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Bioconversion is a biological process by which organic materials are converted into products with higher biological and commercial value. During its larval stage the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens is extremely voracious and can feed on a wide variety of organic materials. To study the impact of different fruit byproducts on the insect's growth, final larval biomass, substrate reduction, bioconversion parameters, and larval nutritional composition, 10 000 black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) were reared on 7.0 kg of one of three substrates (strawberry, tangerine, or orange) or on a standard diet as a control. The results highlight that BSFL can successfully feed and grow on each of these diets, though their development time, growth rate, and final biomass were differently impacted by the substrates, with strawberry being the most suitable. The lipid and protein contents of BSFL were similar among larvae fed on different substrates; however, major differences were detected in ash, micronutrient, fiber, fatty acid, and amino acid contents. Overall, the results indicate that fruit waste management through the BSFL bioconversion process represents a commercially promising resource for regional and national agrifood companies. Our study offers new perspectives for sustainable and environmentally friendly industrial development by which fruit byproducts or waste might be disposed of or unconventionally enhanced to create secondary products of high biological and economic value, including BSFL biomass as animal feed or, in perspective, as alternative protein source for human nutrition.

Former food products include various leftovers from the food industry which, although they have lost values for human consumption, could be safely used for livestock, thus limiting environmental impact of food waste, and reducing feeding costs. The aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional characteristics of different types of former foods from pasta industry. Four types of dry pasta refusal (wholemeal, semolina, purple, and tricolor) and whole barley grain (control) were analyzed for chemical composition and

We assessed the effects of inclusion of chickpea from 24 to 21%, as feed basis, in diets for organically reared bulls. Sixteen young bulls (270 ± 6.4 days of age, 246 ± 0.13 kg in weight) belonging to a native Italian breed (Maremmana) were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments. The control diets were based on mixed grass hay, maize meal, and barley meal. In the experimental diets, barley was equally substituted by locally produced chickpea. Animals were weighed every 2 weeks until the prefixed slaughtering weight (630 kg). Plasma metabolites were measured at the 1st, 7th, and 14th month of the experiment. Chemical composition, colour, shear force, and water holding capacity of meat were assessed on Longissimus thoracis et lumborum 7 days after slaughter. The chickpea-fed animals showed a significantly greater average daily gain (1064 vs. 1168 kg/day), a shorter growing phase (364 vs. 335 days), and a better carcass conformation. Plasma metabolites and meat quality were not influenced by the treatments. The better growth performance and carcass quality of the chickpea fed bulls resulted in a higher economic profit for the chickpea-based diets. Results suggest that chickpea may allow sustainable performance improvement of native breeds within their traditional farming systems.

The aim of this work was to verify the suitability of terpenoids and fatty acid composition to authenticate the altitude of milk production. Milk originating from lowland (L1), mountain (M1) and alpine pasture (H1 and H2) in the Aosta Valley (Northwest Italy), during the month of June, was collected at a cheese factory. The M1, H1, and H2 milk is characterised by a high content of a-linolenic, vaccenic acid and conjugated linoleic fatty acids, compared with milk from lowland pastures. Terpenoid profiles changed with altitude of grazing. The leave-one-out cross-validation, using altitude of grazing as a grouping, and C14:0 iso, anteisoC17:0, C18:1 trans-11, C18:2 trans-9, trans-12 and cis-ocimene as discriminant vari- ables, gave a correct classification rates of 98% of milk samples to origin of production.

This study aims to assess the compositional traits and sensory characteristics of a traditional pecorino cheese associated with management and feeding system seasonality. The study was carried out on two mountain dairy farms using an outdoor, pasture-based system from April to October (OutS), and an indoor system (InS) during the rest of the year. Outdoor-produced milk had higher fat content and a tendency for protein and somatic cell count to be higher. The OutS cheeses showed higher dry matter and fat content, higher percentages of unsaturated fatty acids, C18:3, cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid, and trans-11 C18:1, and lower percentages of C14:0 and C16:0. These modifications in fatty acid composition determined the reduction of the atherogenic index. The OutS cheeses also displayed higher intensity of almost all sensory attributes, including odor, flavor, taste, and texture descriptors. The outdoor system partly reduced the liking of consumers for pecorino. However, changes in the productive process leading to an increment in the water content and softness of the cheeses (i.e., controlled humidity and temperature during ripening) may increase the overall liking of pasture-based products, thus promoting the consumption of healthier foods.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the use of chickpea meal in substitution of soybean meal on plasma metabolites, reproductive response, milk yield and composition and milk coagulation traits of primiparous buffaloes in early lactation. Eighteen primiparous buffaloes were blocked by age, body weight and days in milk and equally allotted to two experimental groups from 10 to 100 days of lactation. The experimental diets consisted of the same forage integrated with two different isonitrogenous and isoenergetic concentrates containing either 210 g/kg of soybean meal or 371 g/kg chickpea. The use of chickpea meal had no negative effects on dry matter intake (p = 0.69), body condition score (p = 0.33) and milk yield (p = 0.15). Neither milk composition nor blood metabolites were influenced by dietary treatments (p &gt, 0.05), but an increment of urea concentrations in milk (p &lt, 0.05) and blood plasma (p &lt, 0.001) were observed in buffaloes fed chickpeas. Moreover, no effect (p &gt, 0.05) of the dietary treatment was highlighted on milk coagulation traits as well as buffalo reproductive responses. We concluded that soybean meal can be replaced by chickpea meal in the diet for primiparous dairy buffaloes in the early lactation period without impairing their productive and reproductive performance.

