Edible Portion Research Articles

Effect of drying methods on physicochemical quality of dehydrated jackfruit bulbs

Jackfruit bulbs are regarded as an edible portion and have been shown to contain significant amounts of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, carbohydrates, and proteins. The goal of the current research was to find out the effect of drying methods on the physicochemical quality of jackfruit bulbs. The study was done by freeze-drying (FD), cabinet drying (CD), and vacuum drying (VD) for checking the effect of nutritional, physico-chemical, and physical attributes after drying. The phytochemical contents and antioxidant properties of the bulb were analyzed by spectrophotometer and DPPH method respectively. A good amount of carbohydrate content was found in all drying methods, it ranged from 81% to 82%. The total phenolic content (TPC) of FD, CD, and VD dried bulbs was 4.13 ± 0.25 mg, 3.40 ± 0.43 mg and 2.93 ± 0.15 mg GAE/g of dry samples, respectively. Total flavonoid content (TFC) was in the range of 23.52 ± 0.92 mg (FD), 20.30 ± 0.62 mg (CD), and 20.41 ± 0.65 mg (VD) mg QE/100 g of dry samples, whereas the total carotenoid content was 5.60 ± 0.35 mg (FD), 3.61 ± 0.16 mg (CD), and 3.74 ± 0.15 mg (VD) ß-carotene/100 g of dry samples. The antioxidant activity of extracts was 220.22, 194.23, and 131.64 µmole AA/g found in FD, CD, and VD dry samples, respectively. The drying temperatures were revealed to affect characteristics, whereas phytochemical properties, color, texture, rehydration properties, hardness, crispness, and sensory properties gave favorable scores in freeze-dried samples.

Do agronomic approaches aligned to regenerative agriculture improve the micronutrient concentrations of edible portions of crops? A scoping review of evidence.

Regenerative Agriculture (RA) is used to describe nature-based agronomic approaches that aim to build soil health and crop resilience, minimize negative environmental outcomes, and improve farmer livelihoods. A benefit that is increasingly attributed to crops grown under RA practices is improved nutritional content. However, we do not know the extent to which RA influences crop nutritional quality and under what management approaches and context, can such effects be realized. A scoping review of recent literature (Web of Science, 2000-2021) was carried out to assess the evidence that RA approaches improve crop micronutrient quality. Papers included combinations of agronomic approaches that could be defined as Regenerative: "Organic Inputs" including composts and manures, cover crops, crop rotations, crop residues and biochars; "Reduced Tillage", "Intercropping", "Biostimulants" e.g. arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; plant growth promoting bacteria, and "Irrigation", typically deficit-irrigation and alternate wetting and drying. The crop types reviewed were predetermined covering common sources of food and included: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), Rice (Oryza sativa L.), Maize (Zea mays L.), Pulses (Fabaceae), Alliums (Allium spp.), and "other" crop types (30 types). This scoping review supports a potential role for RA approaches in increasing the concentrations of micronutrients in the edible portions of several crop types under specific practices, although this was context specific. For example, rice grown under increased organic inputs showed significant increases in grain zinc (Zn) concentration in 15 out of 16 studies. The vitamin C concentration of tomato fruit increased in ~50% of studies when plants were grown under increased organic inputs, and in 76% of studies when plants were grown under deficit irrigation. Overall, the magnitude and reproducibility of the effects of RA practices on most crop nutritional profiles were difficult to assess due to the diversity of RA approaches, geographical conditions, and the limited number of studies for most crops in each of these categories. Future research with appropriate designs, improved on-farm surveillance and nutritional diagnostics are needed for better understanding the potential role of RA in improving the quality of food, human nutrition, and health.

Characterization of Targeted Phenolic Compounds in Globe Artichoke Heads and Waste from Vegetatively and "Seed"-Propagated Genotypes.

