Unsaturated Fatty Acid Content Research Articles

Natural variation in GhKASI_A05 modulates cottonseed oil content in Gossypium hirsutum L

Cotton is of great economic value because of its fiber that is used in natural textile commodities and its seeds that contain an edible oil with a high content of unsaturated fatty acids and biodiesel applications. Here, we reported that GhKASI_A05 was associated with the cottonseed oil content (SOC) in a natural population via candidate gene association analysis. An 11-bp Indel located in the GhKASI_A05 promoter was found to contribute to SOC and differential expression in upland cotton inbred accessions. Interaction analysis showed that GhWRI1, an AP2/EREBP family transcription factor, that reportedly functions in plant seed oil and fatty acids (FAs) accumulation, directly bound to AW-box cis-elements in two haplotypes of the GhKASI_A05 promoter and activated the expression of GhKASI_A05 at different levels. The seed-specific overexpression of GhKASI_A05 resulted in increased seed size, weight, and protein content, and C16:0 and C18:1 contents but reduced SOC. Our results provide new insights into the biological function of GhKASI in SOC and effective strategies for cotton breeding in the future.

The influence of planting density on the oil and fatty acids content of soybean in hydroponic and soil conditions of the Ararat Valley

Background: Plant seed oils are major renewable resources from nature that can be used in multiple applications. Oils and fats are a vital component of human diets. About 1/3 of the daily energy requirements of a healthy diet come from fats. Each branch of the food industry has its own demands for the fatty acid composition of seed oils. High amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids are a requirement of healthy diets. However, food manufacturers need highly saturated fatty acids because they need oil that is resistant to high temperatures and oxidation. Soybean oil is second only behind palm oil as the most commercially abundant plant oil globally. Soybean has been recognized for its agricultural importance and their various positive effects on human health. Objective: to identify the quantitative changes of soybean fatty acids depending on the planting density and growing conditions in the Ararat Valley of Armenia. Methods: Soybean was grown in hydroponic and soil conditions of the Ararat Valley. The seeds were sown in the middle of April. Experiments were carried out in hydroponic equipment and soil with different planting densities (30, 50, 70 and 90 plants/m2). The oil content was measured by using the pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance method. The composition of fatty acids in seed oil was analyzed by chromatographic method on "Chromatec Crystal 5000" GC. Results: Oil content ranged from 19.6% to 24.4% in all variants. The maximum content was registered in soil with 30 plant/m2 planting density. Linoleic acid content ranged from 46.35 to 51.28% of the total fatty acid content, regardless of planting density and growing media. The content of linolenic acid ranged from 4.13 to 5.11% in all variants. The maximum content of ω-3 and the minimal content of ω-9 was recorded in hydroponics at 30 plants/m2 planting density. The highest percentage of stearic acid was observed in the soil variant with a planting density of 30 plants/m2. Interestingly, the variants did not differ in the total content of the 5 main fatty acids (98.84-98.95%). Growing medium had no significant effect on the total saturated fatty acids content; in all variants it ranged from 14.29% to 14.83%. Total unsaturated fatty acids content ranged from 85.2% to 85.7%. The hydroponic variant with a planting density of 30 plants/m2 had the lowest ratio of ω-6 and ω-3 fatty acids (10:1). Conclusion: Planting density and growing media had a significant influence on the content of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Under hydroponic conditions the lowest content of monounsaturated and the highest content of polyunsaturated fatty acids were observed at the lowest planting density (30 plants/m2), which can be used as a functional food for daily consumption. Keywords: Glycine max (L.) Merr., soilless culture, ω-3, ω-6, ω-9, saturated acids.

Nutritional Qualities, Metabolite Contents, and Antioxidant Capacities of Yardlong Beans (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis) of Different Pod and Seed Colors.

