparison between tensile and shear tests is reported in order to determine a reliable procedure towards the complete characterization of an FRCM material.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of pulsed electric field (PEF) pre-treatment on mass transfer phenomena, water distribution and some physico-chemical parameters of osmo-dehydrated organic strawberries. For PEF treatments 100 near-rectangular shaped pulses, with fixed pulse width of 100 μs and repetition time of 10 ms were used. Electric fields strength applied were 100, 200 and 400 V cm−1. Afterwards, samples were subjected to OD treatments carried out in two different hypertonic solutions (40% w/w), one with sucrose and the other one with trehalose. The results shown that PEF treatment positively affected the mass transfer during OD even at the lowest electric field strength applied (100 V/cm), partially preserving the cell viability and maintaining at the same time the fresh-like characteristics of strawberries.

This work aimed to determine the effect of homogenization pressures (HPH) and addition of trehalose on the functional and technological properties of low pulp mandarin juice (LPJ). A set of experiments was designed, combining a non-targeted metabolomic 1 H NMR based approach together with suspended pulp and transmittance, hesperidin, vitamin C and antioxidant activity analysis. Suspended pulp increased with HPH and trehalose addition. Flavonoid hesperidin initially decreased with HPH but trehalose addition resulted in less flavonoid degradation during storage, increasing the effect with the HPH. Vitamin C was not affected by trehalose and pressure treatment but more Vitamin C degradation was observed in trehalose samples during storage. Antiradical activity improvement by trehalose was conditioned by homogenization pressures and specific bioactive compounds. 1 H NMR based approach highlighted the HPH effect on the microbiological aspects of low pulp mandarin juice by the identification of key molecules responsible of the microorganism profile evolution during storage.

Differences in the concentration of metabolites in the biofluids of animals closely reflect their physiological diversities. In order to set the basis for a metabolomic atlas for giant panda (

To investigate the effects of oral bacteriotherapy on intestinal phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism, in this longitudinal, double-arm trial, 15 virally suppressed HIV+ individuals underwent blood and fecal sample collection at baseline and after 6 months of oral bacteriotherapy. A baseline fecal sample was collected from 15 healthy individuals and served as control group for the baseline levels of fecal phenylalanine and tyrosine. CD4 and CD8 immune activation (CD38+) was evaluated by flow cytometry. Amino acid evaluation on fecal samples was conducted by Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Results showed that HIV+ participants displayed higher baseline phenylalanine/tyrosine ratio values than healthy volunteers. A significand reduction in phenylalanine/tyrosine ratio and peripheral CD4+ CD38+ activation was observed at the end of oral bacteriotherapy. In conclusion, probiotics beneficially affect the immune activation of HIV+ individuals. Therefore, the restoration of intestinal amino acid metabolism could represent the mechanisms through which probiotics exert these desirable effects.

This study assessed the effects of three tannin-based feed additives on the productive performance, foot-pad conditions, plasma metabolome, and caecal microbiota of meat-type chickens. A total of 2,340 male broilers were divided into 4 treatments (9 replicates each) fed either a commercial basal diet (CON) or the basal diet supplemented with one of the three tested products (A, B, or C) up to 49 days. According to manufacturers’ instructions, product A was added to the basal diet at 0.3% from 0 to 49 d, while B and C at 0.13% from 0 to 21 d and 0.12% from 22 to 49 d. Compared to CON, tannin-supplemented birds consumed less feed (6.59 vs. 6.37, 6.49, and 6.35 kg, for CON vs. A, B, and C, respectively; p p p Two tannin-based feed additives out of the three tested in this study significantly reduced feed intake and body weight gain of broiler chickens.The tannin-produced shifts in the plasma metabolome and caecal microbiota may have been two reasons for the productive performance depression.Further dose-response trials can help the poultry industry to better elucidate the role of tannins as feed supplements for broiler chickens. Two tannin-based feed additives out of the three tested in this study significantly reduced feed intake and body weight gain of broiler chickens. The tannin-produced shifts in the plasma metabolome and caecal microbiota may have been two reasons for the productive performance depression. Further dose-response trials can help the poultry industry to better elucidate the role of tannins as feed supplements for broiler chickens.

