Carbohydrate Content Research Articles

Biosynthetic capabilities of Antarctic yeast Sporobolomyces roseus AL103: Temperature influence on intracellular metabolites and characterization of the exopolysaccharide

The purpose of the study was to investigate the biosynthetic properties of the Antarctic yeast strain Sporobolomyces roseus AL103 in response to temperature changes, to perform intracellular metabolic profiling, and to reveal the chemical and functional characteristics of the synthesized exopolysaccharide (EPS). The results show that the yeast strain needed a shorter time to reach a stationary phase at 22 °C contrary to that of 5 °C. An NMR analysis revealed differences in metabolic profiles of amino acids, glucose, trehalose, glycerol, uridine, etc. EPS (2.9 g/L) was characterized by high–molecular-weight with total carbohydrate, uronic acids, and protein content of 66 %, 10.5 %, and 2.5 %, respectively. Mannose (74 mol%) and galactose (19 mol%) were the major constituents. The FT-IR data suggested the presence of β-(1–4)-mannan. DSC thermogram, WVTR, mechanical properties, and moisture sorption of the EPS film showed thermal stability up to 220 °C and hydrophilic behavior. The newly obtained polymer film was studied for the first time and the data showed possibilities for its successful application as a film-forming material in the preparation of packaging materials. In conclusion, the temperature influenced the metabolic profile of the Antarctic yeast producer. The biotechnological process could be directed to obtain the target intracellular or extracellular metabolites.

Nicotine promotes pathogenic bacterial growth and biofilm formation in peri-implant.

Introduction. Peri-implantitis is a plaque-associated disease that leads to implant loss and arises from bacterial biofilms on the surface of the implant. Smoking is a risk factor for peri-implantitis and impedes treatment effectiveness. Additionally, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), IL-6, and IL-22 levels are related to peri-implantitis.Aim. We aimed to investigate the effects of nicotine on inflammatory response, bacterial growth and biofilm formation.Hypothesis/Gap Statement. We hypothesized that nicotine promoted pathogenic bacterial growth and biofilm formation, thereby aggravating inflammation.Methodology. The expression of AHR, IL-6 and IL-22 was measured in peri-implant sulci fluid using quantitative PCR and Western blot analyses. The cementum was incubated with bacterial suspension including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Streptococcus sanguinis and Fusobacterium nucleatum and treated with 100, 200, 250 and 300 µg ml-1 nicotine, and then, the absorbance and number of colony-forming units were detected. Biofilm formation was evaluated using the tissue culture plate method and safranin O staining. Carbohydrates and proteins were measured by the phenol-sulfuric acid method and the bicinchoninic acid method, respectively.Results. The results indicated that smoking increased the levels of AHR, IL-6 and IL-22. Functionally, nicotine promoted the growth of P. gingivalis, S. sanguinis and F. nucleatum. Additionally, it promoted the biofilm formation of these bacteria and increased the contents of carbohydrates and proteins.Conclusion. Nicotine promoted bacterial growth and biofilm build-up, suggesting that smoking may aggravate the progression of peri-implantitis.

Organic manures reduce the bioavailability of fluoride in soil via different mechanisms

Fluoride (F) pollution in soils, which can be caused by long-term application of phosphate fertilizers, has serious socio-economic and ecological impacts. Therefore, it is important to find economically viable and environmentally friendly remediation technologies that mitigating the potential hazards of F-contaminated soil while maintaining crop yields. In this study, a soil incubation experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of two different organic manures at various amounts on soil F content and soil properties. We demonstrated that organic manure application at a rate of 5% was optimal to control the content of available fluoride (AE-F) in soil. Organic manure decreased the AE-F content and increased the residual or organically bound content. Furthermore, organic manure application also increased the contents of carbohydrates, proteins, and amides, which can anchor AE-F to the dissolved organic matter (DOM) in soil through physicochemical reactions, thereby reducing the migration of F. Moreover, after organic manure application, complex humus compounds were formed through microbial action, thus reducing the bioavailability of soil F. In summary, the application of organic manures can reduce the accumulation of soil AE-F, thereby reducing the absorption of F by crops in F-contaminated soil and alleviating the potential risk of F contamination.

