Aspartic Acid Content Research Articles

Effect of aspartic and glutamic acids spraying on growth and yield of chili pepper plant (Capsicum annuum L.)

The experiment was conducted in fields of College of Agriculture, University of Al-Muthanna, during the agricultural season 2021, to study the effect of spraying three concentrations of aspartic acid (0, 75 and 150 mg.L-1) and three concentrations of glutamic acid (0, 75 and 150 mg.L-1) on growth and yield of capsicum (chili pepper) plant (Capsicum annuum L.). The experiment was carried out within the factorial trial system according to a Randomized Complete Block Design (R.C.B.D) with three replications, the mean were compared by using L.S.D. at levels of singnificance. Results of the study showed that the capsicum plants that have been sprayed with aspartic acid at a concentration (150 mg.L-1) significantly superior in plant height, number of main branches , number of leaves , number of fruits and fruits yield (49.62 cm, 4.0 branch.plant-1, 143.5 leaf.plant-1 , 11.10 fruit.plant-1 and 0.330 Kg.plant-1) respectively . Results also showed the significant effect of glutamic acid spraying at a concentration (150 mg .L-1), which gave highest rates in plant height, number of main branches , number of leaves , number of fruits and fruits yield (53.21 cm, 4.22 branch.plant-1, 136.5 leaf.plant-1 , 11.4 fruit.plant-1 and 0.316 Kg.plant-1) respectively .

Resveratrol and Aspartic acid Contents and Antiadipogenic Effect of Peanut and Peanut Sprout Extracts

Resveratrol and Aspartic acid Contents and Antiadipogenic Effect of Peanut and Peanut Sprout Extracts

Amino Acid Profile and Vitamin C Content of Selected Condiments Used as Thickeners in Soup Preparation

Aim: This study aimed to analyze the amino acid profile and determine the vitamin C content of the condiments named Detarium microcarpum (DM), Cissus populnea (CP), Grewia mollis (GW) and Parkia biglobosa (PB).
 Study Design: The condiments obtained from Gwagwa market, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja were used for this study to analyze and determine the amino acid profile and vitamin C content.
 Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted in Abuja, Nigeria at the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Quality Control, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development [NIPRD], from February 2020 to September 2020.
 Methodology: The amino acid profile of the condiments was analyzed using methods described by (Maria et al., 2004). The samples were dried to constant weight, defatted, hydrolyzed, evaporated in a rotary evaporator and loaded into the Applied Biosystems PTH Amino Acid Analyzer while the Ascorbic acid content of the condiments was determined by titration method.
 Result: The result indicated that non- essential amino acids are higher in concentration in all the samples (PB - 33.77, DM - 27.51, GM - 18.21 and CO - 25.86) compared to the essential amino acids (PB -27.16, DM - 19.46, GM - 1 6.47 and CO - 22.38) and semi-essential amino acid (PB - 22.22, DM - 16.59, GM - 9.64, CO - 14.01). Among the essential amino acids, leucine is the predominant acid, while glutamic, aspartic acids were found to be the major non-essential amino acids in the samples. High concentrations of aspartic acid, glutamic acid valine, alanine and leucine predominate in all the samples analyzed. The sample Parkia biglobosa has the highest concentration of vitamin C with 0.3 mg/L followed by Detarium Microcarpum 0.18 mg/L, Grewia Mollis 0.12 mg/L and Cissus populnea 0.11 mg/L.
 Conclusion: Results indicate that these condiments contained amino acids in appropriate quantities that can serve as supplementary potential sources of essential amino acids to man and appreciable amount of vitamin C.

