Castration alters the ileum microbiota of Holstein bulls and promotes beef flavor compounds.

BACKGROUND: In the beef industry, bull calves are usually castrated to improve flavor and meat quality; however, this can reduce their growth and slaughter performance. The gut microbiota is known to exert a significant influence on growth and slaughter performance. However, there is a paucity of research investigating the impact of castration on gut microbiota composition and its subsequent effects on slaughter performance and meat flavor. RESULT: The objective of this study was to examine the processes via which castration hinders slaughter productivity and enhances meat quality. Bull and castrated calves were maintained under the same management conditions, and at slaughter, meat quality was assessed, and ileum and epithelial tissue samples were obtained. The research employed metagenomic sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics techniques to investigate the makeup of the microbiota and identify differential metabolites. The findings of this study revealed the Carcass weight and eye muscle area /carcass weight in the bull group were significantly higher than those in the steer group. There were no significant differences in the length, width, and crypt depth of the ileum villi between the two groups. A total of 53 flavor compounds were identified in the two groups of beef, of which 16 were significantly higher in the steer group than in the bull group, and 5 were significantly higher in the bull group than in the steer group. In addition, bacteria, Eukaryota, and virus species were significantly separated between the two groups. The lipid metabolism pathways of α-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, and unsaturated fatty acids were significantly enriched in the Steers group. Compared with the steer group, the organic system pathway is significantly enriched in the bull group. The study also found that five metabolites (LPC (0:0/20:3), LPC (20:3/0:0), LPE (0:0/22:5), LPE (22:5/0:0), D-Mannosamine), and three species (s_Cloning_vector_Hsp70_LexA-HP1, s_Bacteroides_Coprophilus_CAG: 333, and s_Clostridium_nexile-CAG: 348) interfere with each other and collectively have a positive impact on the flavor compounds of beef. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide a basic understanding that under the same management conditions, castration does indeed reduce the slaughter performance of bulls and improve the flavor of beef. Microorganisms and metabolites contribute to these changes through interactions.

Food safety knowledge and practices among raw meat handlers and the microbial content of raw meat sold at Kumasi Abattoir Butchery Shops in Kumasi, Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Foodborne diseases affect nearly 600 million people each year, that is, one in every ten people, and their outbreaks are most common in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa. This study investigated the food safety practices among raw meat handlers and the microbial quality of the meat from the butchery shops in Kumasi Abattoir, Ghana. METHODS: This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study and collected quantitative data on factors associated with food safety and hygienic practices among raw meat handlers and the microbial quality of the raw meat using a structured questionnaire and standard laboratory methods, respectively. The study used all 50 beef vending shops in the butchery for questionnaire aspect and fresh beef samples were obtained from 10 vendors in the butchery shop. Appropriate methods were followed to analyse questionnaire data and meat samples. RESULTS: Most of the butchers (72%) were between the ages of 31 and 45, and they were predominantly Muslims (68%). Most of the respondents (48%) had basic education. All the respondents had food safety certificates from the local authority but needed adequate knowledge of meat safety. Most respondents (90%) handled meat and money with the same bare hands, thus contaminating the meat. The study showed that the maximum Total Viable Count (TVC), Total Staphylococcus Count (TSC), and Total Escherichia coli Count (TEC) were 5.60, 4.39 and 5.13 cfu/g, respectively. The study also revealed that all the meat samples were Salmonella species-free. CONCLUSIONS: Microorganisms in raw beef indicate a public health hazard. It gives a signal of a possible occurrence of food-borne intoxication and infection if not controlled. Environmental health officers in the Greater Kumasi area should organize food safety training and educate raw meat handlers on the importance of food safety and its consequences.

Estimating global numbers of fishes caught from the wild annually from 2000 to 2019.

