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Hybridization and introgression are very common among freshwater fishes due to the dynamic nature of hydrological landscapes. Cyclic patterns of allopatry and secondary contact provide numerous opportunities for interspecific gene flow, which can lead to discordant paths of evolution for mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. Here, we used double digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) to obtain a genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) dataset comprehensive for allThymallus (Salmonidae)species to infer phylogenetic relationships and evaluate potential recent and historical gene flow among species. The newly obtained nuclear phylogeny was largely concordant with a previously published mitogenome-based topology but revealed a few cyto-nuclear discordances. These incongruencies primarily involved the placement of internal nodes rather than the resolution of species, except for one European species where anthropogenic stock transfers are thought to be responsible for the observed pattern. The analysis of four contact zones where multiple species are found revealed a few cases of mitochondrial capture and limited signals of nuclear introgression. Interestingly, the mechanisms restricting interspecific gene flow might be distinct; while in zones of secondary contact, small-scale physical habitat separation appeared as a limiting factor, biologically based reinforcement mechanisms are presumed to be operative in areas where species presumably evolved in sympatry. Signals of historical introgression were largely congruent with the routes of species dispersal previously inferred from mitogenome data. Overall, the ddRADseq dataset provided a robust phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus Thymallus including new insights into historical hybridization and introgression, opening up new questions concerning their evolutionary history.

BACKGROUND: Insect-derived proteins are a promising, valuable and permitted ingredient for poultry feed. However, more emphasis should be given to their effects on avian species different from chicken, such as quail (Coturnix coturnix), whose rearing represents an important activity. The present paper provides novel information about the impact of graded dietary levels of Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae meal on quail growth and meat quality. RESULTS: Four diets were formulated with graded inclusion levels of TM, namely 1.65, 3.3 and 6.6 g on 100 g feed (T1.65, T3.3, T6.6, respectively) to partially replace the conventional proteins of a control diet (C). A total of 192 birds were allotted to one of the groups and fed for 35 days. The inclusion of TM meal linearly increased feed conversion ratio, and decreased carcass and breast weight. Texture and water holding capacity of meat were linearly reduced with increasing TM in diet, while fatty acid composition was not affected. However, the meat from quails fed diets including TM was subject to greater thermal damage than the C group; hence further studies are encouraged. CONCLUSION: TM meal inclusion at higher levels than 1.65% slightly impaired the growth performance of Japanese quails. Negligible effects on physical properties such as colour, texture, cooking loss and also on the fatty acid profile of the raw and cooked meat was found after including TM in quails’ diet up to 3.3%. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

The aim of the research was to propose the larvae of honeybee queens, discarded from royal jelly production as possible dietary supplement in animal nutrition. To this purpose, the chemical characteristics, chitin content, amino acid, fatty acid and mineral profile (including toxic elements) were determined on pooled samples of queen bee larvae. Queen bee larvae meal is rich in chitin, protein, essential amino acids, and in some essential mineral such as phosphorous and magnesium; it is also relatively poor in fat, and with negligible levels of toxic elements such as Cd, Pb, As and Hg. However, its fatty acid profile showed a very low amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and the meal was poor of Ca and other trace elements when compared to the most common insect meals used in animal nutrition. Queen bee larvae have a standard nutrition based on royal jelly and this could represent a great advantage to use in animal production. However, the collection of queen bee larvae does not allow to give high quantities of final product due both the low amount of larvae collected (an average 58.9 g/hive/month) and the relatively low yield in meal (an average 23.12%) recorded. Thus, the queen bee larvae meal cannot be considered as an alternative protein source in animal production but could represent a potential feed supplement to include at low doses to exploit the possible activities of gut microbiota modulator due to the high levels of chitin.

