In recent years, the search for dietary intervention with natural products able to sustain animal health and decrease environmental impact, has raised the number of studies pertaining to the use of plants’ secondary metabolites. In fact, in livestock, there is a clear relationship between the animals’ antioxidant status and the onset of some diseases that negatively affect animal welfare, health, and productive performance. An interesting compound that belongs to the secondary metabolites family of plants, named phenylpropanoids, is verbascoside. The genus Verbascum, which includes more than 233 plant species, is the genus in which this compound was first identified, but it has also been found in other plant extracts. Verbascoside exhibits several properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, chemopreventive, and neuroprotective properties, that have been evaluated mainly in in vitro studies for human health. The present work reviews the literature on the dietary integration of plant extracts containing verbascoside in livestock. The effects of dietary plant extracts containing verbascoside on the productive performance, antioxidant status, blood parameters, and meat quality in several animal species were evaluated. The present data point out that dietary plant extracts containing verbascoside appear to be a favorable dietary intervention to enhance health, antioxidant status, and product quality in livestock.

Animal models are an essential part of translational research for the purpose of improving human health. The pig is a potential human research model that can be used to assess the effects of dietary interventions, pathologies, and drugs on gut health and the microbiome, due to its anatomical and physiological similarity to humans. It is recognised that a healthy gut is closely linked to the prevention of several chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, gastrointestinal inflammation, as well as neurological and cardiovascular diseases. The use of prebiotics and probiotics plays an important role in maintaining a healthy digestive system, which is responsible for modulating all other body functions. The present review focuses on the applications of prebiotics and probiotics in the pig as an animal model in healthy and diseased conditions, in order to highlight the efficacy of these molecules in the perspective of human health outcomes. The data support the use of prebiotics to improve intestinal health in both healthy and diseased states. In addition, the use of human microbiota-associated (HMA) gnotobiotic pigs provided a good model to study the intestinal and systemic immune response and microbiota composition following probiotic supplementation after a vaccine or virus challenge.

In modern pig farming, there are many environmental, physiological or social stresses that weaken the immune response and increase susceptibility to disease. Nutritional management has a significant impact on the efficiency of the immune system in pigs. Among the various nutrients, vitamins have been shown to have specific effects on immune system activity. However, the needs of modern genetic types are not met by the dietary recommendations for vitamins in pig diets. The present study therefore summarises the data on dietary integration with supranutritional doses of vitamins in gestating and lactating sows and post-weaning piglets in terms of the immune response. The present data highlight that high doses of dietary vitamins are an effective way to improve the immune system, antioxidant status and gut health. Further studies are needed to deepen the understanding of the role of dietary supplementation with vitamins in pigs on immune system and gut functionality.

This study focuses on characterising two seasoned products, violino and bresaola, derived from grass-fed Bergamasca sheep monitored with a GPS system. The evaluation includes both nutritional and sensory aspects. Results reveal that both products boast a high protein content (approximately 40%) and a beneficial fatty acid profile, endorsing a healthy n-6/n-3 ratio (2.2), along with rumenic acid (92–184 mg/100 g) and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) (237–621 mg/100 g). The sensory evaluation highlights distinctive ovine characteristics in aroma and flavour. Violino and bresaola from grass-fed Bergamasca sheep showcase positive attributes for human consumption. The study emphasises the potential for added value to seasoned products from Bergamasca sheep through a traceable, sustainable, and health-conscious supply chain.

This review examined the environmental impact of fattening pigs, with particular focus on the Italian heavy fattening pig, affected by dietary interventions aimed at mitigating nitrogen excretion and gases emission into the atmosphere, maintaining product quality and complying with the regulation frameworks. In the Italian heavy pig supply chain, environmental regulations are often difficult to comply with due to the constraints imposed by PDO. The pig sector is increasingly committed to developing strategies that can effectively mitigate its environmental impacts. In intensive pig farming, emissions of ammonia (NH₃) and greenhouse gases (GHGs) can occur in every production phase, from animal housing to manure treatment, management, storage, and up to in-field application. All these phases present key actions to limit emissions of NH₃ and GHG, according to Best Available Techniques (BAT) for housing and Best Practices (BP) for manure treatments and management. Nitrogen excretion in manure is another important aspect to consider for its negative effects when applied in Vulnerable Zones with considerable additions of animal waste and synthetic fertilisers. Nutritional strategies can contribute a priori to mitigate nitrogen excretion, NH₃ emissions, and overall GHG output in heavy pigs, particularly in Italian PDO ham systems. While these interventions effectively mitigate NH₃ and influence manure-related emissions, their impact on total GHG varies depending on diet composition, fibre type, additive combination, and post-excretion treatment.

This study explored the innovative application of photoelectrocatalysis (PEC), an advanced evolution of conventional photocatalysis, as a water remediation technology in recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs) for adult rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss , 150–200 g). The research focused on its impact on fish muscle and skeletal health using a multidisciplinary approach. Water quality parameters were registered and monitored, including nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia concentrations, and calcium content was measured at the end of the 1‐month trial. To identify potential skeletal anomalies, imaging analyses including X‐ray and computed tomography (CT) were performed. Additionally, histochemical analysis with Picrosirius Red (PSR) staining was used to evaluate collagen distribution in the vertebrae. Muscle density was assessed by CT scans and histological analysis to study metabolism and the size/diameter of white muscle fibers. Finally, genes related to myogenesis and antioxidant enzymes were studied to detect muscle growth and oxidative stress, respectively. The PEC showed lower nitrite and nitrate levels and higher dissolved oxygen (DO) compared to the control (CTR), likely due to photoelectrocatalytic activity, with overall more stable water chemistry. At the end of the trial, a reduction in calcium content in the water was observed ( p < 0.05), without affecting the calcium content in the vertebral bones. Skeletal analyses revealed no anomalies, and collagen distribution in the bone matrix appeared normal. Muscle morphology indicated proper development, with a slight hypertrophic trend in the PEC group. Oxidative stress analysis suggested no adverse effects from PEC treatment, as antioxidant enzyme levels were similar between groups. In summary, the absence of skeletal anomalies and adequate muscle growth, associated with the improvement of water quality in the PEC, suggests that this new remediation technology is a valid, sustainable aquaculture approach, combining environmental innovation and fish health.