Finfishes are caught from the wild for food, feed (often in the form of fishmeal and oil) and bait. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), between 74 and 83 million tonnes (averaging 77 million tonnes) were caught annually in 2000-2019. Although fishes are now widely recognised as sentient beings, capture is still quantified as biomass rather than number of individuals (in contrast to wild-caught marine mammals and crocodiles; and farmed mammals and birds). Here, we estimate global numbers of wild-caught finfishes using FAO capture production (landing) tonnages (2000-2019 data) and estimates of mean individual weight at capture, based on internet-sourced capture and market weights. We estimate that between 1,100 and 2,200 billion (1.1-2.2 × 1012), or 1.1-2.2 trillion, wild finfishes were caught annually, on average, during 2000-2019. Anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) comprised 28%, by estimate midpoint. Estimated numbers in 2019, totalling 980-1,900 billion, were lower due to reduced anchoveta landings, but still represented 87.5% of vertebrate numbers killed for food or feed, as obtained or estimated from FAO data. These figures exclude unrecorded capture such as illegal fishing, discards and ghost fishing. Estimated finfish numbers used for reduction to fishmeal and oil represented 56% of the total 2010 estimate (1,000-1,900 billion), by midpoint. It is recommended that the FAO reports fish capture numbers. The welfare of wild-caught fishes, which is generally very poor during and after capture, should be addressed as part of sustainable utilisation of aquatic resources.

Decoding halal and jhatka slaughter: novel insights into welfare and protein biomarkers in slow-growing broiler chicken.

BACKGROUND: The first evidence of blood biochemical and proteomic changes in slow-growing broiler chicken subjected to ritual slaughter like halal (HS) and jhatka (JS) without stunning and commercial slaughter with electrical stunning (ES) was decoded. RESULTS: Significant stress indicators like cortisol and triiodothyronine were markedly elevated in JS birds, whereas increased (P < 0.05) levels of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase were observed in JS and ES birds. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled to MALDI-TOF MS elucidated the overabundance of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and l-lactate dehydrogenase that are positively correlated with stress in JS broilers. Bioinformatic analysis explored the multifaceted landscape of molecular functions. CONCLUSION: The study has uncovered that ritual slaughter performed without stunning against commercial slaughter with ES practices elicit varying levels of stress as evident from blood biochemistry and novel protein markers. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of different slaughtering methods on the energy metabolism, apoptosis process and quality of grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) during cold storage at 4 °C.

BACKGROUND: The aquatic processing industry is increasingly aware of the need to ensure that slaughtering is carried out under high welfare standards, so there is a need to explore the impact of slaughter methods on fish fillets. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different slaughtering methods (M1, lethality by hammering; M2, gas mixture causing death; M3, lethality by clove oil anesthesia + ice slurry; M4, lethality by ice slurry; M5, lethality by gradient cooling) on the energy metabolism, apoptosis and flesh mass in grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus). RESULTS: Therefore, 120 fish (24 per treatment) were slaughtered by the five methods. The results showed that the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) enzyme activity of M5 sample was higher. The serum glucose level of M2 samples and DAPI staining fluorescence of M2 samples were the highest, indicating that the stress response of M2 was strong. In addition, the texture, pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and K value results showed M5 samples had better flesh quality. CONCLUSION: Gradient cooling lethality had the least effect on oxidative damage and apoptosis in grouper during cold storage as the gradient cooling lethality had the least effect on antioxidant enzyme activities. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Phenotypic and molecular characterisation of Salmonella spp. isolates in healthy poultry.

1. Epidemiological surveillance of Salmonella spp. serves as a primary tool for maintaining the health of poultry flocks. Characterising circulating serotypes is crucial for implementing control and prevention measures. This study conducted phenotypic and molecular characterisation of S. enterica Pullorum, S. enterica Heidelberg, and S. enterica Corvalis isolated from broiler chickens during slaughtering.2. All strains were susceptible to gentamicin, neomycin and norfloxacin. However, resistance rates exceeded 50% for ciprofloxacin and tiamulin, irrespective of the serotype. Approximately 64% of strains were classified as multidrug-resistant, with S. enterica Heidelberg strains exhibiting significantly higher overall resistance. The isolates demonstrated the ability to adhere and produce biofilm at a minimum of three temperatures, with S. enterica Pullorum capable of biofilm production at all temperatures encountered during poultry rearing.3. Each strain possessed between two and seven different virulence-associated genes. Genetic similarity, as indicated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis, exceeded 90% for all three serotypes and strains were classified in the R5 ribotype by PCR, regardless of serotype. Sequencing revealed high similarity among all strains, with homology ranging from 99.61 to 100% and all were classified to a single cluster.4. The results suggested a clonal relationship among the strains, indicating the possible circulation of a unique clonal group of S. enterica Pullorum in the southern region of Brazil.

Substitution of soybean meal for yellow mealworm meal in the diet of slow-growing chickens provides comparable carcass traits and meat quality.

