COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a major public health threat. Edible plants are rich in bioactive components, with a variety of functions, such as enhancing immunity, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and so on. Thus, the intake of edible plants to boost the body's resistance to COVID-19 is a promising and possibly affordable strategy. This review revisits the effects of functional components from edible plants (such as polyphenols, polysaccharides, lectin, alkaloids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, terpenoids, and saponins) on COVID-19. The inhibitory effects of bioactive components on the virus's entrance and replication, anti-inflammatory and immune enhancement are discussed. And finally, we present the prospects of using edible plant functional ingredients as vaccine adjuvants and the prospects and problems in the use of edible plant functional components for the prevention of COVID-19. Functional components of edible plants interacted with structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 virus and key enzymes in virus recognition and replication, thereby inhibiting virus entry and replication in the host. Meanwhile, these bioactive components had anti-inflammatory effects and could inhibit cytokine storms. Therefore, we believe that functional components from edible plants can enhance human resistance to COVID-19 and can be applied in the development of new therapies.

Pyrethroids can be ingested by humans through eating contaminated oysters, which is potentially harmful to health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of raw, steaming, and roasting on cypermethrin (CP) and fenpropathrin (FP) in oysters during simulated digestion. Results showed that the amount of released CP and FP was different from raw (CP: 0.617 µg·g−1, FP: 0.266 µg·g−1), steaming (CP: 0.498 µg·g−1, FP: 0.660 µg·g−1), and roasting (CP: 1.186 µg·g−1, FP: 0.588 µg·g−1) at the end of simulated digestion. The share of cis-CP and low-efficiency CP increased significantly (p < 0.05), and the share of high-efficiency trans-CP did not maintain a high level for a long time during simulated digestion. The fluorimetric titration and isothermal titration calorimetry confirmed that CP and FP could spontaneously interact with oyster actin, and CP could bind with oyster actin more tightly than FP. This study reveals that cooking methods affect the binding capacity of CP and FP to oyster tissues and influence the changes of CP and FP in oysters during digestion. Furthermore, the current study provides a reference for assessing the potential harm of pyrethroids in oysters to consumers.

International audience | The human intestine is home to a complex bacterial community known as the gut microbiota. This microbiota performs functions that are essential for maintaining our health, and has been shown to influence the host's physiology and metabolism. As a result, dysregulation of this intestinal microbiota, known as dysbiosis, could be implicated in the development of various diseases. However, studies analysing the microbiota rarely assess causality, which can be demonstrated by using germ-free (GF) animals and transplanting microbiota. Using these strategies, it has been shown that the intestinal microbiota may play a causal role in the development of obesity and associated metabolic disorders, particularly liver diseases, including Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and Alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Indeed, by transplanting the gut microbiota from mice with or without MASLD to GF mice, we showed that the propensity to develop MASLD features including hyperglycaemia or steatosis is transmissible by the gut microbiota. Regarding ALD, we first showed that a specific dysbiosis is present in alcoholic patients with a severe alcoholic hepatitis. GF mice colonized with the gut microbiota from a patient with severe alcoholic hepatitis (AH) developed more severe liver inflammation and higher liver necrosis, than GF mice colonized with the gut microbiota from an alcoholic patient without AH.In conclusion, we demonstrated that the individual susceptibility to liver diseases is driven, at least partly, by differences in intestinal microbiota composition. Our findings open new avenues for diagnostic procedures based on personalised medicine by the identification of patients at high risk of developing liver diseases. They also open new possibilities for liver diseases prevention and treatment through intestinal microbiota manipulation.

