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The seeds of lesser-known tropical legume trees are currently being promoted as a cost-effective method of increasing broiler productivity, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Several feeding trials have evaluated the effects of baobab seed meal (BSM) on broiler chicken productivity. However, due to differences in experimental conditions among feeding trials, drawing broad conclusions using this large volume of data appears difficult. Thus, the meta-analytic effect of BSM on growth performance [i.e., feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and body weight gain (BWG)] and carcass characteristics of broilers were investigated using 14 peer-reviewed published articles. These articles were retrieved via a systematic search conducted on Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Elicit.com, and PubMed databases. The effect size was calculated via a random effect model, and results were expressed as standardised mean differences (SMD) at 95% confidence intervals. The pooled results showed that broilers fed BSM had significantly lower BWG (SMD = −0.77; −0.19, −0.30; p < 0.001), dressed carcass weight (SMD = −0.84; −1.44, −0.23; p = 0.007), and higher FCR (SMD = 0.55; 0.19, 0.91; p < 0.001) than those fed control diets. However, feed intake, dressing percentage, and weights of breast, thigh, and drumstick were not significantly affected. Subgroup analyses showed that the Marshall strain-fed BSM-based diets had significantly heavier BWG (p < 0.001) than the Hubbard, Ross, and Anak strains. Similarly, results revealed that broilers fed soaked and roasted BSM had significantly better FCR and BWG than broilers fed sundried and fermented BSM. Broilers fed BSM-based diets from days 29–56 (SMD = 0.17; −0.51, 0.84; p = 0.622) and days 1−56 (SMD = −0.89; −1.41, −0.36; p < 0.001) had significantly improved FCR compared to those offered BSM-based diets from days 1–21 (SMD = 2.58; 1.65, 3.51; p < 0.001), days 1–28 (SMD = 0.85; 0.35, 1.34; p < 0.001), and days 22–42 (SMD = 1.82; 1.02, 2.62; p < 0.001). Similarly, broilers fed BSM-based diets from days 29–56 (SMD = 0.21; −0.38, 0.79; p = 0.484) and days 1−56 (SMD = 0.92; 0.16, 1.69; p = 0.018) had significantly higher BWG than those offered BSM-based diets from days 1–21 (SMD = −3.39; −4.41, −2.37; p < 0.001), days 1–28 (SMD = −1.32; −1.91, −0.72; p < 0.001), and days 22–42 (SMD = −2.24; −2.75, 1.73; p < 0.001). Meta-regression revealed a low to moderate effect of processing methods, broiler strains, inclusion level, and feeding duration as covariates, explaining most of the sources of heterogeneity. In conclusion, broilers fed 1–10% of soaked, and roasted BSM from days 1 to 56 had improved growth performance parameters when compared to those on the control.

The purpose of the current meta-analysis was to determine the efficacy of Bacillus spp. (BS) feed additive in enhancing serum biochemical indices (total protein and cholesterol) and antioxidant enzymes (total antioxidant capacity [TAC], catalase [CAT], superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px], and malondialdehyde [MDA]) status and egg quality (Haugh unit [HU], eggshell thickness [EST], and eggshell strength [ESS]) of laying chickens. Seventeen articles were identified via a systematic search performed on PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus, and results were combined using a variance component model. The results indicate that dietary BS supplementation resulted in higher HU (P < 0.001), EST (P < 0.001), and ESS (P < 0.001) values with evidence of heterogeneity. Furthermore, dietary BS increased total protein (P = 0.008) and GSH-Px (P < 0.001) and reduced the concentrations of CAT (P = 0.018), SOD (P = 0.039) and MDA (P < 0.001) in the serum of laying hens. In contrast, dietary BS did not affect serum cholesterol and TAC in laying chickens. Restricted subgroup analyses showed that the studied moderators (i.e., treatment duration, supplementation level, BS, hen’s age, and hen’s strains) influenced the outcomes of the meta-analysis. Additionally, meta-regression revealed that the studied moderators accounted for most of the sources of variations among the 17 studies utilised for the meta-analysis. In conclusion, dietary BS can be utilised as a nutritional strategy to improve egg quality, serum total proteins, and the serum antioxidant status of laying hens.

