Chemical Characterization and In Vitro Gas Production Kinetics of Alternative Feed Resources for Small Ruminants in the Maltese Islands.

The ever-increasing human population, the problem associated with climate change and recent crises-COVID-19 disease and trade conflicts-all impacted on the availability and cost of animal feed raw materials. This is clearly visible in realities which heavily rely on importation such as islands and small states, where producers involved in the agricultural sector were strongly affected by the sharp increase in prices. To deal with these global issues, alternative resources are perceived to replace conventional ingredients.

Selection of Acetic Acid Bacterial Strains and Vinegar Production From Local Maltese Food Sources.

This study investigates the isolation, identification, and fermentation performance of autochthonous acetic acid bacteria (AAB) from local niche habitats on the Island of Gozo (Malta) and their further use for vinegar production, employing local raw materials. The bacteria were isolated from grapevine berries and vinegar produced in the cottage industry. Following phenotype and genotype identification, the AAB were ascribed to the genera , and .

spp. as Alternative Fodder for Sustainable Livestock Production.

During the past decades, livestock production has increased significantly, which has led to the degradation of rangelands due to overgrazing. The lack of water in several arid areas has led to a decline in crop and animal husbandry. As a consequence, the demand for drought-resistant crops has increased significantly so as to keep crop and animal husbandry systems viable and sustainable.

Coffee intake during pregnancy and neonatal low birth weight: data from a multicenter Italian cross sectional study.

Coffee intake is common during pregnancy. However, the influence of coffee and caffeine on pregnancy has not yet been fully determined. Some studies show that high coffee intake could cause miscarriage, preterm birth or reduction of fetal growth, but other studies do not support these findings.

Cows fed hydroponic fodder and conventional diet: effects on milk quality.

The technology of green fodder production is especially important in arid and semiarid regions. Hydroponics improves on average the amount of crops in the same space, as traditional soil-based farming and can reduce water consumption compared to traditional farming methods. Limited research has been carried out on the use of hydroponic fodder and milk quality.

Consumption of Minerals, Toxic Metals and Hydroxymethylfurfural: Analysis of Infant Foods and Formulae.

Infant foods and formulae may contain toxic substances and elements which can be neo-formed contaminants or derived from raw materials or processing. The content of minerals, toxic elements, and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in infant foods and formulae were evaluated. The effect of storage temperature on HMF formation in infant formulae and its potential as a quality parameter was also evaluated.

Production of Stilbenes in Callus Cultures of the Maltese Indigenous Grapevine Variety, Ġellewża.

The production of secondary metabolites in tissue culture has been considered as an alternative to the cultivation and harvesting of crops intended for this purpose. The present study was aimed at the growth of callus and production of polyphenolic compound of callus derived from a Maltese indigenous grapevine variety, Ġellewża. Callus was inoculated onto plant growth regulators-enriched Murashige Skoog media (MSm) to determine whether polyphenols are produced in vitro as well as to determine the best combination of plant growth regulators needed for the production of these metabolites.

Oleuropein Prevents Neuronal Death, Mitigates Mitochondrial Superoxide Production and Modulates Autophagy in a Dopaminergic Cellular Model.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, primarily affecting dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. There is currently no cure for PD and present medications aim to alleviate clinical symptoms, thus prevention remains the ideal strategy to reduce the prevalence of this disease. The goal of this study was to investigate whether oleuropein (OLE), the major phenolic compound in olive derivatives, may prevent neuronal degeneration in a cellular dopaminergic model of PD, differentiated PC12 cells exposed to the potent parkinsonian toxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA).

Cucurbitacin E, An Experimental Lead Triterpenoid with Anticancer, Immunomodulatory and Novel Effects Against Degenerative Diseases. A Mini-Review.

A growing number of studies have revealed that natural molecules own interesting antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties in cell culture as well as in animal models of human diseases such as cancer, inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. During the past sixty years, several cucurbitacins have been isolated from a number of cucurbitaceous species, amongst others. Cucurbitacins are triterpenoid compounds originally identify as the bitter components of the Cucurbit family that demonstrated several pro-survival activities in various model of cellular decay.

Cucurbitacin E has neuroprotective properties and autophagic modulating activities on dopaminergic neurons.

Natural molecules are under intensive study for their potential as preventive and/or adjuvant therapies for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD). We evaluated the neuroprotective potential of cucurbitacin E (CuE), a tetracyclic triterpenoid phytosterol extracted from the Ecballium elaterium (Cucurbitaceae), using a known cellular model of PD, NGF-differentiated PC12. In our postmitotic experimental paradigm, neuronal cells were treated with the parkinsonian toxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)) to provoke significant cellular damage and apoptosis or with the potent N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) to induce superoxide (O2(•-)) production, and CuE was administered prior to and during the neurotoxic treatment.

In vitro fermentation of feed ingredients by fresh or frozen pig fecal inocula.

In vitro techniques can offer a rapid, repeatable and cost-effective alternative to in vivo experiments. We investigated the gas production (GP) of nine different feeds commonly used in Italian and Maltese pig farms in order to assess the use of the Ankom system in this species and to compare the in vitro microbial activity fresh or frozen inocula derived from piglet feces. Proximate and polyphenolic analyses were determined for all substrates.

Compilation of a herbal medicine formulary for herbal substances in Malta and its usefulness amongst healthcare professionals.

Context: Today, the use of herbal medicine for primary healthcare has increased considerably. Since local pharmacists graduate with little knowledge on herbal medicine, the majority are ill-equipped to provide pharmaceutical advice.

Aims: To develop and evaluate a herbal medicine formulary to aid healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the prescribing, dispensing and counselling responsibilities.