Pastures serve as the primary source of grass and forage plants for grazing livestock, requiring adequate nutrient input to sustain growth and soil fertility. Slurry from the livestock industry is widely utilized as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to chemical fertilizers. Microorganisms within the slurry–pasture system are essential for breaking down organic matter, facilitating nutrient cycling, and improving soil health. However, mismanagement or inefficient microbial decomposition can lead to significant issues, such as nutrient leaching into water bodies, causing eutrophication, antimicrobial resistance, and reduced nutrient availability in pastures, which, in turn, may negatively impact livestock productivity. Thus, this paper investigates the composition and benefits of livestock slurry in pasture management, highlights microbial roles in nutrient cycling, and evaluates regulatory frameworks in Ireland and Europe. Additionally, it examines the environmental risks associated with improper slurry application, providing insights to support sustainable management practices.

Minimally processed foods (MPFs), often considered ready-to-eat, do not undergo cooking and therefore require proper handling and preparation to ensure safety. If not handled correctly, these foods can serve as a pathway for diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. The antibacterial activity of essential oils (EOs) has been increasingly studied as a tool for controlling microorganisms in the food sector. Therefore, we aimed to verify the contamination of MPF by E. coli and Salmonella and to test the sensitivity of these strains to Copaifera langsdorffii, Schinus terebinthifolius, Citrus reticulata, Eucalyptus citriodora, Elettaria cardamomum, Ocimum basilicum, and Eugenia caryophyllus EOs using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) methods. From 25 MPF samples, one E. coli strain and one Salmonella spp. were isolated. C. langsdorffii and C. reticulata EOs did not show antibacterial activity, while S. terebinthifolius and E. citriodora inhibited the growth of both strains. The E. cardamomum, O. basilicum, and E. caryophyllus EOs presented inhibitory and bactericidal responses at concentrations 0.78, 0.39, and 0.19% (v/v), respectively, compared to the two isolated strains. The present study reinforces the antibacterial potential of EOs and suggests their application in the MPF production chain.

Parboiling rice is a high-water demand process that generates approximately 2 L of effluent per kilogram of processed rice. This effluent is recognized for its high concentrations of phosphorus, organic matter, and nitrogen, and if not treated correctly, it can potentially contaminate the environment. Bioremediation methods offer a sustainable and low-cost alternative to support treatment stations. In this paper, we report on the successful isolation of a microalgae strain from a tertiary treatment station of the rice effluent industry. We also investigate the bioremediation and biomass potential of the strain after cultivating it in parboiled effluent without dilution or supplement. The cultures were carried out in a photobioreactor using parboiled effluent (PE) at 28 ºC, pH 7, a 16:8 light/dark cycle, and 2000 lux for 14 days. The highest concentration of Chlorella sp. biomass was obtained on the 14th day, reaching 2.4 g L-1 in PE. Additionally, removals ranged from 39 to 95% of total Kjedahl nitrogen (TKN) and 66 to 82% of chemical oxygen demand (COD). These results suggest that treatment stations are a promising source of adapted microorganisms, and that PE can be used as culture medium to produce biomass and obtain bioproducts of high commercial value while simultaneously treating PE.