Differences in the concentration of metabolites in the biofluids of animals closely reflect their physiological diversities. In order to set the basis for a metabolomic atlas for giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), we characterized the metabolome of healthy giant panda feces (23), urine (16), serum (6), and saliva (4) samples by means of 1H NMR. A total of 107 metabolites and a core metabolome of 12 metabolites was quantified across the four biological matrices. Through univariate analysis followed by robust principal component analysis, we were able to describe how the molecular profile observed in giant panda urine and feces was affected by gender and age. Among the molecules modified by age in feces, fucose plays a peculiar role because it is related to the digestion of bamboo's hemicellulose, which is considered as the main source of energy for giant panda. A metagenomic investigation directed toward this molecule showed that its concentration was indeed positively related to the two-component system pathway and negatively related to the amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism pathway. Such work is meant to provide a robust framework for further -omics research studies on giant panda to accelerate our understanding of the interaction of giant panda with its natural environment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic profiles of yak (Bos grunniens) serum, feces, and urine by using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), to serve as a reference guide for the healthy yak milieu. A total of 108 metabolites, giving information about diet, protein digestion, and energy generation or gut-microbial co-metabolism, were assigned across the three biological matrices. A core metabolome of 15 metabolites was ubiquitous across all biofluids. Lactate, acetate, and creatinine could be regarded as the most abundant metabolites in the metabolome of serum, feces, and urine, respectively. Metabolic pathway analysis showed that the molecules identified could be able to give thorough information about four main metabolic pathways, namely valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, glutamine and glutamate metabolism, and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism.

The MedZEB (Mediterranean Zero Energy Building) approach aims at stimulating the market uptake of energy deep and beyond retrofitting of existing buildings of the Mediterranean. Its holistic nature implies the evaluation and integration of a range of relevant factors and the effective support to the retrofitting supply chain, also with the help of an ICT platform. Main concern of the approach are residential buildings within a framework dealing with High TRL levels and with already on the market technologies to be combined to create Med-specific cost-optimal Packages of technical Solutions, linked to a Voluntary Certification Scheme. The triggered creation of trust and information exchange will pave the way to new investments and strengthen the Med deep and beyond retrofitting network.

During the conversion of muscle to meat, the rate and the extent of pH decline are able to influence the final quality of meat. The ultimate pH (pHu) value reached at 24h post mortem varies inter- and intra-species and essentially depends on muscle’s glycolytic potential. However, also the concentration of buffering compounds (i.e. anserine and carnosine) might play a role [1]. Thus, a study was performed in order to investigate the post mortem acidification pattern in chicken breast (Pectoralis major), thigh (Extensor Iliotibialis lateralis) and drumstick (Peroneus longus) muscles, characterized by a different in vivo energy metabolism. For this purpose, 12 carcasses were selected immediately after evisceration and samples from each muscle were collected at 15 min, 2, 4, 8 and 24h post mortem, instantly frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80°C in order to evaluate pH and R-value. Then, at 24h post mortem, fiber-typing, total heme pigments and concentration of histidine compounds were also assessed. The findings evidenced that leg muscles had a more rapid pH decline and a significantly higher pHu, if compared with breast. Accordingly, R-value data confirmed the same trend. Drumstick muscle exhibited the highest content of total heme pigments, whereas no differences were found between pectoral and thigh muscles, which showed similar fiber composition. Moreover, if compared to leg muscles, breast presented a remarkably higher concentration of histidine compounds (anserine and carnosine). In conclusion, muscles with a different fiber composition exhibit a dissimilar acidification pattern during post mortem time, which can be partially explained by the different concentration of anserine and carnosine having a strong buffering capacity. These results might also give a reason for the higher pHu of chicken breast, if compared to other meats with similar fiber composition (i.e. pork and rabbit loin). 1. Decker A., The role of histidine-containing compounds on the buffering capacity of muscle, Proceedings of the 54th Reciprocal Meat Conference, 2001.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has a long tradition as a powerful platform in the hands of modern food scientists, with several applications related to food safety, traceability and authenticity. The continual advances in instrumental sensitivity and electronic stability, together with rapid growth in new, potent algorithms for multivariate data analysis, facilitate the use of NMR spectroscopy as a competitive, complementary analytical platform for observing the food metabolome. By adapting the holistic views of metabolomics research, foodomics emerges as a new discipline bringing food science and nutritional research closer together. This review mostly focuses on recent efforts dedicated to extraction and interpretation of NMR data, rather than providing technical details about their acquisition. With this aim, we present new trends in the exploitation of the information gained by NMR of food matter. We critically describe and illustrate, via representative examples, the limitations and the counterbalancing advantages of the technique.

