The growth of the world population has prompted research to investigate new food/feed alternatives. Hemp-based products can be considered excellent candidates. Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is an environmentally sustainable plant widespread worldwide. Following the reintroduction of its cultivation, hemp is attracting interest, especially in the food/feed industry. To date, scientific research has mainly focused on its nutritional aspect. Therefore, the aim of the work was also to investigate the functional profile (total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (Ferric- reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS)) of hemp-based products (hempseeds (HSs), flowers, and HS protein extract), following methanol extraction and in vitro digestion, to study the behaviour of the molecules involved. The results show an interesting nutritional value, even when compared to matrices used in the food/feed industry, such as soy and flaxseeds. The functional profile revealed a very interesting TPC following methanol extraction for HSs, flowers, and HS protein extract, respectively, (550.3 ± 28.27; 2982.8 ± 167.78; and 568.9 ± 34.18 mg Tannic Acid Equivalent (TAE)/100 g). This trend was also confirmed for FRAP (50.9 ± 4.30; 123.6 ± 8.08; and 29.73 ± 1.32 mg Ascorbic Acid Equivalent (AAE)/100 g), recording values similar/higher than soy protein extract and flaxseeds (17.4 ± 1.55; and 10.4 ± 0.44 mg AAE/100 g). The results were also maintained following physiological digestion. These results, although promising, need further investigation, confirming what has been observed with different antioxidant activity assays and identifying individual molecules involved in functional pathways. This information will be necessary to gain a better understanding of the functional characteristics of these matrices for use in food/feed formulations.

This study aimed to evaluate the dietary administration of a blend composed of carvacrol, tannic acid derived from Castanea sativa mill and Glycyrrhiza glabra, medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) glycerides for weanling piglets. An in vitro digestion followed by total phenolic content (TPC) and total antioxidant activity (TAC) assessment was performed before the in vivo application. At weaning, a total of 210 piglets were randomly allocated to two experimental treatments (7 replicates/15 piglets for each replicate). Control group (CTR) was fed a standard basal diet while the treated group (T) was fed the basal diet mixed with 1.500 mg/kg of blend. After in vitro digestion, TPC and TAC evidenced peaks at the end of oral and gastric phases in comparison to the intestinal one in line with the high content of phenolic compound (P < 0.05). Treatment conditioned body weight and average daily gain (P < 0.05), fecal score on 6, 7, and 8 d after weaning (P < 0.05). At 35d, the T group showed a decrease in salivary cortisol compared to CTR (P < 0.05). Duodenum and jejunum sections of T piglets revealed higher villi (P < 0.05), deeper crypts (P < 0.01), and increased V/C ratio (P < 0.01). CTR showed a higher expression of duodenal Occludin (P < 0.05). Jejunal E-cadherin and Occludin were more expressed in T jejunum sections (P < 0.05). Twelve differentially abundant genera were identified in T group caecal samples. Potentially harmful Clostridium sensu stricto 13 was reduced by the treatment (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the tested blend positively affected salivary stress markers and the gut health of weaned piglets.

This study examines the potential of modulating gut health parameters in piglets by varying zinc/copper ratios administered through specialty oxide sources. A total of 84 piglets were selected after weaning and divided into four experimental treatment groups; the trial lasted 28 days. During the initial phase (1–14 d), the positive control (PC) received 2500 ppm of zinc, provided as conventional zinc oxide. In parallel, three additional treatment groups were formed, in which copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were supplemented using potentiated zinc oxide (Pot-ZnO) and monovalent copper oxide (Cu ₂ O), at both European and Non-European recommended inclusion levels: EU (120 ppm of Zn; 140 ppm of Cu), Non-EU ⁺ (300 ppm of Zn; 200 ppm of Cu), and Non-EU ⁻ (300 ppm of Zn; 140 ppm of Cu). Lower Zn/Cu ratios characterized the second phase (15–28 d). Growth performance and fecal score were monitored throughout the trial. Blood samples were collected on days 1 and 14 from one subject per replicate to assess serum proinflammatory cytokines, immunoglobulins, and biomarkers of intestinal permeability. On day 28, one subject per replicate was slaughtered to obtain jejunal mucosa for the determination of jejunal secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and alkaline phosphatase. Fecal samples collected on days 14 and 28 were used to analyze Zn and Cu content and to evaluate microbiota composition. A better fecal score was detected on day 4 in PC group compared to EU ( p < 0.01). Serum immunoglobulin A increased in Non-EU ⁻ vs. PC group ( p < 0.05) at day 14. Serum diamine oxidase decreased in the PC and Non-EU ⁺ groups vs. Non-EU ⁻ group ( p < 0.05) at day 14. sIgA increased in PC vs. Non-EU ⁻ group ( p < 0.01) at day 28. Zn was higher in PC fecal samples ( p < 0.01), whereas fecal Cu increased in EU and Non-EU ⁺ treatments at day 14 ( p < 0.05). Analysis of fecal microbiota performed at day 14 showed decreased. Observed, Shannon, and Simpson metrics in the Non-EU ⁻ group compared to the EU group ( p < 0.05). Beta diversity highlighted a significant separation among groups at day 14 ( p < 0.01). Differential abundance analysis revealed notable changes in genera composition among PC and EU groups at day 14 ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, balanced Pot-ZnO and Cu ₂ O administered at inclusion levels compliant with European levels of inclusion (EU) represent a valid strategy to enhance gut health of piglets during the first two weeks after weaning.

Cultured meat (CM) is a promising alternative to conventional livestock production. However, its scalability is limited by the reliance on fetal bovine serum (FBS) in cell culture media (CCM). This study investigated protein hydrolysates derived from hemp flowers (HFs), hempseeds (HSs), hempseed protein (HP), shrimp (SH), and blue crab (BC) co-products as sustainable CCM supplements. Hydrolysates were produced by Alcalase^® enzymatic hydrolysis and tested on C2C12 murine myoblasts proliferation and viability. At the concentration of 11.7 mg/mL, no significant differences in cell viability were observed between hydrolysates and 10% FBS at 24 and 48 h. At 72 h post-treatment, 10% FBS resulted in the greatest increase in cell proliferation, whereas SH and BC treatments preserved a more physiological myoblastic morphology. Intracellular protein accumulation at 72 h in 10% FBS- and SH-treated cells was equal to 24.66 ± 1.37 and 18.79 ± 1.99 µg/mg, respectively, and 5.75 ± 2.32 µg/mg in BC while hemp-derived hydrolysates exhibited limited intracellular protein utilization. All hydrolysates significantly enhanced intracellular antioxidant activity compared with FBS (5.83 ± 1.12 µmol FeSO₄/mg). Although further studies are required to assess long-term performance and large-scale applicability, these findings demonstrate the short-term potential of plant- and marine-derived co-products as sustainable CCM supplements, particularly for enhancing the antioxidant profile of cell biomass.