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This study investigates the impact of different levels of hydroalcoholic extract of the marine red alga (Hypnea cornua) on growth performance, hematological indices, antioxidant capacity, immune response, and expression of growth-related genes in beluga sturgeon (Huso huso). A total of 120 juvenile beluga sturgeon (425.62 ± 26.32 g) were randomly divided into four treatments with three replicates and reared for 8 weeks. The fish were fed diets incorporating varying amounts of the algal extract (0 [control group], 5, 10, and 20 g kg-1). The inclusion of the dietary algal extract significantly improved final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate (P < 0.05), while reducing the feed conversion ratio. The red blood cell count, hematocrit level, total protein level, and lysozyme activity were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the fish group treated with 10 g algal extract kg-1 compared to the control and other treatments. The highest superoxide dismutase activity was observed in fish fed a diet with 10 g algal extract kg-1. The serum catalase activity was significantly higher in all fish treated with algal extract compared to those fed with the control diet (P < 0.05). The serum glutathione activity was markedly higher in the fish fed diets containing 10 and 20 g kg-1 compared to those fed with the control diet (P < 0.05). The malondialdehyde level was lower in the treated fish compared to those fed with the control diet (P < 0.05). The highest mRNA levels of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 were observed in the fish fed a diet containing 10 g algal extract kg-1 (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that an optimal dietary inclusion level of 11.22 g kg-1 of the marine red algal extract is recommended for improving growth performance, feed utilization, and overall well-being of beluga sturgeon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the impact of ginger-derived phyto-protease enzyme on growth performance, immunity, gut health and nutrient digestibility in broilers. A total of 360 day-old broiler chickens were randomly assigned to four treatments with six replicates each: a control group (T1) and groups supplemented with 50 g/ton (T2), 100 g/ton (T3) and 150 g/ton (T4) of the enzyme. Over a 35-day period, birds were provided with free access to feed and water under controlled conditions. The highest feed intake was observed in T3 during the second week, while T4 showed the lowest intake overall. Body weight gain was significantly highest in T4, demonstrating enhanced growth performance. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was lowest in T4, indicating improved feed efficiency. Carcase quality analysis revealed higher dressing percentages and organ weights (bursa, spleen and thymus) in T4 compared to the control. Gut pH levels were significantly lower in T3 and T4 across different segments of the gastrointestinal tract, enhancing nutrient absorption. Antibody titres against Newcastle disease virus were significantly higher in T4 on days 21 and 35, indicating improved immunity. Histomorphological analysis of the intestines showed increased villus height and width in T4, with reduced crypt depth, further supporting enhanced nutrient absorption. These findings suggest that the highest inclusion rate of ginger-derived phyto-protease enzyme (150 g/ton) optimally enhances growth performance, immunity, gut health and nutrient digestibility in broilers. This study highlights the potential benefits of incorporating ginger-derived phyto-protease in poultry diets to improve overall health and performance.

Plants, especially on the leaves, have various bioactive compounds capable of becoming natural growth promoters. Plant leaf extracts have been widely studied for their ability as an antibiotic substitute for broiler chickens. This meta-analysis study was aimed to assess the effectiveness of supplementations with leaf extract on the growth performance of broiler chickens, using average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), final body weight (FBW), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) as responses observed criteria. The meta-analysis study was based on the articles published from 2006 to recent years as several countries started to ban in-feed antibiotics. Databases (PubMed, Scopus, Directory of Open Access Journals [DOAJ], and ScienceDirect) were searched for peer-reviewed randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in English. The meta-analysis included 19 research papers that met the criteria. Overall results showed a significant increase (P < 0.001) in ADFI by 0.56 g/day (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.02 to 1.11), in ADG by 1.57 g/day (95% CI = 0.77 to 2.36), and in FBW by 2.28 (95% CI = 1.40 to 3.16). At the same time, the FCR was reduced (P < 0.001) by -1.25 (95% CI = -1.76 to -0.73) relative to controls taking cognisance of publication bias and heterogeneity. Results in the current meta-analysis study indicated that herbal feed additives were proven to be effective as growth promoters in broiler chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Niobium‐based oxides with wide bandgap and high dielectric constant show great potential in the applications of electronic and optoelectronic devices. Herein, the quasi‐van der Waals epitaxial growth of 2D α‐Nb2O5 nanosheets is reported, in which the growth promoter of sulfur and alkali halides has been utilized to catalyze the ultrathin 2D growth. The relatively low Gibbs free energy of α‐Nb2O5 nanosheets can drive the ultrathin growth down to 30 nm on the c‐Al2O3 substrate by the transformation of T‐Nb2O5 powder sources without any doping effects, demonstrating the diverse α‐Nb2O5 nanostructure morphologies. The as‐grown α‐Nb2O5 nanosheets are characterized with high crystalline quality and specific dominated growth plane, indicating the uniform dielectric properties. The metal–insulator–metal capacitor has confirmed the α‐Nb2O5 nanosheet with a high dielectric constant over 40. The dual promoters' growth design strategy provides a universal synthesis method for the 2D nonlayered dielectric materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Antibiotic-resistant microorganisms may lead to treatment failure and economic losses in the poultry industry and threaten public health. One of the main factors involved in the increasing emergence of antimicrobial resistance is the non-judicious use of antimicrobial agents as growth promoters in poultry and animal production. The search for natural alternatives to growth promoters to antimicrobial agents is continuous and crucial. This investigation focused on the probiotic strains extracted from the gastrointestinal tracts of poultry reared in various habitation types. The selected strain with antioxidant properties was Bacillus toyonensis (BT) M44, used as a probiotic dietary supplement and antibiotic alternative, then investigated its effects on growth performance, blood biochemical parameters, immune response, gut microbiota, and meat quality of IR broilers. Bacillus toyonensis M44 exhibited potent antibacterial activity against MDR microorganisms, as evidenced by MICs ranging from 5% to 10%. A total of 160 IR chicks were allocated into four groups randomly, each consisting of (10 x 4) chicks. The control group was administered a basal diet; the remaining three groups were provided the control diets containing BT at concentrations of 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 mg/kg. The results indicated that BT-supplemented groups showed increased body weights, weight gain, growth rate, and performance index and reduced feed conversion ratio during the two growth periods compared to control. The best results were obtained with BT 1.6 mg/kg for the antecedent growth metrics. Chicks receiving BT (0.4 mg/kg) had improved renal functions and lower uric acid and creatinine levels than the other groups. Moreover, ALT and AST levels P<0.05 decreased with BT doses compared to the control. BT 1.6 mg/kg produced the best liver function results; the histopathological studies confirmed that BT addition didn't affect the liver and intestine structure. Adding Bacillus toyonensis M44 to the diet formulation improved (P<0.05) lipid profile, immune response, thyroid functions, and gut microflora compared to the control group. Additionally, BT enhanced the chicken meat's juiciness and tenderness characteristics and improved its moisture and protein content; the meat color was also enhanced. Generally, supplementing IR chicken with BT could improve growth performance and blood biochemistry, modulate the gut microflora structure, and enhance the meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted to study the impact on mulberry leaf quality and silkworm growth performance by the application of growth promoter. In the irrigated mulberry field experiment was carried out in Randomized Block