Protein is an essential nutrient for laying hens, playing a crucial role in egg production and supporting their overall health. An 8-week feeding trial was conducted on 120 Lohmann Brown laying hens (aged 38 weeks). The layers were assigned randomly to three groups and housed in cages (twenty replicates × two birds/cage). All groups were fed a corn–soybean meal basal diet (2750 kcal/kg metabolizable energy (ME) with 17.8% crude protein (CP)). In contrast to conventional diet (CON), the experimental groups were supplemented primarily at the expense of soybean meal with 2.0% Chlorella vulgaris (CV2%) and 2.0% Spirulina platensis (SP2%). Their high concentrations of chlorophyll a (5.56; 9.06 mg/g), chlorophyll b (0.88; 1.34 mg/g), and antioxidant activity expressed as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (73.29; 81.27 DPPH% inhibition) improved egg yolk quality. At the end of the trial, eighteen eggs/group (six yolk samples/group, three eggs/sample) were collected to determine the egg quality and nutritional parameters (fatty acids profile, cholesterol, β-carotene, yolk color, and antioxidant capacity). To determine the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), blood samples were collected at the end of the period. Microalgae inclusion increased (p < 0.05) the fatty acid content, ß-carotene concentration (p < 0.001), antioxidant capacity (p < 0.0001), and yolk color intensity (p < 0.001) significantly, especially the yolk redness a* color parameter, but without any significant results concerning cholesterol concentration. Boiling the eggs for 10 min significantly (p < 0.001) increased the b* color parameter on microalgae treatments. The supplementation of laying hens’ diet with microalgae positively influenced egg quality and nutritional properties.

The profitability of dairy farms is a broadly addressed issue in research, for different farming systems and even more so now, when it comes to the issue of sustainability in different agricultural fields. The present study presents an evaluation of the relations used for the determination of profitability of various categories of dairy farms, in terms of size, geographical area, and total milk production. In order to analyze the associated influence exerted on the level of profitability by the selected technical and economic indicators, regression functions were applied. The TableCurve program was used to determine the ideal equation that describes the data entered in a two- or three-dimensional representation. The research results showed that the size of farms and the level and value of milk production are directly correlated with profitability, and the unit cost is inversely correlated with it.

In recent years, there has been significant attention toward the incorporation of alternative functional feed ingredients in monogastric diets. The objective is to improve sustainability and optimize animal performance both under normal conditions and in heat stress situations. Among these alternatives, Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) has emerged as a promising candidate due to its nutritional composition and potential health benefits. This review aims to investigate the potential utilization of Jerusalem artichoke in monogastric diets and the impact on productive performance parameters. Moreover, the potential prebiotic effects of Jerusalem artichoke on the composition and activity of monogastric gut microbiota are revealed, showing its implications for gut health and reduction in pathogenic bacteria. The incorporation of Jerusalem artichoke in monogastric diets poses several challenges, such as limitation of the dietary inclusion rate. However, there are also future perspectives to consider, such as optimizing processing techniques, evaluating the effects of different cultivars, and exploring potential synergies with other dietary feed ingredients. In summary, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the key findings and unique perspectives on the utilization of Jerusalem artichoke in monogastric diets, highlighting its potential as a valuable feed ingredient.

Mustard and grapeseed meals are low-cost by-products generated by the oil industry. We aimed to investigate the effects of fiber level on the concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in the ileum and cecum, as well as the microflora and enteric methane (E-CH₄) in pigs. A total of 70 Topigs hybrid pigs, 56 ± 3 days old, 20.96 ± 0.26 kg live weight, were randomly allotted to two feeding groups: (i) SM diet based on sunflower meal; (ii) MG diet based on mustard × grapeseed oil meals (MG-mixt). VFA profiles were determined by gas chromatography. E-CH₄ was calculated using our trial data along with prediction equations. The MG-mixt slightly decreased growth parameters but improved daily feed efficiency and gain cost. The MG diet increased the concentration of VFAs and the microflora level. The higher VFA level recorded in the cecum (+53.93%) was correlated with a lower pH level (Spearman correlation coefficient, rho = −0.529, p < 0.001). In relation to DM intake and energy retention, E-CH₄ recorded a highly significant decline in the MG group (<9.42%). A strong relationship was recorded among VFAs, microflora, predicted E-CH₄, and fiber and NDF intake. The VFAs could be predictors for the E-CH₄ level (p < 0.001). A significant relationship between E-CH₄ and total VFAs was noted (rho = −0.462, p = 0.04). We conclude that MG-mixt has the potential to replace sunflower meal, with the minor drawbacks being balanced by the advantages provided in terms of feed efficiency, E-CH₄ mitigation, and VFA levels.

Enhancing the quality of eggs by using natural food sources has become a very important topic in the last decade. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of natural (marigold and paprika extracts) pigments on the shelf life of eggs from laying hens. This research was carried out for a 6-week period on 168 Lohmann Brown laying hens (45 weeks age) divided into four groups (C, E1, E2 and E3) to assess the performances, external and internal egg quality parameters, egg yolk color, and antioxidant profile. The control group (C) was fed a standard diet (16.39% PB, 2750 kcal EM/kg compound feed) and the experimental diets were supplemented with 0.07% marigold extract (E1), 0.07% paprika extract (E2), and a mixture containing 0.07% of both extracts (E3). In summary, the study demonstrated that adding natural pigments from marigold and paprika extract with highly antioxidant lipid capacity into the diets of laying hens improved egg quality when eggs were stored at 28 days, under both storage temperature conditions (4 °C and 20 °C).

Our study evaluated the impact of incorporating flax seeds or a flax and mustard seeds’ mixture into goats’ diets to enhance milk polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The incorporation of mustard seeds also aimed to slow the lipid oxidation process. A three-week feeding trial was conducted on 18 lactating goats, randomly distributed in three groups: control (C), FS (replacing 12% of the oil source with flax seeds), and FMS (replacing a quarter of flax seeds with mustard seeds). Flax seed inclusion improved the quality of milk fat by reducing saturated fatty acid concentration (p = 0.004) and increasing PUFA levels (p = 0.001). Both experimental groups significantly lowered the omega 6/omega 3 fatty acid ratio (p < 0.001). The FMS group showed a significantly higher total vitamin E concentration (p = 0.007). The fat oxidation parameters revealed that after 24 h of storage at room temperature, the p-anisidine value increased for the FS group compared to the C group, while the FSM group showed no significant difference, suggesting that the combined inclusion of flax and mustard seeds may prolong milk storage time by mitigating secondary oxidation products. This highlights the potential benefits of incorporating the studied seeds into goats’ diets for improving milk quality and extending its shelf life.