Evaluation of Commercial Meat Products of Red Chicken Reared under LED Lights

The objective of our study was to investigate the role of three different light-color tempera-tures of Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) [Neutral (K = 3300 − 3700); Warm (K = 3000 − 2500) and Cool (K = 5500 − 6000)] on the qualitative attributes of breast meat obtained from male AZ Extra Heavy Red chickens. The comparison was made with meat deriving from chickens reared in the presence of classic neon lighting (Control). The meat was analyzed for the determination of both physical and chemical properties (cooking loss, moisture, total lipids and fatty acid composition). Furthermore, meat samples subjected to cooking were also analyzed for the identification of volatile compounds produced during the process; such evaluation was performed both immediately after cooking (T0) and after 7 days (T7) of cooked-meat storage at 4◦ C. Cooking-loss values were higher for samples from chickens raised with Neutral LED (p < 0.05) compared to the other groups. For the fatty acid profiles of the meat, higher values were found for monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) such as C18:1, C9 and C16:1 in Cool LED compared to the Control. Regarding the volatile profile of cooked meat, compounds belonging to the families of aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, and aromatic compounds were identified. Compounds belonging to the aldehyde family, such as hexanal, increased in Cool LED samples at T0 in comparison to the Control. On the other hand, the amounts of 1-Pentanol, 1-Octanol and 2-Octen-1-ol, which belong to the alcohol family, increased at T7 in Cool LED samples compared to the Warm LED. In conclusion, LED lighting showed to be effective in inducing significant variations on chicken breast meat ready to be introduced to the market, in particular regarding fatty acid profiles and the accumulation of volatile compounds. However more in-depth evaluation is needed for the identification of modifications regarding the sensorial sphere, which could have an impact on the consumer acceptability of the product

Egg quality from nera atriana, a local poultry breed of the Abruzzo region (Italy), and isa brown hens reared under free range conditions

The selection and diffusion in the poultry sector of hybrid breeds able to produce higher amount of meat and eggs, led over time to the erosion of genetic resources. One of the strategies that can be applied in order to stem such phenomenon, concerns the valorization of the animal products, meat or eggs, obtained from indigenous poultry breeds. Therefore, the aim of this study is to characterize the qualitative aspects of eggs obtained from the Nera Atriana hen, an Italian indigenous laying hen characteristic of the Abruzzo region, making a direct comparison with a commercial hybrid reared in the same environment and applying the same feeding protocol. The trial was conducted for a period of 5 months (from March to July 2019), in which 6 egg samplings were performed (one at the beginning and additional 5 on a monthly basis); each sampling involved the collection of 15 eggs per group of animals for a total of 90 eggs per genotype. Eggs were specifically subjected to evaluations of the physical parameters, including the yolk color, and analyses aimed at determining the content of total lipids, cholesterol, and β-carotene. In addition to this, the fatty acids profile and the electrophoretic pattern of the globular proteins of the yolk were characterized. Eggs from hybrid hens were characterized by higher total weight with significantly higher values specifically associated to albumen and yolk weight and to the albumen percentage. In the eggs obtained from the local hen, higher relative percentages were instead found in the quantity of shell and yolk; furthermore, in the same samples was observed a higher yolk redness, a cholesterol concentration tending to be lower although not significant (p = 0.0521), and a greater amount of saturated fatty acids which could justify a lower susceptibility of the food to oxidative processes following transformation with heat treatments. With regard to the fatty acid composition, differences were specifically observed for palmitic (C16:0) and palmitoleic (C16:1 cis-9) acids that showed higher relative percentages in eggs from local breed, and for the oleic acid (C18:1 cis-9) which was more represented in eggs from commercial hens. In conclusion, some interesting nutritional features, in a preliminary way, have been highlighted that could lead the consumer to prefer these “niche” products over those obtained from commercial hybrids

Whole blood transcriptome profiling reveals positive effects of olive leaves-supplemented diet on cholesterol in goats