Physico-chemical characteristics and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of fillets from Atlantic salmon fed diets with two substitution levels of fishmeal by defatted Hermetia illucens larvae meal (0 and 100%; H0, H100) were examined as raw and subjected to boiling and sous-vide (SV) cooking methods. H100 diet increased fillet saturated fatty acid content, thus negatively affecting the lipid health indexes. H100 was also associated with high levels of the n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. H100 diet led to some modifications in VOC composition. Boiling and SV cooking increased lightness and yellowness indexes along with secondary oxidation products in comparison to the raw fillets. However, no differences were observed for the cooking loss and the nutritional values of the fillets processed with the two cooking methods. SV fillets had higher moisture than the boiled ones, whereas boiled fillets had a higher VOC content. The 100% substitution level and the cooking by boiling or SV guaranteed good characteristics and nutritional values of the salmon fillets.

A major challenge for development of sustainable aquafeeds is its dependence on fish meal and fish oil. Replacement with more sustainable, nutritious and safe ingredients is now a priority. Over the last years, among several alternatives proposed, insects have received great attention as possible candidates. In particular, the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens; BSF) represents a concrete example of how the circular economy concept can be applied to fish culture, providing a valuable biomass rich in fat and protein valorising organic by-products. In the last decade, several studies have been published about the use of different BSF dietary inclusion levels for various fish species including experimental models. Varying and encouraging results have been obtained in this research field using a plethora of laboratory methodological approaches that can be applied and coupled to obtain a comprehensive view of the BSF-based diets effects on fish physiology, health, and quality. The present review aims to explore some of the most promising laboratory approaches like histology, infrared spectroscopy, gut microbiome sequencing, molecular biology, fish fillets’ physico-chemical and sensory properties, essential for a better understanding of fish welfare and fillet quality, when BSF is used as aquafeed ingredient. In particular, great importance has been given to European finfish species and experimental models.

Insects are an alternative protein source recently adopted in aquacultured carnivorous species. However, the replacement of marine ingredients with insect meal might cut down the n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) of fish fillet, a fraction of great interest for human nutrition. Recently, it has been shown that different animal species and the human species better absorb the dietary fatty acids esterified in the sn-2 position of the triglyceride (TG) than those contained in the sn-1 and sn-3 positions. Hence, the present paper aimed to evaluate in which extent replacing fishmeal with insect meal could alter not only the fillet fatty acid (FA) profile, but even the FA distribution inside the TGs. Specifically, three-hundred and sixty gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) were randomly divided into four groups with three replicates each. The fish were fed for 120 days four isoenergetic, isolipidic and isoproteic diets where fishmeal was substituted by Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae meal. The inclusion levels were 0% (HI0), 9.2% (HI9), 18.4% (HI18) and 27.6% (HI27), corresponding to 0, 25, 50 and 75% of fishmeal substitution, respectively. At the end of the trial, 10 fish per group were analyzed for marketable traits, fillet color values and lipid composition. Dietary intervention did not affect any of the considered marketable traits and the fillet color. Major changes were observed in the FA profile of the fillet lipids. The fillets from fish fed HI18 and HI27 contained the highest amount of saturated fatty acids while their n-3 PUFA were significantly reduced in comparison with HI0 and HI9. Analogous variations were observed in the FA composition of the TG fraction. On the contrary, dietary HI did not reduce the overall n-3 PUFA positioned in the sn-2 of TG, nor eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) percentage. In conclusion, dietary HI inclusion did not substantially modify the presence of important fatty acids for human nutrition (i.e., EPA and DHA) in the sn-2 position of the fillet triglycerides, increasing the chances to be better assimilated and absorbed by humans.

The effects of two stunning methods (carbon monoxide asphyxia, CO, and electroshock, E) on blood plasma parameters, rigor index, fillet pH and shape changes, ATP breakdown and Adenylate Energy Charge (AEC) in muscle immediately post mortem were investigated in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) kept in tanks containing water set at 8 °C or 12 °C. Both the methods here adopted induced a stress-response which, however, was not able to affect the rigor mortis development and fillet pH. The fillets from the E group showed the strongest length contraction and width increase at 48 h post mortem. The CO stunning method exhibited the highest levels of both ATP and AEC in the muscle immediately after death, equal to 2.28 µmol/g and 0.83, respectively, while 1.12 µmol/g and 0.64 values were found in the E group. In addition, we found that the water temperature might interact with the stunning method and minimise the stress response. In the present trial, the most suitable use of the CO stunning method would be coupled with 12 °C of rearing water temperature to better preserve ATP and AEC in muscles.Highlights CO stunning preserves ATP and AEC in trout muscle better than electrical stunning Water temperature might interact with the stunning and minimise the stress response CO stunning is suggested to be coupled with 12 °C of water temperature Electricity should be avoided at 8 °C of water temperature

