Carbohydrate Source Research Articles

Trends in export performance of wheat from India

Wheat is globally the leading source of carbohydrate in human food, with the content of about 71 per cent, apartfrom this, it also contains 13 per cent proteins which is very high as considered to cereals and hence is also a major sourceof proteins around the world. Globally, India is the second-largest producer of rice, wheat and other cereals. The hugedemand for cereals in the global market is creating an excellent environment for the export of Indian cereal products.Thepresent study aimed to analyze the growth and instability index of wheat export from India. The study depends onsecondary data which was collected from APEDA website for the year 2011-12 to 2022-23. The compound annual growthrate analysis and Cuddy Della Valle Instability Index was employed for analysis of growth rate and instability index ofwheat exported from India. The results revealed that the growth rate of quantity and value of export of wheat from Indiashowed negative growth of -0.87 per cent and positive growth of 3.44 per cent, respectively. The instability indices forexport of wheat from India were found positive in both quantity (98.67) and value (99.86) terms and in the range of above30 which inferred high instability.

Cultivation of recombinant Aspergillus niger strains on dairy whey as a carbohydrate source.

Agricultural waste valorisation provides a sustainable solution to waste management, and combining waste utilisation with commodity production allows for responsible production processes. Recombinant Aspergillus niger D15 strains expressing fungal endoglucanases (Trichoderma reesei eg1 and eg2 and Aspergillus carneus aceg) were evaluated for their ability to utilise lactose as a carbon source to determine whether dairy waste could be used as a feedstock for enzyme production. The recombinant A. niger D15[eg1]PyrG, D15[eg2]PyrG, and D15[aceg]PyrG strains produced maximum endoglucanase activities of 34, 54, and 34 U/mL, respectively, on lactose and 23, 27, and 22 U/mL, respectively, on whey. The A. niger D15[eg2]PyrG strain was used to optimise the whey medium. Maximum endoglucanase activity of 46 U/mL was produced on 10% whey medium containing 0.6% NaNO3. The results obtained indicate that dairy whey can be utilised as a feedstock for recombinant enzyme production. However, variations in enzyme activities were observed and require further investigation.

The Characteristics of Flour from Mango Seeds

Indonesia produces 3,308,895 tons of mangoes in 2022. One type of mango in Indonesia is mango golek. Golek mango seeds can be processed into flour as a source of carbohydrates. The research contribution is the feasibility of golek mango seed flour based on SNI 3751:2009. Proximate analysis was used to determine the nutritional content of the golek mango seed flour. Flour is produced within 2 hours 30 minutes where the temperature variations are 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100 ℃. The proximate analysis consisted of the analysis of carbohydrate content, protein content, fat content, moisture content, ash content, and organoleptic tests. This study obtained an average carbohydrate content of 13.39%, an average protein content of 5.32%, an average water content of 0.80%, an average fat content of 0.33%, and a moderate ash content. 0.97%. The lower the yield of protein, water, fat, and ash, the lower the carbohydrate content, and vice versa. The results of the organoleptic test showed that the higher the temperature used during the oven, the darker the colour, the sharper the aroma, and the smoother the texture of the golek mango seed flour.

Resistant starch and type 2 diabetes mellitus: Clinical perspective.

The immediate and well-documented benefits of carbohydrate restriction include improved glycemic control in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Starch, a significant source of carbohydrates, is categorized as rapidly digestible, slowly digestible, or resistant starch (RS). RS, which is a non-viscous fermentable fiber, has shown promise in animal studies for antidiabetic effects by improving glucose metabolism. Although the exact mechanism by which RS affects glucose metabolism remains unclear, it is expected to positively impact glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. The fermentation of RS by colonic microbiota in the large bowel produces short-chain fatty acids, which exert multiple metabolic effects on glucose regulation and homeostasis. Moreover, RS may influence glucose metabolism via bile acid modulation, independent of its fermentation. Diets rich in RS could aid in blood glucose homeostasis. However, it is uncertain whether they can alter the metabolic pathology associated with glucose regulation. In essence, RS has the potential to lower postprandial glucose levels similarly to a low-glycemic index diet. Yet, its efficacy as a medical nutrition therapy for type 2 diabetes needs further investigation. To confirm the role of RS in glycemic control and to possibly recommend it as an additional dietary approach for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, a well-designed, large-scale intervention is required.