Agro-industrial by-products represent an important source of compounds credited with high biotechnological potential. In the last decade, considerable interest has developed toward the use of these matrices as dietary supplements in the zootechnical field, paying particular attention to the qualitative aspects associated with animal products. However, less is known about the effect of these matrices on gene expression and thus on animal metabolism. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the whole blood transcriptome of lactating goats fed a dietary supplementation with 10% olive leaves (OL), one of the main by-products deriving from the olive oil chain supply. By applying a false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05 and a Log2 Fold change (Log2Fc) lower than −0.5 or higher than +0.5, it was possible to identify the differential regulation of gene coding for the apolipoprotein B (apoB) mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 2 (APOBEC2), which showed downregulation in goats that received the dietary supplementation. An evaluation of both blood and milk cholesterol was performed, taking into account the strong association between plasma apoB and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Results showed significantly lower concentrations of circulating cholesterol and cholesterol released into the milk through the mammary gland, demonstrating positive effects of OL feeding on animal welfare and potential health benefits for consumers

Evaluation of chemical composition and meat quality of breast muscle in broilers reared under light-emitting diode

The present study was designed to investigate the role of three different light-emitting diode (LED) light color temperatures on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and breast meat quality of broilers. In our experimental condition, 180 chicks were randomly distributed into four environmentally controlled rooms (three replicates/treatment). The experimental design consisted of four light sources: neon (Control), Neutral (Neutral LED; K = 3500–3700), Cool (Cool LED; K = 5500–6000), and Warm (Warm LED; K = 3000–2500). Upon reaching the commercial weight (3.30 ± 0.20 kg live weight), 30 birds from each group were randomly selected, and live and carcass weight were evaluated to determinate the carcass yield. Following the slaughtering, samples of hemibreast meat were collected from each group and analyzed for physical and chemical properties, fatty acids composition, and volatile compounds. Live weight and carcass weight were negatively influenced by the Warm LED; however, no significant differences were observed in carcass yield in any of the experimental conditions. Higher drip loss values were detected in breast meat samples obtained by broilers reared under Neutral and Cool LEDs. In regard to the meat fatty acids profiles, higher polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) values were detected with the Warm LED; however, the ratio of PUFA/saturated fatty acids (SFA) did not change in any group. The evaluation of volatile profiles in cooked chicken meat led to the identification of 18 compounds belonging to the family of aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, and phenolic compounds, both at 0 (T0) and 7 (T7) d after the cooking. The results of the present study suggest that the LED represents an alternative technology that is cheaper and more sustainable than traditional light sources, since it allows economic savings for poultry farming without significant alterations on the production parameters or the quality of the product

Chemical-nutritional parameters and volatile profile of eggs and cakes made with eggs from ISA Warren laying hens fed with a dietary supplementation of extruded linseed

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical-nutritional parameters, oxidative stability and volatile profile of eggs and cakes made with eggs from laying hens fed with a dietary supplementation of extruded linseed. Methods: Two thousand ISA Warren laying hens were randomly divided into two groups: a control group was fed with a standard diet while the experimental group received the same diet supplemented with 7% of extruded linseed. The trial lasted 84 days, in which three samplings of laid eggs were performed. Samples of eggs and food systems arising from eggs were then analyzed in order to obtain information about β-carotene and total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, fatty acid profile, lipid oxidation, and volatile profile. Results: Linseed induced the increase of α-linolenic acid with consequent reduction of the ω-6/ω-3 ratio (4.3:1 in egg yolk); in addition to this, was evidenced the cholesterol reduction and the significant increase in total flavonoids and β-carotene, although no variations were detected in antioxidant capacity. Even in cooked products there was not only a direct effect of linseed in increasing α-linolenic acid, but also in inducing the reduction of cholesterol and its major oxidation product, 7-ketocholesterol. The dietary linseed integration was also shown to affect the volatile profile of baked products. Conclusion: Data confirmed that dietary supplementation with extruded linseed resulted in food products with interesting implications for human health. With regard to the volatile profile of baked products it would be necessary undertake further sensorial analysis in order to evaluate any variations on flavor and consumer acceptability

Seasonal and Feeding System Effects on Qualitative Parameters of Bovine Milk Produced in the Abruzzo Region (Italy)

The aim of this study was to examine variations in cow milk composition as a function of breeding system and seasonality. This study was carried out in 16 dairy farms located in the Abruzzo region (Central Italy), equally distributed between farms that adopt grazing in the spring and summer months, and farms where the intensive system is exploited. Milk was sampled in all seasons in each of the farms involved and was analyzed with particular attention given to the quality of the lipid and protein fractions. A lower concentration of saturated fatty acids and an increase in rumenic, vaccenic and oleic acids were registered for milk samples coming from outdoor grazing, in which was also observed the greatest presence of and caseins. The opposite result was instead observed for casein, which showed the highest values from intensive farming. Evaluations also focused on retinol, which significantly increased in concentration during summer in both breeding systems. The present results suggest positive insights into the role of the outdoor breeding system in improving the main qualitative trait of bovine milk in warm seasons

