Isoleucine Content Research Articles

Tolerance to post-emergence herbicide Imazethapyr in chickpea

The present research work aimed at identification of sources of tolerance to herbicide Imazethapyr for their possible utilization in development of herbicide tolerant chickpea. Sixty five genotypes (55 desi and 10 kabuli) screened included accessions from ICRISAT core collection, advanced breeding lines and cultivars. The herbicide tolerance score ranged from 1.9 to 5.0. Nine tolerant to moderately tolerant and three susceptible genotypes were further evaluated under control and sprayed condition. Genotype x environment interactions were observed for days to 50% flowering, NDVI, days to maturity, seed yield, biomass, harvest index, 100-seed weight and branched chain amino acids (BCAA) viz., valine, leucine and isoleucine content. Highly significant reduction in seed yield was observed in all the genotypes except ICCV 10, ICCL 82104 and ICC 1710 as revealed by pairwise comparison of means using Tukey's test. The spraying of herbicide reduced the total biomass production. Analysis of BCAA content in sample revealed non-significant differences for percent valine content in ICCIL 04001, ICCV 00305, ICCV 96003 and ICCL 82104, for isoleucine content in all the genotypes except, ICCV 3 and ICCV 96003 and for leucine content in case of ICCV 03407, ICCIL 04001, ICCV 10, ICCV 96003, ICC 1710, ICCV 00108 and ICCL 82104. The genotypes tolerant to post-emergence herbicide Imazethapyr identified based on non-significant reduction in the yield attributes and BCAA content in the sample were ICC 82104, ICCV 10, ICCV 96003, ICC 00305 and ICC 1710. These genotypes can be used to study the genetics of herbicide tolerance in chickpea and in breeding programs for developing lines with tolerance to post-emergence herbicide Imazethapyr.

Impact of amino acid and CP restriction from 20 to 140 kg BW on performance and dynamics in empty body protein and lipid deposition of entire male, castrated and female pigs

Breeding leaner pigs during the last decades may have changed pig’s empty body (EB) composition, a key trait for elaborating feeding recommendations. This research aimed to provide new experimental data on changes in the chemical composition of the EB of pigs from 20 to 140 kg BW. In addition, the impact of a reduction in the dietary CP associated with lower lysine, methionine+cystine, threonine and tryptophan levels was determined. In total, 48 males, castrates and females weighing 20 kg BW were allocated either to a control grower–finisher diet formulated according to current Swiss feeding recommendations, or a low CP grower–finisher diet (80% of control). Feed intake was monitored and pigs were weighed weekly. The chemical composition of EB (blood, hairs and hoofs, offals, bile, carcass) was determined at 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 kg BW on four pigs per gender and diet (eight pigs per gender at 20 kg). The five fractions were weighed and samples were analysed for dry matter, protein, fat and energy. Nutrient deposition rates and N efficiency were calculated by using the 20 kg BW category as reference. Analysis revealed an accurate feed optimisation for the aforementioned essential amino acids (EAA), whereas digestible isoleucine content in the low CP diet was at 70% of the control diet. Despite similar feed intake, daily gain and feed efficiency were impaired (P<0.01) from 20 to 100 kg BW in the low CP compared with the control pigs. In the same growth period, castrates had the greatest feed intake but, together with females, displayed the lowest (P<0.01) feed efficiency. Protein deposition was reduced (P<0.01) by up to 31% with low CP diet and was lower (P<0.01) in castrates and females than males at 100 kg BW. The greatest fat deposition rates were found with low CP diet and castrates. N efficiency improved (P<0.05) by 10% with the low CP diet from 100 to 140 kg. The males displayed the greatest (P<0.05) N efficiency. These findings suggest that the CP content of finisher II diets could be reduced to 102, 102 and 104 g/kg for females, castrates and males, respectively, without a negative impact on protein deposition or growth. It remains unclear whether the negative effects found in the BW range from 20 to 100 kg on the EB deposition were due to the 20% reduction of the dietary CP and the five limiting EAA or to other EAA via an unbalanced EAA profile.