Variability and relationship of six Indonesian shallots (Allium cepa var. ascalonicum) cultivars based on amino acid profiles and fried shallot’s sensory characteristics

Abstract. Yofananda O, Sobir, Wijaya CH, Lioe HN. 2021. Variability and relationship of six Indonesian shallots (Allium cepa var. ascalonicum) cultivars based on amino acid profiles and fried shallot’s sensory characteristics. Biodiversitas 22: 3327-3332. Shallot is an essential spice in the daily menu and processed food due to its unique flavor. Therefore information regarding the correlated compounds responsible for flavor in several cultivars of shallot will be important to elucidate. Since the amino acids profile is a key component of flavor character, this study aimed to determine the variability of amino acid profiles among six shallot cultivars related to fried shallot’s sensory characteristics. The six shallot cultivars were Bima Brebes, Bauji, Batu Ijo, Tajuk, Super Philip, and Rubaru. The shallot bulb was cultivated in the same area. The bulb size was analyzed using an analytical balance, the amino acids profile was analyzed using HPLC instrument, and sensory characteristics of fried shallots were analyzed using the rate-all-that-apply descriptive method. The result showed that the shallots contained a high content of glutamic acid, arginine, and aspartic acid. Based on fresh weight, Batu Ijo was significantly different than the other cultivars which comprised Tajuk, Rubaru, Bauji, Super Philip and Bima Brebes. Clustering based on amino acid profiles of the fresh bulb, they were divided into three groups. The first group consisted only Bauji, and the second group consisted of Rubaru, Batu Ijo, Super Philip and Tajuk, the third group was only Bima Brebes. Based on the sensory characteristics of fried shallots, they were divided into three groups. The first group comprised of Bauji and Tajuk, the second group comprised of Rubaru alone, and the third group comprised of Batu Ijo, Super Philip, and Bima Brebes. The Pearson correlation analysis showed that L-phenylalanine, L-arginine, and glycine have a significant positive correlation with a sweet taste of fried shallot, indicated that amino acids profile is an important parameter for shallot flavor.

Effects of Coated Cysteamine on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Weaned Pigs.

Simple SummaryOxidative stress and inflammation are common problems in livestock and poultry production, and have a serious impact on animal welfare and profitability. Finding an effective way to deal with oxidative stress and inflammation is an urgent problem for the modern pig industry. Cysteamine has been shown to play a crucial role in the growth performance, digestive metabolism, immune function, and fecundity of animals. In this study, we found that dietary supplementation of coated cysteamine could enhance the level of immunoglobulin and the expression of intestinal immune factors in the weaned pigs induced by diquat. It is proved that dietary supplementation with coated cysteamine can improve the intestine barrier function and immune function.This study aimed to explore the effects of dietary coated cysteamine on oxidative stress and inflammation in diquat-induced weaning pigs. Twenty-four pigs were randomly assigned to three dietary groups with eight replicates: the control (fed base diet), diquat (fed base diet), and coated cysteamine + diquat groups (fed 80 mg/kg cysteamine). The experiment was conducted for 21 d, and consisted of a pre-starter period (14 d) and a starter period (7 d). Coated cysteamine treatment significantly increased (p < 0.05) the final weight and average daily gain (ADG) in pigs. The contents of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), immunoglobulin G (IgG), serine (Ser), and isoleucine (Ile) were elevated (p < 0.05) while the contents of albumin (ALB) and aspartic acid (Asp) were reduced (p < 0.05) in the serum after coated cysteamine supplementation. Coated cysteamine supplementation resulted in greater (p < 0.05) serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, the expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10) mRNA in the colon, and the CuSOD mRNA expression in the jejunum (p < 0.05) and colon (p = 0.073). Coated cysteamine supplementation showed an increasing trend in villus height (p = 0.060), villus height/crypt depth (V/C) (p = 0.056), the expression levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) mRNA (p = 0.061), and Occludin mRNA (p = 0.074) in the jejunum. In summary, dietary supplementation with coated cysteamine improves the intestinal barrier function of the jejunum by increasing the immunoglobulin content and the relative expression of intestinal immune factor mRNA in pigs while alleviating oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions caused by diquat.

Distribution of free amino acids and mRNA expression of their corresponding transporters in the intestinal mucosa of goats feeding on a corn grain versus corn gluten diet.

