Lipid Content Research Articles

Integrated Lipidomic and transcriptomics to explore the effects of ethyl acetate extract of Herpetospermum pedunculosum on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevanceHerpetospermum pedunculosum (Ser.) C.B. Clarke (HP), a traditional Tibetan medicine used to treat hepatobiliary diseases, was confirmed that lignans-enriched ethyl acetate extract of HP (EAHP) could alleviate the hepatic injury by modern pharmacological evidence. However, the effects and potential mechanisms of EAHP against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are still unknown. Aim of the studyTo reveal the effects of EAHP on NAFLD and explore the potential mechanisms from the perspective of lipidomics and transcriptomics. Materials and methodsUPLC‒Q–TOF‒MS analysis was carried out to investigate the chemical components of EAHP. A Choline-deficient, L-amino acid defined, high fat diet (CDAHFD) was used to establish a NAFLD mouse model. The anti-NAFLD effects of various dosages of EAHP were evaluated by biochemical indexes and histological analysis. Hepatic lipidomic and transcriptomic analysis and multiple bioinformatics methods were used to screen biomarkers and signaling pathways. The levels of the corresponding genes were verified by qPCR. Results36 kinds of compounds were identified by UPLC‒Q–TOF‒MS analysis. Oral treatment with EAHP significantly decrease the liver index and the levels of ALT and AST in the serum. The measurements lipid content and Oil Red O staining results suggested that EAHP ameliorated lipid metabolism disorders by reducing the content of TG and LDL-C, increasing HDL-C in the liver. H&E staining and ELISA revealed that EAHP restored hepatic inflammatory infiltration and decrease the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and increase IL-10 in the serum. Lipidomic analysis showed that EAHP could regulate CDAHFD-induced lipid metabolic disorder. The different lipid metabolites included TG, phosphatidyl choline (PC), diacylglycerol (DG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI), ceramide (Cer). Transcriptomic analysis revealed that Bmp8b, Nbl1, Rgma, Sphk1, Thbs1, and Ugt8a were important regulators, which were associated with TGF-β signaling pathway and sphingolipid metabolism. The expressions of above genes detected by were qPCR consistent with transcriptomic data. ConclusionsThe ameliorative effects of EAHP on NAFLD are potentially attributable to the regulation of sphingolipid metabolism and TGF-β signaling pathway, etc., which results in abnormal hepatic lipid metabolism and inflammatory response.

Cadmium-induced fetal erythropoiesis disturbances in mice

Maternal anemia has been identified as a contributing factor to adverse reproductive outcomes associated with cadmium (Cd) exposure, a common heavy metal. Our recent findings suggest that inhibited erythroid differentiation and enucleation also play significant roles in the direct embryonic toxicity resulting from maternal Cd exposure. However, the effects of Cd exposure on lipid metabolism remodeling, which is essential for physiological erythropoiesis, remain poorly understood. In the present study, pregnant mice were administered low doses of CdCl2 via oral exposure from early to late gestation to mitigate Cd-induced maternal anemia. Compared to vehicle-treated controls, embryos from Cd-treated mice exhibited a slight decrease in weight, though without signs of atrophy. Consistent with our previous observations, fetal livers from Cd-exposed embryos demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of erythroid differentiation, as confirmed by ex vivo analysis. Notably, an intrinsic decrease in lipid peroxidation during erythroid differentiation was observed in the bone marrow and fetal livers of vehicle-treated mice, attributed to diminished lipid content. In contrast, this decrease in lipid peroxidation was absent in fetal liver erythroblasts from Cd-treated mice, where an increase in lipid peroxidation was instead noted. These findings elucidate a potential mechanism, lipid peroxidation, underlying Cd-induced embryonic toxicity.