Influence of licorice root feeding on chemical-nutritional quality of cow milk and stracciata cheese, an italian traditional fresh dairy product

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary licorice root supplementation on chemical and nutritional characteristics of cow milk and Stracciata cheese. Licorice did not influence milk and Stracciata fat content but induced modifications in fatty acid profile. Both in milk and Stracciata, a decrease in saturated fatty acids was detected and in cheeses an increase of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids was observed. Stracciata obtained from the experimental group showed an improved oxidative stability after six days of ripening, a finding partly justifiable by the well-known richness of antioxidant compounds in the licorice root. The volatile profile of Stracciata was also affected by dietary licorice intake, with an increase in esters and a reduction of aldehydes and ketones. These results suggest a positive role of licorice in modifying chemical and physical properties of cow cheeses, reducing lipid oxidation and inducing changes in color and flavor with a presumable improvement in consumer acceptability

Do consumers dream of digital advertising? New communication rules in social media

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a forma recente de comunicação e as regras retóricas utilizadas atualmente para otimizar o impacto publicitário nas mídias sociais. Depois de ter descrito, com a ajuda da literatura, as principais diretrizes comunicativas para novas mídias e mídias sociais, as recentes regras de comunicação serão testadas com os consumidores. Portanto, para melhor elaborar esses tópicos, faremos uso de uma pesquisa exploratória realizada na Universidade Iulm de Milão, na primavera de 2019. A pesquisa responderá aos gostos e desgostos em relação à comunicação na mídia social e publicidade. Assim, as descobertas da pesquisa sobre o consumidor podem ajudar pesquisadores e profissionais de marketing a entender melhor o nascimento dessas novas formas de comunicação. Outro foco desta pesquisa será analisar se a tecnologia social é um viés e, se for, até que ponto. Por fim, os consumidores adoram a publicidade digital nas mídias sociais? Na verdade, toda nova tecnologia requer novas linguagens e, com efeito, isso deve acontecer quando o impacto tecnológico estiver relacionado à mídia. Em suma, as mídias sociais parecem ser um bom terreno para explorar as mudanças recentes na comunicação e, especificamente, na publicitária. As descobertas da pesquisa exploratória podem levar a outras questões, tais como: a comunicação e a propaganda mudam da mesma forma? No mesmo ritmo? Elas vão na mesma direção? Em que medida? A publicidade simplesmente tem que seguir as novas regras de comunicação ou é forçada a usar e inventar novas formas de comunicação? O presente artigo somente será capaz de delinear e rapidamente esquematizar possíveis respostas para as questões que, de fato, estão destinadas a desenvolver outras considerações e pesquisas adicionais.El presente artículo tiene como objetivo analizar la actual forma de comunicación y las normas retóricas utilizadas para optimizar el impacto de la publicidad en los medios sociales. Con base en la literatura, se describieron las principales directrices comunicativas de los nuevos medios y de los medios sociales, y se sometieron las nuevas normas de comunicación a los consumidores. Para elaborar estos temas, se hizo una investigación exploratoria realizada en la Universidad Iulm de Milán, en la primavera de 2019. En la encuesta tenían que contestar las preferencias y las no preferencias en relación a la comunicación en los medios sociales y la publicidad. Se espera que los hallazgos de la investigación sobre el consumidor puedan aportar más informaciones a los investigadores y profesionales de marketing para mejor entender el surgimiento de esas nuevas formas de comunicación. Otro objetivo de esta investigación es analizar si la tecnología social es una tendencia y hasta qué punto lo es. Y por último es conocer si los consumidores les gusta la publicidad digital en los medios sociales. Cada nueva tecnología requiere nuevos lenguajes, y esto debe suceder cuando se vincule el nuevo impacto tecnológico con los medios. En resumen, los medios sociales parecen ser una buena forma de explorar los recientes cambios en la comunicación, más específicamente en la comunicación publicitaria. Los hallazgos de la investigación exploratoria pueden llevar a nuevos cuestionamientos, tales como: ¿La comunicación y la propaganda pasan por los mismos cambios? ¿En el mismo ritmo? ¿Van hacia la misma dirección? ¿En qué punto? ¿La publicidad simplemente debe seguir las nuevas normas de comunicación o es obligada a utilizar e inventar nuevas formas de comunicarse? El presente artículo solamente puede delinear y esquematizar posibles respuestas a estos cuestionamientos, que pueden desarrollarse en otras consideraciones e investigaciones adicionales.This paper aims to analyze the recent forms of communication and the rhetoric rules that are used nowadays to optimize the advertising impact on social media. After having described, with the help of the literature, the main communicative guidelines for new media and social media, the new communication rules will be tested with the consumers. Therefore, to better elaborate on these topics, we will make use of an exploratory research conducted in the IULM University of Milan in spring 2019. The research will provide answers as to the likes and dislikes regarding the social media communication and advertising. Thus, the consumer research findings can help researchers and marketers to better understand the rise of those new forms of communication. This research will also focus on analyzing whether the social technology is a bias and to what extent. Finally, do consumers love digital advertising on social media? Actually, every new technology requires new languages and, a fortiori, this must happen when the new technology impact is related with the media. In sum, the social media seem to be fertile ground to explore recent changes in communication, and specifically in advertising communication. The findings of the exploratory research can lead to new questions, such as: do communication and advertising change in the same manner? At the same pace? Do they go in the same direction? And to what extent? Does advertising simply have to follow the new communication rules or is it forced to use and invent new forms of communication? This paper will only be able to outline and quickly schematize possible answers to the questions that, indeed, are bound to lead to further considerations and further researches