Abstract The potential of insects as animal feed is currently under doubtful spotlight due to the limited number of reared insect species and fewer farm or biotechnological companies producing insects on a large scale for animal feed worldwide. Again, the costs of incorporating reared insects in animal diets as an alternative replacement for expensive conventional protein sources (CPS), mainly fishmeal and soybean meal, remain uncertain due to gradual increase in the sales prices of farmed insects. To date, black soldier fly, yellow mealworm and cricket are the only insect species dominating in the insect farming industry at limited supply. This triggers the need to expand insect farming through the introduction of additional insect species while monitoring the costs of insect-based diets. The commercial rearing of swarming edible insects with a good nutritional profile, such as termites alates (Macrotermes spp.), migratory locusts (Locusta migratoria) and mopane worms (Imbresia belina) found in Southern Africa could potentially become an alternative solution to expand insect farming in addition to the commonly reared insect species. However, there is limited information available on the reproductive ability and economic value of swarming insects as animal feed. Therefore, this paper will provide an overview of the possible rearing of selected swarming insects as well as the profitability of using insect-based diets. It will also give clarity on whether the mass production of edible insects will be cost-effective or not by discussing and comparing recent sales prices of various edible insect as compared to that of CPS in animal diets.

Dietary fats serve a multitude of purposes in both humans and animals. They are a component of membranes and support the regulation of cellular influx and egress. They aid in the production of hormones, milk, embryonic, and foetal development, movement, and storage of energy, as well as absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. The objective of this review is to describe how dietary fats contribute to improved livestock reproductive performance. Data for this review study were acquired from recently published works in different journals. Databases were accessed using electronic data sources such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Research Gate, Web of Science, and the Directory of Open Access Journals. It is believed that dietary fats added to animal diets enhance animal reproduction by boosting the quantity and size of ovarian follicles and concentration of hormone progesterone plasma, declining the production of prostaglandin metabolites and increasing the lifespan of corpus luteum, which is also crucial for semen maturation, motility, and acrosomal reactions in addition to reproductive hormones. Therefore, it is important to employ dietary fats effectively to boost livestock reproduction and maximise animal output, which will achieve the relevant Sustainable Development Goals and food security.

Edible insects have sparked more research interest as a cheap alternative protein source to replace soya bean and fish meal in animal diets due to their good nutritional value. In general, information on various insects has been widely researched globally. In Africa, the available literature focused more on traditional harvesting of edible insects for use as food and feed. The collection of insects in the wild is considered unsustainable since it leads to overharvesting, endangering and extinction of insects, consequently destabilising the ecosystem. This review discusses and compares the recent findings on the nutritional composition of common African edible insects with nutrient requirements of livestock. This is followed by compiled data of their proximate composition, amino acid, mineral, fatty acids and vitamin contents as derived from the literature. The review also describes insect availability, quantity, quality and production systems used to rear insects for animal feeding in Africa. Insect market demand, benefits and challenges of producing insects as livestock feed are summarised. Lastly, the legislations and regulations imposed on insect harvesting and rearing are thoroughly discussed. The current review findings will provide valuable answers to the present status of sustainable insect production in Africa to meet animal nutrient requirements.