1. This study investigated the effects of incorporating yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larval meal as a partial and/or complete substitute for soybean meal on carcass and meat quality in slow-growing chickens.2. A total of 256 one-day-old male broilers were randomly allocated to 1 of 32 experimental units distributed among four treatments (n = 8): the control treatment (C), where soybean (SB) meal was the protein source, and three experimental treatments, in which SB meal was replaced by Tenebrio molitor (TM) larval meal at levels of 50% (T1), 75% (T2) and 100% (T3), respectively. Three different feed phases (1-29; 29-57 and 57-92 d of age) were used for each treatment. All chickens were slaughtered at 92 d of age, with eight animals per treatment randomly selected to assess carcass and meat quality. Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIR) was used to classify meat quality.3. Carcass traits were not significantly different between treatments, except for head and thigh weight, which were higher in the control group (p < 0.01). In terms of physicochemical characteristics, treatment T2 showed less yellowness (p < 0.05), while water and cooking losses were lower in treatments T1 and T2 (p < 0.01). Meat from both T1 and T2 groups had lower shear forces (p < 0.01), higher moisture content (p < 0.01) and less protein (p < 0.05) compared to treatments C andT3. Birds fed T3 had the highest meat ash content (p < 0.01). Chickens consuming TM had higher monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) levels and lower polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and n-6 acidsPUFA (p < 0.01).4. Substitution of SB with TM is a protein alternative for slow-growing chickens that supports carcass and meat quality comparable to those fed a conventional diet.

Using underwater currents as an occupational enrichment method to improve the stress status in rainbow trout.

This study investigated the effects of occupational enrichment, specifically underwater currents, on the stress status of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). A total of 540 fish were divided into three groups: control tanks without artificial currents (CO), tanks with randomly fired underwater currents (RFC), and tanks with continuous current throughout the day (CT). After 30 days, half of the fish in each group underwent a 5-day pre-slaughter fasting (5D), while the others were fed until the day before slaughter (0D). Fish in the RFC group exhibited lower levels of plasma cortisol and acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity in hypothalamus and optic tract than other groups, suggesting an improved stress status. RFC group also showed higher levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in 5D fish and higher liver glycogen stores, suggesting improved energy reserves. In comparison, the CT group had higher LDH levels, possibly due to their increased swimming activity. The CO group had significantly lower NEFA levels at 5D compared to the RFC group, suggesting lower energy reserves. The RFC fish had darker and yellow-reddish skin and liver color, suggesting an improved stress status and lower lipid reserves, respectively. Overall, although a significant stress response was not observed in fasted individuals, possibly due to the relatively short fasting period, the study suggests that providing occupational enrichment using randomly fired underwater currents for 1 month helped to improve stress status in rainbow trout, indicating that occupational enrichment during the grow-out phase can positively impact the welfare of rainbow trout during routine handling procedures.

Quantification and environmental impact of slaughter waste during its life cycle.

Considering the lack of an in-depth and comprehensive study on slaughter waste quantification and its management, despite the growing demand for meat this study aims to quantify the slaughter waste generated in Mumbra, Thane, India, from the meat retail stores. The study also endeavors to find the composition of slaughter waste in municipal solid waste by employing the questionnaire survey method. The literature reviewed the published studies on the life cycle analysis of food products for global warming potential values for meat and vegetable products along with the vegetarian and non-vegetarian dietary patterns. In this study, it was observed that 55.93% of the population were non-vegetarian consumers and the composition of slaughter waste was 7% of total municipal solid waste disposed of in disposal sites resulting in greenhouse gas emission of 0.11 Gg CO2 Eq./year. The study presents the implementation of a biomethanation plant as a mitigation measure, along with an evaluation of the theoretical biogas potential and electricity generation capacity derived from slaughter waste, considering it as a potential feedstock. The outcomes of this study also highlight the necessity for further focused research in this specific area, aiming to increase consumer knowledge regarding the environmental impacts of meat-based diets. The finding of this study will help researchers and assists policymakers in facilitating effective management and understanding the scale of the emissions resulting from meat products and slaughter waste and identifying suitable mitigation approaches, and actively contributing to reducing the environmental footprint.

Gurka vs Slaughter equations to estimate the fat percentage in children with cerebral palsy from all subtypes and levels of the Gross Motor Function Classification System.