Design layout with four replications and five treatments. Result showed that higher quality of mulberry leaves was obtained on Effective Microorganisms (EM) treated plots compared to others because beneficial microorganism in the EM enhanced the plant growth metabolism to increase their growth. As for correlation analysis, all leaf quality traits were highly significantly positive correlated with silkworm cocoon traits. In simple linear regression analysis, the mulberry leaf quality traits were significantly influenced the silkworm cocoon traits except leaf protein with cocoon weight (Adj R² = - 0.30337) which has negative relationship between them. Highly close relationship was noticed on total carbohydrate content on larval weight (Adj R² = 0.93655) followed by total chlorophyll content on shell weight (Adj R² = 0.90569), silk gland weight (Adj R² = 0.87275), ERR (Adj R² = 0.84312) and total carbohydrate content on shell weight (Adj R² = 0.84606). Thus, the total chlorophyll and carbohydrate content might be a good trait and mostly responsible for producing good quality cocoons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of (i) diets supplemented with a blend of organic acids, cinnamon essential oil, oregano essential oil, eugenol, thymol, curcumin, tannins, vitamin E, and zinc microencapsulated in vegetable fat and (ii) a challenge by Eimeria spp., Salmonella Minnesota, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium perfringens. Also, to evaluate the diet × challenge interaction effects on animal performance (1-21 and 22-42 days of age), weights of organs and primal cuts, and ileal morphometry in 42-day-old broiler chickens. The experiment was conducted according to a 2 × 2 factorial design (supplemented and unsupplemented diets × challenged and unchallenged broilers). Each treatment consisted of eight replications and eight birds per replicate. At 14 days of age, chickens in the challenge group (n=128) received orally 1mL of a suspension containing sporulated oocysts of Eimeria spp. (E. acervulina, E. praecox, E. maxima, E. mitis, E. tenella, and E. necatrix), and the other experimental group (n=128) received 1mL of saline solution orally. At 18 days of age, birds in the challenge group received 1mL of a suspension of C. perfringens, E. coli, and S. Minnesota, and unchallenged birds received 1mL of saline solution orally. From 1 to 21 days of age, microbial challenge reduced body weight, feed intake, weight gain and increased feed conversion. In the same period, supplemented birds had lower feed conversion. From 22 to 42 days of age, challenged birds had lower body weight, feed conversion, breast weight, thigh + drumstick weight, and heart weight. Supplemented birds had higher breast weight. Unchallenged birds fed the supplemented diet showed higher bursa weight, proventriculus weight, ileal villus height, and crypt depth. Unchallenged birds fed the unsupplemented diet had higher liver weight. Microbial challenges with Eimeria spp., S. Minnesota, C. perfringens, and E. coli impaired productive performance in the starter phase. They decreased the yield of primal cuts in 42-day-old broilers, partially explaining the recurring economic problems observed in the poultry sector. Overall, the studied blend was able to improve feed conversion in the starter phase, enhance digestive and absorption processes, and increase the yield of primal cuts. However, no effects were observed in challenged birds. The findings suggest that the studied effects are influenced by microbial conditions, blend composition, and inclusion level and may or may not result in beneficial outcomes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of adding yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) combined with Lithothamnium to the diet of feedlot steers through weight gain, dry matter (DM) intake, apparent DM digestibility, and carcass ultrasonography: T1 - diet with yeast culture (7g animal day-1); T2 - diet with Lithothamnium (60g animal day-1); T3 - diet with yeast culture (7g animal day1) plus Lithothamnium (60g animal day-1). Thirty-six ½ Angus Nellore steers, intact males, with an average initial weight of 350 kg and an average age of 11 months, were assigned to a completely randomized design composed of three treatments with six replications; each replication was represented by a pen with two animals. The animals were fed ad libitum twice daily, at 6:00 and 17:00 h. The diets consisted of 40% corn silage and 60% concentrate, on a DM basis. The feedlot period was 78 days, with 10 days of adaptation and 68 experimental days divided into two periods of 34 days each. The addition of yeast culture combined or not with Lithothamnium to the diet resulted in greater average daily gain (1.557 and 1.609 versus 1.440 kg day-1), better feed conversion ratio (6.72 and 6.91 versus 7.57 kg DM kg body weight gain-1), and increased the subcutaneous fat thickness (6.69 and 6.71 versus 5.72 mm). This is because of the higher apparent DM digestibility of the diet (71.11 and 69.32 versus 67.51%) compared to the isolated use of Lithothamnium. The addition of yeast culture, combined or not with Lithothamnium in the diet of feedlot steers, is recommended to improve animal performance and increase fat deposition in the carcass.

ABSTRACT: The need to develop novel alternatives to antibiotics gained prominence following the ban on sub-therapeutic antibiotic applications for livestock growth enhancement. This prohibition led to a surge in research papers exploring potential alternatives to antibiotics to promote growth and health in poultry. As a result, it has become imperative to synthesize information regarding research accomplishments and publication patterns in antibiotic alternatives, to assess research gaps and aid regulatory, funding, and research entities in making informed decisions. Consequently, our study aims to systematically analyze and comprehend the research and publication trends related to growth-promoting antibiotic alternatives in poultry. We identified all publications during the search period from 2009 to 2022, utilizing various bibliometric analysis datasets from Scopus, Web of Science/InCites, and Dimensions. The Rayyan web application was employed for manual deduplicating, labeling, and screening the relevant publications. From an initial pool of 2038 publications, we screened and categorized 816 based on factors such as alternative antibiotic categories, publication years, countries, species, journals, and institutes. Our findings reveal that the most prevalent publications are centered around probiotic (30.51%) and phytogenic (24.02%). Notably, the United States leads publication output, followed by China and Egypt. Among poultry species, broilers emerge as the most extensively studied category, followed by layer chickens. Universities emerge as the foremost contributors to antibiotic alternative research, while government institutes and industry occupy the second and third positions, respectively. Upon scrutinizing the journals responsible for the highest publication count and most cited papers, it became evident that the journal “Poultry Science” leads with the highest percentage (13.51%) and the most highly cited publications, accounting for five out of eleven highly cited articles. This comprehensive review outlines research trends concerning diverse antibiotic alternatives, taking into account poultry species and geographical distribution. The future trajectory in this domain is projected to encompass a blend of various antibiotic alternatives that could be administered as a single product and/or the innovative use of novel antibiotic alternatives.

Feed additives are gaining popularity as dietary supplements with the potential to support growth, immune competence, and the general health of aquaculture species. This study aimed to evaluate growth performance and feed utilization in juvenile Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer, fed experimental diets containing enzymes derived from the solid-state fermentation (SSF) of Aspergillus niger and mannan oligosaccharides (MOS), both individually and in combination. Fish were fed six experimental diets: control (no additives), SSF (0.025% & 0.05%), MOS (0.1% & 0.2%), and combined SSF (0.025%) + MOS (0.05%). The feeding trial was conducted for ten weeks in triplicate for each experimental diet consisting of 51 fish in 120 L tanks. Following the collection of growth performance metrics, proximate analysis of muscle and feces samples was performed, and all datasets were statistically analyzed with One-way ANOVA. The results showed that the highest specific growth rate (SGR = 1.29%) and lowest feed conversion rate (FCR = 1.0) were obtained by fish fed the diet supplemented with SSF (0.025%) + MOS (0.05%). The synergistic effects of SSF as an exogenous enzyme source and MOS in supporting gut health likely facilitated enhanced nutrient digestibility and absorption, which supported the growth of juvenile Asian seabass.