Studying the effects of genetic and environmental factors on plant biochemical components helps in selecting the best varieties for the food industry and breeding programs. This study analyzed the nutritional qualities, secondary metabolites, and antioxidant activities of 14 field-grown yardlong beans accessions and how they are affected by differences in pod and seed colors. The analyzed parameters varied significantly among the yardlong bean accessions, with variances ranging from 1.36% in total unsaturated fatty acid content to 51.01% in DPPH• scavenging activity. Accessions YLB4, YLB7, and YLB14 performed the best, showing antioxidant indices of 100.00, 70.10, and 67.88%, respectively. Among these, YLB14 showed a characteristic property, having the highest levels of vitamin C (2.62 mg/g) and omega-6 to omega-3 ratio (2.67). It also had the second highest dietary fiber (21.45%), stearic acid (4.44%), and linoleic acid (40.39%) contents, as well as the lowest thrombogenicity index (0.38). Although cluster and principal component analyses did not clearly separate the yardlong beans based on pod or seed color, analysis of variance revealed that these factors and their interaction had significant effects on total phenol, DPPH• scavenging activity, ABTS•+ scavenging activity, and reducing power. In contrast, the nutritional parameters, except for dietary fiber, were not significantly affected by pod and seed color variations. Therefore, consuming yardlong beans of different pod and seed colors may not affect the overall nutrient intake. In general, this study identified yardlong beans with green pods and black seeds as good sources of antioxidants. Accordingly, further metabolomics and genomics studies are suggested to thoroughly explore their characteristics.

Effect of refrigeration and reheating on the lipid oxidation and volatile compounds in silver carp surimi gels.

As unsaturated and saturated aldehydes, ketones are known to be responsible for off-odors in surimi products, and they are mainly derived from lipid oxidation. Because surimi-based products are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, they are prone to producing off-odors during the refrigeration and reheating processes, which are common treatments for leftovers. The present study investigated the color, lipid oxidation productions, fatty acid profiles and volatile components in surimi gels during refrigeration at 4 °C for 3 days with multiple reheating. The results revealed that the accumulation rate of hydroperoxides was higher in the refrigeration stage, whereas the decomposition rate was higher during reheating in surimi gels. Both refrigeration and reheating treatments promoted conjugated diene values, acid values and carbonyl values. Nevertheless, reheating treatment decreased tohiobarbituric acid reactive substances and whiteness. The contents of unsaturated fatty acids, especially α-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, were reduced, whereas the contents of saturated fatty acids increased during refrigeration and multiple reheating. The unsaturated fatty acids were lost as a result of their oxidative deterioration. The volatile components profile showed that the accumulation of volatile components mainly occurred in the refrigeration stage. Multivariate data analysis was utilized to further clarify whether the off-odors in surimi gels were mainly generated in refrigeration. Refrigeration and reheating both contributed to lipid oxidation and the generation of volatile compounds in surimi gels, but the off-odors were mainly generated during refrigeration. This research provides a novel understanding of the formation of food odors in processing. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Potential uses of silkworm pupae (Bombyx mori L.) in food, feed, and other industries: a systematic review.

The increasing pressures imposed on ecosystems by the growing needs of the human population are stimulus for research into innovative and unconventional sources of raw materials for different industries. This systematic review was carried out to investigate the available literature on the possible industrial uses of silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) pupae, a residue of silk production. The review was conducted using an adapted version of PRISMA. After a screening process, 105 articles were obtained and subjected to a detailed quantitative and qualitative analysis. It was found that in the last decade there has been a significant increase in the number of papers devoted to the study of the potential use of silkworm pupae in different applications, with a significantly higher number in the last three years of the scope of this review, indicating a growing interest in the subject. From the analysis of the information collected, promising uses in human and animal food, such as fish, mammalian, poultry, swine and companion animals, as well as potential uses for the pharmaceutical industry, were identified. The evaluated research identified compounds with antioxidant activity and important contents of unsaturated fatty acids, which are related to beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, diabetes control, reduction of the risk of developing certain types of cancer and inflammatory activity, among other benefits. One of the most relevant findings is that many studies report a significant concentration of α-linolenic acid in silkworm pupae oil, which is attributed with anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-obesity and neuroprotective properties, among others.

Chitosan and its derivatives regulate lactic acid synthesis during milk fermentation.

