Carbohydrate Source Research Articles

Carbohydrate structural complexity modulates the formation, composition and functionality of microbial flocs and its impact on gut microbiota and growth of Pacific white shrimp

The addition of carbohydrate into the culture water to facilitate the growth of heterotrophic bacteria is a common practice in shrimp grow out culture. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of carbohydrate structural complexity on the formation, composition and functionality of microbial flocs, and how it impacts the gut microbiome and growth of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Pacific white shrimp juveniles (1.07 ± 0.01 g) were randomly distributed in 12 indoor fiber tanks (50 cm × 50 cm × 100 cm) and maintained for 30 days at stocking density 107 ind.m−3 (20 ind per tank). Three different carbohydrate sources were added according to the treatments, that is dextrose (Dx) representing simple carbohydrate, potato starch (St) representing starch polysaccharide, and cellulose (Cl) representing complex non-starch polysaccharide. Settleable solids level and particle size of microbial flocs in Dx treatment were consistently higher than those of St and Cl treatments (P < 0.05). Amino acids concentrations were not significantly different amongst the treatments (P > 0.05), however essential amino acid index relative to shrimp requirement was the lowest in the Dx treatment (P < 0.05). Shannon diversity index level in the microbial flocs with Cl as the carbohydrate sources was higher compared to Dx and St. T6SS2 and ExsA gene expressions in the co-culture of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and the microbial floc suspension was highly upregulated in Dx treatment. Accordingly, differences in the shrimp gut microbiome was also observed amongst the treatments. The highest growth performance was demonstrated by the shrimp cultured with cellulose as the carbohydrate source. In conclusion, carbohydrate structural complexity could significantly affect the characteristics of microbial flocs suspended in the culture water and could ultimately affect the shrimp growth performance.

Physicochemical Properties, Proximate Composition, and Carotenoid Content of Momordica cochinchinensis L. Spreng (Gac) Fruit

The study aims to determine the physical and chemical properties of Momordica cochinchinensis L. Spreng (gac) fruits. Fruit size varied, weighing 359.17 to 588.33g, with lengths of 11.10 to 13.92 cm and circumferences of 27.43 to 30.67 cm. Components included pulp (34.06 to 41.58%), seeds (23.11 to 29.70%), peel (16.65 to 20.60%), and aril (15.64 to 18.64%). Skin and aril colour parameters (L*, a*, b*) indicated maturity and carotenoid content. Aril had higher acidity (pH 5.54±0.02, titratable acidity [TA] 0.03 to 0.05g/L), total soluble solids (TSS, 11.57%±0.52 °Brix), and carbohydrates (55.6 g/100 g) than pulp (pH 5.65±0.02, TA 0.01 to 0.02g/L, TSS 4.90%±0.33 °Brix, carbohydrates 30.9 g/100 g). Peel contained most protein (6.2 g/100 g) and dietary fibre (56.9 to 58.1 g/100 g). Glucose and fructose were found in both pulp and aril. Potassium levels were highest in peel (817.59 mg/100 g), followed by pulp (658.20 mg/100 g) and aril (228.79 mg/100 g). Lycopene dominated carotenoids, especially in aril (31.7 to 103.7 mg/g). β-carotene, lutein, astaxanthin, and zeaxanthin were also present. β-carotene (2.9 to 9.6 mg/g) was second to lycopene, followed by astaxanthin (1.54 to 4.91 mg/g), lutein (0.16 to 1.35 mg/g), and zeaxanthin (0.35 to 1.49 mg/g), absent in pulp. These findings have implications for the food industry, offering insights into gac fruit’s nutritional potential. Malaysian gac exhibited superior nutritional content, with pulp and aril as notable sources of carbohydrates and minerals for consumption and aril as a promising source of healthy oils.

