PhD in Veterinary Sciences for Animal Health and Food Safety

Contacts

Supervisor

Claudio Forte

Phd thesis

Title: Beef-Haze - Hazelnut Industrial By-Product Inclusion in Piedmontese beef cattle livestock system

 

Scientific background

The circular economy principles are currently gaining a growing interest due to the increasing relevance of global challenges (overpopulation, world hunger, climate change, international conflicts).[1] Among the various solutions presented in literature (upcycled food production, material recovery, etc), one recognized as most effective is the re-use of co-/by-products from the food chain supply as feed [2]; in this context, the idea of using the hazelnut skins in livestock is yet to be fully explored.

Hazelnut skins (HS) are an agro-industrial co-products resulting from hazelnut roasting that lack any type of value and are classified as waste. [3] Their re-evaluation, on which the project is based, might present economic interests due to the related industry’s relevance. The latest global data report a production of grossly 1.1 million tons in 2020, with Italy as second main producer, being responsible for around 15% of the whole total production [4] and homeland to one of the main confectionery plants: Ferrero Spa, accounted for the use of one quarter of the yearly global production.

In literature, the HS’ nutritional profile is mainly defined by high values of fiber and total lipids (in particular unsaturated fatty acids) and a peculiar richness in bioactive principles, such as phenolic compounds and tocopherols, known for their antioxidant properties. Natural antioxidants are proved to be effective in beef production on various levels (animal welfare and overall product quality).

Promising results have been recorded in preliminary trials evaluating the effects of HS inclusion in dairy cows’ [5] and sheep’s diets [6-7]; no data are yet available on beef cattle, nor on Piedmontese cattle. The project is therefore aimed at promoting the use of hazelnut skin in beef cattle production, in line with a circular economy philosophy.

Aims and innovative aspects

Specific objectives:

• Decrease the hazelnut industry’s environmental impact;
• Improve the animals’ welfare and the derived product’s shelf life, due to the skins’ nutraceutical and antioxidant properties;
• Involve the consumers in a sensory evaluation while contributing to increase their perception on the issues of sustainability and circular economy.

Main techniques

The innovation of the study will be guaranteed by:

• the preliminary characterization of the HS;
• the inclusion of HS in Piedmontese beef cattle nutrition, a current knowledge gap;
• the use of an overall multidisciplinary approach;
• the active involvement of consumers as expression of citizen science.

1. Project phases:
2. Preliminary analysis on HS aimed at determining the nutritional profile and to identificate the main bioactive elements

Chemical composition will be mostly determined following AOAC procedures and (for the neutral detergent fiber) Van Soest et al.’s guidelines. [7] The energetic value will be estimated using National Research Council (NRC) equations. Fatty acid composition [8], phenolic content, antioxidants and antimicrobial properties [9] will also be determined.

2. In vivo trial

Weaned calves will be divided in two groups and receive two different feeds: a conventional concentrate (control) and a mixture of the same concentrate and HS (treated). Calves will be followed from weaning to the end of the productive cycle (800kg ± 13 months), during which live performances such as body weight, body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency will be recorded; at slaughter, rumen fluid will be collected for microbiota analyses. After 24h of refrigerated storage, the longissimus dorsi muscle will also be sampled for the meat analyses.

3. Meat analyses

It is planned to define physical, chemical, and nutritional traits, with a focus on the antioxidant capacity aimed at exploring the efficacy of HS.

Finally, microbiological exams will also be conducted in relation to the shelf life.

4. Sensorial properties and consumer science

The panel test reference will be ISO 13299:2003. Online and face-to-face surveys will be conducted to explore consumer acceptability of the product and emotional aspects related to the environmental and social sustainability of the inclusion of HS in beef cattle feed.

Expected results

It is expected that the final results will create knowledge that will improve the animals’, humans’ and environment’s overall welfare. Firstly, providing feed characterized by a high content of antioxidants will determine healthier animals, less subjected to technopathies and infectious diseases and thus allowing for a reduction in the antibiotics (and, in general, medicines) usage, helping to generate a safer product for human consumption. Finally, re-evaluating an item whose destiny has been manure waste up until now will lead to a much more sustainable supply chain, thus meaning another step forward a circular economy structure and an overall healthier future.

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 [1] Sadhukhan J. et al., Perspectives on “Game Changer” Global Challenges for Sustainable 21st Century: Plant-Based Diet, Unavoidable Food Waste Biorefining, and Circular Economy. Sustainability 2020, 12, 1976

[2] Pinotti L. et al., Recycling food leftovers in feed as opportunity to increase the sustainability of livestock production. Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 294, 2021, 126290

[3]Campione A. et al., Effect of Feeding Hazelnut Skin on Animal Performance, Milk Quality, and Rumen Fatty Acids in Lactating Ewes. Animals (Basel), 2020 Mar 31; 10(4):588.

