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The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of dry turmeric rhizomes on in vitro biogas production and diet fermentability. Turmeric rhizomes were included at gradually increased levels: 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2% of a diet containing per kg dr matter (DM): 500 g concentrate feed mixture, 400 g berseem hay and 100 g rice straw, and incubated for 48 h. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that ar-turmerone, α-turmerone and β-turmerone were the major bioactive compounds in the rhizomes. Turmeric rhizomes increased (p < 0.01) asymptotic gas production (GP) and rate and lag of CH4 production and decreased (p < 0.01) rate of GP, lag of GP, asymptotic CH4 production and proportion of CH4 production. Turmeric rhizome administration linearly increased (p < 0.01) DM and fiber degradability and concentrations of total short-chain fatty acids, acetic and propionic acids and ammonia-N and quadratically (p < 0.05) decreased fermentation pH. It is concluded that including up to 2% turmeric rhizomes improved in vitro ruminal fermentation and decreased CH4 production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To protect ruminants from the harmful effects of mycotoxins, anti-mycotoxin agents can be added to the dietary ration, thus guaranteeing animal health and production. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro ruminal initial sequestration (weak binding) and subsequent desorption (strong binding) of an anti-mycotoxin agent based on a mixture of adsorbing material, turmeric and milk thistle extracts and yeast-based components to adsorb or bio-convert aflatoxins (AF), fumonisins B1 and B2 (FB), trichothecene deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 and HT-2 toxins, and zearalenone (ZEN). Two doses were tested: Dose 1 simulated 30 mg/cow/d, while Dose 2 simulated 90 mg/cow/d of the anti-mycotoxin agent. Each treatment involved three analytical replicates at each of three incubation times (1, 4, and 24 h post-incubation), with two independent experimental runs providing experimental replicates. Analytical methods, including UHPLC-HRMS and multivariate analyses, were used to both quantify mycotoxin concentrations and reveal dose-dependent reductions, with statistical validations indicating significant changes in mycotoxin levels across both dose and time. The results indicated that the anti-mycotoxin agent was able to highly bind AFB1, T2, and HT-2 toxins since its concentration was always under the limit of detection (<1 ppb). Regarding ZEN (weak binding mean: 94.6%; strong binding mean: 62.4%) and FBs (weak binding mean: 58.7%; strong binding mean: 32.3%), orthogonal contrasts indicated that the anti-mycotoxin agent was able to effectively bind these toxins using Dose 1 (p < 0.05). This finding suggests that Dose 1 may be sufficient to achieve the targeted effect and that a further increase does not significantly improve the outcome. Regarding DON, a strong linear relationship was observed between dose and adsorption. However, the complex interactions between the mycotoxin, the ruminal environment, and the anti-mycotoxin agent made it difficult to establish a clear dose–effect relationship (p > 0.10). UHPLC-HRMS analysis identified over 1500 mass features in rumen samples, which were further analyzed to assess the effects of the anti-mycotoxin agent. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) revealed significant changes in the untargeted metabolomic profiles of samples treated with mycotoxins compared to control samples, particularly after 24 h with the anti-mycotoxin treatments. Clear differences were noted between strong binding and weak binding samples. Further analysis using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) highlighted distinct metabolomic profiles, with stronger predictive ability in the strong binding group (Q2 cumulative value of 0.57) compared to the weak binding group (0.30). The analysis identified 44 discriminant compounds in the strong binding model and 16 in the weak binding model. Seven compounds were common to both groups, while silibinin, known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, was found among the unique compounds in the weak binding group. Overall, the findings suggest that both doses of the anti-mycotoxin agent significantly influenced the chemical profiles in the rumen, particularly enhancing the binding of mycotoxins, thereby supporting the role of phytogenic extracts in mitigating mycotoxin effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat stress can disrupt the balance between the heat poultry release into the environment and the heat they generate. Pequi oil has antioxidant properties, which may mitigate the heat stress effects. This study aimed to investigate the response of laying hens to pequi oil supplementation under heat stress using a proteomic approach. A total of 96 Lohmann White laying hens with 26 weeks old were housed in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. They were housed in two climate chambers, thermal comfort temperature ± 24.04 °C with the relative humidity ± 66.35 and heat stress (HS) ± 31.26 °C with the relative humidity ± 60.62. They were fed two diets: a control diet (CON), basal diet (BD) without additives, and with Pequi oil (PO), BD + 0.6% PO. After 84 days, plasma samples were analyzed using Shotgun and LC-MS/MS. Proteins related to anti-inflammation, transport, and the immune system were differentially expressed in hens fed PO and CON under heat stress compared to those in thermoneutral environments. This helps protect against oxidative stress and may support the body's ability to manage heat-induced damage, stabilizing protein expression under stress conditions. The ovotransferrin proteins, fibrinogen isoforms, apolipoprotein A-I, Proteasome activator subunit 4, Transthyretin, and the enzyme serine Peptidase Inhibitor_Kazal Type 5, which presented Upregulated (Up) equal to 1, present characteristics that may be crucial for enhancing the adaptive responses of hens to thermal stress, thereby increasing their tolerance and minimizing the negative effects of heat on egg production. The data presented in this manuscript provides new insights into the plasma proteome alterations of laying hens fed a diet supplemented with pequi oil during heat stress challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated the impact of incorporating a specific herbal blend comprising coriander, garlic, and fenugreek (CGF) at various levels on the zootechnical performance, blood metabolites and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens. The 42-day experiment involved 360 broilers (Cobb 500), organized into four distinct treatment groups. The dietary interventions included a control group consisting of a basal diet and the same diet was supplemented with CGF at rates of 1, 2, and 3%. Broilers receiving a 1% phytogenic mixture exhibited significantly increased live weight and carcass weight. Moreover, the digestibility of crude protein and crude fat significantly improved in broilers supplemented with a 1% phytogenic mixture. On the other hand, the digestibility of calcium and phosphorus showed a notable increase in broilers fed with a 3% phytogenic mixture. Regarding serum metabolites, the 1% phytogenic mixture group displayed significantly higher levels of high density lipoprotein and triglycerides. The supplementation of the broiler diet with a herbal mixture of coriander, fenugreek, and garlic at a 1% rate resulted in improved growth performance, carcass quality, nutrient digestion, and lipid profile.

Abstract To reduce the use of antibiotics and chemicals in aquaculture, an edible herb, Bidens pilosa, has been selected as a multifunctional feed additive. Although there has been considerable research into the effects of B. pilosa on poultry, the wider effects of B. pilosa, particularly on the growth and gut microbiota of fish, remain largely unexplored. We aimed to investigate the interactive effects between the host on growth and the gut microbiota using transcriptomics and the gut microbiota in B. pilosa-fed tilapia. In this study, we added 0.5% and 1% B. pilosa to the diet and observed that the growth performance of tilapia significantly increased over 8 weeks of feeding. Comparative transcriptome analysis was performed on RNA sequence profiles obtained from liver and muscle tissues. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that B. pilosa regulates several pathways and genes involved in amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, endocrine system, signal transduction, and metabolism of other amino acids. The expression of the selected growth-associated genes was validated by qRT–PCR. The qRT–PCR results indicated that B. pilosa may enhance growth performance by activating the expression of the liver igf1 and muscle igf1rb genes and inhibiting the expression of the muscle negative regulator mstnb. Both the enhancement of liver endocrine IGF1/IGF1Rb signaling and the suppression of muscle autocrine/paracrine MSTN signaling induced the expression of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs), myod1, myog and mrf4 in muscle to promote muscle growth in tilapia. The predicted function of the gut microbiota showed several significantly different pathways that overlapped with the KEGG enrichment results of differentially expressed genes in the liver transcriptomes. This finding suggested that the gut microbiota may influence liver metabolism through the gut–liver axis in B. pilosa-fed tilapia. In conclusion, dietary B. pilosa can regulate endocrine IGF1 signaling and autocrine/paracrine MSTN signaling to activate the expression of MRFs to promote muscle growth and alter the composition of gut bacteria, which can then affect liver amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, endocrine system, lipid metabolism, metabolism of other amino acids, and signal transduction in the host, ultimately enhancing growth performance. Our results suggest that B. pilosa has the potential to be a functional additive that can be used as an alternative to reduce antibiotic use as a growth promoter in aquaculture.