Intestinal amino acid (AA) chemosensing has been implicated in the regulation of AA absorption, nitrogen metabolism and hormone release, thereby playing an indispensable role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis in mammals. The objective of this experiment was to study the distribution of free AA and the expression of AA transporting related genes along the small and large intestines of Liuyang black goats, together with the effects of dietary corn grain replaced by dietary corn gluten feed (CGF). The CGF replacement did not alter (P > 0.05) AA profiles and the expression of AA transporting related genes in the intestinal mucosa. Intriguingly, in terms of gut regions, the concentrations of aspartic acid and glutamic acid in the mucosa of ileum were remarkably less (P < 0.001) than those in the large intestine. Moreover, the concentrations of most cationic and neutral AAs shared the same distribution pattern, with the jejunum and ileum holding the greatest and least levels (P < 0.05), respectively. It was notable that the expression of both anionic and cationic AA transporters in the small intestine was exceedingly greater (P < 0.001) than those in the large intestine. As for transporters of neutral AA, system ASC, L, and A showed an extremely distinctive expression pattern. The jejunum would be the primary site of transporting AA, while CGF substitution does not exert a disadvantageous influence on the AA chemosensing systems of the first-pass metabolism. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Pharmacokinetic Properties of the Novel Synthetic Cannabinoid 5F-APINAC and Its Influence on Metabolites Associated with Neurotransmission in Rabbit Plasma.

The strong psychoactive effects of synthetic cannabinoids raise the need for the deeper studying of their neurometabolic effects. The pharmacokinetic properties of 5F-APINAC and its influence on metabolomics profiles associated with neurotransmission were investigated in rabbit plasma. Twelve rabbits divided into three groups received 1-mL 5F-APINAC at 0.1, 1 and 2 mg/kg. The intervention groups were compared with the controls. Sampling was performed at nine time points (0–24 h). Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was used. The pharmacokinetics were dose-dependent (higher curve at a higher dose) with a rapid biotransformation, followed by gradual elimination within 24 h. The tryptophan concentrations abruptly decreased (p < 0.05) in all tested groups, returning to the basal levels after 6 h. 5-hydroxylindole acetic acid increased (p < 0.05) in the controls, but this trend was absent in the treated groups. The aspartic acid concentrations were elevated (p < 0.001) in the treated groups. L-kynurenine was elevated (p < 0.01) in the intervention groups receiving 1 mg/kg to 2 mg/kg. Dose-dependent elevations (p < 0.01) were found for kynurenic acid, xanthurenic acid and quinolinic acid (p < 0.01), whereas the anthranilic acid trends were decreased (p < 0.01). The indole-3-propionic acid and indole-3-carboxaldehyde trends were elevated (p < 0.05), whereas the indole-3-lactic acid trajectories were decreased (p < 0.01) in the intervention groups. 5F-APINAC administration had a rapid biotransformation and gradual elimination. The metabolites related to the kynurenine and serotonergic system/serotonin pathways, aspartic acid innervation system and microbial tryptophan catabolism were altered.

Alterations of Amino Acid Concentrations and Photosynthetic Indices in Light Irradiated Arabidopsis thaliana during Phytoextraction

Hyperaccumulation of heavy metals is substantial in some hyperaccumulators; however, few studies have been conducted to reveal the effect of light irradiation on the variations of representative amino acids and photosynthetic indices, which can represent the antioxidant capacity of plants during phytoremediation. The physiochemical responses of Arabidopsis thaliana to Cd stress were compared during six light irradiation treatments. The results of the experiment showed that the stress adaptation of A. thaliana was enhanced in all light irradiation treatments, except for monochromatic blue-light irradiation. The concentrations of glutamic acid and glutamine decreased significantly in pure blue light compared with the other treatments. The decrease in the concentrations of these two amino acids might be induced by an intensive biosynthesis of defensive factors, as manifested in the declined photosynthetic indices. Concentrations of aspartic acid and asparagine involved in the ammonification, absorption, and transportation of nitrogen in vascular plants increased in the red and blue combined irradiation treatments compared with the control, corresponding to the improved photosynthetic capacity of the species. The concentration of proline, which can represent environmental stresses including metal toxicity and excessive light energy, generally increased with an increasing ratio of blue light. This study proposes the key roles of amino acids and photosynthetic indices in light-motivated Cd pollution responses in A. thaliana.