Purification and properties of lipoxygenase from wheat seedlings infected by Fusarium graminearum and treated by salicylic acid.

Lipoxygenase from wheat seedlings in normal conditions, infected by Fusarium graminearum and treated by salicylic acid was isolated. The isolated enzyme was purified by the methods of salting-out (60% ammonium sulphate), dialysis, gel-filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. Specific activity of the purified enzyme was 8.0-12.5 ΔЕ234/mg of protein, degree of purification – 11.6-15.3 times. The enzyme yield was 18.3-27.9%. Molecular mass of lipoxygenase is 90 kDa, amino acid composition is distinguished by a high content of glutamic acid, proline, valine, isoleucine, leucine and low level of histidine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, cystein. Research of lipoxygenase substrate dependence indicated that the enzyme catalysed with the maximum velocity of the reaction of arachidonic acid oxidation at a substrate concentration of 4.5 mM at pH 7.2, the reaction of linoleic acid oxidation at a substrate concentration of 4.5 mM at pH 7.2 and the reaction of linolenic acid oxidation at a substrate concentration of 9.0 mM at pH 8.0. The change of wheat lipoxygenase activity depending on genotype resistance to Fusarium graminearum and millieu of germination was shown. One of the manifestations of the protective effect of salicylic acid is its ability to induce changes of lipoxygenase activity.

A GC-MS based metabolic profiling of fermented sausage supplemented with pineapple.

A GC-MS based metabolomic study was performed to understand metabolic changes during sausage fermentation and to investigate how the incorporation of pineapple affects the metabolic profiles of fermented sausages. Principal component analysis models showed clear metabolic differences among the fermented sausages according to the fermentation periods and the pineapple addition. Increased amounts of amino acids and organic acids except for citric acid, along with decreased levels of sugars were observed after fermentation. Higher levels of sugars and citric acid in the pineapple supplemented sausages dramatically decreased during the early stage of fermentation. The contents of lactic acid, phosphoric acid, succinic acid, ribonic acid, valine, leucine, isoleucine, glycine, threonine, glutamic acid, glucose, and sucrose were significantly increased in the 2% pineapple addition sausages. GC-MS and PCA analytical methods provide a new approach to understand of the metabolic changes in fermented sausages during fermentation.

Nutritional Value of Yarrowia Lipolytica Yeast and its Effect on Growth Performance Indicators n Piglets

Abstract Yarrowia lipolytica yeast can be a valuable component of feed compounds due to its high content of protein and essential amino acids, as well as minerals. The objective of the study was to verify the research hypothesis that Yarrowia lipolytica (YL) yeast, having a more valuable chemical composition than Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC), can improve growth performance in piglets. An attempt was made to determine what proportion of YL yeast in a compound feed for piglets would produce measurable effects in terms of production and health. The experiment was carried out on 46-dayold piglets receiving experimental mixtures for 39 days. The piglets in the experimental groups were fed the same mixture as the control, but with 3% or 6% fodder yeast of the strain Yarrowia lipolytica A-101 in place of soybean meal. The YL fodder yeast had significantly higher content of alanine (by about 50%), lysine, isoleucine and tryptophan (over 30%), leucine, valine, glycine and glutamic acid (over 20%), and tyrosine (by about 17%) in comparison with SC yeast. Content of crude fat was three times higher than in SC yeast. YL yeast had significantly higher content of Na+, K+, Ca+2, Mn+2, S, Mg+2 and Zn+2 than SC, as well as significantly higher content of vitamins B2 and E. Yarrowia lipolytica fodder yeast introduced to compound feed in the amount of just 3% improved growth performance (an increase in daily weight gain and a decrease in feed conversion per kg weight gain). These results indicate that YL in the amount of 3% in compound feed can be successfully used in the diet of piglets in place of the commonly used SC.

