Tillage intensity and compost application effects on organically grown camelina productivity, seed and oil quality

The importance of Camelina sativa has lessened substantially over the last half century, however its unique oil composition and the beneficial agronomic attributes with regard to sustainable agriculture have recently reignited interest in this oilseed crop. Notwithstanding the great interest in camelina, the potential to be cultivated organically has not received prominent attention from researchers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of organic camelina to different tillage systems and compost types, based on differences in yield parameters, oil content, seed crude protein and fatty acid profile. The field experiments, conducted during the 2014, 2015 and 2016 growing seasons, were laid out in a split plot design with three replicates, two main plots (conventional tillage and minimum tillage) and three sub-plots (vermicompost, compost, unamended control). It is consequential from the results that the effect of the type of organic amendment was highly significant on camelina’s productivity. Particularly, compost treatment resulted in higher seed and oil yield (1132 and 446 kg ha-1, respectively) compared to the vermicompost (682 and 269 kg ha-1, respectively) and the unamended control (554 and 220 kg ha-1, respectively). Regarding the fatty acid profile, both organic amendments increased linoleic and palmitic acids, while they presented disparate effects on a-linolenic acid. Furthermore, tillage system influenced significantly only thousand seeds weight, protein content and gondoic acid, enabling the use of reduced tillage to be comparably effective on organically grown camelina performance. Further experimentation is needed to match crop needs with the appropriate cropping techniques in order to ensure an effective organic cultivation

Impact of Compost Application on Fall-seeded Camelina Yield and Seed Quality

Camelina sativa (L). Crantz is a novel promising oilseed plant that can be grown as a spring annual crop or as a winter annual, in milder climates, providing distinct advantages. The objectives of this 3-year study were to evaluate the agronomic potential of fall-seeded camelina in Mediterranean conditions and the effect of compost application on its yield and quality characteristics. The response of fall-seeded camelina to organic fertilization resulted in tripling the seed yield and enhance the weight of seeds, compared to the unfertilized control. Concerning, seed quality characteristics compost application significantly enhanced only seed ash percentage (3.71%) as compared to control (3.05%) and lesser the crude fiber, crude protein and oil content. Results indicated that camelina is a feasible winter crop for Southern Greece and further studies must be carried out to optimize its production

Association of dietary soy with expression of various pro-inflammatory genes in porcine phagocytes

Soybean and whey are two common protein sources used in piglet feeding; however, their effects on pro-inflammatory responses remain unclear. The present study investigated the expression of various genes implicated in the activation/deactivation of porcine phagocytes post-weaning. Eighteen piglets were divided into two groups based on the main protein source of their diet; soybean (SB) or whey proteins (WP). Blood phagocytes were isolated at 72 days of age. Expression of urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA), u-PA receptor (u-PAR), plasminogen activator inhibitors 1 and 2, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclo-oxygenase-2 and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in activated monocytes and neutrophils (except IL-10) was determined by quantitative PCR. Expression of u-PAR, ICAM-1 and iNOS were lower  in both cell types obtained from SB-fed piglets compared to WP-fed piglets. In conclusion, a SB-based diet, compared with a WP diet, is associated with reduced expression of crucial pro-inflammatory genes in porcine phagocytes

Transformation of Hotel Food Waste into Animal Feed: Two Operational Periods of the Food for Feed Pilot Unit

Food waste represents 25–35% of the European Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), thus its diversion into innovative utilization streams is critical for sustainable waste management and the achievement of circularity. Opportunities are even higher in the island of Crete, Greece, where landfilled food waste is 39% of MSW. In this context, the LIFE-F4F Project implements a pilot scale modified solar drying process that provides an innovative, low-tech and low emissions method for safe transformation of source separated food waste into animal feed

Effect of dietary protein source on piglet meat quality characteristics

An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of different dietary protein sources (soybean meal vs whey protein) on piglet meat quality characteristics. Eighteen castrated male Large White × Duroc × Landrace piglets were randomly assigned to 2 groups. Piglets were kept in individual metabolic cages and fed ad libitum over a period of 38 days the following 2 diets: diet SB, which was formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of piglets using soybean meal as the main crude protein source and diet WP, where SB was totally replaced by a mixture of whey proteins on equal digestible energy and crude protein basis. At the end of the experiment, piglets were weighed and slaughtered. After overnight chilling, samples of Longissimus dorsi muscle were taken and were used for meat quality measurements.         No significant differences were observed in the values of pH, colour, water holding capacity, shear force and intramuscular fat content of L. dorsi muscle between the dietary treatments. Measurement of lipid oxidation values showed that dietary supplementation with different protein sources did not influence meat antioxidant properties during refrigerated storage. The SB piglets had lower 14:0 (P<0.01) and higher 18:3n-3 (P<0.001) levels in intramuscular fat in comparison with WP piglets. However, these changes were attributed to background differences in the dietary FA profile and not to a direct protein source effect. The results of this preliminary study indicate that the examined dietary protein sources (soybean meal or whey protein) do not have a significant effect on meat quality characteristics of piglets