Amino Acid Profile in 18 Patients with Rheumatic Diseases Treated with Glucocorticoids and BCAAs.

The administration of glucocorticoids to patients with rheumatic diseases often results in glucocorticoid-induced myopathy. We previously found that administration of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) to such patients improves the loss of skeletal muscle, however, their individual differences were often observed. The present study, therefore, aims to identify specific parameters associated with BCAA-induced increases in skeletal muscle mass. Eighteen patients with rheumatic diseases treated with prednisolone were randomly assigned to receive additional BCAAs for 12 wk. Serum biochemistry, plasma fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 19 and 21, and plasma and urinary amino acid concentrations were assessed. The relationship between these parameters and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the biceps femoris (slow-twitch muscle) and rectus femoris (fast-twitch muscle) was assessed using computed tomography. BCAA supplementation increased serum levels of creatinine and albumin and decreased ammonia and urinary 3-methylhistidine levels. With or without BCAA supplementation, each plasma amino acid concentration decreased during the study period, but the decrease was lower in patients receiving BCAA. Interestingly, a positive correlation was observed between plasma isoleucine, aspartate, and glutamate concentrations and improvement in the biceps femoris muscle atrophy. Plasma amino acid concentrations in patients with rheumatic diseases treated with glucocorticoids decreased despite tapering the dose of glucocorticoids, with a smaller decrease in the BCAA-treated group. Plasma BCAA, aspartic acid, and glutamate concentrations correlated positively with the rate of improvement in biceps femoris muscle atrophy, suggesting that these amino acids are associated with the BCAA-induced increase in muscle mass.

Amino Acids Composition of Some Wild Edible Mushrooms from Southern Cross River State, Nigeria

Aims: To document the amino acid content of six wild edible mushrooms - Lentinus squarrosulus Mont., Auricularia auricular-judae (Bull.) Wettst., Mycetinis copelandii (Desjardin) A.W. Wilson &amp; Desjardin, Baeospora myosura (Fr.) Singer, Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex. fr) Kummer and Volvariella volvacea (Bull. ex. Fr.) Singer - found in southern Cross River State, Nigeria.&#x0D; Place and duration of study: Department of Plant and Ecological Studies, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, between May 2018 and August 2018.&#x0D; Methodology: The amino acids content of these mushrooms were quantitatively estimated. The samples were obtained and analyzed for amino acids on dry weight basis using standard methods.&#x0D; Results: The amino acid analysis quantitatively estimated the alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, cystine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, Isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, norleucine, phenylalanine, proline, serine; threonine; tryptophan; tyrosine and valine component of the mushroom samples. All the mushrooms studied contained nine essential, five conditionally essential and four non-essential amino acids with glutamic acid as the most predominant (values ranging from 6.66 to 17.26g/100g protein). Cysteine (0.30-0.48g/100g protein) and methionine (0.64-1-1.7g/100g protein) were the lowest in concentration. The concentrations of five of these essential amino acids phenylalanine (3.55 mg/100g protein), valine (3.62 mg/100g protein), threonine (3.39 mg/100g protein), tryptophan (1.58 mg/100g protein), and lysine (3.23 mg/100g protein) in P. ostreatus were significantly (P≤0.05) higher than found in the other mushrooms. For the nonessential and conditionally essential amino acids, the concentrations of arginine (6.02 mg/100g protein), aspartic acid (6.88 mg/100g protein), cysteine (0.48 mg/100g protein), glutamine (17.26 mg/100g protein) and glycine (2.61 mg/100g protein) in P. ostreatus were significantly higher (P≤0.05) than found in the other mushrooms.&#x0D; Conclusion: This information reveals that mushrooms are potential sources of quality protein with substantial proportion of essential amino acids indicating they can play a significant role in the fight against malnutrition.

Epichloë gansuensis Increases the Tolerance of Achnatherum inebrians to Low-P Stress by Modulating Amino Acids Metabolism and Phosphorus Utilization Efficiency.