Unravelling the key steps impairing the metabolic state of Xanthomonas cells undergoing programmed cell death.

Programmed cell death (PCD) has been reported in Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines (Xag) wild type earlier and was indirectly shown to be induced by metabolic stress; however, deciphering the key proteins regulating the metabolic stress remained unrevealed. In this study, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were performed to investigate the prominent pathways, having a role in the induction of metabolic stress in Xag cells undergoing PCD. A comprehensive analysis of transcriptome and proteome data revealed the major involvement of metabolic pathways related to branched chain amino acid degradation, such as acyl-CoA dehydrogenase and energy-yielding, ubiquinol:cytochrome c oxidoreductase complex, in Xag cells undergoing PCD. Consequently, oxidative stress response genes showed major upregulation in Xag cells in PCD-inducing medium; however, no such upregulation was observed at the protein level, indicative of depleted protein levels under excessive stress conditions. Activation of stress response and DNA repair proteins was also observed in Xag cells grown in PCD-inducing medium, which is indicative of excessive cellular damage. Thus, the findings indicate that programmed cell death in Xag is an outcome of metabolic stress in nutrient condition not suitable for a plant pathogen like Xanthomonas, which is more acclimatised with altogether a different nutritional requirement predominantly having an enriched carbohydrate source.

The Importance of Lentils: An Overview

The legume family includes approximately 19,300 species across three large subfamilies, of which Papilionoideae stands out with 13,800 species. Lentils were one of the first crops to be domesticated by humans, approximately 11,000 BP. They are diploid legumes that belong to the Papilionoidea subfamily and are of agricultural importance because of their resistance to drought and the fact that they grow in soil with a pH range of 5.5–9; therefore, they are cultivated in various types of soil, and so they have an important role in sustainable food and feed systems in many countries. In addition to their agricultural importance, lentils are a rich source of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are key to human nutrition since they are an alternative to animal proteins, decreasing meat consumption. Another characteristic of legumes, including lentils, is their ability to form nodules, which gives them a growth advantage in nitrogen-deficient soils because they enable the plant to fix atmospheric nitrogen, thus contributing nitrogen to the soil and facilitating the nutrition of other plants during intercropping. Lentils have also been applied for protection against various human diseases, as well as for phytoremediation, and they also have been applied as environmental bioindicators to identify cytotoxicity. This review addresses the importance of lentils in agriculture and human health.

Effect of Earthing-Up Frequency on Growth and Yield of Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica) Varieties at Gimbi District, Western Ethiopia

Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica (Lam.) Cogn) is a tuberous root crop native to Ethiopia. It is a good source of protein, carbohydrates, calcium, and iron. However, little attention has been given to the improvement of genetic and agronomic practices such as selection of variety, staking, weeding, fertilizer application, and earthing-up frequency. Thus, the attainable yield is below the potential. The experiment was arranged in a 3 × 5 factorial arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications with the objective of determining the effect of earthing-up frequency on the growth and yield of anchote varieties. The interaction effect of earthing-up frequencies and varieties significantly affected anchote leaf number plant−1, shoot dry weight plant−1, unmarketable tuber weight ha−1, vine diameter, shoot fresh weight plant−1, tuber fresh weight plant−1, marketable tuber weight ha−1, and total tuber yield ha−1. Total tuber yield ha−1 was perfectly correlated with tuber fresh weight plant−1 (r = 1), and all parameters were significantly correlated with tuber dry matter plant−1, and tuber dry matter plant−1 was positively and significantly correlated with total tuber yield ha−1 (r = 0.46). Consequently, the highest total tuber yield was observed from earthing-up four times (26.94 t ha−1) and three times (26.88 t ha−1) with Desta 01, while the lowest was observed from the control with Acc405 (15.11). The highest economical tuber yield was obtained from three times earthing-up frequency (26.878 t ha−1, 25.50 t ha−1, and 23.92 t ha−1 for Desta 01, Acc405, and Acc173), and the lowest was observed from the control (22.83 t ha−1, 15.11 t ha−1, and 21.11 t ha−1 for Desta 01, Acc405, and Acc173), respectively. Therefore, for the study area, it is better to apply three times earthing-up frequencies (35 days, 49 days, and 63 days from planting date for once, twice, and three times earthing-up, respectively) with Desta 01 variety followed by Acc405. Since the experiment was conducted using irrigation, it is suggested to be repeated under rainfed conditions to draw a definite conclusion.