BACKGROUND: Body composition assessment in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is a challenge, specially the fat percentage. There are different methods that can be used to estimate the fat percentage in this population, such as anthropometric equations, but there is still a need to determine which is the best and most accurate. The purpose of the study was to determine the method that best estimates the fat percentage in children from all CP subtypes and levels of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). METHODS: Analytical cross-sectional study in which 108 children with CP diagnosed by a pediatric neurologist were included with any type of dysfunction and from all levels of the GFMCS. Slaughter equation, Gurka equation and Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) as reference method, were used. Groups were stratified by sex, CP subtypes, GMFCS level and Tanner stage. Median differences, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman's correlation coefficients and simple regressions were used, also multivariate models were performed. RESULTS: The Slaughter equation differed from the other methods in the total population and when it was compared by sex, CP subtypes, gross motor function and Tanner stage. The Gurka equation showed significant differences by sex and gross motor function. Gurka equation correlated positively and significantly with BIA to estimate the fat percentage in all the CP subtypes and levels of the GMFCS. Tricipital skinfold (TSF), arm fat area (AFA) and weight for age index (W/A) showed the highest variability with respect to fat percentage. CONCLUSION: Gurka equation is more appropriate and accurate than Slaughter equation to estimate the fat percentage in children with CP from all subtypes and levels of the GMFCS.

Genetic parameters and evaluation of mortality and slaughter rate in Holstein and Jersey cows.

The longevity of dairy cattle has economic, animal welfare, and health implications and is influenced by the frequency of mortality on the farm and sale for slaughter. In this study cows removed from the herd due to death or slaughter during the lactation were coded 1 and cows that were not terminated were coded 0. Genetic parameters for mortality rates (MR) and slaughter rates (SR) were estimated for Holstein (H) and Jersey (J) breeds by applying both linear (LM) and threshold (TM) sire models using about 1.2 million H and 286,000 J cows. Estimated breeding values (EBV) for MR and SR were predicted using animal models to assess the opportunity for selection and genetic trends. Cow termination data, recorded between 1990 and 2020 on a voluntary basis by Australian dairy farmers, were analyzed. Cow MR has increased from below 1% in the 1990s to 4.1% and 3.6% in recent years in H and J cows, respectively. Most dead cows (∼36%) left the herd before 120 d of lactation, while cows that were slaughtered left the herd toward the end of the lactation. Using the LM, heritability (h2) estimates for MR were lower (1%) than those for SR (2%-3.5%). When h2 were estimated using a TM, the estimates for both traits varied between 4% and 20%, suggesting that the difference in incidence level is one of the reasons for the difference in the h2 values between MR and SR. Early test-day milk yield (MY) and 305-d MY (305-d MY) have unfavorable genetic correlations (0.32-0.41) with MR in both breeds. The genetic correlations of calving interval with MR were stronger (0.54-0.68) than with SR (0.28-0.45) suggesting that poor fertility can serve as an early indicator of poor cow health that may lead to increased risk of death. High early test-day somatic cell count is genetically associated with increased likelihood of slaughter (0.24-0.46), but not with increased likelihood of death. In H, 305-d protein yield (PY) had the strongest genetic correlation (-0.34 to -0.40) with SR whereas in J, both 305-d PY and fat yield showed high genetic (-0.64 to -0.70) and moderate environmental (-0.35 to -0.37) correlations with SR. The genetic correlation of removal from the herd due to death and slaughter was negative (-0.3) in J and zero in H. Strong selection for improved fertility and survival and less selection emphasis for MY, has led to an improvement in the genetic trend for cow MR in H and the trend in J has stabilized. Although genetic evaluations for cow MR are feasible, the reliabilities of the EBV are low and the level of cow MR in Australia are relatively low compared with similar countries. Therefore, genetic evaluation for survival based on mortality and slaughter data could be sufficient in the current selection circumstances where breeding objectives are broadly defined. Nevertheless, all Australian farmers should be encouraged to continue recording mortality and slaughter data for monitoring of the trends and for future development of genetic evaluations.

Cull cow carcass traits and risk of culling of Holstein cows and 3-breed rotational crossbred cows from Viking Red, Montbéliarde, and Holstein bulls.