In the globe artichoke, both the edible portion and the waste biomass are recognized as valuable sources of bioactive compounds. For this study, heads with 30 cm-long floral stems including two to three leaves were harvested from five genotypes, which included two traditional vegetative-propagated varietal types ("Brindisino" and "Violetto di Foggia") and three "seed"-propagated hybrids ("Tempo", "Opal", and "Madrigal"). The study aimed to determine the total and individual polyphenolic concentrations (measured spectrophotometrically and using HPLC) and antioxidant activity (AA) in different artichoke parts, namely the "hearts" (H), head waste (HW), stem waste (SW), and leaf waste (LW). "Brindisino" SW exhibited the highest accumulation of luteolin (26,317 mg kg-1 F.W.), while "Tempo" H displayed the highest cynarin content (190 mg kg-1 F.W.). "Tempo" HW and H showed the highest levels of apigenin (640 mg kg-1 F.W.), and the greatest source of chlorogenic acid was found in the HW of "Opal" and the H of "Brindisino" (4300 mg kg-1 F.W.). The hybrids generally exhibited lower total polyphenolic concentrations than the traditional genotypes, particularly evident in the LW. The SW demonstrated the highest concentration of total polyphenols (18,000 mg kg-1 F.W.), followed by the edible H and non-edible HW (12,000 mg kg-1 F.W.), while the LW exhibited the lowest concentration (2000 mg kg-1 F.W.). Interestingly, the AA did not precisely align with the total polyphenolic concentration, showing slight variations between the examined parts and genotypes.

The Effect of Phytase Addition in Promoting Partial Replacement of Soybean Meal with Sesame Seed Meal on the Hematological and Biochemical Criteria of Common Carp Fish Cyprinus carpio L.

The goal of this study is to study the effects of substitution of soybean meal by sesame seed meal in the diet of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L. Fish were fed seven experimental diets that included soybean meal substituted with sesame seed at 25, 35 and 45 percent, respectively, in the second, fourth and sixth diets and phytase (1200 IU\\ Kg) added with the same replacement in the third, fifth and seventh diets, as well as the control diet (first diet). The data analysis of the edible portion of the body demonstrated a significant superiority (P ≤ 0.05) in the dry matter and crude protein criterion for fish fed the phytase-containing ration over the control ration. The high ether extract and proportion of phosphorus deposited in the bodies of fish fed the fourth and seventh diets, but the percentage of ash did not differ significantly from the control diet. Fish fed the third diet had a significant increase in PCV, Hb and TP, whereas fish fed the seven diets had such a significant increase in the value of globulin when compared to the other experimental diets. When fish were fed the seventh diet compared to the control diet, albumin levels were significantly higher, while glucose levels were lower significantly in control compared with the rest of the experimental rations. However, there was no significant difference in cholesterol levels between the different experimental treatments. As fish were given the seventh diet, the percentage of triglycerides increased significantly and the ALT and AST criteria decreased significantly when compared to the control diet.

Nutritional Composition of Hass Avocado Pulp

Avocados (Persea americana) are a unique fruit that can provide health benefits when included in a healthy diet. As health care moves towards precision health and targeted therapies or preventative medicine, it is critical to understand foods and their dietary components. The nutritional composition and plant physiology of the Hass avocado is strikingly different from other fruits. This paper reviews the nutrient and bioactive composition of the edible portion of the Hass avocado (pulp) reported in the literature and from commercial lab analyses of the current market supply of fresh Hass avocados. These results provide comprehensive data on what nutrients and bioactives are in avocado and the quantity of these nutrients. We discuss the reasons for nutrient composition variations and review some potential health benefits of bioactive compounds found in Hass avocados.

Dietary selenium promoted muscle growth (myofiber hypertrophy rather than hyperplasia) by reducing endoplasmic reticulum stress in juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Selenium is an indispensable trace element in animals. Previous findings have shown that selenium deficiency can lead to various muscle diseases. Muscle is the major edible portion of animals and the largest tissue in fish. Therefore, the aim of this experiment was to investigate how dietary selenium affects muscle growth in juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). The 2520 healthy juvenile grass carp (9.76 ± 0.005 g) were randomly assigned to 7 test groups of 6 replicates each and fed graded selenomethionine (SeMet) (0.05, 0.20, 0.40, 0.61, 0.77, and 0.98 mg selenium/kg diet) and sodium selenite (SS) (0.79 mg selenium/kg diet) for 10 weeks. Results showed that optimal dietary selenium levels (0.40 mg/kg) increased growth performance, whole-body and muscle protein content, serum and muscle hormone levels, and selenium status in juvenile grass carp; optimal dietary selenium levels (0.40–0.61 mg/kg) increased the mean diameter of myofibers and the frequency of myofibers with diameter > 50 μm but decreased the frequency of myofibers with diameter < 20 μm, and promoted the expression of genes related to myoblast proliferation and differentiation; optimal dietary selenium levels (0.40–0.61 mg/kg) inhibited mRNA and protein levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes in juvenile grass carp muscle; optimal dietary selenium levels (0.40–0.61 mg/kg) increased muscle protein deposition in juvenile grass carp, which was associated with IGF-1/PI3K/AKT/TOR and IGF-1/PI3K/AKT/FoxO3a signaling pathways. In conclusion, selenium promoted muscle growth associated with myofiber hypertrophy in juvenile grass carp. And selenium-promoted myofiber hypertrophy was associated with inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress, promotion of myoblast proliferation and differentiation, and protein deposition. In addition, the dietary selenium requirement (SeMet as the selenium source) for juvenile grass carp (10–182 g) was 0.51 and 0.56 mg/kg, based on quadratic regression of percent weight gain (PWG) and muscle protein content, respectively.

