Folate Content Research Articles

Effects of dietary folic acid on growth performance, body wall folate content, immune and antioxidant enzyme activity of juvenile sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary folic acid on the growth performance, growth gene expression, body wall folate content, and digestive, immune and antioxidant enzyme activity of juvenile sea cucumber (initial body weight: 0.60 ± 0.01 g). Five diets were prepared and supplemented with 0 mg/kg (V0), 3 mg/kg (V1), 5 mg/kg (V2), 10 mg/kg (V3) and 15 mg/kg (V4) folic acid. The final body weight, weight gain rate and specific growth rate in the V1, V2 and V3 groups were significantly higher than in the V0 group (p < 0.05), while the feed conversion rate in these groups was significantly lower than in the V0 group (p < 0.05), and optimal dietary folic acid supplemented amount was estimated to be 7 mg/kg. The c-myc, MAPK-7 and FGFR-1 gene expression levels in the V1, V2 and V3 groups were significantly higher than in the V0 group (p < 0.05). In addition, the body wall folate content in the folic acid supplemented group was significantly higher than in the V0 group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the activities of lipase, pepsin and α-amylase in the V2 and/or V3 groups were significantly higher than in other groups (p < 0.05). The activities of alkaline phosphatase and lysozyme in the V2 group were significantly higher than in the V0 group (p < 0.05), and the activity of acid phosphatase in the folic acid supplemented group was significantly higher than the V0 group (p < 0.05). With dietary folic acid increasing, the total superoxide dismutase, catalase and total superoxide dismutase activities in V2 and/or V3 groups were significantly higher than in the V0 group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the current results demonstrated the significant progress of dietary supplementation with folic acid on the growth and physiological response of juvenile sea cucumbers.

Characteristics of Dietary Supplements with Folic Acid Available on the Polish Market.

One way of increasing folate status, especially in a state of increased demand (e.g., women of childbearing age), is dietary supplementation with folic acid (FA). The dietary supplements market in Poland shows a controversial situation and, for many reasons (the ease of placing them on the market, the lack of control of chemical composition), the possibility of inaccurate information provided on the supplement’s label arises. We questioned whether FA supplements available in Poland are indeed complying with regulations and if they could actually improve folate status amongst the target population groups consuming them. Almost 500 products containing FA were identified and available for sale in pharmacies, all of them including specific information provided by manufacturers on the packaging, such as the amount of FA, their intended use and daily dosage. HPLC analysis of FA content in 30 randomly purchased supplements exposed that in four of the tested products, FA content was less than 4% of the declared value (DV). Another 11 samples exposed that the difference with declared FA content varied from 25% up to 80% of the DV. The obtained results are in agreement with the ones from inspections previously conducted on the Polish dietary supplements market and indicate the urgent need to implement improvements in the notification system as well as the monitorization of these product’s authenticity.

Potential for increasing folate contents of traditional African fermented sorghum gruel (Motoho) using presumptive probiotic lactic acid bacteria

Folate deficiency is commonly observed in most developing countries. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation of cereal-based foods could be an alternative to improving folate intake. This study evaluated the possibility of improving the folate contents of traditional African fermented sorghum gruel (motoho) using indigenous potential probiotic LAB. A total of 220 LAB strains isolated from maize gruel were screened for extracellular and intracellular folate production. Strains were further examined for in vitro probiotic characteristics and antimicrobial activity. Sixteen (16) LAB strains exhibited high production of total folate which ranged between 44 and 180 µg/100 mL with the lowest and highest value in L. plantarum S8 and L. plantarum S49, respectively. Fermentation of sorghum gruel with folate producing probiotic LAB strains for in situ folate production in motoho was determined. The folate contents of sorghum motoho fermented with LAB ranged between 13 and 20 µg/100 mL while the control was below 2.5 µg/100 mL. Indigenous LAB strains from traditional African fermented gruel possess desirable in vitro probiotic properties and ability to produce folates, thus, could be used for natural in situ folate fortification. This study presents a strategy for future application of indigenous probiotic LAB cultures as natural means of fortifying cereal foods with folates.