Long-Term administration of a commercial supplement enriched with bioactive compounds does not affect feed intake, health status, and growth performances in beef cattle

Feed additives including natural bioactive compounds (BCs) in combination with vitamin E (VitE) and organic Se could mitigate animal stress associated with intensive livestock farming due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Yeast and yeast derivate are included in feed additives as probiotic products and digestion promoters. Scutellaria baicalensis is a source of bioactive compounds and has been tested in monogastrics, exhibiting many immunostimulating and hepato-protective activities. However, the literature lacks information regarding S. baicalensis effects on beef cattle performance and health status. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact on beef cattle's feed intake, health and oxidative status, and growth performances of the inclusion of a commercial supplement (CS) containing VitE, organic Se, yeast derivate, and S. baicalensis extract during the fattening and finishing period. A total of 143 Charolaise male cattle were allotted into 12 pens of 11-12 animals each and assigned to a control ( 463.9 ± 21.48 body weight - BW) or a treated ( 469.8 ± 17.91 BW) group. Each group included two replicates of three pens. The treated groups were supplemented with 20 g CS animal - 1 d - 1 . Feed intake was measured monthly on a pen base during two consecutive days. Total mixed ration and fecal samples were collected at three time points (monthly, from November to February) and pooled by replicate for the analyses to monitor digestibility. Blood samples were individually collected at the beginning and at the end of the trial for oxidative status and metabolic profile determination. Final BW and carcass weight were individually recorded to calculate average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, and carcass yield. Similar feed digestibility between groups were observed during the whole experiment. Feed intake, growth performances, final body weight, average daily gain, feed conversion rate, oxidative status, and metabolic profile were not affected by the dietary inclusion of the tested CS indicating no detrimental effect of the treatment. Different doses of this product should be tested in the future in order to provide a more complete report on the product efficacy

Consumer attitudes toward dairy products from sheep and goats: a cross-continental perspective

This study aimed to assess consumer knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions toward dairy products from sheep and goats. A web-based survey was conducted in Latin America (Mexico and Chile), Europe (Italy, Spain, Greece, and Denmark), and Asia (Bangladesh). From March to June 2021, adult participants answered an online survey available in 5 languages. In total, 1,879 surveys were completed. Categorical and ordinal data were analyzed as frequencies and percentages. To determine the relationship between the variables for purchasing and consumption behaviors of respondents who declared that they consume dairy products, a multiple correspondence analysis was carried out. Most completed surveys were from Mexico and Italy (30% and 33.7%, respectively). Most respondents were between 18 and 29 yr old, female, highly educated, and employed. The majority of respondents (70.8%) declared that they consume dairy products from small ruminants. Consumers preferred products from both sheep and goats (49.4%); however, it was observed that in Mexico, Denmark, and Bangladesh, more than 50% preferred goat dairy products. The most-consumed products were mature and fresh cheeses. Mature cheese was the most-preferred product in Chile; in Mexico, Italy, Greece, and Denmark, it was fresh cheese. Unlike the rest of the countries, in Bangladesh, dairy product consumption from small ruminants was observed by more than 30% of respondents. In Mexico, a higher percentage of people do not consume sheep or goat dairy products because they are unfamiliar with them. In Mexico, Chile, and Bangladesh, limited market availability was also a variable responsible for nonconsumption. In European and Asian countries, sheep and goat dairy products are not consumed because consumers dislike them, in addition to a greater awareness of sustainability and climate change issues. The multiple correspondence analysis defined 5 dimensions. Dimension 1 was associated with the geographic location of the respondent (country and continent), the type of milk (sheep or goat), and the consideration of well-being and health as characteristics associated with the consumption of dairy products from small ruminants. Dimension 2 was associated with the respondent's country of origin and the frequency of consumption. Dimension 3 was associated with gender, education, and employment status. Dimension 4 was associated with the respondent's age, the association of the “healthy” concept of sheep and goat dairy products, and the consideration of the nutritional benefits of dairy as responsible for considering them healthy. Dimension 5 was associated with a “strong smell and taste” of sheep and goat dairy products. This study showed that consumer attitudes toward dairy products from sheep and goats vary between continents. In conclusion, results showed consumer interest in animal welfare and environmental impact issues related to small ruminant farming as well as a general attraction to local products. It seems that these factors contribute to consumers' perception of the quality of dairy products, so the industry and select farmers should carefully consider incorporating them into their supply chain