Effect of Varying Levels of Protein on Growth Performance, Body Indices, Whole Body Proximate and Fatty Acid Composition of White Leg Shrimp, &lt;i&gt;Litopenaeus vannamei&lt;/i&gt;

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of varying levels of protein on growth performance, body indices, proximate and fatty acid composition of white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) juveniles with an average weight of (1.97±0.09) g. Experimental diets containing 30, 35 and 40% protein were prepared and the feeding experiment was carried out for the duration of 45 days. The results of the feeding trial showed that final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG), daily growth co-efficient (DGC) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) increased (p&lt;0.05) significantly in the shrimp fed with diet containing 35% protein. Similarly, better survival was observed in all the treatments. The body indices total weight, edible, non-edible portion, hepato somatic index and muscle ratio was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in shrimp fed with diet containing 35% protein. Whole body composition of post fed animals showed non-significant differences (p&gt;0.05) among the various treatments. The fatty acid composition of whole, edible and non-edible portions showed that 17:0 (Heptadecanoic acid), 18:0 (Octadecanoic acid), 20:4n-6 (Eicosanoic acid) 21:0 (Heneicosanoic acid), 24:0 (Tetracosanoic acid) was higher in edible portion of shrimp fed with 35% protein supplemented diet. Similarly, other fatty acid was higher in whole body and non-edible portions. The results of this experiment infer that 35% protein has got a beneficial effect in the diet of L. vannamei juveniles for improving the various growth parameters.

Effect of Gamma Rays Irradiation to Cipedak Avocado Genetic Diversity

Avocado cv. Cipedak is a superior cultivar that match the preferences of Indonesian consumers. However, it has several weaknesses, such as low edible portion, thin skin, and short fruit shelf life. One effort to improve the character weakness is by mutation breeding using gamma ray irradiation. Induction of mutation by gamma ray irradiation at a dose of 10 Gy was conducted on Cipedak avocado shoots in October 2021 which produced 13 first generation avocado mutants (M1). Observation on leaves morphological characters and DNA analysis were needed to find out the changes level of genetical diversity. The research was conducted in Cukurgondang Research Station and Molecular Laboratory of Indonesian Tropical Fruits Research Institute from January to March 2022. The plant material used involved 13 M1 progenies and cv. Cipedak. The material used were 20 weeks old grafted plants. The observed variables were macro and micromorphological characters as well as DNA-RAPD analysis. The results showed that there were phenotypic and genotypic changes in 13 M1 avocados seedlings. The coefficients of differences on macro and micromorphological characters were up to 33% and 28%, respectively and the coefficient of difference for DNA-RAPD analysis was 74%.

Nutritional characterization and antioxidant properties of various edible portions of Cucurbita maxima: A potential source of nutraceuticals

Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) is a widely grown vegetable in Bangladesh and is known as the sole supplier of various nutrients. Many studies evidence the nutritional value of flesh and seed while peel, flower, and leaves were reported scarcely with limited information. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of flesh, peel, seed, leaves, and flowers of Cucurbita maxima. The seed had a remarkable composition of nutrients and amino acids. Flowers and leaves possessed higher content of minerals, phenols, flavonoids, carotenes, and total antioxidant activity. The order of IC50 value (peel > seed > leaves > flesh > flower) indicates higher DPPH radicals scavenging activity of the flower. Moreover, a significant positive relationship was observed among these phytochemical constituents (TPC, TFC, TCC, TAA) and DPPH radicals scavenging activity. It could be concluded that these five parts of the pumpkin plant have an intense potency to be an exigent component of functional food or medicinal herbs.