This paper presents the results of a survey carried out in 68 dairies in southern Italy on the manufacturing processes of traditional Italian Caciocavallo cheese varieties. Following a study of the relevant literature, the various cheesemaking processes were analysed and the implications of different cheesemaking procedures were explored. The manufacturing variations able to influence the organoleptic characteristics of Caciocavallo cheese were milk and rennet types, procedures for curd acidification and stretching, salting and ripening conditions, and smoking treatment. This survey is designed to guide producers and consumers alike with respect to the perceivable effects of manufacturing variants on cheese quality.

TESI DI LAUREA SPERIMENTALE In Piani di Razionamento Alimentare degli Animali da Reddito Caratterizzazione chimico-nutrizionale di alcune varietà di Cannabis sativa L. per un potenziale utilizzo nell'alimentazione dei ruminanti

We aimed to evaluate the effects of post dry ageing (PDA) period on meat colour and rheological characteristics in 16 buffalo bulls fed two different diets: with (FRS) or without (CTL) rye grass. Animals were randomly divided into two feeding groups and slaughtered at 540 &plusmn, 4.7 and 533 &plusmn, 7.0 kg of live body weight, respectively, for the CTL and FRS group. After five days post-mortem ageing (T0), Semitendinosus muscle (ST) and Longissimus muscle (LD) underwent a prolonged maturation process in a controlled meat chamber for 30 days (ST) and until 60 days (LD). After 30 days (T1), significant changes (p &lt, 0.01) in meat colour (&Delta, E) in both muscles of the FRS group was recorded, while no significant change was observed in CTL group. The FRS diet had a positive effect on textural properties of ST muscle compared to CTL diet, as well as hardness, chewiness and gumminess. All qualitative characteristics improved in the first period of PDA but, whereas LD showed to keep improving, extending the post-ageing period by further 30 days, the ST becomes un-processable at 60 days. In conclusion, a combined used of fresh feeding and PDA period could enhance both tenderness and colour in animal fed FSR.

Integration of trees with agricultural crops and livestock systems may offer advantages in term of productivity, economic return, and sustainability. In order to identify a candidate crop for Mediterranean silvoarable systems to be used in livestock farming as a protein source locally produced, a study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of feeding peas (Pisum sativum L.) as main protein source on milk yield and in vivo digestibility of primiparous buffaloes. Two almost isonitrogenous concentrates (on average, crude protein 240 g/kg dry matter) were formulated to contain, as fed basis, either 350 g/kg of soybean cake (SoyC) or 450 g/kg of extruded peas (PeaC) as the main protein source. Twenty primiparous buffaloes were blocked by age and body weight into two dietary treatments (Soyand Pea) from 10 to 100 day in milk. All cows were fed in the barn a total mixed ration containing 3 kg of SoyC and in the milking parlour they were individually supplemented by either 3 kg of SoyC or PeaC according to the group assignment. The substitution rate of soybean protein by pea protein was approximately 30%. Milk yield was not affected by the dietary use of extruded peas, as well as, milk fat and protein percentages, and clotting properties. Moreover, in vivo digestibility did not differ between the two dietary groups. Results support the partial substitution of soybean cake with extruded peas in diets for lactating buffaloes.