[4]Squara S. et al., Corylus avellana L. Aroma Blueprint: Potent Odorants Signatures in the Volatilome of High Quality Hazelnuts. Front Plant Sci. 2022 Mar 3;13:840028.

Research activities

Co-supervisors: Laura Ozella, Andrea Giorgino

Publications: 

1. Ferroni, L.; Albini, E.; Lovito, C.; Blasi, F.; Maresca, C.; Massacci, F.R.; Orsini, S.; Tofani, S.; Pezzotti, G.; Diaz Vicuna, E.; Forte C.*; Magistrali C.F. (2022)
Antibiotic consumption is a major driver of antibiotic resistance in calves raised on Italian cow-calf beef farms. Research in Veterinary Science, 145 (71). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.01.010

2. Ozella. L.*; Giacobini M.; Diaz Vicuna E.; Schiavone A.; Forte C. (2023)
A comparative study of social behavior in primiparous and multiparous dairy cows during automatic milking. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 268.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2023.106065

3. Diaz Vicuna, E., Anfossi, L., Di Nardo, F., Forte, C., Ozella, L.* (2024)
CortiCow project: development of a rapid and non-invasive lateral flow immunoassay for the evaluation of cortisol levels in bovine saliva. Acta IMEKO, 13(1).
https://doi.org/10.21014/actaimeko.v13i1.1623

4. Diaz Vicuna E., Srikanthithasan K., Odore R., Massaglia S., Merlino V.M., Giorgino A., Ozella L., Schiavone A., Mota-Gutierrez J.*, Forte C. (2024)
Influence of age, gender, and willingness to adopt former foodstuffs on the perception of Italian farm animal veterinarians. Frontiers in Veterinary Sciences, 11.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1396807

5. Srikanthithasan K., Giorgino A., Fiorilla E., Ozella L., Gariglio M.*, Schiavone A., Martínez Marín A.L., Diaz Vicuna E., Forte C. (2024)
Former foodstuffs in feed: a minireview of recent findings. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31(16).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32695-2

6. Aytemiz Danyer, I., Diaz Vicuna, E.*, Manfrè, C., Contiero, B., Forte, C., Brscic, M. (2024)
State of the art of the cow-calf systems in beef and dairy cattle (Bos taurus) operations in EU, USA, and Brazil from 1998 to 2023. Research in Veterinary Science, 179.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105398

7. Srikanthithasan K., Diaz Vicuna E., Gariglio M.*, Giorgino A., Miniscalco B., Zambotto V., Cappone E.E., Fiorilla E., Nery J., Sala R., Martínez Marín A.L., Madrid Sanchez J., Schiavone A., Forte C. (2024)
Dietary processed former foodstuff from bakery by-products for broilers: impact on performance, digestibility, and hematobiochemical profiles. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 15(122).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-024-01081-w

8. Srikanthithasan K., Gariglio M.*, Diaz Vicuna E., Profiti M., Giorgino A., Fiorilla E., Castrica M., Miraglia D., Dabbou S., Gasperi F., Barroeta Lajusticia A.C., Altomonte I., Roccatello R., Schiavone A., Forte C. (2025)
Effects of dietary processed former foodstuffs on slaughter performance and meat quality in broilers. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 24 (1), 440-456.
https://doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2025.2453547

9. Srikanthithasan K., Menchetti L., Castrica M.*, Miraglia D., Bianchi C., Giorgino A., Diaz Vicuna E., Fiorilla E., Gariglio M., Schiavone A., Forte C. (2025)
Effect of dietary commercially processed former foodstuffs on broiler meat microbiological quality, physico-chemical traits and shelf-life extension. Applied Food Research, 5(1).
https://doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2025.2453547

10. Kroese A.H.*, Högberg N., Diaz Vicuna E., Berthet D., Fall N., Alam M., Tamminen L.M. (2025)
Evaluating the Automation of Abnormal Posture Transition Indicators in Dairy Cows Using Pose Estimation in 3d. Journal of Smart Agricultural Technology.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atech.2025.101205

11. Diaz Vicuna E.*, Fiorilla E., Srikanthithasan K., Zambotto V., Bianchi C., Riondato F., Renna M., Odore R., Badino P., Gardini G., Arneodo V., Cravero A., Ozella L., Giorgino A., Tabasso S., Capaldi G., Brugiapaglia A., Forte C. (2025)
Hazelnut skins as a new sustainable ingredient for beef cattle diets. Accepted by Scientific Reports.