MicroRNA-324 mediates bone homeostasis and the regulation of osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation and activity

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) modulate the expression of other RNA molecules. One miRNA can target many transcripts, allowing each miRNA to play key roles in many biological pathways. Defects in bone homeostasis result in the common age-related diseases including osteoporosis. Serum level of miR-324-3p positively correlate with several features of bone maintenance. In contrast here, using in vivo micro-computed tomography and histology, global miR-324-null mice demonstrated increased bone mineral density and both trabecular and cortical thickness, with effect magnitudes increasing with age. The bone marrow of miR-324-null mice had reduced lipid content while TRAP staining revealed a decrease in osteoclasts, with histomorphometry demonstrating an increased rate of bone formation. Ex vivo assays showed that the high bone mass phenotype of miR-324-null mice resulted from both increased osteoblast activity and decreased osteoclastogenesis. RNA-seq analysis of osteoblasts, osteoclasts and bone marrow macrophages and target validation assays identified that the osteoclast fusion regulator Pin1 and the master osteogenic regulator Runx2 were targets of miR-324-5p in osteoclast lineage cells and osteoblasts, respectively. Indeed, in vitro Runx2 overexpression recapitulated the increased osteogenesis and decreased adipogenesis phenotype observed in vivo by the loss of miR-324. Overall, these data demonstrate the importance of miR-324 in bone homeostasis by regulating aspects of both bone formation and remodelling. Elucidation of pathways regulated by miR-324 offer promise for the treatment of bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

Processing of banana mangará: microbiological evaluation and development of preserves and appetizers with a focus on sensory qualities and gastronomic applications

Banana inflorescences, known as mangará, are non-conventional edible plants (NCEP) found in banana cultivation. Despite their nutritional potential, they are underutilized due to rapid oxidation and tannins, which cause unpleasant sensory characteristics. This research aimed to process mangará to maintain its microbiological, physical, and sensory quality for food applications. Initially, mangará was physically characterized and treated to reduce oxidation and tannin taste. Three types of preserves were developed: water-based (WMP), vinegar-based (VMP), and pickle-based (PMP). These preserves underwent physicochemical and microbiological characterization and sensory evaluation by gastronomy professionals. WMP was also used to prepare appetizers (mangará caponata and relish antipasti), subjected to sensory analysis. PMP showed higher titratable acidity, soluble solids, and protein content (2.76 mg; 4.0 ± 0.1 °Brix; 0.45 ± 0.01%). Only VMP and PMP met the pH requirement (below 4.5). All formulations had low lipid content and were microbiologically safe. Microbiological evaluations confirmed the absence of pathogenic bacteria. Colorimetric analysis showed no difference in the b* value between samples. Similar antioxidant activity was observed for VMP (10.01 μmol TE/mL) and PMP (7.87 μmol TE/mL). Sensory evaluation indicated that all samples were accepted, with scores ranging from “slightly liked” to “liked very much”. Mangará caponata was the most preferred appetizer. The study demonstrated the feasibility of processing mangará into microbiologically safe and sensory-pleasing preserves and appetizers, highlighting their potential for innovative culinary uses. Further research should explore processing methods' scalability and preserve long-term stability.

Composite starch/fermented protein emulsion gels for plant-based cheese applications.

This work investigated the effect of incorporating lipids and proteins on the properties of starch-based gels relevant for plant-based cheese analogues. Gels were prepared by first fermenting protein-based emulsions to create primary gels, and subsequently using the water of these primary gels as starch hydration media to produce secondary, starch-based, pea protein-rich composite emulsion gels. Fermentation appeared to increase gel hardness compared to non-fermented protein addition. Compared to natural and crosslinked/acetylated starches, the acid-hydrolysed/acetylated starch produced firmer gels and was selected for further experimentation. Gels were macroscopically homogeneous but microscopically showed lipid coalescence at increasing lipid content (>8%), which was reduced by ultrasonicating the emulsion prior to fermentation. Dry matter content was key in determining textural and rheological properties of the gels, with starch/protein gels of 36% dry matter showing hardness and viscoelastic properties similar to those of the dairy cheese Danbo. However, the composite gels did not melt on increasing temperature up to 80 °C (delta below 20°). Proton dynamics were found to depend on gel properties and lipid addition. Overall, this work contributes towards the development of plant-based cheeses with desired characteristics by increasing their protein content and modulating their properties through fermentation and syneresis.

The evaluation of Starmerella magnoliae X3 as a biodiesel feedstock based on triacylglycerol (TAG) production, lipid productivity, and fatty acid profile under nitrogen limitation and acidic pH conditions.

