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Simple Summary: Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of molds, primarily Penicillium, Fusarium, and Aspergillus species, that may be present in food and feed. Reports indicate that up to 25% of the world's cereal crops could be contaminated with these fungal toxins. Synbiotics, products that synergistically combine probiotics and prebiotics, can reduce harmful metabolites in the gastrointestinal tract by metabolizing or adsorbing toxic substances, including mycotoxins. In the present study, turkeys were fed diets contaminated with ochratoxin A and supplemented with probiotic or synbiotic preparations. The addition of probiotic and synbiotic preparations based on lactic acid bacteria strains, inulin, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast to ochratoxin A-contaminated diets in commercial turkey farming may improve health status and reduce mycotoxin accumulation in poultry organs and tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate carcass quality and analyze gastrointestinal functional status, ochratoxin A (OTA) accumulation in tissues and organs, and the health status of turkeys fed diets contaminated with OTA and supplemented with synbiotic preparations in comparison with commercial probiotic feed additives. The research involved 120 female BIG 6 turkeys, divided into six treatment groups (five replicates, four birds per replicate). Wheat naturally contaminated with OTA (662.03 μg/kg) was used in turkey diets. Turkeys in group 1 received an OTA-contaminated diet without additives. Groups 2 and 3 received 0.4 g/kg of probiotic preparation BioPlus 2B or Cylactin. Groups 4, 5, and 6 received 0.5 g/kg of synbiotics S1, S2, or S3. The following parameters were monitored: growth performance, carcass quality, gastrointestinal tract structure and digesta pH, health status, and concentrations of OTA in the blood and tissues of turkeys. The study found no significant differences in the growth performance and carcass quality of turkey. However, the introduction of probiotics or synbiotics into OTA-contaminated feed mixtures resulted in a reduced pH of the digesta in certain sections of the turkey digestive tract (p < 0.05). Additionally, the tested synbiotic additives significantly reduced liver weight in turkeys at weeks 6 and 15 (p < 0.05). The addition of probiotic and synbiotic preparations based on lactic acid bacteria strains, inulin, and S. cerevisiae yeasts to OTA-contaminated diets in commercial turkey farming may improve health status (p < 0.05) and reduce mycotoxin accumulation in organs and tissues of poultry (p < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different wet grain preservation methods on the concentrations of b-carotene, xanthophyll, a-tocopherol (a-T), b-tocopherol (b-T), g-tocopherol (g-T) and d-tocopherol (d-T). Wet oat, triticale, barley and maize grain was dried at temp. of 60°C or 110°C and ensiled without additives or with 0.5% addition of propionic acid (+PA) or formic acid (+FA). Dried and ensiled maize grain had a higher content of b-carotene, xanthophyll, a-T, b-T, g-T, d-T, total tocopherols and vitamin E equivalent (Vit. EEq) than dried and ensiled oat, triticale and barley grain (P=0.01). In dried cereal grain, the average losses of b-carotene, xanthophyll, a-T, b-T, g-T, d-T, total tocopherols and Vit. EEq were 57, 35, 84, 65, 67, 52, 74 and 81%, respectively, compared with their concentrations in wet grain ("0"). The content of xanthophyll, total tocopherols and Vit. EEq in grain decreased with an increase in drying temperature (P=0.01). In ensiled cereal grain, the average losses of b-carotene, xanthophyll, a-T, b-T, g-T, d-T, total tocopherols and Vit. EEq were 52, 30, 83 50, 78, 63, 75 and 79%, respectively. Additives +PA and +FA affected only the b-T content (P=0.01) of cereal silage. Grain drying resulted in greater losses of b-carotene, xanthophyll, a-T, b-T and Vit. EEq, whereas ensiling led to greater losses of g-T, d-T and total tocopherols. Dried triticale grain was characterized by greater losses of b-carotene, a-T, d-T and total tocopherols, and ensiled oat grain was characterized by greater losses of a-T, g-T, total tocopherol and Vit. EEq relative to the corresponding samples of dried and ensiled grain of the remaining cereal species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to their health-promoting values, products obtained from sheep are the center of attention among consumers. The chemical composition of sheep's milk is largely conditioned by seasonal dietary variables, which contribute to its pro-health qualities. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of a production season on parameters of milk and rennet cheese produced from milk obtained from Frisian sheep during winter and summer feeding. Milk from the winter season contained more lactose, less vitamin A and less than half the vitamin E content than milk obtained in summer. Cheese from the winter season was characterized by a higher content of dry matter, proteins and minerals but less than half vitamin A content than cheese from the summer period. In cheese from the winter season, the concentration of tyramine was over fourfold higher while the concentration of histamine, while putrescine, and cadaverine were over twice as low as in cheese of the summer feeding period. The content of total biogenic amines did not vary seasonally. Milk fat from milk obtained in winter contained more medium-chained saturated fatty acids (SFA), but less long-chained SFA and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in comparison with the summer period. Fat from