Culled dairy cows represent a considerable source of meat production, but their carcasses may vary greatly in quality because of the wide variation in the age, stage of lactation, breed, body condition, and other characteristics of the cows at slaughter. However, the effect of crossbreeding on the value of culled cows has so far received little investigation. The aim of this observational study was to compare a range of carcass attributes of cull cows from 3-breed rotational crossbreeding using Viking Red, Montbéliarde (MO), and Holstein (HO) bulls with those of HO purebred cows. Data on 1,814 dairy cows were collected. Cows were reared together in one herd and slaughtered in 4 slaughterhouses. The carcass weight, fleshiness, and fatness scores, the total value, and the price (€/kg) of each cow carcass were recorded. The culling of a few cows in the sample (n = 86) was classified by the farm manager as "urgent" following a diagnosis of injury or sickness, and this information was recorded. Carcass traits were analyzed with a mixed model which included the fixed effects of parity, days in milk, genetic group (purebred HO, 787 cows, and crossbred cows, classified according to the breed of sire within crossbreds, with 309, 428, and 290 cows sired by Viking Red, MO, and HO bulls, respectively), and interactions, and the random effects of month × year of the date of slaughter, and slaughterhouse. Logistic regression was used to investigate the association of parity, days in milk and purebred or crossbred origin with unplanned, "urgent" culling compared with regular culling. Average carcass weight across genetic groups was 297 ± 65 kg, average price €2.03 ± 0.53/kg, and average value €631 ± 269. Compared with HO, crossbred carcasses were 7 to 12% heavier depending on the breed of sire, were graded + 0.12 to + 0.28 units higher for fleshiness and + 0.26 to + 0.30 units higher for fatness, and fetched an 8 to 11% higher price. As a consequence, compared with purebred HO, carcasses from crossbreds had 15 to 24% higher value (€84 to €133 more per cow), with crossbred cows sired by MO showing the greatest values. Moreover, compared with the HO cows, the crossbred cows had a 37% lower risk of being urgently removed from the herd, which raises welfare concerns and may reduce the salvage value of cull cows. Because cull cows represent a supplemental source of income for dairy farmers, the greater overall value of crossbred cull cows should be taken into account in evaluating the economic effectiveness of crossbreeding schemes.

A review of the DTS: Diathermic Syncope® system with a discussion regarding its use for kosher slaughter (shechita).

Over the last several decades an alternative to current methods of stunning cattle has been developed. This system, DTS: Diathermic Syncope®, has been suggested to the Jewish and Muslim communities as a means to achieve pre-cut stunning in conformity with both religious and EU regulations without a need to resort to a derogation that permits an exemption from the EU requirement to pre-stun all animals undergoing slaughter. The developer's contention is that the system induces fainting, and thus should be acceptable to all groups, including the kosher (Jewish) and Halal (Muslim) consumer. A review of the system based on publications and reports from the developer itself suggests that in reality the system selectively heats the brain, leading to an epileptic-type seizure with tonic-clonic phases and unconsciousness lasting several minutes. It does not induce a (benign) faint, and use of the system might cause structural brain damage. Thus, this system is unlikely to be acceptable under Jewish religious law and its animal welfare value can be questioned.

A survey of handling and transportation of UK farmed deer.

Studies on the transport of deer (Cervidae), in the UK, were published > 15 years ago. A more recent study of deer transport is required to allow for assessments and improvements to the transport of farmed deer. Sixteen deer farmers participated in a survey describing their management practices related to transport. Their responses showed that most vehicles used to transport deer were designed for other livestock. Participating farmers estimated journey times to slaughter as 1-8 h, with an arithmetic mean of 4.8 (± 2.38) h. Specific concerns raised by the respondents, relating to the transport of deer, included a need for deer-specific vehicles, stop-off areas for long journeys, market locations and haulier experience. Furthermore, data were collected from two abattoirs between July 2019 and June 2020 comprising journey times, slaughter times, bruising, location of origin, vehicle type and the number of animals. In total, 4,922 deer were transported across 133 journeys (from farm to abattoir) from 61 farms. Median and range for journey length were 3.2 (0.4-9.8) h and 154.2 (7.1-462.2) km, whereas group size and time spent in the lairage were 24 (1-121) and 17.8 (10.2-68.9) h, respectively. Group size was found to be significantly associated with both the presence of bruising in a group and the amount of bruising per deer. This study provides a much-needed update on the transport of farmed deer in the UK and highlights key areas for future research including the welfare impact of transport in larger groups and for longer durations.

The efficacy of electrical stunning of New Zealand rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) and freshwater crayfish (Paranephrops zealandicus) using the Crustastun™.

