Search

Sturgeon farming is a rapidly developing aquaculture sector which requires high-quality feeds. As an ingredient of animal feeds, fishmeal is often replaced with cheaper plant-based protein sources, such as rapeseed cake meal, a by-product of canola oil pressing. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of diets containing various levels of rapeseed cake meal on the juvenile Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) growth, hematological and biochemical parameters, as well as muscle composition. An 8-week feeding trial was conducted on fish with average body weight of 216.2 ± 45.7 g. Fish were fed diets were 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% of fish meal and soybean meal were replaced with rapeseed meal (groups A, B, C, and D, respectively). Additionally in E diet (30% rapeseed meal) effects of phytase addition RENOZYME® HiPhos 20000 in concentration 2000 IU was tested. During the experiment, no mortalities were observed in each of the studied groups. Similar values of morphometric and breeding parameters were observed in groups A, B, C, D and E. No hematological effects of rapeseed diets occurred, except for significantly lower erythroblast levels in groups B, C, D, and E compared to A. Group B showed a higher plasma glucose concentration compared to the other groups. ALT activity in groups D and E were lower than in groups A, B, and C. The muscles of individuals from group B showed the highest dry matter and fat content, while the highest protein content occurred in group C. Despite significant differences in the values of some parameters, the obtained results indicate that the replacement of 10–30% of fishmeal with rapeseed meal in the feed for the juvenile Siberian sturgeon did not compromise fish survivability, growth performance, health, or body composition, although phytase addition did not improve the effects of administering rapeseed-containing feed.

Abstract High stocking densities, closed animal houses, and elevated concentrations of bacteria, fungi, and the products of their activity, including ammonia and hydrogen sulphide, have adverse health effects. Active techniques used to reduce unfavourable environmental conditions, such as ventilation, sprinkling, bedding sorbents, and nutritional treatments, are not always sufficient to improve the animals’ living environment. The current paper aims to evaluate the effect of radiant catalytic ionization (RCI) on airborne microorganisms, cage microbiological status, gaseous ammonia concentrations, and the haematological status of mice in animal houses. After one week of operation of an RCI system, the number of airborne bacteria and fungi in the experimental room decreased in comparison to the first day of the experiment (p

Edible snails are an attractive protein source due to their high growth rate, cost-efficiency, and nutritional value. Calcium is crucial for snail growth, reproduction, and shell formation, while magnesium plays a role in enzyme function and muscle tone. This study aimed to optimise calcium and magnesium levels in Cornu aspersum diets to optimise the production and technological characteristics of the derived animal products. Snails were fed specific diets in controlled conditions with varying calcium and magnesium levels (44.3, 66.1, 88.7, 103.5 Ca g/kg feed and 3.3, 5.6, 7.2 Mg g/kg feed) for four months. Their growth, shell characteristics, and meat composition were evaluated. As calcium in the feed increased, carcass and shell weights were higher. Also, the crushing force of the shells was higher with increasing amount of calcium in the feed. In the group with 10.35% calcium and 0.72% magnesium, snail growth significantly slowed down after three months, with lower mortality. It is suggested that a shortened fattening cycle by 3–4 weeks compared to the magnesium-free diet is possible. However, based on meat, shell, mortality, and feed intake analysis, a 0.56% magnesium concentration in the feed seems to give better results, as magnesium content at 0.72% might be toxic to snails. Further investigation is to confirm the possibility of neutralising the negative effects of magnesium in the diet through increasing calcium and phosphorus intake.

The purpose of this study was to determine the nutritional suitability of WDGS in pigs’ feeding and production. Pigs were liquid fed and divided into 3 groups. Pigs in the control group were fed diets based on cereal grains, while the experimental groups were also given 10% or 15% WDGS, which partially replaced their cereal grains. During this study, the average daily gains (ADG), feed intake, chemical composition of meat, fatty acid profile of meat, and quality parameters of the carcass and meat were examined. The highest statistical weight gains were detected for the group WDGS 10% during the first stage of the fattening period. No statistical differences were detected for the final body weight, carcass traits, chemical composition of the meat or the composition of fatty acids such as SFAs, PUFAs, and MUFAs, with the exception of eicosenoic acid (C20:1n9). Pigs fed on 10% WDGS exhibited lower peroxidation of lipids (TBARS) than the control group or WDGS 15%. Similarly, water holding capacity (WHC) was the lowest for the group WDGS 10%. Of the meat coloration, redness (a*), yellowness (b*), and chroma (C*) were affected by the WDGS’ inclusion, where the highest values were observed for the group WDGS 10%. In conclusion, WDGS can be utilized in the liquid feeding of pigs for up to 15% of their DM.

Pumpkins are often used as a fodder component and food due to their high nutritional value and share of bioactive components (e.g., carotenoids, polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs)). Due to their high moisture content, they must be preserved; drying is still the most popular method. Our work aimed to assess the optimal drying temperature to keep the best possible nutritional value of the raw material. For this purpose, pumpkin was dried at 40 °C, 60 °C and 80 °C. Then, the proximate composition, carotenoid content, fatty acids, and antioxidant properties were determined. The results indicate that the carotenoids were relatively stable up to 60 °C and then decreased sharply. Furthermore, antioxidant activity was the highest at 40 °C and 60 °C. However, in the case of PUFA content, drying at 80 °C was the most effective, probably due to the shorter exposure time to the stimulus.