In vitro leishmanicidal activity of Hancornia speciosa latex against Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis

BackgroundLeishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease whose available treatment has limitations. Hancornia speciosa Gomes, a tree native to Brazil, has been studied for its medicinal properties, including antimicrobial and healing properties. However, its effect on parasites of the Leishmania genus still needs to be elucidated. PurposeTo evaluate the leishmanicidal activity for potential therapeutic use of H. speciosa latex and its fractions on Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis promastigotes and amastigotes, as well as to analyze its cytotoxic effects on RAW264.7 cells and murine peritoneal macrophages. MethodsThe anti-promastigote activity of latex and its fractions was evaluated by cell viability assays via MTT in L. (L.) amazonensis and monitoring the parasite's growth kinetics by counting under light microscopy. To evaluate anti-amastigote activity, RAW264.7 cells and murine peritoneal macrophages infected with amastigotes were analyzed using microscopy, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry assays. The cytotoxicity of latex and its fractions was evaluated in these cells via MTT assay. ResultsThe H. speciosa latex and its fractions showed anti-promastigote activities in L. (L.) amazonensis, reducing its proliferation and viability and altering its morphology. These did not interfere with the viability of RAW264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages. Crude latex and F<10 kDa at 5% reduced the infection of intracellular amastigotes in peritoneal macrophages to 32% and 18% after 24 h of treatment, respectively. Under the same conditions, the F>10 kDa fraction showed 82% of infected cells. The evaluation of the latex composition showed that the F>10 kDa fraction has the highest concentration of carbohydrates, followed by phenolic compounds and proteins. In contrast, the F<10k Da fraction presented fewer phenolic compounds and carbohydrates. ConclusionsThese results indicate that H. speciosa crude latex and F<10 kDa have intense leishmanicidal activity against L. (L.) amazonensis promastigotes and amastigotes internalized by macrophages. Additionally, the lack of cytotoxicity indicates that H. speciosa latex is a strong candidate for new alternative treatments for leishmaniasis.

Carbohydrate composition of cow's milk and plant-based milk alternatives

The prevalence of lactose intolerance is one of the factors driving consumers toward plant-based milk alternatives (PBMA). This study aimed to analyze the carbohydrate profile of cows' milk (regular and lactose-free from both pasteurized and UHT milks; n = 80) and PBMA (n = 60) by HPLC. The study revealed that there was no significant difference in the energy content and total carbohydrate content between regular milk and lactose-free milk. Although milk and PBMA are entirely different food matrices, some PBMA types, as soya and coconut, may have energy contents and total carbohydrate contents comparable to those of milk. Furthermore, the variability observed in total carbohydrate content, as well as in carbohydrate profile, both between PBMA types and within samples of the same type, arises not only from variations in raw materials but also from the number of dilutions of the vegetable extract and the addition of different types and levels of carbohydrates, such as sucrose, fructose, or sorbitol, during PBMA manufacture. Although, milk presents a regular carbohydrate composition, differing solely between presentations (regular/lactose-free), the PBMA differs significantly between types and among the same type, not being for that reason regarded as a milk substitute.

Revolutionizing nutrition: Exploring the transformative impact of amaranth integration on composite millet flakes

This study focuses on the development and comparative analysis of multi-millet flakes comprising amaranth, finger millet, and foxtail millet. Two drying methods, baking and dehydration, were employed to produce the flakes. Physicochemical, structural, and thermal properties were evaluated, along with changes observed during soaking in various media. Baked flakes exhibited larger dimensions and a more porous internal structure compared to dried flakes. Baking induced gelatinization and protein denaturation, enhancing water holding capacity and resulting in lower water activity (0.24) conducive to long-term storage. Dehydrated flakes had slightly higher water activity (0.41) and exhibited higher color values with a glossy outer surface. Flakes soaked in hot milk, milk, and water displayed distinct structural properties, crystallinity shifts, and thermal degradation patterns. The nutritional analysis revealed a significant carbohydrate content (55 %), moderate protein (11 %), and notable levels of fat (4.4 %) and total dietary fiber (6.88 %). Fatty acid profiling indicated low levels of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats, with no trans-fat or cholesterol. Sensory evaluation favored baked flakes, indicating higher acceptability. This research underscores the potential of multi-millet flakes as a nutritious and palatable food option.