With the rapid growth of the world's population, the demand for food is also increasing. Poultry accounts for 40% of the global meat sector and therefore represents a significant area for further growth. One starting point for increasing production is to refine the composition of feed to improve the efficiency of growth and nutrient utilization, prevent disease and at the same time reduce environmental impact. Similar considerations have led to the long‐standing sub‐therapeutic use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal husbandry, which is associated with the threat of rising antimicrobial resistances and the resulting consequences for human and animal health. In order to circumvent these drawbacks, an increasing number of alternative feed additives are becoming more prevalent. The use of phytogenic feed additives, which includes hops (Humulus lupulus), is regarded as a viable alternative. In addition to its natural availability, hops have been demonstrated to exhibit antimicrobial effects and there is increasing evidence of growth‐promoting effects in vivo. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins are a major threat to animal and human health, as well as to the global feed supply chain. Among them, aflatoxins, fumonisins, zearalenone, T-2 toxins, deoxynivalenol, and Alternaria toxins are the most common mycotoxins found in animal feed, with genotoxic, cytotoxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic effects that concern the animal industry. The chronic negative effects of mycotoxins on animal health and production and the negative economic impact on the livestock industry make it crucial to develop and implement solutions to mitigate mycotoxins. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the mycotoxicosis effect in livestock animals as a result of their contaminated diet. In addition, we discuss the potential of five promising phytogenics (curcumin, silymarin, grape pomace, olive pomace, and orange peel extracts) with demonstrated positive effects on animal performance and health, to present them as potential anti-mycotoxin solutions. We describe the composition and the main promising characteristics of these bioactive compounds that can exert beneficial effects on animal health and performance, and how these phytogenic feed additives can help to alleviate mycotoxins' deleterious effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the use of antibiotics and chemicals in aquaculture, an edible herb, Bidens pilosa, has been selected as a multifunctional feed additive. Although there has been considerable research into the effects of B. pilosa on poultry, the wider effects of B. pilosa, particularly on the growth and gut microbiota of fish, remain largely unexplored. We aimed to investigate the interactive effects between the host on growth and the gut microbiota using transcriptomics and the gut microbiota in B. pilosa-fed tilapia. In this study, we added 0.5% and 1% B. pilosa to the diet and observed that the growth performance of tilapia significantly increased over 8 weeks of feeding. Comparative transcriptome analysis was performed on RNA sequence profiles obtained from liver and muscle tissues. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that B. pilosa regulates several pathways and genes involved in amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, endocrine system, signal transduction, and metabolism of other amino acids. The expression of the selected growth-associated genes was validated by qRT–PCR. The qRT–PCR results indicated that B. pilosa may enhance growth performance by activating the expression of the liver igf1 and muscle igf1rb genes and inhibiting the expression of the muscle negative regulator mstnb. Both the enhancement of liver endocrine IGF1/IGF1Rb signaling and the suppression of muscle autocrine/paracrine MSTN signaling induced the expression of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs), myod1, myog and mrf4 in muscle to promote muscle growth in tilapia. The predicted function of the gut microbiota showed several significantly different pathways that overlapped with the KEGG enrichment results of differentially expressed genes in the liver transcriptomes. This finding suggested that the gut microbiota may influence liver metabolism through the gut–liver axis in B. pilosa-fed tilapia. In conclusion, dietary B. pilosa can regulate endocrine IGF1 signaling and autocrine/paracrine MSTN signaling to activate the expression of MRFs to promote muscle growth and alter the composition of gut bacteria, which can then affect liver amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, endocrine system, lipid metabolism, metabolism of other amino acids, and signal transduction in the host, ultimately enhancing growth performance. Our results suggest that B. pilosa has the potential to be a functional additive that can be used as an alternative to reduce antibiotic use as a growth promoter in aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Enteric greenhouse gas (GHG) emission remains a challenge in modern livestock production as it relates environmental perspectives to animal production. In view of this, constant attempts are made to use ingredients that reduce enteric GHG emission and improve energy efficiency. This study aimed to investigate the effect of lupin seeds as a functional feed additive on in vitro ruminal fermentation, and methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Lupin seed lowered the proportion of CH4 in the total biogas production. Also, lupin seed increased fiber digestibility, total short-chain fatty acids, acetic acid, propionic acid, and microbial protein. Lupin seed at 2.0% supplementation increased gas production, enhanced nutrient degradability, and reduced the proportion of methane in every volume of biogas produced. The results suggest that lupin seed can be an ecofriendly ingredient that can be added to ruminant diet. The inevitable enteric gas emission from ruminants is considered a modern-day problem from an environmental perspective. Addressing this problem requires nutritional approaches such as the use of phytogenic additives in ruminant diets. In this regard, lupin seed (LS) can be a useful additive due to its phytochemical constituents. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) seed supplementation as a functional and sustainable feed additive in sheep diet (50:50 concentrate-to-forage ratio) on in vitro gas production (GP; mL/g DM), methane (CH4; mL/g DM) and carbon dioxide (CO2; mL/g DM) emissions, fermentation parameters, and nutrient degradability (g/kg DM incubated). Gas production and CH4 were measured per gram of incubated dry matter (DM), degradable DM (dDM), degradable neutral detergent fiber (dNDF), and degradable acid detergent fiber (dADF). Lupin seeds were included at 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2% of the diet. The seeds contained 3.27% essential oils (DM basis), with eucalyptol as the main phytochemical. The highest GP per gram of DM and dDM was observed (p < 0.01) with 2.0% LS supplementation level. While 1.0% LS had the highest GP per gram of dNDF, 0.5% lupin diet had the highest GP per gram of dADF. Asymptotic GP and CH4 emissions linearly and quadratically increased (p < 0.01) with increasing LS level, while lag time decreased. Despite increased CH4 production, the proportion of CH4 in total biogas was lower (p = 0.008) for LS treatments than the control, with the 0.5% LS showing the lowest CH4 proportion. Production of CO2 increased with lupin seed treatments, with 0.5% LS producing the highest proportion (p = 0.027). Degradability of DM, NDF, and ADF was greater (p < 0.01) for the high LS supplementation level, while 0.5% supplementation level decreased ADF degradability. Total short-chain fatty acids, acetic acid, and propionic acid increased (p < 0.05) with LS supplementation level, leading to a reduced acetate:propionate ratio. Rumen pH decreased (p = 0.036) with LS supplementation, while ammonia-N decreased (p = 0.045) and estimated metabolizable energy increased (p < 0.001) linearly. Calculated microbial protein synthesis (p = 0.005) and gas yield (p = 0.047) increased with LS supplementation level. LS supplementation at 2.0% of diet (DM basis) increased GP and CH4 emission (mL/g DM) and enhanced nutrient degradability, suggesting its potential use as a functional feed additive for ruminants when supplemented at a 2.0% level into diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bioactive compounds of Artemisia annua have been used as feed supplements due to their pharmacological activities. The present study examined the effect of short-term feeding with a supplemented diet on the growth, feed efficiency, intestinal morphology, stress, immune system, and antioxidant biomarkers of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to evaluate the efficacy of using an alcoholic extract of A. annua (ae-Aa) as an additive in fish feed. Juvenile fish (200 fish, 30.43 ± 0.54 g) were distributed in 10 tanks (400 L, 20 fish/tank) corresponding to two treatments, each with five replicates. The fish were fed either a control diet (37% protein, 11% lipid: ae-Aa free) or an equivalent diet containing 0.5% ae-Aa to satiation for 15 