Seaweeds are considered novel feed ingredients, nutraceutical compounds and source of pigments and proteins. They appear to possess bioactive properties, such as hypolipidemic, antioxidant and immune-stimulative actions; furthermore, their proteins are considered just as nutritious as terrestrial vegetables. In the present work, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) was fed for 95 days with three diets: a fishmeal-based positive control diet (C+), a vegetable protein-based negative control diet (C−) and a diet similar to C − where 5% of soybean concentrate was replaced by a commercial blend of seaweeds (T). The monitored parameters were fish performance, physical and marketable characteristics, fillet oxidative status and fatty acid content. The estimated indices of enzyme activities involved in lipid metabolism were calculated. Fish performances were reduced in C − and T fish; C − and T fillet fatty acid (FA) profiles globally showed the same pattern and were distinct from C+, i.e. with a lower content of polyunsaturated FAs and a higher content of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated n6 FAs; contrarywise, saturated FAs were significantly lower in T group in comparison to the other two groups (p

Ready-to-cook clean label products were formulated based on two ratios (50:50 and 30:70, R1 and R2) of mechanically separated European sea bass and rainbow trout. R1 and R2, tested as raw a...

In this work, we proposed the use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as a rapid tool for the discrimination of meat samples coming from free-ranged and caged rabbits. Fatty acid composition, colour, and texture were also provided to fully characterize meat quality of the different samples. A total of 36, thirty-seven days old California × New Zealand White male rabbits were divided into 2 groups, housed in open air cages and in ground free-range, respectively. After 62 days of farming, 12 rabbits per group were slaughtered and the skinned carcasses were chilled for 24 h at 4 °C prior to be dissected. The Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle was analysed. The overall fatty acid profile was not affected by the farming system, while free-range rabbits show a significant lower L* value (49.59) than the open-air ones (53.54). Nor a* and b* were altered. Texture measurements revealed that there was no effect of housing system on shear force. More interestingly, the deconvolution of DSC signals in the range 30–90 °C revealed that free-range rearing lead to an increase of myosin amount in meat, being its peak percentage equal to 8.5 ± 1.9 against 4.3 ± 2.2 in meat from caged rabbits.

By answering the need for increasing sustainability in aquaculture, the present study aimed to compare growth, gene expression involved in appetite regulation, physical characteristics, and chemical composition of Sparus aurata fed alternative protein sources. Fish were fed ten iso-proteic, iso-lipidic, and isoenergetic diets: a vegetable-based (CV) and a marine ingredient-rich (CF) diet were set as control diets. The others were prepared by replacing graded levels (10, 20 or 40%) of the vegetable proteins in the CV with proteins from a commercial defatted Hermetia illucens pupae meal (H), poultry by-product meal (PBM) singly (H10, H20, H40, P20, P40) or in combination (H10P30), red swamp crayfish meal (RC10) and from a blend (2:1, w:w) of Tisochrysis lutea and Tetraselmis suecica (MA10) dried biomasses. The increase in ghre gene expression observed in MA10 fed fish matched with increased feed intake and increased feed conversion ratio. Besides, the MA10 diet conferred a lighter aspect to the fish skin (p &lt, 0.05) than the others. Overall, no detrimental effects of H, PBM, and RC meal included in the diets were observed, and fish fatty acid profile resulted as comparable among these groups and CV, thus demonstrating the possibility to introduce H, PBM, and RC in partial replacement of vegetable proteins in the diet for Sparus aurata.