In this study, 20 endophytic actinobacteria were isolated from different parts of peanut plants growing in cropland with low and high salt in West Bengal, India. The endophytes underwent a rigorous morphological, biochemical, and genetic screening process to evaluate their effectiveness in enhancing plant growth. About 20% of these isolates were identified as potential plant growth-promoting endophytic actinobacteria, which showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (up to 99–100%) with different species of Micromonospora. Among these isolates, Micromonospora sp. ASENR15 produced the highest levels of indole acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA), while Micromonospora sp. ASENL2, Micromonospora sp. ANENR4, and Micromonospora sp. ASENR12 produced the highest level of siderophore. Among these leaf and root endophytic Micromonospora, strain ANENR4 was tested for its plant growth-promoting attributes. ANENR4 can be transmitted into the roots of a healthy peanut plant, enhances growth, and colonize the roots in abundance, suggesting the potential agricultural significance of the strain. Moreover, the study is the first report of endophytic Micromonospora in peanuts with PGP effects. The outcomes of this study open avenues for further research on harnessing the benefits of this endophytic Micromonospora for optimizing plant growth in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Poultry meat is considered a perishable product due to its carbohydrates, protein, lipid and water content. The aim of this study was to improve the carcass characteristics, the chemical and organoleptic quality of Japanese quail meat using Iranian native chicory water extract. Materials and Methods: Ninety Japanese quails were divided into 3 treatment groups including Control: basic diet, F1: basic diet + chicory extract (1%), and F2: basic diet + chicory extract (2%). Results: Supplementation of diet with chicory water extract improved the whole body, breast, and thigh weight along with an increase in the nutritional value (fat, protein, mineral content (the total ash), vitamin B12, and carotenoids) of breast meat of Japanese quails. In addition to achieve good water holding capacity (WHC) and minimum drip loss and cooking loss in treated samples, the breast meat earned high acceptability score by panelists because of its better odor, color (L*, a*, and b*), and texture (firmness). The higher total phenolic contents in F1 and F2, reduced TBARS value of breast meat that shows chicory extract improves the oxidative stability without exerting any negative effect on chickens' growth performance. Conclusions: The results indicated that supplementation of diet with chicory water extract improved the nutritional value, oxidative stability, and sensory acceptability of Japanese quail breast meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of antibiotics has been one of the greatest milestones in the field of medical science that has played a pivotal role in advancing the progress and performance of the livestock and poultry sector. Antibiotics have been used in poultry diets at sub-therapeutic doses for growth promotion and at therapeutic levels for disease treatment. Inappropriate and indiscriminate use of antimicrobials leads to antibiotic resistance and transmission of resistant genes either directly or through bacteria from animal feed, or the environment. In fact, numerous feed supplements have been proposed over the years as antibiotic alternatives, to improve the health status, welfare and productive performance of poultry birds. However, organic acids (OA) have emerged as a potential antibiotic replacement due to their antimicrobial nature. Although, OA are abundant in nature as conventional components of animal and plant tissues, whereas, few of them are produced by microbial fermentation in the hindgut of animals. Interestingly, supplementation of several types of OA such as formic acid, lactic acid, fumaric acid, butyric acid, citric acid and tartaric acid have been shown to significantly improve the health status and production performance of poultry birds. At the same time, OA have also been investigated for their multiple therapeutic effects on pathological disorders, as antimicrobial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, and anticoccidial agents. In addition, OA provide protection by improving the immune system, physiology and morphology of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The prime objective of the present review is to highlight the therapeutic potential and beneficial uses of OA as an alternative to antibiotics in the poultry industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecosystem's biodiversity and soil microorganisms are impacted by the increasing use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which causes soil acidity and limits the sustainability of agricultural output. The majority of microbial functions in acidic soil are inhibited because of decreasing nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition as well as diminishing bacterial and fungal growth and reproduction. In light of these growing concerns, the use of microorganisms as bio fertilizers is a recommended as alternative agricultural practice. Recent times have brought about a change in the paucity of study on yeasts and their ability to safely boost plant growth. Numerous works on bacteria have been made available. The primary objective of the study is to highlight the widespread application of yeasts in sustainable agricultural practices to promote plant growth in acidic soils. All of the advantages that yeasts provide may contribute to the growth of plants. Therefore, a thorough investigation into yeasts may be fruitful and offer a sustainable means of boosting agricultural yields that are necessary in acidic soil.

The agri-food production areas of global importance are the arid zones, which represent 43%. Notwithstanding this, there are factors that decrease the productivity of glycophyte crops. A global proposal is focused on generating agricultural technologies that innovate endemic agro-industrial crops (halophytes) that have a high potential for industrialization under arid and salinity conditions. The agro-industrial importance of some halophytes is on their capacity to produce fodder, vegetable oils and food for human consumption on salads and flours. In addition, its applicability has been demonstrated in industries such as cosmetology, construction, dry-pressed fiber, and above all for the recovery of areas degraded by salinization; either natural or induced by inadequate agricultural practices; which favors the rural economy. Likewise, to promote the optimal development of these novo monocultures, it is the use of vegetative stimulants of those areas, preventing the application of chemical agro-inputs in which chitosan and phenolic extracts stand out. The first, obtaining an industrial level is from crustaceans, allowing the large volumes of crustacean waste to be used in coastal areas; Its biological characteristics allow it to be elucidated as a product with a high biostimulant effect to improve the germination process in seeds, yields, the ability to adsorb plant nutrients and potentiate the defense mechanism. In relation to phenolic extracts, they are a group of important micronutrients for the human diet and are present in vegetables with different chemical structures and biological activity, and their effect has been related to a better development of plants. Based on the above, the objective of the study was to demonstrate the potential of chitosan from crustaceans and phenolic compounds from Maclura tinctoria as biostimulants in the ecophysiology of the halophyte Salicornia bigelovii. The results show that the phenological variables are promoted by chitosan and phenolic compounds, the former standing out, a ratio of 1000 ppm in all the variables analyzed, this behavior may be due to the fact that chitosan allows a better use of the water resource and better nutrient absorption, as well as the availability of Nitrogen through chitosan deficiency in the soil, which is reflected in the agronomic yields and eco-physiological variables of the plant.