days. Subsequently, blood, liver, and intestine samples were obtained from 10 fish per treatment group (2 fish per tank). Dietary supplementation with ae-Aa affected the leukocyte count (27.9 vs. 19.7 × 103 µL−1, ae-Aa group vs. control group), leukocyte respiratory activity (0.3 vs. 0.2 DO), and serum lysozyme concentration (28.1 vs. 22.4 ng dL−1) but not blood cells or the oxygen-carrying capacity. Treatment with ae-Aa reduced the plasma cortisol level (11.0 vs. 15.1 µL−1) but did not affect the levels of either glucose or chloride. Dietary ae-Aa influenced hepatic catalase (453.2 vs. 255.7 µmol H2O2 mg pt−1 min−1), glutathione-S-transferase (406.9 vs. 279.8 nmol mg pt−1 min−1), glutathione (4.5 vs. 2.9 nmol mg pt−1), and superoxide dismutase activity (22.4 vs. 20.1 U mg pt−1) and thus affected the antioxidant capacity, as reflected by reductions in lipid peroxidation (21.3 vs. 34.4 nmol mg pt−1) and DNA damage (26.7 vs. 32.2 µg DNA mg pt−1). Dietary ae-Aa increased the intestinal villus area and improved growth (body mass, 24.2 vs. 20.7 g; body length, 2.0 vs. 1.6 cm). Based on the above-described results, the administration of dietary ae-Aa, even for a short period, may have beneficial effects on immunity and oxidant defences and enhance the growth rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The use of water supplements, such as phytogenics and organic acids, in poultry research, especially in Pekin ducks, has been very limited. Due to commercial Pekin ducks consuming a higher amount of water compared to chickens, it is hypothesized that water supplementation may prove more beneficial than standard feed supplementation. Oregano oils and organic acids have been popular feed additives in poultry diets due to their antimicrobial properties and gut health benefits. This study found significant benefits with both water additives mentioned for improving duck production, gut health, and reducing stress susceptibility. Therefore, water supplementation with either oregano oils or organic acid provides a possible alternative to antibiotic use in commercial Pekin ducks to improve production and animal well-being. This study evaluated duck growth, health, and welfare in response to water supplementation with organic acid (OA) and oregano oils (OOs) in Pekin duck. The treatments used in this study included a control (CON) treatment with no water additives given, an OA treatment (ProPhorce Exclusive NC®), and an OO treatment (Nubiotic 4X Concentrate®). The OA and OO improved the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and body weight (BW) (p < 0.01) compared to the control (CON). Both OA and OO showed differences (p < 0.05) in villus height and crypt depth compared to the CON. But only OA showed an increase (p < 0.01) in villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio. On D 35, the total plasma corticosterone levels, heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratios, and asymmetry scores for OA and OO were decreased (p < 0.05) compared to CON, indicating lower stress susceptibility. The pH levels of OA ceca and jejunum were lower (p < 0.05) compared to CON. Tibia breaking strength was increased (p = 0.02) for OA compared to CON, while no differences were found with OO (p > 0.05). In conclusion, these experiments indicate that OA and OO can be used to improve duck growth, feed efficiency, stress susceptibility, and bird welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of dietary administration of combination of hydro-alcoholic extracts of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and thyme (Zataria multiflora Boiss) on growth performance, nutritional parameters, digestive enzymes activity and antioxidant properties of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was investigated. Three experimental diets including basal diet (control group) and diets containing 0.5% and 1.5% of combination of turmeric and thyme (ratio of 1:2) extracts were prepared. A total of 234 juveniles of rainbow trout were randomly divided into three experimental groups in triplicates (providing 26 fish per replicate) and reared for eight weeks. Feeding diets contained 0.5 % of the extract increased the feed efficiency ratio and condition factor of rainbow trout compared to the control group (P<0.05). Supplementing 1.5 % plant extract increased the Average Daily Growth (ADG) of the fish in comparison to control group (P<0.05). Both dietary levels of the extracts increased protein productive value and lipid productive value of fish compared to control group (P<0.05). Viscerosomatic and hepatosomatic index were affected by both dietary extract levels compared to control group (P<0.05). Dietary plant extract inclusion significantly increased the activity of amylase and lipase (P<0.05). Similarly, the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase significantly increased in the liver tissue of rainbow trout following feeding on diets containing the extracts, while malondialdehyde content of the tissue decreased in comparison to the control group (P<0.05). Therefore, considering the promising effects of dietary supplementation of turmeric and thyme extracts, inclusion of 0.5% of the extracts in rainbow trout feed is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: The objective of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of dietary supplementation of muramidase (MUR) and 2 phytogenic additives on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, bacteria load, and production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) of broiler chickens raised under field-like conditions. A total of 6,400 day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly selected and distributed into 32 floor pens, with 200 chicks (100 males and 100 females)/pen. The treatment groups were an unsupplemented control, and the experimental groups supplemented with MUR at 35,000 LSU(F)/kg of feed, phytogenic 1 (Phyto 1, based on thymol) at 100g/ton feed, or phytogenic 2 (Phyto 2, based on alkaloids) at 60g/ton feed, for a total period of 41 d. A 4-phase feeding program was applied (starter, grower, finisher and withdrawal). The paramenters evaluated were: growth performance, carcass yield, concentration of muranic acid in the jejunum content and excreta, liver enzyme concentration, intestinal morphology, and bacteria enumeration and short and branch chain fatty acids (SCFA and BCFA) in the cecal content. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test was used to separate the means. Soluble muramic acid (MurN) in the jejunum increased with the supplementation of MUR and Phyto 2 when compared to the other groups (P = 0.0001), but only the supplementation of MUR increased the concentration of MurN in the excreta. The supplementation of all feed additives improved the body weight gain and the body weight corrected feed conversion ratio when compared to the control group (P = 0.0001). MUR increased villus heigh (VH) when compared to the control or the other supplemented groups (P = 0.0001), and led to the highest concentration of most SCFA, total BCFA, and total SCFA (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the supplementation of MUR and phytogenics to the diets of broiler chickens improved the growth performance, but MUR, only, was capable of effectively degrading peptidoglycans (PGNs) in both intestinal segments, as well as to increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria and SCFA production.

SUMMARY: The poor quality and safety of poultry feed in developing countries pose significant concerns as they negatively impact poultry performance and present potential health risks to human consumers. Aflatoxicosis, resulting from postharvest contamination of feed ingredients by certain mold species, severely affects birds' overall health and productivity. To address these challenges, various feed additives have become increasingly important in poultry nutrition. Phytogenics, natural plant-derived products, have gained popularity for their ability to mitigate aflatoxicosis by their rich composition of bioactive compounds that offer beneficial effects on physiological and immunological functions. In light of the growing significance of aflatoxicosis in poultry nutrition, this review provides an overview of aflatoxins and their harmful effects on poultry health. It highlights the role of phytogenic compounds as growth and health stimulators, emphasizing their potential application in poultry nutrition. Furthermore, the review explores the antioxidant and immunological mechanisms through which phytogenics mitigate aflatoxicosis in poultry, including specific compounds and pathways involved. The findings reveal that aflatoxins induce inflammation, and oxidative stress in poultry, resulting in cellular damage and immune dysfunction. Phytogenics play a crucial role in ameliorating the harmful effects of aflatoxins in birds by countering aflatoxin-induced oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, and restoring gut health and immune functions. In conclusion, phytogenics offer an invaluable tool for the mitigation of aflatoxicosis in poultry and serve as potent natural and safe alternatives to antibiotics and synthetic antioxidants, promoting sustainable production practices.