Pulsed electric field (PEF) technology is gaining momentum as a pre-treatment to enhance mass transfer of vegetable tissues obtained by further processing. In this study PEF pre-treatment increased osmotic dehydration (OD) effectiveness, in terms of water loss and solid gain in apples, as a function of electric field strength and number of pulses. Mass transfer was particularly high when average electric fields of 250 and 400 V cm -1 were applied. Time domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR), with the use of a contrast agent, clarified structural changes that drive mass transfer. Treatments at 100 V cm -1 redistributed water between vacuole, cytoplasm and extracellular space, while at 250 and 400 V cm -1 the membrane breakages caused the loss of cellular compartmentalization. Two non-destructive and fast acquirable parameters, the longest measured relaxation time (T 2 ) and water self diffusion coefficient (D w ), allowed the separate and accurate observation of PEF treatment and osmotic dehydration effects. Industrial relevance The developed non-destructive method, here described, allows the measure of the effects of PEF treatment on apple tissue which can be exploited to have reliable control of the process within minutes. Since mass transfer parameters depend on subcellular water redistribution, the present work provides a tool to boost the development and optimization of agri-food processes on fresh vegetable tissues.

none 13 no Published Online First: 12 September 2016 OBJECTIVE: The engagement of the gut microbiota in the development of symptoms and complications of diverticular disease has been frequently hypothesised. Our aim was to explore colonic immunocytes, gut microbiota and the metabolome in patients with diverticular disease in a descriptive, cross-sectional, pilot study. DESIGN: Following colonoscopy with biopsy and questionnaire phenotyping, patients were classified into diverticulosis or symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease; asymptomatic subjects served as controls. Mucosal immunocytes, in the diverticular region and in unaffected sites, were quantified with immunohistochemistry. Mucosa and faecal microbiota were analysed by the phylogenetic platform high taxonomic fingerprint (HTF)-Microbi.Array, while the metabolome was assessed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance. RESULTS: Compared with controls, patients with diverticula, regardless of symptoms, had a >70% increase in colonic macrophages. Their faecal microbiota showed depletion of Clostridium cluster IV. Clostridium cluster IX, Fusobacterium and Lactobacillaceae were reduced in symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients. A negative correlation was found between macrophages and mucosal Clostridium cluster IV and Akkermansia. Urinary and faecal metabolome changes in diverticular disease involved the hippurate and kynurenine pathways. Six urinary molecules allowed to discriminate diverticular disease and control groups with >95% accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with colonic diverticular disease show depletion of microbiota members with anti-inflammatory activity associated with mucosal macrophage infiltration. Metabolome profiles were linked to inflammatory pathways and gut neuromotor dysfunction and showed the ability to discriminate diverticular subgroups and controls. These data pave the way for further large-scale studies specifically aimed at identifying microbiota signatures with a potential diagnostic value in patients with diverticular disease. Barbara, Giovanni; Scaioli, Eleonora; Barbaro, Maria Raffaella; Biagi, Elena; Laghi, Luca; Cremon, Cesare; Marasco, Giovanni; Colecchia, Antonio; Picone, Gianfranco; Salfi, Nunzio; Capozzi, Francesco; Brigidi, Patrizia; Festi, Davide Barbara, Giovanni; Scaioli, Eleonora; Barbaro, Maria Raffaella; Biagi, Elena; Laghi, Luca; Cremon, Cesare; Marasco, Giovanni; Colecchia, Antonio; Picone, Gianfranco; Salfi, Nunzio; Capozzi, Francesco; Brigidi, Patrizia; Festi, Davide