Characterizing the extent human milk folate is buffered against maternal malnutrition and infection in drought‐stricken northern Kenya

AbstractObjectivesFolate is an essential nutrient fundamental to human growth and development. Human milk maintains high folate content across the maternal folate status range, suggesting buffering of milk folate with prioritized delivery to milk at the expense of maternal depletion. We investigated whether and how the extent of this buffering may diminish under prolonged nutritional and/or disease stress, while taking into consideration infants' varying vulnerability to malnutrition‐related morbidity/mortality.MethodsA cross‐sectional study analyzed milk specimens from northern Kenyan mothers (n = 203), surveyed during a historic drought and ensuing food shortage. Multiple regression models for folate receptor‐α (FOLR1) in milk were constructed. Predictors included maternal underweight (BMI &lt; 18.5), iron‐deficiency anemia (hemoglobin &lt;12 g/dl and dried‐blood‐spot transferrin receptor &gt;5 mg/L), folate deficiency (hyperhomocysteinemia, homocysteine &gt;12 or 14 μmol/L), inflammation (serum C‐reactive protein &gt;5 mg/L), infant age and sex, and mother‐infant interactions.ResultsIn adjusted models, milk FOLR1 was unassociated with maternal underweight, iron‐deficiency anemia and inflammation. FOLR1 was positively associated with maternal folate deficiency, and inversely associated with infant age. There was interaction between infant age and maternal underweight, and between infant sex and maternal folate deficiency, predicting complex changes in FOLR1.ConclusionsOur results suggest that mothers buffer milk folate against their own nutritional stress even during a prolonged drought; however, the extent of this buffering may vary with infant age, and, among folate‐deficient mothers, with infant sex. Future research is needed to better understand this variability in maternal buffering of milk folate and how it relates to folate status in nursing infants.

Folic Acid: Sources, Chemistry, Absorption, Metabolism, Beneficial Effects on Poultry Performance and Health.

Recently, there has been an increasing interest in the study of the effects of folic acid (FA) on poultry because it was observed that FA could overcome problems in poultry health while improving its performance. FA, or folate, is a water-soluble B vitamin essential in poultry, so FA intake must be available in the feed. Sources of FA in feed come from plants or animals, and animal sources have relatively more stable FA. The ingested FA will be absorbed in the intestinal lumen and transported into the liver through the blood vessels. Therefore, FA has a positive effect on the performance and health status of poultry. The effect of FA on poultry performance is to increase reproductive tract development, FA content in eggs, hatchability, weight gain, average initial body weight, feed intake, relative growth rate, chick body weight, breast fillet percentage, and reduce FCR and white striping score. At the same time, the effect on poultry health influences antioxidant activities, thyroid hormones, blood biochemicals, anti-inflammatory gene expressions, and immune responses. The present review deals with FA sources, chemistry, absorption, metabolism, effects on performance, and poultry health, which are based on valid basic information.

The importance of vitamin D in the diagnosis and treatment of adenomyosis.

There is still no unified theory of the occurrence of adenomyosis. The theories of retrograde menstruation, metaplasia, activation of Mullerian residues, lymphatic and vascular dissemination, iatrogenic dissemination, immunological changes, genetic predisposition, etc. are discussed. The theory of retrograde menstruation is the most relevant among all these theories. The aim is to study the content of folic acid, vitamins B1, D, E, ferritin in the blood, zinc, copper, calcium in the blood and removed uterine tissues, to assess the hormonal status in women with combined uterine pathology leiomyoma and adenomyosis. 150 women underwent a health examination, residents of the cities of Pavlodar and Nur-Sultan, aged 18 to 49years with benign dishormonal diseases of reproductive organs (the main group). The control group consisted of 40 women without gynaecological pathology. The study of the somatic status, objective general somatic, clinical and laboratory, gynaecological examination was carried out by routine methods. Ultrasound examination was performed for mammary glands, thyroid gland, pelvic organs in a real-time mode according to standard methods.

Seeing the unseen: a trifoliate (MYB117) mutant allele fortifies folate and carotenoids in tomato fruits.

In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), mutations in the gene encoding the R2R3-MYB117 transcription factor elicit trifoliate leaves and initiate the formation of axillary meristems; however, their effects on fruit ripening remain unexplored. The fruits of a new trifoliate (tf) mutant (tf-5) were firmer and had higher °Brix values and higher folate and carotenoid contents. The transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome profiling of tf-5 reflected a broad-spectrum change in cellular homeostasis. The tf-5 allele enhanced the fruit firmness by suppressing cell wall softening-related proteins. tf-5 fruit displayed a substantial increase in amino acids, particularly γ-aminobutyric acid, with a parallel reduction in aminoacyl-tRNA synthases. The increased lipoxygenase protein and transcript levels seemingly elevated jasmonic acid levels. In addition, increased abscisic acid hydrolase transcript levels coupled with reduced precursor supply lowered abscisic acid levels. The upregulation of carotenoids was mediated by modulation of methylerythreitol and plastoquinone pathways and increased the levels of carotenoid isomerization proteins. The upregulation of folate in tf-5 was connoted by the increase in the precursor p-aminobenzoic acid and transcript levels of several folate biosynthesis genes. The reduction in pterin-6-carboxylate levels and γ-glutamyl hydrolase activity indicated that reduced folate degradation in tf-5 increased folate levels. Our study delineates that in addition to leaf development, MYB117 also influences fruit metabolism. The tf-5 allele can be used to increase γ-aminobutyric acid, carotenoid, and folate levels in tomato.