Simple Summary: Exposure to heat stress significantly impairs the productive performance of growing pigs. Supplementing their diet with phytogenic solutions, especially those containing Capsicum spp., can boost their thermal tolerance due to the activities of its principal active metabolite, capsaicin. This improvement aids in better nutrient consumption and efficient utilization for growth. In this study, we explored the effectiveness of a Capsicum spp.-based dietary phytogenic solution in alleviating the effects of heat stress on pigs. Our findings showed that this supplementation notably enhanced the pigs' performance under heat stress conditions by increasing feed intake and improving feed efficiency. It also positively affected thermoregulatory responses, as evidenced by lowered body temperatures. Moreover, the supplement improved antioxidant defenses and heat shock protein responses and bolstered intestinal integrity and post-absorptive metabolism. Overall, the results indicate that a dietary phytogenic solution derived from Capsicum spp. can effectively counteract some of the detrimental effects of heat stress in pigs, leading to improved overall productive performance. Exposure to heat stress (HS) detrimentally affects pig performance. This study explored whether a dietary phytogenic solution based on Capsicum spp. (PHY) could enhance the thermal tolerance of heat-stressed growing pigs. Forty-two individually housed pigs were randomly assigned to three treatments: thermoneutral pigs on a control diet (TN-C) and pigs subjected to HS fed the control diet either without (HS-C) or with supplemental PHY (HS-PHY). The TN-C group exhibited increased average daily gain (ADG) and feed intake (FI) compared to both HS-C (p < 0.01) and HS-PHY pigs (p < 0.05) and better feed efficiency compared to HS-C pigs only (p < 0.01). However, the HS-PHY pigs showed significantly higher FI (p < 0.01) and ADG (p < 0.05) compared to HS-C pigs. HS pigs displayed higher body temperatures (BTs) than TN pigs (p < 0.01), yet HS-PHY pigs experienced a lesser increase in BT compared to HS-C pigs (p < 0.05). Supplementation with PHY mitigated some effects of HS, increasing serum superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, reducing HSP90 expression in longissimus dorsi muscle, and elevating jejunal villus height compared to HS-C pigs (p < 0.05), reaching levels akin to TN-C pigs. Additionally, PHY supplementation resulted in lower serum urea levels than HS-C pigs (p < 0.01) and similar myosin gene expression to TN-C pigs (p > 0.1), suggesting enhanced amino acid post-absorptive utilization for lean tissue growth. In conclusion, dietary PHY supplementation partially offset the adverse effects of HS on pig performance by improving thermal tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ruminants are considered a major producer of methane (CH4). Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the ability of dry fennel seeds to affect in vitro gas production and fermentation. Fennel seeds were included at 0% (Control), 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% DM of a diet containing per kg DM: 500 g concentrate feed mixture, 400 g berseem hay, and 100 g of rice straw. The incubations lasted 48 h. Fennel seeds increased (P < 0.001) the asymptotic gas production and decreased its rate, while decreasing the production and proportion of CH4 (P < 0.05) and increased its rate. Moreover, fennel seed increased DM and neutral detergent fiber (P < 0.01) degradability, and increased total production of short‐chain fatty acids, acetate, and propionate (P < 0.05). Compared to the control, fennel seeds increased (P < 0.01) metabolizable energy, partitioning factor, and microbial crude protein production. Overall, fennel seeds can be included up to 2% DM in ruminant diets as an environmentally friendly product in animal farming due to its ability to improve feed utilization, ruminal fermentation and while reducing CH4 production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in global temperature and consumers' welfare has increased the use of phytogenic feed additives (PFA) to mitigate the negative effects of heat stress on chickens in recent years. Various bioactive compounds capable of improving the thermotolerance of broiler chickens during exposure to thermal challenges have been identified in different plant species and parts. This review is an overview of the roles of bioactive compounds of different PFA, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, antioxidants, growth‐promoting and immune‐modulating agents, in heat stress management in broiler chickens. Common PFA in use, particularly in tropical environments, are also discussed. An understanding of the roles of the PFA in chickens' thermotolerance could further stimulate interest in their use, thereby improving the birds' productivity and addressing consumers' concerns. This review collates the existing data on the roles of herbs in mitigating heat stress on chickens and highlights future research perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Phytogenics such as ginger, wild marjoram, and cloves, along with their active components, have been shown to be effective and safe in animal production and thus serve as potential substitutes that could replace antibiotic growth promoters. This review delineates their common mechanisms and summarizes the results of recent studies on the growth performance of poultry production—with emphasis on broilers—to combat necrotic enteritis. Necrotic enteritis is a devastating disease in chickens mainly caused by Clostridium perfringens—particularly, Net-B toxin-producing strains. In order to combat necrotic enteritis in broiler production, natural growth promoters, as well as anti-inflammatory and non-antibiotic remedies, were developed for anti-microbial resistance due to its status as a global pandemic. Herein, phytogenic ginger, wild marjoram, and cloves were reviewed as potential alternatives to antibiotics for their anti-microbial functions. These phytogenics contain active ingredients that efficiently modulate the immune response and improve intestinal morphology and overall growth performance, even under stress and infection conditions. Most of the beneficial effects can be attributed to their anti-inflammatory functions, primarily the inhibition of the NF-κB and MAPK pathways. Phytogenics and their active ingredients represent potential substitutes for antibiotic growth promoters, further serving as anti-microbial remedies in the treatment of birds with infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study synthesized and evaluated the effects of nanoliposomes loaded daidzein (NLD) in diabetic mice induced by alloxan. Five groups of Balb-c mice were treated for 5 weeks (Group 1 and 2 referred to as normal and diabetic control receiving normal feed). Group 3 and 4 were diabetic mice receiving 50 and 100 mg/kg/BW NLD respectively. Group 5, diabetic mice, received the standard drug, Metformin, 250 mg/kg/BW per day orally. Results indicated that NLD significantly (p

This work studied the potential of a combination of pungent spices (capsicum, black pepper, ginger, and cinnamaldehyde) to be used as a supplement in diets of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata; 44.1 ± 4.2 g). During 90 days, fish were fed three experimental diets with low inclusion of fish oil and containing poultry fat as the main source of lipids, supplemented with graded levels of the tested supplement: 0 (control), 0.1 (SPICY0.1%), and 0.15% (SPICY0.15%). As a result, the pungent spices enhanced the growth performance, the activity of the bile-saltactivated lipase in the intestine, and decreased fat deposit levels within enterocytes. The SPICY0.1% diet reduced the feed conversion ratio and the perivisceral fat index and lipid deposits in the liver. Moreover, the ratio of docosahexaenoic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid in fillet increased in fish fed the SPICY0.1% diet, while the hepatic levels of docosahexaenoic acid and total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids increased in fish fed the SPICY0.15% diet. Furthermore, there was an effect on the expression of some biomarkers related to lipid metabolism in 2-h postprandial fish (fasn, elovl6, scd1b, cyp7a1, lpl, and pparb), and in 48 h fasted-fish fed with the SPICY0.1% diet, a regulation of the intestinal immune response was indicated. However, no significant differences were found in lipid apparent digestibility and proximate macronutrient composition. The spices did not affect biomarkers of hepatic or oxidative stress. No differences in microbial diversity were found, except for an increase in Simpson's Index in the posterior intestine of fish fed the SPICY0.1% diet, reflected in the increased relative abundance of the phylum Chloroflexi and lower relative abundances of the genera Campylobacter, Corynebacterium, and Peptoniphilus. In conclusion, the supplementation of gilthead seabream diets with pungent spices at an inclusion of 0.1% was beneficial to enhance growth performance and feed utilization; reduce fat accumulation in the visceral cavity, liver, and intestine; and improve the fish health status and condition. Results suggest that the tested supplement can be used as part of a nutritional strategy to promote a more judicious use of fish oil in fish diets due to its decreasing availability and rising costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of P. guineense and G. africanum inclusion in the diet of broiler chickens as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs). A total of 408 day-old Ross broiler chicks were allotted randomly to eight dietary treatments each replicated thrice, with 17 chicks per replicate in a completely randomized design. P. guineense and G. africanum were included at 0 g (T1), 250 g, 500 g and 750 g respectively (T2-T7) while oxytetracycline was used as a positive control (T8). Data were collected on growth, haematological and antioxidant activities. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and significant differences among treatment means were compared using Tukey procedures. The growth performance result showed that final weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and feed cost per kg gain were significantly (p<0.05) better in birds fed diets containing oxytetracycline and P. guineense at 250 g and G. africanum at 500 g/100kg diets at both the starter and finisher phases. Haematological parameters were significantly improved and were within normal range reported for healthy chickens. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase contents were increased (p<0.05) while catalase content was reduced as levels of P. guineense and G. africanum in the diet increases. P. guineense and G. africanum inclusion in broiler chickens diets at 250g and 500g/100kg diets, respectively significantly improved growth performance and antioxidant activities with no adverse effect on haematological parameters; hence, can be included in broiler chickens’ diet at 250g and 500g/100kg diets as an alternative to synthetic AGPs for improved performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of Eucalyptus camaldulensis essential oil (ECEO) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and caecal fermentation of weaned rabbits. Sixty clinically healthy weaned cross breed male rabbits (Chinchilla x Newzealand white) of about 4 weeks with initial body weight (BW) of 430.81 ± 0.81 g were used for the study. Rabbits were stratified based on their body weight and randomly distributed into four treatment groups of fifteen rabbits each in a completely randomized design. Treatment 1 (T1): Basal diet without Eucalyptus camaldulensis essential oil (ECEO); T2: basal diet with 200 mg/kg ECEO; T3: basal diet with 400 mg/kg ECEO; T4: basal diet with 600 mg/kg ECEO. Average daily weight gain were higher (P<0.05) in T2, T3 and T4 relative to T1. There was no effect of treatments in the average daily feed intake and mortality rate (P>0.05) while feed conversion ratio were greater in T2, T3 and T4 than in T1 (P<0.05). Dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, nitrogen free extracts, organic matter and ether extract digestibility were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the treatments. Improved nutrient absorption were improved in rabbits fed diet supplemented with ECEO compared to control group. Volatile fatty acid, acetate, butyrate, propionate and ammonia nitrogen were significantly (P<0.05) different among the treatments. Results revealed that ECEO can be supplemented up to 600 mg/kg without posing no harm on rabbit's body physiology and health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Husbandry practices in aquaculture production may lead to stress processes and oxidative stress damages on fish tissues. Functional ingredients have profiled as suitable candidates for reinforcing the fish antioxidant response and stress tolerance. In addition, selective breeding strategies have also demonstrated a correlation between fish growth and stress reactiveness, which may be a key component in species domestication. The present study evaluates the potential of three different functional additives for gill endogenous antioxidant capacity and stress relief in a growth selected genotype of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles fed low-FM/FO diets. For this purpose, after 72 days of a feeding trial, all fish were subjected to an oxidative stress challenge consisting of a 1 h bath exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at a total concentration of 50 ppm. The functional additives induced a better recovery from the stress process, with a higher reduction in fish circulating plasma cortisol 24 h after oxidative stress. In addition, the functional additives induced higher catalase gill gene expression in response to the oxidative stress insult. Functional ingredients have profiled as suitable candidates for reinforcing the fish antioxidant response and stress tolerance. In addition, selective breeding strategies have also demonstrated a correlation between fish growth performance and susceptibility to stressful culture conditions as a key component in species domestication processes. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the ability of a selected high-growth genotype of 300 days post-hatch European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles to use different functional additives as endogenous antioxidant capacity and stress resistance boosters when supplemented in low fish meal (FM) and fish oil (FO) diets. Three isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets (10% FM/6% FO) were supplemented with 200 ppm of a blend of garlic and Labiatae plant oils (PHYTO0.02), 1000 ppm of a mixture of citrus flavonoids and Asteraceae and Labiatae plant essential oils (PHYTO0.1) or 5000 ppm of galactomannan-oligosaccharides (GMOS0.5). A reference diet was void of supplementation. The fish were fed the experimental diets for 72 days and subjected to a H2O2 exposure oxidative stress challenge. The fish stress response was evaluated through measuring the circulating plasma cortisol levels and the fish gill antioxidant response by the relative gene expression analysis of nfΚβ2, il-1b, hif-1a, nd5, cyb, cox, sod, cat, gpx, tnf-1α and caspase 9. After the oxidative stress challenge, the genotype origin determined the capacity of the recovery of basal cortisol levels after an acute stress response, presenting GS fish with a better pattern of recovery. All functional diets induced a significant upregulation of cat gill gene expression levels compared to fish fed the control diet, regardless of the fish genotype. Altogether, suggesting an increased capacity of the growth selected European sea bass genotype to cope with the potential negative side-effects associated to an H2O2 bath exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Saponins are active compounds found in plants, with both positive and negative roles in animal nutrition. They are efficient natural rumen modifiers for manipulating ruminal microbial populations, as well as their composition and fermentation. They suppress ruminal ciliate protozoa and may thus enhance microbial protein-synthesis efficiency while abating methane production. The impact of saponins or saponins-containing plants on the ruminal microflora and fermentation depends on the saponin type and level, diet composition, and the microbial community's composition and adaptation to saponins. Saponins are more effective at enhancing the performance of animals consuming fibrous diets and may be useful to smallholder livestock farmers in developing countries. Saponins are steroid, or triterpene glycoside, compounds found in plants and plant products, mainly legumes. However, some plants containing saponins are toxic. Saponins have both positive and negative roles in animal nutrition. Saponins have been shown to act as membrane-permeabilizing, immunostimulant, hypocholesterolaemic, and defaunating agents in the rumen for the manipulation of ruminal fermentation. Moreover, it has been reported that saponins have impair protein digestion in the gut to interact with cholesterol in the cell membrane, cause cell rupture and selective ruminal protozoa elimination, thus improving N-use efficiency and resulting in a probable increase in ruminant animal performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytogenic feed additives are plausible alternatives to antibiotics and serve as growth promoters in aquafeed. This research aims at finding the effects of varying inclusions of natural antioxidants like hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) on the growth, hematology, and nutrient utilization of Clarias gariepinus after 60 days of feeding. This research used six feeds labeled as F1-F6 that varied in the composition of C. longa and H. sabdariffa. The weight (g) inclusions of C. longa and H. sabdariffa were as follows, F1 0:250, F2 50:200, F3 100:15, F4 150:100, F5 200:50 and F6 250:0. Juvenile African catfish stocked at 9 catfish per 15L aquaria per 3 replicate aquariums (27/treatment feed) were fed for 60d. The catfish fed with F1 (250g H. sabdariffa) had the best specific growth rate of 5.76 ± 0.04 % day-1, lowest feed conversion ratio of 1.01 ± 0.01, weight gain of 31.65 ± 0.13 g, and protein efficiency ratio of 0.96 ± 0.07. The growth of African catfish increased with the increasing inclusion of hibiscus supplements. Hematobiochemical parameters ALT, AST was better for catfish fed high hibiscus supplements. We noticed that hibiscus inclusion was inversely proportional to cholesterol and total triglyceride levels of fish. The deposit of adipose tissues in the catfish was higher, with increasing inclusion of hibiscus than turmeric supplement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work studied the potential of a combination of pungent spices (capsicum, black pepper, ginger, and cinnamaldehyde) to be used as a supplement in diets of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata; 44.1 ± 4.2 g). During 90 days, fish were fed three experimental diets with low inclusion of fish oil and containing poultry fat as the main source of lipids, supplemented with graded levels of the tested supplement: 0 (control), 0.1 (SPICY0.1%), and 0.15% (SPICY0.15%). As a result, the pungent spices enhanced the growth performance, the activity of the bile-salt-activated lipase in the intestine, and decreased fat deposit levels within enterocytes. The SPICY0.1% diet reduced the feed conversion ratio and the perivisceral fat index and lipid deposits in the liver. Moreover, the ratio of docosahexaenoic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid in fillet increased in fish fed the SPICY0.1% diet, while the hepatic levels of docosahexaenoic acid and total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids increased in fish fed the SPICY0.15% diet. Furthermore, there was an effect on the expression of some biomarkers related to lipid metabolism in 2-h postprandial fish (fasn, elovl6, scd1b, cyp7a1, lpl, and pparβ), and in 48 h fasted-fish fed with the SPICY0.1% diet, a regulation of the intestinal immune response was indicated. However, no significant differences were found in lipid apparent digestibility and proximate macronutrient composition. The spices did not affect biomarkers of hepatic or oxidative stress. No differences in microbial diversity were found, except for an increase in Simpson’s Index in the posterior intestine of fish fed the SPICY0.1% diet, reflected in the increased relative abundance of the phylum Chloroflexi and lower relative abundances of the genera Campylobacter, Corynebacterium, and Peptoniphilus. In conclusion, the supplementation of gilthead seabream diets with pungent spices at an inclusion of 0.1% was beneficial to enhance growth performance and feed utilization; reduce fat accumulation in the visceral cavity, liver, and intestine; and improve the fish health status and condition. Results suggest that the tested supplement can be used as part of a nutritional strategy to promote a more judicious use of fish oil in fish diets due to its decreasing availability and rising costs.