Poultry by-products (PBM) and Hermetia illucens prepupae meal (HM) are promising alternative protein sources for aquafeeds, being palatable, nutritious, and/or cost-effective, in addition to fostering circular economy. Their inclusion in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) feeds, although not detrimental for growth and wellbeing, leads to a decreased fatty acid (FA) quality, specifically, a decreased polyunsaturated FA content. The present study assessed the effect of five different diets on rainbow trout's biometric, marketable, and physical traits, oxidative status, fillet nutritional quality (of fresh and of 60-day stored fillets) and consumers' liking. The diets tested were: i) a positive-control diet, based on fishmeal (CF); ii) a plant protein-based diet (CV) resembling current commercial diets, used as additional control; 60% of the vegetable proteins were substituted with either iii) PBM (P60), iv) HM (H60) or v) both PBM and HM (H10P50). The principal component analysis considering all parameters showed two neat clusters, one grouping CF samples, the other grouping the rest of the samples. Specifically, hepatosomatic index and colour were significantly altered by the different administered diets. The most evident differences between dietary treatments were found in the FA profile, with CF fish showing a distinct FA profile in comparison to the other groups. Although the highest eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid contents were found in CF group, the total polyunsaturated FA content was not significantly different between the dietary treatments, as linoleic and linolenic acids were the lowest in the CF fillets (p In summary, the P60, H60 and H10P50 diets were not less than the commercial-like CV diet. Combining PBM and HM showed positive results and needs further studies. Improving the n-3/n-6 ratio remains a priority to be addressed when formulating aquafeeds with innovative ingredients.

Graylings (Thymallus) are among the less well-studied groups of salmonid fishes, especially across their Asian distribution range. Here we perform a comprehensive global review of their phylogeography, systematic diversity and range distributions, including biogeographic reconstruction and assessment of both conservation and taxonomic status of each species. Based on a mitogenomic phylogenetic analysis, three approaches to the delineation of molecular operational units, and evaluation of 15 a-priori defined species, we provide biological support for the recognition of 13 grayling species, plus two additional species tentatively. Several instances of paraphyly and its potential effect on systematic inferences are discussed. Overall, the genus displays increasing species diversity and decreasing range size from higher to lower latitudes and ancestral trait reconstruction supports an East Asian origin for extant diversity, most likely centred in the Amur River drainage. Europe’s colonization by Thymallus took place as early as the late Miocene, at least two colonisations of North America are supported, and multiple dispersal events likely took place into Western Siberia. The conservation status for the 15 taxa was estimated to be: 6 least concern, 1 near-threatened, 2 vulnerable, 3 endangered and 3 data deficient.

The rise in the demand and the limited availability of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids claim to obtain these important long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) from novel sources. Skin of rainbow trout is a fish industry by-product but still contains valuable LCPUFA amounts with great potential applications in human nutrition and health. This study aimed to explore the nutritional composition of rainbow trout skin for its use as source of n-3 LCPUFA and its composition modification according to fish diet. Rainbow trout were fed three diets including increasing substitution levels of fishmeal with full-fat black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal (0%, 25%, 50% substitution levels) over 98 days. DHA was the major representative of the n-3 LCPUFA in the skin of all dietary groups, being the H25 group the richest in this fatty acid. The present study shows that the skin of rainbow trout can be a promising source of n-3 LCPUFA. Reusing the skin of farmed fish represents a possible way to decrease food industry by-products, to reduce n-3 LCPUFA shortfall and could lead to the development of functional foods and nutritional supplements including n-3 LCPUFA from fish skin.

The Food and Agriculture Organization&rsquo, s previsions show that by 2050 the world&rsquo, s population will reach 9.6 billion people, and the request for a high value protein source will increase as well. Poultry can guarantee high value protein for humans, even in the poorest regions of the world. Hence, efficient poultry production is needed, matching with sustainable development. The residual meal from cardoon seed oil (used for biodiesel and biodegradable bioplastic production) is suitable for animal feeding due to its protein content. The aim of this preliminary study was to test for a possible use of cardoon meal as a protein source in a poultry diet during the finishing period. Forty-five Kabir chickens were divided into three groups and fed three diets in which soybean meal (control) was partially (16%) or completely replaced with cardoon meal as a protein source (treated groups). In vivo performances, animal welfare, dressing out and meat color were evaluated. No statistical differences in feed efficiency, dressing out, nor in meat quality were found among groups. Moreover, birds that were fed cardoon meal showed lower perivisceral fat. Therefore, cardoon meal could be considered as an alternative for soybean meal in the finishing period in poultry feeding.