The effects of four initial culture pH values (3, 4, 5, and 6) and nitrogen limitation on growth, TAG accumulation, lipid production, fatty acid profile, and estimated biodiesel quality of Starmerella magnoliae X3 were investigated. TAG and lipid levels were measured by Nile Red fluorescence and sulfo-phospho-vanilin (SPV) techniques, respectively. The results showed that a combination of nitrogen limitation and acidic pH significantly (p < 0.05) increased TAG accumulation, total lipid contents, and lipid productivity in Starmerella magnoliae X3 compared to the control group. Under nitrogen limitation, the highest TAG accumulation was achieved at initial pHs of 3 and 5 after 72h of cultivation, and the highest lipid productivity (0.306g L-1 d-1) was observed after 48h at pH 3; the major fatty acids at the four pH values were oleic acid (63.6%-64%), palmitoleic acid (11.3%-12.5%), stearic acid (9.7%-11.4%), and palmitic acid (9.4%-10%). In addition, both stresses were associated with lower iodine value and higher cetane number of the biodiesel compared to the control. These findings suggest that cultivation in a low-nitrogen medium at an initial pH of 3 or 5 holds promise in increasing TAG production in Starmerella magnoliae X3.

Effects of gestational diabetes mellitus, parity and mode of delivery on polar lipids compositions of mature human milk

Polar lipids in human milk such as glycerophospholipids, sphingomyelin and plasmalogen play important role in growth and development of healthy infants. This work aims to investigate the effects of gestational diabetic mellitus (GDM), parity, delivery mode on the polar lipids’ compositions of human milk. A total of 56 mature human milk samples (1-6 months postpartum) were collected from breastfeeding mothers using electric breast pump from Ningbo, Zhejiang Province of China. Our results showed GDM and parity have limited effect on polar lipid content and composition. Delivery mode was found to significantly affect the polar lipids compositions in human milk with significantly higher total polar lipids in human milk of mothers who had cesarean delivery (938 nmol/mL) as compared to that of mothers who had vaginal delivery (740 nmol/mL). Discriminatory analysis shows human milk of mothers who have caesarean delivery demonstrated up-regulation of glycerophospholipids (GPL) and plasmalogen (PLG) esterified with unsaturated fatty acids (USFAs) [such as plasmenyl-ethanolamine 40:5 and 36:4].

Production and Evaluation of Peanut Butter Prepared with Peanut Shells

Background:: Innovative application of processing is an emerging trend in food production. Objective:: The present study was conducted to produce peanut butter and evaluate the physical, chemical, and sensory properties of the product, to which the outer shells of peanuts were added in different proportions (5, 10, 15%) to reduce the calories of the product by reducing the fat content in the peanut butter as well as benefiting from the shells as a residue secondary to the peanut seeds. Methods:: The chemical composition of the prepared sample, along with bioactive determination Using HPLC, microbial testing, Aflatoxin content, and sensory evaluation, have been done for the prepared peanut butter using standard methods. Results:: The chemical composition of the peanut outer shell powder was characterized by the highest value of fiber (46.6%), followed by total carbohydrates and protein (23.25%, (12.54%) respectively. The produced peanut butter showed that the total carbohydrate resulted in the highest value (23.25%), followed by fat (42.21) and protein (28.12%). Substitution at 5, 10, and 15% peanut outer shell resulted in a non-significant difference concerning protein. At the same time, the lipid content showed a significant decrease compared to the control. A similar trend was found concerning total carbohydrate-to-fat content. Total fiber increased to 1.5 &amp; 2.08, and 2.6 times as high as the content parallel to dietary fiber, while β-Carotene decreased significantly due to the substitution level. The substitution level decreased energy (cal) by about 203.58, 730.093, 562.86, 545.19, and 526.66, respectively, compared with the control. A slight increase was found in the mineral content due to the substitution, except for the calcium increases at 15%. DPPH and ABTS% increased in parallel with the substitution level, which was in line with total phenols and flavonoids. Flavonoid fraction resulted in nariagin (94.72 QE), the major flavonoid, followed by lutein (82.23 QE). Meanwhile, phenolic compounds were described with pyrogallol (68.31 GAE) (as the main compound, followed by chlorogenic (780.76 GAE). The fatty acid composition showed that oleic and linoleic were predominant in all treatments. Bacterial, yeast, and mold counts appeared after three months of storage (20 ± 2°C). Aflatoxin was not detectable in the sample of the peanut outer shells and peanut butter samples. Sensory characteristics showed approximately the same score for all treatments except that of 15% substitution, which resulted in a significant decrease in all parameters compared with the control. Conclusion:: This study reported that 5%, followed by 10% of peanut outer shells, were the most suitable levels for making peanut butter, improving the nutritional value by increasing the percentage of fiber and antioxidants in peanut shells, leading to better quality products and shelf life.