In the long-term evolutionary process, Achnatherum inebrians and seed-borne endophytic fungi, Epichloë gansuensis, formed a mutually beneficial symbiosis relationship, and Epichloë gansuensis has an important biological role in improving the tolerance of host grasses to abiotic stress. In this work, we first assessed the effects of Epichloë gansuensis on dry weight, the content of C, N, P and metal ions, and metabolic pathway of amino acids, and phosphorus utilization efficiency (PUE) of Achnatherum inebrians at low P stress. Our results showed that the dry weights, the content of alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, glycine, glutamine, glutamic acid, L-asparagine, lysine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, and tryptophan were higher in leaves of Epichloë gansuensis-infected (E+) Achnatherum inebrians than Epichloë gansuensis-uninfected (E−) Achnatherum inebrians at low P stress. Further, Epichloë gansuensis increased C content of roots compared to the root of E− plant at 0.01 mM P and 0.5 mM P; Epichloë gansuensis increased K content of leaves compared to the leaf of E− plant at 0.01 mM P and 0.5 mM P. Epichloë gansuensis reduced Ca content of roots compared to the root of E− plant at 0.01 mM P and 0.5 mM P; Epichloë gansuensis reduced the content of Mg and Fe in leaves compared to the leaf of E− plant at 0.01 mM P and 0.5 mM P. In addition, at low P stress, Epichloë gansuensis most probably influenced aspartate and glutamate metabolism; valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis in leaves; and arginine and proline metabolism; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism in roots. Epichloë gansuensis also affected the content of organic acid and stress-related metabolites at low P stress. In conclusion, Epichloë gansuensis improves Achnatherum inebrians growth at low P stress by regulating the metabolic pathway of amino acids, amino acids content, organic acid content, and increasing PUE.

Effects of rumen-protected methionine and lysine supplementation on milk yields and components, rumen fermentation, and the rumen microbiome in lactating yaks (Bos grunniens)

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of supplementing rumen-protected methionine (RPM) or lysine (RPL) alone or in combination with RPM and RPL (RPML) on milk yield and milk components, rumen fermentation characteristics, and the rumen microbiome in lactating yaks. Thirty-two multiparous lactating yaks with parity (2.13 ± 1.08 lactations), body weight (169 ± 15.0 kg), and milk yield (1.02 ± 0.13 kg/d) were blocked by milk yield and randomly assigned into one of the four treatments: control (CON; basal diet without adding rumen-protected amino acid) and the basal diet supplemented with RPM (50.0 g/d), RPL (66.7 g/d), or RPML (12.5 g/d RPM and 50.0 g/d RPL). The basal diet consisted of 600 g/kg rye hay and 400 g/kg corn-based concentrate. The dry matter intake, lactoferrin concentration, and lactose yield were greater (P < 0.05) in the RPM and RPML groups than those in the CON and RPL groups. Compared to the other three groups, the RPM supplementation increased (P < 0.01) the milk and protein yield. The milk protein content in the RPM group was greater (P < 0.01) than that in the CON and RPML groups. The RPM group had a higher milk content of alanine (P < 0.01) and aspartic acid (P = 0.01) than that in the other three treatments. The RPM group had a lower (P < 0.01) rumen pH and a higher (P = 0.02) valerate proportion than those in the other three treatments, whereas the RPML group had a higher (P = 0.03) rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration than that in the other three treatments. The relative abundances of Proteobacteria (P = 0.01) and Prevotella_1 (P = 0.02) were increased in the RPM and RPML groups, respectively. Operational taxonomic units (OTU) unique to the yaks of RPL and RPML groups belonged mainly to the phylum Bacteroidetes, whereas the majority of OTUs unique to the yaks of the RPM group belonged mainly to the phylum Firmicutes. The relative abundances of Fibrobacter and Selenomonas_1 were positively correlated with milk yield and concentration of propionate, valerate, butyrate, and total volatile fatty acids. The relative abundances of Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, and Erysipelotrichaceae_UCG-004 were positively correlated with the content of milk protein. These results suggest that supplementation of RPM and RPL can affect rumen microbial populations, which in turn affect rumen fermentation and thus, the metabolites available for milk synthesis.

