The aim of the study was to determine and analyse the content of essential nutrients, the amino acid profile, phytochemical compounds, and antioxidant activity in the seeds of selected species and varieties of Fabaceae plants. The highest total protein content was detected in the seeds of the yellow and Andean lupines. The lupine seeds were characterised by a high (P < 0.05) level of crude fibre, NDF, and CEL. The highest proportion of EAAI (77%) was noted in the protein of chickpea, broad bean, grasspea, and pea. Among the Fabaceae plants analysed, chickpea seeds exhibited the highest (P < 0.05) levels of total phenols and polyphenols. The greatest (P < 0.05) antioxidant activity (DPPH) was noted for the lentil and yellow lupine seeds. Compared to the other legume representatives, the importance of lupine is increasing, as the chemical composition of its seeds makes the plant an important nutraceutical component.

Probiotics, prebiotics, and phytobiotics could be a possible solution as immunostimulants in monogastric animal nutrition. Beneficial effects of application thereof in animals are determined by many factors, e.g. the type of the probiotic strain, probiotic compounds, or plant species used as a supplement. A significant role is also played by the animal species, dosage, and the time and method of administration. The activity of these compounds is primarily focused on prevention of pathogen infections and, consequently, improvement of animal welfare. Probiotics compete with pathogenic bacteria by covering the intestinal epithelium mucosa, thereby interrupting pathogen colonization in the gastrointestinal tract. Supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, and phytobiotics can also induce positive changes in the intestinal morphology, e.g. elongation of villi or deepening of intestinal crypts. In a majority of cases, they also modulate the immune response of the host. They mobilise the cellular components of the innate immune system (macrophages and heterophils), which defend the animal organism against gastrointestinal infection. Another possibility is the synthesis and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines that modulate adaptive immunity or stabilization of the intestinal microbiome. The main target of immunomodulatory feed additives is reduction of local inflammation, enhancement of the function of the immune system, a substantial impact on the health status of livestock animals, and improvement of their health status and production performance.

The aim of the study was to determine the mineral composition and fatty acid profile in the seeds of selected Fabaceae species and cultivars and to assess their correlations with phytochemicals and antioxidant activity. The Andean lupine was characterised by a particularly high level of Mg and K as well as Cu, Zn, and Fe (P < 0.05). There were various correlations (P < 0.05) between the total phenols and tannins and these elements. The highest contribution of α-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3, n-3) in total fatty acids was noted in the lentil (13.8 in 100 g⁻¹ fat), common bean (11.9 in 100 g⁻¹ fat), and pea seeds (10.4 in 100 g⁻¹ fat) (P = 0.028). In turn, the white lupine contained the highest content of ALA—0.67 g 100 g⁻¹ seeds; its lowest level was determined in the broad bean—0.03 g 100 g⁻¹ seeds. The seeds exhibited a high proportion of hypocholesterolemic fatty acids (on average 86%). The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl antiradical activity was positively correlated with UFA and PUFA (P < 0.05). This indicates great protective potential of legume seeds for prevention and treatment of diet-dependent diseases.

In the present study, were determined the basic nutrients (dry matter, crude ash, crude protein, ether extract, and energy) and mineral elements content in chosen species of raw and smoked freshwater and sea fish. The content of dry matter, and basic nutrients and Na+, K+, Ca⁺², Mg⁺², P⁺², Zn⁺², and Cu⁺² in the fish samples was determined. The dietary intake of several macro- and microconstituents per one serving (150 g fresh or smoked fish) was calculated. The fresh fish contained on average 220.2 to 283.7 g·kg⁻¹ of dry matter, 12.4 to 10.7 g·kg⁻¹ of crude ash, 176.2 to 173.5 g·kg⁻¹ of crude protein, 32.6 to 78.6 g·kg⁻¹ of ether extract, and 104.6 to 119.1 kcal (freshwater and sea fish, respectively). Thermal treatment reduces the water and fat content in fish meat. Reduction of the K, Ca, Mg, P, Zn, and Cu levels was observed most frequently. The one serving of fish covers approximately 23% and 12% of the recommended dietary amount of K, 7.5–5.0% of Ca, ~12% of Mg, 6.8 to 12.5% of Zn, and about covered 6.7% of Cu. The smoking process increased the concentration of some basic nutrients and reduced the fat and mineral content. Whitefish, trout, halibut, mackerel, and herring had the highest levels of the analyzed minerals.