The influence of diet on the distribution of nitrogen isotopes in animals was investigated by analyzing animals grown in the laboratory on diets of constant nitrogen isotopic composition. 
The isotopic composition of the nitrogen in an animal reflects the nitrogen isotopic composition of its diet. The δ^(15)N values of the whole bodies of animals are usually more positive than those of their diets. Different individuals of a species raised on the same diet can have significantly different δ^(15)N values. The variability of the relationship between the δ^(15)N values of animals and their diets is greater for different species raised on the same diet than for the same species raised on different diets. Different tissues of mice are also enriched in ^(15)N relative to the diet, with the difference between the δ^(15)N values of a tissue and the diet depending on both the kind of tissue and the diet involved. The δ^(15)N values of collagen and chitin, biochemical components that are often preserved in fossil animal remains, are also related to the δ^(15)N value of the diet. 
The dependence of the δ^(15)N values of whole animals and their tissues and biochemical components on the δ^(15)N value of diet indicates that the isotopic composition of animal nitrogen can be used to obtain information about an animal's diet if its potential food sources had different δ^(15)N values. The nitrogen isotopic method of dietary analysis probably can be used to estimate the relative use of legumes vs non-legumes or of aquatic vs terrestrial organisms as food sources for extant and fossil animals. However, the method probably will not be applicable in those modern ecosystems in which the use of chemical fertilizers has influenced the distribution of nitrogen isotopes in food sources. 
The isotopic method of dietary analysis was used to reconstruct changes in the diet of the human population that occupied the Tehuacan Valley of Mexico over a 7000 yr span. Variations in the δ^(15)C and δ^(15)N values of bone collagen suggest that C_4 and/or CAM plants (presumably mostly corn) and legumes (presumably mostly beans) were introduced into the diet much earlier than suggested by conventional archaeological analysis.

Influence of Diet On the Distribtion of Nitrogen Isotopes in Animals

The post-genomics era has brought with it ever increasing demands to observe and characterise variation within biological systems. This variation has been studied at the genomic (gene function), proteomic (protein regulation) and the metabolomic (small molecular weight metabolite) levels. Whilst genomics and proteomics are generally studied using microarrays (genomics) and 2D-gels or mass spectrometry (proteomics), the technique of choice is less obvious in the area of metabolomics. Much work has been published employing mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy and vibrational spectroscopic techniques, amongst others, for the study of variations within the metabolome in many animal, plant and microbial systems. This review discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each technique, putting the current status of the field of metabolomics in context, and providing examples of applications for each technique employed.

Measuring the metabolome: current analytical technologies

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-destructive and rapid technique applied increasingly for food quality evaluation in recent years. It provides us more information to research the quality of food products. This review intends to give an overview of the type of information that can be obtained based on some developed theory and food research of NIRS. It includes the principle of NIRS technique, the specific techniques with chemometrics for data pre-processing methods, qualitative and quantitative analysis and model transfer, and the wide applications of NIRS in food science. In addition, the promise of NIRS technique for food quality evaluation is demonstrated, and some problems which need to be solved or investigated further are also discussed.

Theory and application of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy in determination of food quality

Spore-forming bacilli are being explored for the production and preservation of food for many centuries. The inherent ability of production of large number of secretory proteins, enzymes, antimicrobial compounds, vitamins, and carotenoids specifies the importance of bacilli in food chain. Additionally, Bacillus spp. are gaining interest in human health related functional food research coupled with their enhanced tolerance and survivability under hostile environment of gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Besides, bacilli are more stable during processing and storage of food and pharmaceutical preparations, making them more suitable candidate for health promoting formulations. Further, Bacillus strains also possess biotherapeutic potential which is connected with their ability to interact with the internal milieu of the host by producing variety of antimicrobial peptides and small extracellular effector molecules. Nonetheless, with proposed scientific evidences, commercial probiotic supplements and functional foods comprising of Bacillus spp. had not gained much credential in general population, since the debate over probiotic vs pathogen tag of Bacillus in the research and production terrains is confusing consumers. Hence, it’s important to clearly understand the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of selective beneficial Bacillus spp. and their substantiation with those having GRAS status, to reach a consensus over the same. This review highlights the probiotic candidature of spore forming Bacillus spp. and presents an overview of the proposed health benefits, including application in food and pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, the growing need to evaluate the safety of individual Bacillus strains as well as species on a case by case basis and necessity of more profound analysis for the selection and identification of Bacillus probiotic candidates are also taken into consideration.

