The gut microbiome stimulates nutrient metabolism and could effectively generate heat tolerance in chickens. This study investigates the effects of dietary steam-exploded pine particle (SPP) supplementation and subsequent acute heat stress on productive performance and cecum microbiome in broilers. Eight-day Ross 308 broilers were distributed in three groups with 0%, 1%, and 2% SPP in diets. On the 41st day, forty birds were allocated to four groups with ten birds each. The treatments were control diet at thermoneutral temperature (0% NT) and acute heat-stressed (HS) birds fed control (0% HS), 1% (1% HS), and 2% (2% HS) SPP. Parameters recorded were body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), rectal temperature (RT), relative organ weight, and metagenome analysis from cecum samples. Percent difference in BW, FI, and RT was decreased in HS birds. Metagenome analysis revealed similar richness and diversity in microbial communities. The relative abundance of the bacterial genus such as Limosilactobacillus, Drancourtella, and Ihubacter was increased while that of Alistipes, Alkalibacter, Lachnotalea, and Turicibacter was decreased in SPP supplemented HS birds. Concludingly, the production performance of broilers is negatively influenced during HS, and 2% dietary SPP supplementation may reduce the adverse effects of HS by modifying the microbiota in chickens.

Cudrania tricuspidata is a traditional medicinal herb in East Asia. The compounds of plants vary depending on environmental factors, such as soil, temperature, drainage, and so on. However, few to no studies have been done on the correlation among environment, growth, and compounds in C. tricuspidata. Thus, we aimed to investigate their relationship. Samples of C. tricuspidata fruit and cultivation soil were collected from 28 cultivation sites in October 2021. Six growth characteristics, eleven soil physicochemical properties, seven meteorological data points, and three active compounds were investigated in this study. We developed and validated an optimized method for quantifying active compounds using UPLC and performed correlation analysis of the environment, growth characteristics, and active compounds. The UPLC-UV method for determining active compounds was validated by measuring the linearity, LOD, LOQ, precision, and accuracy using UPLC. The LOD and LOQ were 0.01–0.03 µg/mL and 0.04–0.09 µg/mL, respectively. The precision was acceptable with RSD% values less than 2%. The recoveries ranged from 97.25 to 104.98% with RSD values <2%, within the acceptable limits. The active compounds were negatively correlated with the size of the fruit, and the growth characteristics were negatively correlated with some environmental factors. The results of this study can be used as basic data for the standard cultural practices and quality control of C. tricuspidata fruits.

Sawdust and wood shavings are the major industrial waste from wood and its related industries. Steam-explosion treatment enhances the utilizable fiber fraction in pinewood particles. This study investigated the effects of adding up to 2% of steam-exploded pine particles (SPPs) in diets on the growth performance and cecal microbiome of broilers. On the 8th day of age, 216 Ross 308 broilers were allocated to three treatments of 72 broilers/group, with 12 replicates of 6 broilers each, to receive 0%, 1%, and 2% SPPs in their diets. The experimental period was from the 8th to 28th day of age. The parameters recorded included growth performance, relative organ weight (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, liver, and spleen), absolute organ length (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and cecum), blood biochemicals (glucose, total protein, triglyceride, and cholesterol), and microbial analysis from cecum samples. Growth performance parameters, such as the average daily gain, average feed intake, feed conversion ratio, organ weight, length, and blood biochemical parameters, were not influenced by dietary supplementation of SPP. The abundance of fibrolytic bacterial genera, such as Mediterraneibacter and Anaerobutyricum, was increased in 2% SPP-supplemented chickens. An unknown bacterial genus was also enhanced in 2% SPP-supplemented diets related to the family of fiber-degrading bacteria and needs further investigation. In conclusion, 2% SPP can be supplemented in chicken diets as a source of fiber from wood industry-related waste without having any harmful effects on broiler chickens.

The growth characteristics and active compounds of plants are influenced by various environmental factors, including light, temperature, soil, and precipitation. These factors interact with each plant in a unique way. In this study, we collected fruit and soil samples from 17 cultivation sites in October 2020 to investigate the relationship among environmental factors, growth characteristics, and active compounds of H. dulcis seed and fruit. We developed an optimized method for quantifying active compounds using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and performed correlation analyses with the surveyed environmental factors. Results showed that the size and fresh weight of H. dulcis fruits were positively correlated with exchangeable Mg, Na, and silt texture proportion in the soil. The temperature was positively correlated with sugar content in the fruits but negatively correlated with fruit weight, and precipitation was negatively correlated with fruit size. Results also showed a positive correlation between the active compounds and growth characteristics such as fruit length, seed number per fruit, and fresh weight. The results of this study can be used as basic data for the cultivation and quality control of H. dulcis fruits.

We developed and validated an optimized method for quantifying lignans using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and performs correlation analysis of growth characteristics and contents of lignans. The methods for determining lignans were validated by measuring the linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy, and precision using UPLC. All calibration curves showed good linearity (r² ≥ 0.9998) within the tested ranges. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.003–0.02 µg/mL and 0.01–0.07 µg/mL, respectively. The precision of analysis was less than 3%. The recoveries of quantified compounds ranged from 98.4 to 101.68%. Growth characteristics of fruits were negatively correlated with content of total marker compounds. The results of this study can be used to quality-control of S. chinensis fruits used as medicinal raw materials.