Changes In Nutrient Profiles Research Articles

Soil microbial communities following 20\xa0years of fertilization and crop rotation practices in the Czech Republic

BackgroundAlthough fertilization and crop rotation practices are commonly used worldwide in agriculture to maximize crop yields, their long-term effect on the structures of soil microorganisms is still poorly understood. This study investigated the long-term impact of fertilization and crop rotation on soil microbial diversity and the microbial community structure in four different locations with three soil types. Since 1996, manure (MF; 330 kg N/ha), sewage sludge (SF; 330 and SF3x; 990 kg N/ha), and NPK (NPK; 330 kg N/ha) fertilizers were periodically applied to the soils classified as chernozem, luvisol and cambisol, which are among the most abundant or fertile soils used for agricultural purposes in the world. In these soils, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were rotated every three years.ResultsSoil chemistry, which was significantly associated with location, fertilization, crop rotation, and the interaction of fertilization and location, was the dominant driver of soil microbial communities, both prokaryotic and fungal. A direct effect of long-term crop rotation and fertilization on the structure of their communities was confirmed, although there was no evidence of their influence on microbial diversity. Fungal and bacterial communities responded differently to fertilization treatments; prokaryotic communities were only significantly different from the control soil (CF) in soils treated with MF and SF3x, while fungal communities differed across all treatments. Indicator genera were identified for different treatments. These taxa were either specific for their decomposition activities or fungal plant pathogens. Sequential rotation of the three crops restricted the growth of several of the indicator plant pathogens.ConclusionsLong-term fertilization and crop rotation significantly altered microbial community structure in the soil. While fertilization affected soil microorganisms mainly through changes in nutrient profile, crop rotations lead to the attraction and repulsion of specific plant pathogens. Such changes in soil microbial communities need to be considered when planning soil management.

Vermicomposting of harvested waste biomass of potato crop employing Eisenia fetida: changes in nutrient profile and assessment of the maturity of the end products.

The vermicomposting potential of waste biomass of potato crops that are generated at the time of harvesting was studied employing Eisenia fetida. The experiment was carried out in pots, and two treatments were applied during the study. In the first treatment, only potato plant biomass (PPB) was taken as the raw materials; whereas in the second treatment, a mixture of PPB with cow dung was engaged in the proportion of 5:1. The vermicomposted materials showed a reduction in C/N ratio, humification index, enhancement in nutrients profiles, ash contents, nitrogen-fixing, phosphate, and potassium solubilizing bacterial population. The macronutrient enhancement in the vermicompost samples was recorded 3.8-4.4-fold for total N, 5-5.6-fold in available P, 1.6-fold in total K, 5.2-6.2-fold in total Ca, and 1.6-fold in total Mg contents. The reduction in C/N was found in the range of 92.5-94.4% in the vermicompost samples. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed higher disintegration in the vermicompost products when compared with initial raw material and compost samples. The addition of cow dung significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of vermicompost final products besides positively affecting the earthworm population and biomass by the end of 60 days of experimental trials.

Cultivation of Chlorella sorokiniana using wastewaters from different processing units of the silk industry for enhancing biomass production and nutrient removal

ABSTRACTBackgroundPrevious studies have documented that searching for wastewaters with appropriate nutrient profiles to cultivate microalgae directly was an effective measure to reduce the cost of algae cultivation. In this work, wastewaters collected from different processing units of the silk industry were used to cultivate Chlorella sorokiniana directly or after preliminary pretreatment for producing algal biomass and removing nutrients.ResultsThe data showed that C. sorokiniana could grow on reeling wastewater and cooking cocoon wastewater with a maximum biomass of 0.26 and 0.49 g L−1, respectively, but could not grow on frigon wastewater because of high salinity and turbidity. Furthermore, the binary mixed wastewaters were used to cultivate this alga, which were mixed according to the algal nutritional requirements. Results indicated that the highest algal biomass (0.56 g L−1), and total nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiencies (71.7% and 97.1%) were obtained when frigon wastewater was diluted with reeling wastewater (v/v) at a dilution multiple of eight, which was used as the algal culture media. Additionally, contents of protein, lipids, carbohydrates, and pigments in the algal cells varied with the changes in nutrient profiles of wastewaters.ConclusionsIt is concluded that (i) reeling wastewater and cooking cocoon wastewater were rich in nutrients for the growth of C. sorokiniana, which could be used as algal culture medium directly; and (ii) growing C. sorokiniana on mixed wastewaters could enhance biomass production and nutrient removal. Thus, the silk industry wastewaters could be considered as suitable media to cultivate microalgae directly or by simply mixing. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

