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Applied Sciences
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Animal Nutrition: Latest Advances and Prospects
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Animal Nutrition: Latest Advances and Prospects

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2026 | Viewed by 6063

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Polyana Pizzi Rotta

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil
Interests: dairy; starch; fiber
Prof. Dr. Alex Lopes da Silva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departament of Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil
Interests: dairy cattle nutrition; dairy cattle production; calves growth; ruminant nutrition; methane mitigation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Animal nutrition remains a cornerstone of modern animal agriculture, shaping not only growth and productivity but also animal health, product quality, economic performance, and environmental impact. In light of pressing global concerns—ranging from climate change and antimicrobial resistance to the need for more sustainable sources of animal-derived foods—advances in nutritional science are more critical than ever. The field is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by novel feed technologies, precision feeding strategies, biofunctional compounds, and digital tools that together support more efficient and resilient production systems.

This Special Issue aims to bring together high-quality original research, comprehensive reviews, and insightful case studies that reflect the latest scientific progress and emerging trends in animal nutrition. The scope is intentionally broad and interdisciplinary, welcoming contributions related to monogastric and ruminant nutrition, aquaculture, and companion animals. Particular attention is given to innovative feedstuffs, nutrient metabolism and efficiency, gut health, the use of functional additives, omics-based approaches, and nutritional strategies aimed at improving sustainability and animal welfare.

By assembling contributions from leading experts and research groups, this Special Issue seeks to promote knowledge dissemination, stimulate cross-sector collaboration, and inspire future innovations in the science and practice of animal nutrition.

Scope of the Special Issue

  • Development of novel feed ingredients and processing technologies
  • Precision feeding systems and digital applications in nutrition
  • Interactions between diet and gut microbiota
  • Mechanisms of nutrient digestion, metabolism, and bioavailability
  • Use of functional additives (e.g., enzymes, prebiotics, phytochemicals, probiotics)
  • Nutritional approaches to enhance animal health and welfare
  • Environmentally focused feeding strategies and mitigation of emissions
  • Diet formulation for disease prevention and performance optimization
  • Modeling, simulation, and decision-support tools in nutritional planning
  • Utilization of agro-industrial byproducts

Prof. Dr. Polyana Pizzi Rotta
Prof. Dr. Alex Lopes da Silva
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • animal nutrition
  • feed additives
  • nutrient metabolism
  • gut health
  • feed efficiency
  • precision feeding
  • sustainable livestock production
  • functional ingredients
  • climate-smart nutrition
  • microbiome
  • digital agriculture
  • ruminants
  • monogastrics
  • aquafeed
  • feed innovation