Simple Summary: Raising dairy calves poses a dual challenge for the dairy industry—economically and physiologically. The industry seeks innovative solutions that can not only reduce dependence on antibiotic treatments but also enhance the overall wellbeing, gastrointestinal tract development, and performance of young calves. Among the potential solutions, butyrate supplementation has emerged as a promising tool. To validate this hypothesis, the present study meticulously assesses the impact of butyrate supplementation on key parameters such as feed intake, gastrointestinal tract development, health, and performance of pre-weaned dairy calves. Furthermore, this investigation delves into the lasting effects of butyrate supplementation post weaning. Diarrhea and respiratory diseases pose significant challenges in the rearing of pre-weaned calves, motivating the investigation of tools to improve gastrointestinal tract development, health, and overall performance in young calves. Consequently, the primary objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an additive incorporated into milk replacer to promote the development and health of the animals. Forty-six dairy calves were randomly assigned into two treatments: control (CON, n = 23; with 15 females and 8 males), and sodium butyrate (SB, n = 23; with 15 females and 8 males). The calves in the SB treatment group were supplemented with 4 g/d of unprotected sodium butyrate (Adimix, Adisseo, China), added to the milk replacer from 4 to 60 days of age. Water and starter were fed ad libitum. The study evaluated several parameters, including feed intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal pH, ammonia and volatile fatty acids, blood metabolites (glucose, insulin-like growth factor type 1, urea, β–hydroxybutyrate), hemogram, health scores, performance, and feed efficiency. Bull calves were euthanized at 60 days of age for organ comparison, while heifer calves were assessed for carryover effects up to 90 days of age. Data were analyzed independently using linear mixed models using the nlme package in R, and the Artools package for non-parametric categorical outcomes. Although the feed intake and performance variables exhibited differences within weeks, no divergence was observed between treatment groups. Notably, a positive treatment-by-week interaction was identified for starter feed intake (p = 0.02) and total dry matter intake (p = 0.04) during pre-weaning for CON animals. Ruminal parameters, blood metabolites, and hemogram values such as glucose, urea, insulin-like growth factor type 1, mean corpuscular value, lymphocytes, and neutrophils displayed differences within weeks during the pre-weaning stage, but similar results within groups. No differences between supplemented and non-supplemented calves were found across nutrient digestibility, organ development, and histology. Regarding health scores, differences were noted within weeks for fecal and respiratory scores during the pre-weaning stage, and only the respiratory score during the post-weaning stage. Consequently, butyrate supplementation did not elicit improvements or negative effects in the body development or health status of dairy calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cellulose-rich corncob residue (CCR) is an abundant and renewable agricultural biomass that has been under-exploited. In this study, two strategies were compared for their ability to transform CCR into cello-oligosaccharides (COS). The first strategy employed the use of endo-glucanases. Although selected endo-glucanases from GH9, GH12, GH45, and GH131 could release COS with degrees of polymerization from 2 to 4, the degrading efficiency was low. For the second strategy, first, CCR was efficiently depolymerized to glucose and cellobiose using the cellulase from Trichoderma reesei. Then, using these simple sugars and sucrose as the starting materials, phosphorylases from different microorganisms were combined to generate COS to a level up to 100.3 g/L with different patterns and degrees of polymerization. Using tomato as a model plant, the representative COS obtained from BaSP (a sucrose phosphorylase from Bifidobacterium adolescens), CuCbP (a cellobiose phosphorylase from Cellulomonas uda), and CcCdP (a cellodextrin phosphorylase from Clostridium cellulosi) were shown to be able to promote plant growth. The current study pointed to an approach to make use of CCR for production of the value-added COS. Key points: • Sequential use of cellulase and phosphorylases effectively generated cello-oligosaccharides from corncob residue. • Cello-oligosaccharides patterns varied in accordance to cellobiose/cellodextrin phosphorylases. • Spraying cello-oligosaccharides promoted tomato growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecosystem's biodiversity and soil microorganisms are impacted by the increasing use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which causes soil acidity and limits the sustainability of agricultural output. The majority of microbial functions in acidic soil are inhibited because of decreasing nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition as well as diminishing bacterial and fungal growth and reproduction. In light of these growing concerns, the use of microorganisms as bio fertilizers is a recommended as alternative agricultural practice. Recent times have brought about a change in the paucity of study on yeasts and their ability to safely boost plant growth. Numerous works on bacteria have been made available. The primary objective of the study is to highlight the widespread application of yeasts in sustainable agricultural practices to promote plant growth in acidic soils. All of the advantages that yeasts provide may contribute to the growth of plants. Therefore, a thorough investigation into yeasts may be fruitful and offer a sustainable means of boosting agricultural yields that are necessary in acidic soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agri-food production areas of global importance are the arid zones, which represent 43%. Notwithstanding this, there are factors that decrease the productivity of glycophyte crops. A global proposal is focused on generating agricultural technologies that innovate endemic agro-industrial crops (halophytes) that have a high potential for industrialization under arid and salinity conditions. The agro-industrial importance of some halophytes is on their capacity to produce fodder, vegetable oils and food for human consumption on salads and flours. In addition, its applicability has been demonstrated in industries such as cosmetology, construction, dry-pressed fiber, and above all for the recovery of areas degraded by salinization; either natural or induced by inadequate agricultural practices; which favors the rural economy. Likewise, to promote the optimal development of these novo monocultures, it is the use of vegetative stimulants of those areas, preventing the application of chemical agro-inputs in which chitosan and phenolic extracts stand out. The first, obtaining an industrial level is from crustaceans, allowing the large volumes of crustacean waste to be used in coastal areas; Its biological characteristics allow it to be elucidated as a product with a high biostimulant effect to improve the germination process in seeds, yields, the ability to adsorb plant nutrients and potentiate the defense mechanism. In relation to phenolic extracts, they are a group of important micronutrients for the human diet and are present in vegetables with different chemical structures and biological activity, and their effect has been related to a better development of plants. Based on the above, the objective of the study was to demonstrate the potential of chitosan from crustaceans and phenolic compounds from Maclura tinctoria as biostimulants in the ecophysiology of the halophyte Salicornia bigelovii. The results show that the phenological variables are promoted by chitosan and phenolic compounds, the former standing out, a ratio of 1000 ppm in all the variables analyzed, this behavior may be due to the fact that chitosan allows a better use of the water resource and better nutrient absorption, as well as the availability of Nitrogen through chitosan deficiency in the soil, which is reflected in the agronomic yields and eco-physiological variables of the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. is an established biocontrol agent in laboratory, but studies have shown negative effects of temperature and Ultraviolet radiation on its potential in vitro. Nevertheless, there is a lack of studies about its endophytic colonization in vivo, especially in field conditions in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]. In this sense, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of B. bassiana applied to cowpea seed on the growth of the plants under laboratory and field conditions, and on their resistance to insect attack. Cowpea seeds were treated with suspension of 5 x 108 conidia/mL of B. bassiana. The plants were cultivated in two independent conditions (laboratory and field). The resistance to attack of the pest in field conditions was assessed by monitoring weekly the plants three times a week during 12 weeks, from the initial vegetative to the reproductive stage. According to the results, in laboratory conditions, there were significant differences among the inoculated and control plants for the variables of height of the plants (31.17 cm for treatment and 23.00 cm for control plants) and dry mass of the root (2.38 g for treatment and 0.97 g for control plants). In field conditions, the observed pest insects were miner fly [Liriomyza sp.] (Diptera: Agromyzidae), Cerotoma arcuata Olivier, 1791 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch, 1854) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and the polyphagous hemipteran [Crinocerus sanctus (Fabricius, 1775)] (Hemiptera: Coreidae). The treated plants were less affected than control plants by these pests, especially at the beginning of the vegetative phase.