Changes in Nutrient Profile and Antioxidant Activities of Different Fish Soups, Before and After Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion.

Different kinds of freshwater fish soups show a diverse range of health functions, due to their different nutritional substances and corresponding bioactivities. In the current study, in order to learn the theoretical basis of the potential role fish soup plays in diet therapy functions, the changes of nutrient profiles and antioxidant activities in crucian carp soup and snakehead soup (before and after simulated gastrointestinal digestion) were investigated, such as chemical composition, free amino acids, mineral and fatty acid contents, DPPH radical scavenging activity, ferrous ion chelating activity, hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity and the reducing power effect. Results show that the content of mineral elements in snakehead fish soup was significantly higher than that of crucian carp soup, especially for the contents of Ca, Zn, Fe. The content of total amino acid (TAA) of crucian carp soup (82.51 mg/100 mL) was much higher than that of snakehead fish soup (47.54 mg/100 mL) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity of crucian carp soup was stronger than that of snakehead soup. The intensive profiles of nutritional composition and antioxidant activities of these two kinds of fish soups were expected to partly provide the theoretical basis of therapeutic effects.

A nutrient profiling system for the (re)formulation of a global food and beverage portfolio

PurposeTo describe the Nestlé Nutritional Profiling System (NNPS) developed to guide the reformulation of Nestlé products, and the results of its application in the USA and France.DesignThe NNPS is a category-specific system that calculates nutrient targets per serving as consumed, based on age-adjusted dietary guidelines. Products are aggregated into 32 food categories. The NNPS ensures that excessive amounts of nutrients to limit cannot be compensated for by adding nutrients to encourage. A study was conducted to measure changes in nutrient profiles of the most widely purchased Nestlé products from eight food categories (n = 99) in the USA and France. A comparison was made between the 2009–2010 and 2014–2015 products.ResultsThe application of the NNPS between 2009–2010 and 2014–2015 was associated with an overall downwards trend for all nutrients to limit. Sodium and total sugars contents were reduced by up to 22 and 31 %, respectively. Saturated Fatty Acids and total fat reductions were less homogeneous across categories, with children products having larger reductions. Energy per serving was reduced by <10 % in most categories, while serving sizes remained unchanged.ConclusionsThe NNPS sets feasible and yet challenging targets for public health-oriented reformulation of a varied product portfolio; its application was associated with improved nutrient density in eight major food categories in the USA and France. Confirmatory analyses are needed in other countries and food categories; the impact of such a large-scale reformulation on dietary intake and health remains to be investigated.

Examining Trends in Meal Patterns between 1995 and 2011 Using Two National Surveys