Effects of polar charged amino acids on quantum yield of Tyrosine and Tryptophan

Amino acid fluorescence is of particular interest due to its use in determining structural relationships of proteins. The current research is focused on understanding the role of donating amino acid groups on the natural fluorescence of aromatic amino acids, tyrosine and tryptophan. To do this the percentage volume by volume of two polar amino acids, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid within the vicinity of aromatic amino acids, tyrosine and tryptophan were varied. The fluorescence was then measured, and the quantum yields calculated. The results show that the addition of 3.34 mM (25% vol/vol addition) of either glutamic acid or aspartic acid to a 10.28 mM solution of Tryptophan increased the quantum yield by about the same amount. This increase was significantly greater if both concentrations of glutamic acid and aspartic acid (50% v/v) were combined at the same time. However, using a 25% vol/vol addition of glutamic acid and aspartic acid to tyrosine did not have the same effect on the quantum of tyrosine, with aspartic acid showing a quantum yield increase of 0.178 compared to 0.143 shown by glutamic acid. In addition, the combined effect of both amino acids was not greater. The results indicate that tyrosine emits photons in the presence of either glutamic acid or aspartic acid disproportionally while tryptophan does not. On the other hand, the combined effect of both aspartic acid and glutamic acid causes greater photon emission in tryptophan. These results if proven would suggest that photon emission effect of aromatic aminos is greatly influenced by the concentration and types of amino acids within the vicinity of emitting amino acids.

Effect of Aspartic Acid Intermediate Treatment on Virgin Hair by Permanent Wave

This study attempted to investigate the effects of aspartic acid as an intermediate agent for a permanent wave in virgin hair. According to a test on the improvement of wave formation depending on concentration, the optimum ratio for aspartic acid was 0.75%. Therefore, 0.75% concentration of aspartic acid was used as an intermediate agent for permanent wave formation in an experimental group. The same amount of distilled water was used for a control group, and the results showed the following: In terms of permanent wave efficiency, the experimental group was higher than the control group by 4.0%. When shampooed 30 times, the experimental group remained more efficient than the control group by 4.8%. In other words, the experimental group was better than the control group in terms of wave formation and retention. As for tensile strength, the experimental group was higher than the control group by 3.14% (p<0.05). In terms of elongation, the experimental group was lower than the control group by 6.50% (p<0.05). According to the methylene blue colorimeter, the experimental group was lower than the control group by 67.24% in terms of the degree of damage (p<0.01). When hair was examined, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the experimental group exhibited less damage than the control group in terms of cuticle damage, confirming that aspartic acid is effective in improving cuticle conditions and hair texture. In other words, this study confirmed the possibility of aspartic acid as a permanent wave agent. Keywords: Aspartic acid; Hair cosmetics; Intermediate treatment; Permanent wave; Virgin hair

Disorder of intestinal amino acid pathway in depression-like offspring rats induced by maternal separation.

To investigate the intestinal amino acids pathway in depression-like offspring rats induced by maternal separation. Sprague-Dawley (SD) female rats were randomly divided into a control group (=8) and a maternal separation group (=8). After normal delivery, the maternal rats were separated from offsprings for 14 consecutive days and 3 h per day in maternal separation group; while rats in the control group was received no interventions in postpartum. Depression-like behaviors of offspring rats were evaluated using the sucrose preference test, novelty suppressed feeding test, and forced swimming test. Amino acid analyzer was used to detect the changes of amino acid contents in the small intestine, and the expressions of alanine-serine-cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2), solute carrier superfamily 6 member 19 (BAT1) and L-type amino acid transporter 1(LAT1) were detected by Western blot. The weight of the offspring rats in the maternal separation group was significantly lower than that of the control group at 21 and 28 d (=4.925 and 5.766, all <0.01). Compared with the control group, the percentage of sucrose preference of the offspring rats in the maternal separation group was significantly reduced (=2.709, <0.05), and the feeding latency was significantly prolonged (=-13.431, <0.01). The immobility time in FST of maternal separation group was significantly longer (=-3.616, <0.01).Increased concentration of aspartic acid (=-6.672, <0.01) and down-regulation of glutamine (=3.107, <0.01) and glycine (=9.781, <0.01) were observed in maternal separation group. Western blot analysis revealed that the protein expressions of ASCT2 (=6.734, <0.01) and BAT1 (=9.015, <0.01) in maternal separation group were reduced, while the expression of LAT1 was increased (=-8.942, <0.01). Maternal separation can induce the depression-like behavior in offspring rats; the amino acid contents and the amino acid transporter expression in the small intestine are reduced, which may be related to depression-like behavior induced by maternal separation.