There is need to reduce usage of antibiotics in favor of prebiotics and phytogenic in aquafeed production. The study evaluated effects of mushroom on growth, gut histology and haematological variables of Clarias gariepinus. Five treatment feeds were made to vary in inclusion of solvent extracted oyster mushrooms, Lentinus sajor-caju as follows: Feed 1, 0%; Feed 2, 4%; Feed 3, 8%; Feed 4, 12% and Feed 5, 16%. The diets were made isonitrogenous (42%) and isolipidic (6.0%). The growth performances, gut histology and haematological profile of the fish were estimated using standard procedures. The essential amino acid (EAA) contents of the mushroom and feeds were analyzed following standard methods. Ingredients were mixed according to proportions, preconditioned and steam pelleted. African catfish of average weight 9.48g were stocked in three replicates 20liter aquarium, at 113.76g/aquarium and fed with the experimental diets for 90days. Results showed that mushroom had good array of EAA especially lysine (7%). The haematobiochemical parameters and growth of the catfish were best at 8% mushroom extract inclusion. Histological sections showed significant increase in length and width of the mucosal fold microvilli as mushroom extract inclusion increased up to 8%. Similarly, red blood cell counts, packed cell volume, hemoglobin and total white blood cell counts of the catfish increased up to 8%. Fish fed Feed 3 had the best specific growth rate (3.00±0.06% day-1), food conversion ratio (1.54±0.01), weight gain, (128.67±0.02g) and protein conversion ratio of 0.3±0.04. Catfish fed with higher than 8% inclusion of mushroom had reduced growth rates, hemato-biochemical and histological parameters. This may be probably due to the high polysaccharides and beta-glucans present in mushroom. Thus, mushroom extracts should be included in catfish feed but not beyond 8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Post-weaning diarrhea in piglets is caused by intestinal dysbiosis, characterized as an undesirable disruption of the physiological intestinal microbiota, which is associated with several stress factors, such as the isolation of piglets from sows, the adaptation to new environment and morphological changes in the intestine due to the transition from milk to solid feed intake. Pharmaceutical zinc oxide has been effectively used to alleviate these effects. However, since the dietary supplementation with pharmaceutical doses of zinc oxide (ZnO) in weaning pigs has been recently phased out in EU, this study aimed to determine the effect of a natural phytogenic formulation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and faecal microbiota composition and metabolic activity. Dietary inclusion of the natural phytogenic formulation significantly increased piglet performance and nutrient digestibility and reduced the E. coli and C. perfringens counts as well as the molar ratios of branched chain volatile fatty acids in faeces. In summary, the results of this study indicate that the tested natural phytogenic formulation could be considered as an effective alternative to pharmaceutical doses of ZnO to alleviate the challenges commonly occurring after weaning. A natural phytogenic formulation (NPF) was tested as an alternative to pharmaceutical zinc oxide (ZnO) in weaned piglets with respect to growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility and faecal microbiota composition and metabolic activity. Two dietary NPF levels (NPF: 1000 and 2000 mg/kg diet) were compared to a positive control (ZnO: 3000 mg ZnO/kg diet) and a negative control (CON: no added ZnO or NPF) using 84 weaned piglets from 29 d to 78 d (days of age). Feed conversion ratio was improved (p < 0.05) in ZnO and NPF piglets were compared to CON at 50 d. Dry matter, organic matter and crude protein (p < 0.05) digestibility was improved in NPF piglets compared to CON at 57 d. Compared to CON, NPF inclusion reduced E. coli (p < 0.05) and increased C. leptum subgroup (p < 0.01) at 57 d and 78 d, and reduced C. perfringens subgroup (p < 0.05; at 78 d). The ZnO reduced (p < 0.001) E. coli and C. perfringens subgroup (p < 0.01) compared to CON at 78 d. Moreover, ZnO and NPF reduced molar ratios of branched chain volatile fatty acids (p < 0.05) compared to CON, while NPF also increased butyric acid (p < 0.05) at 78 d. In conclusion, the NPF appeared to be a promising alternative to pharmaceutical doses of ZnO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The replacement of fish oil (FO) in aquafeeds usually leads to imbalances in the dietary content of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), with negative consequences for fish performance, health, and fillet quality. Animal-rendered fats are an alternative lipid source high in saturated fatty acids, potentially sparing n-3 PUFA from oxidation, and with lower n-6 PUFA contents than plant-based oils, especially in the case of mammalian fats (MF). Hence, this work assessed the effect of replacing 45% FO by MF (negative control, NC) compared to a diet containing only FO (positive control, PC) in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata , initial body weight: 85 ± 4 g, mean ± standard deviation) at low water temperature. In addition, we studied the effect of supplementing the NC diet with a combination of pungent spices with hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory properties at three inclusion levels: 0.05 (SPICY 0.05%), 0.1 (SPICY 0.1%), and 0.15% (SPICY 0.15%). At the end of the trial (112 days), FO substitution by MF led to poorer fish performance in terms of body weight (BW), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER). Supplementation of the NC diet with spices numerically improved SGR, FCR and PER at all inclusion levels (non-significantly different from the PC group), being FCR and PER significantly different from the NC group in the SPICY 0.1% and SPICY 0.15% treatments. A remarkable increase in lipid level was observed in fillets of fish fed the NC diet, but was fully counteracted by spice supplementation, especially in fish fed the SPICY 0.15% diet. A lower fat accumulation was also found in the liver of fish fed the SPICY 0.1% and SPICY 0.15% diets, with respect to the PC and NC groups. The fillets' fatty acid profile mostly reflected the diet composition, but the SPICY 0.15% diet modified it in an inverse direction to that observed in the NC, to more closely resemble the profile of fish fed the PC diet. In particular, the SPICY 0.15% diet reduced fillet levels of MUFA, linoleic and linolenic acids, and increased n-3 LC-PUFA (including EPA and DHA), compared to the NC. A microarray-based transcriptomic analysis revealed a better hepatic health status, as indicated by different biological processes associated to immunity. Overall, supplementation with the combination of pungent spices at 0.15% enabled the incorporation of alternative lipid sources, such as MF, in aquafeeds without significantly compromising growth and feeding performance, liver health, and quality of the edible product. • The impact of replacing 45% fish oil by mammalian fats was evaluated in gilthead seabream diets. • The effect of supplementing the latter diet with a combination of pungent spices (SPICY) was also tested. • Supplementation with SPICY at 0.1% and 0.15% improved growth and feed conversion ratio. • The SPICY diet at 0.1% and 0.15% reduced fat accumulation in fillet and liver. • The SPICY diet at 0.15% improved the fillet fatty acid profile and promoted a better hepatic health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Rumen modifiers play a crucial role in minimizing dietary energy loss for finishing lambs. This study endeavors to assess nutrient digestibility, in vitro gas production, productive performance, and carcass characteristics in finishing lambs through the incorporation of three rumen fermentation modifiers (monensin sodium, calcium malate, and essential oils). Thirty-five four-months-old Pelibuey lambs of 23.6 kg ± 3.2 were assigned to a completely randomized block design to evaluate five diets: control (CON, without rumen modifier), monensin sodium (MON, 25 g/t); calcium malate (MAL, 2.5 kg/t), essential oils (EO, 150 g/t); and EO (150 g/t) plus MON (25 g/t). Daily feed intake, average daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, dorsal fat thickness, rib eye area, ruminal pH, and chewing time did not differ among the diets. Notably, feed efficiency trend to be superior (P = 0.07) in the EO lambs, showing a 15.31 % and 17.28 % increase versus CON and MON diets, respectively. Dry matter intake in g/kg0.75 was highest (P < 0.05) in MAL lambs by 23 % higher than lambs fed on diets added with EO and MON. The control diet (i.e., CON) exhibited the lowest (P < 0.05) in vivo dry matter digestibility compared to all other diets. Additionally, there was a trend (P = 0.056) towards reduced crude protein digestibility in CON diet. The inclusion of EO led to a higher (P < 0.05) proportion of ruminal acetic acid and a decrease (P < 0.05) in propionic acid versus the CON diet. The observed effects can be attributed to the antimicrobial activity of EO, specifically their secondary metabolites, which demonstrate antimicrobial properties. This underscores their potential in addressing concerns related to antibiotic use. Compared to MON, dietary inclusion with EO improves feed efficiency, with no notable effects on average daily gain, final weight, or the investigated carcass characteristics. The EO supplementation emerges as a practical alternative to antibiotic ionophore monensin for enhancing feed efficiency in finishing feedlot lambs. [Display omitted] • Calcium malate, essential oils (EO) and monensin reduced dietary energy loss of feeds to finishing lambs. • Calcium malate improved dry matter intake with an increase of 23 % over diets with EO and monensin. • Feed efficiency was superior in the essential oils lambs by 15.31 % and 17.28 % than other diets. • Essential oils uniquely improved crude protein digestibility. • Lamb performance, carcass rib-eye area, or back fat thickness did not alter by dietary treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Two trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a phytogenic, blend administered through the water, in reducing Salmonella infection in broiler chickens. The first trial was aimed to evaluate the potential efficacy of the phytogenic blend given at one dose, while the second compared 3 concentrations of the same blend. For the first trial, 240 one-day-old male broilers were obtained from a commercial hatchery and placed in battery cages. There were 10 replicates of 2 treatments: 1) infected control and 2) infected, water soluble phytogenic (0.100 g/L). Birds were challenged with 0.5 × 108 colony forming unit (CFU) nalidixic acid-resistant Salmonella typhimurium (ST) on d 1. Although not significant (P > 0.05), water-soluble treated birds had lower cecal S.T. concentrations compared with the control at 4 dpi (days postinfection; P = 0.06). No differences in cecal ST concentrations were observed at 7, 14, or 21 dpi. No significant differences in prevalence of ST in the ceca, livers, or spleens between the treatments were observed at any time point. Bird weight and FCR were significantly (P < 0.05) improved in water-soluble phytogenic treated birds. For the second trial, 212 one-day-old broilers were obtained from a commercial hatchery and placed in battery cages. There were 5 replicates of 5 treatments: 1) uninfected, untreated 2) infected, untreated, 3) infected, 0.075 g/L water-soluble phytogenic, 4) infected, 0.100 g/L water-soluble phytogenic, and 5) 0.125 g/L water-soluble phytogenic. On D 3, birds were infected with 7.8×108 CFU S. Enteritidis (SE). Two dpi there were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in cecal S.E. between the treatments. On 5 and 11 dpi, the birds given water-soluble phytogenic had significantly (P < 0.05) lower cecal S.E. compared with the infected controls. No significant differences (P > 0.05) in bird weights or FCR between treatments were observed. In conclusion, the addition of water-soluble phytogenic to the drinking water reduced Salmonella infection in broilers challenged with Salmonella.