BackgroundWhile international research suggests that meal patterns of the population may be changing, possibly with adverse health consequences, little is known about the meal patterns of Australians. The aim of this study was to examine the changes in meal patterns of Australians between 1995 and 2011.Methods: Data from two nationally representative Australian surveys were used (1995 National Nutrition Survey, 10851 adults 蠅19 years, n=2986 children/adolescents 2‐18 years; 2011‐2013 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey, 8964 adults 蠅19 years, 2783 children/adolescents 2‐18 years). Dietary intake was assessed via 24‐hour recall and respondents and eating occasions (EOs) including meals and snacks were reported. Frequency of meals, snacks and all EOs, time between EOs and energy intake (EI) from meals, snacks and all EOs were compared between the two surveys using an F‐test. All results were weighted, adjusted for sample design effects and presented as means and Taylor linearized standard errors.Results: Overall, there was little change in frequency of total EOs over time. Time between EOs decreased among women but not men between 1995 and 2011‐12 (181 [1.15] vs 171 [1.29], P&lt;0.001) and among children (164 [1.40] vs 157 [1.47], P=0.001). The proportion of total EI from meals decreased in both children and adults between 3‐7% (P&lt;0.001) whereas the proportion of total EI from snacks increased between 3‐7% (P&lt;0.001).ConclusionsOverall, only small changes in meal patterns have occurred between 1995 and 2011 among children and adults. However, increases in the proportion of energy from snacks warrants further investigation. Future research will examine changes in nutrient profiles of meals and snacks over time.

Comparative study on simultaneous leaching of nutrients during bioleaching of heavy metals from sewage sludge using indigenous iron and sulphur oxidising microorganisms

The present study investigated the changes in nutrient profile of sewage sludge during bioleaching in a batch mode of operation. The study identified the optimum bioleaching period at which maximum solubilisation of metals is achieved while maintaining the fertilising property of the bioleached sludge. The bioleaching experiments were performed using anaerobically digested sewage sludge by employing indigenous iron and sulphur oxidising microorganisms. The results showed that bioleaching using sulphur oxidising microorganisms is comparatively advantageous due to the higher solubilisation of heavy metals. However, despite its high potential in solubilisation of heavy metals from the sludge, the bioleaching process resulted in the undesirable dissolution/loss of sludge bound nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), thus making the sludge less attractive for land application as a fertiliser. After 16 days of bioleaching about 45% of the nitrogen and 34% of the phosphorus were leached from the sludge using indigenous iron oxidising microorganisms, whereas about 78% of the nitrogen and 56% of the phosphorus were leached using indigenous sulphur oxidising microorganisms. The findings indicated that the fertilising property of the sewage sludge can be maintained by conducting the process for a shorter duration of time (up to 10 days). The optimum bioleaching period was 10 days where about 85%Cu, 71%Ni, 91%Zn and 61%Cr were solubilised from the sludge while the loss of nitrogen and phosphorus was only 56 and 51% respectively, by using sulphur oxidising microorganisms. The heavy metals remaining in the bioleached sludge were mostly in the residual fraction ensuring the safe disposal of bioleached sludge for land application as a fertiliser.Cette étude examine les changements du profil de nutriment de boues d’épuration lors de la biolixiviation d’un procédé discontinu. L’étude identifie la durée optimale de biolixiviation à laquelle la solubilisation maximale des métaux est achevée tout en maintenant les propriétés fertilisantes de la boue biolixiviée. On a effectué les expériences de biolixiviation en utilisant des boues d’épuration digérées en condition anaérobique et en employant l’oxydation par ferro- ou thiomicroorganismes indigènes. Les résultats ont montré que la biolixiviation par oxydation avec des thiomicroorganismes était comparativement avantageuse grâce à la solubilisation plus élevée des métaux lourds. Cependant, en dépit de son potentiel élevé de solubilisation des métaux lourds de la boue, le procédé de biolixiviation avait pour résultat une dissolution ou une perte indésirables des nutriments liés dans la boue (azote et phosphore), rendant ainsi la boue moins attrayante pour application dans les champs comme engrais. Après 16 jours de biolixiviation, environ 45% de l’azote et 34% du phosphore étaient lixiviés de la boue par oxydation avec des ferromicroorganismes indigènes, alors qu’environ 78% de l’azote et 56% du phosphore étaient lixiviés en utilisant des thiomicroorganismes indigènes. Les constatations indiquent qu’on peut maintenir les propriétés fertilisantes de la boue d’épuration en effectuant le processus sur une durée plus courte (jusqu’à 10 jours). La période optimale de biolixiviation était de 10 jours, pendant lesquels environ 85% du Cu, 71% du Ni, 91% du Zn et 61% du Cr étaient solubilisés à partir de la boue alors que les pertes d’azote et de phosphore étaient seulement de 56% et de 51%, respectivement, en utilisant les thiomicroorganismes. Les métaux lourds qui restaient dans la boue biolixiviée se trouvaient principalement dans la fraction résiduelle, assurant la disposition sécuritaire comme engrais de la boue biolixiviée.