Evaluation of Physical and Sensory Properties of Biscuits Made from Blended Wheat Flour and Pumpkin Powder

Biscuit is a type of confectionery popular among all age groups and able to change to become a complete food with necessary nutrients. Pumpkin is a nutritious vegetable that has high post-harvest losses in Sri Lanka. The aim of this research was to analyze the composition of pumpkin powder and evaluate the physical and sensory properties of biscuits made from blended wheat flour and pumpkin powder. Analyses revealed that moisture, protein, fat, ash, crude fiber, and carbohydrate content of pumpkin powder were 8.5%, 5.2%, 1.2%, 3.4%, 4% and 77.7% respectively. Biscuits were made by replacing wheat flour with pumpkin powder at different levels as 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40% (w/w) in the standard formulation. When the percentage of pumpkin powder increased from 10 to 40%, the thickness of biscuits decreased significantly compared to control (0%) There was a significant increment in the spread ratio of biscuits between 10 and 40% levels of pumpkin powder when compared with the control. While 10 to 40% replacement levels of pumpkin powder resulted in significant increase in biscuit hardness, it decreased moisture content significantly compared to control. The color of the biscuits was assessed in terms of lightness, redness, and yellowness. When increasing the pumpkin powder percentage in biscuit, lightness reduced, while redness and yellowness increased gradually. Consumer acceptability test on sensory attributes indicated 5% (w/w) level of pumpkin powder was the most preferred replacement level. The study concludes that pumpkin powder has the potential to be used in biscuit applications.

Nutrient Composition And Sensory Evaluation Of Sorghum Based Complementary Food Fortified With Soybean, Carrot And Crayfish

The nutritional composition and sensory characteristics of sorghum-based complementary food fortified with soybean, carrot and crayfish at different substitutional levels were evaluated using standard analytical procedures. The results revealed that moisture,ash,fat,fibre,protein and carbohydrate content values range from 7.73% to 13.07%, 1.84% to 4.66%, 39.48% to 44.02%, 0.02% to 2.01%, 13.59% to 24.51% and 16.31% to 27.44% respectively. The selected minerals showed that calcium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, and iron varied from 1.61 to 15.56mg/100g, 0.05 to 4.71mg/100g, 3.51 to 8.80mg/100g, 0.22 to 7.78mg/100g and 0.02 to 6.68mg/100g respectively. Vitamin A showed an appreciable amount in the sample with the inclusion of carrot.Values obtained met the Codex Alimentarius Commission Guidelines for formulated complementary foods for older infant and young children. The sensory properties revealed that sample E (60% sorghum, 25% soybean, 10% carrot and 5% crayfish) was most preferred and this has provided a basis for the development of an acceptable complementary food that can provide the needed protein and other nutrients, thereby combating protein energy malnutrition in infants

Ketogenic Diet as a Therapeutic Intervention for Doose Syndrome: A Case Report and Review of Current Evidence

Epilepsy with myoclonic-atonic seizures, also known as Doose syndrome or myoclonic–astatic epilepsy (MAE), represents a challenging pediatric epilepsy syndrome, initially described by Doose et al. in 1970. MAE accounts for 1%–2.2% of juvenile-onset epilepsy cases, characterized by normal early development, followed by seizure onset between 7 months and 6 years. Seizure types include myoclonic, myoclonic-atonic, generalized tonic–clonic, and atypical absences, often accompanied by nonconvulsive status epilepticus. Electroencephalogram typically shows parietal-dominant rhythmic theta activity or a posterior 4 Hz pattern. While conventional antiseizure medications (ASMs) offer some efficacy, outcomes vary widely, and up to 50% of patients may experience refractory seizures and poor intellectual outcomes. The ketogenic diet (KD), a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet inducing ketosis, has shown promise in reducing seizure frequency and severity in refractory epilepsy, including MAE. This case report describes a successful outcome with a South Indian style KD in a 3-year-old boy with Doose syndrome presenting with 20–25 daily head drop seizures despite multiple ASMs and steroid therapy. Initiation of a home-based KD utilizing traditional household ingredients significantly reduced seizure frequency by 60% within 1 month and 80% within 2 months and was 100% seizure-free in 3rd month following KD, alongside developmental improvements. The KD was well-tolerated, with improved nutritional status. This case underscores KD’s potential as a viable complementary therapy for MAE, emphasizing the need for ongoing parental support and supervision to ensure dietary adherence and optimize outcomes. It is commonly believed that the KD is challenging for the South Indian population to follow due to the high carbohydrate content in South Indian cuisine. However, this case demonstrates that a KD can indeed be tailored around South Indian dishes, highlighting the uniqueness of this approach. When the diet is customized to consider a child’s dietary habits, culture, and cuisine, it becomes easier to follow over the long term, leading to effective seizure control. Further research is necessary to refine dietary protocols and evaluate long-term efficacy in MAE management.