Background Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer. Natural compounds, administered together with conventional chemotherapeutic agent(s) and/or radiotherapy, may be a novel element in the combination therapy of this cancer. Considering the anticancer properties of compounds derived from different tissues of various snail species confirmed earlier, the purpose of the present research was to evaluate the effect of extracts from eggs of Helix aspera maxima and Helix aspersa aspersa snails, and fractions of extracts containing particles of different molecular weights on Caco-2 human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. Methods The extracts and fractions were analyzed for antioxidant activity, phenols and total carbohydrates using colorimetric methods. Lipid peroxidation products and glutathione in eggs were also examined using these methods. Crude protein and fat in eggs were determined. Molecular weights of egg proteins and glycoproteins were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Astaxanthin, selected vitamins and amino acids in eggs were measured using liquid chromatography methods, and minerals by emission spectroscopy, mass spectrometry or X-ray fluorescence. The action of extracts on the cell viability was determined by the MTT (methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) test, based on the mitochondrial oxidative activity, after 24 and 72 h of treatment. The influence of fractions on the cell viability was assayed after 24 h. The effect of extracts on the percentage of live and dead cells was evaluated by the trypan blue assay, in which live cells exclude trypan blue, while dead cells take up this dye, after 12, 24, 48 and 72 h of treatment. Their influence on the integrity of cell membranes was determined based on the activity of LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), released from damaged cells, after 24 and 72 h of treatment. Then, the effect of extracts on the content of lipid peroxidation products in cells was examined using colorimetric method, after 24 h of treatment. Their influence on types of cell death was determined by flow cytometry, after this time. Results The extracts and their fractions containing molecules

The human population is growing; food production is becoming insufficient, and the growing awareness of the negative impact of traditional animal husbandry on the environment means that the search for alternative methods of providing animal protein is continuously underway. The breeding of edible snails seems to be a promising option. The most popular species of edible snails in Europe include the brown garden snail Cornu aspersum (Müller, 1774) (previously divided into two subspecies: Cornu aspersum aspersum (Müller, 1774) and Cornu aspersum maxima (Taylor, 1883)), as well as the Roman Snail—Helix pomatia Linnaeus, 1758. These animals are highly productive, require relatively little space, are easy to breed and their maintenance does not require large financial outlays. This review focuses on the prospects of food snail farming in Europe. It discusses the living conditions, the nutritional value of the snails’ meat, and the way of feeding the animals, paying particular attention to issues still not scientifically resolved, such as the need for micro and macro elements, as well as fat and carbohydrates.

Faxonius limosus (spiny-cheek) crayfish is an invasive species that is widespread in Europe. The aim of the study was to evaluate the possibility of using extracts from this crustacean as a source of natural antioxidants. For this purpose, selected bioactive compounds (total phenols, glutathione, vitamins A, E, D, β-carotene and amino acids) were characterised and the antioxidant activity of the extract was assessed in vitro and in relation to HFFF-2 fibroblast cells, in which oxidative stress was caused by the additive hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The extract abolished the cytotoxicity of H2O2, decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) secretion, increased cell viability and decreased the expression of caspase-3. The results suggest that F. limosus extract is a promising raw material with antioxidant properties.

The hygienic practices on farms should reduce pathogenic microorganisms while simultaneously not harming the animals themselves; they must also not degrade the products’ quality. We assessed the effect of covering feed tables with paint containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and the periodic spraying of effective microorganisms (EM) on production indicators and basic chemical composition, mineral content and fatty acid profiles in the bodies of Cornu aspersum aspersum snails. The animals were divided into four groups: (1) control, (2) with feed tables covered with AgNPs paint, (3) with EM spray applied and (4) with both factors—AgNP paint and EM spray. The highest increase in Ag, Zn, Fe and Ca retention, and the remodelling of the fatty acid profile in the carcasses of snails was found to be in the group of animals in contact with the feed tables covered with AgNP paint. In the group of animals exposed to the action of EM, an increased retention of Fe, Cu, P, Mg and Zn was found.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of Ag nanoparticles (nano-Ag) used in the paint covering feed tables or a multimicrobial preparation applied to feed tables on the microbiological composition of the feed table environment, the growth and mortality of snails, and selected parameters for assessing the quality of carcasses and snail shells. The research was carried out in a farm of Cornu aspersum (Müller) snails. In the control (K) group, paint without nano-Ag was used. In two other groups (N-Ag and N-Ag + effective microorganisms (EM)), the feed tables were covered with the same paint as in the control group but with the addition of 100 mg/L of nano-Ag it (N-Ag group). Additionally, multimicrobial preparation (EM Bokashi®) at a concentration of 10% was spread on the tables in the N-Ag + EM group. In the last group (EM), the feed tables were covered with paint without nano-Ag, and only multimicrobial preparation was applied at a concentration of 10%. During the tests, the body weight of snails was measured three times, and swab samples were taken from the feed tables for the examination of microbiological composition. At the end of the experiment, the snails were killed, and the weight of the carcass and the size of the shell were measured. The content of Ag and the degree of lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)) in the carcasses were analyzed, and the content of Ca and the crushing strength of the shells were determined. In the N-Ag and N-Ag + EM groups, a significant reduction in the total number of bacteria, fecal streptococci, and Escherichia coli was found, while there was also a reduction in mold and fungi in the N-Ag + EM and EM groups. In the K and EM groups, the mortality of animals was higher than in the nano-Ag groups. In subsequent weight checks, the highest body weight was found in the EM group and the lowest in the N-Ag and N-Ag + EM groups. In addition, the carcass weight and shell size in the N-Ag group was significantly lower compared to the K and EM groups. In the N-Ag and N-Ag + EM groups, a higher Ag content in the carcasses and a greater degree of lipid peroxidation were found. The Ca content of the shells was the highest in the N-Ag group, and the hardness of shells was the highest in the N-Ag and N-Ag + EM groups.