Anti-inflammatory active fraction screening and mechanism of unripe Forsythiae Fructus based on ¹H-NMR metabolomics

To screen the anti-inflammatory active fraction of unripe Forsythiae Fructus, and elucidate the action mechanism, water decoction, ethyl acetate portion, n-butanol portion and residue water extracts of unripe Forsythiae Fructus were administered into rats for continuously 15 days. The acute lung injury inflammatory model was established to observe the section structure of lung tissues. Levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were determined by ELISA kits, and changes in endogenous metabolites in serum were analyzed based on 1H-NMR metabolomics. The results showed that ethyl acetate portion of unripe Forsythiae Fructus had a better anti-inflammatory activity against acute lung injury, and could suppress the release of inflammatory factors of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, significantly reduce contents of creatine, β-OH-butyrate, succinate, lysine, valine, isoleucine and glutamine, and elevate the content of GPC in serum. Ethyl acetate portion was proved to be the main fraction of anti-inflammatory activity from the perspective of endogenous metabolites in serum, and played an anti-inflammatory role by regulating creatine metabolism, choline metabolism, branched-chain amino acid metabolism and TCA cycles. This study could lay a foundation for studying pharmacodynamic material basis of unripe Forsythiae Fructus.

Chemical and physical parameters of dried salted pork meat

The aim of the present study was analysed and evaluated chemical and physical parameters of dried salted pork neck and ham. Dried salted meat is one of the main meat products typically produced with a variety of flavors and textures. Neck (14 samples) and ham (14 samples) was salted by nitrite salt mixture during 1week. The nitrite salt mixture for salting process (dry salting) was used. This salt mixture contains: salt, dextrose, maltodextrin, flavourings, stabilizer E316, taste enhancer E621, nitrite mixture. The meat samples were dried at 4 °C and relative humudity 85% after 1 week salting. The weight of each sample was approximately 1 kg. After salting were vacuum-packed and analysed after 1 week. The traditional dry-cured meat such as dry-cured ham and neck obtained after 12 - 24 months of ripening under controlled conditions. The average protein content was significantly (p &lt;0.001) lower in dried pork neck in comparison with dried salted pork ham. The average intramuscular fat was significantly (p &lt;0.001) lower in dried pork ham in comparison with dried salted pork neck. The average moisture was significantly lower (p ≤0.05) in dried salted ham in comparison with dried pork neck. The average pH value was 5.50 in dried salted pork ham and 5.75 in dried salted pork neck. The content of arginine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, leucine and threonine in dried salted ham was significantly lower (p &lt;0.001) in comparison with dried salted pork neck. The proportion of analysed amino acids from total proteins was 56.31% in pork salted dried ham and 56.50% in pork salted dried neck.

Opportunities of high-technology phenotyping by the NMR spectroscopy method by example of the metabolic response of the rat liver to the effect of alcohol and Reishi

The metabolic profiling of the rat liver was carried out in order to estimate the efficiency of proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy as a method of metabolomic phenotyping and a method of detecting early metabolic changes during toxic effects. The tissue samples were taken from three groups of rats: group C, control animals; group A, animals that repeatedly received 15% alcohol solution (its intake induced no pathological liver changes, but stimulated the proliferation of the hepatocytes); and group A + R, alcohol in combination with the plant hepatoprotective Reishi preparation (Ganoderma lucidum). As follows from the results obtained, the changes in the metabolite concentration in liver (observed in group A) reflected the typical metabolic reaction to the alcohol intake and were expressed in a decrease in the content of glycine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, choline, and lactate, as well as in an increase in the TMAO level. The concentration of glycine, valine, and TMAO was restored in the rats of group A + R during the Reishi intake. In addition, an increase in the concentrations of NAD, ATP, UTP, succinate, pyranose, and acetate was registered in group A + R relative to the control. Individual variations in the content of valine, isoleucine, leucine, lactate, choline, and pyranose is correlated to the number of binuclear hepatocytes (as an indicator of proliferative activity). Thus, the study of liver tissues by 1H NMR spectroscopy method allows us to detect early deviations in the level of metabolites during chronic consumption of small alcohol doses and can be a promising approach both for diagnostic detection of alcoholic liver damage and for estimation of the efficiency of the applied drug therapy.