USDA Updates Nutrient Values for Fast Food Pizza

Consumption of quick service pizza has increased as Americans are spending more on food away from home. Pizza is consistently a primary Key Food in the USDA National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP) because it is a contributor of more than 14 nutrients of public health significance to the U.S. diet. The USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory collected national samples of the two leading fast food pizza chains to monitor and update changes in this popular food. Two brands of pizza - cheese (regular, thick, and thin crust) and pepperoni (regular and thick crust) pizzas were collected in 12 nationwide locations in 2003 and again in 2010. Sample units of pizzas were prepared for analysis of proximates, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids using NFNAP protocols. Analytical samples and quality control materials were analyzed by USDA-qualified laboratories using Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) approved methods. Nutrient data were statistically evaluated (significance set at p<0.05) to compare similar pizzas from different years. Based on these analyses, values for various nutrients changed. For example, both brands of cheese, thin crust pizzas showed a significant increase in sodium (p<0.014). Across all pizza types, brand A pizzas showed a significant increase in iron (p<0.0009-0.036) and potassium (p<0.001-0.013). Total sugars, fiber, cholesterol, and fat values significantly increased or decreased by brand and pizza type. These analyses provide current, accurate, nationally representative data for high consumption foods in the U.S. and are included in the USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference 24 as part of an effort to monitor changes in nutrient profiles for popular foods.

Acculturation and Serum Nutrients thought to be Involved with Cancer Prevention among Mexican American Men in the United States

Mexican American men living in the United States who are more acculturated exhibit higher rates of cancer compared to those less acculturated. This study explored the association between acculturation and serum levels of nutrients thought to be involved with cancer prevention among Mexican American men. Our sample included 2,479 Mexican American men from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994). Outcomes were serum levels of micronutrients. Acculturation in Mexican American men was assessed by a combined measure including country of origin, language of interview, and years of residence in the United States and was categorized as follows: (1) foreign-born, 0-5 years in the United States (lowest acculturation), (2) foreign-born, 6-15 years in the United States, (3) foreign-born, > 15 years in the United States, (4) US-born Spanish-speaking, and (5) US-born English-speaking (highest acculturation). Adjusted analyses showed that acculturation decreased the serum levels for vitamin E, vitamin C, and folate and also for some carotenoids (alpha and beta carotenes, beta cryptoxanthin, and lutein-zeaxanthin). By contrast, acculturation increased the serum levels for selenium and lycopene. With the exception of selenium and lycopene, acculturation among Mexican American men decreased the serum levels for most carotenoids and for vitamin E, vitamin C, and folate. These changes in nutrient profiles, reflecting altered patterns in food consumption or other behaviors, may explain in part why Mexican American men who are more acculturated have an increased risk for diet-related cancer

Changes in nutrient profile of soil subjected to bioleaching for removal of heavy metals using Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans

Studies were carried out to assess changes in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in soil during bioleaching of heavy metals from soil contaminated by tannery effluents. Indigenous sulfur oxidizing bacteria Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans isolated from the contaminated soil were used for bioremediation. Solubilization efficiency of chromium, cadmium, copper and zinc from soil was 88, 93, 92 and 97%, respectively. However, loss of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from the soil was 30, 70 and 68%, respectively. These findings indicate that despite its high potential for removal of heavy metals from contaminated soils, bioleaching results in undesirable dissolution/loss of essential plant nutrients. This aspect warrants urgent attention and detailed studies to evaluate the appropriateness of the technique for field application.