Innovation and development of a new snack based on blue corn and grasshopper

Objective: Develop a similar snack to marzipan, with higher nutritional quality by adding protein to provide a healthy consumption alternative.
 Design/methodology/approach: A snack made from blue corn flour, grasshopper, agave honey and cocoa was elaborated. The proportions of the aforementioned ingredients were modified in four different formulations. Acceptance tests were conducted with 140 individuals to determine the formulation with the highest degree of approval and laboratory tests were carried out to determine its nutritional quality.
 Results: In this research it was possible to develop an innovative nutritional product such as marzipan containing protein, which had a 72% acceptance rate by the participants in the sensorial test. Furthermore, it was managed to use a carbohydrate source from blue corn, which is low on the glycemic index. On the other hand, an attractive packaging design was proposed to capture the consumer's attention, so not only a nutritious snack was developed, but also a marketing package was proposed for its commercialization.
 Limitations on study/implications: During the development of this product, no preservatives were used, therefore the shelf life for this product is shorter if no preservatives are added.
 Findings/conclusions: A considered functional snack was successfully developed which also has great potential for becoming a distinguished quality product since it is made with local ingredients from the region or country. The product was well accepted; besides it was suggested a packaging for its preservation and distribution.

Relation Between Gross Motor Function, Consumption Pattern and Macronutrient Intake with Nutritional Status Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a condition of motor disturbances caused by brain damage during child development. Globally, the incidence of CP in low- and middle-income countries is 3.4 per 1000 live births. Cerebral Palsy (CP) is defined from the word cerebral, namely the brain, and palsy which is paralysis or a paralyzed condition caused by a nerve disorder that functions to regulate the movement of the body's muscles. The purpose of this study was to analyze the description and relationship between the level of gross motor skills, diet, and intake of macronutrients with nutritional status in people with cerebral palsy. This study used a cross-sectional design, the sample was taken using a non-probability sampling technique with a purposive sampling method and a total of 59 children were obtained. This study used the Spearman Rank statistical test to analyze the relationship between independent variables and nutritional status with a significance level or probability less than equal to 0.05 for respondents using IBM SPSS 25 and Microsoft Excel. The results showed that there was a relationship between carbohydrate sources, namely rice (p=0.000), chicken (p=0,000), citrus fruits (p=0.046), milk (p=0.000), and coconut oil (p=0.000). However, there was no relationship between and vegetable sources (p more than 0.05). There is a relationship between intake of macronutrients and nutritional status in people with cerebral palsy. Energy (p=0.000), protein (p=0.054), fat (p=0.025), carbohydrates (p=0.000). There is no relationship between gross motor function in people with cerebral palsy (p more than 0.05). The results showed that there was no relationship between gross motor function with nutritional status on cerebral palsy. There was a relationship between rice, biscuit, bread, chicken, fish, egg, tofu, spinach, mango, orange, papaya, banana, milk, cheese, coconut oil, butter, sugar, and honey and nutritional status on cerebral palsy. However, there was no relationship between porridge, tempeh, soy sauce, water spinach, carrot, beans, broccoli, dragon fruit, and yoghurt. There is a relationship between intake of macronutrients and nutritional status in people with cerebral palsy.