Facile bimetallic co-amplified electrochemical sensor for folic acid sensing based on CoNPs and CuNPs.

Folic acid (FA) is essential for human health, particularly for pregnant women and infants. In this work, a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified by a bimetallic layer of Cu/Co nanoparticles (CuNPs/CoNPs) as a synergistic amplification element by simple step-by-step electrodeposition, and was used for sensitive detection of FA. The proposed CuNPs/CoNPs/GCE sensor was characterized by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Then, under optimal conditions, a linear relationship was obtained in the wide range of 110.00-1750.00 μM for the detection of FA with a limit of detection (LOD) of 34.79 μM (S/N = 3). The sensitivity was calculated as 0.096 μA μM-1 cm-2. Some interfering compounds including glucose (Glc), biotin, dopamine (DA), and glutamic acid (Glu) showed little effect on the detection of FA by amperometry (i-t). Finally, the average recovery obtained was in a range of 91.77-110.06%, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 8.00% in FA tablets, indicating that the proposed sensor can accurately and effectively detect the FA content in FA tablets.

Effect of different cooking methods on the folate content, organoleptic and functional properties of broccoli and spinach

The effect of boiling, steaming, microwaving, cooking in a combi oven and using the sous-vide method under tested thermal conditions on the various properties of broccoli and spinach was evaluated. It was found that sous-vide reduced the total phenolic content to the lowest level and was the gentlest treatment due to the DPPH scavenging ability of spinach and broccoli extracts. Moreover, for folates, sous-vide cooking preserved these vitamer contents better than boiling for both vegetables but did not retain the green color of broccoli, as determined by C* (color saturation) and h° (hue angle). In broccoli samples, folate losses caused by sous-vide, microwave and cooking in a combi oven did not exceed 30%. The smallest decrease in the color tone parameter (h*) of broccoli and spinach was observed after microwaving. The same processing in spinach resulted in the highest color saturation (C*), and for both vegetables, it ensured the best sensory properties for general appearance, consistency and color.

Investigation of folate composition and influence of processing on folate stability in pulse accessions developed in China

Pulses are good natural sources of micronutrients. In this study, the concentration and composition of folates in seeds of 102 pulse varieties newly-developed in China, including mung beans, adzuki beans, cowpeas, faba beans, peas, and common beans, were analysed. The total folate content ranged from 21 to 278 μg/100 g dry weight (DW) among these pulse crops, with the highest in faba beans (88–278 μg/100 g DW), followed by cowpeas (101–246 μg/100 g DW), and the lowest in common beans (21–66 μg/100 g DW). 5-Formyltetrahydrofolate and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate were the two dominant folate vitamers. In addition, the effect of soaking (30 °C for 12 h) and boiling (100 °C for 20 min) on folate retention in pulses was evaluated. Compared to the unprocessed pulses, a 1.41-fold (average) enhancement of total folates was observed in soaked pulses. Folate retention ratios in boiled pulses depended on varieties, ranging from 64% to 82%, with the average of 76%. During the boiling process, 13% of total folates was lost through leaching and 29% by heating degradation on average. This research provides an overview of folate content and retention in raw and cooked pulses. The results will help to guide industrial or household preparation of pulses to maximise folate retention and the identified pulse varieties rich in folates could be for direct use or as breeding materials for folate biofortification.

Association between gestational arsenic exposure and intrauterine growth restriction: the role of folate content

Gestational arsenic (As) exposure is associated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This study explored the association among gestational As exposure, IUGR, and reduction of folate content in maternal and umbilical plasma from 530 mother-and-singleton-offspring pairs. Birth weight (BW) was negatively correlated with As in maternal plasma (r=-0.194, P<0.001) and umbilical plasma (r=-0.235, P<0.001). By contrast, a positive correlation was found between BW and maternal folate content (r=0.198, P<0.001). The subjects were divided into As-L and As-H groups. The influence of As-H on small for gestational age (SGA) infants, a marker of IUGR, was evaluated by multivariate logistic regression that excludes interferences of gestational age, infant sex, and other confounding factors. Mothers with As-H had an elevated risk of SGA infants (adjusted OR, 2.370; P<0.05). Interestingly, maternal folate content was lower in subjects with As-H than those with As-L (22.4±10.7 vs 11.2±6.7 nmol/L, P<0.001). Linear correlation models show that As level was negatively correlated with folate content in maternal plasma (r=-0.615, P<0.001) and umbilical plasma (r=-0.209, P<0.001). Moreover, maternal folate reduction has an obvious mediating effect between increased As and decreased BW (β=-0.078, P<0.05). Our results indicate that folate reduction may be a mediator between gestational As exposure and IUGR.