The present study evaluated different levels of the essential oil of Nectandra grandiflora (EONG) in the diet of juvenile Colossoma macropomum. The juveniles (0.75 ± 0.05 g) were fed four experimental diets with differing levels of EONG (0, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.50 mL/kg). After 20 days, the weight, daily weight gain, specific growth rate, and daily feed consumption per fish were highest for the fish fed 0.5 mL EONG/kg, while after 30 days, only the weight and daily feed consumption per fish for that diet remained highest. The viscerosomatic index was highest for the fish fed 0.5 mL EONG/kg while the hepatosomatic index was higher for the groups that received dietary EONG for 30 days. The juveniles fed 1.5 mL EONG/kg showed a proliferative response of the mucous cells in the gills, but the proliferation of these lysozyme- and immunoglobulin-secreting mucosal cells was higher for the skin of the fish of all EONG levels, compared to that of the control fish. The fish fed 0.5 mL EONG/kg had the greatest height and width of intestinal villi. The two highest levels of dietary EONG supplementation (0.75 and 1.50 mL/kg) reduced the hepatocyte dimensions but did not modify the centrolobular vein area. Dietary supplementation with 0.5 mL EONG/kg improved the growth, gut health, and immune response of juvenile C. macropomum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft rot disease in orchid plants is a factor in decreasing orchid production. One way of biological control that has the potential to spur growth is to utilize endophytic bacteria. This study aims to describe the diversity of orchid endophytic bacteria that have the potential as growth promoters and biocontrol agents. Observation parameters include indole acetic acid (IAA) production, inorganic phosphate dissolution, ammonia production of orchid endophytic bacteria, and antagonism of endophytic bacteria to pathogenic bacteria that cause soft rot in vitro. The diversity of orchid endophytic bacteria was analyzed using rep-PCR with BOX-A1R primer. The results showed that 10 isolates of orchid endophytic bacteria were able to produce IAA with a concentration of 79–321 μg/mL, able to dissolve phosphate, and produce ammonia. In antagonism testing against soft rot-causing bacteria, all isolates were able to form an inhibitory zone with a diameter of 3–7.2 cm. Furthermore, diversity analysis using rep-PCR showed that isolates of endophytic bacteria DnPh5, BgCt2, BgVt10, DnLp7, DnBl1, and DnAr4 had a uniform DNA band pattern so that they were grouped together. Meanwhile, isolates of TbPh7, IbtPhm1, DnDr2, and AkOc1 showed different DNA band patterns, indicating that the four isolates were different species or subspecies of bacteria. In dendrogram analysis, DnPh5, BgCt2, BgVt10, DnLp7, DnBl1, and DnAr4 isolates have a similarity of 100%. The similarity of isolates IbtPhm1, DnDr2, and AkOc1 was 90%, 79%, and 68%, respectively, against the other six isolates. TbPh7 isolate is an isolate with a low level of similarity to other isolates, which is about 51%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of phytobiotics in aquafarming is nowadays an interesting topic because of its eco-friendly nature for the growth and antimicrobial performance of aqua livestock. Currently, the use of various antibiotics in aquaculture are restricted due to concerns about the potential development of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria. Overuse of antibiotics and other chemicals (like different disinfectants, chemicals, and preservatives) increases the potentiality of residual antibiotics and other chemicals being present in fish, fish flesh as well as in fishery products. Various phytobiotics from plant extracts or direct plant or animal resources have changed the present traditional scenario of using an antibiotic component against livestock performance in aquaculture. The bioactive compounds (like alkaloids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids, phenolics, flavonoids, essential oils, or steroids) present in the phytobiotics act as an immunity booster, growth promoter, bio-appetizer, reproductive stimulator, biopreservatives, etc. So, phytobiotics becoming an effective additive in aquaculture as a substitute for antibiotics and other chemical components. This present article is designed to provide a comprehensive and insightful overview of the current state of knowledge about phytobiotics that supports the need for sustainable and environmental friendly practices in the context of aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, serves as a growth promoter used in the poultry industry, contributeing to broiler development. However, practical studies are needed to determine the probiotic potential and growth-promoting effects of specific L. paracasei strains. This study aims to determine whether L. paracasei XLK401 influences broiler chicken growth and the mechanisms involved. Notably, we identified several bile salt and acid tolerance-related genes (Asp23, atpD, atpA, atpH, and atpF) in L. paracasei XLK401. This bacterium demonstrates robust probiotic properties under acidic conditions (pH 2.0) and 0.3% bile salt conditions. It also contains a variety of antioxidant-related genes (trxA, trxB, and tpx), carbohydrate-related genes, gene-encoding glycosidases (e.g., GH and GT), and three clusters of genes associated with antimicrobial compounds. Supplementation with L. paracasei XLK401 significantly increased the body weight of the chicks. In addition, it significantly increased hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities (GSH-Px, SOD, and T-AOC) while significantly decreasing the levels of oxidative damage factors and inflammatory factors (MDA and IL-6), resulting in improved chick health. Improvements in body weight and health status were associated with significant increases in α-amylase activity and the remodeling of the host gut microbiota by L. paracasei XLK401. Among them, actinobacteria abundance in chicken intestines after feeding them L. paracasei XLK401 was significantly decreased, Bifidobacterium sp. abundance was also significantly decreased, and Subdoligranulum sp. abundance was significantly increased. This suggests that L. paracasei XLK401 can regulate the abundance of certain bacteria without changing the overall microbial structure. In addition, in the correlation analysis, Subdoligranulums sp. were positively correlated with SOD and negatively correlated with IL-1β and MDA. Overall, our study demonstrates that L. paracasei XLK401 effectively promotes healthy chick growth. This is made possible by the modulation of gut microbe abundance and the underlying probiotic effect of L. paracasei XLK401. Based on these findings, we postulate L. paracasei XLK401 as a potential efficient growth promoter in broiler farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Stress, herd transfer, and food changes experienced by nursery and fattening pigs can lead to reduced performance, reduced digestion and absorption, and impaired intestinal health. Given the role of essential oils in relieving stress and improving animal welfare, we hypothesized that essential oils may improve pig performance via promoting gut health and gut homeostasis laid by EOs supplementation during nursery continuously impacts performance in fattening pigs. Results A total of 100 piglets (Landrace × Large White; weighted 8.08 ± 0.34 kg, weaned at d 28) were randomly selected and divided into 2 treatments: (1) basal diet (Con); (2) basal diet supplement with 0.1% complex essential oils (CEO). The experiment period was 42 days. Then weaned piglets’ growth performance and indications of intestinal health were assessed. Compared to the Con group, dietary supplemented CEO enhanced BW at 14 d (P

Furaltadone (FLD) as an antibiotic has been widely used in animal husbandry to treat bacterial infection and promote animal growth. Its abnormal usage has threatened human health and the ecological system. The sensitive FLD detection is crucial for the protection of human health and eco-environment. In this study, unique 3D flower-like zinc-chromium layered double hydroxides (ZnCr-LDHs) are synthesized by a facile hydrothermal approach and further utilized as the electrode material for electrochemical FLD detection. The characteristics of 3D flower-like ZnCr-LDHs were systematically investigated by various microscopic and spectroscopic methods. This 3D-flower-like ZnCr-LDHs endows the electrocatalyst with rich electroactive sites, good conductivity, large surface area, and rapid ion diffusion to promote electrochemical activities. The ZnCr-LDHs modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) shows superior electrochemical performance for the detection of FLD compared to the pristine GCE, including. wide linear ranges (0.01–60.8; 60.8–312.9 μM), low limit of detection (1.0 nM), low limit of quantitation (3.4 nM), high sensitivity (1.31 μA μM–1 cm–2), good reproducibility (4.75%), and anti-interfering ability (<±5%). The practicality of the fabricated ZnCr-LDHs/GCE was successfully confirmed by measuring FLD in the human-urine and river-water samples with acceptable recovery values (95–99%). This work opens a new perspective way for the design and preparation of novel electrode material with unique properties for boosting electrocatalysis toward electrochemical sensing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of Monodora myristica as feed additive on the performance, carcass composition and serum lipid profile of rabbits were investigated using a total of 48 weaner rabbits for a period of 12 weeks. The rabbits were allotted to four experimental diets in a completely randomized design. Each group was replicated three times with four rabbits per replicate. Treatment 1 (T1 ) received basal diet only, T2 received basal diet