Validation of an HPLC-CAD method for measuring the lipid content of novel LNP-encapsulated COVID-19 mRNA vaccines

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are frequently employed as mRNA vaccine delivery vehicles. LNPs are made up of four types of lipids: cationic lipid, PEG-lipid conjugate, zwitterionic helper phospholipid, and cholesterol. LNP distribution efficiency is significantly impacted by lipid composition, which also controls LNP stability and bilayer fluidity. The various lipids used in the formulation system have distinct properties and contents. To aid in the development of new drugs and vaccines, we developed and validated an HPLC-CAD method for identifying and determining the amounts of four lipids in Yuxi Watson Biotechnology Co., Ltd.'s LNP-encapsulated COVID-19 mRNA vaccines (OmicronXBB.1.5).

Clostridium carboxidivorans and Rhodosporidium toruloides as a platform for the valorization of carbon dioxide to microbial oils

There is growing scientific interest in oleaginous yeasts producing microbial oils as precursors of biofuels and potential substitutes for fossil fuels. Due to the high cost of substrates commonly metabolised by yeasts, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) are gaining interest as alternative cheap and sustainable carbon sources, which can be obtained from solid, liquid and gas pollutants. In this research, Rhodosporidium toruloides was proven to be able to accumulate microbial oils from VFAs obtained from the fermentation of syngas by Clostridium carboxidivorans. Using CO2 and CO as carbon sources from the syngas mixture and H2 as energy source, this acetogen produced, via the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, a mixture of acetic, butyric and caproic acids. It was first revealed that R. toruloides exhibited minimal inhibition at concentrations below 12 g/L when exposed to a mixture of VFAs, which included acetic, butyric and even hexanoic acids. The yeast was then grown on the culture medium derived from the acetogenic fermentation of syngas. Between the two yeast strains tested of the same species, R. toruloides DSM 4444 reached a total VFAs consumption of 69.1 g/L, supplied by successive additions of acids to the reactor, yielding a maximum lipid content of 29.7% w/w cell. The lipid profile obtained in this case, in terms of abundance followed the order C18:1>C16:0≥C18:0>C18:2>others; in which the dominant compound (C18:1), represented approximately 50% of the total. This research opens new possibilities in the cultivation of oleaginous yeasts for the production of biofuels and bioproducts from C1 gases.

Differentiated texture and lipid-lowering effect of cooked pork belly by different cooking regimes: insights from myofibrillar protein aggregation and dissociation, micromorphology

The effects of traditional flame stewing (TFS), commercial pressure cooking (PC), and sous-vide cooking (SVC) on the texture of pork belly and the underlying mechanism were investigated. SVC treatment at a low temperature (60 °C) achieved weaker oxidation of sulfhydryl groups, lower α-helical loss, higher surface hydrophobicity, and actomyosin dissociation, which reduced the shrinkage of myofibrils and loss of immobilized water, thus contributed to a tender meat. However, the protein aggregation predominated without actomyosin dissociation during PC treatment, causing the toughening of meat. TFS and PC intensified the atrophy of adipocytes and damage of cell membranes, which helped for the softening of adipose tissue and achieved 13.82% and 17.62 % lipid loss, respectively, and contributed to a higher ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids (0.45–0.46) than SVC (0.34). Comparisons showed that TFS was a more suitable method to prepare cooked pork belly with tender and juicy texture, low lipid content, and high ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids. This study offered new insights into how cooking regimes affect the texture and lipid-lowering effects of stewed pork.

