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In this study, we performed a quantitative analysis of 12 compounds derived from Piper sarmentosum extract (PSE) and guava leaf extract (GE). In addition, we investigated the effects of mixed extract (ME) of PSE and GE (1:1) on piglets' gut microbiome and metabolome. A total of 200 piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Large Yorkshire, 21‐day‐old) were randomly assigned into two groups with five replicates of 20 piglets/pen having the same initial body weight. Piglets were fed a basal diet supplemented with ME at 0 (T0) or 200 mg/kg (T1) for 3 weeks. The quantitation results by ultraperformance liquid chromatography linked to triple‐quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry showed that vitexin 2‐O‐rhamnoside and pellitorine were the greatest abundant among six compounds detected in the PSE. In addition, quercetin, isoquercitrin and avicularin were found to be the richest of all detected compounds in the GE. Findings on experimental animals indicated that three differential metabolites, comprising L‐alanine, sarcosine and dihydrofolic acid, in T1 compared with T0 groups, have exactly opposite levels trends in serum and faeces. Moreover, two metabolic pathways (i.e., urea cycle and glutamate metabolism) differed significantly in the serum and faeces of piglets between T0 and T1 (p < 0.05). At the same time, T1 had significantly higher relative abundances of Agathobacter and Alloprevotella than T0 at genus level (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that the genus Agathobacter correlated positively with carbamoyl phosphate (p < 0.01) and oxoglutaric acid (p < 0.05), and negatively with succinic acid (p < 0.01) and ornithine (p < 0.05). These four differential metabolites were also involved in the urea cycle and/or glutamate metabolism pathways. The results here indicated that the tested plant extract mixture represents a worthy feed additive with obvious antioxidative properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green hydrogen generated via water electrolysis has become an essential energy carrier for achieving carbon neutrality globally because of its versatility in renewable energy consumption and decarbonization applications in hard-to-abate sectors; however, there is a lack of systematic analyses of its abatement potential and economics as an alternative to traditional technological decarbonization pathways. Based on bibliometric analysis and systematic evaluation methods, this study characterizes and analyzes the literature on the Web of Science from 1996 to 2023, identifying research hotspots, methodological models, and research trends in green hydrogen for mitigating climate change across total value chain systems. Our review shows that this research theme has entered a rapid development phase since 2016, with developed countries possessing more scientific results and closer partnerships. Difficult-to-abate sectoral applications and cleaner production are the most famous value chain links, and research hotspots focus on three major influencing factors: the environment; techno-economics; and energy. Green hydrogen applications, which include carbon avoidance and embedding to realize carbon recycling, have considerable carbon reduction potential; however, uncertainty limits the influence of carbon reduction cost assessment indicators based on financial analysis methods for policy guidance. The abatement costs in the decarbonization sector vary widely across value chains, electricity sources, baseline scenarios, technology mixes, and time scenarios. This review shows that thematic research trends are focused on improving and optimizing solutions to uncertainties, as well as studying multisectoral synergies and the application of abatement assessment metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Dietary intervention is an important approach to improve intestinal function of weaned piglets. Phytogenic and herbal products have received increasing attention as in‐feed antibiotic alternatives. This study investigated the chemical composition of guava leaf extract (GE) by ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS). Meanwhile, we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with GE on diarrhea in relation to immune responses and intestinal health in weaned piglets challenged by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). RESULTS: In total, 323 characterized compounds, which including 91 phenolic compounds and 232 other compounds were identified. Animal experiment results showed that the supplementation of 50–200 mg kg−1 of GE in the diet could reduce diarrhea incidence, increase activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and total anti‐oxidant capacity in the serum (P < 0.05), decrease the levels of interleukin 1β, interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α in the serum or jejunum mucosa (P < 0.05), and increase villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio (P < 0.05) in the jejuna of piglets challenged by oral ETEC compared with negative control group (NC). Meanwhile, diet supplementation with 50–200 mg kg−1 GE reduced the levels of D‐lactate, endothelin‐1 and diamine oxidase in the serum, and increased the expression of zonula occludens‐1, Claudin‐1, Occludin and Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (P < 0.05) in the jejuna mucosa of piglets challenged by ETEC compared with the NC. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that GE could attenuate diarrhea and improve intestinal barrier function of piglets challenged by ETEC. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of diet Piper sarmentosum extract (PSE) on the growth performance, antioxidant properties, rumen fermentation and microflora in goats. Forty Hainan black goats with similar body weight were divided into four groups with supplementation of PSE in the concentrate at 0, 300, 600 and 1,200 mg/kg, respectively, and fed for 56 days. Results showed that average daily gain (ADG) was higher and feed intake/body gain (F/G) was lower in goats fed with PSE at 300 mg/kg (p <.05). The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) and total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) in the serum of goats differed among treatments and were greatest linearly when PSE was added at 1,200 mg/kg (p <.05). The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum of goats differed among treatments and was lowest linearly when PSE was added at 1,200 mg/kg (p <.05). The level of protozoal protein in the rumen of goats differed among treatments and was lowest linearly when PSE was added at 1,200 mg/kg (p <.05). The concentrations of ruminal acetic acid and valeric acid and the ratio of acetate to propionate were reduced with PSE supplementation (p <.05). Protozoa, fungi, Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Fibrobacter succinogenes contents differed among treatments and were lowest linearly when PSE was added at 1,200 mg/kg (p <.05). Thus, supplementation of PSE at 300–1,200 mg/kg to goat concentrate is recommended for improving antioxidative ability and rumen efficiency and reducing protozoal content of goat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of α-lipoic acid (LA) on the carcase characteristics, antioxidant capability and meat quality of Hainan black goat were investigated in the present study. Thirty goats (10.71 ± 0.42 kg) were randomly assigned with three levels of LA in the concentration diet (0, 300, 600 mg/kg). The goats fed for 70 days. The results showed that goats fed the diet containing 600 mg/kg LA had a significantly (p < .05) higher ADG and better feed conversion rate (FCR) compared with goats offered the basal diet without LA. There were no differences in carcase characteristics among the three treatments. For antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and catalase (CAT) in serum significantly increased (p < .05) in goats fed with 600 mg/kg LA at day 70. The concentration of malondiadehhyde (MDA) was significantly lower (p < .05) in serum of goats that received 600 mg/kg LA than in the goats fed diet without LA. Addition level of LA had no significant impact on pH and intramuscular fat (IMF) oflongissimus dorsi muscle tissue (LM) and semimembranosus muscle tissue (SM) in the goats (p > .05). However, increasing additional LA in the diet caused a decrease on drip loss and WBSF (p < .05). Treatment of goats with 600 mg/kg of LA has the lowest drip loss and WBSF. These results indicate that diet supplementation with LA may enhance antioxidant capability, improved the growth performance and meat quality in Hainan black goats. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The present study investigated the effects of the nutritional levels of diets on meat quality and related gene expression in Hainan black goat. Twenty-four goats were divided into six dietary treatments and were fed a concentrate-based diet with two levels of crude protein ( CP) (15% or 17%) and three levels of digestive energy ( DE) (11.72, 12.55 or 13.39 MJ/kg DM) for 90 days. Goats fed the concentrate-based diet with 17% CP had significantly ( P < 0.05) higher average daily gains ( ADG) and better feed conversion rates ( FCR). The pH 24h value tended to decrease ( P < 0.05) with increasing DE levels. The tenderness of Longissimus dorsi muscle ( LD) and Semimembranosus muscle ( SM) reduced with increasing CP levels ( P < 0.05). With increasing DE levels, tenderness was increased ( P < 0.05). The heart fatty acid-binding protein ( H- FABP) mRNA expression levels in LD and SM increased with increasing DE levels ( P < 0.05), but decreased with increasing CP levels ( P < 0.05). The calpastatin ( CAST) and μ-calpain mRNA expressions levels in LD and SM were affected significantly ( P < 0.05) by CP and DE levels in the diet. Therefore, the nutritional levels of diets affect meat quality and expression levels of genes associated with meat quality in Hainan black goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]