Different types of agro-waste provide potential substrates for the extraction of bioactive compounds. Mango waste (e.g., peels and seeds) is one such example and may serve as a source of gallic acid, a well-known bioactive compound classified as a secondary polyphenolic metabolite. Here, we explored the efficacy of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) in extracting gallic acid from mango seed kernels using different solvent concentrations (0–60%), solvent-to-sample ratios (10–50 mL/g), temperatures (30–60 °C), and times (10–30 min). The maximum yield of gallic acid (6.1 ± 0.09 mg/g) was obtained when using a 19.4% solvent concentration, a 29.32 mL/g solvent-to-sample ratio, and the extraction was conducted at 38.47 °C for 21.4 min, similar to the values predicted by the model equation. As compared to the conventional extraction procedure, the extract obtained by the optimized method was found to be significantly different in total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and radical scavenging activity. Non-significant differences were observed in antimicrobial activity. The results indicate that mango seed kernels may be a good source of phenolics, and those phenolics can be effectively obtained through an optimized UAE method. Hence, mango seed kernels may be utilized as a suitable source of extracting phenolics in nutraceutical and food applications.

Mango seed kernels (MSKs) have been reported to show antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti‐inflammatory properties. This study explores the influence of different optimized extraction systems on the extraction of MSK. The effects on gallic acid (GA) content, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hemolytic activity of MSK extracts from different extraction systems (65.45% ethanol‐ultrasound assisted extraction [UAE], 62% ethanol‐incubator shaker, 19.4% ethanol‐UAE, and 100% water‐UAE) were assessed. Based on the results, a nonsignificant difference in phenolic ( p = 0.222), flavonoids ( p = 0.058), antioxidant ( p = 0.165), and antimicrobial activity ( p = 0.193) against Staphylococcus aureus whereas a significant difference ( p < 0.0001) in hemolytic, GA content, and antimicrobial activity against Clostridium perfringens was observed. Among different extraction systems, aqueous extraction showed significantly lower hemolytic (1.09%) and higher GA content (4.72 mg/g) and comparable results in all other experiments; yield (32.40%), TPC (58.79 mg/g), TFC (2.16 mg/g), and antioxidant (73.19%). Hence, it has been concluded that aqueous extraction system could be considered a sustainable extraction system for practical applications. Practical Application: Aqueous extraction system could be a sustainable option for extraction of mango seed kernel for practical applications as it is readily available, cheap, nonflammable, and nontoxic.

Limited research is available on the management practices of commercial broiler chicken production in Pakistan. Notably, the rapid expansion of environmentally controlled broiler farms in Punjab in recent years remains underexplored, with scarce information on this growing enterprise. The current study compared the management practices at 100 commercial broiler farms in Punjab, Pakistan, among different regions. A questionnaire was filled by on farm veterinarians (n = 100; one veterinarian from each farm) regarding the general information, infrastructure, biosecurity practices, visitor history, and production analysis of the surveyed poultry farms. The results of the survey revealed that the majority of the farms had environmentally controlled housing systems with rearing capacity of 75,000 broiler chickens or more; mostly having Cobb 500 and Ross 308 broiler strains. The infrastructure of >60 % of farms was found to be good with best biosecurity practices. The most commonly observed average downtime was 2-3 weeks plus washing with chlorinated water and detergent after dry cleaning at farms. The water quality regarding TDS and pH level was found normal at the majority of the farms. Traffic status was observed with random results at different farms, while in the Multan region, biosecurity practices were strict with no visits. The dead birds' removal time of 3-5 days was more common. Dead bird disposal through the pit method was more prevalent in most of the broiler farms across the Punjab. Better FCR, adjusted FCR, and market age were observed in broilers in the Multan area while those in the areas of Sheikhupura and Kasur showed poor performance due to improper management practices. It was concluded that effective management practices on broiler farms in Punjab, Pakistan, contribute to improved performance and bird health. Future studies are needed to explore this area further and develop strategies to address challenges faced by poultry farmers.

The current global trend to eradicate the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) from the poultry industry has led to the exploration of effective alternatives for sustainable poultry production and to overcome intestinal diseases in the post-AGP era. Therefore, medicinal plants and their extracts are being used as safe and natural substitutes. In this study, a research trial was conducted to explore the effect of different levels of mango seed kernel extract on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and gut microbiota of broiler birds, since mango is well known for its antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Broiler birds (n=720) were allocated to six treatment groups under a completely randomized design; T1: positive control (basal diet with antibiotic), T2: negative control (basal diet without antibiotic), and T3, T4, T5 and T6 representing treatment groups supplemented with respectively 10 mL/kg, 20 mL/kg, 30 mL/kg and 40 mL/kg of feed of mango seed kernel extract (MSKE). Among the different levels of mango seed kernel extract, birds supplemented with 30 mL/kg and 40 mL/kg showed decreased total bacterial and differential bacterial counts, better Lactobacillus counts, and increased leg quarter and breast quarter weights. However, among the groups supplemented with 30 and 40 mL/kg, increased body weight gain and better FCR was observed in the 30 mL/kg group. Hence, it can be concluded that mango seed kernel extract given in broilers’ diet at the dose level of 30 mL/kg of feed can improve birds’ growth performance and function well as an AGP replacement, being a good option for sustainable poultry production.

This study investigated the habits and attitudes of individuals towards poultry consumption, utilizing primary data collected through a survey of 5 households from 285 localities in Tehsil Shakargarh, Punjab, Pakistan (n = 1425). Household selection was randomized, and personal visits were conducted for data collection via formal interviews employing a structured questionnaire. Coordinates for each site were obtained using a Garmin eTrex device, in conjunction with meteorological data, to determine global positioning system (GPS) coordinates. A notable portion of respondents (38.8 %) possessed basic knowledge, while the majority (61.2 %) demonstrated intermediate knowledge regarding commercial broilers (chickens raised for meat production). A significant proportion (70.3 %) harbored misconceptions about the inclusion of hormones/antibiotics in poultry feed, with a minority (0.2 %) misinformed about broiler chickens' leg weakness. Some respondents (17.3 %) held both misconceptions, while others (12.2 %) had none. The majority (97.6 %) favored egg consumption, with 51.7 % preferring commercial chicken eggs and 48.3 % opting for domestic chicken eggs. Preference for white-colored eggs (51.5 %) slightly outweighed that for brown-colored eggs (48.5 %). A minority (1.3 %) speculated that poultry consumption could be a potential cause of COVID-19, while the majority (65.7 %) disagreed, and a portion (33.0 %) remained uncertain. Nearly all respondents (99.9 %) believed in the immunity-boosting properties of protein intake, with 65 % associating such benefits with poultry meat and eggs. Similarly, 99.7 % did not encounter difficulties in accessing poultry products during lockdowns. Approximately half (46.3 %) of respondents believed that consuming well-cooked and safely handled poultry meat was safe during outbreaks. Poultry meat and eggs emerged as potentially efficient sources of nutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for protein-deficient populations like Pakistan. Therefore, initiatives should focus on enhancing commercial poultry production and educating the populace about its advantages.