New insight on crystal and spot development in hard and extra-hard cheeses: Association of spots with incomplete aggregation of curd granules

Chemical composition and structure of different types of macroparticles (specks, spots) and microparticles (microcrystals) present in hard and extra-hard cheeses were investigated. Light microscopy revealed that the small hard specks had the structure of crystalline tyrosine, as confirmed by amino acid analysis. Spots showed a complex structure, including several curd granules, cavities, and microcrystals, and were delimited by a dense protein layer. Spots contained less moisture and ash than the adjacent cheese area, and more protein, including significantly higher contents of valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, and phenylalanine. Microcrystals were observed by light and electron microscopy and analyzed by confocal micro-Raman. Among others, calcium phosphate crystals appeared to consist of a central star-shaped structure immersed in a matrix of free fatty acids plus leucine and phenylalanine in free form or in small peptides. A hypothetical mechanism for the formation of these structures has been formulated.

Investigation on Endogenous Metabolites in Pancreas of Diabetic Rats after Treatment by Genipin through 1H-NMR-based Metabolomic Profiles

ObjectiveTo investigate the change rules of endogenous metabolites in pancreas of the diabetic rats, and to explore the mechanism of genipin treatment for diabetes rats. MethodsMetabolomic method based on 1H-NMR was applied, the diabetic rat model was prepared by ip injecting alloxan, and the high-, mid-, and low-dose genipin or metformin hydrochloride was ig injected as well as the rats in control and model groups were given the same volume of normal saline for 2 weeks. The pancreases of rats were collected and 1H-NMR test was conducted, the metabolomic technology was adopted to analyze the endogenous metabolite changes in pancreas. ResultsThe high-dose genipin possessed a better hypoglycemic effect, which could increase the contents of isoleucine, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine, and significantly reduce the contents of lactic acid, alanine, glutamine, aspartic acid, and creatine in pancreas of diabetic rats. ConclusionThis study provided a theoretical basis for further exploration on the pathogenesis of diabetes and the mechanism of genipin for treatment of diabetes.

Establishment of thFree human pancreatic cancer orthotopic xenograft nude mice models and serum metabolomics

Objective To analyze the metabolic profile in serum between normal and orthotopic xenograft nude mice burdened with three human pancreatic cancer cell lines, which were differentiated differently. Methods Human pancreatic cancer lines SW1990, BxPC-3 and Panc-1 were subcutaneously injected into the nude mice, respectively. When the tumor volume reached 1.0 cm3, the nude mice were euthanized and the tumor tissues were removed and implanted to the pancreas to establish the orthotopic xenograft mice model. The serum from three orthotopic xenograft tumor nude mice and the normal controls were collected and then analyzed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results The three orthotopic xenograft nude mice models were successfully established. In SW1990, BxPC-3 and Panc-1 group, the orthotopic xenograft tumor formation rate was 79% (11/14), 93% (13/14) and 86% (12/14), while the mortality was 7% (1/14), 0 and 7% (1/14), respectively. Compared with control group, the content of metabolites in the serum of orthotopic xenograft tumor nude mice was increased including creatine, alanine, glutamine, 1-methylhistidine, isoleucine, lactate, phenylalanine, tryptophan and valine, but the glycerolphosphocholine (GPC) and glucose levels were reduced. As the tumors progressed to be more malignant, the content of valine and isoleucine tended to increase. Conclusions The establishment of the orthotopic implantation tumor nude mice model was stable and reliable with high tumor formation rate. Obvious metabolic differences of glucose, lipid and amino acids were observed between normal and human pancreatic cancer tumor burdening nude mice models. The common metabolic features identified in all three nude mice models burdened with human pancreatic cancer could be used as the potential markers for diagnosing human pancreatic cancer. Key words: Pancreatic cancer; Metabolomics; H nuclear magnetic resonance; Animal model

