The objective of this study was to determine the effects of fast pH decline during the early postmortem period on calpain activity and the degradation of cytoskeletal proteins in broilers. Eighty broilers were randomly categorized into two groups: physical restraint (PR) and free struggle (FS). M. pectoralis major (PM) was used for determination of calpain activity, shear value, ultrastructure of myofibrils, and the degradation of desmin, titin, nebulin, and troponin-T. The pH (6.05) of FS group is significantly low than PR group (6.38) at 0.3 h postmortem. Fast pH decline during the early postmortem period led to a decrease of μ/m-calpain activities at 0.3 and 3 h postmortem (P < 0.05), but did not affect the ultimate μ/m-calpain activity. An initial fast decrease in pH increased the degradation of desmin, titin, nebulin, and increased the 30 kDa degradation fragments of troponin-T. Therefore, the fast pH decline during the early postmortem period decreased the μ/m-calpain activity and increased the degradation of cytoskeletal proteins in broiler muscle. It is possible that the fast pH decline experienced an earlier activation of calpains that resulted in earlier protein degradation and ultimately lower shear force.

Grape pomace (GP) is an agricultural byproduct rich in bioactive compounds with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties that have proven to have strong antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties in chickens. As a part of a defense mechanism, coccidiosis initiates oxidative bursts, generating large amounts of free radical species that negatively affect the gut health of chickens. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of GP in broilers infected with coccidiosis on physiological and molecular markers of gut health, immune response, and oxidative status. A total of 120 male broiler chickens were randomly assigned to one of the four treatments. The four treatment groups were i) non-challenged control without any dietary feed additives (NCC), ii) challenged control without any dietary feed additives (CC), iii) CC with 0.5 % dietary inclusion of concord grape pomace (0.5GP), and iv) CC with 0.75 % dietary inclusion of concord grape pomace (0.75GP). On d 14, broilers grouped in CC, 0.5GP, and 0.75GP were orally inoculated with 20 × doses of commercial live coccidiosis vaccine to induce coccidiosis. Results indicated that 0.75 % inclusion of GP reduced the occurrence and severity of the intestinal lesions associated with Eimeria at d 20 (P<0.05). The inclusion of either 0.5 or 0.75 % of GP improved the intestinal histomorphology in all three sections of the small intestine during the acute and recovery phases of coccidial infection (P<0.05). At d 20, 0.75GP tended to maintain the same level of IL-1β as that of NCC and downregulated the expression of IL-10 (P<0.1). Additionally, during the recovery phase, the CD8+ T-cell population was lower in the 0.75GP group compared to CC and 0.5GP (P=0.059). At d 20, the MAPK-Nrf2/ARE pathway was activated due to oxidative burst by coccidial challenge; however, 0.75 % GP inclusion was able to inactivate the path (P<0.05). These findings suggest that grape pomace possesses the potential as a sustainable feed additive to improve gut health, immune response, and oxidative stability in broilers infected with coccidiosis.

Upcycling brewers’ spent grain (BSG) into poultry feed needs to be optimized. Since broiler chickens inefficiently digest fiber, we created a water-soluble BSG extract (BSGE) to explore this fraction’s potential nutritional benefits. We utilized intra-amniotic administration (in ovo) to target the gastrointestinal tract of broiler embryos. BSGE increased villus surface area and goblet cell quantity and size, implying improved duodenal development. The extract also changed cecal Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Clostridium abundances. Synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microscopy, along with zinc and iron transporter relative expression, did not reveal significant changes by BSGE. These findings highlight the potential for BSGE to be a functional feed component, underscoring the potential value of upcycling this byproduct. This pilot study supports future work exploring the impact of BSGE within feed and its effects over long-term consumption.

According to the 2024 Progress Report for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 12.3, the call to halve global food waste is rapidly growing out of reach, and immediate action, no matter the perceived scope, is urgently needed. A major opportunity lies in grape pomace (GP)—the primary byproduct of juice and winemaking. GP is not only a waste management concern, but also a reservoir of 60–70% of grape phenolic compounds. Despite the well-studied anti-inflammatory and prebiotic activity of phenolic compounds, GP is not widely accepted by consumers. Thus, products like grape seed extracts and natural food colorings have been developed. The functionality of these GP-derived products relative to the original, whole GP remains understudied. Understanding whether GP offers similar value compared to its derivative products could enhance upcycling efficacy. We evaluated Rubired (Vitis vinifera) GP (RGP), grape seed extract (RSEED), and grape skin/pulp food coloring (RCOLOR) extract for their capacity to attenuate dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced early-life intestinal stress in a chicken embryo model. All three extracts restored DSS-induced depletions of duodenal villus surface area and goblet cell density and size, while only RSEED and RCOLOR attenuated colonic crypt hyperplasia. RGP and RCOLOR, not RSEED, normalized duodenal zonula occludens-2 (ZO2) dysregulation. However, RSEED, not RGP and RCOLOR, recovered relative Clostridium abundance. These results highlight the potential of GP products to affect early-life intestinal stress, albeit in distinct ways. Future studies in mammalian models and across extended early-life periods are needed to establish translational relevance and mechanistic context.

Grape pomace, or the skin, seed, and pulp byproduct of wine and grape juice production, presents a valuable opportunity to repurpose an abundant material with potential health benefits. In particular, white grape (Vitis vinifera) skins contain phenolic compounds including condensed tannins and quercetin glycosides which are associated with reduced intestinal inflammation and ameliorated barrier loss in adult in vivo models. However, the impact of white grape skin phenolics on intestinal function during embryonic development, a foundational period for establishing long-term intestinal health, is less studied. We utilized a chicken embryo (in ovo) model challenged with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced intestinal stress to evaluate the bioactivity of a white grape skin phenolic extract. The extract normalized DSS-induced duodenal goblet cell loss, colonic crypt hyperplasia, and cecal dysbiosis. DSS altered both duodenal and colonic zonula occludens 2 expression as well as colonic occludin expression, which GSkE had trending, but insignificant, normalizing effects. Altogether, white grape skin phenolics have the potential to affect early-life intestinal function with further study of its optimal dose, phenolic fractions, and target consumer base.

Background/Objectives: Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) is widely used to induce intestinal injury, reducing intestinal barrier integrity and thus contributing to systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, which may affect liver homeostasis and central nervous system function. In this context, the intake of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins from fruits such as jabuticaba has gained attention due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study evaluated the effects of jabuticaba in the form of freeze-dried whole fruit, freeze-dried peel, and microencapsulated peel extract on DSS-induced damage to the gut–liver–brain axis in an in ovo model. Methods: Fertile eggs were assigned to five groups: water, DSS, DSS plus whole jabuticaba (WJ), DSS plus jabuticaba peel (JP), and DSS plus microencapsulated jabuticaba peel (JM). Duodenal, colon, and liver gene expressions; and histomorphometry, cecal microbiota, and brain gene expressions were evaluated at hatch. Results: DSS administration increased NF-κB expression and reduced MUC-2 in the duodenum, induced colonic inflammation, altered cecal microbiota, and caused hepatic oxidative stress, evidenced by elevated iNOS and enlarged fat globules, while reducing brain BDNF levels. Jabuticaba treatments mitigated intestinal, hepatic, and neural damage by reducing inflammatory markers; enhancing MUC-2, ZO-2, JAM-2, and claudin-1 expression; increasing villus area and goblet cell numbers; normalizing CAT and SOD activities in the liver; decreasing COX-2; increasing dopamine; and restoring BDNF in the brain. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that jabuticaba exerts protective effects along the gut–liver–brain axis, highlighting its potential as a functional food to support intestinal, hepatic, and brain health.