Influence of stocking density on the growth, immune and physiological responses, and cultivation environment of white-leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in biofloc systems

Biofloc (BF) stands out as a promising system for sustainable shrimp farming. Optimizing various culture conditions, such as stocking density, carbohydrate source, and feeding management, is crucial for the widespread adoption of the BF system. This study compares the growth performance of white-leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in culture ponds at low density (LD) with 50 organisms/m2 and high density (HD) with 200 organisms/m2. Post-larvae of white-leg shrimp were stocked for 16 weeks in both LD and HD groups. The LD group exhibited a superior survival rate, growth rate, and feed consumption compared to the HD group. The BF from the LD system recorded a significantly higher protein content (16.63 ± 0.21%) than the HD group (15.21 ± 0.34%). Heterotrophic bacterial counts in water did not significantly differ with stocking density. However, Vibrio count in water samples was higher in the HD group (3.59 ± 0.35 log CFU/mL) compared to the LD group (2.45 ± 0.43 log CFU/mL). The whole shrimp body analysis revealed significantly higher protein and lipid content in the LD group. In contrast, the total aerobic bacterial count in shrimp from the HD group was high, with the identification of Salmonella enterica ssp. arizonae. Additionally, Vibrio counts in shrimp samples were significantly higher in the HD group (4.63 ± 0.32 log CFU/g) compared to the LD group (3.57 ± 0.22 log CFU/g). The expression levels of immune-associated genes, including prophenoloxidase, transglutaminase, penaiedin 3, superoxide dismutase, lysozyme, serine proteinase, and the growth-related gene ras-related protein (rap-2a), were significantly enhanced in the LD group. Conversely, stress-related gene expression increased significantly in the HD group. Hepatopancreases amylase, lipase, and protease were higher in the LD group, while trypsin activity did not differ significantly. Antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase) significantly increased in the LD group. The histological structure of hepatopancreas, musculature, and female gonads remained similar in both densities. However, negative effects were observed in the gills' histology of the HD group. These results suggest that increasing stocking density is associated with significantly negative biological, microbial, and physiological effects on white-leg shrimp under the BF system.

Effects of Processing on the Proximate Composition, Mineral Content and the Phytochemical Analysis of Groundnut Seeds (Arachis hypogeae)

Effect of processing on the nutritional composition of groundnut seeds were carried out using standard analytical methods. Raw, boiled and fried groundnut seeds were analyzed for proximate composition, mineral contents, and phytochemical screening. The result reported that the raw, boiled, and fried contains (5.357±0.190%, 4.545±0.050% and 3.896±0.015%, moisture contents), (2.401±0.011%, 3.225±0.004% and 2.816±0.001%, ash contents), (46.591±0.001%, 25.333±0.003% and 48.012±0.953%, crude fat), (4.126±0.887%, 15.001±0.030% and 7.692±0.002%, crude fibre), (19.520±0.040%, 21.580±0.040% and 23.540±0.000%, crude protein), (22.005±0.587%, 30.316±0.056% and 14.044±0.939%, carbohydrate) respectively. A significant difference was observed. Processing has significant effects on the mineral components of the seeds. The results revealed that raw, boiled and fried contains (56.900mg/100g, 48.400mg/100g and 35.00mg/100g Sodium), (0.215mg/100g, 0.185mg/100g and 0.540mg/100g Zinc), (65.500mg/100g, 42.700mg/100g and 25.500mg/100g Magnesium), (0.218mg/100g, 0.230mg/100g and 0.230mg/100g Iron), (0.250mg/100g, 0.110mg/100g and 0.100mg/100g Manganese). The phytochemical screening shows the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates and proteins in all the samples and the result reveals that processing does not really have effect on phytochemical constituents. The investigation shows that fresh groundnut is a good source of mineral content, while raw and processed groundnut is a good source of some phytochemical constituents and processed groundnut is a good source of protein, fat, and carbohydrate with high nutritional value.