Oxidized potato starch based thermoplastic films: Effect of combination of hydrophilic and amphiphilic plasticizers

Different combinations of hydrophilic (glycerol and water) and amphiphilic (isoleucine) plasticizers were studied in the production of thermoplastic starch (TPS) powders and films from oxidized potato starch. All powder samples had an irregular and shrivelled morphology. In all mixtures containing isoleucine, this additive exuded from the starch matrix and re‐crystallized during spray drying, resulting in hollow particles. The crystallinity and moisture sensitivity of freshly prepared films depended on the isoleucine content in the plasticizer formulation. Increasing the content led to a decrease in moisture absorption. Isoleucine formulated films showed the best tensile strength, whereas glycerol‐rich ones showed better strain at break values. All glycerol plasticized formulations and the spray dried non‐modified starch were amorphous. Glycerol reduced the glass transition temperature to 128°C and glycerol formulated films showed the highest moisture uptake due to its hydrophilic nature. At a relative humidity (RH) of 50%, the rate of retrogradation was low, but at RH 100% all TPS films showed a high rate of retrogradation.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROTEIN/FAT, FREE AMINO ACIDS AND CASEIN FRACTIONS IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF BULK MILK DURING AS AFFECTED BY SEASONAL VARIATION.

This study was carried out in order to establish a relationship between Protein/fat ratio, free amino acids, and casein fractions of cow, buffaloe and goat milk. The amino acid contents of the examined milks were also detected quantitatively and qualitatively. Fat and protein contents generally increased in milk during the period extended from may until the end of laction period. Aspartic acid and glutamic acid were found to decrease in goat milk, which explains the increase of formalin coefficient. The goat milk characterized with an increase in phenylalanine, lysine and histidine. Casein of buffalo's milk was of higher content of isoleucine, and completely free from lysine, proline, glutamic and serine. Casein of goat and cow relatively contained the same concentration of cysteine, which is not found in buffaloe milk.

Antioxidant status of turkey breast meat and blood after feeding a diet enriched with histidine

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of 1) spray dried blood cells rich in histidine and 2) pure histidine added to feed on the antioxidant status and concentration of carnosine related components in the blood and breast meat of female turkeys. The experiment was performed on 168 Big7 turkey females randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments: control; control with the addition of 0.18% L-histidine (His); and control with the addition of spray dried blood cells (SDBC). Birds were raised for 103 d on a floor with sawdust litter, with drinking water and feed ad libitum. The antioxidant status of blood plasma and breast muscle was analyzed by ferric reducing ability (FRAP) and by 2,2-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals scavenging ability. The activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was analyzed in the blood and breast meat, with the content of carnosine and anserine quantified by HPLC. Proximate analysis as well as amino acid profiling were carried out for the feed and breast muscles. Growth performance parameters also were calculated. Histidine supplementation of the turkey diet resulted in increased DPPH radical scavenging capacity in the breast muscles and blood, but did not result in higher histidine dipeptide concentrations. The enzymatic antioxidant system of turkey blood was affected by the diet with SDBC. In the plasma, the SDBC addition increased both SOD and GPx activity, and decreased GPx activity in the erythrocytes. Feeding turkeys with an SDBC containing diet increased BW and the content of isoleucine and valine in breast muscles.

Knockdown of a nutrient amino acid transporter gene LdNAT1 reduces free neutral amino acid contents and impairs Leptinotarsa decemlineata pupation.