The use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in poultry production not only promotes the emergence of pathogenic multi-drug resistant bacteria, but it also compromises product quality, threatens animal and human health, and pollutes the environment. However, the complete withdrawal of AGP without alternatives could result in uncontrollable disease outbreaks that would jeopardize large-scale poultry intensification. Thus, the use of phytogenic products as potential alternatives to in-feed AGP has attracted worldwide research interest. These phytogenic products contain numerous biologically active substances with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities that can enhance poultry health, growth performance, and meat quality characteristics. In addition, the incorporation of phytogenic products as feed additives in poultry diets could result in the production of high-quality, drug-free, and organic poultry products that are safe for human consumption. Thus, this review examines the current evidence on the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of a selection of phytogenic products, their effects on nutrient utilization, and physiological and meat quality parameters in poultry. The paper also reviews the factors that could limit the utilization of phytogenic products in poultry nutrition and proposes solutions that can deliver efficient and sustainable poultry production systems for global food and nutrition security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to assess the comparative effects of Vernonia amygdalina leaf meal (VALM) and zinc (Zn) on the serum proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines as well as DNA damage of cocks-fed aflatoxin B1 (AFB 1 ) contaminated diets. A total of 250 sexually mature Isa White cocks of 24 weeks old were randomly distributed into five groups (treatments) with each containing 50 birds, which was replicated five times with 10 birds per replicate. Cocks in group A were fed basal diet only, group B was fed basal diet contaminated with 1 mg AFB1/kg diet, group C received diet B (basal + 1 mg/kg AFB1) with 50 mg/kg Zn, group D was fed diet B with 2.5 g/kg VALM, and group E received diet B with 5.0 g/kg VALM, respectively. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum with fresh feed added to the feed troughs at 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. respectively. While serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), 8-hydroxy-2ʹ-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were significantly (P  < 0.05) elevated among the cocks on diet B, significant (P  < 0.05) reductions were recorded among cocks on diets C, D, and E. Conversely, birds in group B had significant (P  < 0.05) depression in serum interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) while improvements (P  < 0.05) were recorded among cocks in groups C, D, and E, respectively. Therefore, the inclusion of VALM offset the adverse physiological effects of AFB1 observed among group B birds. The effects were comparable with the results presented by the cocksfed diet containing Zn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Under intensive aquaculture conditions, fish are subjected to a wide variety of stressors, making fish prone to suffering chronic stress and impairing fish growth performance and immune response. Fishmeal (FM) and fish oil (FO) replacement by raw terrestrial materials may induce nutritional imbalances, leading to a chronic stress status and oxidative stress processes. The functional ingredients have been profiled as suitable candidates to face these negative side effects by reinforcing fish immune response, attenuating fish stress response and reducing fish oxidative stress. The present study evaluates the effects of two different functional ingredients, plant origin galactomannan-oligosaccharides (GMOS) and a mixture of garlic and labiate plant essential oils (PHYTO), as potential boosters of gill endogenous antioxidant capacity in European sea-bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles fed low-FM/FO-based diets. After a confinement stress challenge (C challenge) or confinement combined with an in vivo infection with the pathogen Vibrio anguillarum (CI challenge), the functional ingredients induced a controlled pro-inflammatory response against the stressor. The functional ingredients attenuated fish stress response, leading to a stable energy metabolism and an ameliorated antioxidant status, altogether indicating the potential of both functional additives to reduce the associated negative effects of stress in European sea bass fed a low-FM/FO diet. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the potential of two functional additives as gill endogenous antioxidant capacity boosters in European sea-bass juveniles fed low-FM/FO diets when challenged against physical and biological stressors. For that purpose, two isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets with low FM (10%) and FO (6%) contents were supplemented with 5000 ppm plant-derived galactomannan–oligosaccharides (GMOS) or 200 ppm of a mixture of garlic and labiate plant essential oils (PHYTO). A control diet was void from supplementation. Fish were fed the experimental diet for nine weeks and subjected to a confinement stress challenge (C challenge) or a confinement stress challenge combined with an exposure to the pathogen Vibrio anguillarum (CI challenge). Both GMOS and PHYTO diets attenuated fish stress response, inducing lower circulating plasma cortisol and down-regulating nfκβ2 and gr relative gene-expression levels in the gill. This attenuated stress response was associated with a minor energetic metabolism response in relation to the down-regulation of nd5 and coxi gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intense pressure on the poultry sector to promote safe chicken meat and egg has sparked interest in the use of natural and consumer-accepted phytogenic feed additives. The majority of literature on the benefits of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Negro pepper (Xylopia aethiopica) is focused on layers and there is no evidence of turmeric and Negro pepper interactive effects. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of turmeric and Negro pepper mixture on serum biochemical and haematological constituents of broiler chicks fed for 48 days. A total of 96 one-day-old Arbor acres chicks of mixed sexes were used for the experiment. The birds were randomly assigned to four treatment groups and replicated three times in a completely randomized design. The milled turmeric and Negro pepper were mixed in the ratio of 50:50 (50%) and used in the formulation of turmeric and Negro pepper mixture (TNPM) diets. The four experimental diets were formulated to contain 0.00, 0.50, 1.00, and 1.50% dietary levels of inclusion of TNPM at the starter phase and 0.00, 1.50, 3.00, and 4.50% inclusion levels at the finishing phase respectively. Blood samples were collected from the brachial wing vein on the 24th and 48th days of the experiment and were evaluated for serum biochemical and haematological constituents. At the starter phase, red blood cells (RBC) was significantly (P

The use of phytogenic extracts is considered a sustainable strategy for the prevention of fish diseases, including Alliaceae as a potential option due to their variety of bioactive compounds. In this study, we analyzed the antibacterial and antiparasitic potential of propyl-propane-thiosulfinate (PTS) and propyl-propane-thiosulfonate (PTSO) from onions. The in vitro activity against Pseudomonas anguilliseptica, Tenacibaculum maritimum, and Photobacterium damselae of both compounds was tested. In addition, the viability of Sparicotyle chrysophrii larvae was evaluated. Moreover, a diet that consisted of a blend of PTS/PTSO (ALLIUM) was used. A total of 90 gilthead sea bream juveniles were tested against P. damselae subsp. Piscicida after 12 weeks of dietary administration. Furthermore, 150 fish with a rate of 10–15 parasites/fish were fed for 21 days and the number of gill parasites was recorded. All strains were sensitive to both compounds. PTSO showed the highest inhibitory effect against all target strains, while PTS showed higher effectiveness against S. chrysophrii. Fish from ALLIUM group presented the highest probability of survival, increasing up to 91.1%, whereas in the control group, the probability of survival was 66.7%. The number of parasites in the gilthead sea bream decreased in the ALLIUM group over time. These results suggest the inclusion of PTS and PTSO in feed as a natural strategy to prevent antibacterial and antiparasitic fish diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Phytogenics are plant-based compounds with beneficial actions in feed technology and/or animal health. These so-called plant secondary metabolites are very diverse and with wide possible applications in humans and animals. Among them, essential oils (EOs) are the most used in feed for livestock and pets. Lately, melatonin has acquired new and interesting applications in dogs. Recent studies using EOs and/or melatonin in dog feeding and their involvement in health aspects are presented. The use of nutraceuticals or functional ingredients is increasingly widespread in human food; their use is also widespread in animal feed. These natural compounds generally come from plant materials and comprise a wide range of substances of a very diverse chemical nature. In animals, these compounds, so-called phytogenics, are used to obtain improvements in feed production/stability and also as functional components with repercussions on animal health. Along with polyphenols, isoprenoid compounds represent a family of substances with wide applications in therapy and pet