Effect of Potash Fertilizer on Vegetative Growth and Pod Yield of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea l.) in Semiarid Region

Groundnut (or peanut, earthnut, monkey nut) is taxonomically classified as Arachis hypogaea and it belongs to family Fabaceae (Leguminosae). In Pakistan, the groundnut is mainly cultivated in rain fed areas, mostly in Punjab, also in some areas of Sindh and North-West Frontier Province. A field experiment was carried out at the Horticultural Research area, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam during the year 2021. Two ground nut cultivarrs (“Golden” and “Bari-2011”) were used and sulphate of potash (SOP) was used @ 60, 80, 100 kg ha-1as treatments. Different growth and yield related parameters were studied in this experiment, such as days to flowering, plant height (cm), canopy width (cm), pods plant-1, kernels plant-1, 100 kernels weight, pod yield ha-1, edible portion (%) and non-edible portion (%). Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used with three replications. Results revealed that the potassium applied @ 80 kg ha-1 significantly affected for canopy width (1213.5 cm), pods plant-1 (52.27), kernels plant-1 (100.99), weight of 100 kernels (58.07 g), pod yield (1590.4 kg ha-1) and edible portion (63.50 %). To compare cultivars, Bari-2011 had superior results for early flowering (28.37 days), plant height (18.68 cm), canopy width (1102.9 cm), pods plant-1 (48.00), kernels plant-1 (94.43), weight of 100 kernels (55.26 g), yield (1543.6 kg ha-1) and edible portion (65.31%) as compared to Golden. The results revealed that potassium application at 80 kg ha-1 produced better results for growth and pod yield related attributes of the groundnut. Whereas, “Bari-2011” responded significantly better for growth and yield related parameters as compared to “Golden”

Effects of Sargassum horneri as a substitute for Undaria pinnatifida in high plant protein diet for juvenile Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus discus, Reeve 1846)

Sargassum horneri is an abundant seaweed causing golden tides on the southwestern coast of South Korea. Undaria pinnatifida is an edible and expensive seaweed conventionally used in abalone diets. The study was conducted to evaluate Sargassum horneri as a substitute for U. pinnatifida in high plant protein diets for juvenile Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus). Dried and ground U. pinnatifida and S. horneri were used for the experiment. Diets were formulated to contain 100 g kg-1 fish meal and 300 g kg-1 seaweed meal. Control diet (SA0) was prepared including 300 g kg-1U. pinnatifida meal. Three other diets were designed to contain 100, 200, and 300 g kg-1S. horneri (SA10, SA20, and SA30) by replacing U. pinnatifida meal from control. Triplicate groups of abalones stored in fifteen plastic baskets were hand-fed one of four experimental diets or dried U. pinnatifida once every other day for 16 weeks. Growth performance of abalone fed SA10 and SA20 diets were comparable to SA0 and U. pinnatifida groups. Hemolymph non-specific immune parameters were significantly higher in SA20 group compared to SA0 and U. pinnatifida groups (p ˂ 0.05). Moisture and lipid levels in edible portions of abalone fed S. horneri diets were significantly higher than in control (p ˂ 0.05). Water stability was higher in SA0 diet and gradually decreased with the increase of S. horneri meal in diets. After air exposure, abalone fed S. horneri diets exhibited higher survival than SA0 and U. pinnatifida groups. Therefore, S. horneri can be used to replace U. pinnatifida from abalone diets. The proper combination of U. pinnatifida and S. horneri meal in abalone diet containing a low level of FM appears to be approximately 100 and 200 g kg-1.

Biometric and gonadosomatic indices and chemical constituents of edible tissues and exoskeletons of Callinectes amnicola and their potential for reuse in the circular economy paradigm

