Do insects as feed ingredient affect meat quality?

 The development of sustainable feed ingredients for monogastric livestock is nowadays considering insect meals and oils to replace or supplement conventional feedstuffs. Although the regulation on the use of insect products differs among  countries resulting in restrictions on use in the diets of  monogastric meat producers, global research is exploring all the  strengths and weaknesses of their inclusion. Therefore, whereas  the scientific literature has extensively studied both the  relationship between insect farming systems and safety (potential health risks), and between the dietary use of insects  and the nutritional value of diets and production performance of farm animals (fish, poultry, swine, rabbit), the relationship  between insect-containing diet and meat quality has only recently been considered. The present review therefore aims to  collect the results of the studies that have related the dietary use of some insect species, such as the black soldier fly (Hermetia  illucens), the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) and the silkworm (Bombyx mori), on the physicochemical and sensory  traits of the poultry, swine and rabbit meat. The variable that has been most affected by the inclusion of insects as feed on  livestock meat quality is the fatty acid (FA) profile, which, as is well known, in monogastrics tends to reflect that of the diet.  Therefore, the black soldier fly inclusion has always originated meats with a more saturated FA profile, the yellow mealworm a  more monounsaturated fatty acid profile, whereas the silkworm a more unsaturated fatty acid profile and rich of valuable  omega-3 FA, but rarely changed the related physicochemical  variables, or the sensory profile of the meat.

Influence of the paternal genetic origin and season on the live performances and the carcass yield of rabbits reared in the organic production system

Organic rabbit production (ORP) must follow the guidelines for organic livestock system (EC regulation 1804/1999) but they give very few indications for rabbit rearing. In Italy, two organisms of certification (ICEA, AIAB) provide respectively the control system and the guidelines for the rabbit reared under organic system. Regarding to the breed, only pure breeds and their crosses of first generation must be used; the red-eyes breeds are forbidden. The choice of the breed must consider mainly their resistance to disease, their rusticity and slow growth. The latest rule is needed because of the rabbits must be slaughtered when reaching the 14th wk of age. In Italy, the ORP is just developing so, the permitted breeds are not yet selected for carcass and meat quality. Among the adoptable breeds, Vienna Blue and Burgundy Fawn are those the more profitable for the ORP. The aim of this study was to compare the live performance and the carcass yield of rabbits derived from two sire genetic origins, Vienna Blue and Burgundy Fawn, reared in organic system and under different rearing season

Influence of rabbit sire genetic origin, season of birth and parity order on doe and litter performance in an organic production system

The aim of this study was to compare both the performance of litters derived from two sire genetic origins (SGO), Vienna Blue (VB) and Burgundy Fawn (BF), along successive seasons of birth (SB; winter, spring, summer and autumn), and doe reproductive performance in an organic production system. A total of fifty-eight does consisting of a mixture of crosses of several medium-large size breeds at different parity order (P, 1 = nulliparous; 2 = primiparous; 3 = multiparous) and twelve males (6 VB and 6 BF) were housed indoor at environmental conditions that followed seasonality. An extensive reproductive rhythm was used and kits were weaned at 466 d of age. Doe reproductive performance and the data of 105 litters (55 from VB and 50 from BF SGO) were recorded throughout the SB. No statistically significant differences related to SGO effect were observed. As regards parity order, multiparous does showed higher live weights (LW) (p<0.05), total born (p<0.01), total born alive (p<0.05) per delivery, and litter weight of born alive (p<0.05), but lower milk output at 21st d than primiparous does (p<0.05). The extensive reproductive rhythm mainly increased litter performance at birth in multiparous does but was not sufficient to permit a complete recovery of body reserves lost during lactation. Autumn SB negatively affected doe LW variation between deliveries. The number of pups born and born alive per delivery (p<0.05) and litter size at 21 d of age and at weaning (p<0.01) were lower during hot SB. Due to the lower litter size of pups born in summer and autumn, their individual weight at 21st d of age and daily individual growth rate 0 to 21 d were higher than those of pups born in winter (p<0.001). Litter performance at 21st d of age and individual pup pre-weaning growth rate were poorer for those born in spring than in other seasons due to the suffering caused by the effects of increased environmental temperatures. SB affected most of the performance traits of does and young rabbits reared under the organic farming system. The rabbits seemed better suited to organic rearing conditions during winter than in other seasons. The worst results overall were obtained in the spring SB, whereas the hot SB negatively affected both doe energy balance and prolificacy. In conclusion, the pups of the 2 SGO showed good pre-weaning performance and seemed suited to the organic rabbit production system

