With the increase in world food demand, the output of agricultural by-products has also increased. Agricultural by-products not only contain more than 50% dietary fiber but are also rich in functional metabolites such as polyphenol (including flavonoids), that can promote animal health. The utilization of dietary fibers is closely related to their types and characteristics. Contrary to the traditional cognition that dietary fiber reduces animal growth, it can promote animal growth and maintain intestinal health, and even improve meat quality when added in moderate amounts. In addition, pre-fermenting fiber with probiotics or enzymes in a controlled environment can increase dietary fiber availability. Although the use of fiber has a positive effect on animal health, it is still necessary to pay attention to mycotoxin contamination. In summary, this report collates the fiber characteristics of agricultural by-products and their effects on animal health and evaluates the utilization value of agricultural by-products.

Pennisetum purpureum Schum No. 2 waste mushroom compost (PWMC) is the main byproduct when cultivating Pleurotus eryngii. Due to the high mycelium levels in PWMC, it may have potential as a feed supplement for broilers. This study investigated the effects of PWMC supplementation on antioxidant capacity and adipose metabolism in broilers. In the study, 240 broilers were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups: basal diet (control), 0.5%, 1%, or 2% PWMC supplementation. Each treatment group had 60 broilers, divided into three replicates. The results showed that supplementation with 0.5% PWMC decreased the feed conversion rate (FCR) from 1.36 to 1.28, compared to the control. Supplementation with 0.5% or 2% PWMC decreased glucose and triglyceride levels, compared to the control (p < 0.0001), the concentrations of adiponectin and oxytocin increased from 5948 to 5709, 11820, and 7938 ng/ mL; and 259 to 447, 873, and 963 pg/ mL, respectively. Toll-like receptor 4 was slightly increased in the 0.5% and 1% PWMC groups. Both interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) were significantly decreased, by about three to five times for IFN-γ (p < 0.0001) and 1.1 to 1.6 times for IL-1ß (p = 0.0002). All antioxidant-related mRNA, including nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and superoxidase dismutase-1 (SOD-1), increased significantly following PWMC supplementation. Both claudin-1 and zonula occludens 1 increased, especially in the 2% PWMC group. Excitatory amino acid transporter 3 (EAAT3) significantly increased by about 5, 12, and 11 times in the 0.5%, 1%, and 2% PWMC groups. All adipolysis-related mRNA were induced in the PWMC treatment groups, further enhancing adipolysis. Overall, 0.5% PWMC supplementation was recommended due to its improving FCR, similar antioxidant capacity, and upregulated adipolysis.

This study investigated the effects of using mushroom waste compost as the residue medium for Pleurotus eryngii planting, which was used as a feed replacement; its consequent influence on broiler chickens’ intestinal microbiota, anti-inflammatory responses, and anti-oxidative status was likewise studied. A total of 240 male broilers were used and allocated to four treatment groups: the basal diet—control group (corn–soybean); 5% replacement of a soybean meal via PWMC (Pennisetum purpureum Schum No. 2 waste mushroom compost); 5% replacement of a soybean meal via FPW (Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermented PWMC); 5% replacement of a soybean meal via PP (Pennisetum purpureum Schum No. 2). Each treatment had three replicates and 20 birds per pen. The levels of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase mRNA as well as protein increased in the liver and serum in chickens, respectively; mRNA levels of inflammation-related genes were also suppressed 2 to 10 times in all treatments as compared to those in the control group. The tight junction and mucin were enhanced 2 to 10 times in all treatment groups as compared to those in the control, especially in the PWMC group. Nevertheless, the appetite-related mRNA levels were increased in the PWMC and FPW groups by at least two times. In ileum and cecum, the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios in broilers were decreased in the PWMC, FPW, and PP groups. The Lactobacillaceae in the ileum were increased mainly in the PWMC and control groups. Overall, high-fiber feeds (PWMC, FPW, and PP) could enhance the broilers’ health by improving their antioxidant capacities and decreasing their inflammatory response as compared to the control. Based on the results, a 5% replacement of the soybean meal via PWMC is recommended in the broiler chickens’ diet.

Concerns about the safety of traditional preservatives in personal care products are driving interest toward self-preserving alternatives. This study explores the potential of B. stenostachya leaf extracts, a natural and biodegradable material, for use in cosmetics. B. stenostachya, a fast-growing bamboo species native to Taiwan, is rich in bioactive compounds, including flavonoids with antimicrobial properties. Leaves were obtained from the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) in Tainan, Taiwan, and extracted using ultrasonic and Soxhlet methods with water, 50% ethanol, and 95% ethanol. The highest yield was achieved with 50% ethanol at 100 °C. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblast cell line, with no toxicity observed at dilutions between 1/3200 and 1/400, indicating the extract’s safety for cosmetic use. Antimicrobial activity was tested in accordance with ISO 11930:2019 standards. The extract effectively inhibited Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus pathogens, meeting preservative efficacy Standards A and B for long-term microbial control. Bamboo is a sustainable resource with lower environmental impacts, and its products show promising biodegradability and reduced environmental footprints. This research indicates that the B. stenostachya leaf extract offers a sustainable alternative to chemical preservatives, promoting both environmental sustainability and public health, with the potential for expanded use in natural personal care formulations.

Stephania tetrandra S. MOORE, a medicinal plant, is recognized for tetrandrine production, which is extensively accepted for its therapeutic benefits. However, the slow growth of S. tetrandra limits tetrandrine’s availability, which can be addressed by in vitro hairy root cultivation using Rhizobium rhizogenes and optimization of medium components. The present study attempted the three-step optimization of three components of woody plant medium (ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate, and sucrose), including two-level factorial design, path of steepest ascent (PSA), and central composite design (CCD) to obtain high hairy root biomass and tetrandrine production. The CCD-based optimization for enhanced hairy root biomass resulted in a hairy root biomass of 9.75 g dw/L at optimal concentrations of ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃), calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂), and sucrose of 631.96 mg/L, 651 mg/L, and 41.35 g/L, respectively. The optimal concentration of 550.31 mg/L, 862.88 mg/L, and 25.89 g/L for NH₄NO₃, Ca(NO₃)₂, and sucrose, respectively, obtained after CCD analysis for enhanced tetrandrine production led to the maximum tetrandrine of 70.48 mg/L. Medium optimization resulted in a 1.47-fold increase in hairy root biomass and a 1.37-fold increase in tetrandrine production under individually optimized conditions. The present study findings confirmed the important role of process optimization for enhanced product yield.