The term microplastics (MPs) describes a heterogeneous mixture of particles that can vary in size, color, and shape. Once released into the environment, MPs have various toxicological and physical effects on wildlife. The Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) is a migratory species, staying in Italy in late autumn and winter. The aim of this study is to assess, quantify, and characterize the presence of microplastics in Song Thrushes hunted in the Apulia region of Italy. The birds (n = 360) were hunted in the Bari countryside and donated for research purposes by hunters. MPs were classified in relation to their shape in fibers, films, fragments, and pellets; then, they were divided according to their color and the length of the particles was measured. Nikon image analysis software was applied to the litter size measurements. Of the total of 360 birds, MPs were detected in the stomachs of 129 birds shot in December and 128 birds shot in January. The majority of ingested MPs were fibers that were observed in all contaminated birds. Film fragments were observed in every contaminated specimen. Among all the MPs found, 31.75% were red, 30.13% were black, and 25.91% were blue, while the other colors were less represented. This study provides the first analysis of MPs bioaccumulation in Song Thrushes wintering in the Apulia region, and the high contamination of thrushes confirmed the ubiquity of MPs in terrestrial ecosystems.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of using olive oil (OO) in a partial replacement of fish oil (FO), with or without supplementation with rosemary essential oil (RO), on the growth performances and flesh quality traits of farmed Dicentrarchus labrax. Sea bass were fed with the experimental diets for 200 days; afterwards, they were caught and stored in ice (0–2 °C) for up to 17 days. The specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion rate (FCR) were calculated. Fillets were analyzed for physical features, chemical composition, fatty acid profile, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration on days 0, 5, 10, and 17 of storage. The fillets were assessed for sensory properties according to the QIM and Torry Scheme methods. No statistical differences between groups were found for the final average body weight, SGR, FCR and the flesh chemical composition. Supplementation with RO reduced (p < 0.05) MDA concentration, thus improving the shelf life of fish by up to 10 days. The sensory score (QIM) increased linearly (p < 0.05) with storage time; for cooked fillet, the Torry Scheme score decreased (p < 0.05) with storage time. The economic analysis of feed cost has proven the feasibility of using olive oil as local feed ingredient in the partial replacement of fish oil.

Extruded linseed (Linum usitatissimum) in ruminant diets has been investigated as a strategy to improve the nutritional value and healthiness of meat fat; however, increased polyunsaturated fatty acids may limit the shelf-life of meat. Oregano (Origanum vulgare) has a documented antioxidant activity. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with extruded linseed and oregano on goat milk quality and whether the characteristics of goat milk affect the physical and chemical features, fatty acid profile, meat lipid oxidation, and sensory properties of meat from suckling kids. Thirty-six male kids were weaned and divided into three homogeneous groups (n = 12); each group was either fed a control diet (C), or a diet containing 3% extruded linseed with or without the addition of 0.6% oregano (“L + O” and “L”, respectively). The diets containing linseed lowered (p < 0.05) the saturated fatty acid content in meat, and increased (p < 0.05) monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid. Oregano addition to the linseed diet proved to be effective in preserving meat shelf-life, as shown by a significant (p < 0.01) reduction in the malondialdehyde concentration after 10 days of storage, and improved meat succulence, tenderness, juiciness, and overall acceptance.

The present study was designed to assess the influence of fishmeal replacement with increasing percentages of fresh seafood discards (0, 25, 50 and 75%) in diets for Penaeus japonicus on growth performance, physical characteristics and the chemical and fatty acid composition of shrimp flesh. Each diet was administered for 108 days, and the trial was assayed in triplicate. The final body weight and the specific growth rate were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in shrimps fed with 75% fishmeal replacement as compared to 25%, while the abdomen weight and the total length were the highest (p < 0.01). Moreover, 75% replacement showed a significantly (p < 0.05) lower value of hardness and a greater crude protein and lipid content as compared to the 0% replacement. The shrimps fed with high levels of seafood discards (50 and 75%) showed a lower saturated fatty acid concentration and, in turn, a greater amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids in shrimp meat significantly (p < 0.05) affected the lower atherogenic and thrombogenic indices. In conclusion, replacing 75% of fishmeal with seafood discards provided satisfactory results. An economic analysis based on ESG indicators and PESTLE methodology is provided in order to show the socio-economic and governance impacts affecting the replacement of shrimps’ diet with fish discard.