The influence of chitosan's physicochemical characteristics on the functionality of lactic acid bacteria and the production of lactic acid remains very obscure and contradictory to date. While some studies have shown a stimulatory effect of oligochitosans on the growth of Lactobacillus spp, other studies declare a bactericidal effect of chitosan. The lack and contradiction of knowledge prompted us to study the effect of chitosan on the growth and productivity of L. bulgaricus in the presence of chitosan and its derivatives. We used high molecular weight chitosan (350 kDa) and oligochitosans (25.4 and 45.3 kDa). The experiment was carried out with commercial strain of L. bulgaricus and the low fat skim cow milk powder reconstituted with sterile distilled water. After fermentation, dynamic viscosity, titratable acidity, pH, content of lactic acid, colony forming units, chitosan and oligochitosans radii were measured in the samples. Fermented dairy products were also examined using sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoretic analysis, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and light microscopy. The results of the study showed that when L. bulgaricus was cultured in the presence of 25.4 kDa oligochitosans at concentrations of 0.0025%, 0.005%, 0.0075% and 0.01%, the average rate of LA synthesis over 24 hours was 11.0 × 10-3 mol/L/h, 8.7 × 10-3 mol/L/h, 6.8 × 10-3 mol/L/h, 5.8 × 10-3 mol/L/h, respectively. The 45.3 kDa oligochitosans had a similar effect, while the average rate of lactic acid synthesis in the control sample was only 3.5 × 10-3 mol/L/h. Notably, 350 kDa chitosan did not affect the rate of lactic acid synthesis compared with the control sample. Interestingly, interaction of chitosan with L. bulgaricus led to a slowdown in the synthesis of propanol, an increase in the content of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids, and a change in the composition and content of other secondary metabolites. The quantity of L. bulgaricus in a sample with 0.01% chitosan exceeded their content in the control sample by more than 1,700 times. At the same chitosan concentration, the fermentation process was slowed down, increasing the shelf life of the fermented milk product from 5 to 17 days while maintaining a high content of L. bulgaricus (6.34 × 106 CFU/g).

Chemical composition and nutrient profiles of nine red macroalgae species

Nine red macroalgae (Amphiroa rigida, Gracilaria bursa-pastoris, Gracilaria gracilis, Grateloupia torture, Jania rubens, Laurencia obtusa, Laurencia pyramidalis, Liagora viscida, and Pterocladiella capillaries) were collected from coastal waters of Türkiye, and their proximate, fatty acid, soluble carbohydrate, and mineral profiles were investigated in the present study. According to the results, the crude protein content of the samples was between 4% and 23.8%, and four of the samples (G. turuturu, L. obtusa, L. pyramidalis, and P. capillacea) contained more than 10% protein. The crude lipid content of all the samples was below 1.6%, and the total carbohydrate content was between 38.3% and 76.9%. The macroalgae samples were generally richer in saturated fatty acids, palmitic acid being the most abundant, whereas G. gracilis had the highest content of unsaturated fatty acids (55.8%). All samples exhibited high contents of myo-inositol or glucose. Also, the samples generally had a good composition of minerals. Still, the heavy metal (i.e., Pb and Cd) content of Gracilaria gracilis was higher (59.6 µg/kg, P < 0.05) than those of the other algae samples. This study provides valuable insight into the chemical composition and fatty acid, mineral, and soluble carbohydrate profiles of Amphiroa rigida, Gracilaria bursa-pastoris, Gracilaria gracilis, Grateloupia turuturu, Jania rubens, Laurencia obtusa, Laurencia pyramidalis, Liagora viscida, and Pterocladiella capillacea from Türkiye.Graphical

Enhancement of ultrasonic-assisted and agitation-assisted flaxseed oil extractions: Kinetic modeling and optimization

The flaxseed oil extraction process has been investigated and enhanced by applying Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction (UAE), and Mixer-Assisted Extraction (MAE) methods in this study. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was also utilized to find the optimal values of the extraction parameters. The optimal conditions for UAE were determined to be 42.7 min extraction time, 0.283 mm particle size, and 2.48 W/mL power intensity, achieving the oil yield of 94.56 %. For MAE, the optimal conditions were 54.5 min extraction time, 0.274 mm particle size, 21.1 °C temperature, and 0.74 W/mL agitation intensity, resulting in the oil yield of 96.73 %. RSM showed high reliability with R2 values above 0.99 for both methods. Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) analysis revealed that UAE and MAE resulted in higher unsaturated fatty acids concentrations (85.8 % and 86 %, respectively) compared to CPE (78.2 %). Kinetic studies indicated that UAE and MAE are more efficient in extracting unsaturated fatty acids, with MAE showing the highest double bond content. The Kinetic models demonstrated that extraction kinetics were controlled primarily by solid-phase resistance, with the washing coefficients being significantly higher than the diffusion coefficients. The Perez model calculated diffusion coefficients of 8.03 × 10⁻12 m2/s for UAE and 1.41 × 10⁻11 m2/s for MAE, activation energies of 16.44 kJ/mol for UAE and 15.64 kJ/mol for MAE.

