Effects of feeding bergamot pulp and olive leaves on performance and meat quality in Apulo-Calabrese pigs.

To determine the effects of dietary inclusion of bergamot pulp and olive leaves on pork quality, thirty-six barrows (Apulo-Calabrese; 112.5 ± 7.40 kg initial bodyweight) were randomly assigned to four experimental treatments and fed for 100 days a control diet (control group) or a diet similar to the control diet in which part of the cereals were replaced with 20 % (DM on the diet fed) of ensiled bergamot pulp (dry matter on the diet fed, EBP group) or olive leaves (OLL group) or a 1:1 mixture of both by-products (BPOL group). In the present study, the dietary administration of by-products did not influence the accumulation of IMF (P > 0.05) in meat. As for individual fatty acids, no differences were observed among groups. However, the dietary supplementation of bergamot pulp tended to increase (P = 0.073) the level of α-linolenic acid in meat. In raw and cooked meat TBARS values were higher (P < 0.001) in the Control group than in EBP, OLL and BPOL groups. The integration of 20 % of bergamot pulp and/or olive leaves by-products increased the levels of tocopherol and phenolic compounds in the diets, positively influencing the shelf life of meat. No effect of diet was observed on animal performance. The results of present study indicated mainly that partial replacement of cereals with 20 % DM on the diet fed of ensiled bergamot pulp and olive leaves, either alone or in combination, in the pig's diet led to greater oxidative stability of the meat.

Effect of high levels of almond hulls supplementation on performance and meat oxidative stability in lambs.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate if high dietary levels of almond hulls could influence performance and meat oxidative stability in lambs. Twenty lambs, at an average body weight of 28.8 ± 0.30 (SD) kg, were divided into two experimental groups and fed ad libitum for 40 days either with a control diet (cereal-based concentrate, control group) or with a similar diet in which part of the cereals was replaced with 40% of almond hulls on a dry matter basis (AH40 group). Dietary AH did not affect dry matter intake but reduced final body weight, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio or carcass weight. In meat, TBARS values were lower (P < 0.001) in the AH40 group than in control group. The partial replacement of cereals with 40% almond hulls in the diet negatively affecting the growth parameters of the animals but can improve meat shelf-life by reducing lipid oxidation.

Polymorphisms at Candidate Genes for Fat Content and Fatty Acids Composition: Effects on Sheep Milk Production and Fatty Acid Profile Using Two Dietary Supplementations.

The nutritional value of sheep's milk and its derivatives is influenced by the lipid fraction, which is affected by diet and genetics. This study aimed to explore the genetic variations in the DGAT1 and SCD genes and assessed the impact of the DGAT1 genotype on milk quality in Valle del Belìce sheep, considering diet supplementation with carob pulp and barley grain. Among the potentially polymorphic sites, only DGAT1 g.127 C > A and SCD g.87 C > A showed variability. The DGAT1 genotype did not significantly impact milk yield and composition, except for higher urea content in the CA genotypes than in the CC ones. Carob pulp increased the milk fat content compared to barley grain. Genetic variation in DGAT1 was associated with changes in the milk fatty acid profile; specifically, the CA genotype exhibited higher levels of short-chain fatty acids and lower levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to the CC genotype. Carob pulp supplementation increased saturated fatty acids and reduced unsaturated fractions, leading to milk with higher atherogenic and thrombogenic indices. No significant interaction was found between genotype and diet. This study provides insights into the genetic and dietary factors influencing sheep's milk composition. Further research is needed to understand the impact of these genetic variations on milk production and composition, as well as to determine optimal levels of carob pulp for improving fat percentage and promoting sustainable sheep breeding practices.

Effect of Dietary Ensiled Olive Cake Supplementation on Performance and Meat Quality of Apulo-Calabrese Pigs.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of different amounts of ensiled olive cake, a major pollutant from olive oil production, in the fattening diets of 30 Apulo-Calabrese pigs as a strategy to partially substitute the traditional cereal-based diet and improve animal performance and meat fatty acid composition. The animals, during a fattening period of 120 days, were fed with three dietary treatments containing increasing levels of ensiled olive cake: 0% (C), 20% (OC20) and 40% (OC40) on dry matter. No effect of the dietary treatment was found on the animal performance and proximate meat analysis results. The inclusion of ensiled olive cake in the diet led to differences in the fatty acid (FA) profile of intramuscular fat, with a higher proportion of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA; p < 0.001) and oleic acid (C8:1n-9, p < 0.001) and a lower concentration of polyunsaturated (PUFA, p < 0.001) and linoleic acid (C18:2n-6, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the supplementation of ensiled olive cake at up to 40% in the diets of fattening pigs could represent a useful strategy in Mediterranean areas to naturally improve the nutritional value of meat and valorise a by-product of the olive industry, reducing its environmental impact and promoting the exploitation of this local feed resource according to the principles of the circular economy.