Fruit Quality Attributes of Organically Grown Norwegian Apples Are Affected by Cultivar and Location.

In this work, 12 apple cultivars grown organically in three regions of Norway (Telemark, Ullensvang, Viken) were analyzed in terms of fruit quality, with the aim of equating different growing regions under specific climatic conditions. Apples were analyzed for concentration levels of minerals, sugars, sugar alcohols, organic acids, total phenolic content (TPC), radical scavenging activity (RSA), and phenolic profiles. Discovery "Rose" from Telemark stored the highest level of minerals (24,094.5 mg/kg dry weight). Glucose, fructose, sucrose, and sorbitol were the major carbohydrates, whereas the predominant organic acids were quinic acid and malic acid. Cultivar Discovery from Ullensvang had the highest TPC (9.22 g/kg) and RSA (229.32 mmol TE/kg). Of the polyphenols quantified, chlorogenic acid and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside were the most abounded, accounting for 85.50%. Principal component analysis (PCA) shows that the Ullensvang region is the richest source of most carbohydrates, organic acids (quinic, shikimic, and galacturonic), and most polyphenols, whereas the highest content of minerals and maleic acid characterized Viken. Regardless of location, the Discovery cultivar had, on average, the highest sugar and polyphenol contents. The results obtained suggest that organic apples from Norway are a rich source of beneficial compounds that can have a positive impact on human health. In addition, these results may be useful for consumers in identifying apple cultivars with desirable characteristics and for the fruit industry in tracing back the origin of apples. The findings could also be of great interest for locations with similar climate and soil conditions worldwide.

Valorization of spent coffee ground as a natural antioxidant and its use for sunflower oil shelf‐life extension

AbstractIn the present paper, spent coffee grounds (SCG) were investigated for their antioxidant capacity, chemical profiling, and their potential to extend the shelf‐life of refined sunflower oil (RSO). Ethanolic SCG extract (SCGE) ability to enhance RSO oxidation, during accelerated aging conditions, was examined at 60°C for 120 days. To this end, oxidative stability was evaluated for RSO added with SCGE (at 0.01%, 0.02%, and 0.03%) in the presence of a negative control (RSO without SCGE) and a positive one consisting in vitamin E (VE, a synthetic antioxidant) using the same concentrations (0.01%–0.03%). Our outcomes reveal that SCG were an important source of oil, protein, carbohydrates, minerals, pigments, phenolics, and flavonoid compounds, and they have high antioxidant capacity. SCGE at 0.03% increased RSO oxidative stability by reducing free fatty acids (FFA), peroxide value (PV), and conjugated dienes (CD) and trienes (CT) compared to the unenriched oil. However, both SCGE and VE had no significant effect (p < 0.05) on the fatty acids profile and iodine value. Furthermore, RSO enriched with SCGE had overall acceptability in the sensory evaluation. In conclusion, SCGE improved RSO oxidative stability, and therefore, it could be used as an efficient natural antioxidant to substitute VE during industrial processes.Practical Application: It is widely accepted that synthetic antioxidants may be harmful to human health. In such a context, plant‐based natural antioxidants proved to be an excellent alternative. The valorization of SCG as a natural antioxidant may represent a cost‐effective and sustainable approach for the food industry. The addition of used coffee grounds to refined sunflower oil could enhance its shelf‐life, offering a potential alternative to synthetic antioxidants. This may also help to reduce the quantity of coffee waste produced, promoting a circular economy.