Production And Quality Evaluation Of Kokoro (A Maize Based Snack) From Sprouted Maize Suipplemented With African Yam Bean

“Kokoro”, a maize-based snack characterized by low protein was evaluated for nutrients composition by supplementation with African yam bean (AYBF)flour using standard analytical procedures. The maize-based snack (Kokoro) produced from this research work was a blend of unsprouted maize and sprouted maize supplemented with AYBF at different substitutional levels. The proximate content revealed that moisture content, crude protein, fat, ash and fibre as well as carbohydrate contents ranged from 9.23-1054%, 7.82-13.13%, 20.82- 31.73%, 1.52—1.96%, 2.16-2.74% and 41.21-57.14% respectively. Increase in the levels of protein, fat, ash and fibre as the level of substitution increases was observed. Functional properties revealed AYBF can be useful in food application, most especially with cereal based crops. The pasting characteristics although revealed significant variation (P&lt;0.05) among samples, also revealed its uses in food systems. The sensory qualities showed that sample supplemented with 30% AYBF came closely to the reference kokoro, indicating consumers’ preference for supplemented kokoro that an favourably supply needed nutrients when consumed.

ANALYSIS OF THE QUALITY CONTENT OF TRADITIONAL NYALE PROCESSING (Eunice siciliensis) IN WANUKAKA DISTRICT, WEST SUMBA REGENCY

Nyale processing is a typical preparation of the people of Wanukaka District. The process of processing nyale is simple or still traditional, namely by cleaning sea worms obtained from Wanukaka waters and putting them in a clean container (clear jar), then mixing them with salt, basil leaves, squeezed orange juice. Nyale that has been homogenized with additional ingredients is stored at room temperature for the fermentation process. The aim of this research is to determine the organoleptic content, namely color, aroma and taste. The research results have an average value for aroma, namely 2.77 (like), taste with a value of 2.20 (dislike), color with a value of 2.53 (like), so it can be accepted by the majority of panelists. The proximate content is ash content, water content, fat content, protein content, carbohydrate content. The results of the research show that Nyale which is processed traditionally has a water content of 18.37%, ash content of 32.05%, protein content of 8.63%, fat content of 39.01%, carbohydrate content of 1.95%.

Effect of Light Intensity on the Growth and Nutrient Uptake of the Microalga Chlorella sorokiniana Cultivated in Biogas Plant Digestate

This study investigated the effect of light intensity on the growth and nutrient uptake of Chlorella sorokiniana cultivated in nitrogen-rich anaerobic digestion wastewater. Three light intensities (20, 68, and 162 µmol m⁻2 s⁻1) were applied over a 30-day period with a 16:8 h light–dark photoperiod. The goal was to understand how light affects biomass productivity, nutrient assimilation, and biochemical composition under varying nitrogen concentrations originating from biogas plant digestate, up to 5 g L⁻1. The results showed that higher light intensities significantly boosted biomass production, achieving a five-fold increase at 162 µmol m⁻2 s⁻1 compared to 20 µmol m⁻2 s⁻1. Nutrient uptake followed a similar pattern, with 94% of ammonium nitrogen removed in 7 days under high light, compared to 55% after 30 days under low light. Phosphorus content was also completely removed after 7 days under light intensities of 68 and 162 µmol m⁻2 s⁻1. Additionally, elevated light intensity led to increased lipid accumulation (from 29.7% to 34%) and reduced protein content (from 30.9% to 26.1%), with carbohydrate content not being affected by light intensity. These findings highlight light intensity as a critical factor for optimizing microalgae cultivation in nitrogen-rich biogas digestate, promoting both effective nutrient removal and biomass production for potential bioenergy applications.