Influence of almond hulls in lamb diets on animal performance and meat quality.

Almond hulls (AH) were fed to lambs to study effects on performance and meat quality. Thirty Sarda lambs were allotted to three experimental groups and fed for 40 days either a cereal-based concentrate diet (control) or diets in which cereals were replaced with 15% (AH15) or 30% (AH30) almond hulls on a DM basis. Diets did not affect final body weight, dry matter intake, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio or carcass weight. Replacing part of the cereal mix (i.e., barley and maize) with AH did not affect meat fatty acid profiles. After 5 and 7 days of refrigerated storage respectively for cooked and raw meat, AH15 and AH30 treatments reduced meat lipid oxidation (P < 0.001). Our results suggest feeding almond hulls up to 30% in fattening lamb diets can improve meat oxidative stability without compromising growth performance.

Fatty acids and oxidative stability of meat from lambs fed carob-containing diets.

Male Comisana lambs were individually stalled and, for 56 days, were fed concentrates with 60% barley (n = 8 lambs), or concentrates in which barley was partially replaced by 24% or 35% carob pulp (n = 9 lambs in each group). The intramuscular fatty acids were analyzed and the color stability, lipid and protein oxidation were measured in fresh meat overwrapped with polyvinyl chloride film at 0, 3 or 6 days of storage at 4 °C in the dark. Carob pulp increased the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in muscle, including the rumenic acid (P < 0.01), and reduced the saturated fatty acids (P < 0.01) and the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio (P = 0.01). The meat did not undergo extensive oxidative deterioration and the diet did not affect the oxidative stability parameters. Therefore, carob in lamb diet could increase PUFA in muscle without compromising meat oxidative stability.

Toxicity of ochratoxin a and its modulation by antioxidants: a review.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin involved in the development of different types of cancers in rats, mice and humans. A growing number of in vitro and in vivo studies has been collected and has described evidence compatible with a role for oxidative stress in OTA toxicity and carcinogenicity. Because the contribution of the oxidative stress response in the development of cancers is well established, a role in OTA carcinogenicity is plausible. Several studies have been performed to try to counteract the adverse effects of oxygen radicals generated under OTA-exposure. A number of molecules with various antioxidant properties were tested, using in vivo or in vitro models. Protection against OTA-induced DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, as well as cytotoxicity were observed, further confirming the link between OTA toxicity and oxidative damage. These studies demonstrated that antioxidants are able to counteract the deleterious effects of chronic consumption or exposure to OTA and confirmed the potential effectiveness of dietary strategies to counteract OTA toxicity.

Aflatoxin M1 in raw, UHT milk and dairy products in Sicily (Italy).

A survey on 73 milk samples from different animal breeds and 24 dairy products samples from Sicily, Italy, was carried out for the presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) by LC-fluorescence detection after immunoaffinity cleanup. AFM1 was detected in 48% and 42% of the milk and dairy samples at concentration ranges between <5.0-16.0 and <5.0-18.0 ng L⁻¹, respectively. Within the raw milk samples, 92% had an AFM1 content below 5.0 ng L⁻¹, in 7% of the cases it was in the range 5.0-10.0 ng L⁻¹ and 1% was contaminated between 10.0 and 20.0 ng L⁻¹. For the dairy products, ultra-high-temperature treated (UHT) milk, milk cream and cheese, the incidence was 42%, of which 83% contained less than 5.0 ng L⁻¹ and 17% contained 10.0-20.0 ng L⁻¹ AFM1. The levels of contamination found justify continuous monitoring for public health and to reduce consumer exposure.

Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase/nitric oxide synthase pathway in liver and kidney: protective effect of cyanidin 3-O-ß-D-glucoside on ochratoxin-A toxicity.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of long-term cyanidin 3-O-ß-D-glucoside (C3G) and/or Ochratoxin A (OTA)-exposure on dimethylarginine dimethylamino hydrolase/nitric oxide synthase (DDAH/NOS) pathway in rats. The experiments were performed in rats supplemented with C3G (1 g/kg feed), OTA (200 ppb), and OTA + C3G. After 4 weeks of daily treatment, liver and kidneys were processed for eNOS, iNOS and DDAH-1 Western blotting, nitrite levels evaluation and DDAH activity determination. Results show that OTA is able to induce iNOS both in kidney and liver, whereas OTA is able to induce eNOS and DDAH-1 overexpression and DDAH activation only in kidney, resulting in increased nitrite levels. In kidney of OTA + C3G fed rats, iNOS, eNOS and DDAH-1 expression were less pronounced compared with those observed in the OTA-treated group. Coherent with the decreased iNOS, eNOS and DDAH-1 expression a decrease in nitrite levels and DDAH activity was observed in the OTA + C3G group. Results demonstrate that C3G is able to counteract the deleterious effects of chronic consumption of OTA and also suggest a possible involvement of iNOS-eNOS-DDAH impairment in OTA nephrocarcinogenity.

S100B milk concentration in mammalian species.

S100B is a neurotrophic protein detectable in biological fluids and in human milk. Since there are several maternal-neonatal conditions requiring the administration of animal milks the aim of the present study was to quantify S100B in milk from different mammalian species and to compare protein's concentration among human and mammalian milks. We assessed S100B concentrations in donkey (n=12), goat (n=15) sheep (n=15), commercially available cow (n=8) and human (n=15) milk samples. S100B measurements were performed using an immunoluminometric assay. S100B concentration in human milk (10.41 +/- 4.2 microg/L) was higher (P LESS THAN0.001) than mammalian milks. Of note, S100B concentration in cow milk (3.13 +/- 0.56 microg/L) was higher (P LESS THAN0.01) than that showed in donkey (1.17 +/- 0.26 microg/L), sheep (0.25 +/- 0.11 microg/L) and goat (0.26 +/- 0.11 microg/L). S100B in donkey milk was higher (P LESS THAN0.01) than sheep and goat samples whilst protein's concentration did not differ between goat and sheep. The present study suggests the opportunity of S100B addition to animal milk intended for infant feeding.

S100B Protein concentration in milk-formulas for preterm and term infants. Correlation with industrial preparation procedures.

Human milk S100B protein possesses important neurotrophic properties. However, in some conditions human milk is substituted by milk formulas. The aims of the present study were: to assess S100B concentrations in milk formulas, to verify any differences in S100B levels between preterm and term infant formulas and to evaluate the impact of industrial preparation at predetermined phases on S100B content. Two different set of samples were tested: (i) commercial preterm (n = 36) and term (n = 36) infant milk formulas; ii) milk preterm (n = 10) and term infant (n = 10) formulas sampled at the following predetermined industrial preparation time points: skimmed cow milk (Time 0); after protein sources supplementation (Time 1); after pasteurization (Time 2); after spray-drying (Time 3). Our results showed that S100B concentration in preterm formulas were higher than in term ones (p < 0.01). In addition, S100B concentrations during industrial preparation showed a significant increase (p < 0.001) at Time 1 followed by a slight decrease (p > 0.05) at Time 2, whereas a significant (p < 0.001) dip was observed at Time 3. In conclusion, S100B showed a sufficient thermostability to resist pasteurization but not spry-drying. New feeding strategies in preterm and term infants are therefore warranted in order to preserve S100B protein during industrial preparation.

Maternal dietary habits and mycotoxin occurrence in human mature milk.

During 2006, 82 samples of human mature milk were collected at Italian hospitals and checked for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) by immunoaffinity column extraction and HPLC. AFM1 was detected in four (5%) of milk samples (ranging from < 7 ng/L to 140 ng/L; mean level: 55.35 ng/L); OTA was detected in 61 (74%) of milk samples (ranging from < 5 ng/L to 405 ng/L; mean level: 30.43 ng/L. OTA levels were significantly higher (p less, not double equals 0.05) in milk of habitual consumers of bread, bakery products and cured pork meat. No other statistically significant differences were observed although habitual consumers of pasta (p = 0.059), cookies (p = 0.061) and juices (p = 0.063) had mean contamination values of OTA higher than the moderate consumer. The very few AFB1 positive samples did not allow statistical comparisons. The present study confirms that the occurrence of OTA in human milk is related to maternal dietary habits. The findings support the possibility of dietary recommendations to woman, during pregnancy and lactation, aimed to tentatively reduce the OTA contamination of human milk.

Protective effect of cyanidin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside on ochratoxin A-mediated damage in the rat.