Defining Kawasaki disease and pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome-temporally associated to SARS-CoV-2 infection during SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Italy: results from a national, multicenter survey

Background: There is mounting evidence on the existence of a Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome-temporally associated to SARS-CoV-2 infection (PIMS-TS), sharing similarities with Kawasaki Disease (KD). The main outcome of the study were to better characterize the clinical features and the treatment response of PIMS-TS and to explore its relationship with KD determining whether KD and PIMS are two distinct entities. Methods: The Rheumatology Study Group of the Italian Pediatric Society launched a survey to enroll patients diagnosed with KD (Kawasaki Disease Group - KDG) or KD-like (Kawacovid Group - KCG) disease between February 1st 2020, and May 31st 2020. Demographic, clinical, laboratory data, treatment information, and patients' outcome were collected in an online anonymized database (RedCAP®). Relationship between clinical presentation and SARS-CoV-2 infection was also taken into account. Moreover, clinical characteristics of KDG during SARS-CoV-2 epidemic (KDG-CoV2) were compared to Kawasaki Disease patients (KDG-Historical) seen in three different Italian tertiary pediatric hospitals (Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste; AOU Meyer, Florence; IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa) from January 1st 2000 to December 31st 2019. Chi square test or exact Fisher test and non-parametric Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney test were used to study differences between two groups. Results: One-hundred-forty-nine cases were enrolled, (96 KDG and 53 KCG). KCG children were significantly older and presented more frequently from gastrointestinal and respiratory involvement. Cardiac involvement was more common in KCG, with 60,4% of patients with myocarditis. 37,8% of patients among KCG presented hypotension/non-cardiogenic shock. Coronary artery abnormalities (CAA) were more common in the KDG. The risk of ICU admission were higher in KCG. Lymphopenia, higher CRP levels, elevated ferritin and troponin-T characterized KCG. KDG received more frequently immunoglobulins (IVIG) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) (81,3% vs 66%; p = 0.04 and 71,9% vs 43,4%; p = 0.001 respectively) as KCG more often received glucocorticoids (56,6% vs 14,6%; p < 0.0001). SARS-CoV-2 assay more often resulted positive in KCG than in KDG (75,5% vs 20%; p < 0.0001). Short-term follow data showed minor complications. Comparing KDG with a KD-Historical Italian cohort (598 patients), no statistical difference was found in terms of clinical manifestations and laboratory data. Conclusion: Our study suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection might determine two distinct inflammatory diseases in children: KD and PIMS-TS. Older age at onset and clinical peculiarities like the occurrence of myocarditis characterize this multi-inflammatory syndrome. Our patients had an optimal response to treatments and a good outcome, with few complications and no deaths