Fat inclusion level, NaCl content and lab starter cultures in the manufacturing of Italian-type ostrich Salami: Weight loss and nutritional traits \u2020

The experiment studied the effect of two different fat inclusion levels (30% and 40%), NaCl contents (2.4 and 2.6%) and starter cultures (lactic acid bacteria (LAB) 6: L. curvatus/S. xylosus; LAB 8: L. sakei/S. xylosus) on the weight loss and nutritional composition of Italian-type ostrich salami. With this purpose, 8 batches of 9 salami each (n = 72) were prepared. Salami were ripened for 20 weeks: weight loss was monitored throughout the experiment, while salami nutritional composition was evaluated at 10 and 20 weeks of ripening. The lowest fat and highest salt inclusion levels provided the highest cumulative weight loss throughout the trial. At 10 weeks of ripening, salami with 40% fat were the richest in moisture and fat, whereas the leanest ones had the highest protein, ash and cholesterol contents. LAB 6 provided salami with the highest moisture and protein, while LAB 8 increased fat and cholesterol contents. At 20 weeks of ripening the proximate composition of ostrich salami was solely affected by fat inclusion level, with similar findings to those observed at 10 weeks. Overall, fat inclusion level had a great impact on the weight loss and nutritional composition of Italian-style ostrich salami. Reducing the NaCl inclusion from 2.6% to 2.4%, the weight loss of ostrich salami was retarded by approximately 1 week, without affecting the nutritional composition of the final product. Results of the study suggested that it is feasible to produce salami with lower fat and salt contents, while ensuring satisfactory product quality

Study on the nutrient adequacy of feeds for pet rabbits available in the Italian market

[EN] This study was carried out to determine the proximate composition and nutritional adequacy of six complete commercial feeds for pet rabbits available in the Italian market. Wide variability was observed in the chemical composition of the complete feeds selected. Two feeds exceeded crude protein recommended level (172 g/kg and 182 g/kg), whereas 50% of the diets selected did not meet the minimal crude fibre requirements of 130 g/kg. The estimated digestible energy (DE) showed an oversupply in five feeds, attributable to high starch content (from 195 to 380 g/kg) in four of them. Fat levels resulted adequate in all feeds (between 10 and 50 g/kg), whereas a wide variability was observed in fatty acid (FA) composition. All feeds were deficient in phosphorus (<5 g/kg) and three of them also in calcium (<8 g/kg). All feeds were below the minimal vitamin E requirements (<40 mg/kg). One feed showed an aflatoxin B1 content of 11.36 ¿g/kg which is slightly higher than the European recommended maximum amount of 10 ¿g/kg. The six pet rabbit feeds obtained from the Italian market did not fulfil the nutrient requirements for pet rabbits and feeding animals with these products might produce detrimental health effects in the long term.Ricci, R.; Sartori, A.; Palagiano, C.; Dalle Zotte, A. (2010). Study on the nutrient adequacy of feeds for pet rabbits available in the Italian market. World Rabbit Science. 18(3). doi:10.4995/wrs.2010.753218

The effect of organic vs. conventional rearing system on performance, carcasss traits and meat quality of fast and slow growing rabbits.

The effect of different housing systems was evaluated on productive performances and carcass and meat quality of a “local grey” population of rabbits (G). To compare data obtained from G, commercial hybrid rabbits (H) were reared and fed under standard practice. Rabbits were reared as follows: 96 G in outdoor colony cages (O) and fed organic feed based on pelleted feed (oP) and alfalfa hay (H) - group GOoPH; 80 G in conventional indoor colony cages (I) and fed the same organic diet (GoPH) - group GIoPH; 96 G in I and fed conventional pelleted diet (cP) - group GIcP; 88 H in I and fed conventional pelleted diet (cP) - group HIcP. Fifteen rabbits of each group were slaughtered at live weight of 2500 g (100 days of age for G and 87 days of age for H), carcass and meat quality parameters were assessed. HIcP showed the highest average daily gain (33.5 g/day; P<0.05) and GOoPH the poorest total feed conversion (5.6; P<0.05). G showed the highest slaughter yield (P<0.05). GOoPH showed higher loin proportion and the lowest LL pH at 45 min post mortem (P<0.05). HIcP produced LL and BF meat with the less intense colour and rich in ash. LL meat of GOoPH was the richest in protein. GOoPH and GIoPH LL meat showed higher amount of C14:0 and 18:1 n-9. GOoPH showed the lowest value of 18:2 n-6, and HIcP showed the highest value of 20:4 n-6 and the lowest amount of 16:1 n-7. The G yielded meat with higher nutritive value, and the best results were obtained when animals received both pellets and hay and were reared outdoor

impact of coccidiosis control program and feeding plan on white striping prevalence and severity degree on broiler breast fillets evaluated at three growing ages