Insects are able to bio-convert organic by-products into a sustainable biomass for aquafeed formulation. Specifically, among several insect species, Hermetia illucens (H) is particularly interesting for its nutritious traits but, unfortunately, the lipidic fraction is poorly represented by polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3 and poses some limits in its application in aquafeed formulation. The present study undertook an interdisciplinary approach to explore the effects of three experimental diets containing increasing levels of full-fat H meal (H0 diet based on fishmeal and purified protein-rich vegetable ingredients; H25 and H50 diets containing 25% or 50% of full-fat H meal replacing fishmeal, respectively), on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed over a 98 days experimental period. The expression of genes related to lipid metabolism by RT-qPCR, liver histology, as well as the qualitative traits of fillets and fatty acid (FA) composition were investigated. Interestingly, fads2 gene expression in pyloric caeca increased in fish fed diets containing the highest full-fat H meal inclusion (H50 > H0; p The overall results showed that the dietary full-fat H meal inclusion under study did not impair fish fillet quality, guaranteeing its nutritional value. Some effects on lipid metabolism were observed, as suggested by liver, pyloric caeca and mid intestine gene expression and liver FA profile. Future studies on the biological mechanisms behind the macroscopic traits of fish fed unprocessed insects are warmly encouraged.

Using a new fossil-calibrated mitogenome-based approach, we identified macroevolutionary shifts in mitochondrial gene order among the freshwater mussels (Unionoidea). We show that the early Mesozoic divergence of the two Unionoidea clades, Margaritiferidae and Unionidae, was accompanied by a synchronous split in the gene arrangement in the female mitogenome (i.e., gene orders MF1 and UF1). Our results suggest that this macroevolutionary jump was completed within a relatively short time interval (95% HPD 201–226 Ma) that coincided with the Triassic–Jurassic mass extinction. Both gene orders have persisted within these clades for ~200 Ma. The monophyly of the so-called “problematic” Gonideinae taxa was supported by all the inferred phylogenies in this study using, for the first time, the M- and F-type mitogenomes either singly or combined. Within Gonideinae, two additional splits in the gene order (UF1 to UF2, UF2 to UF3) occurred in the Mesozoic and have persisted for ~150 and ~100 Ma, respectively. Finally, the mitogenomic results suggest ancient connections between freshwater basins of East Asia and Europe near the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary, probably via a continuous paleo-river system or along the Tethys coastal line, which are well supported by at least three independent but almost synchronous divergence events., The authors wish to thank the Editor and the three anonymous reviewers for helpful remarks and suggestions that improved the quality of the manuscript. This research was developed under ConBiomics: the missing approach for the Conservation of freshwater Bivalves Project No NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-030286, cofinanced by COMPETE 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the ERDF, and by FCT through national funds (UID/Multi/04423/2019). FCT also supported MLL (SFRH/BD/115728/2016). The Russian Ministry of Education and Science (project no. 6.2343.2017/4.6), the Federal Agency for Scientific Organizations (project no. 0409-2015-0143), the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences (scientific program no. 52), and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, RFBR (project no. 17-45-290066) supported INB. Permits for fieldwork and sampling in Malaysia were issued by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (FRGS/1/2015/WAB13/UNIM//1).