Techno-economic analysis of biocrude, biogas, and fertilizer production from microalgae Coelastrella striolata cultivated in agroindustrial wastewater

Coelastrella microalgae have gained attention due to their robustness, high lipid content, effective bioremediation agent, and ability to thrive in diverse environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the economic feasibility of an integrated biorefinery of the unique original Coelastrella striolata var. multistriata strain 047 applied in agro-industrial wastewater, flue gases, and excess energy on a 1.2 ha open raceway pond (ORP). This study consists of three scenarios: (1) biocrude only (BO); (2) biocrude and biogas (BB); and (3) biocrude, biogas, and fertilizer (BBF). The findings indicated that the BB and BBF scenarios enhanced the financial feasibility and potential profitability of investment. This is reflected in the economic feasibility indicators for the BB scenario over a project lifetime of 20 years, which include a net present value (NPV) of $4,757,082, an internal rate of return (IRR) of 25.6%, a profitability index (PI) of 2.77, and a payback period of 3.75 years. Similarly, in the BBF scenario, financial viability is demonstrated with an NPV of $4,714,418, an IRR of 25.2%, a PI of 2.73, and a payback period of 3.79 years. Operational expenditures were identified as the most sensitive aspect of this study, particularly in the hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) process for biocrude production. The utilization of effluent and excess energy from palm oil mill (POM) reduced the operational costs for energy and nutrients by up to 69% compared to the baseline, where palm oil mill effluent (POME) and excess energy were not utilized. Additionally, to achieve optimal results in the BO scenario, increasing the concentration of Coelastrella striolata var. multistriata strain 047 in POME proved to be the most effective approach for increasing biocrude oil production, reducing costs, and increasing economic sustainability.

Canola meal extract as a low-cost substrate in Mortierella alpina culture for the production of arachidonic acid

The demand for high-quality and cost-effective raw materials is growing across various industries. Canola meal (CM), a low-cost by-product of canola processing facilities, boasts an impressive nutritional profile comprising protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, making it a potential candidate for microbial culture media. Saskatchewan leads globally in canola production and plans to expand its canola processing facilities. Commercial valorization of CM could not only optimize the management of this by-product but also offer additional incentives and financial returns to regional canola stakeholders. Efficient utilization of canola meal extract (CME) in producing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as arachidonic acid (ARA), holds promise as valuable ingredients or base chemicals for the food, feed, and nutraceutical industries. This study focused on incorporating pH 10.5 treated alkaline extract (AE) and temperature 160°C treated subcritical extract (SE) of CM into the culture medium of Mortierella alpina, an oleaginous fungus, by replacing conventional yeast extract (YE). Trials investigated the effect of aeration levels ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 vvm and revealed that increasing oxygen supply significantly boosted fungal growth rate and ARA content in biomass up to 0.39 day⁻¹ and 21.86 %, respectively. ARA production correlated positively with biomass accumulation and lipid content. Replacing YE with CME resulted in less significant differences (P < 0.05) in biomass and lipid accumulation. Additionally, AE- and SE-supplemented media exhibited higher ARA accumulation of 144.91 mg/L and 165.8 mg/L, respectively, compared to standard media (124.87 mg/L). Therefore, this study introduces canola meal extract (CME) as a novel nitrogen source in microbial media, with comparative demonstrations showing its efficiency to be similar to that of conventional extracts.

Biochemical and nutritional profiling of selected tropical green seaweeds

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

EFFECT OF COOKING TIME ON BIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF RAFFIA (RAFFIA HOOKERI) HEART CONSUMED AS VEGETABLE IN COTE DIVOIRE

