LC-MS/MS analyses have been reported as challenging for the reliable separation and quantification of cyanogenic glycosides (CNGs), especially (R)-prunasin and sambunigrin isomers found in American elderberry (Sambucus nigra L. subsp. canadensis (L.) Bolli). Hence, a novel multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-based ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated in the present study for simultaneous separation and quantification of five CNGs, including amygdalin, dhurrin, linamarin, (R)-prunasin, and (S)-prunasin (commonly referred to as sambunigrin). Initially, the role of ammonium formate was investigated as an aqueous mobile-phase additive in developing MRM-based UHPLC-MS/MS. Later, chromatographic conditions for the resolved separation of (R)-prunasin and sambunigrin were identified. Validation studies confirmed that the developed method has good linearity and acceptable precision and accuracy. A noticeable matrix effect (mainly signal enhancement) was observed in leaf samples only. This method was used to detect and quantify CNGs, including (R)-prunasin and sambunigrin, in leaf and fruit samples of American elderberry. Among the studied CNGs, only (R)-prunasin was detected in the leaf samples. Interestingly, (S)-prunasin (sambunigrin) was not detected in the samples analyzed, even though it has been previously reported in elderberry species.

The growing urban and peri‐urban populations around the world creates strain on food and environmental security. Alleviation of these stressors may be possible by enhancing regional food production and ecosystem services provided by urban and peri‐urban agriculture (UPA). Despite the growing popularity of UPA in the United States, incorporating livestock in these settings is challenging. A review of the literature identified three key barriers to adoption of urban and peri‐urban livestock keeping that have the potential to be ameliorated using agroforestry practices to facilitate integration: animal feed resources, water quality and nutrient cycling, and use of sites contaminated with heavy metals. A discussion focused on the solutions to those barriers resulted in two theoretical silvopasture systems; we propose one for the urban setting and another for the peri‐urban setting. We have determined small‐scale livestock keeping provides a potential strategy to meet the demands of growing urban and peri‐urban environments, but sustainable and effective integration of livestock under these conditions must be considered to mitigate environmental risks associated with urban livestock keeping. Urban silvopasture has the potential to enhance specialty crop and niche food production in these environments. Future research should seek to better understand small‐scale silvopasture at the whole‐system level in a variety of resource contexts and with local species and practices.

Commercial elderberry production requires complete pruning in late fall to maintain productive canes. For integrated farms (livestock and crops), this biomass has potential as ensiled fodder for ruminant livestock. The objectives of this study were to determine the forage nutritive value of late-season (November) pruned elderberry (Sambucus canadensis L. “Rogersville”) fodder when ensiled. A 2 × 2 factorial laboratory silo experiment was conducted testing two packing densities with or without inoculation with lactic acid-producing bacteria silage inoculant to determine effects on silage nutritive values and fermentation parameters. Pre-ensiled elderberry fodder, composited from plants over 2000 m², averaged 5.6% crude protein, 62.5% acid detergent fiber (ADF), 72.5% neutral detergent fiber, 11.4% non-fiber carbohydrates, 53% total digestive nutrients, and 52% relative feed value (RFV). The two packing densities were 160.2 kg dry matter/m³ and 240.3 kg dry matter/m³. Packing density did not affect any nutrient characteristics of the ensiled fodder. Acid detergent fiber was greater (p = 0.01) in un-inoculated silage, resulting in lower (p < 0.01) RFV for un-inoculated silage. Only lactic acid concentration was affected by packing density with greater concentrations (p = 0.04) in high-density silos. Inoculant affected several fermentation parameters with greater concentrations of (p < 0.01) propanediol, (p = 0.01) propanol, and (p < 0.01) acetic acid, while un-inoculated silages had greater concentrations of (p = 0.03) ammonia-nitrogen, (p < 0.01) lactic acid, (p = 0.02) succinic acid, and (p < 0.01) ethanol. Overall, late-season elderberry fodder was successfully ensiled, but nutritive value was low. Packing density did not affect nutritive value but did increase lactic acid concentration. Inoculation improved the RFV by reducing ADF, and though acetic acid production was greater in inoculated silage, total acid concentration was not affected.

As the negative effects of conventional agricultural practices on ecosystems intensify, discourse is turning to more sustainable production systems. Silvopasture, an agroecological practice involving the integration of trees, forage, and livestock, has been proposed as one option to enhance agroecological and community resiliency in the face of climate change. Considerable research has been published on silvopasture systems but attempts to summarize the ecological, productive, and social trade-offs of these systems in review format are few or limited to one dimension of sustainability. In order to fill this gap, a systematic review was carried out, and 267 peer-reviewed publications on silvopasture and other integrated pastoral systems were compiled. Although definitions of sustainability vary, the findings from those publications are summarized according to the three broadest categories: environmental impacts, economics and performance, and social implications for the longevity of these systems. We hope that the information presented in this article will deepen the discourse around silvopasture sustainability, highlight gaps in our understanding, and call attention to endangered traditional silvopasture systems across the globe.