Formulation and in vivo study of the solid effervescent system as a new strategy for oral glutamine delivery

Glutamine (GLN) used as a dietary supplement is practically insoluble in water, which reduces its bioavailability after oral administration. Here, effervescent GLN (EBGLN) was prepared by comminution with an effervescent base (EB) that enhances its water solubility. EB (80 mg/mL) composed of citric acid, tartaric acid, and sodium bicarbonate was used in the ratio 1:2:3. This formulation was characterized in the liquid state (solubility studies, pH, effervescence time, GLN content) and solid-state (size analysis, residual moisture, flow properties studies, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, powder x-ray diffraction, and Fourier transformed infrared Raman spectroscopy). In vivo studies were performed with adult overnight fasted (15 h) rats. The rats were euthanized 30, 60, and 120 min after the oral administration (gavage) of water (vehicle of GLN), EB (vehicle of EBGLN), GLN (glutamine dissolved in water), or EBGLN (GLN dissolved in EB). Blood was collected and the plasma concentrations (nmol/mL) of GLN, glutamic acid, alanine, aspartic acid, asparagine, histidine, serine, arginine, tyrosine, tryptophan, methionine, phenylalanine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine were obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Physicochemical characterizations indicated that EBGLN was present as a physical mixture with lower crystallinity and higher solubility when compared with pure GLN. In vivo experiments demonstrated improved oral GLN bioavailability from EBGLN (500 mg/kg - 30 min and 60 min). Therefore, the solid effervescent system represents a new strategy for oral glutamine delivery with potential clinical relevance.

Dielectric heating‐assisted disinfestation of black gram and its effect on protein profile: A comparative study on radio frequency and microwave heating

AbstractPulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus, is the major pest infesting in the stored legumes. The present study is aimed to evaluate the comparative efficacy of radio frequency (RF) and microwave (MW) heating treatments to eradicate the problem of infestation at all four life stages in blackgram (Vigna mungo). Infested blackgram kernels in a single egg, larvae, pupae, and adult stage were subjected to RF and MW irradiation at 180‐, 190‐, 200‐, and 210‐mm electrode heights for RF and at 365, 295, 250, and 230 W MW power. The lethal time for 99.99% mortality (LT99.99) was found to be 3.62 to 8.23 min for the egg stage, 4.70 to 7.27 min for larvae, and 7.10 to 8.96 min for pupae, and 5.40 to 7.73 min for adults. For MW heating treatment, the time for complete mortality of the single egg stage, larvae, pupae, and adult was found to be in the range of 5.33 to 7.83, 8.28 to 9.82, 8.87 to 10.68, and 8.86 to 10.18 min, respectively. The pupa stage was found to be the most heat tolerant in comparison with other life stages. The MW‐treated blackgram samples depicted a significant decrease in the lysine, aspartic acid, and proline content as compared with RF‐treated samples. This suggests a negative effect of the MW on the amino acids which in turn led to its deterioration. Therefore, the RF heating holds potency to disinfest legumes without affecting the major properties of legumes which was the major drawback of using the MW heating.