The study investigates some biological indices and chemical compositions of Callinectes amnicola and their potential for reuse in the context of the circular economy paradigm. The total of 322 mixed-sex C. amnicola collected over a period of six months was examined. The morphometric and meristic characteristics were estimated for biometric assessment. The gonads were obtained from the female crabs for gonadosomatic indices. The shell was obtained using the hand removal technique by detaching it from the crab body. The edible and shell portions were processed separately and subjected to chemical analysis. Our findings showed that females had the highest sex ratio across the six months. The slope values (b) for both sexes exhibited negative allometric growth across all months since the slope values obtained were less than 3 (b < 3). The values obtained for Fulton’s condition factor (K) of crabs in all examined months were greater than 1. The edible portion had the highest moisture level at 62.57 ± 2.16% and varied significantly (P < 0.05). The high amount of total ash obtained in the shell sample showed that ash is the main mineral present in crab shells and showed a significant difference (P < 0.05). The shell sample had the highest concentrations of Na and CaCO3. Based on the findings of this study, it was observed that the shell waste contains some essential and transitional minerals (Ca, CaCO3, Na, and Mg) and can be utilized as catalysts in several local and industrial applications, such as pigments, adsorbents, therapeutics, livestock feeds, biomedical industries, liming, fertilization, and so on. Proper valorization of this shell waste should be encouraged rather than discarding it.

Vitamin D Content in Commonly Consumed Mushrooms in Thailand and Its True Retention after Household Cooking.

This study investigated the vitamin D level of nine species of cultivated mushrooms and three species of wild mushrooms commonly consumed in Thailand and the effect of cooking on their vitamin D content. Cultivated mushrooms were obtained from three wholesale markets, while wild mushrooms were collected from three trails in a conservation area. Mushrooms from each source were separated into four groups: raw, boiled, stir-fried, and grilled. Different forms of vitamin D were analyzed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The analyzed method demonstrated good linearity, accuracy, and precision, as well as being low in the limit of detection and limit of quantitation. Results showed that vitamin D2 and ergosterol (provitamin D2) were the major forms of vitamin D found in the mushrooms. Both raw cultivated and wild mushrooms had wide ranging ergosterol contents (7713-17,273 μg/100 g edible portion, EP). Lung oyster mushroom and termite mushroom contained high levels of vitamin D2 (15.88 ± 7.31 and 7.15 ± 0.67 μg/100 g EP, respectively), while other mushroom species had negligible amounts (0.06 to 2.31 μg per 100 g EP). True retention (TR) levels of vitamin D2 after boiling, stir-frying, and grilling were not significantly different (p > 0.05) (with estimated marginal means ± standard error 64.0 ± 2.3%, 58.8 ± 2.3%, and 64.7 ± 3.6% TR, respectively). Consuming cooked lung oyster mushrooms, in particular, along with regular exposure to sunlight should be promoted to reduce the incidence of vitamin D deficiency.

Nutritional composition of some wild edible plants consumed in Southwest Ethiopia

Wild Edible Plants (WEPs), namely Chaw (Solanum nigrum L.), Shutamodoroy (Vigna membranacea A. Rich), Entut (Dioscorea praehensilis Benth.), Gagut (Trilepisium madagascariense D.C.), and Tikawoch (Cleome gynandra L.), are naturally grown WEPs and are consumed by the Meinit cultural community in the Bench Maji zone of southwest Ethiopia. However, their nutritional and anti-nutritional compositions of these WEPs have not been documented. In this regard, the proximate, mineral and anti-nutrient contents of the edible portions of these WEPs were analyzed using standard food analysis methods. The nutritional analysis revealed that the WEPs contain valuable nutrients in the following ranges: protein (4.0–21.7%), fat (0.7–6.1%), fiber (8.9–22.3%), carbohydrates (38.1–83%) and energy (275–371.1 kcal/100 g). These WEPs were also rich in macro and micro minerals such as calcium (3.7–594.8 mg/100 g), potassium (440.6–1487.8 mg/100 g), sodium (174.9–277.4 mg/100 g), magnesium (68.2–588.1 mg/100 g), iron (0.8–38.5 mg/100 g), zinc (2.4–5.9 mg/100 g) and copper (0.1–0.5 mg/100 g). The phytate, condensed tannin, and oxalate content of WEPs varied from 8.6 to 307.3 mg/100 g, 5.8–329.0 mg/100 g, and 43.7–443.9 mg/100 g, respectively. The result indicated that these WEPs are rich sources of nutrients that could help combat nutrient deficiencies, particularly in rural communities. The results of this study can be used as baseline information for the nutraceuticals industry and community-based nutrition practitioners.