The aim of the present study was to verify whether the oral administration of cyanidin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside (C3G) might counteract damage induced by chronic exposure (28 d) to ochratoxin A (OTA) in rats and if its effect may be mediated by haeme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats, individually caged, were divided into four groups of ten animals. A control group received a commercial diet, group C3G received the control diet supplemented with C3G (1 g/kg feed), group OTA received the control diet supplemented with 200 parts per billion of OTA, and group OTA+C3G received the OTA group diet supplemented with C3G (1 g/kg feed). After 4 weeks of treatment animals were killed and the liver, kidneys and brain of each rat were collected and homogenised to evaluate non-proteic thiol groups (RSH), lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels, HO-1 expression and DNA fragmentation. Rats of the OTA group showed a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in RSH content of kidney and liver and a significant (P < 0.001) increase of LOOH in all the examined tissues compared with the control group. In the OTA+C3G group both RSH content and LOOH levels were similar to those observed in the control group, demonstrating that C3G was able to counteract the effects of OTA. A significant (P < 0.001) induction of HO-1 was evident in kidney and liver of both OTA and C3G groups. DNA damage occurred in all the examined tissues of the OTA group, whereas C3G was able to prevent it. The present study confirmed that the effects of OTA are mediated by oxidative stress and demonstrated that C3G efficiently counteracted deleterious effects of OTA because of its antioxidant and HO-1-inducing properties.

Survey of the occurrence of Aflatoxin M1 in ovine milk by HPLC and its confirmation by MS.

During the period of October-July 2000, 240 samples of dairy ewes milk, obtained from farms of Enna (Sicily, Italy), were checked for Aflatoxin M(1) (AFM(1)) by HPLC using a fluorimetric detector. The limit of detection and the limit of quantification were 250 ng/L for AFM(1). All the positive milk samples for AFM(1) were confirmed by LC-MS. AFM(1) was detected in 81% of milk samples, ranging from 2 to 108 ng/L. Three samples were over the legal limits (50 ng/L). Mean contamination of samples obtained from stabulated ewes was higher than that from grazing ewes (35.27 vs. 12.47 ng/L). Furthermore, samples collected in the period September-October showed higher contamination than samples collected during the other months (42.68 vs. 10.55 ng/L). Both differences are related to the administration of compound feed. Based on current toxicological knowledge we concluded that the AFM(1) contamination levels recorded in ewe milk did not present a serious human health hazard. However, as ewe milk is exclusively used to produce cheese due to its higher protein content, and also considering the preferential binding of AFM(1) to casein during coagulation of milk, a potentially high concentration effect could occur, thus the surveillance of contamination levels should be more continuous and widespread.

Activated Carbons: In Vitro Affinity for Fumonisin B1 and Relation of Adsorption Ability to Physicochemical Parameters.

In vitro affinity tests were conducted to assess the effectiveness of 19 activated carbons (ACs), hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS), and sepiolite (S) in binding fumonisin B1 (FB1) from solution. Relationships between adsorption ability and physicochemical parameters of ACs (specific surface area, iodine value, and methylene blue index) were tested. When 5 ml of a 4-µg/ml aqueous solution of FB1 was treated with 10 mg of AC, ACs adsorbed 0.46 to 100% of the FB1. HSCAS and S were not effective in binding FB1. In two saturation tests carried out with decreased amounts of sorbent (5 and 2 mg, respectively), three ACs also showed high adsorption ability (adsorbing 96.48 to 99.20% of the FB1) A general relationship between adsorption ability and the physicochemical parameters of the ACs was observed, supporting the inference of a close relationship between molecule trapping and surface physicochemical adsorption processes. The methylene blue index was more reliable than iodine number and surface area for predicting ability of ACs to adsorb FB1. In tests of simultaneous adsorption ability carried out using 5 ml of a solution containing 10 µg/ml FB1 plus 50 µg/ml aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)and 2 or 5 mg of sorbent, ACs showed a higher affinity for AFB1 than for FB1. However, two ACs bound ca. 100% of the two mycotoxins. When 5 ml of an aqueous extract solution obtained from naturally contaminated corn containing 1.84 µg/ml FB1 and 0.042 µg/ml AFB1 was treated with 10 mg of sorbent, one AC adsorbed ca. 95% and 99% of FB1 and AFB1, respectively. It is concluded that certain ACs have high in vitro affinity for FB1 and AFB1 singly or in combination, and may hold promise as multi-mycotoxin sequestering agents. However, further in vivo investigations are neededto confirm the abilities of ACs to sequester the most important mycotoxins singly or in combinations, establish the amounts to be added to feeds, and determine any long-term effects they may have on gastrointestinal absorption of essential nutrients.