Dietary astaxanthin alleviates negative changes of flesh quality, long chain unsaturated fatty acids content and muscle growth on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) induced by black soldier fly oil via mammalian target of rapamycin and AMP-activated protein kinase α pathway: Evidence of transcripts and proteomics

This study evaluated the effect of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae oil (BO) produced by a novel technique, subcritical butane extraction, on the muscle growth, flesh quality and lipid nutrients of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and investigated the alleviating mechanisms of dietary astaxanthin supplementation. Two hundred and forty fish (215.16 ± 2.30 g) were distributed to three groups with four replicates. Fish were fed three experimental diets for 8 weeks: the control diet (CD diet), total fish oil of the CD diet was replaced with BO to formulate the BO100 diet, and then 1 g/kg astaxanthin was supplemented with the BO100 diet to formulate the AST diet. Results showed that the final body weight and the sarcomere length of fillet were significantly increased and the protein phosphorylation levels of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p70 S6 kinase were enhanced in the BO100 group compared to the CD group (P < 0.05). However, there was a reduction in the hardness, springiness and chewiness of fillets, with a decrease in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels in the fish of the BO100 group (P < 0.05). Supplementation of astaxanthin in the BO100 diet mitigated the impairment of springiness and chewiness and further promoted the sarcomere length of fillet (P < 0.05). Furthermore, dietary astaxanthin partially restored the EPA and DHA content of fillet by increasing the phosphorylation levels of serine/threonine kinase (AKT) and AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) (P < 0.05) and activating the gene expression of unsaturated fatty acid synthesis. To conclude, BO produced by subcritical butane extraction can be a readily available oil source for rainbow trout feed that can be used to promote muscle growth in rainbow trout. Further dietary astaxanthin supplementation can alleviate BO-induced lipid accumulation, restore DHA levels and improve the flesh quality of rainbow trout fillet.

Adaptation of Almond Cultivars in Majorca Island: Agronomical, Productive, and Fruit Quality Characteristics

Almond cultivation has a long-standing tradition on the island of Majorca, traditionally practiced under rainfed conditions. Currently, new plantations are established with irrigation; however, due to present conditions and the impacts of climate change, water availability is limited. The Government of the Balearic Islands permits a maximum water supply of 3000 m3 ha−1 per year for almond cultivation. In this study, a 6-year field trial was conducted to investigate the adaptation of fourteen almond cultivars obtained from different research centers under deficit irrigation practices in the soil and climatic conditions of Majorca Island. The cultivars had a significant effect on trunk cross-sectional area TCSA, cumulative almond in-shell yield, cumulative kernel yield, yield efficiency, and shelling percentage. The ‘Marta’ and ‘Tarraco’ cultivars exhibited the highest TCSA values. Regarding cumulative almond in-shell yield, ‘Glorieta’ and ‘Constantí’ produced the highest yields, whereas the lowest yields were observed in ‘Mardía’ and ‘Tarraco’. In terms of shelling percentage, ‘Ferragnès’ exhibited the highest value. Kernel quality parameters were cultivar-specific. Additionally, oleic acid content was strongly negatively correlated with linoleic acid content. All cultivars exhibited an unsaturated fatty acid content exceeding 90%, with ‘Masbovera’ showing the highest value.

Application of antioxidants in cold plasma treatment of fish oil

As a mild non-thermal treatment technology, cold plasma can lead to lipid oxidation when applied to products with high lipid content. This study focuses on the physical and chemical properties of fish oil with cold plasma treatment and to explore the potential of Curcumin, Tea polyphenols, Vitamin E and β-Carotene in inhibit the oxidation process. Following treatment, the peroxide value and malondialdehyde value of the fish oil significantly increased, while the content of unsaturated fatty acids decreased and the singlet oxygen content rose (p < 0.0 5). However, the introduction of antioxidants during treatment yielded diminished peroxide and malondialdehyde values in the fish oil, thereby effectively curbing the presence of singlet oxygen. Notably, fish oil enriched with vitamin E exhibited the most robust antioxidant activity among the tested compounds. This study offers insights into strategies for enhancing the stability of high-fat foods subjected to cold plasma treatment. Industrial relevanceFish oil has long been essential in the processing of food, pharmaceuticals, and animal feed, making its quality crucial. This study revealed that cold plasma treatment accelerated the oxidation of fish oil; however, the addition of antioxidants effectively mitigated this effect. In industrial settings, cold plasma technology is favored in the food industry for its low-temperature operation and high efficiency in microbial inactivation. Despite these advantages, the reactive species produced during the process can cause lipid peroxidation and alter amino acids in proteins. This research offered critical insights into optimizing process parameters to minimize lipid oxidation. It also lays the groundwork for developing more efficient and safer food processing technologies and offers new approaches to extending the shelf life of fish oil and other lipid-rich foods during cold plasma treatment.