IDENTIFICATION OF POTATO LEAF DISEASES USING ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS WITH EXTREME LEARNING MACHINE ALGORITHM

Potato plants have an important role in providing a source of carbohydrates for society. However, potato production is often threatened by various plant diseases, such as leaf disease, which can cause a decrease in yields. Identification of diseases on potato leaves is currently mostly done by farmers manually, so it is not always efficient and accurate. So the aim of this research is to identify diseases on potato leaves with artificial neural networks using the ELM (Extreme Learning Machine) approach and the GLCM (Gray Level Co-Occurrence Matrix) method for feature extraction. The GLCM approach functions to obtain texture features on objects by measuring how often certain pairs of pixel intensities appear together at various distances and directions in the image. Meanwhile, the ELM algorithm is used for image identification by adopting a one-time training method without iteration, which involves randomly determining weights and biases in hidden layers, thus allowing training to be carried out quickly and efficiently. Evaluation of the model by looking for the level of accuracy produces a value of 84.667%. The results show that the model developed is capable of accurate identification.

Gluconeogenesis during development of the grass puffer (Takifugu niphobles)

During the development of teleost fish, the sole nutrient source is the egg yolk. The yolk consists mostly of proteins and lipids, with only trace amounts of carbohydrates such as glycogen and glucose. However, past evidence in some fishes showed transient increase in glucose during development, which may have supported the development of the embryos. Recently, we found in zebrafish that the yolk syncytial layer (YSL), an extraembryonic tissue surrounding the yolk, undergoes gluconeogenesis. However, in other teleost species, the knowledge on such gluconeogenic functions during early development is lacking. In this study, we used a marine fish, the grass puffer (Takifugu niphobles) and assessed possible gluconeogenic functions of their YSL, to understand the difference or shared features of gluconeogenesis between these species. A liquid chromatography (LC) / mass spectrometry (MS) analysis revealed that glucose and glycogen content significantly increased in the grass puffer during development. Subsequent real-time PCR results showed that most of the genes involved in gluconeogenesis increased in segmentation stages and/or during hatching. Among these genes, many were expressed in the YSL and liver, as shown by in situ hybridization analysis. In addition, glycogen immunostaining revealed that this carbohydrate source was accumulated in many tissues at segmentation stage but exclusively in the liver in hatched individuals. Taken together, these results suggest that developing grass puffer undergoes gluconeogenesis and glycogen synthesis during development, and that gluconeogenic activity is shared in YSL of zebrafish and grass puffer.

Gluconic Acid Production by Using Recombinant Escherichia coli Waksman pqq+ Cells with a Novel Approach from Biomass Sources.

Gluconic acid (GA) is widely used in the pharmaceutical, food, detergent, textile, leather, and concrete industries. However, cost-effective and high-yield production of GA remains a challenge. Due to currently high raw material inputs of GA, various alternative carbohydrate sources are being investigated. Sucrose is one of the cost-effective biomass sources that can be used as feedstock. The most common industrial production of GA is based on wild-type bacteria and fungi, but there are many problems with this production. This study aimed to optimize the production of GA from glucose produced by hydrolysis of sucrose using recombinant E. coli Waksman (W) pqq+ strain. After sucrose was enzymatically hydrolyzed, significant medium components for GA production were determined as glucose, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), peptone, and ammonium phosphate ((NH4)3PO4) using Placket-Burman Design (PBD). Detailed optimization of the medium components that are significant in GA production was carried out using central composite design (CCD), and optimum values of the independent variables examined in maximum GA production (93.5 ± 2.95g/L) were determined as glucose 95, CaCO3 25, peptone 2, and (NH4)3PO4 1.13 (g/L). Using results obtained in the Erlenmeyer experiments, GA production in the bioreactor was investigated by CCD. The maximum GA efficiency (3.20 ± 0.15g/L. h) was obtained under conditions where the air supply rate was 10.82 L/min, stirring speed was 656.87rpm, and CaCO3 concentration was 16.90g/L. In conclusion, it has been shown that GA can be produced with a high yield with this novel approach using a recombinant strain for GA production from sucrose.