Recently, a certain number of broiler abattoirs located in different Countries around the World have signaled an emerging quality issue termed “gaping” because of the separation of the fiber bundles affecting the external portion of the bipinnate pectoralis minor muscle. Thus, after defining the criteria to classify the muscles as Normal (NORM), Moderate (MOD), or Severe (SEV) cases, the incidence of gaping under commercial conditions was assessed on a total of 8,600 P. minor obtained from broiler chickens belonging to 43 flocks during a 6-mo period. Then, a total of 180 P. minor were selected based on previously defined criteria to evaluate the main quality traits (pH, color, water-holding/-binding capacity and tenderness), proximate composition, water mobility, and thermal properties as well as metabolic profile through 1H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy. The average incidence of gaping defect was found to be 16.8% (8.8 and 8.0% MOD and SEV cases, respectively). As for the main quality traits, a reduction in ultimate pH was observed as the severity of the gaping defect increased, with SEV muscles displaying significantly lower values in comparison with NORM (5.96 vs. 6.02; P < 0.01), while MOD showed intermediate values (5.99). Concurrently, if compared with their NORM counterpart, MOD and SEV exhibited higher lightness (53.6 and 54.2 vs. 51.8; P < 0.01) coupled with higher (P < 0.05) cooking losses and longer (P < 0.05) transversal relaxation time of extra-myofibrillar water fraction. Overall, no significant differences were found concerning proximate composition and thermal properties. With regard to the metabolic profile, a significantly lower (P < 0.001) glutamine concentration was found in MOD and SEV muscles that, concurrently, revealed significant (P < 0.05) variations in the metabolites involved in energy-generating pathways. Overall, these findings evidenced that the gaping defect affecting broilers’ P. minor muscles have strong similarities with the pale-soft-exudative condition previously described in poultry and likely results from the biochemical processes taking place during the post-mortem conversion of muscle to meat.

Background A wide debate is ongoing regarding the role of cutaneous dysbiosis in the pathogenesis and evolution of difficult-to-treat chronic wounds. Nowadays, probiotic treatment considered as an useful tool to counteract dysbiosis but the evidence in regard to their therapeutic use in the setting of difficult-to-treat cutaneous ulcers is still poor. Aim: clinical report An 83-year-old woman suffering a critical limb ischemia and an infected difficult-to-treat ulcerated cutaneous lesion of the right leg, was complementary treated with local application of a mixture of probiotic bacteria. Methods Microbiological and metabolomic analysis were conducted on wound swabs obtained before and after bacteriotherapy. Results During the treatment course, a progressive healing of the lesion was observed with microbiological resolution of the polymicrobial infection of the wound. Metabolomic analysis showed a significant difference in the local concentration of propionate, 2-hydroxyisovalerate, 2-oxoisocaproate, 2,3-butanediol, putrescine, thymine, and trimethylamine before and after bacteriotherapy. Conclusion The microbiological and metabolomic results seem to confirm the usefulness of complementary probiotic treatment in difficult-to-treat infected wounds. Further investigations are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

Over the past several decades, as a result of the increasing growth rate and body size of modern hybrid birds, poultry industry has been facing up the occurrence of many breast meat abnormalities, such as White Striping (WS), Wooden Breast (WB) and Spaghetti Meat (SM), whose incidence has recently reached alarming levels. Thus, the present study aimed at simultaneously investigating the implications of WS, WB and SM abnormalities on meat colour, pH, proximate composition, fatty acid profile, collagen, thermal properties as well as texture and water mobility, assessed on both superficial and deep section of Pectoralis major muscle. Overall, the occurrence of breast abnormalities is associated with a higher ultimate pH and a significant increase in moisture and fat level, coupled with a decrease in protein and ash content with WB showing the most detrimental effect. However, fatty acid profile resulted to be mildly modified only by WS. Moreover, WB fillets showed significantly higher (P

The present study aimed at investigating the impact of the current growth-related abnormalities (White-Striping-WS, Wooden Breast-WB, and Spaghetti Meat-SM) affecting broilers Pectoralis major muscles on the main quality traits, the oxidative stability of both the lipid and protein fraction as well as the water mobility assessed in fresh and frozen/thawed meat. In addition, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) was applied to quantify free amino acids, histidine-containing dipeptides and metabolites involved in energy-generating pathways. Overall, the occurrence of WS, WB, and SM abnormalities remarkably affected the quality traits (pH, color, and water holding capacity) and oxidative stability of the meat, with the WB condition leading to the most detrimental effects. However, overall, freezing and subsequent thawing only partially worsened the aforementioned traits. Significant variations in free amino acids and histidine-containing dipeptides were found between abnormal muscles and their unaffected counterpart by 1H-NMR spectroscopy and, aside from the occurrence of muscular defects, their content was remarkably reduced in frozen/thawed meat. The findings obtained by analyzing the metabolites through 1H-NMR spectroscopy allowed to advance the knowledge concerning the impact of freezing and subsequent thawing on meat quality traits and provided useful information concerning the underlying mechanisms responsible for the development of WS, WB, and SM abnormalities in broilers.