A Leptinotarsa decemlineata SLC6 NAT gene (LdNAT1) was cloned. LdNAT1 was highly expressed in the larval alimentary canal especially midgut. LdNAT1 mRNA levels were high right after the molt and low just before the molt. JH and a JH analog pyriproxyfen activated LdNAT1 expression. RNAi of an allatostatin gene LdAS-C increased JH and upregulated LdNAT1 transcription. Conversely, silencing of a JH biosynthesis gene LdJHAMT decreased JH and reduced LdNAT1 expression. Moreover, 20E and an ecdysteroid agonist halofenozide repressed LdNAT1 expression, whereas a decrease in 20E by RNAi of an ecdysteroidogenesis gene LdSHD and disruption of 20E signaling by knockdown of LdE75 and LdFTZ-F1 activated LdNAT1 expression. Thus, LdNAT1 responded to both 20E and JH. Moreover, knockdown of LdNAT1 reduced the contents of cysteine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine and serine in the larval bodies and increased the contents of these amino acids in the larval feces. Furthermore, RNAi of LdNAT1 inhibited insulin/target of rapamycin pathway, lowered 20E and JH titers, reduced 20E and JH signaling, retarded larval growth and impaired pupation. These data showed that LdNAT1 was involved in the absorption of several neutral amino acids critical for larval growth and metamorphosis.

Fractionation of Amino Acids and Fatty Acids of Fresh Local and Frozen Imported Chicken Meat

Sixty random samples of fresh local and frozen imported chicken meat (30 of each) were collected forfractionation of amino and fatty acids. The results showed that the fresh local chicken meat had thehighest content of Histidine (3.27 %), Isoleucine (4.81%), Leucine (7.63%), Lysine (9.08%),Phenylalanine (4.32%), Methionine (2.56%), Threonine (3.91%), Tryptophan (0.35%), Glycine (4.75%)and Valine (4.74%). In the same time, the frozen imported chicken meat had the highest content ofAlanine (5.76%), Arginine (6.28%), Aspartic acid (9.02%), Glutamic acid (16.24%), Serine (4.17%)and Tyrosine (3.43%). Total Mono-Unsaturated Fatty acids in the examined fresh local and frozenimported chicken meat samples were (1996 and 1749 mg/100 g fat), total poly-unsaturated fatty acidswere (976and 910 mg/100 g fat), and total saturated fatty acids were (1657 and 1892 mg/100 g fat),respectively. Finally, the fresh local chicken meat had a higher nutritive value and lower shelf-life thanthe frozen imported chicken meat.

Quality Characteristics and Composition of the Longissimus Muscle from Entire and Castrate Elk in Korea.

The objective of the research was to determine the chemical composition as well as the physicochemical properties of the longissimus muscle from Korean entire and castrate elk. Twelve elk stags were raised and fed on concentrate with ad libitum hay. All animals were equally divided into castrated and non-castrated (entire) males, and slaughtered at 5 year of age. It was found that entire elk, in comparison with castrate elk, had higher content of moisture and lower content of fat (p<0.05). Compared with entire males, the castrates had lower pH and shear force values (p<0.05). However, castrates had higher L*, a*, and b* values compared with entires (p<0.05). An analysis of the fatty acid profile revealed that the muscles of entire and castrate elk had the most abundant concentrations of the following fatty acids: palmitic acid (C16:0) of the saturated fatty acid, and oleic acid (C18:1n-9) of the unsaturated fatty acid. The entire elk contains higher proportions of linoleic acid (C18:3n6), eicosenoic acid (C20:1n9), and arachidonic acid (C20:4n6) (p<0.05). Cholesterol content in elk was not affected by castration. The predominant free amino acid was glutamic acid related to umami taste. It is apparent that the castrate animals carried higher content of histidine, isoleucine, and leucine than those of the entire group (p<0.05). In this study, it was concluded that venison quality of elk is affected by castration and these results can provide fundamental information for venison production.

Chemical composition and nutritive value of hot pepper seed (Capsicum annuum) grown in Northeast Region of China

Chemical composition and nutritive value of hot pepper seeds (Capsicum annuum) grown in Northeast Region of China were investigated. The proximate analysis showed that moisture, ash, crude fat, crude protein and total dietary fiber contents were 4.48, 4.94, 23.65, 21.29 and 38.76 g/100 g, respectively. The main amino acids were glutamic acid and aspartic acid (above 2 g/100 g), followed by histidine, phenylalanine, lysine, arginine, cysteine, leucine, tryptophan, serine, glycine, methionine, threonine and tyrosine (0.8-2 g/100 g). The contents of proline, alanine, valine and isoleucine were less than 0.8 g/100 g. The fatty acid profile showed that linoleic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid and linolenic acid (above 0.55 g/100 g) as the most abundant fatty acids followed lauric acid, arachidic acid, gondoic acid and behenic acid (0.03-0.15 g/100 g). Analyses of mineral content indicated that the most abundant mineral was potassium, followed by magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, sodium and manganese. The nutritional composition of hot pepper seeds suggested that they could be regarded as good sources of food ingredients and as new sources of edible oils.