*corresponding author

Under revision:

1. Diaz Vicuna E.*, Adams N., Smith L.G., Durand M., van Wagenberg C., Caron E., van den Pol-van Dasselaar A., Baumgart L., Schetelat S., Sandor M., Gliga A., Espagnol S., M-L. Andersen H., Borek R., Jurga P., van Leuffen N., Heerkens J.L.T., Yngvesson J., Oosterwijk A., Stokes J., Forte C., Hessle A. (2025)
   Exploring relationships among different sustainability aspects in innovative livestock systems in Europe. Submitted to International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability.
2. E. Diaz Vicuna, V. M. Merlino, S. Massaglia, J. Mota-Gutierrez, C. Forte, S. Blanc.
   Reimagining beef: consumer attitudes and acceptance of upcycled
   animal feed. Submitted to: AIMS Agriculture and food (IF: 1.3; Subject category: Agriculture,
   multidisciplinary; Ranking: 41/95 – Q2). 2025

Oral presentations:

1. E. Diaz Vicuna, L. Anfossi, F. Di Nardo, C. Forte, L. Ozella. CortiCow:development of a rapid and non-invasive Lateral Flow Immunoassay for the evaluation of cortisol levels in bovine saliva. IEEE International Workshop on measurements and applications in Veterinary and Animal sciences (MeAVeAS). Naples (Italy), 26-28th April 2023.

2. E. Diaz Vicuna, N. Adams, L. Smith, C. Forte, A. Hessle. Exploring the sustainability aspects of innovative livestock systems in Europe. 75th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP). Florence (Italy), 1-4th September 2024.

3. Laura Ozella, Davide Vitturini, Elena Diaz Vicuna, Marco Bovo, Claudio Forte, Mario Giacobini, Marco Grangetto. Analysing the social network dynamics of dairy cows with computer vision. 11th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming (ECPLF). Bologna (Italy), 9-12 September 2024.

4. Elena Diaz Vicuna, Edoardo Fiorilla, Karthika Srikanthithasan, Valeria Zambotto, Silvia Tabasso, Manuela Renna, Lara Rastello, Andrea Giorgino, Laura Ozella, Valentina Arneodo, Andrea Cravero and Claudio Forte. Hazelnut skin as sustainable feed ingredient in livestock diets: preliminary results. RETASTE: RETHINK FOOD Resources, losses, and waste. Heraklion (Greece), 25-27th September 2024. 

Abstracts published on International Congresses’ proceedings: 

1. Diaz Vicuna E.*, Anfossi L., Di Nardo F., Forte C., Ozella L. 2023. CortiCow project: development of a rapid and non-invasive Lateral Flow Immunoassay for the evaluation of cortisol levels in bovine saliva. Oral presentation. Proceedings of 2023 IEEE International Workshop on Measurements and Applications in Veterinary and Animal Sciences (MeAVeAS), Napoli, Italy, 26-28th April 2023.

2. Srikanthithasan K.*, Gariglio M., Fiorilla E., Giorgino A., Dellepiane L., Diaz Vicuna E., Sola D., Bongiorno V., Bergagna S., Schiavone A., Raspa F., Profiti M., Stoppani N., Soglia D., Forte C. 2023. Effects of Bakery by-products Inclusion in the Broiler’s Diet on Growth Performance, Carcass Yield and Gene Expression Profiling. Oral presentation. Proceedings of 25th ASPA CONGRESS (p.136), Monopoli, Italy, 13-16th June 2023.

3. Srikanthithasan K.*, Giorgino A., Gariglio M., Diaz Vicuna E., Schiavone A., Fiorilla E., Bergagna S., Barroeta A.C., Profiti M., Forte C. Bakery by-products in poultry diet: effects on performance, blood parameters and fatty acid profile of meat. Oral presentation. 23rd European Symposium on Poultry Nutrition, Rimini, Italy, 21-24th June 2023.

4. Srikanthithasan K.*, Dabbou S., Roccatello R., Gasperi F., Gariglio M., Fiorilla E., Diaz Vicuna E., Giorgino A., Castrica M., Miraglia D., Schiavone A., Forte C. 2023. Meat quality and sensory attributes of meat produced from Broilers fed different inclusions percentages of processed Former foodstuff based on bakery by-product. Poster presentation. Proceedings of 69th International congress of meat science and technology (ICoMST), Padova, Italy, 21-25th August 2023.

5. Srikanthithasan K.*, Diaz Vicuna E., Castrica M., Miraglia D., Fiorilla E., Gariglio M., Dabbou S., Giorgino A., Lajusticia A.C.B., Pallarés R.S., Schiavone A., Forte C. 2023. Effects of the inclusion of processed former foodstuff based on bakery by-products in broiler diet on fatty acid profile and chemical properties of meat. Poster presentation. Proceedings of 69th International congress of meat science and technology (ICoMST), Padova, Italy, 21-25th August 2023.