<i>Schizochytrium</i> spp. Dietary Supplementation Modulates Immune-Oxidative Transcriptional Signatures in Monocytes and Neutrophils of Dairy Goats

The high propensity of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to oxidation can induce a cascade of cellular immune-oxidative imbalances. On the other hand, PUFA, namely docosapentaenoic acid (ω6-DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can exert immunomodulatory effects by suppressing a pro-inflammatory response. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with Schizochytrium spp. levels, rich in both ω6-DPA and DHA on the transcriptional profiling of genes involved in oxidative homeostasis and innate immunity of dairy goats’ monocytes and neutrophils. Twenty-four dairy goats were divided into four homogeneous sub-groups; the diet of the control group (CON) had no Schizochytrium spp. while those of the treated groups were supplemented daily with 20 (ALG20), 40 (ALG40), and 60 (ALG60) g/goat/day. The mRNA levels of MGST1 in neutrophils were downregulated (p = 0.037), while in monocytes, SOD2 and SOD3 were downregulated (p = 0.010 and p = 0.044, respectively) in ALG60 compared to the CON group. GPX2 mRNA levels were downregulated (p = 0.036) in ALG20 and ALG60 compared to the CON group in neutrophils. NOX1 was upregulated (p = 0.043) in the neutrophiles of ALG60-goats. NOX2 was upregulated (p = 0.042) in the monocytes of ALG40-fed goats, while higher (p = 0.045) levels were also found in the ALG60 group in neutrophils. The mRNA levels of COX2 were downregulated (p = 0.035) in monocytes of the ALG40 and ALG60 groups. The mRNA levels of PTGER2 were also downregulated (p = 0.004) in monocytes of Schizochytrium-fed goats, while in neutrophils, significant downregulation (p = 0.024) was only found for ALG60 compared to the CON group. ALOX5AP mRNA levels were significantly decreased (p = 0.033) in ALG60 compared to the CON group in monocytes. LTA4H mRNA levels were increased (p = 0.015) in ALG60 compared to ALG20 and ALG40 groups in monocytes, while in neutrophils, a significant downregulation (p = 0.028) was observed in ALG20 compared to the CON group. The inclusion of more than 20 g Schizochytrium spp./day in goats’ diet induced imbalances in mechanisms that regulate the antioxidant system, while downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory pathways in monocytes and neutrophils

The effect of whole sesame seeds on milk chemical composition, fatty acid profile and antioxidant status in goats

Whole sesame seeds (WSS), although rich in linoleic acid, have not been studied for their impact on the milk fatty acid (FA) profile. Twenty-four goats were divided into three homogeneous subgroups. A control (CON) group and treated groups, in which WSS were incorporated in the concentrates of the CON at 5% (WSS5) and 10% (WSS10), respectively, by partial substitution of both soybean meal and corn grain, were evaluated. Significant increases in the milk fat and total solids contents of goats fed the WSS10 diet compared with the CON were found. In the milk of WSS10-fed goats, the proportions of long-chain fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) were increased, while those of medium-chain fatty acids and saturated fatty acids (SFAs) were decreased compared with those of the CON group. Significant decreases in the proportions of short-chain fatty acids, in the SFA/UFA ratio and in the atherogenicity index value in milk of treated goats were observed. The proportions of C15:0 and C17:0 FAs in the blood plasma of WSS10-fed animals compared with CON-fed animals were reduced significantly. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities increased significantly in the blood plasma of WSS10-fed goats compared with CON-fed goats. Additionally, in the treated goats, the protein carbonyls (PC) in blood plasma and both PC and malondialdehyde contents in milk declined significantly. A significant enhancement in the total antioxidant capacity [measured by the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP)] in the milk of WSS10-fed goats compared with the CON was found. Similarly, an increase in the FRAP value of milk of WSS5-fed goats compared with CON-fed goats was observed. In conclusion, the highest inclusion level of WSS (WSS10) in goat diets improves the FA profile and the oxidative stability of milk and improves the organism's antioxidant status