Investigations were made in order to evaluate the influence of the flour type, chemical acidification and fermentation on characteristics of doughs obtained with durum wheat and KAMUT® Khorasan flour. Doughs were observed immediately after mixing, 90 and 360 min of leavening at 30 °C. Fundamental rheology, yeasts heat production by isothermal microcalorimetry and the interaction between water and biopolymers by means of time domain nuclear magnetic resonance were evaluated. In addition aromatic metabolite development was followed by means of the combined application of gas-chromatography and electronic nose. KAMUT® Khorasan flour was found to be more suitable than durum wheat for the fermentation processes tested, especially at acidic conditions, as shown by the increase of the volume and the metabolic heat production by yeast. In acidified dough the pattern of volatile metabolites allowed a clear distinction between the types of dough. Moreover the water/starch proton pool was characterized by higher T2 values in the KAMUT® Khorasan samples.

Quality definition of food includes several complex factors like physical, compositional and microbial features, modifications induced by technological processes or storage, nutritional value and safety. Foodomics is a holistic approach applying omics technologies to observe food along the entire production/consumption chain. In the present review, we present key applications of nuclear magnetic resonance in foodomics described in the 2012–2015 period, in the quest for robust and thorough information required by the scientific community. In doing so, we summarize the issues connected to food traceability and authenticity, composition and physical characteristics, processing and storage and health, that mostly impact food quality.

In the quest for setting up rapid methods to evaluate water retention ability of meat microstructures, time domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) has gained a prominent role, due to the possibility to observe water located outside the myofibrils, easily lost upon storage or cooking. Diffusion weighted signals could be used to monitor the shape and dimension of the pores in which water is confined, thus boosting the information offered by TD-NMR. The work outlines a parsimonious model to describe relative abundance and diffusion coefficient of intra and extra myofibrillar water populations, exchange rate between them, diameter of the myofibrillar cells. To test our model, we registered diffusion and T2 weighted NMR signals at 20 MHz on fresh meat from pectoralis major muscle of 100 days old female turkey. We then purposely altered water distribution and myofibrils shape by means of freezing. The model predicted nicely the consequences of the imposed modifications.

In the past decades, the intense selection practices carried out in order to develop fast growing and high breast-yield turkey hybrids profoundly modified the muscle physiology leading to the development of growth-related alterations and muscular abnormalities. White striations of variable thickness have been particularly observed on the ventral surface of Pectoralis major muscle belonging from heavy male turkeys since several years. However, although the effects of white striping (WS) have been extensively studied on broilers, this condition was not considered as a main quality issue by both turkey producers and meat industry. Thus, this study aimed at evaluating whether the occurrence of WS in heavy male turkeys affects the quality traits and technological properties of meat to the same extent previously observed for broilers. In two replications, 72 Pectoralis major muscles were classified as: normal (NORM), moderate WS (MOD) and severe WS (SEV) cases. The whole muscle was weighed and cut in order to assess colour, ultimate pH, water holding (drip and cooking losses) and binding (marinade uptake) capacities, NMR relaxation properties, shear force as well as proximate composition of meat. The Pectoralis major muscles affected by WS (both moderate and severe cases) exhibited a one-fifth increased weight in comparison with their NORM counterpart. However, the occurrence of WS only partially affected the proximate composition of the meat. In detail, although moisture, collagen and protein contents did not differ among the groups, if compared with NORM, higher lipid levels were found in SEV muscles, whereas MOD had intermediate values. On the other hand, both MOD and SEV exhibited lower ash content. Despite these variations in proximate composition, both water holding and binding capacities of turkey breast meat were not affected by WS. Indeed, quality traits of raw (pH, colour, cooking losses and shear force) and marinated (uptake, cooking losses and shear force) meat as well as water distribution within the muscle tissue did not differ between NORM and WS cases. Overall, if compared with broilers, WS only marginally affected quality traits of turkey breast meat. It might thus be hypothesised a diverse specie-specific physiological response to the pressure in muscle tissue induced by the selection in turkeys that, although analogously led to the occurrence of WS, results in limited effects on meat quality.