Effects of different thermal methods and degrees on the flavor of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fillets: Fatty acids, volatile flavor and taste compounds

The effects of different thermal processing conditions on the flavor profiles of channel catfish were evaluated in terms of fatty acids, volatile flavor and taste compounds using steaming, boiling, roasting, and microwaving with different degrees. After thermal processing, 72 volatile organic compounds were detected, including 20 hydrocarbons, 5 ketones, 20 aldehydes, 7 heterocyclic compounds, 12 alcohols and others. Meanwhile, the contents of unsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid and linoleic showed a significant decline due to their heat-sensitive properties. With regard to taste compounds, thermal processing contributed to umami amino acids and free nucleotides conversion, with the initial glutamate and IMP contents of 15.87 and 164.91 mg/100 g in raw samples mainly increasing by 2.8–10.3 and 14.4–105.5 mg/100 g in processed ones. Compared to other methods, microwaving had limited effects on flavor compounds, and steaming and roasting had better performance to improve the flavor complexity of channel catfish.

Active components and skin care properties of tea seed oil from Camellia sinensis

In China, many tea seeds, the ripe seeds of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze), are discarded as agricultural waste. Therefore, the tea seed oil that could have been obtained from tea seeds has also been wasted. To fully understand the content and efficacy of the main active ingredients in tea seed oil (TSO), the chemical composition and activity characteristics of TSO in different areas of Guizhou, China were investigated. The results demonstrated that TSO had high content of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and good skincare properties, such as anti-oxidation, anti-ultraviolet, moisturizing, whitening, and bacteriostasis. Furthermore, TSO showed a scavenging effect on reactive oxygen species in mouse fibroblasts cells (L929) and rat cardiomyocytes cells (H9C2). TSO exhibited high biocompatibility and promoted the proliferation and migration of L929. Southwest Guizhou (T4) and southern Guizhou (T6) might be used as high-quality producing areas for cosmetic oil by the weight analysis of each indicator. In summary, as the main producing area of tea in the world, this study helps to alleviate the problem of low oil self-sufficiency in China. The work offers a scientific basis for the in-depth development of TSO, especially in the field of skin care.

High-Density Genetic Map Construction and Quantitative Trait Locus Analysis of Fruit- and Oil-Related Traits in Camellia oleifera Based on Double Digest Restriction Site-Associated DNA Sequencing.

Camellia oleifera, an important tree species and source of edible oil in China, has received significant attention owing to the oil's high unsaturated fatty acid content, which has benefits for human health. However, the mechanisms underlying C. oleifera yield and oil quality are largely unknown. In this study, 180 F1 progenies were obtained from two parents with obvious differences in fruit- and oil-related traits. We constructed a high-density genetic map using a double digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-Seq) strategy in C. oleifera. This map spanned 3327 cM and anchored 2780 markers in 15 linkage groups (LGs), with an average marker interval of 1.20 cM. A total of 221 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with fruit- and oil-related traits were identified across three years' worth of phenotypic data. Nine QTLs were detected simultaneously in at least two different years, located on LG02, LG04, LG05, LG06, and LG11, and explained 8.5-16.6% of the phenotypic variation in the corresponding traits, respectively. Seventeen major QTLs were obtained that explained 13.0-16.6% of the phenotypic variance. Eleven and five flanking SNPs of major QTLs for fruit- and oil-related traits were detected which could be used for marker-assisted selection in C. oleifera breeding programs. Furthermore, 202 potential candidate genes in QTL regions were identified based on the collinearity of the genetic map and the C. oleifera "CON" genome. A potential regulatory network controlling fruit development and oil biosynthesis was constructed to dissect the complex mechanism of oil accumulation. The dissection of these QTLs will facilitate the gene cloning underlying lipid synthesis and increase our understanding in order to enhance C. oleifera oil yield and quality.

