Morpho-physiological digestive features of genetically closely related sympatric lacustrine whitefish forms with different feeding habits.

The effect of different feeding habits on gut morphology and digestive function has been intensively studied during the last decades but sympatric closely related fishes are relatively rare objects of such studies. In the present study, we have identified both morphological and physiological changes in the digestive system of a sympatric pair of whitefish represented by "normal" Coregonus lavaretus pidschian (benthivorous) and "dwarf" C. l.

The hidden cost of illicit trade: Evaluating the physiological health of smuggled European glass eels (Anguilla anguilla).

European eel is considered a "critically endangered" species due to its population decline (c.a. 98 %) in all European waters, primarily because human activities.

Utilizing conductive materials for reducing methane emissions in postharvest paddy rice soil microcosms.

Paddy fields are a major anthropogenic source of global methane (CH) emissions, a powerful greenhouse gas (GHG). This study aimed at gaining insights of different organic and inorganic conductive materials (CMs) - biochar, fungal melanin, and magnetite - to mitigate CH emissions, and on their influence on key microbial populations, mimicking the postharvest season throughout the degradation of rice straw in microcosms under anaerobic conditions encompassing postharvest paddy rice soils from the Ebro Delta, Spain. Results showed that fungal melanin was the most effective CM, significantly reducing CH emissions by 29 %, while biochar amendment also reduced emissions by 10 %.

Insights into genetic determinants of piglet survival during a PRRSV outbreak.

Breeding animals to produce more robust and disease-resistant pig populations becomes a complementary strategy to the more conventional methods of biosecurity and vaccination. The objective of this study was to explore the ability of a panel of genetic markers and immunity parameters to predict the survival rates during a natural PRRSV outbreak. Ten-week-old female Duroc pigs (n = 129), obtained from 61 sows and 20 boars, were naturally infected with a highly pathogenic PRRSV genotype 1 strain.

MarblingPredictor: A software to analyze the quality of dry-cured ham slices.

Dry-cured ham is a traditional Mediterranean meat product consumed throughout the world. This product is very variable in terms of composition and consumer's acceptability is influenced by different factors, among others, visual intramuscular fat and its distribution across the slice, also known as marbling. On-line inter and intramuscular fat evaluation and marbling assessment is of interest for classification purposes at the industry.

Untargeted urine metabolomics suggests that ascorbic acid may serve as a promising biomarker for reduced feed intake in rabbits.

Feed restriction is a common nutritional practice in rabbit farming; however, decreased feed intake can also signal potential digestive disorders at an early stage. This study endeavors to investigate the impact of feed restriction on selected productive traits and the urinary metabolome of juvenile rabbits across diverse genetic backgrounds. Our objective is to identify potential biomarkers capable of detecting periods of fasting.

Comparative analysis of spectroscopic methods for rapid authentication of hazelnut cultivar and origin.

Hazelnut market prices fluctuate significantly based on cultivar and provenance, making them susceptible to counterfeiting. To develop an accurate authentication method, we compared the performances of three spectroscopic methods: near infrared (NIR), handheld near infrared (hNIR), and medium infrared (MIR), on over 300 samples from various origins, cultivars, and harvest years. Spectroscopic fingerprints were used to develop and externally validate PLS-DA classification models.

A Multi-Isotopic Chemometric Approach for Tracing Hazelnut Origins.

High-value products, such as hazelnuts, are particularly vulnerable to fraud due to their price dependence on geographical origin. Guaranteeing hazelnuts' authenticity is essential for consumer trust and safety. Stable isotope analysis has become a reference method for origin authentication as it is reliable, robust, and easily transferable across laboratories.

The assessment of litter quality in broiler chickens: validity, inter-assessor reliability, and intra-assessor repeatability of three visual scoring systems.

1. This study evaluated the validity, inter-assessor reliability and intra-assessor repeatability of three visual scoring systems for litter quality, one known as the Welfare Quality Assessment Protocol© and two complementary systems for friability and humidity developed by the ClassyFarm initiative.2.

Phenological Adaptation of Wheat Varieties to Rising Temperatures: Implications for Yield Components and Grain Quality.

This study examined the effects of late sowing, water restrictions, and interannual weather variations on wheat grain yield and quality through field trials in Spain over two growing seasons. Delayed sowing and water scarcity significantly reduced yields, with grain quality mainly affected under rainfed conditions. Early-maturing varieties performed better in these conditions, benefiting from lower temperatures and extended grain-filling periods, leading to higher solar radiation interception, potentially increased photosynthetic activity, and improved yields.

Unravelling the mechanisms underlying the social interaction effects on the feed efficiency of rabbits.

The feed consumption and feeding patterns of group-housed livestock and their productive outputs can be affected by interactions among group members, such as competition for feeder access and aggression. The impact of competition is especially significant when feed restriction is implemented during the fattening stage, a common practice in rabbit farms to reduce mortality from digestive disorders during this period. The overall aim was to quantify the importance of social interaction effects at the genetic and environmental level on feed efficiency, feeding behaviour and social ranking traits in rabbit populations having access to electronic feeders whilst they were housed in groups during fattening.

Thrips (Thysanoptera: Terebrantia) in Nectarine Orchards in North-East Spain: Species Diversity and Fruit Damage.