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 321 KB  
Article
Effects of Graded Crude Protein Levels Under Fixed Amino Acid Supplementation on Growth Metabolism, Slaughter Quality, Nitrogen Emission, and Breeding Efficiency of Small White-Feather Broilers
by Heng Zhang, Peipei Yan, Xuelan Liu, Chunyan Fu, Yan Shang, Qingtao Gao, Yilei Dong, Xia Li, Kun Zhang and Tianhong Shi
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 1282; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031282 - 27 Jan 2026
Viewed by 237
Abstract
The suboptimal efficacy of a low-protein diet in small white-feather broilers is due to a lack of alignment with their specific nutritional requirements. To investigate these precise requirements and to promote the application of low-protein diets in these birds’ feeding, we evaluated the [...] Read more.
The suboptimal efficacy of a low-protein diet in small white-feather broilers is due to a lack of alignment with their specific nutritional requirements. To investigate these precise requirements and to promote the application of low-protein diets in these birds’ feeding, we evaluated the effects of graded crude protein (CP) levels under fixed amino acid supplementation in small white-feather broilers. A two-phase feeding trial (1–21 and 22–42 days) was conducted using 480 chicks that were 1 day old, and the experimental diets contained varying CP levels (Phase 1: 18, 19, 20, 21%; Phase 2: 16, 17, 18, 19%) while maintaining constant levels of limiting amino acids. Key findings revealed that Group 3 (Phase 1: 20% CP; Phase 2: 18% CP) exhibited superior early growth performance during days 1–21, with fecal nitrogen excretion reduced by 11% relative to that in Group 4. Additionally, carcass characteristics, serum biochemical parameters, and serum antioxidant capacity were compared across all groups. These findings offer initial insights into the effects of low-protein diets on small white-feather broilers and lay the groundwork for future amino acid optimization studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Nutrition: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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19 pages, 580 KB  
Article
A Dual Strategy for Innovative Extraction and Nutritional Efficacy of Black Soldier Fly Larvae Oil
by İlknur Meriç Turgut and Levent Doğankaya
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(2), 568; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16020568 - 6 Jan 2026
Viewed by 588
Abstract
Amid the intensifying global mandate for sustainable aquafeed strategies, this study investigates the functional efficacy and biochemical implications of black soldier fly larvae oil (BLO), extracted via recently approved patent method depending on cold-aqueous process, as a substitute for conventional fish oil (FO) [...] Read more.
Amid the intensifying global mandate for sustainable aquafeed strategies, this study investigates the functional efficacy and biochemical implications of black soldier fly larvae oil (BLO), extracted via recently approved patent method depending on cold-aqueous process, as a substitute for conventional fish oil (FO) in zebrafish (Danio rerio) diets. The refined extraction technique, representing an advancement over traditional aqueous methodologies, was engineered to selectively preserve bioactive lipid fractions while minimizing environmental footprint and processing residues. Over a 28-day feeding period, adult zebrafish were allocated into triplicate groups and fed diets comprising 0%, 50%, and 100% substitution of FO with BLO and growth, lipid composition, and dietary fatty acid profiles of both diets and flesh were rigorously evaluated. Zebrafish fed the BLO100 diet exhibited the most pronounced somatic growth (2.47 ± 0.01 g), significantly elevated specific growth rates (3.88 ± 0.82% day−1), and the most efficient feed conversion, without compromising survival. Flesh lipid analysis revealed a substantial enrichment in saturated fatty acids—most notably lauric acid (C12:0)—corresponding to increasing dietary BLO levels. Although dietary EPA and DHA levels were reduced, DHA concentrations in fish tissues remained comparable to those of the control group, indicating a compensatory capacity mediated by endogenous elongation and desaturation pathways. These findings substantiate the dual potential of BLO as both a nutritionally viable lipid source and a vector for enhancing aquafeed sustainability. The cold-aqueous extraction method demonstrated here underscores a pivotal advancement in green lipid processing, aligning oil quality with ecological stewardship. This integrative approach not only reinforces BLO’s candidacy as a strategic fish oil substitute but also delineates a pathway toward scalable, species-adapted feed innovation. Future investigations should prioritize the modulation of fatty acid profiles through dietary and extraction optimization to fully realize the translational potential of insect-derived lipids in aquaculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Nutrition: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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15 pages, 337 KB  
Article
Fermentative Profile, Chemical Composition and In Situ Rumen Degradability of Capiaçu Elephant Grass Silage Wilted or with Added Cornmeal
by Maria Isabela Moreira Silva, Bruno Barboza da Silva, Jaimison Vinícius Ferreira Vieira, Carina da Silva Bittencourt, João Vitor Coelho Rodrigues, Wellington Paulo Fernandes Amorim, Ana Carolina Oliveira Ribeiro, Polyana Pizzi Rotta, Bruno Grossi Costa Homem and Alex Lopes da Silva
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(22), 12001; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152212001 - 12 Nov 2025
Viewed by 554
Abstract
Silage is an essential tool for maintaining productivity, especially during the dry season and when pasture availability is limited. However, it is necessary to establish increasingly efficient methods for producing this feed, seeking to minimize losses and provide maximum nutritional benefit. This study [...] Read more.
Silage is an essential tool for maintaining productivity, especially during the dry season and when pasture availability is limited. However, it is necessary to establish increasingly efficient methods for producing this feed, seeking to minimize losses and provide maximum nutritional benefit. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone cv. BRS Capiaçu silage with cornmeal addition or after 3 or 5 days of wilting, focusing on fermentative profile, chemical composition, and in situ degradation. A completely randomized design with four treatments and three replicates was used: Control (CON), ensilage with 8% ground cornmeal (SGC), wilting for 3 days (WI3), and wilting for 5 days (WI5), totaling 12 silos. After 120 days, the silages were analyzed for pH, volatile fatty acids, chemical composition, and rumen degradability using three cannulated cows. Data were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p < 0.05). The SGC and WI3 treatments showed lower pH (4.55 and 4.52) and butyric acid (0.27 and 0.33%) and higher lactic acid (2.32 and 1.57%) contents compared with CON and WI5 (p < 0.001). They also presented higher dry matter (257.2 and 318.3 g/kg) and crude protein (63.8 and 58.5 g/kg) and lower fiber fractions (p < 0.001). For rumen degradability, SGC had the highest values for fraction “A” and effective degradability of dry matter at 5 and 8%/h passage rates (p = 0.001). Cornmeal addition and 3-day wilting improved silage quality, but only cornmeal enhanced degradability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Nutrition: Latest Advances and Prospects)
14 pages, 598 KB  
Article
Development and Validation of an HPLC-PDA Method for NMN Quantification in Commercial Pet Foods
by Yuxin Meng, Chujun Li, Tao Lan, Lihong Wang and Jingxuan Zhang
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(19), 10797; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151910797 - 8 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2693
Abstract
Given NMN’s (Nicotinamide mononucleotide, NMN) potential pet health benefits and wide use in pet foods, the lack of standardized detection methods hinders quality control. This study developed and validated a simple, rapid HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, HPLC) method for NMN determination in pet [...] Read more.
Given NMN’s (Nicotinamide mononucleotide, NMN) potential pet health benefits and wide use in pet foods, the lack of standardized detection methods hinders quality control. This study developed and validated a simple, rapid HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, HPLC) method for NMN determination in pet foods. The method showed good linearity (5–500 μg/mL), LOD (1.0 mg/kg), LOQ (2.0 mg/kg), precision, stability, reproducibility, and spiked recoveries (97.3–109%, RSD < 6.0%). And most tested commercial samples met the standards. This method is simple, efficient, and accurate, supporting pet food NMN detection, quality control, regulation, and pet health protection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Nutrition: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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