with 1% inclusion of M. myristica, T3 received basal diet plus 2% M. myristica, while T4 was given basal diet and 3% M. myristica inclusion. Results revealed significantly higher (p<0.05) feed intake and weight gain, compared to those on the control group. Rabbits in T3 group recorded the highest values for all parameters assessed. Rabbits fed 2% levels of the test ingredient recorded the lowest and best FCR. Inclusion of M. myristica significantly improved (p<0.05) carcass characteristics without any deleterious effect on the internal organs. The serum lipid profiles of the rabbits were significantly improved (p<0.05) as the high density lipoprotein increased, while low density lipoprotein levels reduced. There was also a significant reduction (p<0.05) in abdominal fat and an increase in muscle protein of the rabbits as inclusion levels of M. myristica increased across treatments. The study revealed that up to 2% of M. myristica can be included in the diets of rabbits without adverse effect on the performance, carcass composition and serum lipid profile. Hence, it can be used as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoter in weaner rabbits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the supplementation of peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita; PEO) in diets for juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). A feeding experiment with diets containing graded levels (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 g kg−1) of PEO was carried out with fish of 0.58 ± 0.08 g. The inclusion of graded levels of PEO in the diet improved the weight gain (0.52 g kg−1), feed intake (0.51 g kg−1), and feed conversion (0.51 g kg−1) of juvenile Nile tilapia in a quadratic pattern. Increasing levels of PEO also led to a linear decrease in body lipid content. The gut activity of the digestive enzymes amylase (0.54 g kg−1) and protease (0.39 g kg−1) increased quadratically, whereas lipase activity increased linearly. PEO increased the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT; 0.52 g kg−1) and superoxide dismutase (SOD; 0.58 g kg−1) while reducing the production of malonaldehyde (MDA; 0.40 g kg−1) and nitric oxide (NO; 0.63 g kg−1) in the liver. The results of this study provide evidence of the beneficial effects of PEO on the growth and health of Nile tilapia and recommend a dose of 0.6 g kg−1 as the optimal level of supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of pesticides to eliminate pests and weeds has raised concerns about water pollution and adverse effects on aquatic organisms, so many efforts have been made to increase the resistance of fish to these pesticides by using a proper nutrition strategy. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the growth performance, antioxidant, and immune responses of fish exposed to Imidacloprid insecticide (C9H10ClN5O2) by different doses of Chlorella vulgaris dry powder to the diet of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). In this study, 600 common carp with a medium weight (18.10±0.2 g; mean ± SE) were prepared and after adaptation and determination of lethal concentration of Imidacloprid, for 56 days in 6 treatments and each with 3 replications were classified and tested (Control (T1), 5% Chlorella vulgaris dry powder and no pollution (T2), 10% Chlorella vulgaris dry powder and no pollution (T3), No Chlorella vulgaris dry powder and 12.5% LC50 Imidacloprid (T4), 5% Chlorella vulgaris dry powder plus 12.5% LC50 Imidacloprid (T5) and 10% Chlorella vulgaris dry powder plus 12.5% LC50 Imidacloprid (T6)). After 96 hours of exposure to distinct concentrations of the insecticide, the total mortality was measured and the Imidacloprid median lethal concentration (LC50) over 96 hours was calculated (266.2 mg/l) using Probit analysis. According to the result, common carp fed T2 had the highest final weight (FW), weight gain (WG), and specific growth rate (SGR), and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) among the groups (P<0.05). Fish in the T2 group had the highest total proteins, albumin and globulin (P<0.05). Fish in the group T4 had the highest cortisol, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in the blood, while fish fed T2 and T3 had low values (P<0.05). The alternative complement pathway (ACH50) was significantly higher in T2 and T3 than other groups (P<0.05). Blood total immunoglobulin (Ig) and lysozyme activity were high in T2 and T3 groups, and had the lowest values in the T4 group (P<0.05). The superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) showed the highest activities in T2 (P<0.05). T4 group had the highest malondialdehyde (MDA) level, while T2 and T3 groups had the lowest MDA level (P<0.05). The highest amylase, protease and lipase were in the T2 group, while the lowest values were in the T4 group (P<0.05). In conclusion, dietary Chlorella vulgaris protects common carp from Imidacloprid insecticide, since it improved growth performance, antioxidant and immune responses of fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The VIUSID Agro® biostimulant contains amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. It was subjected to a biocatalytic process of molecular activation to improve its biological activity. In Cuba, its benefits have been demonstrated mainly in vegetables, sugar cane, and tobacco. Design/Methodology/Approach: The effect of the product on the morpho-agronomic traits of coffee seedlings was evaluated through experiments carried out in the nursery of the Instituto de Investigaciones Agro- Forestales of Tercer Frente, from December 2019 to July 2020 and from October 2020 to June 2021, using a saran shade cloth. In a completely randomized design, 6 concentrations of VIUSID Agro® (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 mL L-1 of water) were applied monthly on the second to the fifth pair of leaves. Seedling height, stem diameter, dry mass, leaf area, quality index, and efficiency were evaluated. Data were processed using a simple classification analysis of variance. The means were compared with Duncan's test. The concentrations and the leaf area were adjusted to several functions and the one with the highest coefficient of determination was selected. Results: Coffee seedlings had a positive response to the biostimulant. The monthly foliar applications of VIUSID Agro® between the second and the fifth pair of leaves increased the morpho agronomic indicators of the seedlings. Findings/Conclusions: VIUSID Agro® in concentrations ranging between 0.64 and 0.71mL L-1 of water caused significant increases in the leaf area of the seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was carry out to assess the effects of effective microorganism(EM) as feed additive on performance, digestive enzymes, thyroid hormones, lipid profile, hepatosomatic index, immune response, enteric pathogens, and antioxidant parameters of broiler chicks. A total number of 180 broilers (Arbor Acres) one day-old were randomly into 4 groups, with three replicates of 15 chicks each. The experimental groups consist of control fed basal diet while the other three groups fed control diet supplied with 5.0, 7.5 and 10 ml EM/kg diet and labled as EM5, EM7.5, EM10, respectively. The results show that all groups received graded levels of effective microorganisms (EM), improved all the studied growth parameters during allover period as body weights, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, growth rate and performance index, respectively. The best values for the previous growth parameters were recorded for group fed high dietary EM level. Chicks of EM5 improved their kidney functions, in term of decreasing uric acid. Also, creatinine level did not influenced by any tested diets. With regard to the liver function, the results showed a significant improvement in ALT and AST with each level of EM compared to the control group, and the best values of liver functions were for EM10. The use of EM in the feed improved serum cholesterol, HDL, LDL immune response, thyroid functions and gut microflora compared to the control group. Generally, supplementation with EM could enhance growth performance, blood biochemical and ameliorate the structure of the gut microflora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a feeding experiment for 75 days, the effects of fumitory (Fumaria officinalis) extract on growth, haematology, immune response and antioxidant enzyme activities in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were evaluated. The aqueous methanolic extract of the plant was mixed with feeds at three different levels, 0.1% (FO1), 0.2% (FO2) and 0.3% (FO3), and feed with no plant extract donated as the control. All four groups (mean initial weight: 13.02 ± 0.02 g) were fed with the prepared diets twice daily ad libitum in a triplicate experiment. Blood and liver samples were taken from the fish on 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 days. Also, overall growth parameters were determined based on body weight data recorded from all fish before and at the end of feeding trial. Results indicated that there were variations in nonspecific immune parameters (lysozyme, myeloperoxidase and oxidative radical production), but supplementation of the plant extract did not affect the immune response of the fish significantly. On the other hand, there was a general increase in the antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) evaluated in this study. Furthermore, possibly the most remarkable finding of the study is that the growth performance in the FO3 group was roughly 30% higher than that of the control group. Considering all findings in the present study, we conclude that 0.3% supplementation of fumitory extract would be beneficial for rainbow trout farming with respect to elevated growth and antioxidant status.