cheese produced in winter had a higher content of medium-chained SFA, whereas cheese from the summer feeding season contained more long-chained SFA, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), and PUFA. Milk and cheese from the summer feeding period had higher ratios of PUFA to SFA and n-6 to n-3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared selected parameters of milk and rennet cheese produced from milk obtained from alpine goats during winter and summer feeding under climatic conditions of the Warmia and Mazury region. Milk from the winter season contained more protein, less vitamin A and over seven times less vitamin E than milk obtained in summer. In cheese from the winter season, the content of dry matter, fat, protein and vitamin A was lower when compared with cheese from the summer period. The content of total biogenic amines in cheese was almost twice as high in winter than in summer (1056.4 vs 567.6 mg/kg). Winter cheese contained more cadaverines and histamine than summer cheese. The content of tyramine and putrescine was comparable in cheese from both seasons and was higher than the level of histamine. Milk fat from milk obtained in winter contained more long-chained SFA and MUFA in comparison with the summer period. Fat from cheese produced in summer had a higher content of SFA, CLA and ALA, whereas cheese from the period of winter feeding contained more C16:0izo and C18:1. The content of hyper-and hypocholesterolemnic acids was comparable in milk and in cheese with a slightly smaller proportion of hyper-acids and a slightly higher proportion of hypocholesterolemnic acids during summer feeding of goats. In conclusion, it was found that the feeding season had a minor impact on the chemical composition of milk, although it significantly differentiated the chemical composition of rennet cheese produced from that milk and the health quality parameters of both products. Milk from winter feeding had a higher content of protein, whereas the chemical composition of cheese was more beneficial in winter as the content of dry matter, fat and protein was higher. The health properties of both products were more beneficial in summer, which was determined by the profile of fatty acids and the content of vitamin A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present review summarizes the results of 37 experiments in which different types and levels (from 0.5 to 29.7%) of fibrous supplements were used in the formulation of diets for weaned piglets. Diets were supplemented with different sources of insoluble dietary fiber (iDF), soluble dietary fiber (sDF), or mixed DF sources. Most of the applied DF sources decreased the ileal and fecal organic matter digestibility, and they often lowered crude protein digestibility. A moderate addition (1.5-8%) of iDF sources increased average daily feed intake (ADFI) and, frequently, average daily gains (ADG). Sources of sDF as well as high inclusion levels of fiber-rich feeds tended to decrease ADFI and ADG. Improved fecal consistency, decreased diarrhea incidence and antibiotic interventions were confirmed in piglets fed diets with added lignocellulose, cooked or raw oat hulls and wheat bran. The dietary inclusion of iDF rather than sDF sources improved gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development, enzyme activity and gut morphology. An increase in the counts of beneficial gut microbiota and the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids was stimulated by diets with addition iDF or sDF sources. Such diets also slowed down proteolytic fermentation which negatively affects the colonic mucosa. Some research findings indicate that iDF sources improve intestinal barrier function. The analyzed experimental data suggest that the addition of 1.5-2% of a lignocellulose preparation, 2% of oat hulls, 4-8% of coarse wheat bran to diets for weaned piglets may be recommended to promote GIT development and health, and to improve growth performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate carcass quality and analyze gastrointestinal functional status, ochratoxin A (OTA) accumulation in tissues and organs, and the health status of turkeys fed diets contaminated with OTA and supplemented with synbiotic preparations in comparison with commercial probiotic feed additives. The research involved 120 female BIG 6 turkeys, divided into six treatment groups (five replicates, four birds per replicate). Wheat naturally contaminated with OTA (662.03 μg/kg) was used in turkey diets. Turkeys in group 1 received an OTA-contaminated diet without additives. Groups 2 and 3 received 0.4 g/kg of probiotic preparation BioPlus 2B or Cylactin. Groups 4, 5, and 6 received 0.5 g/kg of synbiotics S1, S2, or S3. The following parameters were monitored: growth performance, carcass quality, gastrointestinal tract structure and digesta pH, health status, and concentrations of OTA in the blood and tissues of turkeys. The study found no significant differences in the growth performance and carcass quality of turkey. However, the introduction of probiotics or synbiotics into OTA-contaminated feed mixtures resulted in a reduced pH of the digesta in certain sections of the turkey digestive tract ( p < 0.05). Additionally, the tested synbiotic additives significantly reduced liver weight in turkeys at weeks 6 and 15 ( p < 0.05). The addition of probiotic and synbiotic preparations based on lactic acid bacteria strains, inulin, and S. cerevisiae yeasts to OTA-contaminated diets in commercial turkey farming may improve health status ( p < 0.05) and reduce mycotoxin accumulation in organs and tissues of poultry ( p < 0.05).