Large numbers of decapod crustacea are farmed and harvested globally for human consumption. Growing evidence for the capacity of these animals to feel pain, and therefore to suffer, has led to increased concern for their welfare, including at slaughter. In New Zealand, decapod crustacea are protected by animal welfare legislation. There is a requirement that all farmed or commercially caught animals of these species killed for commercial purposes are first rendered insensible. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Crustastun™, a commercially available bench-top electrical stunner, in two commercially important New Zealand crustacean species; the rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) and koura (freshwater crayfish [Paranephrops zealandicus]). Animals were anaesthetised via intramuscular injection of lidocaine and instrumented to record the electrical activity of the nervous system, prior to being stunned according to the manufacturer's instructions. Stunning efficacy was determined by analysing neural activity and observing behaviour post stunning. All ten P. zealandicus and three J. edwardsii appeared to be killed outright by the stun. Of the remaining J. edwardsii, six exhibited some degree of muscle tone and/or slow unco-ordinated movements of the limbs or mouthparts after stunning, although there was no recovery of spontaneous or evoked movements. One J. edwardsii was unable to be stunned successfully, likely due to its very large size (1.76 kg). None of the successfully stunned animals showed any evidence of return of awareness in the five minutes following stunning. It was concluded that the Crustastun™ is an acceptable method for killing P. zealandicus and for stunning all but the largest J. edwardsii.

Estimating global numbers of farmed fishes killed for food annually from 1990 to 2019.

Global farmed finfish production increased from 9 to 56 million tonnes between 1990 and 2019. Although finfishes are now widely recognised as sentient beings, production is still being quantified as biomass rather than number of individuals (in contrast to farmed mammals and birds). Here, we estimate the global number of farmed finfishes slaughtered using FAO aquaculture production tonnages (1990-2019 data) and estimates of individual weight at killing (determined from internet searches at species and country level where possible). We relate these numbers to knowledge on humane slaughter, animal welfare law, and certification schemes. Since 1990, farmed finfish numbers killed annually for food have increased nine-fold, to 124 billion (1.24 × 1011, range 78-171 billion) in 2019. This figure does not represent the total number farmed (due to mortalities during rearing and non-food production) and is expected to increase as aquaculture expands. Our estimates indicate that farmed finfishes now outnumber the 80 billion farmed birds and mammals killed globally each year for food. The majority are produced in Asia. Inhumane slaughter practices cause suffering for most farmed finfishes. Most, 70-72%, have no legal welfare protection, and less than 1% have any fish-specific legal protection, at slaughter. The main global certification schemes in 2013-2015 accounted for 2% of slaughtered farmed finfishes. Fishes for which species-specific parameters for automated humane stunning are published comprise 20-24%. As the dominant taxa of farmed vertebrates, finfishes would benefit from better welfare if species-specific humane slaughter was defined and incorporated into laws and certification schemes.

Slaughter performance of the main goose breeds raised commercially in China and nutritional value of the meats of the goose breeds: a systematic review.

A number of goose breeds are raised commercially in China. However, the data on the slaughter performance of the goose breeds and the nutritional value of their meats lack a thorough comparative analysis. In this systematic review, the slaughter performance of the goose breeds and nutritional value of their meats were comparatively analyzed to provide an overview of the characteristics of the goose breeds raised commercially in China. Fifteen goose breeds were selected from 27 research articles published up to January 2022 on the slaughter performance of the goose breeds raised commercially in China and their nutrient composition after literature searching, literature screening, variety selection, and data collation. The slaughter indexes of the goose breeds and the basic nutrient composition, amino acid composition, and fatty acid composition of the meats of the goose breeds were standardized using min-max normalization and compared. The results suggest that the slaughter indexes and nutritional indicators of the meats of Yangzhou white goose, Xupu goose, Landaise geese, and Sichuan white goose are more balanced than those of the meats of the other goose breeds. The results of this review can lay the foundation for optimizing the breeding methods of the commercially raised goose breeds and processing methods of the meats of the geese. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Biomarker discovery and authentication of cold-slaughtered chicken through classical analytical procedures and mass spectrometry based proteomic approaches.