Nowadays, animal welfare is driving consumers’ purchase choice, hence the challenge to recover rabbit sector from many years of downturn is to find a valuable compromise between animal welfare, farmers’ needs, and meat quality. Among the efforts to improve rabbit welfare, mirrors have been proposed as cages or pens enrichment; however, it is unclear if they affect rabbit meat quality. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the use of mirrors into free-range areas on color, weight loss, pH, water holding capacity (WHC), fatty acid profile (FA), conjugated dienes (CD) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of both fresh and stored rabbit meatballs. Specifically, rabbits were divided in three farming groups: in the open group (OG) the rabbits of three replicates could see and smell each other; in the closed group (CG), plastic sheets isolated each replicate; the replicates of the mirror group (MG) were confined as the CG but animals could mirror themselves thanks to two mirrors (120 × 40 cm each) placed inside the area. After 49 days, nine rabbits from each group were slaughtered, their carcass meat was minced to form 40 meatballs for each group destined to be analyzed (n=10) immediately (T0), and after 20 (T20), 40 (T40), and 80 (T80) days of frozen storage (-10°C). The meatballs physical traits were similar among the farming groups, while the pH value was lower in MG (6.02) than OG (6.07), and CG (6.07) meat (P < 0.05). The farming slightly affected the FA content, being the PUFAn-3 amount between 60 and 121 mg/100 g (P > 0.05). Concerning the oxidative status, both CG and MG groups had higher (P < 0.01) TBARS than the OG, while the CDs were unaffected. The duration of storage modified all the physical traits, for instance the weight loss increased (P < 0.001) and the WHC diminished (-5.86%) during the early 20 days. Only the OG group showed a specific ability to maintain its redness value till the T40. Even though the overall PUFAn-3 fraction did not vary, both C20:5n-3 and C22:5n-3 were halved (P < 0.01) and CD (P < 0.001) doubled during the early 20 days. In conclusion, the OG farming was the best method for improving meat quality; however, mirrors can minimize the negative effects of a confined housing on the quality items, hence representing a valuable environmental enrichment.

Volatile fatty acid production (VFA) in the caeca and fatty acid profile of meat and fat depots were investigated on 62 days old broiler equally divided in 2 groups fed with a corn-soybean (SBM) or a corn-insect meal (TML, from Tenebrio molitor larvae) based diet from 30 days of age. The total amount of VFAs was higher (p

Background: Electrical stunning (E) and asphyxia in the air (A) are two common stunning/killing methods for fish. However, they can stress the fish and affect flesh quality, so an alternative should be found. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of carbon monoxide asphyxia (CO) compared to E and A on the evolution of post rigor mortis changes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillets related to chemical, textural, and sensorial properties during storage time.; Results: Fish fillets from the E group showed a higher pH (P < 0.05) than the A ones, both at time of rigor resolution (TRR 0) and from TRR 4 until TRR 7 (7 days after rigor resolution, which corresponded to 10 days post mortem), with the CO group being always intermediate. The CO treatment ensured that the fillets showed the lowest yellowness index (b*), even if only at TRR 2 and TRR 5. Lipid oxidation and texture profile analyses were unaffected. Sensory analysis revealed that the CO fillets had the lowest odor intensity and the highest juiciness scores (P < 0.05). The sensory descriptors resulted the most discriminant variables of the fillets obtained from the differently stunned animals, as resulted by the canonical discriminant analysis.; Conclusion: The carbon monoxide stunning/slaughtering method could be applied to rainbow trout without detrimental effects on physical, chemical, or sensory characteristics of the fish flesh. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Simple Summary Concurrently with the actual challenges in the poultry industry, we aimed to assess the changes induced by the inclusion of an alternative protein source (partially defatted Hermetia illucens larva meal, HI) at two different levels as well as hen age on the overall egg quality and deepened their effect of albumen technological properties. This study could provide useful information for the egg supply chain in order to optimize egg utilization, as a whole or as egg products, thus preventing food losses or undesirable wastes. Specifically, based on the obtained results, the eggs laid by hens fed the highest inclusion of HI would be directed towards egg product industry due to their reduced eggshell percentage and thickness which could increase their fragility. Contrariwise, due to the impaired albumen technological properties, as foaming, found in the egg laid by 27–35 wk-old hens, they could be preferentially sold as a whole. Abstract The impact on the egg quality and the albumen technological properties were here evaluated as affected by diet and hen age (A) of 162 Hy-line Brown hens. Three isoproteic and isoenergetic diets were formulated respecting the requirements for Hy-line hens: the control diet (C) based on conventional protein sources, and other two where vegetable proteins were substituted at 25% (HI25) and 50% (HI50) by partially defatted Hermetia illucens larva meal (HI). Ten eggs collected from each group at the hen ages of 20, 27, and 35 weeks were evaluated. The eggshell percentage and thickness were significantly reduced in the HI50 eggs (11.93% and 476 µm, respectively) compared to the C (12.34%, 542 µm) and HI25 (12.54%, 516 µm). The aging lowered (p = 0.05) the protein and increased (p < 0.001) water contents of the eggs. Although the foam capacity of the HI50 albumen was halved than the C group (p < 0.05), it was unaffected by the aging. Additionally, this did not impair the volume and the textural properties of a batter (angel cake) in which it was included. On the opposite, the textural characteristics of the cake made by the oldest hens (i.e., 35 wk-old) were compromised. In conclusion, the diet and hen age differently affected egg quality and its technological properties, which could be positive to obtain eggs to destine directly to the market or to the egg industry.