Simple Summary Recovery and valorization of residues are key factors for agro-industry to progress towards circular-economy models and more sustainable productions. In the vegetable oils industry, large quantities of spent seed cakes are produced downstream of the oil extraction processes, and their use as animal feedstuffs, mainly as protein supplements for ruminants, is a possible valorization strategy. In this study, we analyzed chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of spent cakes from sunflower, pomegranate, cardoon, tobacco and hemp that are multipurpose cultures emerging in Mediterranean area. The results showed that the cakes of tobacco, cardoon and hemp might be interesting alternative protein feeds for ruminants. The valorization of these cakes may potentially improve economic and environmental sustainability of the emerging vegetable-oil production chains. Abstract Fifteen oilseed cakes from sunflower, pomegranate, cardoon, tobacco and hemp were characterized with regard to chemical composition, Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) fractionation, in vitro digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and crude protein. All the cakes presented low moisture, rather variable ether extract contents and medium to high levels of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber. The cakes significantly differed in terms of CNCPS partitioning and in vitro digestibility. Tobacco and hemp cakes presented high contents of slow degradable fractions of crude protein and carbohydrate joined to good post-ruminal protein digestibility. Cardoon cakes presented the highest rumen protein degradability. Based on crude protein content and intestinal digestibility of rumen undegraded protein, cakes of tobacco and hemp showed the better potential as alternative protein supplements for ruminants, while pomegranate appears to be the least suitable for ruminant feeding.

Seed inoculation of forage crops by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) generally results in higher profitability, but also modifies the chemical composition of silage in terms of increased biomass, protein, and dry matter. Raw milk aroma is affected by the type of feed. This work investigated the influence of ensiled forage obtained by seed inoculation with AMF on the volatile fractions and fatty acid composition of milk. Two experiments were carried out: in the first, buffaloes were fed maize silage, and in the second, cows were fed sorghum silage. The volatile fractions of milk were quantified by headspace solid-phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME), combined with gas chromatography&ndash, mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and fatty acids by gas chromatography (GC). The ensiled forage obtained with AMF increased saturated fatty acids (SFAs), and decreased monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in both experiments. The volatile fraction in milk samples obtained from bovines fed mycorrhizal ensiled forage showed an increase of free fatty acids and ketones, responsible for cheesy and fruity odors. Aldehydes, responsible for green and grassy notes, increased only in the milk from buffaloes fed ensiled maize. Our results suggest that inoculation of maize and sorghum seed with AMF, combined with a low rate of fertilizers, leads to ensiled forage that could slightly affect the FA profile and odor quality of milk.

Aim of the study was to examine during ripening the instrumental and sensory proprieties of Caciocavallo of Castelfranco cheese produced by using hay or silage as the sole forage source. Three batches of Caciocavallo were manufactured by using milk from two homogenous groups of cows fed isoenergetic and isonitrogenous rations containing 60% (on DM basis) of sorghum silage or hay. Analyses were carried out on curd after salting (time 0) and on cheese after 30, 60 and 90 days of ripening. Instrumental colour (CIELAB system) was determined by spectrophotometry. The compression test was performed by an Instron Universal testing machine. The sensory analysis was performed by using a quantitative–descriptive analysis (QDA) method. Two appearances (uniformity and colour), six odours/flavours (overall odour, overall flavour, milk, butter, grass, hay), three tastes (salty, sour, bitter, umami), and three textures (tenderness, elasticity, oiliness) attributes represented the consensus profile of sensory characteristics. Data were analysed by a mixed procedure to evaluate the fixed effects of diet and ripening times. Sensory profile data were subjected to a preliminary analysis of variance in order to verify the reliability of the panel. No serious defects (poor odour or taste, blowing, etc.) were highlighted in the cheeses. Moreover, no notable discrepancies were found between instrumental and sensory colour and texture. The intensity of yellow was remarkably higher in silage cheeses (p