Assessment of the nutrient contents of broiler starter and finisher diets in Nigeria

The study was conducted to assess the proximate composition and amino acid profiles of six (6) commercial broiler starter and finisher diets. Four samples of each feed type were procured from different feed vendors within Abuja metropolis and subjected to proximate and amino acid analyses. The dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, crude fat and ash contents of broiler starter and finisher diets were observed to be within the levels of 92.2 – 94.4%, 21.5-24.6%, 4.0 – 8.7%, 5.5 – 8.7% and 7.9 – 12.0% and 91.64-94.38%, 19.06-22.63%, 4.41-8.77%, 5.37-8.41% and 7.87-11.25%, respectively, and were within the ranges quoted on the labels of the feeds analyzed. The results also showed that there was no significant (P>0.05) difference in the crude protein (4), arginine, methionine, isoleucine, threonine and valine contents of the broiler starter diets compared with the vatusin the nutrient tables of NRC., Except for methionine+cystein which was lower (P 0.05), leucine, valine, phenylalaline+thyrocine and glycine+serine values of the test finisher diets were significantly (P<0.05) different from NRC recommendation for broilers aged 3-6 weeks. Except for arginine, isoleucine and threonine which were similar (P<0.05) to NRC requirement table for broilers aged 6-8 weeks, CP and the other amino acid vatus of the test finisher diets were higher (P<0.05). Although, estimated chemical scores of analyzed diets revealed a generally high trend, methionine plus cystine appeared limiting in the broiler starter diets compared with recommended levels for birds aged 1-3 weeks; threonine, valine or isoeucine may be limiting in some broiler finisher diets when compared with requirement for broilers aged 3-6 weeks. Keywords : Broiler starter, broiler finisher, finished feeds, proximate composition, amino acid profile

Effect of Boron Foliar Application on Yield and Quality of Some Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Cultivars

This study was carried out in the greenhouse of the National Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt, in order to investigate the effect of foliar application of boron (0, 300 and 600 ppm B) as boric acid (H3BO3, 17% B) on the yield and yield components and also the seed quality of two sunflower cultivars (Sakha-53 and Giza-102). B application at a rate of 600 ppm produced the highest values of seed yield/plant (g), head diameter (cm), number of seeds/head, weight of 1,000 seed (g), percentage of oil (%) and oil yield/plant (g) of both cultivars. Seed yield/plant increased by 26.85% and 34.81% with increasing B concentration from 300 ppm and 600 ppm as compared to control plants, respectively. The results indicated that application of 300 ppm B resulted in an increase of palmitic, stearic and oleic acids as compared to the treatment with 600 ppm B and control plants. However, the linoleic acid increased gradually with increasing B up to 600 ppm. Such increases were estimated by 8.72% and 7.19% over the control plants or the treatment sprayed with 300 ppm B, respectively. The highest oleic and linoleic acids percentages (52.71% and 36.05%, respectively) were obtained from Sakha-53 cultivar with 300 ppm B foliar application, while the lowest lenolenic acid percentage (2.01%) was obtained at 600 ppm B. The highest content of gluatmine, isoleucine and arginine (9.61, 3.97 and 3.97 mg/100 g dry weight) was obtained from Sakha-53 cultivar, followed by Giza-102 at a rate of 600 ppm foliar application of B. It can be concluded that B plays a vital role for increasing the productivity and quality of sunflower plants, especially when grown under B deficient soil.