Soya bean is the main protein source in poultry feed but rising prices make an alternative protein source necessary. Insects, such as the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), may be an attractive solution for hens, although little information is available on their effect on egg quality. The present study aims to fill this gap by testing the effect of 100% replacement of soya bean with H. illucens larva meal in the diet of Lohmann Brown Classic laying hens for 21 weeks. At the end of the trial, the eggs were characterized for parameters such as weight, colour, proximate composition of albumen and yolk, and content of carotenoids, tocopherols and cholesterol. The fatty acid profile of yolks was also determined. Hens fed the insect-based diet produced eggs (HIM group) with a higher proportion of yolk than the group fed the soya bean-based diet (SBM group). HIM was associated with redder yolks (red index 5.63 v. 1.36) than SBM. HIM yolks were richer in γ-tocopherol (4.0 against 2.4 mg/kg), lutein (8.6 against 4.9 mg/kg), β-carotene (0.33 against 0.19 mg/kg) and total carotenoids (15 against 10.5 mg/kg) than SBM yolks. The fatty acid composition of HIM yolks was almost identical to that of SBM yolks. Finally, HIM yolks contained 11% less cholesterol than SBM yolks. These results suggest that H. illucens larva meal is a suitable total substitute for soya bean meal in the diet of Lohmann Brown Classic laying hens. A sustainable alternative to the plant protein source therefore seems feasible.

A total of 120, twelve wk old female Japanese quails were divided into 4 groups (6 replicates of 5 birds each). The control group (CON) fed a corn-soybean diet; in the other 3 groups, Tenebrio molitor larvae meal (TML) replaced 5, 10, and 20% of the soybean protein (T5, T10, and T20). The laying performance and egg quality were studied for 54 d. The data were processed by a one-way ANOVA; the orthogonal contrast analysis was performed to test the linear, quadratic and cubic effects among the means. The laying rate and egg mass linearly decreased (P < 0.01) as the TML inclusion level in the diet increased. The egg weight and feed conversion ratio linearly increased from the control to T20 diet (P < 0.01) while the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein linearly decreased (P < 0.05). The albumen and yolk weight showed a linear increase (P < 0.01) due to dietary TML inclusion, while the eggshell weight showed the opposite (P < 0.05). The estimated activity of Δ9-desaturase (C16:0), Δ5+Δ6-desaturase on both polyunsaturated fatty acid n-6 and n-3 linearly increased (P < 0.05) as affected by dietary TML. The boiled yolk lightness (L*) showed higher values in T5 and T10 groups (quadratic contrast, P < 0.01). The yolk redness index (a*) showed lower values in T5 and T20 than control and T10 groups (cubic contrast, P < 0.01). The albumen L*, a*, and b* indexes showed a significant effect of the quadratic contrast (P < 0.05). In addition, the albumen b* index showed a significant effect of the cubic contrast (P < 0.01). The total lipids showed the highest values (cubic contrast, P < 0.05) in the T10 and T20 groups. The total monounsaturated fatty acids linearly increased (P < 0.05) according to the increase of dietary TML. The best inclusion level of defatted TML meal for laying quails seems to be 1.4% of diet, corresponding to the T5 diet.