The use of Azospirillum as a tool for promoting sustainable production of silage maize: a preliminary evidence under field condition Francesco Serrapica1, Felicia Masucci2, Antonio Di Francia2, Maria Serrapica1, Giuseppe De Rosa2, Corrado Pacelli1 1Scuola di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali, Alimentari ed Ambientali, University of Basilicata, Italy 2Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Napoli Federico II, Italy Contact: francesco.serrapica@unibas.it The aim of this on-farm study was to evaluate the use of N2- fixing rhizobacteria Azospirillum in maize cropping as a strategy to reduce the use of nitrogen fertilization. The trial was conducted on an irrigated plain farm. Seeds of Zea maize were inoculated with a commercial product (Graminosoil srlVR ) based on Azospirillum spp. live cells at the dose of 5x104 cell form unit/kg seed. The treatments were MC (not inoculated maize seeds, fertilization: N 250 kg ha1) and MA (inoculated maize seeds, none fertilization) that were arranged in 2 contiguous areas, 1 ha each. Maize was harvested at the milky–waxy ripening stage. Measurement of the yield components and of the plant traits were made at harvesting, on a 3 strips (10 m long) per plot. For each strip, 50 plants were manually cut at 10 cm above the ground and weighted in order to determine biomass yield. Moreover, 3 sub-samples, each consisting of 3 plants, were collected to evaluate the plant traits. To this purpose, plants were separated in culm, cob and leaves and the following traits were recorded: culm height, number of green leaves, leaf area, weight of the culm, cob, and leaves. Leaf Area Index (LAI) were calculated based on the leaf area and the plant density for unit area (m2). Finally, 3 samples/plot of freshly chopped forage were collected in order to determine the dry matter content (DM) and chemical composition (Foss NIR systems 6500, Silver Springs, MD). Data were analyzed by using one-way ANOVA, with treatment as factor. By comparing plant traits recorded for MC and MA, the plant height (294 vs 298 cm), number of green leafs (15.7 vs 15.9), leaf area (0.63 vs 0.64 m2), and LAI (4.76 vs 4.77) were not influenced by the treatment (p>.05). Likewise, no significant differences (p>.05) could be detected for the weights of culms (412.0 vs 430.4 g), cobs (416.9 vs 430.9 g), and leaves (141.7 vs 142.5 g). As a consequence, the total biomass yields from MC and MA (72.92 vs 75.28Mg ha1, respectively) were not statistically different (p>.05). In regard of fresh forage chemical composition, no differences were found in terms of DM (34.6 vs 34.7%), crude protein (6.9 vs 6.9%DM), crude fibre (21.8 vs 21.9%DM), ether extract (1.0 vs 1.0%DM), ash (4.8 vs 4.9%DM), and NDF (50.7 vs 50.8%DM). Based on these preliminary results, seed's inoculation with Azospirillum may represent a viable tool for improvement of environmental effects of maize. Acknowledgements The authors are very grateful to the staffs of the farm ‘Eredi Iemma” (Eboli, Italy) for their help. The technical assistance of Maria Catapane is also recognized.

Traditional Caciocavallo of Castelfranco is a semi-hard "pasta-filata" cheese produced from raw cows' milk in Campania region. The aim of the present research is mainly focused on the study, by 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing and viable counts, of the dynamics of bacterial communities during manufacture and ripening of traditional Caciocavallo cheese. Moreover, the possible correlation between cheese microbiota and cows' feeding based on silage or hay was also evaluated. In general, except for enterococci, the technological process significantly affected all the microbial groups. According to 16S rRNA, raw cows' milk was dominated by Streptococcus thermophilus, L. lactis and Pseudomonas sp. in hay cheese production, whereas Lactococcus lactis and Acinetobacter sp. dominated silage production. Differences in the taxonomic structure of the milk's microbiota within diet groups were not related to silage and hay cows' feeding. Moreover, S. thermophilus was the unique species that dominate from raw milks to fermented intermediates and cheese in both hay and silage cheese productions. Feeding and ripening time influenced significantly sensory characteristics of the cheeses.

Purpose Consumer interest and willingness to pay (WTP) for omega-3 enriched water buffalo mozzarella cheese are evaluated through an in-store experimental auction. The purpose of this paper is to estimate individual WTP for enriched mozzarella cheese and related it to self-efficacy beliefs and outcome expectations of omega-3 consumption, following regulatory focus theory. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected in May-June 2015 from a sample of 150 consumers in Southern Italy. A structural equation modelling procedure was implemented. Findings The results show a significant role is played by prevention outcome expectations on consumer behaviour. While promotion outcome expectation constructs proved non-significant, self-identity correlates with prevention outcome expectations. Research limitations/implications There are several limitations that the authors are aware of regarding this study. First of all, since the authors rely on self-reported measures, optimistic bias might have affected participants’ responses (Weinstein, 1980). Second, results may be influenced by the choice of the specific information provided to consumers for the analysis; different claims and different information framings should be tested (LeBoeuf and Shafir, 2003). Practical implications Implications stemming from the results encourage the promotion of omega-3 enriched mozzarella cheese based on stimulating outcome expectations, bearing in mind that individual motivations should be enhanced by self-identity beliefs. Originality/value Although the combined role of self-efficacy and outcome expectations on personal intention to adopt healthy behaviour has already been demonstrated (Keller, 2006; Tudoran et al., 2012), to the best of the knowledge no previous study relates individual behaviour to an intention measured as a WTP for an actual product. In addition, current study has applied a non-hypothetical BDM (from Becker et al., 1964) auction in-store experiment.