Host genetic regulation of human gut microbial structural variation

Although the impact of host genetics on gut microbial diversity and the abundance of specific taxa is well established1–6, little is known about how host genetics regulates the genetic diversity of gut microorganisms. Here we conducted a meta-analysis of associations between human genetic variation and gut microbial structural variation in 9,015 individuals from four Dutch cohorts. Strikingly, the presence rate of a structural variation segment in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii that harbours an N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) utilization gene cluster is higher in individuals who secrete the type A oligosaccharide antigen terminating in GalNAc, a feature that is jointly determined by human ABO and FUT2 genotypes, and we could replicate this association in a Tanzanian cohort. In vitro experiments demonstrated that GalNAc can be used as the sole carbohydrate source for F. prausnitzii strains that carry the GalNAc-metabolizing pathway. Further in silico and in vitro studies demonstrated that other ABO-associated species can also utilize GalNAc, particularly Collinsella aerofaciens. The GalNAc utilization genes are also associated with the host’s cardiometabolic health, particularly in individuals with mucosal A-antigen. Together, the findings of our study demonstrate that genetic associations across the human genome and bacterial metagenome can provide functional insights into the reciprocal host–microbiome relationship.

Green banana flour as a novel functional ingredient in retorted feline diets.

Green banana flour (GBF) is a novel ingredient that is high in resistant starch and could be a dietary fiber source in companion animal nutrition. In addition, with its light brown color and pectin content, GBF could potentially serve as a natural color additive and thickening agent in pet food manufacturing. The purpose of this research is to evaluate different sources of GBF, the effect of GBF on texture and color in canned foods, and its effect on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), fecal characteristics, and fecal fermentative end-products in healthy adult cats. Prior to the feline study, different sources of GBF were analyzed for chemical composition, manufacturing properties, true metabolizable energy, and fermentability. For the feline feeding trial, all treatment diets were formulated to meet or exceed the Association of American Feed Control Officials (Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) 2020. Official Publication. Champaign, IL.) guidelines for adult cat maintenance. There were five dietary treatments: rice control (4% rice flour), potato control (4% dehydrated potato flakes), 1% GBF (1% GBF and 3% rice flour), 2% GBF (2% GBF and 2% rice flour), and 4% GBF. All treatment diets were analyzed for texture and color. The animal study was conducted using a completely randomized design with 39 adult domestic cats. There was a 7-d diet adaptation period followed by a baseline fresh fecal collection to determine fecal score, pH, short-chain fatty acid, branched-chain fatty acid, phenol, indole, ammonia, and microbiota. The treatment period lasted for 21 d and a total fecal collection was performed during the last 4 d of this period to determine the ATTD. A fresh fecal sample was also collected during the total fecal collection to evaluate fecal score, pH, metabolites, and microbiota. The MIXED model procedures of SAS version 9.4 were used for statistical analysis. Treatment diets containing GBF had a lower hardness from the texture profile analysis (P < 0.05). For color analysis, the 4% GBF diet was darker in color compared with the rice diet (P < 0.05). There was no difference in food intake, fecal output, or ATTD of macronutrients among the treatment groups (P > 0.05). There was no interaction of treatment and time or main effects shown in fecal score, pH, metabolites, or microbiota diversity (P > 0.05). In conclusion, adding GBF to canned diets may affect the texture and color of the product, but GBF was comparable to traditional carbohydrate sources, rice, and potato, from a nutritional aspect.

The Effect of Micronized Lignocelluloses on Calcium Metabolism, Egg Shell Quality and Performance of Hy-Line W-36 Laying Hens

Carbohydrates are the main macromolecule of poultry feed (40-70 %), categorized into digestible and indigestible forms. Poultry uses digestible carbohydrates to supply energy. Still, the indigestible part (water-soluble and non-soluble) has different roles in anatomy, histology, water loss, bacterial microflora, mucosal health, normal secretions, feed transport time, and digestion rate in the gastrointestinal tract. Cereals (like corn), the carbohydrate source in poultry feed, can contain mycotoxins or water-soluble indigestible fibers, thus there are some mycotoxin-free commercial products containing insoluble indigestible carbohydrates. This study evaluates the effect of micronized Lignocelluloses (Under trade name ARBOCEL®) on calcium metabolism, eggshell quality, and performance of commercial Hy-Line W-36 layers. The results showed that the product had a good effect on the evaluated factors, but in some cases, it was not meaningful in contrast to other groups. However, it is better to evaluate the impact of using this product in various concentrations, ages, periods, heat-stress conditions, and digestive tract microflora disturbance, which is beyond the scope of this study and can be subject to subsequent works.