The attention of sports community toward probiotic supplementation as a way to promote exercise and training performance, together with good health, has increased in recent years. This has applied also to horses, with promising results. Here, for the first time, we tested a probiotic mix of several strains of live bacteria typically employed for humans to improve the training performance of Standardbred horses in athletic activity. To evaluate its effects on the horse performance, we measured lactate concentration in blood, a translational outcome largely employed for the purpose, combined with the study of hematological and biochemical parameters, together with urine from a metabolomics perspective. The results showed that the probiotic supplementation significantly reduced postexercise blood lactate concentration. The hematological and biochemical parameters, together with urine molecular profile, suggested that a likely mechanism underlying this positive effect was connected to a switch of energy source in muscle from carbohydrates to short-chain fatty acids. Three sulfur-containing molecules differently concentrated in urines in connection to probiotics administration suggested that such switch was linked to sulfur metabolism. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Probiotic supplementation could reduce postexercise blood lactate concentration in Standardbred horses in athletic activity. Blood parameters, together with urine molecular profile, suggest the mechanism underlying this positive effect is connected to a switch of energy source in muscle from carbohydrates to short-chain fatty acids. Sulfur-containing molecules found in urines in connection to probiotics administration suggested that such switch was linked to sulfur metabolism.

International audience; In vitro alternatives to clinical trials are used for studying human food digestion. For simulating infant digestion, only few models, lacking of physiological relevance, are available. Thanks to an extensive literature review of the in vivo infant digestive conditions, a gastrointestinal static in vitro model was developed for infants born at term and aged of 28 days. The model was applied to the digestion of a commercial infant formula. Kinetics of digestion, as well as the structural evolution, were compared with those obtained while submitting the same formula to the adult international consensus protocol of in vitro static digestion. The kinetics of proteolysis and lipolysis differed according to the physiological stage resulting mainly from the reduced level of enzymes and bile salts as well as the higher gastric pH in the infant model. This in vitro static model of infant digestion is of interest for scientists, food or pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Background: Metabolomics has been recognized as a powerful approach for disease screening. In order to highlight potential health issues in subjects, a key factor is the possibility to compare quantitatively the metabolome of their biofluids with reference values from healthy individuals. Such efforts towards the systematic characterization of the metabolome of biofluids in perfect health conditions, far from concluded for humans, have barely begun on horses. Objectives: The present work attempts, for the first time, to give reference quantitative values for the molecules mostly represented in the urine metabolome of horses at rest and under light training, as observable by1H-NMR. Methods: The metabolome of ten trotter horses, four male and six female, ranging from 3 to 8 years of age, has been observed by1H-NMR spectroscopy before and after three training sessions. Results: We could characterize and quantify 54 molecules in trotter horse urine, originated from diet, protein digestion, energy generation or gut-microbial co-metabolism. Conclusion: We were able to describe how gender, age and exercise affected their concentration, by means of a two steps protocol based on univariate and robust principal component analysis.

The present work characterized the metabolomic profile of tracheal wash (TW) and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) in healthy horses and horses with respiratory disease. Six asthma-affected horses (group A) and six healthy controls (group H) underwent clinical, endoscopic and cytologic examinations of upper airways to confirm the active phase of asthma. TW and EBC samples were collected from each animal and investigated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1-NMR) metabolomic analysis. A total of ten out of 38 metabolites found in the TW were significantly different between the groups (p < 0.05). Higher concentrations of histamine and oxidant agents, such as glutamate, valine, leucine and isoleucine, as well as lower levels of ascorbate, methylamine, dimethylamine and O-phosphocholine, were found in group A compared to group H. Eight metabolites were found in equine EBC, namely methanol, ethanol, formate, trimethylamine, acetone, acetate, lactate and butanone, previously observed also in human EBC. Despite the fact that this was a pilot study, the results showed that the metabolomic analysis of TW and EBC has the potentiality to serve as a basis for diagnostic tools in horses with asthma.