Study on the Effect of Different Drying Methods on the Proximate, Nutritional and Mineral Composition of Clarias gariepinus (Catfish)

Aim: This study investigated the effect of modern drying methods on the proximate, nutritional, and mineral composition of Clarias gariepinus in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.&#x0D; Methods: Fresh C. gariepinus were purchased from Mile 3 Market in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Samples were dissected using a sharp knife, intestinal components, and gills were removed and the edible portion was washed properly and rinsed with distilled water. Samples were treated in four groups: fresh, smoking using firewood, electric drying (200oC), and non-electric drying (200oC for 30 minutes) methods. Samples were blended using mortar and pestle into powder and kept in an air-tight container prior to analyses.&#x0D; Results: The proximate composition of C. gariepinus revealed that crude protein concentration was in the following proportions; electric drying method (52.16+0.01%), non-electric drying method (43.40+0.00%), smoking method (32.72+0.00%) and fresh (23.01+0.00%). The lipid content of smoked and electric-dried C. gariepinus was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher compared to the fresh sample. However, there was no significant difference between the lipid content of fresh C. gariepinus sample and non-electric dried sample. The carbohydrate content increased in the smoking and electric drying methods but decreased in the non-electric drying method. The ash content increased only in the smoking method but decreased in both the electric dryer and non-electric dryer methods. Fresh samples had the highest moisture content (74.03+0.00%) while the least was observed in the electric dried sample (38.84+0.00%). The percent anti-nutrient composition of C. gariepinus showed that smoked samples had the highest flavonoid concentration (3.252±0.00%) which was not significantly higher (p&gt;0.05) than the flavonoid content of electric dried C. gariepinus (2.89±0.33). The levels of selected minerals showed varying concentrations of potassium, sodium and calcium for the various processing methods.&#x0D; Conclusion: Modern drying methods had a significant effect on the proximate component, flavonoids, and oxalate composition of C. gariepinus. Electric drying method showed to be a better method of drying Clarias gariepinus compared to other drying methods.

Resveratrol protects against cadmium-induced cerebrum toxicity through modifications of the cytochrome P450 enzyme system in microsomes.

Cadmium (Cd), known as a vital contaminant in the environment, penetrates the blood-brain barrier and accumulates in the cerebrum. Acute toxicosis of Cd, which leads to lethal brain cerebral edema, intracellular accumulation and cellular dysfunction, remains to be illuminated with regard to the exact molecular mechanism of cerebral toxicity. Resveratrol (RES) existing in the edible portions of numerous plants is a simply acquirable and correspondingly less toxic natural compound with neuroprotective potential, which provides some theoretical bases for antagonizing Cd-induced cerebral toxicity. This work was executed to research the protective effects of RES against Cd-induced toxicity in chicken cerebrum. Markedly, these lesions were increased in the Cd group, which also exhibited a thinner cortex, reduced granule cells, vacuolar degeneration, and an enlarged medullary space in the cerebrum. Furthermore, Cd induced CYP450 enzyme metabolism disorders by interfering the nuclear xenobiotic receptor response (NXRs), enabling cerebrum to reduce the ability to metabolize exogenous substances, eventually leading to Cd accumulation. Meanwhile, accumulated Cd promotes the oxidative damage, and synergistically promote the damage of the neurons and glial cells. RES initiated the NXRs (especially for AHR and PXR), decreasing the expression of CYP450 genes, changing the content of CYP450, maintaining CYP450 enzyme normal activities, and exerting antagonistic action against the Cd-induced abnormal response of nuclear receptors. These results suggested that the cerebrum toxicity caused by Cd was reduced by pretreatment with RES. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Potential of Full-Fat Silkworm-Based Diets for Laying Quails: Performance and Egg Physical Quality.

The present research was conducted to determine the optimal inclusion level of full-fat silkworm chrysalis meal (SWM) into laying quails' diets, focusing on performance traits and egg physical quality. A total of 240 31-day-old female Japanese quails were randomly assigned to four dietary groups (12 replicates/treatment; 5 quails/replicate); quails were initially fed a standard commercial diet for pullets until 63 days of age. When oviposition started, the experimental groups received the following diets: a conventional corn and soybean-based diet (control diet-C) and three other diets, including 4%, 8%, or 12% of full-fat SWM (SWM4, SWM8, SWM12, respectively). Experimental diets were provided until quails reached 119 days of age. Birds displayed satisfactory productive performance throughout the trial. SWM12 and SWM8 had higher (p < 0.001) egg production but also a higher feed conversion ratio compared to C. At the end of the trial, the eggs edible portion increased, and shell weight decreased with increasing the SWM dietary inclusion level (p < 0.001). At the same time, SWM12 displayed an increase in albumen pH (p < 0.05), even though in the normal range for quail egg. Overall, full-fat SWM (up to 12%) can be considered a promising feed ingredient for laying quails, although higher inclusion levels (>8%) require special attention because SWM also contains anti-nutritional factors.

