Metabolomic Profiling and Functional Characterization of Biochar from Vine Pruning Residues for Applications in Animal Feed

Biochar has gained interest as a feed ingredient in livestock nutrition due to its functional properties, circularity, potential to reduce environmental impact, and alignment with sustainable agro-zootechnical practices. The in vivo effects of biochar are closely tied to its physical characteristics...

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Main Authors: Serena Reggi, Sara Frazzini, Maria Claudia Torresani, Marianna Guagliano, Cinzia Cristiani, Salvatore Roberto Pilu, Martina Ghidoli, Luciana Rossi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/23/3440
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author Serena Reggi
Sara Frazzini
Maria Claudia Torresani
Marianna Guagliano
Cinzia Cristiani
Salvatore Roberto Pilu
Martina Ghidoli
Luciana Rossi
author_facet Serena Reggi
Sara Frazzini
Maria Claudia Torresani
Marianna Guagliano
Cinzia Cristiani
Salvatore Roberto Pilu
Martina Ghidoli
Luciana Rossi
author_sort Serena Reggi
collection DOAJ
description Biochar has gained interest as a feed ingredient in livestock nutrition due to its functional properties, circularity, potential to reduce environmental impact, and alignment with sustainable agro-zootechnical practices. The in vivo effects of biochar are closely tied to its physical characteristics, which vary depending on the biomass used as feedstock and the production process. This variability can result in heterogeneity among biochar types used in animal nutrition, leading to inconsistent outcomes. The aim of this study was to characterize the metabolomic and functional properties of an aqueous biochar extract from vine pruning waste, in order to predict its potential in vivo effects as a functional feed ingredient. A metabolomic analysis of the biochar extracts was conducted using quadrupole time-f-light (QQTOF) high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC MS/MS). Antimicrobial activity against <i>E. coli</i> F18+ and <i>E. coli</i> F4+ was assessed using standard growth inhibition assays, while quorum sensing in <i>E. coli</i> exposed to biochar extracts was evaluated using real-time PCR. Prebiotic activity was assessed by exposing selected <i>Lactobacillus</i> strains to the biochar extract, monitoring growth patterns to determine species-specific responses. The metabolomic profile revealed several distinct molecular classes, including multiple peaks for phenolic compounds. The extract significantly inhibited the growth of both <i>E. coli</i> pathotypes, reducing growth by 29% and 16% for the F4+ and F18+, respectively (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The relative expression of the genes involved in quorum sensing (MotA, FliA for biofilm formation, and FtsE, HflX for cell division) indicated that the observed inhibitory effects likely resulted from interference with flagellar synthesis, motility, and reduced cell division. The biochar extract also showed species-specific prebiotic potential. In conclusion, biochar derived from vine pruning waste represents a valuable feed ingredient with functional properties that may help to reduce antibiotic use in livestock production.
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spelling doaj-art-ca7f410efe754a54bdba18ce1655484e2025-08-20T02:38:46ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-11-011423344010.3390/ani14233440Metabolomic Profiling and Functional Characterization of Biochar from Vine Pruning Residues for Applications in Animal FeedSerena Reggi0Sara Frazzini1Maria Claudia Torresani2Marianna Guagliano3Cinzia Cristiani4Salvatore Roberto Pilu5Martina Ghidoli6Luciana Rossi7Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences—DIVAS, University of Milano, 26900 Lodi, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences—DIVAS, University of Milano, 26900 Lodi, ItalyBiotecnologie BT srl, PTP, 26900 Lodi, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering—Giulio Natta, Politecnico of Milan, 20133 Milano, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering—Giulio Natta, Politecnico of Milan, 20133 Milano, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences—Production Landscape and Agroenergy, University of Milano, 20133 Milano, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences—Production Landscape and Agroenergy, University of Milano, 20133 Milano, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences—DIVAS, University of Milano, 26900 Lodi, ItalyBiochar has gained interest as a feed ingredient in livestock nutrition due to its functional properties, circularity, potential to reduce environmental impact, and alignment with sustainable agro-zootechnical practices. The in vivo effects of biochar are closely tied to its physical characteristics, which vary depending on the biomass used as feedstock and the production process. This variability can result in heterogeneity among biochar types used in animal nutrition, leading to inconsistent outcomes. The aim of this study was to characterize the metabolomic and functional properties of an aqueous biochar extract from vine pruning waste, in order to predict its potential in vivo effects as a functional feed ingredient. A metabolomic analysis of the biochar extracts was conducted using quadrupole time-f-light (QQTOF) high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC MS/MS). Antimicrobial activity against <i>E. coli</i> F18+ and <i>E. coli</i> F4+ was assessed using standard growth inhibition assays, while quorum sensing in <i>E. coli</i> exposed to biochar extracts was evaluated using real-time PCR. Prebiotic activity was assessed by exposing selected <i>Lactobacillus</i> strains to the biochar extract, monitoring growth patterns to determine species-specific responses. The metabolomic profile revealed several distinct molecular classes, including multiple peaks for phenolic compounds. The extract significantly inhibited the growth of both <i>E. coli</i> pathotypes, reducing growth by 29% and 16% for the F4+ and F18+, respectively (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The relative expression of the genes involved in quorum sensing (MotA, FliA for biofilm formation, and FtsE, HflX for cell division) indicated that the observed inhibitory effects likely resulted from interference with flagellar synthesis, motility, and reduced cell division. The biochar extract also showed species-specific prebiotic potential. In conclusion, biochar derived from vine pruning waste represents a valuable feed ingredient with functional properties that may help to reduce antibiotic use in livestock production.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/23/3440biocharvine biomasscircular economysustainabilityfunctional propertiesfeed
spellingShingle Serena Reggi
Sara Frazzini
Maria Claudia Torresani
Marianna Guagliano
Cinzia Cristiani
Salvatore Roberto Pilu
Martina Ghidoli
Luciana Rossi
Metabolomic Profiling and Functional Characterization of Biochar from Vine Pruning Residues for Applications in Animal Feed
Animals
biochar
vine biomass
circular economy
sustainability
functional properties
feed
title Metabolomic Profiling and Functional Characterization of Biochar from Vine Pruning Residues for Applications in Animal Feed
title_full Metabolomic Profiling and Functional Characterization of Biochar from Vine Pruning Residues for Applications in Animal Feed
title_fullStr Metabolomic Profiling and Functional Characterization of Biochar from Vine Pruning Residues for Applications in Animal Feed
title_full_unstemmed Metabolomic Profiling and Functional Characterization of Biochar from Vine Pruning Residues for Applications in Animal Feed
title_short Metabolomic Profiling and Functional Characterization of Biochar from Vine Pruning Residues for Applications in Animal Feed
title_sort metabolomic profiling and functional characterization of biochar from vine pruning residues for applications in animal feed
topic biochar
vine biomass
circular economy
sustainability
functional properties
feed
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/23/3440
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