The optimal application of Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) technology, used by food industry to assist mass transfer processes, depends on the effectiveness of the induced electroporation. The present work aimed at exploring the application of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) combined with Computer Vision System (CVS) analysis to assess the spatial distribution of electroporation in apple tissue. PEF-treated apple samples were compared with Dipping (Dip) and Vacuum Impregnation (VI) to gain insight into the spatial distribution of mechanisms that lead to microstructural modifications over time. CVS showed that electroporation modified heterogeneously apple microstructure, causing enzymatic browning unevenly across the samples. MRI transverse relaxation times (T2) maps and longitudinal relaxation times (T1)-weighted images throughout apple tissue confirmed the inhomogeneous distribution and extent of the cell disruption, along with the release of intracellular content toward the external solution. Industrial relevance The novel applications of pulsed electric fields require fast and reliable methods to detect and estimate the breakage of the membranes integrity in order to boost their industrial adoption and optimization. The present study provided analytical tools able to monitor the spatial distribution of electroporation in plant tissue samples within minutes and consequently to speed up and improve the assessment of different PEF treatments.

Objective Effect of a probiotic on the gut microbiome and peripheral immune function in healthy controls and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Methods MS patients (N = 9) and controls (N = 13) were orally administered a probiotic containing Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus twice-daily for two months. Blood and stool specimens were collected at baseline, after completion of the 2-month treatment, and 3 months after discontinuation of therapy. Frozen peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were used for immune cell profiling. Stool samples were used for 16S rRNA profiling and metabolomics. Results Probiotic administration increased the abundance of several taxa known to be depleted in MS such as Lactobacillus. We found that probiotic use decreased the abundance of taxa previously associated with dysbiosis in MS, including Akkermansia and Blautia. Predictive metagenomic analysis revealed a decrease in the abundance of several KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathways associated with altered gut microbiota function in MS patients, such as methane metabolism, following probiotic supplementation. At the immune level, probiotic administration induced an anti-inflammatory peripheral immune response characterized by decreased frequency of inflammatory monocytes, decreased mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD80 on classical monocytes, as well as decreased human leukocyte antigen (HLA) D related MFI on dendritic cells. Probiotic administration was also associated with decreased expression of MS risk allele HLA-DQA1 in controls. Probiotic-induced increase in abundance of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium was associated with decreased expression of MS risk allele HLA.DPB1 in controls. Interpretation Our results suggest that probiotics could have a synergistic effect with current MS therapies. Ann Neurol 2018.

Introduction: To investigate the effectiveness and the safety of a probiotic-mixture (Vivomixx®, Visbiome®, DeSimone Formulation®; Danisco-DuPont, Madison, WI, USA) for the treatment of infantile colic in breastfed infants, compared with a placebo. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in exclusively breastfed infants with colic, randomly assigned to receive a probiotic-mixture or a placebo for 21 days. A structured diary of gastrointestinal events of the infants was given to the parents to complete. Samples of feces were also collected to evaluate microbial content and metabolome using fecal real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based analysis. Study registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01869426). Results: Fifty-three exclusively-breastfed infants completed three weeks of treatment with a probiotic-mixture (n = 27) or a placebo (n = 26). Infants receiving the probiotic-mixture had less minutes of crying per day throughout the study by the end of treatment period (68.4 min/day vs. 98.7 min/day; p = 0.001). A higher rate of infants from the probiotic-mixture group responded to treatment (defined by reduction of crying times of ≥50% from baseline), on day 14, 12 vs. 5 (p = 0.04) and on day 21, 26 vs. 17 (p = 0.001). A higher quality of life, assessed by a 10-cm visual analogue scale, was reported by parents of the probiotic-mixture group on day 14, 7.1 ± 1.2 vs. 7.7 ± 0.9 (p = 0.02); and on day 21, 6.7 ± 1.6 vs. 5.9 ± 1.0 (p = 0.001). No differences between groups were found regarding anthropometric data, bowel movements, stool consistency or microbiota composition. Probiotics were found to affect the fecal molecular profile. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Administration of a probiotic-mixture appears safe and reduces inconsolable crying in exclusively breastfed infants.