Physicochemical characteristics of tannia cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) corm flour compared to flours and starches of other grains and tubers

Tannia cocoyam corm is a less popular pantropical carbohydrate source, whereas it has the potential to support food and nutrition security, especially in dry areas. Processing tannia cocoyam corm into flour can increase its use in various food products. This study aimed to determine the yield, nutrition, color, tap bulk density, water absorption capacity (WAC), oil absorption capacity (OAC), swelling capacity, and emulsion activity and stability of tannia cocoyam corm flour compared to sago starch, cassava flour and starch, mung bean starch, corn starch, wheat flour, rice and glutinous rice flours, and potato flour. The significant characteristics of tannia cocoyam corm flour were rather low in calories (dry basis), relatively high in WAC and swelling capacity, low in OAC, and showed emulsion activity and stability. Based on these data, it is suitable for use in mixed and processed food products that require juicy, elastic, and volume expansion characteristics; recommended for food products that are lower in calories and oil content; and can also help to maintain viscosity and form emulsions.

The Application of Dietary Wheat/Barley Alternative with Addition Cress Seeds Powder to Albino Rats

The objective of this study was to change the normal diet of adult rats for nearly 21 days, the blood sample taken for comparison of changes in some blood parameters. The rats were kept in the metabolic cages separately and their body weight, consumption of food and water, urine volume, the levels of serum glucose, insulin and C-peptide quantities in all animals are measured and then these quantities are compared. No significant differences observed in RBC 1012/L and MCHC g/dL. The high level of carbohydrates sources in rat diets in term of wheat and barley increased significantly each of HGB g/dL and HCT percent. The liver function tests studied were differ within the different groups as the control was higher significantly in S. Globulin. The ALT was higher significantly in each of control, 4th and 5th groups. AST was higher also in 4th and 5th groups. The CRP was higher in 5th group. No significant differences observed in each of Total Protein and Albumin.

Diversity of bee forage plants in Karing Village Dairi Regency North Sumatra Indonesia

Honey bees are one of the Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) that are cultivated by members of KTH Bunga Mekar. Honey bee food sources affect the number of colonies and honey bee productivity. Bees feed supply in the form of nectar and pollen as a source of carbohydrates and protein. This study aims to identify the diversity of honey bee forage plants. Vegetation analysis of honey bee forage plants was carried out by determining 10 observation plots using the purposive sampling method. The results of the research on seedlings obtained 8 species with a total of 23 individuals, saplings obtained 7 species with a total of 26 individuals, 7 species with a total of 34 individuals, and trees obtained 11 types of vegetation with a total of 41 individuals. Agricultural crops obtained as many as 14 types of plants with a total of 220 points of land with a radius of 1.5 km. For plant species outside the observation plot, 26 types of vegetation were found as a source of bee forage plants.

Chemical, structural, and techno-functional characterization of yam (Dioscorea) flour from South West Ethiopia

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is a versatile tuber crop that holds nutritional, cultural, and economic values. Yam is a major source of carbohydrates for tropical Countries and provides various nutrients and health benefits. This study aims to characterize the chemical, structural, and thermal properties of yam flour using various analytical techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermal analysis. Additionally, the pasting and rheological properties of yam flour were evaluated, as they are crucial for product development and enhancing the value of this unconventional vegetable. D. cayenensis complex had the highest total starch (64.63 ± 1.61 %) and soluble sugar (4.95 ± 0.46 %) content, which was significantly higher than other yam species. The amylose content of yam flours showed significant (p < 0.05) differences among the yam species. D. cayenensis flour exhibited significantly the highest peak (2923.66 cP) and steak back viscosity (2097.66 cP) among the yam species associated with their greater amylose content. There were notable variations in pasting and gelatinization parameters among the species. The peak temperatures of D. bulbifera and D. cayenensis complex were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than D. cayenensis and D. rotundata flours. The rheological measurements of yam flours demonstrated solid-like behavior with varying intensities. Furthermore, the morphology of tuber yam flour particles was oval to ellipsoidal shaped, with some appearing ovoid, and the smaller granules appearing spherical. The X-ray diffraction showed that all yam flours exhibit a B-type pattern. This study provide a better understanding of this unconventional vegetable's potential applications in the food industry and contribute to its value addition.