Vacuum freeze drying combined with catalytic infrared drying to improve the aroma quality of chives: Potential mechanisms of their formation

This study aimed to investigate the effect of vacuum freeze drying combined with catalytic infrared drying (FD-CIRD) process on aromas, free amino acids, reducing sugars and free fatty acids in chive leaves and stems. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry combined with multivariate data analysis revealed that dipropyl disulfide was the key aroma that distinguished the differences between chive leaves and stems. The key aromas benzeneacetaldehyde, decanal and 1-octen-3-ol enhanced FD-CIRD chive leaves and stems aromas. The free amino acid content was highest at FD-CIRD stage in all samples except for the control (FD), while the reducing sugar content was lowest. The content of unsaturated fatty acids gradually decreased at FD stage and increased at FD-CIRD stage. Additionally, correlation analysis revealed that phenylalanine was a potential precursor of benzacetenealdehyde, oleic and linolenic acids were potential precursors of decanal and 1-octen-3-ol. Therefore, FD-CIRD technique helps to improve the sensory profile of dried chives.

Efficacy of Fe-BC in enhancing growth, photosynthesis, nutrition, and alleviating the toxicity of Cd and Cr in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.): A tool for managing the environment and attaining sustainable agriculture

Soil contamination with cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) pose serious threats to food safety and ecosystem stability. In current study, pristine biochar (BC) and iron-modified biochar (Fe-BC) were prepared, and the potential of BC and Fe-BC to reduce the bioavailability of Cd and Cr in soil, their uptake, toxicity in rapeseed (Brassica napus L) and the mechanisms involved were examined. In a pot experiment varying levels of BC and Fe-BC were applied to Cd and Cr-contaminated soil. The results indicated that soil supplementation with the highest level of Fe-BC (2 %) incremented the dry weights of roots, shoots, and seeds by 65 %, 33 %, and 149 %, respectively. Additionally, Fe-BC (2 %) treated rapeseed plants showed highest increase in photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 emissions, and chlorophyll contents by 43.2 %, 39.5 %, 33.5, 36.9 % and 28 %, respectively. Plants treated with Fe-BC (2 %) showed amplified superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities. The results regarding saturated and unsaturated fatty acid contents of seeds showed that Fe-BC (2 %) treatment exhibited the greatest increase in linolenic acid, oleic acid, erucic acid, and linoleic acid contents, increasing these acids by 21 %, 6.5 %, 53 %, and 14.5 %, respectively. Moreover, Fe-BC (2 %) treated seeds depicted increased oil and protein contents by 14 % and 29 %, respectively. Soil application of Fe-BC (2 %) dramatically decreased Cd and Cr levels in the roots, shoots, and seeds by 21 %, 44 %, 88 %, 16 %, 38 %, and 57 %, respectively. The addition of Fe-BC significantly lowered the concentration of exchangeable (Exc) and bound to carbonate (B-C) fractions of Cd and Cr in the soil, while increasing that of iron-manganese (B-Fe-Mn) bounded and residual (Res) fractions. In conclusion, soil application of the Fe-BC amendment could be used as a sustainable approach to reduce the ecological and environmental risks associated with soils contaminated with Cd and Cr, and ensure safer crop production.

Comparative characterization of fatty acids and volatile substances in Chinese indigenous and hybrid pork in raw, cooked, and reheated states

Fatty acids and volatile substances in hybrid pork (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire; DLY) and four indigenous pork (Guangdong small-ear spotted; hill black; Beijing black, BB; and Qingyu) in raw, cooked, and reheated states were explored. The objectives were to determine odor differences between DLY and indigenous pork and the difference in changes after heating and reheating and to clarify the reasons for these changes. Results revealed that C18:1 and C20:4 fatty acids are the key to distinguishing DLY pork from indigenous pork. After cooking, the greatest decrease was observed in the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids in pork, and after reheating, monounsaturated fatty acids were detected, except in the BB pork. The substances that accounted for the difference between DLY and indigenous pork were 2,3-octadione, hexanal, 1-octen-3-ol, 2-nonanone (after heating), and (Z)-2-nonenal (after reheating). Reheating reduced the content of nonanal, 2,3-octandione, hexanal, and (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, resulting in the deterioration of the aroma. In the DLY pork, the dramatic increase in the (Z)-2-nonenal content may be the key factor. Principal component analysis identified that the difference in aroma between DLY and indigenous pork increased after reheating, but hierarchical cluster analysis showed that regardless of treatment, flavor difference was smaller between DLY and indigenous pork than among indigenous pigs. The analysis results show that differences in fatty acid content and oxidation path in unsaturated fatty acids were the reasons for the difference in aroma and the deterioration of flavor after reheating.