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Bacillus As Potential Probiotics: Status, Concerns, and Future Perspectives.

The Olive tree (Olea europaea L), a native of the Mediterranean basin and parts of Asia, is now widely cultivated in many other parts of the world for production of olive oil and table olives Olive is a rich source of valuable nutrients and bioactives of medicinal and therapeutic interest Olive fruit contains appreciable concentration, 1–3% of fresh pulp weight, of hydrophilic (phenolic acids, phenolic alchohols, flavonoids and secoiridoids) and lipophilic (cresols) phenolic compounds that are known to possess multiple biological activities such as antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antidyslipidemic, cardiotonic, laxative, and antiplatelet Other important compounds present in olive fruit are pectin, organic acids, and pigments Virgin olive oil (VOO), extracted mechanically from the fruit, is also very popular for its nutritive and health-promoting potential, especially against cardiovascular disorders due to the presence of high levels of monounsaturates and other valuable minor components such as phenolics, phytosterols, tocopherols, carotenoids, chlorophyll and squalene The cultivar, area of production, harvest time, and the processing techniques employed are some of the factors shown to influence the composition of olive fruit and olive oil This review focuses comprehensively on the nutrients and high-value bioactives profile as well as medicinal and functional aspects of different parts of olives and its byproducts Various factors affecting the composition of this food commodity of medicinal value are also discussed

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/13/3/3291/pdf

Valuable Nutrients and Functional Bioactives in Different Parts of Olive (Olea europaea L.)—A Review

Simple Summary The nutritional composition of the diets for growing rabbits should be well-balanced, both to meet the requirements of the high-producing hybrids currently used and to avoid nutrient losses. The improvement of the feed conversion ratio represents a key point in increasing rabbit farmers’ profitability because of the high feeding costs. This study evaluated the growth performance, digestive efficiency and meat quality of growing rabbits belonging to the most diffused commercial crossbred rabbit breeds, Grimaud and Hyla, feeding them diets with different energy and protein levels. The two genotypes showed similar growth performance, but Grimaud rabbits achieved higher slaughter yield than Hyla rabbits. The administration of high-energy diets improved feed conversion and increased nutrient digestibility. Conversely, low dietary protein contents reduced nitrogen excretion without negative effects on growth, feed efficiency and carcass traits of fast-growing rabbits. Abstract The present study evaluated the effect of digestible energy (DE) and crude protein (CP) levels on growth, digestive efficiency, slaughter yield and meat quality in growing rabbits of two genotypes (Grimaud, G vs. Hyla, H). A total of 384 crossbred rabbits (192 G and 192 H), half males and half females, were divided into eight experimental groups according to a bi-factorial arrangement (2 genotypes × 4 diets; 48 animals/group) and reared in individual cages. From 33 to 64 days of age, rabbits were fed four diets obtained by combining two DE levels (high, HE—10.9 MJ/kg vs. low, LE—9.2 MJ/kg, on average) and two CP levels (high, HP—159 g/kg vs. low, LP—144 g/kg, on average). Then, all rabbits received the same fattening diet (10.7 MJ DE/kg; 156 g CP/kg) until slaughtering (77 days of age). Growth performance did not differ between genotypes for the entire trial (on average final live weight 3010 g; daily weight gain 50.5 g/d), but H rabbits showed a faster growth during the post-weaning period (p ≤ 0.01) compared to G rabbits, while exhibiting lower slaughter yield and lower carcass fatness (p ≤ 0.01). As DE level increased, feed intake decreased and feed conversion improved (p < 0.001), while caecal volatile fatty acid concentration increased and caecal pH and N-ammonia decreased (p ≤ 0.01). The reduction in the CP level did not affect performance and carcass traits. No significant interaction was detected between genotype and diet. In conclusion, G rabbits may have an advantage over H rabbits because of the higher slaughter yield. As for the nutritional characteristics of diets for high-producing crossbred rabbits, high energy levels are confirmed to enhance feed efficiency, whereas dietary CP can be reduced to 144 g/kg without negative effects on performance and carcass traits.