1. This study evaluated the suitability of routine analytical procedures and used mass spectrometry-based proteomic approaches to distinguish meat from dead chicken/ cold-slaughtered birds (CS), electrically stunned and slaughtered birds, as per standard protocols (ES), and birds slaughtered according to halal guidelines (HS).2. Meat from CS birds had lower (P < 0.05) pH, water-holding capacity and higher (P < 0.05) lipid oxidation, haem iron content, residual blood and total viable counts relative to ES and HS meat indicating poor quality.3. The results demonstrated the presence of unique protein bands on SDS-PAGE only in CS meat that can be used for routine screening.4. Protein analysis using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry identified haemoglobin subunit alpha-A and alpha-D; Adenylate kinase isoenzyme 1 as reliable and stable marker proteins for authentication of dead chicken meat under raw and cooked conditions and halal slaughtered chicken, respectively.5. The methods used may be employed by the food safety and regulatory agencies for regular screening of meat quality and to authenticate CS or HS chicken.

Modelling and predicting fat deposition rates in various South African sheep crosses using ultrasound technology.

Producers require an accurate predictive tool that can determine the optimal point of slaughter based on fat depth. The modelling of fat deposition with a simple mathematical model could supply in this need. Dohne Merino and Merino ewes were crossed with Dorper, Dormer and Ile de France rams or rams of their own breeds to create two purebred (Dohne Merino and Merino) and six crossbred groups (Dohne x Dorper, Dohne x Dormer, Dohne x Ile de France, Merino x Dorper, Merino x Dormer and Merino x Ile de France) of offspring. Fat deposition of four lambs of each sex per genotypic group was monitored from 80 to 360 days using ultrasound, and the data subsequently fitted to various equations and evaluated for goodness of fit. A linear fitting of fat depth to age (R2 > 0.77) and live weight (R2 > 0.56) were deemed to provide the best fit. The slope parameters of the equations indicated that ewes deposited fat faster than rams and that Dorper crosses had the highest fat deposition rate. An attempt was also made to model loin muscle growth, but the model fit was judged to be unsatisfactory. The predictive models developed here are deemed suitable for inclusion in feedlot management systems to aid in the production of optimally classified lamb carcasses.

Mathematical models to predict the lamb weight at birth and at weaning reared in the tropical warm-climate pasture.

Our objective was to evaluate the productive parameters of ewes and their lambs in relation to ewe age and to develop models for predicting lamb weight at birth and weaning in a tropical warm-climate pasture. Individual data were collected from 273 ewes and 273 lambs, between 2013 and 2021. During this period all animals were kept on pastures of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu All lambs in the experiments were supplemented in creep-feeding. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed using the PROC SUMMARY procedure in SAS (SAS University Edition, SAS Institute Inc. Cary, CA, USA). Pearson correlation coefficients between variables were estimated using the PROC CORR procedure in SAS (SAS University Edition, SAS Institute Inc. Cary, CA, USA). Model adjustments and variable selection were performed using PROC REG in SAS (SAS University Edition, SAS Institute Inc. Cary, CA, USA). The STEPWISE option and Mallow's C(p) were used to select the variables included in the equations. Outliers were identified by evaluating the studentized residuals based on the predicted values from the equations. Residual analysis was predicted by regression minus observed values and those that fell outside the range of -2.5 to 2.5 were removed. Several statistics were used to assess the predictability of the equations, including the coefficients of determination (r2) and mean standard error (RMSE). The average ewe age at lambing was 3.4 ± 1.7 years, with an average weight of 56.9 ± 8,9 kg and average body condition score (BCS) of 2,4 ± 0.8 points. The average ewe age at weaning was 51.1 ± 7.9, with average BCS of 1.8 ± 0.8 points. The average lamb at birthing was 3.9 ± 0.9 kg. The average lamb at weaning was 21.0 ± 4.9, with daily gain of 0.2 ± 0.1 kg/day and total gain of 17.1 ± 4.7 kg birth to weaning. The lamb produced by ewe at lambing was 5.3 ± 1.7 kg/ewe. The lamb weaned by ewe at weaning was 28.7 ± 10.8 kg/ewe. The ratios of lamb produced per ewe at birth and at weaning were 0.1 ± 0.03 and 0.6 ± 0.2, respectively. The lamb's birth weight showed a positive linear relationship with the age of the ewe, increasing by 115 g per year of age. The regression equations adjusted for ewe age had maximum points ranging from 4.2 to 5.2, occurring at average age of 4,7 years. The other characteristics showed a quadratic tendency. The results suggest the culling of ewes at five years of age to generate lambs with ideal weight at birth and at weaning raised in warm tropical pastures.