Perubahan Komponen Kimia Fungsional pada Umbi, Tepung, dan Beras Analog Ubi Jalar Ungu

The purple sweet potato tuber, rich in functional chemical components, offers potential for development into high-value products such as flour, which can then be processed into analog rice. This research aims to evaluate the changes in functional chemical components–namely moisture, ash, protein, fat, carbohydrates, anthocyanin, and β-carotene–along with antioxidant activity during the processing of purple sweet potato tubers into flour and analog rice. The chemical composition of the tubers was found to be as follows: moisture content of 78.00% on a wet basis (wb), ash content of 9.70% on a dry basis (db), fat content of 5.47% (db), protein content of 26.93% (db), carbohydrate content of 58.41% (db), anthocyanin content of 31.79 mg/100 g (db), β-carotene content of 17.73 mg/100 g (db), and antioxidant activity of 65.70%. The composition of the resulting flour included water (6.71% wb), ash (2.40% db), fat (1.06% db), protein (3.80% db), carbohydrate (92.75% db), anthocyanin (3.47 mg/100 g db), β-carotene (1.51 mg/100 g db), and antioxidant activity (45.59%). The chemical content of the analog rice was as follows: water (8.43% wb), ash (1.78% db), fat (1.62% db), protein (4.13% db), carbohydrate (92.50% db), anthocyanin (0.71 mg/100 g db), β-carotene (1.05 mg/100 g db), and antioxidant activity (8.38%). Processing the tubers into flour resulted in a reduction of fat, protein, anthocyanins, β-carotene, and antioxidant activity, while carbohydrate content increased. Similarly, the conversion of flour into analog rice led to decreased levels of carbohydrates, anthocyanins, β-carotene, and antioxidant activity, whereas fat and protein levels increased after transfor-mation into analog rice. The processing stages that significantly contributed to these changes in chemical components included drying, formulation, and extrusion.

Physicochemical and sensory properties of wheat-germinated sorghum-pigeon pea flour blends and their chin-chin-making potential

The effects of the substitution of wheat flour (WF) with Germinated Sorghum Flour (GSF) and Pigeon Peas Flour (PPF) at ratios of 100:00:00; 90:5:5; 80; 10:10 and 70:15:15 respectively in the proximate and mineral composition of the flour blends and the sensory properties of the chin-chin produced from the composite flour using standard methods were evaluated. The substitution reduced the moisture content from 10.55 to 9.18% while ash, fiber, protein, and fat content increased from 5.25 to 8.16%; 0.45 to 1.23%; 8.11 to 14.19%, and 3.37 to 5.42% respectively. An expected decrease in the carbohydrate content was recorded. The addition of GSF and PPF increased the sodium (1.18 - 1.45mg/100g); Potassium (1.48 - 3.49 mg /100g) and magnesium (0.68 - 1.66mg/100g) while zinc which was the most abundant out of all the mineral element assessed decreased from 74.32 - 36.61 mg/100g. The 100% WF Chin- -chin was ranked highest in color, taste, aroma, crispness, and general -acceptability closely followed by chin-chin produced fun 80WF: 10GSF: 10 PPF. This implies that wheat flour, germinated sorghum four and pigeon pea flour blends will produce chin-chin of good nutritional qualities

Assessment of the impact of locally fabricated oven and sun drying method on the proximate, mineral and microbiological composition of Clarias gariepinus (catfish)

Drying is an age long practice which prevent fish from deterioration and spoilage, however, traditional drying is usually practiced in rural settings with poor hygienic conditions, thus, the nutritional and microbial quality of such products is uncertain. Therefore, the present study was aimed at evaluating the impact of a locally fabricated oven and sun drying method on the proximate, mineral and microbial composition of Clarias gariepinus (Catfish) using standard laboratory procedures. The results of the proximate analysis showed that the oven dried fish had the highest crude protein content (66.43 ± 3.37 %), crude lipid content (8.27 ± 0.28 %) and carbohydrate content (4.50 ± 0.22 %) which were statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) when compared to the sun dried fish, while the sun dried fish had the highest ash content (16.30 ± 2.48 %) and moisture content (14.30 ± 0.82 %) which were statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) when compared to the oven dried fish. Also, the mineral analysis showed that the oven dried fish had the highest calcium (821.49 ± 1.10 mg/kg), phosphorus (86.04 ± 0.83 mg/kg), potassium (254.72 ± 0.40 mg/kg), iron (40.73 ± 0.23 mg/kg), manganese (0.95 ± 0.01 mg/kg) and selenium (14.15 ± 0.39 mg/kg) content which were statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) when compared to the sun dried fish, while the sun dried fish had the highest sodium (173.52 ± 0.12 mg/kg), cupper (0.87 ± 0.12 mg/kg), magnesium (39.01 ± 0.43 mg/kg) and zinc (2.83 ± 0.23 mg/kg) content which were also statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) when compared to the oven dried fish. The study also showed that the total viable bacterial count was higher in the sun dried fish (6.23 x 105 cfu/g) which was not statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) when compared to the oven dried fish (5.65 x 105cfu/g), while the fungal count was higher in the oven dried fish (6.55 x 105 cfu/g) which was also not statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) when compared to the sun dried fish (5.01 x 105 cfu/g). The findings in this study showed that the locally fabricated oven was remarkably effective, yielding fish with significantly enhanced nutritional profiles and minimal microbial contamination. This approach offers a superior method for fish preservation, providing a promising alternative for improving food safety and nutritional quality.