peer reviewed | Soybean is a crucial component of animal feed, especially for poultry and monogastric animals, because of its high protein and amino acid content. However, dependence on soybeans—particularly imported varieties—poses challenges, including price volatility and concerns regarding GMOs. Organic farming, which prohibits GMOs, faces even higher costs to source non-GMO soybean meal. To address these issues, alternative protein sources such as insects are attracting interest. Insects provide a rich supply of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, offering a sustainable substitute for both soybean and fishmeal. Key insect candidates for feed include the black soldier fly, housefly, and yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor, TM). Research indicates that insect meal can replace traditional feed sources without reducing productivity. This study, conducted at a poultry farm in Chemini, Bejaia, Algeria, examined 36 Isa-Brown laying hens, 40 weeks old. The hens were divided into 12 pens (3 control and 9 experimental), with experimental groups receiving feed supplemented with 1% (TM1), 2% (TM2), or 4% (TM4) mealworms. Over a four-week period, egg quality (physical and chemical properties) and feed conversion efficiency were evaluated. Data analysis, performed using SAS software with a significance threshold of P<0.05, revealed no significant differences in laying rates (P=0.48), although the TM4 group showed a slightly lower rate. However, TM4 achieved the best feed conversion ratio (P=0.03). Egg quality parameters, including weight and shell characteristics, remained consistent across all groups, with no significant differences in cholesterol or essential fatty acids. Incorporating mealworms into poultry feed thus appears to improve feed efficiency while maintaining egg quality, although there was a slight reduction in laying performance at higher inclusion rates. The relatively small sample size, however, limits the generalizability of these findings. | Le soja est un composant essentiel de l'alimentation animale, en particulier pour la volaille et les animaux monogastriques, en raison de sa teneur élevée en protéines et en acides aminés. Cependant, la dépendance au soja – en particulier aux variétés importées – pose des défis, notamment en termes de volatilité des prix et de préoccupations liées aux OGM. L’agriculture biologique, qui interdit les OGM, se heurte à des coûts encore plus élevés pour se procurer du tourteau de soja non-OGM. Afin de résoudre ces problèmes, des sources alternatives de protéines, telles que les insectes, suscitent de plus en plus d'intérêt. Les insectes offrent un apport riche en protéines, lipides, vitamines et minéraux, constituant une alternative durable au soja et à la farine de poisson. Parmi les insectes les plus prometteurs pour l’alimentation animale figurent la mouche soldat noire, la mouche domestique et le ver de farine jaune (Tenebrio molitor, TM). La recherche indique que la farine d'insectes peut remplacer les sources d'alimentation traditionnelles sans diminuer la productivité. Cette étude, menée dans une ferme avicole à Chemini, Béjaïa, en Algérie, a examiné 36 poules pondeuses Isa-Brown âgées de 40 semaines. Les poules ont été réparties dans 12 enclos (3 enclos témoins et 9 expérimentaux), les groupes expérimentaux recevant un aliment enrichi en vers de farine à raison de 1 % (TM1), 2 % (TM2) ou 4 % (TM4). Sur une période de quatre semaines, la qualité des œufs (caractéristiques physiques et chimiques) et l'efficacité de conversion alimentaire ont été évaluées. L'analyse des données, effectuée à l'aide du logiciel SAS avec un seuil de signification de P<0,05, n'a révélé aucune différence significative dans les taux de ponte (P=0,48), bien que le groupe TM4 ait montré un taux légèrement inférieur. Cependant, le groupe TM4 a obtenu le meilleur indice de conversion alimentaire (P=0,03). Les paramètres de qualité des œufs, y compris le poids et les caractéristiques de la coquille, sont restés constants dans tous les groupes, sans différences significatives au niveau du cholestérol ou des acides gras essentiels. L'incorporation de vers de farine dans l'alimentation des poules pondeuses semble donc améliorer l'efficacité alimentaire tout en maintenant la qualité des œufs, bien qu'une légère réduction de la performance de ponte ait été observée aux taux d'inclusion les plus élevés. Toutefois, la taille relativement réduite de l'échantillon limite la généralisation de ces résultats. | يُعتبر فول الصويا مكونًا أساسيًا في تغذية الحيوانات، وخاصةً الدواجن والحيوانات أحادية المعدة، نظرًا لمحتواه العالي من البروتين والأحماض الأمينية. ومع ذلك، فإن الاعتماد على فول الصويا – خاصةً الأصناف المستوردة – يطرح تحديات، بما في ذلك تقلب الأسعار والمخاوف المتعلقة بالكائنات المعدلة وراثيًا (OGM). كما تواجه الزراعة العضوية، التي تحظر استخدام الكائنات المعدلة وراثيًا، تكاليف أعلى للحصول على كُسب فول الصويا غير المعدل وراثيًا. وللتغلب على هذه المشكلات، تكتسب مصادر البروتين البديلة، مثل الحشرات، اهتمامًا متزايدًا. فالحشرات تُقدم مصدرًا غنيًا بالبروتينات والدهون والفيتامينات والمعادن، مما يجعلها بديلاً مستدامًا لفول الصويا وطحين السمك. ومن بين الحشرات الواعدة لتغذية الحيوانات نجد الذبابة الجندية السوداء، وذبابة المنزل، ودودة الطحين الصفراء (تينبريو موليتور، TM). وتشير الأبحاث إلى أن طحين الحشرات يمكنه استبدال المصادر الغذائية التقليدية دون التأثير على الإنتاجية. أُجريت هذه الدراسة في مزرعة دواجن بمنطقة شَمّيني، ولاية بجاية، الجزائر، واشتملت على 36 دجاجة بياضة من نوع Isa-Brown بعمر 40 أسبوعًا. تم توزيع الدجاجات على 12 حظيرة (3 حظائر كمجموعة ضابطة و9 حظائر كمجموعات تجريبية)، حيث تلقت المجموعات التجريبية علفًا مُضافًا إليه ديدان الطحين بنسبة 1% (TM1)، 2% (TM2) أو 4% (TM4). وعلى مدار فترة أربعة أسابيع، تم تقييم جودة البيض (الخصائص الفيزيائية والكيميائية) وكفاءة تحويل العلف. أظهرت نتائج التحليل الإحصائي، الذي أُجري باستخدام برنامج SAS مع مستوى دلالة P<0.05، عدم وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية في معدلات البيض (P=0.48)، على الرغم من أن مجموعة TM4 أظهرت معدلًا أقل قليلًا. ومع ذلك، حققت مجموعة TM4 أفضل معدل تحويل غذائي (P=0.03). بقيت خصائص جودة البيض، بما في ذلك الوزن وخصائص القشرة، متناسقة بين جميع المجموعات دون فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية في مستويات الكوليسترول أو الأحماض الدهنية الأساسية. يبدو أن إدماج ديدان الطحين في علف الدجاج البياض يحسن كفاءة التغذية مع الحفاظ على جودة البيض، رغم حدوث انخفاض طفيف في أداء وضع البيض عند معدلات الإضافة الأعلى. ومع ذلك، فإن حجم العينة الصغير نسبيًا يحد من إمكانية تعميم هذه النتائج.