Raffia (Raphia hookeri Mann &amp; Wendl.) heart, a little-known vegetable, is usually eaten after cooking in some regions of the Cote dIvoire. The proximate composition of the fresh state and the effect of cooking time (15, 30 and 45 min) on biochemical parameters were investigated. The results show that fresh raffia heart contains nutrients such as proteins (14.53 ± 0.03 g/100g), lipids (2.60 ± 0.10 g/100g), total sugars (35.61 ± 0.13 g/100g) and phytochemicals, in particular total polyphenols (5.86 ± 0.38 g/100g), flavonoids (0.75 ± 0.20 g/100g) and tannins (1.93 ± 0.9 g/100g). It is also rich in fibre (23.30 ± 0.75 g/100g) and ash (12.60 ± 0.02 g/100g), which contain minerals. Cooking for 15 minutes did not affect the protein content (14.53 ± 0.04 g/100g), but the content of total polyphenols (8.23 ± 0.39 g/100g), lipids (3.60 g/100g) and energy (295.84 ± 3.96 kcal/100g) increased by 28.79%, 2.77% and 0.74% respectively. Conversely, fibre (22.80 ± 0.67 g/100g), flavonoids (0.54 ± 0.10 g/100g) and tannins (1.19 ± 0.13 g/100g) decreased by 2.14%, 28% and 38.34% respectively. Except for lipids, the values of other nutrients decreased after 30 and 45 minutes of cooking. The nutrient values of raffia hearts cooked for 15 minutes are high, which could help to meet the bodys needs. The heart of raffia hookeri traditional food resources is an important source of nutrients. The adoption of a good regeneration and domestication strategy could make Raffia hookeriavailable for large-scale food exploitation and as a source of financial returns.

Ocean conditions influence the quality of recruiting benthic marine invertebrate larvae—Insights from fatty acids

AbstractMany marine benthic invertebrates have a pelagic life stage, during which larvae need to accumulate enough reserves to complete metamorphosis to a settled benthic juvenile. Currently, very little is known about how ocean conditions affect quality of the larvae. We studied this for three settlement seasons (2017–2019) by collecting returning Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) megalopae at the Oregon coast and analyzing them for fatty acid biomarkers. We found that the larvae are omnivorous and have versatile diets. The daily larval abundance was positively correlated with larval quality. Despite the relatively high day‐to‐day variation, we found pronounced seasonal and inter‐annual differences in the body condition (size and total fatty acid content) and biomarker composition of megalopae. Especially, the early season recruits of 2017 had lower content of lipids and polyunsaturated fatty acids known to be beneficial to crustaceans. This is likely related to lingering effects of the eastern Pacific marine heat wave (2014–2016) on pelagic communities. The larvae were rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) with lower levels in benthic juveniles, indicating an ontogenetic diet shift and likely lower availability of DHA and EPA in the benthic environment. The pulsed megalopa recruitment may provide substantial carbon and lipid inputs to the nearshore ecosystem as a form of pelagic subsidy. Our results reveal that ocean conditions may have an effect on the quality of returning larvae, which likely influence their recruitment performance and early juvenile success, and thus potentially also the population size and commercial catch 4 yr later.

Response of the flag leaf for Moroccan bread wheat varieties in the field, highlighting its biochemical composition in its resistance mechanism against yellow rust

This investigation aimed to assess the responsiveness of fourteen Moroccan bread wheat varieties to yellow rust induced by Puccinia striiformis tritici (Pst) in comparison with a susceptible variety ‘Amal’ through natural inoculation in the field, employing a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). A comprehensive evaluation, encompassing 20 variables related to epidemiological, phenological, morphological, and physicochemical parameters, was conducted. In elucidating the role of the leaf in wheat resistance to stripe rust, the mineral and organic composition was scrutinized using sophisticated molecular detection techniques—Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). These two methodologies, recognized for their efficacy, facilitated the measurement of varying concentrations of lipids and carboxylic esters in the epicuticular wax on the adaxial flag leaf. Additionally, the quantity of essential minerals was determined. The outcomes revealed distinct responses among bread wheat varieties to stripe rust, with ‘Faiza’, ‘Bandera’, and ‘Resulton’ demonstrating heightened resistance, manifesting severity values below 15%. Conversely, ‘Amal’ exhibited the lowest level of resistance. Furthermore, lipid concentration reached its pinnacle in ‘Faiza’, ‘Bandera’ and ‘Resulton’ while ‘Amal’ displayed the lowest lipid levels. Severity exhibited a very weak correlation with Zn, weak correlations with Cu, and moderate correlations with Ca and K (p&lt;0.05). This study provides valuable insights guiding future research endeavours aimed at enhancing the genetic traits of these elite cultivars for integration into Morocco’s cereals program.

Nutritional Composition and Effect of Loquat Fruit (Eriobotrya japonica L. var. Navela) on Lipid Metabolism and Liver Steatosis in High-Fat High-Sucrose Diet-Fed Mice.