Genome-wide identification of the EIN3/EIL transcription factor family and their responses under abiotic stresses in Medicago sativa

BackgroundMedicago sativa, often referred to as the “king of forage”, is prized for its high content of protein, minerals, carbohydrates, and digestible nutrients. However, various abiotic stresses can hinder its growth and development, ultimately resulting in reduced yield and quality, including water deficiency, high salinity, and low temperature. The ethylene-insensitive 3 (EIN3)/ethylene-insensitive 3-like (EIL) transcription factors are key regulators in the ethylene signaling pathway in plants, playing crucial roles in development and in the response to abiotic stresses. Research on the EIN3/EIL gene family has been reported for several species, but minimal information is available for M. sativa.ResultsIn this study, we identified 10 MsEIN3/EIL genes from the M. sativa genome (cv. Zhongmu No.1), which were classified into three clades based on phylogenetic analysis. The conserved structural domains of the MsEIN3/EIL genes include motifs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 9. Gene duplication analyses suggest that segmental duplication (SD) has played a significant role in the expansion of the MsEIN3/EIL gene family throughout evolution. Analysis of the cis-acting elements in the promoters of MsEIN3/EIL genes indicates their potential to respond to various hormones and environmental stresses. We conducted a further analysis of the tissue-specific expression of the MsEIN3/EIL genes and assessed the gene expression profiles of MsEIN3/EIL under various stresses using transcriptome data, including cold, drought, salt and abscisic acid treatments. The results showed that MsEIL1, MsEIL4, and MsEIL5 may act as positive regulatory factors involved in M. sativa’s response to abiotic stress, providing important genetic resources for molecular design breeding.ConclusionThis study investigated MsEIN3/EIL genes in M. sativa and identified three candidate transcription factors involved in the regulation of abiotic stresses. These findings will offer valuable insights into uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying various stress responses in M. sativa.

Response of Two Cowpea Cultivars to Spraying with Moringa Leaf Extract and Jasmonic Acid in Growth Yield Components

A field experiment was conducted at the Research Station of the College of Agriculture, University of Kufa/Najaf, for the spring season of 2023, to determine the growth and yield response of two cowpea varieties to spraying with Moringa leaf extract and jasmonic acid (JA). The experiment included three factors, the first factor was two varieties of cowpea: American Ramshon and Dutch variety, the second factor was foliar spray with Moringa leaf extract at three concentrations of 0.2 and 4 g L-1, and the third factor was foliar spray with three concentrations of JA at 0, 10 and 20 mg L-1. The spraying was applied three times during the growing season, with an interval period of 14 days. The experiment was split-split-plots based on Randomized Complete Blocks Design (R.C.B.D) and three replicates. The results showed that the Dutch variety was significantly superior in the vegitative growth indicators, while the American cowpea Ramshon had the highest response in quantitative and chemical indicators, especially the total plant yield of green pods recording 7.470 tons ha-1 compared to 5.886 tons ha-1 for the Dutch variety. Spraying with Moringa leaf extract at a concentration of 4 g L-1 recorded significantly higher indicators in the shoot dry weight 65.59 g plant-1, number of pods 25.61 pods plant-1, and leaf and pods content of carbohydrates and protein 2.65 and 12.95%. On the other hand, foliar spray with JA at 20 mg L-1 recorded a significant increase in plant length 45.88 cm. Most of the studied indicators in the experiment recorded higher rates in the interaction treatment of the Dutch variety and spraying 4 g L-1 Moringa leaf extract and 10 mg L-1 of JA compared to all individual and interaction treatments.