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) genotype selection using advanced indices and statistical models: A multi-year approach

In Bangladesh, sweet potato holds the fourth position as a crucial carbohydrate source, trailing rice, wheat, and potato. However, locally grown sweet potato varieties often display limited stability and yield. To tackle this challenge, diverse selection methods and statistical models were utilized to pinpoint sweet potato genotypes showcasing both stability and superior yield and quality traits. In the initial two years, multiple selection methods were employed to narrow down the collections based on preferences for yield and its contributing traits. Subsequently, a multi-environment trial (MET) was conducted in the following year to pinpoint superior and stable genotypes with desirable yield and quality characteristics. An integrated approach involving the Multi-Trait Genotype Ideotype Distance Index (MGIDI), Factor Analysis and Ideotype-Design (FAI-BLUP), and Smith-Hazel Index (SH) led to the identification of 71 superior sweet potato genotypes out of a total of 351 in the initial growing season. In the subsequent season, the MGIDI selection index was applied to the 71 genotypes, resulting in the selection of 11 top-performing genotypes. This selection process was complemented by a detailed analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the selected genotypes. In the MET, the mixed effect model, specifically the linear mixed model (LMM), identified significant genotypic and genotype-environment interaction (GEI) variances. This points to elevated heritability and selection accuracy, ultimately boosting the model's reliability. By combining the strengths of LMM and additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI), the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) index identified H20 as the top-performing genotype for marketable root yield (MRY), H37 for dry weight of root (DW), H8 for beta carotene (BC) and H41 for vitamin c (VC). These genotypes surpassed the overall average in the WAAS index. For simultaneous stability and high performance, the WAASBY index selected H37 for MRY, H6 for DW, H61 for BC, and H3 for VC. Finally, genotypes H3 and H20 were selected using multi-trait stability index (MTSI), as they possessed high performance and stability. Based on the selection sense, the objective has been achieved with regards to the trait MRW, which serves as a major criterion for a superior variety of sweet potato.

Effects of different management practices on the growth and yield of corn

In Indonesia, corn is an important commodity that serves as the second source of carbohydrates after rice, whose productivity is influenced by management practices applied during cultivation. This research aimed to determine the effects of different management practices on the growth and yield of corn. This research was arranged in a single-factor Randomized Complete Block Design, with different agriculture management practices as treatments, consisting of TI1 = Best Practices (Drip Irrigation + Rice Husk + Mycorrhiza), TI2 = Farmers’ Practices (Furrow Irrigation) + Mycorrhiza, and TI3 = Farmers’ practices (Furrow Irrigation). The data observed were analyzed using Analysis of Variance and followed by the Post Hoc Tukey’s HSD at α= 5%. The results showed that the TI1 produced significantly higher plant height, stem diameter, leaf dry weight, weight of cob with cornhusk and kernel dry weight, and effectively suppressed weed growth compared to TI2 and TI3. TI1 produced a significantly higher number of leaves, root dry weight, and total dry weight compared to TI3, but not significantly different compared to TI2. TI1 produced not significantly different stem dry weight and harvest index compared to TI2 and TI3. The kernel dry weight per plant observed in TI1 was 157.63 g, which was 14.22% and 22.91% higher than in TI2 and TI3, respectively. Based on the coefficient correlation and path analysis, the number of leaves, plant height, and total dry weight should be considered as important plant growth variables to produce high kernel dry weight.

Effect of carbohydrate source on energy-nitrogen balance and methane emissions in lactating dairy cows

The chemical characteristics of Cenchrus clandestinus grass, nutritional base in dairy production systems, demand the energy supplementation. Corn grain is the most used food for this purpose, but considering its demand and prices, the objective of this work was to evaluate its partial replacement by alternative non-fibrous carbohydrates sources on methane emissions, energy and nitrogen balance and productive performance of dairy cows. Sixteen multiparous Holstein cows were fed Cenchrus clandestinus plus one of four concentrate supplements formulated with corn (Zea mays) or a partial replacement of corn with sorghum (Sorghum vulgare), cassava (Manihot esculenta) or citrus pulp (Citrus sp.). Inclusion of sorghum, cassava or citrus pulp did not affect dry matter intake, dry matter digestibility, enteric methane emissions, energy and nitrogen balance, milk yield or composition. The results allow to conclude that these ingredients can partially replace corn in the diet of lactating dairy cows.