Background: Stress, herd transfer, and food changes experienced by nursery and fattening pigs can lead to reduced performance, reduced digestion and absorption, and impaired intestinal health. Given the role of essential oils in relieving stress and improving animal welfare, we hypothesized that essential oils may improve pig performance via promoting gut health and gut homeostasis laid by EOs supplementation during nursery continuously impacts performance in fattening pigs. Results: A total of 100 piglets (Landrace × Large White; weighted 8.08 ± 0.34 kg, weaned at d 28) were randomly selected and divided into 2 treatments: (1) basal diet (Con); (2) basal diet supplement with 0.1% complex essential oils (CEO). The experiment period was 42 days. Then weaned piglets' growth performance and indications of intestinal health were assessed. Compared to the Con group, dietary supplemented CEO enhanced BW at 14 d (P < 0.05), and increased ADG during 1 ~ 14 d and 1 ~ 42 d (P < 0.05). Furthermore, CEO group had lower FCR during 1 ~ 42 d (P < 0.05). The CEO group also showed higher VH and VH:CD in duodenum and ileum (P < 0.05). Additionally, dietary CEO supplementation improved gut barrier function, as manifested by increased the mRNA expression of tight-junction protein and decreased serum DAO, ET and D-LA levels (P < 0.05). Finally, CEO supplementation alleviated gut inflammation, increased the activity of digestive enzymes. Importantly, piglets supplemented with CEOs during nursery also had better performance during fattening, suggesting that the establishment of intestinal health will also continuously affect subsequent digestion and absorption capacity. In short, dietary supplemented CEO improved performance and gut health via modulating increased intestine absorptive area, barrier integrity, digestive enzyme activity, and attenuating intestine inflammation. Meanwhile, essential oil supplementation during the nursery period also had a favorable effect on the performance of growing pigs. Conclusions: Therefore, the strategy of adding CEO to pig diets as a growth promoter and enhancing intestinal health is feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological denitrification is an efficient and low-cost method to treat wastewater, and it has been shown that growth promoters can regulate the metabolism of microorganisms. This study aimed to investigate the effects of gibberellic acid, naphthalene acetic acid, compound sodium nitrophenolate, and diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate on the growth and denitrification process of denitrifying microorganisms and to examine the associated mechanisms. All four tested growth promoters did not affect the growth of the strain Q1; further, compound sodium nitrophenolate could significantly improve the bacterial denitrification efficiency and showed an increase in the removal rate of 13.08% in 72 h. The addition of 15 mg/L compound sodium nitrophenolate increased the removal rate of strain Q1 by 25.88% at 72 h, significantly improving the efficiency of reducing the chemical oxygen demand of the effluent. Transcriptome analysis identified 1664 differentially expressed genes (573 upregulated and 1091 downregulated genes) in the strain Q1 treated with compound sodium nitrophenolate. Nitrate reductase and nitrate transporter, which are two key enzymes related to the nitrate reduction pathway, were found to be upregulated during the denitrification process. Compound sodium nitrophenolate has promising applications in high-salt and high-nitrogen wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Microalgae exert several beneficial effects on plants. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Chlorella sorokiniana biomass as a biostimulator on the seed germination of the maize cultivar LG 36790. Germitest® paper germination tests were performed in a greenhouse. The treatments studied were:1) water (control), 2) 5% biomass of Chlorella sorokiniana; 3) 5% washed Chlorella sorokiniana biomass, and 4) micronutrient and urea solutions. On Germitest® paper, washed biomass treatment showed a higher seed germination (97%) but did not differ statistically from the control and treatment with 5% biomass. The 5% biomass treatment resulted in the highest values for root length and aerial part length at 5.96 and 3.82 cm, respectively, indicating better plant growth. In the greenhouse, treatment with micronutrients and urea showed the lowest values for seed germination, root size, and aerial part length and the washed biomass resulted in higher aerial part length at 11.76 cm. The treatment with biomass and washed biomass microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana contributes to an overall positive effect on germination, root size, and aerial parts growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four isonitrogenous (45% crude protein) and isoenergetic (20.29 – 20.47 kJ/g) experimental diets were formulated by replacing 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% of fish meal (FM) with shrimp head meal (SHM) as a source of protein and tested the rearing performance and skin coloration of spotted rose snapper Lutjanus guttatus. The SHM had a high content of protein and pigments (i.e., carotenes and xanthophylls), but also chitin which eventually could be an anti-nutritional constituent in the diet for some fish species. A total of 240 fish (initial average weight of 77 ± 0.5 g) were distributed in 12 fiberglass tanks (3000 L) (20 fish/tank) and were fed twice a day for 70 days. The fish feed diets containing SHM showed the highest growth rates (weight gained, WG; 82.8–88.2 g) and lowest feed conversion ratio values (FCR; 1.3 – 1.4) compared to the D-Control diet (WG; 62.1 g and FCR; 1.5). The chitinolytic enzymatic activity (CEA) significantly increased in the stomach of fish fed diets containing SHM. The fish fed diets containing 20% and 30% of SHM, showed higher redness and more reddish-orange tones than the fish fed with the D-Control diet. The FM replacement had improvements in final growth, chitinolytic enzymatic activity, and skin coloration of spotted rose snapper. Thus, the use of up to 30% SHM protein in practical diets for spotted rose snapper should be a good alternative to develop more efficient aquafeed production for these species, however, further research could be suggested to determine the effectiveness of SHM as a substitute for FM in diets for spotted rose snapper rearing at a commercial scale conditions.