Short- and medium-term exposures of diazepam induce metabolomic alterations associated with the serotonergic, dopaminergic, adrenergic and aspartic acid neurotransmitter systems in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos/larvae

IntroductionDiazepam is a well-known psychoactive drug widely used worldwide for the treatment of anxiety, seizures, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, muscle spasms, sleeplessness, agitation, and pre/post-operative sedation. It is part of the benzodiazepine family, substances known to primarily act by binding and enhancing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptors. The objective of the present work was to investigate the influence of short and medium-term diazepam exposures on neurotransmitters measured through targeted metabolomics using a zebrafish embryo model. MethodsShort-term (2.5 h) and medium-term (96 h) exposures to diazepam were performed at drug concentrations of 0.8, 1.6, 16, and 160 μg/L. Intervention groups were compared with a vehicle control group. Each group consisted of 20 zebrafish eggs/larvae. Metabolites related with neurotransmission were determined by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). ResultsThirty-six compounds were quantified. Significantly increased tryptophan and serotonin concentrations were found in the intervention groups receiving higher doses of diazepam in 2.5 h exposure (p < 0.05 control versus intervention groups). Tyrosine concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) at higher concentrations in 2.5 h exposure, but lower (p < 0.05) at higher concentrations in 96 h exposure. Both phenylalanine and aspartic acid concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) at higher doses in 2.5 h and 96 h exposure. ConclusionsShort- and medium-term exposures to diazepam induce dose- and time-dependent metabolomic alterations associated with the serotonergic, dopaminergic/adrenergic, and aspartic acid neurotransmitter systems in zebrafish.

Rapid test for traceability assessment in lemon juice by high-performance liquid chromatography fluorescence

Aims: Fruit juices, especially lemon juice, are the most targeted food goods for adulteration and fraud in Iran. The aim of this study was to investigate the profile and concentration of free primary amino acids as a marker for adulteration in lemon juice. Materials and Methods: Amino acids were determined with high-performance liquid chromatography fluorescence. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were in the range of 0.008–0.01 ng/ml and 0.03 ng/ml, respectively. Results: The method is suitable for distinguishing authentic juices from drinking products that may contain little or no fruit juice. In our study, total amino acid concentration in natural lemon was 13.15 mmol/l and in other brands was in the range of 1.81–14.84 mmol/l. Further, the concentration of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, and serine was more than other amino acids. The findings showed that only brands 1 and 2 were considered similar to natural lemon juice. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the concentration of the first four amino acids can use as a marker to determine lemon juice adulteration.

Supplementation of guanidinoacetic acid and betaine improve growth performance and meat quality of ducks by accelerating energy metabolism

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) and betaine on growth performance, meat quality and metabolism of ducks. A total of 384-one-day-old Cherry Valley meat ducks (55.75 ± 0.55 g) were randomly assigned to four treatments with 6 replicates of 16 ducks. Ducks were fed a basal diet (control) or a test diet supplemented with 0.6 g GAA/kg, 2.0 g betaine/kg, or 0.6 g GAA/kg + 2.0 g betaine/kg. The results showed that compared with the control group, GAA and betaine improved feed conversation ratio from day 1 to 14 and 1 to 35 and body weight at 35 days of age (p < .05). GAA and betaine increased breast muscle percentage while reduced abdominal fat percentage, and drip loss and shear force of breast muscle (p < .05). GAA and betaine lowered free serine, methionine, tryptophan and total amino acid contents in muscles, increased free serine, aspartic acid, phenylalanine and tryptophan contents in plasma (p < .05). There was a synergistic effect on non-esterified fatty acid, lactic acid and uric acid between GAA and betaine. GAA and betaine increased the creatine kinase activity in plasma and creatine and ATP content in breast muscle, decreased the lactate dehydrogenase and L-arginine: glycine amidino transferase activities (p < .05). In conclusion, supplementation of GAA and betaine improved the growth performance and meat quality of ducks by accelerating energy metabolism. There was a synergistic effect on NEFA, LA and UA concentrations in plasma of ducks between GAA and betaine. Highlights Supplementing GAA and betaine improved the growth performance and meat quality of ducks. Adding GAA and betaine accelerated the energy metabolism of ducks. There was a synergistic effect on non-esterified fatty acid, lactic acid and uric acid concentrations in the plasma of ducks between GAA and betaine.