Growth and yield response of Watani Wado job's tears (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) to the application frequency of phosphate fertilizer and paclobutrazol in different growing seasons

Job's tears (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) is a carbohydrate source functional food crop that can be developed as a substitute for rice. This study aims to determine the best application frequency of phosphate (P) fertilizer and paclobutrazol for supporting the growth and yield of job's tears in both rainy and dry seasons. The research was conducted from November 2021 - November 2022 at the Ciparanje research station and Laboratory Centre Universitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor, Sumedang. The experiment used a randomized block design (RBD) consisting of P fertilizer application frequency (once, twice, and thrice) and paclobutrazol application frequency (once, twice, and thrice) and three replications.. The best season was determined using the T-test. The results showed that there was no interaction between growth components and job's tears yield in both rainy and dry season planting. P fertilizer application had a significant effect on lateral branch per tiller in the rainy season and root-shoot ratio in the dry season. Paclobutrazol application had a significant effect on the number of tillers per plant and number of seeds per plant in the rainy season, and the lateral branch per tiller in the dry season. Planting in the rainy season had the best growth and yield components compared to the dry season.

Nutritional Content of Underutilized Vegetable Crops: A Source for Nutritional Security and Human Health

Vegetables are essential to a balanced diet and are the primary force behind the achievement of global nutritional security due to their presence of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Vegetable crops classified as underused are those that are neither widely traded nor farmed on a commercial basis. Underutilized crop species have the potential to boost the country's economy but have not received enough attention because of a decline in focus on their production, consumption, and utilization. An examination of the literature found that most underutilized crop species are nutritious, and some even have medicinal properties. Vegetables that are underutilized may be significant locally or regionally, but they are typically not valued or approved nationally. The plant species that are traditionally used for food, fiber, fodder, oil, or medicinal purposes are the underutilized vegetable crops. Nonetheless, such species have untapped potential to provide environmental benefits, economic production, nutrition, health, and food security. Using underused crops improves rural populations' health and contributes to the fight against malnutrition-related problems. Unused vegetables are a rich source of energy, fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins and minerals. These nutrients can help prevent and treat a number of illnesses, including hypertension, cancer, kwashiorkor, marasmus, night blindness, anemia, diabetes, and hidden hunger. Important underutilized vegetable crops include kale, broad beans, asparagus, amaranthus, basella, moringa, ivy gourds, globe artichokes, and others. India's soil and climate are ideal for growing a variety of underutilised vegetables. As a result, the Indian government has started to promote the underutilized vegetables. In conclusion, underutilized vegetable production can help address the shortage of per capita consumption availability and address nutritional issues while creating jobs and raising rural residents' incomes, all of which have the potential to boost the national economy.

Early Colonial Diet in El Japón, Xochimilco, Mexico: Examining dietary continuity through stable isotope analysis of bone collagen and bioapatite.

Early colonial documents from central Mesoamerica detail raising and planting of European livestock and crops alongside native ones. The extent to which Indigenous people, especially of the rural commoner class, consumed newly introduced foods is less known. This gap in knowledge is addressed through stable isotope analysis and comparison to published archaeological botanical, human, and faunal data. Stable isotope analysis of bone collagen and bioapatite is applied to 74 skeletal samples of Indigenous human remains representing Colonial period individuals from El Japón-a farming hamlet in the Xochimilco area-to provide insight into long-term individual dietary practices in the context of a rapidly transforming Mesoamerican world. Carbon isotope ratios in collagen (δ13Ccollagen) average -8.10/00 VPDB (SD 0.55), while δ15N averages 8.90/00 AIR (SD 0.50). δ13Cbioapatite averages -2.90/00 VPDB (SD 0.60). Modest increase in carbon isotopic diversity is observed among more recent males from El Japón when compared to earlier males and females. Based on the isotopic results, it is estimated that the individuals of El Japón consumed maize or other C4 plants as a central source of carbohydrates. Dietary protein was largely supplied through domestic maize-fed fauna but potentially supplemented by wild terrestrial and aquatic fauna and fowl. Similarity in skeletal isotopic composition between precontact Mesoamericans from other sites and El Japón individuals of both earlier and later stratigraphy is interpreted as continuity in local diets and foodways despite potentially available European alternatives. Colonial taxation demands on preexisting agricultural regimes may have incentivized maize production, thus indirectly contributing to the maize-centered aspect of local foodways.