Item does not contain fulltext Diminished colonic health is associated with various age-related pathologies. Calorie restriction (CR) is an effective strategy to increase healthy lifespan, although underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Here, we report the effects of lifelong CR on indicators of colonic health in aging C57Bl/6J mice. Compared to an ad libitum control and moderate-fat diet, 30% energy reduction was associated with attenuated immune- and inflammation-related gene expression in the colon. Furthermore, expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism was higher upon CR, which may point towards efficient regulation of energy metabolism. The relative abundance of bacteria considered beneficial to colonic health, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, increased in the mice exposed to CR for 28 months as compared to the other diet groups. We found lower plasma levels of interleukin-6 and lower levels of various metabolites, among which are bile acids, in the colonic luminal content of CR-exposed mice as compared to the other diet groups. Switching from CR to an ad libitum moderate-fat diet at old age (24 months) revealed remarkable phenotypic plasticity in terms of gene expression, microbiota composition and metabolite levels, although expression of a subset of genes remained CR-associated. This study demonstrated in a comprehensive way that CR affects indicators of colonic health in aging mice. Our findings provide unique leads for further studies that need to address optimal and feasible strategies for prolonged energy deprivation, which may contribute to healthy aging.

Introduction In healthy women, lactobacilli play a crucial role in maintaining the microbial homeostasis of the vaginal niche. In case of bacterial vaginosis (BV), a condition characterised by a depletion of lactobacilli and an increasing number of anaerobes, a higher risk of urogenital and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is reported. The vaginal environment of healthy and BV-positive women have been extensively studied, leading to the identification of the microbial species dominating these opposite conditions and to the description of specific metabolic profiles. Besides that, less is known about the vaginal microbiome in case of STIs, as Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections. The aim of this study was to analyse the composition of the endogenous microbiota and the metabolic signatures of the vaginal niche in 3 different conditions: healthy, BV and CT infections. Methods From July 2016, all the pre-menopausal women attending the STI Outpatients Clinic of Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital in Bologna (Italy) and meeting one of the following criteria were enrolled: presence of vaginal symptoms or presence of risk factors for CT infection. Patients with vaginal candidiasis were excluded. For all the patients, a vaginal swab was collected for molecular CT detection (Versant CT/GC DNA 1.0 Assay; Siemens), whereas Amsel criteria were used for BV assessment. Moreover, for each woman, an additional vaginal swab stored in saline was collected and centrifuged. Cell pellets were examined with a DNA-microarray platform including 17 probe sets specific for the most representative vaginal bacterial groups and with a quantitative real-time PCR targeting 16s rRNA gene of Gardnerella vaginalis (GV). Cell-free supernatants were used for metabolomic analysis by means of 1 H-NMR spectroscopy. NMR spectra were recorded with an AVANCE spectrometer (Bruker). Similarities among microbial and metabolic profiles of samples were investigated by means of a principal component analysis (PCA). Differences in GV DNA loads and metabolites concentrations were analysed by ANOVA test. The study was approved by the Hospital Ethical Committee. Results Among all the women enrolled, 25 were considered healthy, 18 received a diagnosis of BV and 22 were positive for CT. PCA revealed that the vaginal microbiome of healthy and BV-subjects were clearly distinct and that CT-positive women were more similar to healthy women rather than to BV-positives, both for microbial composition and for metabolic profile. The mean GV DNA load was significantly different between the groups (p=0.03): healthy and CT positive women showed similar and lower mean loads compared to BV group. At a metabolic level, significantly higher concentrations of formate, ethanolamine and methylamine were found in BV-patients, while tryptophan and lactate were more present in healthy and CT-positive women. Conclusion Specific microbial and metabolic signatures characterise different clinical conditions of the vaginal tract. In this context, CT-positive women are definitely more similar to healthy than BV-subjects.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of oral iron supplementation, in the form of fortified breads, on the growth performance, health, iron status parameters, and fecal metabolome of anemic piglets. A study was conducted on 24 hybrid (Large White × Landrace × Duroc) piglets. From day 44, the post-natal 12 piglets were supplemented with 100 g of one of two experimental breads, each fortified with 21 mg of ferrous sulphate, either encapsulated or not. After one week of oral supplementation, hematological parameters (hematocrit value, hemoglobin, and red blood cells) showed statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05). Piglets fed with the fortified breads had higher iron concentrations in the heart, liver, and intestinal mucosa compared to anemic piglets fed with control bread. Gene expression of hepcidin, iron exporter ferroportin (IREG1), and divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), together with concentrations of plasma ferritin, showed no significant statistical differences between groups. Both fortified breads could be used as sources of bioavailable iron. The seven-day intervention trial showed microencapsulation to have only a mild effect on the effectiveness of iron supplementation in the form of fortified bread.