The amount of ingredients of marine origin used in salmonid feed industry is rapidly decreasing and fish meal and fish oil have been largely replaced by vegetable ingredients. New potential protein rich ingredients for aquafeed formulations should therefore be alternative to vegetable ones. The pattern of fillet pigmentation was thus assessed in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed for 15 weeks isoproteic (42%) and isolipidic (24%) diets deprived of fish meal where 10% of protein from a blend of vegetable ingredients was replaced by cyanobacteria and microalgae dried biomass (Arthrospira platensis, Tisochrysis lutea and Tetraselmis suecica) or Louisiana red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) meal. An automatic, repeatable, and objective image analysis tool for the integrated determination and direct visualization of fillet colour was applied to digital images. Colour of fillets was also measured with a chromameter, recording data as L*, a*, b* indexes and used to validate image analysis results. Fillet carotenoid and lipid contents were determined, and their pattern of variation was compared to that obtained by image analysis. Fillet colouring capacity of crayfish meal was also compared to that of commercial synthetic astaxanthin included in rainbow trout feed. To this last aim, test diets were administered for 12 additional weeks. The image analysis and colorimetric data consistently indicated that, even if characterized by a significantly higher carotenoid content respect to fish fed a vegetable diet, fillets of trout fed the cyanobacteria and microalgae including diets displayed an undesirable yellowish colour. P. clarkii meal instead resulted a promising functional ingredient to supplement plant protein-based diets for trout, in view of its lipid composition and astaxanthin content. In fact, despite a relatively low dietary carotenoid level due to low percentage of inclusion, a desirable pink pigmentation was clearly detectable in fillets of trout fed the crayfish meal-including diet, which resulted in colour differences which were less obvious relative to those of fish given the astaxanthin-supplemented feeds at the end of the additional 12 weeks.

Recently, mechanical separation (MS) process has been applied on fish sector, however, its impact on fish quality is scarcely investigated. Aim of the present study was to compare the impact of mechanical separation with manual mincing applied on European sea bass, gilthead sea bream, and rainbow trout by evaluating physico-chemical properties and nutritional quality. MS process yield was found higher than the manual one when applied to sea bass, and sea bream (42, and 45 g/100 g, respectively against 39, and 40 g/100 g). Rainbow trout had the highest processing yield even if the high presence of residual on the drum (5 g/100 g) lead a lower MS yield than the manual processing. MS seemed to slightly increase water content in sea bream and trout (71.12, and 70.65 g/100 g, respectively against 68.05, and 68.11 g/100 g of fillets) and decrease minerals, especially in trout, which showed loss of Ca, Mg, Na, and P. Hopefully, lipid fraction of the three species remained unaltered, indeed no significant differences were found in the fatty acid composition of the products, and consequently for the calculated atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indexes. In sum, manufacturing of products by exploiting fish without altering the nutritional value of whole fish is a goal reached adopting mechanically separation process.

Mechanically separated meat (MSM) is the product obtained by removing meat from bones by pressure application. Whole fillets and fish burgers from minced muscle and from mechanical separation of Atlantic horse mackerel ( Trachurus trachurus ) were evaluated immediately after processing (T 0 ) and after 90 days of storage at − 20 °C for parameters related to quality loss. Firstly, mechanical separation inhibited water losses (2.67% against 4.57 and 5.57% in whole fillets and burgers from minced muscle, respectively), but the colour of MSM was duller and redder than the samples from other groups. Horse mackerel contained low fat ( 0 (> 8 mg MDA-eq/100 g muscle). Nevertheless, Atlantic horse mackerel showed a high antioxidant capacity (ABTS, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid, DPPH, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and FRAP, ferric-reducing ability) at T 0 which may protect muscle against oxidative damages both during processing treatment and storage. Industrial relevance The mechanical separation process described in the article has been largely utilized for terrestrial animal products. However, it is seldom adopted by fish industry, especially for recovering discard fish species. Horse mackerel is an underutilized species, normally transformed into animal feed despite its high levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Therefore this study was conducted in order to determine the effect of a mechanical separation technique on the physicochemical properties of horse mackerel. Our study showed that, although this species is susceptible to oxidative changes, mechanically separate meat can be a high-quality ingredient in burgers, nuggets, sticks, or even sauces which may represent a way for the valorisation of discard species.

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