Exploring the Relationships Between Bacterial Community, Taste-Enhancing Peptides and Aroma in Thai Fermented Fish (Pla-ra).

As a traditional Thai condiment, Pla-ra is used to add flavor and richness to dishes. Nine treatment combinations of Pla-ra formulations created from 3 types of fish (Mor fish, Kradee fish, and Mor + Kradee fish) and 4 different carbohydrate sources (none, rice bran, roasted rice, and rice bran─roasted rice mixture) were studied through a 12 month fermentation period (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 months). 16S rRNA Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and LC-MS/MS techniques were used to analyze the microbial diversity and identify taste-enhancing peptides. Descriptive sensory analysis was performed on the extracts of the 108 Pla-ra samples mixed in a model broth. Koku perception and saltiness-enhancing attributes were clearly perceived and dominant in all samples, even though glutamyl peptides, including γ-Glu-Val-Gly, were found at subthreshold levels. The samples from mixed fish and Mor fish fermented with roasted ground rice and rice bran for 12 months had the most typical Pla-ra odors and tastes and had high taste-enhancing activities. NGS analysis revealed the presence of bacteria containing a large number of protease and aminopeptidase genes in the samples. Bacillus spp., Gallicola spp., and Proteiniclasticum spp. correlated well with the generation of glutamyl and arginyl peptides and typical odors in the samples. These results confirmed the typical sensory quality of Pla-ra depended on protein sources, carbohydrate sources, and bacteria communities. Further optimization of the microbial composition found could lead to the development of starter cultures to control and promote flavor development in fermented fish products.

Phosphate fertilization in sequeiro rice cropping

Rice farming has great importance in Brazil and around the world as the grain is a vital source of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. With an increasing productive demand, there is need to search for sustainable and more efficient means of production. A promising alternative is fertilization with organomineral fertilizers, however, its application and efficiency is little explored by the literature. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of varying doses of phosphorus (P) from organomineral fertilizer on the productivity and nutritional status of rice plants. The design was completely randomized with 3 replications. The rice plants were treated with doses of 0, 75, 150 and 225 kg/ha of P2O5 from organic-mineral fertilizer and doses of 75 and 150 kg/ha of P2O5 from high solubility mineral fertilizer. The macro and micronutrient contents of fresh grain mass, total dry grain mass, dry grain mass and mass of 100 grains of rice were evaluated. The organomineral phosphate fertilizer showed similar behaviour to the high-solubility mineral fertilizer.

Pharmacotherapeutic Potential of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia) in Age-related Neurological Diseases.

Due to the growth of the elderly population, age-related neurological disorders are an increasing problem. Aging begins very gradually and later leads to several neurological issues such as lower neurotransmitter levels, oxidative stress, neuronal inflammation, and continual neuronal loss. These changes might contribute to brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), dementia or mild cognitive impairment, and epilepsy and glioma, and can also aggravate these disorders if they were previously present. Momordica charantia (bitter gourd), a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, is a good source of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. It is used for diabetes and known for its hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects. In this review, we discuss the pharmaceutical effects of M. charantia on age-related neurological disorders. We searched several databases, including PubMed and Google Scholar, using MeSH terms. We searched articles published up until 2022 regardless of publication language. M. charantia is rich in luteolin, which increases acetylcholine in neurons by binding to enzymes in acetylcholine metabolism pathways, including butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase. This binding inhibits the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein by restraining its kinase enzyme. Furthermore, this substance can lower serum cholesterol and has multi-target activity in AD and memory loss. M. charantia can also improve memory by decreasing tau protein and it also has potent antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects. This review highlights that M. charantia has effects on many age-related neurological disorders, and can be a cost-effective supplement with minimal side effects.