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Growth Performance, Digestive Efficiency, and Meat Quality of Two Commercial Crossbred Rabbits Fed Diets Differing in Energy and Protein Levels

La carne di coniglio: come variano le richieste del consumatore e la qualità del prodotto

Effets de differents niveaux de fibre alimentaire sur l'utilisation digestive e la qualité bouchère chez le lapin.

Influenza del piano alimentare e dell'età di macellazione sulle prestazioni e sulla qualità della carcassa di coniglio.

One hundred twenty multiparous does were used. The does were synchronized to have parturition the same day (initial kindling). The trial lasted until the successive (final) kindling. At initial kindling, 22 does were selected for initial comparative slaughter. The remaining does were assigned to three reproductive rhythms, being mated 2 days postpartum (R2), 11 d pp (R11) or 26 d pp (R26). Within each rhythm, the does were further divided into two groups, whose litters were weaned at 21 (S21) or 25 (S25) d of age. A total of fifty-four does were pregnant and were slaughtered soon after the final kindling. Effect of reproductive rhythm. When increasing the kindling to mating interval, total milk production increased (5590 to 6065 g for R2 and R26 rhythms; P=0.05). Voluntary feed intake was not affected during lactation (364 g/d on average), but decreased during the dry period (182 to 169 g/d; P=0.05) and throughout the entire experiment (299 to 249 g/d; P<0.01) according to reproductive rhythm. At the final kindling, the number of kits born per litter was lower in does submitted to R11 rhythm (P<0.01). When increasing the kindling to mating interval, doe body water concentration decreased, while fat and energy increased (P<0.001) and a higher EB gain was recorded (from -123 to -4 to 97 g, P<0.001). As a consequence, body protein, fat and energy balances moved from negative values to equilibrium as reproductive rhythm became extensive (energy balance: -14.4%, -1.8% and +0.5% of the initial body content in R2, R11 and R26 does, respectively; P<0.001). Blood leptin concentration at 28 d after kindling was higher in R26 does (P<0.01), indicating higher body fat recovery due to lack of pregnancy. Effect of weaning age. Daily feed intake during the entire experiment was significantly lower in W21 does due to the longer dry period. At the final kindling, increasing weaning age from 21 to 25 d, both the number of kits born alive per litter (from 7.3 to 9.8; P=0.02) and doe body water concentration increased, while body fat and energy decreased (P<0.05). Therefore, W21 does showed an energy balance near equilibrium (-2.6%) while W25 does had negative fat (-14.1%) and energy (-7.9%) balances (P=0.08). Lower blood leptin concentration was recorded in W21 than W25 does (1.87 vs. 2.76 ng/ml, P=0.03).

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Gerolamo Xiccato

Papers

Growth Performance, Digestive Efficiency, and Meat Quality of Two Commercial Crossbred Rabbits Fed Diets Differing in Energy and Protein Levels

La carne di coniglio: come variano le richieste del consumatore e la qualità del prodotto

Effets de differents niveaux de fibre alimentaire sur l'utilisation digestive e la qualité bouchère chez le lapin.

Influenza del piano alimentare e dell'età di macellazione sulle prestazioni e sulla qualità della carcassa di coniglio.

Effect of reproductive rhythm and litter weaning age on the performance and body energy balance of rabbit does