EFFECT OF DUST METALS AND COMPOST ON GROWTH OF Gundelia tournefortii L. AND CHEMICAL COMPOSTION OF IT᾿S EDIBLE PORTION

A field experiment was conducted at the Grdarasha Research Field station, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, Salahaddin University – Erbil using randomized complete block design (RCBD) during the years 2019-2021 to study the effect of five levels 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g of dust metals of Erbil steel factory (size 2mm mesh) in combination with compost of solid waste management and sorting of Akre district-Duhok province on growth, yield and chemical composition of Gundelia tournefortii L. The results indicated that powdery metal dust and compost fertilizer significantly increased length, diameter, fresh weight and dry weight of edible portion, and thus escalated the total yield of this plant for the two growing seasons. The highest value (669.07g/m2) of total yield was recorded by application 20g of dust metals combined with compost fertilizer in the second year. Chemical composition of edible portion also affected by fertilizer application Fe%, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Hg and Pb ppm. The results reviewed that the addition of mineral dust as nutrients and compost fertilizer significantly enhanced the concentration of these above elements in edible portion. The maximum response was obtained with the high levels of mineral treatments for all studied elements as compared with control.

The Effects of Abattoir Management on Consumer Health in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State

Abattoir management in Nigeria has been of great concern. Almost every day in all urban and rural markets in our country, animals are slaughtered while the meats are sold to the public for consumption. The public health has become prone to a lot of sickness and illnesses that need an urgent overhaul of the abattoir in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State. The issue of environmental pollution is perceived not simply as a narrow ecological problem of how to ensure a symbolic and cognitive interference between man and the environment. The activities of the abattoir are meant to regain the suitable and edible portion of slaughtered animals for human consumption. In the process, important quantities of waste materials are brought into existence. Health implications of improper waste disposed are enormous and cannot be ignored. Wastes that are not properly disposed can cause waste pollution, which may breed diseases like cholera, typhoid, among others, which point to the fact that a proper understanding of the disposal and management of waste becomes imperative for the study. A good number of researchers point out that slaughter house activities are responsible for the pollution of surface and underground water. In addition to the quality of air which directly or indirectly affect the health of residents living within the vicinity of abattoir. Inadequate discharge of blood and animal feces into streams caused a huge reduction in Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), in water as well as nutrients over enrichment of the receiving system caused an increased rate of toxic accumulation. The reliability of BAT was determined using Kuder-Richardson 21. By administering the instrument to 30 abattoirs in two different zones in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi state, mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while analysis of Chi-Square was employed to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. There should be cordial relationships between policy makers and the abattoirs for provision of essential resources for testing the healthy nature of slaughtered animals like laboratory, slaughtered slabs, and method of butchering, tender for selling meat, among others .

Zinc and iron foliar feeding on different lathyrus varieties influencing the biofortification, bio-availability and productivity

Globally two billion population is under micronutrient malnutrition due to poor quality food intake. Foliar fertilization of micronutrients is a deliberate attempt to increase its concentration in edible portion of crop and to enhance consumer diet with targeted elements. A two-year field experiment was designed to validate whether foliar application is effective for biofortification of iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) in lathyrus and its bioavailability as well. The experiment was carried out following split plot design taking three lathyrus varieties in main plot (V1: Nirmal, V2: Prateek, and V3: Ratan) and four foliar sprays at pre-flowering and pod development stages in sub plot (F1: Control, F2: 0.5% FeSO4, F3: 0.5% ZnSO4, and F4: 0.5% FeSO4 + 0.5% ZnSO4) with three replications. Zn (highest 3.73 ppm vs. 3.51 ppm in control), Fe (highest 6.68 ppm vs. 6.34 ppm in control) and protein concentration of lathyrus grain consistently increased with foliar fertilization of micronutrients either alone or in combination for all three varieties. F4 treated lathyrus had 21% reduction of phytic acid (PA) concentration, the main inhibitor of mineral absorption in human. With decreased PA concentration PA:Zn and PA:Fe molar ratio were reduced significantly. A maximum of 13% yield increase was also noticed with foliar fertilization as compare to control and the trend can be explained as F4 (13%) > F3 (12%) > F2 (10%).