The effects of dietary inclusion of Saccharomyces cerevisiae culture on intake, in vivo digestibility, and fecal nitrogen excretion were examined in dairy buffalo. Forty lactating buffalo cows were equally divided into Control and Saccharomyces groups, balanced for milk production, parity, and days in milk. Two subsequent 16-d experimental phases were carried out. For both groups during the first experimental period a TMR based on maize silage (maize-TMR) was used, whereas in the second period an alfalfa haylage (alfalfa-TMR) was administered to the animals. In each experimental period, Saccharomyces group was supplemented with 50 g/head/day of yeast (Biocell®, Limena, Padova, Italy), corresponding to 20×10 9 CFU/head/day Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC Sc47 strain. The yeast supplement was top-dressed onto the morning feed. Dry matter intake (DMI) was assessed for 6 consecutive d on group basis, by the difference between feed offered and refused. In the last 3 days of experimental period in vivo digestibility was determined by using acid-insoluble ash (AIA) as an intrinsic digestibility marker. Saccharomyces supplemented buffalo cows presented greater DMI of maize-TMR, whereas no statistical differences between the groups were observed for alfalfa-TMR. Saccharomyces supplementation significantly improved in vivo digestibility of both TMR. Fecal nitrogen excretion was significantly reduced by the use of yeast supplementation. Results suggest that the inclusion of Saccharomyces cerevisiae culture in the diet for lactating buffaloes can be recommended for its effects on cow’s digestive efficiency and fecal nitrogen excretion.

Twenty lactating buffalo cows, organically farmed, were used to examine the effects of including peas in total mixed ration. Two concentrates were formulated to contain, as the main protein sources, either 350 g/kg of soybean cake (CC) or 450 g/kg of peas (ExpC). Cows were blocked into two groups according to parity and previous milk yield and were assigned to one of two dietary treatments: one group was fed a diet with 6 kg/d of CC, whereas the treatment group was fed diet in which 3kg/d of CC were replaced by an equal quantity of ExpC. Digestibility of the diets and milk production of the cows were measured. The experimental period covered the whole lactation period. No differences were observed between groups for milk yield and composition, and for total tract apparent digestibility. The main hypothesis tested, that the replacement of soybean cake with peas in buffalo diet would not affect milk yield and composition, was confirmed. This suggested that the partial substitution of soybean cake with peas in diet for buffalo cows can be possible without affect performances.

The effect of dietary supplementation with Enterococcus faecium strain SF68 (E. faecium SF68) on growth performance, fecal consistency, in vivo digestibility and immune response in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves was evaluated at a commercial dairy location. Forty calves were randomly assigned at 10 days of age to one of four treatments: A—milk replacer with no additive, B—milk replacer supplemented with 0.17 g/L of viable (2 × l09 cfu/g) E. faecium SF68 culture for 3 consecutive d at 7 day intervals for 11 wks, C—milk replacer supplemented with E. faecium SF68 daily for 4 wks, D—milk replacer supplemented with E. faecium SF68 daily for 11 wks. A total mixed ration (TMR) was offered ad libitum from the 5th wk of the experimental period onward. Fecal scoring was conducted twice weekly, and dry matter intake (DMI) was measured weekly. Body weight was recorded every 2 wks. Phytohemagglutinin was used to perform a skin test based on non-specific delayed type hypersensitivity, whereas keyhole limpet hemocyanin was injected subcutaneously to evaluate humoral immune response. Blood samples for the evaluation of interferon-γ were collected from the jugular vein in vacuum tubes with heparin as an anticoagulant. At the end of the experimental period, nutrient in vivo digestibility was measured by using acid-insoluble ash as an internal indigestibility marker. Probiotic treated calves exhibited better fecal consistency and higher average daily gain as compared to control calves. The use of E. faecium SF68 had no effect on TMR DMI or total tract digestibility. Immune responses and interferon γ concentration were not affected by treatment. E. faecium SF68 supplementation did not dramatically change the health of animals although it favorably affected the status of the gastro-intestinal tract. Dietary supplementation of buffalo calves with E. faecium SF68, either concentrated early after birth (i.e. 4 wks), or dispersed over 11 wks (i.e. 3 consecutive days at weekly interval), allowed the effect of the probiotic to be achieved at lower cost.

Urea is the primary form in which N is excreted in ruminants. Milk urea (MU) content was introduced as a means to monitor the efficiency of protein utilisation in dairy cattle (Baker et al., 1995; Roseler et al., 1993; Bertoni, 1995). In this study the effect of some nutrition factors on MU content in buffalo herds was analysed in order to examine the possibility that protein nutrition could be monitored by means of milk urea at herd level........

Sixty-seven multiparous (group M) and 79 primiparous (group P) Friesian cows were used to assess the consistency of the order of entry and the preference for a determinate side into the milking parlour. The Kendall’s coefficient of concordance showed a constancy of the entrance order into milking parlour for both primiparous and multiparous subjects (0.36, P