This study aimed to manifest the dietary effect of Moringa oleifera (MO) leaf powder on growth performance and immunity in rainbow trout before and after Aeromonas hydrophila infection. The fish (N = 360; 35.49 ± 0.50 g) were fed with incremental levels of MO at 0, 10, 25, and 50 g/kg for eight weeks and then challenged with A. hydrophila for 10 days in triplicates. The final weight (114.6 g) and feed conversion ratio (1.28) were significantly decreased in MO-50 compared to other MO-added groups (P

Diarrhea and respiratory diseases pose significant challenges in the rearing of pre-weaned calves, motivating the investigation of tools to improve gastrointestinal tract development, health, and overall performance in young calves. Consequently, the primary objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an additive incorporated into milk replacer to promote the development and health of the animals. Forty-six dairy calves were randomly assigned into two treatments: control (CON, n = 23; with 15 females and 8 males), and sodium butyrate (SB, n = 23; with 15 females and 8 males). The calves in the SB treatment group were supplemented with 4 g/d of unprotected sodium butyrate (Adimix, Adisseo, China), added to the milk replacer from 4 to 60 days of age. Water and starter were fed ad libitum. The study evaluated several parameters, including feed intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal pH, ammonia and volatile fatty acids, blood metabolites (glucose, insulin-like growth factor type 1, urea, β–hydroxybutyrate), hemogram, health scores, performance, and feed efficiency. Bull calves were euthanized at 60 days of age for organ comparison, while heifer calves were assessed for carryover effects up to 90 days of age. Data were analyzed independently using linear mixed models using the nlme package in R, and the Artools package for non-parametric categorical outcomes. Although the feed intake and performance variables exhibited differences within weeks, no divergence was observed between treatment groups. Notably, a positive treatment-by-week interaction was identified for starter feed intake (p = 0.02) and total dry matter intake (p = 0.04) during pre-weaning for CON animals. Ruminal parameters, blood metabolites, and hemogram values such as glucose, urea, insulin-like growth factor type 1, mean corpuscular value, lymphocytes, and neutrophils displayed differences within weeks during the pre-weaning stage, but similar results within groups. No differences between supplemented and non-supplemented calves were found across nutrient digestibility, organ development, and histology. Regarding health scores, differences were noted within weeks for fecal and respiratory scores during the pre-weaning stage, and only the respiratory score during the post-weaning stage. Consequently, butyrate supplementation did not elicit improvements or negative effects in the body development or health status of dairy calves.

This paper examined the pluripotent effect of supplementation of turmeric rhizome powder (TRP) (Curcuma longa) in growing Andaman local pigs. A total of 48 pigs were randomly allotted into four groups and fed diets containing TRP at 4 concentrations, that is, 0 (control group), 0.05 (treatment 1), 0.1 (treatment 2), and 0.2% (treatment 3) for 30 days. The mean body weight of pigs supplemented with 0.1% and 0.2% TRP was significantly higher than that of the control group (41.66 ± 0.44, 42.59 ± 0.33 vs 40.38 ± 0.30 kg; p ≤ 0.05) which indicated the effect of TRP as growth enhancer. A significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in serum concentration of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was recorded in supplemented groups as compared to the control group. Creatinine kinase (U/l) decreased in all the treatment groups as compared to the control group. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly after supplementation with 0.1% and 0.2% TRP in comparison to the control group. However, there was marked increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (mg/dl) in all TRP-supplemented groups than the control group (27.67 ± 0.60 in T1, 32.76 ± 0.32 in T2, and 34.58 ± 0.37 in T3 vs. 23.73 ± 0.69 in control; p ≤ 0.05). Further, there was increase in antioxidant profile after TRP supplementation. Anti-inflammatory potentiality of TRP could also be appreciated since TRP supplementation downregulated (p ≤ 0.05) expression of IL-6, IL-1β, and IFN-γ. Therefore, we perceive that this conflated approach is an example of its own kind to focus on modification of health status of pigs for more productivity and augmentation of immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a feeding experiment for 75 days, the effects of fumitory (Fumaria officinalis) extract on growth, haematology, immune response and antioxidant enzyme activities in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were evaluated. The aqueous methanolic extract of the plant was mixed with feeds at three different levels, 0.1% (FO1), 0.2% (FO2) and 0.3% (FO3), and feed with no plant extract donated as the control. All four groups (mean initial weight: 13.02 ± 0.02 g) were fed with the prepared diets twice daily ad libitum in a triplicate experiment. Blood and liver samples were taken from the fish on 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 days. Also, overall growth parameters were determined based on body weight data recorded from all fish before and at the end of feeding trial. Results indicated that there were variations in nonspecific immune parameters (lysozyme, myeloperoxidase and oxidative radical production), but supplementation of the plant extract did not affect the immune response of the fish significantly. On the other hand, there was a general increase in the antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) evaluated in this study. Furthermore, possibly the most remarkable finding of the study is that the growth performance in the FO3 group was roughly 30% higher than that of the control group. Considering all findings in the present study, we conclude that 0.3% supplementation of fumitory extract would be beneficial for rainbow trout farming with respect to elevated growth and antioxidant status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hatchery's goals include maximizing revenue by achieving high hatchability with day-old birds of excellent quality. The advancement of technology has benefited the poultry sector since breeding and genetics technology have increased the rates of meat maturation in developing birds in a short period of time. Excessive use of in-feed antibiotics has been shown in studies to increase the chance of resistance to human infections. Bacterial resistance and antibiotic residues in animal products raised concerns about using antibiotics as growth promoters, eventually leading to a prohibition on using in-feed antibiotics in most industrialized nations. In ovo technology is a novel method for delivering bioactive chemicals to developing avian embryos. In ovo feeding technologies may provide additional nutrients to the embryos before hatching. The introduction of bioactive compounds has the potential to assist in decreasing and eventually eliminating the problems associated with traditional antibiotic delivery in chicken production. Phytobiotics were advocated as an alternative by researchers and dietitians. So far, several studies have been conducted on the use of phytogenic feed additives in poultry and swine feeding. They have primarily demonstrated that phytobiotics possess antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and growth-stimulating properties. The antioxidant effect of phytobiotics can improve the stability of animal feed and increase the quality and storage duration of animal products. In general, the existing documentation indicates that phytobiotics improve poultry performance. To effectively and efficiently use the in ovo technique in poultry production and advance research in this area, it is important to have a thorough understanding of its potential as a means of nutrient delivery during the critical stage of incubation, its effects on hatching events and posthatch performance, and the challenges associated with its use. Overall, this review suggests that in ovo feeding of phytobiotics has the potential to improve the antioxidant status and performance of chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effects of a tomato paste by-product extract as a dietary supplement for common carp (Cyprinus carpio). At the end of a feeding trial, fish fed with experimental diets showed enhanced growth performance that is key for aquaculture, and a reduced feed conversion ratio, another critical parameter. Hematology parameters such as erythrocyte count (RBC), hemoglobin content (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct) increased in fish feed with the enriched diet. Additionally, blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in common carp fed diets supplemented with tomato paste by-product extract reduced while total protein, albumin, and globulin levels increased. In conclusion, tomato paste by-product extract has the potential to be utilized as a feed additive in aquaculture feeds to enhance health status monitored by blood parameters and stimulating the growth parameters of common carp. This research examined different growth performances and blood parameters of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) consuming diets supplemented with tomato paste by-product extract (TPE). Five diets with different concentrations of TPEs, 0% (TPE0) 0.5% (TPE0.5), 1% (TPE1), 2% (TPE2), and 5% (TPE5) were supplied to 300 common carp (8.38 ± 0.18 g) (60 fish per group) each day during the 60-day feeding trial. The relative and specific growth rates of fish-fed supplemental diets increased significantly, while the feed conversion ratio significantly decreased (p < 0.05). TPE considerably increased the erythrocyte count (RBC), hemoglobin content (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct) (p < 0.05), according to hematological analyses of blood samples collected after the feeding experiment. The blood biochemical findings indicate that using 1% or more extracts considerably reduced the serum glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride ratios while significantly increasing the total protein, albumin, and globulin ratios in common carp (p < 0.05). Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that the 2% extract generated from tomato paste by-products in common carp diets could be utilized as a growth-promoting product without any negative effects on blood parameters linked to feeding in carp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]