Thrips constitute one of the main nectarine pests, with damage either in flowering or before harvesting (silvering). Several species are associated with damage to flowers, but (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is the main species associated with summer damage in Europe. Tree canopies of nectarine orchards under organic and integrated management were sampled in Lleida and Girona at four key moments of the season (bud burst, full flowering, fruit setting stage, and colorization of the fruit) during 2021 and 2022 to determine the species composition in the area and the damage caused during fruit maturation.

Fundamentals of Edible Coatings and Combination with Biocontrol Agents: A Strategy to Improve Postharvest Fruit Preservation.

Challenges in global food supply chains include preserving postharvest quality and extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. The utilization of edible coatings (ECs) combined with biocontrol agents (BCAs) represents a promising strategy to enhance the postharvest quality and shelf life of these commodities. This review analyzes the most recent developments in EC technologies and their combination with BCAs, highlighting their synergistic effects on postharvest pathogen control and quality maintenance.

Effect of Group Mixing and Available Space on Performance, Feeding Behavior, and Fecal Microbiota Composition during the Growth Period of Pigs.

Stress significantly affects the health, welfare, and productivity of farm animals. We performed a longitudinal study to evaluate stress's effects on pig performance, feeding behavior, and fecal microbiota composition. This study involved 64 Duroc pigs during the fattening period, divided into two experimental groups: a stress group ( = 32) and a control group ( = 32).

Impact of adding eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid-rich fish oil in sow and piglet diets on blood oxylipins and immune indicators of weaned piglets.

Weaning is a decisive event in piglets' life. This study aimed to evaluate whether the inclusion of fish oil, rich in eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (EPA and DHA), in sow and piglet diets, increased the concentration of anti-inflammatory molecules in the blood of weaned piglets and whether the effect was dependent on the pigs being born with either low or a high birth BW (bBW). Thirty-six sows in four consecutive batches were randomly distributed between a control diet with animal fat (15 g/kg in gestation and 30 g/kg in lactation) or a n-3 long-chain fatty acid diet (LCFA; totally or half replacing animal fat by fish oil during gestation and lactation, respectively) from service until weaning (ca.

Meeting the challenge of varietal and geographical authentication of hazelnuts through lipid metabolite fingerprinting.

Hazelnuts are high-quality products with significant economic importance in many European countries. Their market price depends on their qualitative characteristics, which are driven by cultivar and geographical origin, making hazelnuts susceptible to fraud. This study systematically compared two lipidomic fingerprinting strategies for the simultaneous authentication of hazelnut cultivar and provenance, based on the analysis of the unsaponifiable fraction (UF) and triacylglycerol (TAG) profiles by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with chemometrics.

Use of isotopic (C, Cl) and molecular biology tools to assess biodegradation in a source area of chlorinated ethenes after biostimulation with Emulsified Vegetable Oil (EVO).

Enhanced In Situ Bioremediation (EISB) using Emulsified Vegetable Oil (EVO) as a long-term electron donor has gained prominence for the treatment of groundwater contaminated with chlorinated ethenes (CEs). This study explores the potential of isotopic and molecular biology tools (MBT) to investigate the CEs (PCE, TCE and cis-DCE) bioremediation using EVO in a contaminated site. A multiple approach using C and Cl-CSIA, quantification of Dehalococcoides (Dhc) and specific reductive dechlorination (RD) gene population, and hydrochemical data in microcosm experiments and field samples was applied.

Sensory optimization of gluten-free hazelnut omelette and sugar-modified chestnut pudding: A free choice profiling approach for enhanced traditional recipe formulations.

The Mediterranean region is distinguished by its gastronomic diversity and a wide variety of indigenous nut crops. In line with changing global food consumers' preferences, a noteworthy aspect is the increasing demand to the use of local varieties in recipe formulation. The aim of the present study was to incorporate the Terra Fria chestnut (Portugal) and Negreta hazelnut from Reus (Spain) in traditional Mediterranean recipes.

From 'Farm to Fork': Exploring the Potential of Nutrient-Rich and Stress-Resilient Emergent Crops for Sustainable and Healthy Food in the Mediterranean Region in the Face of Climate Change Challenges.

In the dynamic landscape of agriculture and food science, incorporating emergent crops appears as a pioneering solution for diversifying agriculture, unlocking possibilities for sustainable cultivation and nutritional bolstering food security, and creating economic prospects amid evolving environmental and market conditions with positive impacts on human health. This review explores the potential of utilizing emergent crops in Mediterranean environments under current climate scenarios, emphasizing the manifold benefits of agricultural and food system diversification and assessing the impact of environmental factors on their quality and consumer health. Through a deep exploration of the resilience, nutritional value, and health impacts of neglected and underutilized species (NUS) such as quinoa, amaranth, chia, moringa, buckwheat, millet, teff, hemp, or desert truffles, their capacity to thrive in the changing Mediterranean climate is highlighted, offering novel opportunities for agriculture and functional food development.

Compatibility of Bioinsecticides with Parasitoids for Enhanced Integrated Pest Management of and .

and are successful biological invaders of agroecosystems. Their integrated pest management (IPM) programs involve the release and/or conservation of natural enemies. Among these, is a major Asian parasitoid of and has been introduced as a classical biological control agent of this pest in Europe and North America, while is a key fortuitous parasitoid of in the Mediterranean region.