Spring barley is a promising crop in agricultural production

Spring barley occupies an important place in modern agriculture, offering both economic and environmental benefits, which confirms its importance in the context of food security and sustainable development of the agricultural sector. In 2023, the gross harvest of spring barley reached 27 million tons globally, where the largest producers are countries such as Canada, Australia, and Germany, providing high yields thanks to modern agronomic practices and optimal climatic conditions. In Russia, the average yield of spring barley varies from 2.4 to 3.0 t/ha, with a gross harvest of about 5.5 million tons, and the most significant volumes are obtained in the Krasnodar and Stavropol territories. The prospects for growing spring barley look promising due to its adaptability to changing climatic conditions and its ability to effectively use minimal resources. Spring barley is also a valuable source of proteins and carbohydrates, which makes it irreplaceable in the diet for both humans and farm animals. In general, spring barley is a promising crop for development both in Russia and in the world, and its cultivation will contribute to improving food security and sustainability of agriculture in face of global changes.

A REVIEW ON ROLE OF MILLETS IN PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES MELLITUS

Objectives: Diabetes mellitus (DM) disease incidence is growing with every passing day. It is a lifestyle-associated disease and may be prevented and managed with modifications in the food regimen together with prescribedmedications.In addition to staple foods such as wheat and rice that people have eaten for years, millet remains a nutritious and beneficial yet underutilized crop despite its various health benefits.. This review aims to give an overview of role of millets in prevention and management of diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: Ayurvedic Samhitas, Modern literature, Journals, Review articles, Pubmed, Google scholar. Result: The fiber content and high antioxidant content in millet gradually reduce blood glucose in diabetics. Most importantly, grains are the main source of complex carbohydrates, which make you feel full, leading to reduce blood sugar level. In addition, millets has a low glycemic load, this means they are absorbed intothe bloodstream with less insulin requirement. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed that the studied millets have great potential in dietary management and diabetes prevention. This also has nutritional implications and propagates the beneficial effects of millet on glycemic control.

Genome-wide analysis and expression divergence of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) gene family members in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) under salt stress.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum ) is a grain crop that is an important source of protein, vitamins, carbohydrates and minerals. It is highly sensitive to salt stress, and salt damage to cellular homeostasis and protein folding affects production. Plants have several mechanisms to prevent cellular damages under abiotic stresses, such as proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (protein isulfide somerases (PDIs) and PDI-like proteins), which help prevent the build-up of mis-folded proteins that are damaged under abiotic stresses. In this study, we completed initial comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the chickpea PDI gene family. We found eight PDI genes are distributed on six out of eight chromosomes. Two pairs of paralogous genes were found to have segmental duplications. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the PDI s have a high degree of homology in C. arietinum, Cicer reticulatum, Lens culinaris, Phaseolus acutifolius, Pisum sativum and Oryza sativa . The gene structure analysis displayed that CaPDI1-CaPDI8 have 9-12 exons except for CaPDI5 , which has 25 exons. Subcellular localisation indicated accumulation of CaPDIs in endoplasmic reticulum. Protein-conserved motifs and domain analysis demonstrated that thioredoxin domains of PDI family is present in all CaPDIs. CaPDI proteins have strong protein-protein interaction. In silico expression analysis showed that four out of eight PDI genes (CPDI2, CaPDI6, CaPDI7 and CaPDI8 ) were expressed under salt stress. Of these, expression of CaPDI2 and CaPDI8 was the highest. This work indicated that PDI genes are involved in salt stress tolerance in chickpea and the CaPDIs may be further studied for their role of inducing salt tolerance.