A total of 23 studies were identified in a literature search performed in the Scopus, Science Direct and Google Scholar databases for meta‐analysis. The criteria used include studies that were published from 2015 to 2023 and those reporting the effects of insect meal utilisation in poultry diets. Data on live weight (LW), carcass weight (CW), moisture, meat pH, lightness (L*), redness (a*), yellowness (b*), proximate composition (protein, fat and ash content) and shear force in broilers were subjected to OpenMEE software, and data were pooled using a random‐effect model. Subgroup analysis and meta‐regression were performed to ascertain the influence of dietary insect meals on the response of meat aspects and the source of heterogeneity, respectively, using the following moderators (insect species, dosage level, feeding duration and age at slaughter). The results indicated that dietary insect meal did not affect LW, CW, meat L*, pH, shear force, moisture, fat and ash content. In contrast, dietary insect meal increased the a* of the meat (standardised mean differences (SMDs) = 1.03; 95% confidence intervals (CIs) = 0.484–1.578; p ≤ 0.001), b* (SMD = 1.117; 95% CI = 0.334–1.90; p = 0.005), and meat protein content (SMD = 0.365; 95% CI = 0.031–0.7; p = 0.032). The subgroup analysis showed that insect meal dosage of ≤10% and age at slaughtered ≤35 days had improved the LW, CW and meat L*. In addition, the meat a*, protein and ash content were also influenced by insect species, dosage levels and age at slaughter. In conclusion, ≤10% of either Hermetia illucens or Tenebrio molitor can be included in broiler diets without compromising the LW, CW, meat pH, colour, shear force, moisture, fat and ash content in broilers. The study therefore indicated that insect meals have a bright future as an alternative protein source in poultry diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Turmeric improves performance in nonruminants, but results in laying hens are not consistent. This meta‐analysis assessed the performance of laying hens fed turmeric powder (TP)–based diets. Nineteen studies retrieved from Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were used for the meta‐analysis. The outcome variables analysed were productive indices (feed intake [FI], feed conversion ratio [FCR], hen day production [HDP], egg weight [EW], egg mass [EM]), egg quality (Haugh unit [HU], shell thickness [SHT], shell strength [SHS], yolk cholesterol [YC]), serum biochemical parameters (serum cholesterol [SC], alanine transferase [ALT], and aspartate transferase [AST]), and moderator variables (layer strains, inclusion level, feeding duration, and hen's age). All analyses were performed on OpenMEE software and the R package. A random‐effects model (REM) was used and results were presented as standardised mean difference (SMD) at a 95% confidence interval (CI). The results showed that dietary TP improved FCR (SMD = −0.31; 95% CI: −0.61, −0.01; p = 0.046) and HDP (SMD = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.69; p < 0.001), but not EW, EM, HU, SHT, SHS, YC, and serum AST in layers. On the other hand, dietary TP decreased FI (SMD = −0.15; 95% CI: −0.26, −0.05; p = 0.004), SC (SMD = −75.18; 95% CI: −102.55, −47.80; p < 0.001), and ALT (SMD = −3.55; 95% CI: −4.71, −2.40; p < 0.001) in laying hens with proof of significant heterogeneity. However, meta‐regression showed that layer strains and feeding duration accounted for most of the sources of heterogeneity. In conclusion, results suggest that dietary TP increased HDP and reduced FI, FCR, SC, and ALT in laying hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of our study was to investigate the chemical composition and the biological activities of different parts of Securidaca longipedunculata from South Africa. Methodologies: The chemical analysis methods, including chromatography and spectroscopy, were employed to identify the diverse array of compounds present in the roots, leaves, and stems of S longipedunculata. Results: The proximate analysis revealed that the leaf extracts had higher (P <.05) crude protein, gross energy, and ether extract contents when compared to the stem bark and the root bark. A similar trend was observed with the mineral analysis where copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc were in abundance in the leaves. Concurrently, bioassays reveal significant biological activities, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, associated with these plant parts. The extracts demonstrated high lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity at the concentration of 250 μg/mL, with the highest percentage inhibition of 94% recorded in the dark leaf extract, followed by 92% and 73% at the concentrations of 125 and 62.5 μg/mL, respectively. The antimicrobial analysis revealed that the root bark extract was active against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecalis with the average minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.67 mg/mL (dark type) and 0.63 mg/mL (light type). Conclusion: Our findings emphasize the medicinal potential of S longipedunculata and underscore the importance of understanding its chemical makeup in explaining its therapeutic effects. This research provides valuable insights into the pharmacological properties of S longipedunculata, offering a foundation for further exploration in drug development and natural product discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) containing phytochemicals could be used to replace synthetic growth promoters to improve products quality in sustainable rabbit production. This study explores the supplementation of MOLM on carcass characteristics and meat quality of rabbits. A total of 64, 28 days-old male weaned New Zealand white rabbits (600 ± 8.58 g live weight) were randomly allocated to four diets in completely randomised design. The rabbits were reared on iso-energetics and isoproteic diets formulated by incorporating MOLM at 0, 5, 10, and 15% and were humanely slaughtered after 6 weeks. Heart weight increased linearly with MOLM levels (R2 = 0.50; p = 0.007) whereas slaughter (SLW), hot carcass (HCW), cold carcass (CCW), legs, head and kidneys weights were increased quadratically. Also, liver decreased quadratically (R2 = 0.41; p = 0.03) with MOLM levels. Fillet lightness (L*) (R2 = 0.21; p = 0.02), redness (a*) (R2 = 0.14; p = 0.04) and yellowness (b*) (R2 = 0.14; p= <0.0001) decrease whereas peak force increased (R2 = 0.63; p = 0.02) quadratically with MOLM levels. Leg muscle a* (R2 = 0.45; p = 0.0001) and cooking loss (R2 = 0.19; p = 0.0009) decreased linearly with MOLM levels. Only aroma (R2 = 0.04; p = 0.04), juiciness (R2 = 0.05; p = 0.04) and connective tissues (R2 = 0.03; p = 0.05) increased linearly with MOLM levels. In conclusion, MOLM did not adversely affect rabbit carcass characteristics and meat quality hence it can be recommended as a nutraceutical sources for sustainably rabbit production. Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) containing phytochemicals could be used to improve the physio-chemical quality of meat of rabbit in sustainable rabbit production. Partial inclusion of MOL in rabbit's diets improved carcass characteristics and meat quality. Slaughter and organ weights, physio-chemical and sensory evaluation were significantly improved by MOLM inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of rapeseed as a source of protein in broiler chicken diets has been highlighted. However, there are inconsistent findings on the performance data of broiler chickens fed rapeseed meal (RSM). Therefore, this meta‐analysis aimed to resolve the inconsistent findings on the effect of RSM on growth performance, carcass characteristics, internal organs, and intestinal histomorphology of broiler chickens, identify knowledge gaps and create new insights using published data. Fourteen studies on the topic were identified via a systematic search performed on bibliographic databases, and the data generated was analysed using OpenMEE software. A random‐effects model was used, and effect sizes were presented as standardised mean difference (SMD) at a 95% confidence interval (CI). Sources of heterogeneity were evaluated using broiler strains, inclusion levels, processing methods, rearing phases and sex as moderators. In comparison with the controls, the results showed that RSM decreased feed intake (SMD = −0.29; 95% Cl: −0.41, −0.18; p < 0.001), average daily gain (SMD = −0.48; 95% Cl: −0.63, −0.32; p < 0.001), and liver weight (SMD = 1.24; 95% Cl: 0.78, 1.71; p < 0.001), but had no effect on feed conversion ratio (SMD = 0.10; 95% Cl: −0.05, 0.23; p = 0.19). Likewise, broiler chickens fed RSM had significantly reduced carcass yield, weights of thigh, abdominal fat and heart when compared with the control. Results indicate that duodenum villus height (DVH) and jejunum villus height (JVH)/crypt depth (CD) ratios were improved in broiler chickens fed RSM. Meta‐regression revealed that the analysed moderators are significant predictors of feed intake, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio in broiler chickens. In conclusion, dietary RSM negatively influenced growth performance, liver weight and carcass characteristics in broiler chickens, but improved aspects of intestinal histomorphology traits. Therefore, innovative research on processing methods that will improve the feeding value of rapeseed meal in broiler chickens is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenolic compounds that are present in amaranth crops have gained a lot of interest from researchers due to their health benefits potential. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate phenolic compounds present in different plant parts of Amaranthuscruentus using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Moreover, data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance of the statistical analysis software, whereas commercial statistical package version 4.02 was used for principal component analysis. A total of 21 phenolic compounds were detected and eight were not identified. Caffeoylsaccharic acid isomer, coumaoryl saccharic acid, tryptophan, feruloyl-d-saccharic acid isomer a, b, and c, caffeoyl isocitrate, quercetin 3-O-rhamnosyl-rhamnosyl-glucoside, feruloyl isocitrate, hyperoside, kaempferol rutinoside, and alkaloid compounds were mostly detected in tender and mature leaves. Generally, rutin content was higher (p < 0.05) in most vegetative parts of the amaranth plant, thus, late maturity leaves, tender leaves, and mature leaves, respectively. Lower quantities of rutin were observed in tender grains, flowers, and mature grains. It can be concluded that amaranth contains phenolic compounds, predominantly in the vegetative parts, which makes it to be a promising source of phenolic compounds beneficial to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]