Every year, the global food industry produces a significant number of wastes and by-products from a variety of sources. By-products from the food-processing sector are produced in large quantities, and because of their undesirable qualities, they are frequently wasted, losing important resources. In order to pursue a circular economy that refers to waste reduction and effective waste management, by-products valorization recently received increased interest. By-products are rich in bioactive compounds and can be used in various industrial applications for health promotion and nutritional benefits. A novel step in its sustainable application is the use of these inexpensive waste agri-food by-products to create the value-added products. The present review intended to summarize the different types of agro-industrial by-products and their properties and highlight their nutritional composition and potential health benefits. Applications of agri-food by-products in foods as well as the potential health and sustainability implications of by-products in food products were also covered. According to research, agri-food by-products can be added to a variety of food to increase their bioactive profile, fiber content, and antioxidant capacity while maintaining good sensory acceptability. Overall, the sustainability of the agri-food chain and consumer health can both benefit from the use of agri-food by-products in food formulation.

The production performance and meat quality of the slow-growing hybrid Hubbard JA757 were monitored under conditions of diets differentiated by crude protein content. A total of 1200 as-hatched day-old chickens were equally and randomly allotted into two treatments (T-1 and T-2), with six replicates provided for each treatment (100 chickens/replicate). T-1 chickens received standard diets (according to Hubbard Company recommendations), and those in T-2 were fed diets supplemented with crude protein (+0.5% CP in the growing phase and +1.0% CP in the finishing phase). At the end of the investigations (age 56 days), the T-2 chickens performed better than the T-1 chickens for growth traits (+2.72% body weight; +2.77% daily growth gain; −0.34% mortality; and −4.15% feed conversion ratio); for slaughtering (+0.66% dressed yield; +1.10% breast weight; and +1.25% thigh weight); and for quality meat (+0.55% dry matter in thigh muscles and +1.52% dry matter in breast muscles) (p > 0.05). Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) occurred between treatments for body weight, daily weight gain, and feed conversion ratio due to the 0.5% CP feed supplementation during the 15–28 day age period, justifying the usefulness of the CP increasing throughout the grower diet only and not during the finishing period.

Predictions show the possibility of banning birds’ rearing in batteries. From this reason, we aimed to study the welfare conditions assured to birds accommodated in lofts in comparison with those reared in improved batteries. The research targeted ISA Brown hybrids monitored over a period of 25–55 weeks. The batches were represented by birds that were differently reared in halls provided with lofts compared to with improved batteries. The research was carried out in real production conditions. Biochemical indicators were determined, using a BA 400 analyzer produced by BioSystems, as well as quantitative ones using specific formulas based on productions, consumptions, and batch outputs. A cumulated production of 199.24 eggs/week/head was realized in the loft, versus 199.98 in the battery, at a mean laying intensity of 91.82% and 92.17%. Batch output was 4.14% (loft) and 2.98% (battery). Mean consumption registered a level of 122.20 g m.f./head/day for birds in the loft and 115.87 g for the ones from the battery, and feed conversion index was 133.09 g m.f./egg, compared to 125.69. The aviary system ensures optimal conditions to express the birds’ natural behaviors, with a positive impact on the metabolic functions, resulting in a good state of health and high productive levels, comparable to those of birds exploited in batteries.

In the context of the general phenomenon of diminishing genetic diversity, especially in cattle, the conservation of endangered species plays a primary role. The disappearance of some animal populations can irreparably affect the biodiversity of genetic resources. Among the most ancient European cattle are breeds that belong to the Podolian group, the history of which is still not well established. The common origin of these breeds is the wild ox (Bos taurus primigenius), which has been declared extinct since the 17th century. The purpose of this paper is to highlight and compare the latest studies on the origin, evolution, genetic diversity, and phylogenetic relationships of Podolian cattle, with special emphasis on the endangered Romanian Grey Steppe. The importance of studying these cattle derives from the special biological properties by which they have distinguished themselves over time (adaptability and resistance to diseases, severe climate and habitat conditions, hardiness, and longevity). The bibliographic references reviewed in this study confirm that these breeds are carriers of valuable genes that must be preserved for improvement of other cattle and protection of biodiversity. The information presented represents a valuable tool for efforts to conserve endangered cattle.

The general desire of the world's population is to eat as healthily as possible, an aspect that has a direct impact on the technological complex aimed at animals raising (proper breeding systems, microclimate factors with implications for the welfare of animals, etc.), as well as on the quality of the finished products that will enter the food supply. Therefore, the authors set out to study how the growth system influences the health status of rainbow trout raised in different systems. The observed experimental factors did not undergo significant changes. However, differences were generated by the applied growth system. For the amount of glucose in the blood, no statistically significant differences were identified between the groups. In contrast, comparison of the amount of glycogen led to obtaining very distinctly significant statistical fluctuations (the mean for P-si was 2.314±0.638 and for P-i 1.980±0.822). Growth hormone varied between 0.504±0.46 in the case of P-si and 0.694±0.22 ng/ml for P-i. The values obtained for cortisol showed a significant influence of stress factors on the studied trout. The general conclusion of the present study is that various technological factors influence the health status of livestock.