Non-starch polysaccharides from kidney beans: comprehensive insight into their extraction, structure and physicochemical and nutritional properties.

Kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are an important legume source of carbohydrates, proteins, and bioactive molecules and thus have attracted increasing attention for their high nutritional value and sustainability. Non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) in kidney beans account for a high proportion and have a significant impact on their biological functions. Herein, we critically update the information on kidney bean varieties and factors that influence the physicochemical properties of carbohydrates, proteins, and phenolic compounds. Furthermore, their extraction methods, structural characteristics, and health regulatory effects, such as the regulation of intestinal health and anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects, are also summarized. This review will provide suggestions for further investigation of the structure of kidney bean NSPs, their relationships with biological functions, and the development of NSPs as novel plant carbohydrate resources.

Influence of Tuber Seed Size on Susceptibility of Cipira Potato Variety to Aphid (Myzus persicae), and Potato Blight and Bacterial Wilt Diseases

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important tuber crops in the world and it is fourth among food crops after rice, wheat and maize. Potato is widely cultivated for its cheap source of carbohydrates, vitamins as well as minerals. In Cameroon, where potato provide a livelihood for most producers, especially in the Western highland, production is challenged by unavailability of appropriate seeds of local varieties or Cameroon improve varieties. Many decades ago, Cipira was released by the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Bambui, North West Region, Cameroon as an improved resistant variety. The current study evaluated the performance of Cipira considering seed sizes. Four seed sizes (20mm, 25mm, 30mm and 35mm diameter) were evaluated in a randomized complete block trial in Bambili in 2022 and 2023. Green peach aphid incidence was inversely related to tuber seed sizes (P &lt; 0.05). Aphid population abundance was higher from plants with larger diameter. Late blight and bacterial wilt incidence and disease severity index was significantly higher for plants of smaller tuber seed size. Productivity was 8.06 t ha-1, 6.2 t ha-1, 5.7 t ha-1 and 5.8 t ha-1 from 35mm, 30mm, 25mm and 20mm tuber seed sizes, respectively in 2022. The yield in 2023 was 8.9 t ha-1, 7.8 t ha-1, 7.1 t ha-1, and 6.3 t ha-1, from 35mm, 30mm, 25mm and 20mm, respectively. For improved yield and reduced pest and diseases incidences, Cipira at 30 mm and 35 mm seed sizes are recommended.

Development of an improved colonization system for human-derived Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum in conventional mice through the feeding of raffinose or 1-kestose.

How bifidobacteria colonize and survive in the intestine is not fully understood. The administration of bifidobacteria to conventional mice can be used to evaluate their ability to colonize the intestine in the presence of endogenous gut microbiota. However, human-derived bifidobacteria do not readily colonize the intestines of conventional mice, and although colonization by Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 has been achieved, the viability of such populations requires improvement. Therefore, we aimed to establish a colonization system with human-derived bifidobacteria of high viability in conventional mice using Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum 105-A. Lactose, raffinose, and 1-kestose were identified as the preferred carbohydrate sources for the growth of this strain in culture. The administration of B. longum 105-A to conventional BALB/c mice fed these carbohydrates showed that diets containing 6% (w/w) raffinose or 1-kestose facilitated colonization with >108 colony-forming units/g feces for 2 weeks. The population of this strain was more stable in the raffinose-fed group than in the 1-kestose-fed group. The ingestion of these prebiotics had a greater impact on the composition of the microbiota than the administration of B. longum 105-A. The ingestion of these prebiotics also increased the fecal concentrations of organic acids, which was indicative of greater intestinal fermentation. Collectively, we established a colonization system for B. longum 105-A with high viability in conventional mice by feeding the mice raffinose or 1-kestose. This system should be useful for elucidation of the mechanisms of colonization and survival of bifidobacteria in the intestines in the presence of the endogenous gut microbiota.