Abstract This study investigated the impact of 2 coccidiosis control systems (vaccine vs anticoccidial) and 2 feeding plans (standard energy vs low energy content, the latter supplemented with threonine and enzymes in the second half of the production cycle) on white striping (WS) prevalence and severity in chicken broiler breasts at commercial slaughter age (51 d). The age of lesion onset was also investigated with the sacrifice of 80 chicks at 12, and 80 chicks at 25 d of age. Seven hundred and twenty ROSS 708 strain male chicks were divided into 4 groups: a non-vaccinated group fed with standard diet (CONTROL); two groups vaccinated against coccidiosis but fed either a standard diet (VACC) or a low-energy diet supplemented with threonine and enzymes (VACC–LE plus); and a fourth group fed a standard diet containing anticoccidial additive except during the finishing period (COX). After live performance, yields, and fillet pH were measured, the breasts were weighed and scored as level 0 (no WS), level 1 (moderate WS), and level 2 (severe WS) at each of the 3 ages; data were covariate for slaughter weight. The results suggest an ameliorative effect of coccidiosis control systems when compared to the control group in terms of live weight, breast yield, and whole breast weight, with heavier fillets characterized by higher pH values. WS appeared at 25 d of age with an average prevalence of 11.5% and with lesions of moderate severity. There were no statistically significant differences due to the experimental treatment at this age. At commercial slaughter age, total average prevalence was 96%, with COX birds showing higher level 2 prevalence (77.6%). This could be related to the higher slaughter weight reached by the COX group (

Effect of Outdoor Rearing System, in Floor Cage, on Meat Quality of Slow Growing Rabbits

The present work investigated the effect of two housing systems (Indoor vs. Outdoor) on the qualitative characteristics of meat deriving from “Grigia Rustica” rabbits, a slow growing local population. Forty eight growing females were divided into two groups: Indoor group, housed in indoor colony cages (cm 65x40x32 h, 4 animals per cage), and Outdoor group, in wire net floor colony cages (cm 100x150x76 h, 8 animals per cage), in outdoor pen in a wooded area. The animals received ad libitum a commercial pelleted diet plus alfa-alfa hay and were slaughtered at 103±2 days (19 animals/group). About one hour after slaughter, carcasses were put in a ventilated cold room (+4°C) and chilled for 24 hours and the loin region and the right hind leg were excised from each carcass. The following variables were measured: pHu, L* a* b* colour, water holding capacity (filter paper press method, M/T ratio) of Longissimus lumborum and Biceps femoris muscles; drip loss and cooking loss of L. lumborum muscle; chemical composition and fatty acids (FA) profile of hind leg meat. The muscles pHu values were similar within groups. The L. lumborum and B. femoris muscles of Outdoor rabbits had lower lightness (55.59 vs. 59.15 and 53.02 vs. 55.50 respectively, P<0.01) and slightly higher a* value than those derived from rabbits reared in Indoor cages, probably due to increased movement. The M/T ratio of L. lumborum and B. femoris and drip loss of L. lumborum were similar among groups; cooking loss was significantly lower in Outdoor group (15.9% vs. 18.1%). The housing system significantly affected the dry matter (25.5% vs. 24.9%), protein (22.9% vs. 22.6%) and fat contents (1.4% vs. 1.2%) that were higher in Outdoor group. The hind leg meat of the Outdoor rabbits was significantly lower in saturated fatty acids and higher in monounsaturated fatty acids while no differences was observed in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) contents. The meat showed similar n-6/n-3 ratio between experimental groups and slightly higher than the recommended value in human. In conclusion, meat from outdoor rabbits appeared less pale, showed a significant higher fat content that was probably positively related to lower cooking loss, and a positive lower content of SFA and a higher content of MUFA. Outdoor rearing seems to be a possible alternative housing system that satisfies the ethical concern of modern consumer, even furnishing good meat quality