6. Srikanthithasan K., Giorgino A., Gariglio M., Diaz Vicuna E.*, Fiorilla E., Roccatello R., Gasperi F., Schiavone A., Massa V., Forte C. Processed former foodstuff based on bakery by-product included in compound feed diet destined to poultry can enhance broiler performance without impairing meat sensorial properties. Poster presentation. 8th International Feed conference, Milan, 9-10th October 2023.

7. Diaz Vicuna E.*, Adams N., Smith L., Forte C., Hessle A. Exploring the sustainability aspects of innovative livestock systems in Europe. Oral presentation. 75th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP), Florence, Italy, 1-4th September 2024.

8. Ozella L., Vitturini D., Diaz Vicuna E.*, Bovo M., Forte C., Giacobini M., Grangetto M. Analysing the social network dynamics of dairy cows with computer vision. Oral presentation. 11th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming (ECPLF), Bologna, Italy, 9-12th September 2024.

9. Diaz Vicuna E.*, Fiorilla E., Srikanthithasan K., Zambotto V., Tabasso S., Renna M., Rastello L., Giorgino A., Ozella L., Arneodo V., Cravero A., Forte C. Hazelnut skin as sustainable feed ingredient in livestock diets: preliminary results. Oral presentation. RETASTE: RETHINK FOOD Resources, losses, and waste, Heraklion, Greece, 25-27th September 2024.

10. Srikanthithasan K.*, Castrica M., Gariglio M., Diaz Vicuna E., Fiorilla E., Giorgino A., Roccatello R., Dabbou S., Gasperi F., Schiavone A., Forte C. Commercially processed bakery by-products in broiler diets: impact on performance and meat sensory attributes. Oral presentation. RETASTE: RETHINK FOOD Resources, losses, and waste, Heraklion, Greece, 25-27th September 2024.

11. Diaz Vicuna E.*, Adams N., Smith L.G., Durand M., van Wagenberg C., Caron E., van den Pol-van Dasselaar A., Baumgart L., Schetelat S., Gliga A., Espagnol S., Andersen H.M.-L., Borek R., Jurga P., van Leuffen N., Heerkens J.L.T., Yngvesson J., Oosterwijk A., Stokes J., Forte C., Hessle A. Exploring relationships among different sustainability aspects in innovative livestock systems in Europe. Poster presentation. XII international Rangeland IRC pre-congress, Adelaide, Australia, 31 May-1st June 2025.

12. Diaz Vicuna E.*, Bruzzese S., Magrin L., Fàbrega E., Mainau E., Marti S., Boivin X., Fusi F., Bernardo T., Rota Nodari S., Boissy A., Hvidtfeldt Jensen E., Pedersen L. J., Ashe S., Forte C. Challenges and best practices towards higher welfare standards in beef cattle: results from the European Partnership for Animal Health and Welfare. Poster presentation. 76th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) 2025, Innsbruck, Austria, 25-29th August 2025.

Professional training:

• 21/7/2025 – 25/7/2025 European Partnership on Animal Health & Welfare (EUPA&H) Summer School, organized by the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Surrey (Stag Hill Campus, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom)
• 31/5/2025 – 1/6/2025 XII International Rangeland (IRC) pre-congress workshop “Considering multifunctionality of pastoralism to foster fruitful contributions of pastoralism to growing societal challenges” organized by Dr. Bernard Hubert (Adelaide, Australia).
• 5/2025 – 7/2025 Erasmus+ traineeship at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Travessera dels Turons, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal and Food Science.
• 25/8/2024 – 30/8/2024 PATHWAYS - Early Career Immersion Programme at University of Reading, Department of Agri-Food Economics and Marketing (PO Box 237, Reading, RG6 6AR, United Kingdom). https://pathways-project.com/data-dialogue-and-discovery-my-pathways-experience/
• 1/7/2024 – 5/7/2024 Course in Basic Statistics and Data Analysis in Animal Science (applications in R Studio) organized by Associazione per la Scienza e le Produzioni Animali (ASPA) (Department of Agricultural, Food and Agro-Environmental Sciences, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy).
• 8/1/2024 – 30/6/2024 Erasmus+ traineeship at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Gråbrödragatan 19, 532 31 Skara; Almas Allé 8, 756 51 Uppsala), Department of Applied Animal Sciences and Animal Welfare (Skara) and Department of Clinical Science (Uppsala).
• 11/09/2023 – 14/12/2024 Industrial training at Regardia spa (former Dalma Mangimi spa; Via Sperina Alta, 18, 12030 Marene (CN), Italy).
• 02/2023 – 03/2023 Training course in Text Mining and Topic Analysis organized by Anicura Italy Holding S.r.l., in coordination with the University of Padova (online; held by Dr. Barbara Contiero).
• 05/2022 – 07/2022 Erasmus+ traineeship at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Travessera dels Turons, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Service of Animal Nutrition and Welfare (SNIBA).

ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-0197-518X

Publications

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