nutrition. Essential oils (EOs) are a group of complex substances with fat-soluble nature that are widely used. Melatonin is an indolic amine present in all living with amphiphilic nature. In this work, we present a review of the most relevant phytogenics (polyphenol, isoprenoid, and alkaloid compounds), their characteristics, and possible uses as nutraceuticals in dogs, with special emphasis on EOs and their regulatory aspects, applied in foods and topically. Additionally, a presentation of the importance of the use of melatonin in dogs is developed, giving physiological and practical aspects about its use in dog feeding and also in topical application, with examples and future projections. This review points to the combination of EOs and melatonin in food supplements and in the topical application as an innovative product and shows excellent perspectives aimed at addressing dysfunctions in pets, such as the treatment of stress and anxiety, sleep disorders, alopecia, and hair growth problems, among others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have evaluated the impacts of supplementing diets with Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOL) on growth, intestine histomorphometry, immunity, liver antioxidants and expression of immune genes in Nile tilapia raised in hapas mounted in earthen pond. Four MOL supplementation doses (0.0, 5.0, 7.0 and 9.0 g/kg) were used to make four experimental diets defined as reference (CONT), MOL5, MOL7 and MOL9 respectively. Fish (⁓61.5 g) were allocated in 4 triplicate groups and were fed the corresponding diets for consecutive 60 days. The highest final weight, weight gain, weight gain % and specific growth rate were found in the MOL5 group among all experimental groups. Feed conversion ratio was not changed by dietary MOL. When compared with the CONT group, there was a significant decline in MDA levels along with a significant rise in hepatic CAT, SOD and GPx enzymes in all MOL‐supplemented groups. Serum lysozyme activities, IgM levels and complement C3 were elevated in MOL groups than the CONT group. Moreover, dietary MOL preserved the normal histomorphology of the intestines of the treated Nile tilapia along with a significant improvement in some intestinal morphometric indices. There was significant increase in the mRNA expressions of inf‐γ, il‐10 and tnf‐α genes in the spleen tissue of MOL groups. However, the mRNA expression levels of il‐1β were significantly decreased in MOL groups. Of interest, the second‐order polynomial regression clarified that a 5.80 g MOL/kg diet is the optimum dietary supplementation level for better growth and no side effects on the health condition of fish. Altogether, dietary MOL could be recommended as a practical feed supplement to enhance growth, intestinal health, antioxidant capacity and immunity of Nile tilapia reared in hapas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to characterize the critical points for determining the development of dysbiosis associated with feed intolerances and ruminal acidosis. Methods and Results: A metabologenomics approach was used to characterize dynamic microbial and metabolomics shifts using the rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC) by feeding native cornstarch (ST), chemically modified cornstarch (CMS), or sucrose (SU). SU and CMS elicited the most drastic changes as rapidly as 4 h after feeding. This was accompanied by a swift accumulation of d‐lactate, and the decline of benzoic and malonic acid. A consistent increase in Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus as well as a decrease in fibrolytic bacteria was observed for both CMS and ST after 24 h, indicating intolerances within the fibre degrading populations. However, an increase in Lactobacillus was already evident in SU after 8 h. An inverse relationship between Fibrobacter and Bifidobacterium was observed in ST. In fact, Fibrobacter was positively correlated with several short‐chain fatty acids, while Lactobacillus was positively correlated with lactic acid, hexoses, hexose‐phosphates, pentose phosphate pathway (PENTOSE‐P‐PWY), and heterolactic fermentation (P122‐PWY). Conclusions: The feeding of sucrose and modified starches, followed by native cornstarch, had a strong disruptive effect in the ruminal microbial community. Feed intolerances were shown to develop at different rates based on the availability of glucose for ruminal microorganisms. Significance and Impact of the study: These results can be used to establish patterns of early dysbiosis (biomarkers) and develop strategies for preventing undesirable shifts in the ruminal microbial ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports of the underlying mechanisms of dietary grape extract (GE) in overcoming weaning challenges in piglets have been partly inconsistent. Furthermore, evaluations of the effects of GE at weaning in comparison to those of widely used therapeutic antibiotics have been scarce. To explore the mode of action of GE in selected tissues and plasma, we evaluated gut morphology, antioxidant and inflammation indices. Accordingly, 180 weaning piglets were allocated to three treatment groups: negative control (NC), NC and antibiotic treatment for the first 5 days of the trial (positive control, PC), and NC and GE (entire trial). The villus surface was positively affected by GE and PC on day 27/28 of the trial in the jejunum and on day 55/56 of the trial in the ileum. In the colon, NC tended (p < 0.10) to increase crypt parameters compared to PC on day 55/56. The PC group tended (p < 0.10) to increase catalase activity in the ileum and decrease Cu/Zn-SOD activity in the jejunum, both compared to NC. There were no additional effects on antioxidant measurements of tissue and plasma, tissue gene expression, or plasma acute-phase proteins. In conclusion, GE supplementation beneficially affected the villus surface of the small intestine. However, these changes were not linked to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of GE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of black cumin seed powder, papaya seed powder, and mustard seed powder on broiler chickens' growth and blood indices were investigated. The basal diets (starter and grower) were formulated and divided into five portions. The first portion (T1) had no supplementation; portion two (T2) had 1.1 g/100g oxytetracycline (OT) supplementation. 15g/kg papaya seed powder, mustard seed powder, and black cumin seed powder were added to portions three (T3), four (T4), and five (T5), respectively. The haematological indices were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments. The birds' relative growth rate was improved by oxytetracycline, papaya, mustard, and black cumin dietary supplementation. The serum alanine aminotransferase concentration of the broiler chickens in T1 was not statistically significantly different compared to T2, T3, and T4. Birds in treatments T1 and T2 had serum albumin concentrations that were comparable to those fed T3 and T4 supplemented diets but statistically lower (p

Saponins are steroid, or triterpene glycoside, compounds found in plants and plant products, mainly legumes. However, some plants containing saponins are toxic. Saponins have both positive and negative roles in animal nutrition. Saponins have been shown to act as membrane-permeabilizing, immunostimulant, hypocholesterolaemic, and defaunating agents in the rumen for the manipulation of ruminal fermentation. Moreover, it has been reported that saponins have impair protein digestion in the gut to interact with cholesterol in the cell membrane, cause cell rupture and selective ruminal protozoa elimination, thus improving N-use efficiency and resulting in a probable increase in ruminant animal performance.

Feed ingredients are the potential sources, which can be contaminated with Salmonella. Therefore, the alternative strategies should be found for controlling pathogenic microbes and promoting the performance of broiler chicks. Although antibiotics have been used for the treatment of the infection induced by microbes, the use of which faces with some limitations such as bacteria resistance. The antibiotic substitute should be natural with no residue in poultry meat. Compounds such as phytobiotics can be incorporated into the diet for enhancing the production of poultry with no concern about the appearance of antibiotic-resistant microbial species and remaining the residue in the meat. This study aims to synthesize the microcapsules preserving the mixture of essential oils including thyme, peppermint, savory, and black pepper by using spray drying technique and to evaluate the growth performance, antioxidant status, immune response, and gut health parameters in broiler chickens challenged by salmonella enteritidis. The mixture of essential oils including thyme (50%), summer savory (25%), peppermint (12.5%) and black pepper seed (12.5%) was encapsulated in the protecting wall materials (20% WPC, 25% MS and 55% MD) for forming the essential oil-loaded spherical microcapsules with particle size of 323 nm and encapsulation efficiency of 96.2%. Thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene, γ-terpinene, and menthol existed in the core of the microcapsules as the main bioactive compounds. The microcapsules possessed the antioxidant and antibacterial activities, and its dietary application as the feed additive at the concentrations of 0.5, 1 and 2 kg/ton in broiler chickens challenged by S. enteritidis improved the final weight, total feed intake, FCR, body antioxidant status, ileal morphostructure, intestinal microbial population and regulated the antioxidant and inflammation genes in ileal tissue and upregulated the expression of occludin and SOD genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]