Effects of natural and mechanical drying processes on unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, estradiol, and physicochemical properties of Rana chensinensis ovum

Although Rana chensinensis Ovum (RCO) is enriched with high nutritional value, its quality varies due to the different drying methods used by farmers. This study aims to explore the impact of natural and mechanical drying methods on the nutritional compositions and physicochemical properties of RCO. Five different drying methods were studied, including blast drying (BD), mild breeze light drying (MBLD), natural air drying (NAD), vacuum heat drying (VHD), and vacuum freeze drying (VFD). The quality assessment was based on unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) content, iodine value, estradiol, vitamin E, saponification value, thiobarbituric acid value (TBA), acid value, and antioxidant properties. The results showed that VFD had higher UFA content and lower acid value (139.950 ± 0.397 mg · g−1) and TBA value (0.097 ± 0.003) than others. VFD and NAD had higher iodine values (147.166 ± 1.475 and 146.803 ± 1.209, respectively) than others. There were no significant differences in estradiol, vitamin E, peroxide value and the clearance rates of ABTS+ free radicals and DPPH• free radicals with different drying methods. The findings will provide valuable insights into the industrialization of RCO.Graphical

Sustainable hydrothermal co-carbonization of residues from the vegetable oil industry and sewage sludge: Hydrochar production and liquid fraction valorisation

In this study, the hydrothermal co-carbonization (co-HTC) of residues from the vegetable oil industry (pumpkin oil cake – PC, hemp oil cake – HC) and sewage sludge (SS) was investigated for the first time. The co-HTC was performed at 250 °C and a treatment time of 5 h. The effects of the mass ratio of the feedstocks (1:1, 1:3 and 3:1) on the properties of the HTC products were investigated using various analytical methods (NMR, XRD, 3D-EEM, FTIR, etc.).The co-HTC of SS with oil cakes resulted in improved fuel properties of the hydrochar and an increase in C content from 36.9 to 53.7 wt%, and an increase in the higher heating value (HHV) from 14.8 to 23.6 MJ/kg. The combination with HC gave hydrochars with a higher HHV and higher C content than the combination with PC. The hydrochar yield varied in the range of 39.4–55.3 wt%. NMR analysis revealed a higher proportion of aliphatic (∼60 %) than aromatic compounds (∼35 %) in the hydrochars, as well as a high content of orthophosphate and unsaturated fatty acids. The liquid fractions were rich in nutrients and organic compounds, but toxic to aquatic organisms. The hydrochars and liquid fractions performed well in the germination test with plant species.

Transcriptome analysis reveals the synergistic involvement of MGLL and LPIN1 in fatty acid synthesis in broiler pectoral muscles

Fatty acids (FAs) are one of the most important bioactive compounds affecting the quality of meat. In this study, we compared the expression profiles of genes involved in FA production in the breast muscle of Jingxing Yellow chickens at different days of age determined by transcriptomic analysis to identify key genes and pathways regulating the FA composition of the breast muscle. Through clustering analysis of gene expression data, the growth process of broiler chickens can be divided into two stages, namely the growth and development stage at the 35th and 63rd days of age (D35, D63), and the mature stage at the 119th day of age (D119). The content of some important unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), such as C18:2n6c, C20:4n6, and C22:6n3, in the pectoral muscles, differed significantly between these two stages (p < 0.05). Therefore, we compared the gene expression profiles at D35 and D63 with those at D119, and identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The gene modules related to the five UFAs with significant changes were identified by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and then 150 crossover genes were identified by crossover analysis of the detected DEGs and WGCNA. The results of the pathway enrichment analysis revealed the glycerolipid metabolism pathway related to lipid metabolism, in which the MGLL and LPIN1 genes were particularly enriched. In this study, the expression levels of MGLL and LPIN1 showed an increasing trend during the growth process of broilers, with a negative regulatory effect on the significantly reduced content of C18:2n6c in the pectoral muscle, and a positive regulatory effect on the significantly increased content of C20:4n6. These findings indicated that MGLL and LPIN1 synergistically promote the deposition of FAs, which may further promote the conversion of linoleic acid (C18:2n6c) to arachidonic acid (C20:4n6). Therefore, screening and identifying FA production-related functional genes are key to elucidate the regulatory molecular mechanism of production of FAs in chicken muscle, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for improving chicken meat quality.