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica L.) is a popular fruit known for its sweet and slightly tangy flavor, which is widely consumed both fresh and in various processed forms. This study aimed to analyze the biochemical composition of loquat juice and investigate its metabolic benefits in mice fed a high-fat/high-sucrose diet (HFSD). Mice were fed either a standard diet or an HFSD and received or not the loquat juice at 4 or 8 mL/kg body weight for 8 weeks. Body weight, food efficiency ratio, plasma lipoprotein profile, plasma glucose, and lipid indices were monitored throughout the experiment. At the end of the experiment, additional assessments were performed, including lipid content measurements in liver, adipose tissue, bile, and feces; hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase and catalase); hepatic malondialdehyde content; plasma biomarkers of liver injury; liver histology; and organ relative weight. Feeding mice with the HFSD resulted in a significant perturbation in lipid and glucose metabolism, obesity, liver steatosis, and oxidative stress-related enzymes. However, the concomitant administration of loquat juice significantly corrected this imbalance. Fresh loquat juice is low in fat and protein, moderately sugary, and energetically light; however, it is rich in minerals, vitamin C, and various phytochemicals compounds, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and carotenoids. The loquat juice could be considered a functional food and could be valorized through the extraction of active substances and their use as food supplements to prevent lipid metabolism disorders and the resulting health complications.

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

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

Dietary lecithin attenuates adverse effects of high fat diet on growth performance, lipid metabolism, endoplasmic reticulum stress and antioxidant capacity in the intestine of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary lipid and lecithin levels on growth performance, lipid metabolism, endoplasmic reticulum stress and antioxidant capacity in intestinal tissues of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Five experimental diets include the control (10.67 % lipid, normal dietary lipid without extra lecithin addition), 1.0 g/kg lecithin diet with normal dietary lipid level (Lec diet, 10.94 % lipid), high fat diet without extra lecithin addition (HFD, 18.65 % lipid), and HFD supplemented with 1.0 g/kg and 2.0 g/kg lecithin (HFD + Lec1 and HFD + Lec2 diets, respectively). Largemouth bass (initial body weight: 5.39 ± 0.04 g/fish) were fed five diets for 10 weeks. Dietary lecithin alleviated the growth retardation and intestinal damage induced by HFD. HFD-induced increase of whole body and intestinal crude lipid contents and decline of intestinal poly-unsaturated fatty acids content were also alleviated by dietary lecithin addition. Dietary lecithin alleviated the increase of TG content, activities of lipogenic enzymes (G6PD, 6PGD, ME, ICDH and FAS), mRNA expression of lipogenic genes (g6pd, 6pgd, fas, accα, dgat1, dgat2 and srebp1) and protein expression of Srebp1, and downregulation of mRNA expression of lipolytic gene cpt1) and protein expression of Pparα induced by HFD. Lecithin addition mitigated the up-regulation of mRNA expression of lipid absorption genes (fabp2, fatp4, sr-1b and npc1l1), and the down-regulation of mRNA expression of chylomicron assembly- and secretion-relevant genes (mttp and acat2) and proteins (Mttp, Apob and Sar1b), chylomicron components (TG, phosphatidylcholine and apolipoprotein) and MTTP activity induced by HFD. Compared with HFD, HFD + Lec1 diet significantly decreased the mRNA expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress genes (grp94, grp78, calr, chop, ire1α and xbp1) and Grp78 protein expression. Compared with HFD, the activities of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, T-SOD and GPx) and mRNA expression of genes (sod1, cat, gpx1 and nrf2) were significantly increased but MDA content and keap1 mRNA expression were significantly decreased in HFD supplemented with 1.0 g/kg and 2.0 g/kg lecithin. These results indicated that dietary lecithin supplementation increased growth rate, improved lipid metabolism, relieved ER stress, and enhanced antioxidant capacity, thereby alleviating negative effects of HFD on the function and health of intestinal tract of largemouth bass. Statement of relevanceOur results found that dietary addition of lecithin has obvious merits in alleviating negative effects of HFD on the intestinal function and health, which provided good basis for lecithin addition in aquafeeds.