Response of Two Cowpea Cultivars to Spraying with Moringa Leaf Extract and Jasmonic Acid in Growth Yield Components

A field experiment was conducted at the Research Station of the College of Agriculture, University of Kufa/Najaf, for the spring season of 2023, to determine the growth and yield response of two cowpea varieties to spraying with Moringa leaf extract and jasmonic acid (JA). The experiment included three factors, the first factor was two varieties of cowpea: American Ramshon and Dutch variety, the second factor was foliar spray with Moringa leaf extract at three concentrations of 0.2 and 4 g L-1, and the third factor was foliar spray with three concentrations of JA at 0, 10 and 20 mg L-1. The spraying was applied three times during the growing season, with an interval period of 14 days. The experiment was split-split-plots based on Randomized Complete Blocks Design (R.C.B.D) and three replicates. The results showed that the Dutch variety was significantly superior in the vegitative growth indicators, while the American cowpea Ramshon had the highest response in quantitative and chemical indicators, especially the total plant yield of green pods recording 7.470 tons ha-1 compared to 5.886 tons ha-1 for the Dutch variety. Spraying with Moringa leaf extract at a concentration of 4 g L-1 recorded significantly higher indicators in the shoot dry weight 65.59 g plant-1, number of pods 25.61 pods plant-1, and leaf and pods content of carbohydrates and protein 2.65 and 12.95%. On the other hand, foliar spray with JA at 20 mg L-1 recorded a significant increase in plant length 45.88 cm. Most of the studied indicators in the experiment recorded higher rates in the interaction treatment of the Dutch variety and spraying 4 g L-1 Moringa leaf extract and 10 mg L-1 of JA compared to all individual and interaction treatments.

Biochemical and nutritional profiling of selected tropical green seaweeds

The nutritional composition and anti-inflammatory properties of six tropical green seaweeds viz., Ulva lactuca, Ulva linza, Halimeda macroloba, Halimeda gracilis, Chaetomorpha antennina and Chaetomorpha linum were evaluated. U. lactuca exhibited the highest carbohydrate content (66.1%), while U. linza (12.89%) and U. lactuca (12.06%) showed the highest protein content, indicating their potential as plant-based protein sources. H. gracilis contained the highest ash content (35.12%), highlighting its mineral richness, particularly calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Lipid content was low across all species, but U. linza exhibited the highest polyunsaturated fatty acid content (22.94%), with α-linolenic acid (13.72%) which could support cardiovascular health. Mineral analysis revealed high calcium levels in C. linum (18.99 mg 100 g-1), contributing to bone health. Pigment analysis showedU. linza contained the highest chlorophyll-a (7.60 μg ml-1) and total carotenoids (0.30 μg ml-1), adding antioxidant potential to its bioactivity. Chaetomorpha linum exhibited the strongest anti-inflammatory activity (IC50 = 1.60 mg ml-1), with bioactivity correlating to the favorable n-3/n-6 fatty acid ratio. Amino acid analysis identified U. linza as the richest source of essential amino acids, particularly methionine (6.37 mg g-1) and valine (6.30 mg g-1), making it an excellent candidate for dietary supplements. The results of the study suggest that green seaweeds belonging to the family Ulvaceae could be a potential non-conventional source for dietary products and functional food supplements. Keywords: Anti-inflammatory activities, Chlorophyta seaweeds, Essential amino acid, Non-conventional nutritional sources, Polyunsaturated fatty acid

Andean tubers: traditional medicine and other applications

Tubers are a staple food in Andean highland communities, valued for their rich carbohydrate content with starch being the predominant component. Additionally their consumption is preferred for various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory effects, pain relief, digestive system improvement, diabetes management and wound healing, among others. Several studies have focused on Andean tubers such as Oxalis tuberosa, Tropaeolum tuberosum, Ullucus tuberosus, Arracacia xanthorrhiza and Smallanthus sonchifolius, revealing different compounds with pharmacological effects on humans and strengthening the immune system. Therefore, the objective of this review was to compile information from different databases such as Scopus and Web of Science on research conducted in the last decade on these tubers, highlighting their health benefits and potential for technological innovation for the benefit of the Andean communities that produce these crops. These tubers have been little marketed outside their production areas due to a lack of awareness. Although their applications have been limited, they have shown positive results, making them promising sources of health-beneficial phytochemicals. They could be used in technological developments to benefit health, particularly in addressing diseases that cause the most deaths.