Authentication of Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis and ssp. mongolica Based on Single Nucleotide Polymorphism at Ribosomal DNA and Their Vitamin Content Analysis.

Hippophae rhamnoides widely known as sea buckthorn berries (SB) are rich in vitamins and phytonutrients. The subspecies ssp. sinensis and ssp. mongolica are highly valued for their medicinal properties and vitamin contents, hence domesticated widely across Eurasia and Southeast Asia. Due to the frequent usage of these two subspecies, accurate identification is required to prevent economically motivated adulteration. In this study, we report the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) based molecular markers to easily distinguish these two subspecies at 45S nrDNA region. From the determined 45S rDNA region, we designed two primers (5′ sinensis and 5′ mongolica) and developed a multiplex PCR profile. The developed primers effectively distinguished the sea buckthorn subspecies in commercial products as well. Along with the development of subspecies specific primers, we have profiled vitamin contents from H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis and ssp. mongolica and found ascorbic acid and riboflavin contents were high in both ssp. sinensis and spp. mongolica, yet the content of folic acid was high only in ssp. mongolica. Thus, we provide species specific primers and vitamin profile as an effective authentication of H. rhamnoides.

Development and validation of UV-spectrophotometric method for the determination of folic acid in bulk and tablet dosage forms

The purpose of this study was to create and verify a simple and accurate UV-Spectrophotometric technique for determining Folic acid in bulk and tablet dosage form. The approach was based on the measurement of folic acid solution absorbance at 255nm in 0.01M NaOH. In the concentration range of 10-50 g/ml, the constructed calibration curve was found to be linear (R2 = 0.9996). Limits of detection and quantification were 2.73 µg/ml, and 8.27 µg/ml, respectively. The precision of the developed method was confirmed by the obtained low RSD% values. Recoveries percentages were found 98.46%±1.42, 100.0%±0.20, 98.92%±1.12; n=3 for 50%, 100% and 150% levels, respectively indicating the method accuracy and freedom of interference from excipients. Folic acid content percent in the two analyzed brands were found to be equal 96.59%±0.005; n=3, and 97.28%±0.003; n=3 which complies with the official range (90-110%).

Folates in various African foods: Contents, food processing and matrix effects.

Poor folate status is implicated in a wide variety of health disorders including megaloblastic anaemia, neural tube defects, and cardiovascular diseases. Human diet remains the main provider par excellence. Despite several public-health options to overcome this micronutrient deficiency, dietary folate intakes of women of childbearing age and children are still below recommendations in many African countries. Therefore, this review aims at presenting the current knowledge on folate contents in various African foods, and on folate losses during food processing. Seventy one food sources were evaluated in this study. These various food sources included thirty six vegetables, six cereals, height cereal products, six processed leafy vegetables, six pulses, three fruits, three legumes and three roots. All of them were originated from six African countries including Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and South Africa. Folate content ranged between 11 and 73.4μg/100g in cereals, 1.8 and 39μg/100g in cereal-based processed foods, 8.48 and 48.6μg/100g in cooked leafy vegetables, 11.6 and 633μg/100g in vegetables, 10 and 22μg/100g in pulses, 52 and 148μg/100g in legumes, 8 and 106μg/100g in fruits. The structure of the food matrix has been shown to influence folate digestibility in foods. High bioaccessible folate, assessed by in vitro digestion, was observed among food products with dense porosity structures while low bioaccessible folate was recorded among food products with open porous structures such as porridges and some gelatinized doughs. Numerous food processing steps have also been shown to influence negatively folate contents in foods.

Ameliorating high-fat diet-induced sperm and testicular oxidative damage by micronutrient-based antioxidant intervention in rats

PurposeEmerging evidence from rodent studies suggests that high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity is characterized by increased oxidative damage in sperm and testis. However, interventions using micronutrient supplementation to mitigate oxidative damage in obesity have not been extensively studied. This study aimed to investigate the effect of an antioxidant-based micronutrient supplement (added folate, vitamin B6, choline, betaine, and zinc) on sperm and testicular oxidative damage in HFD-fed male Sprague Dawley rats.MethodsRats (3-weeks-old, 12/group) were weaned onto control (C) or HFD (H) or these diets with micronutrient supplement (CS; HS); sperm and testis were harvested at 30.5 weeks. To assess oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity in testis, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), folate and susceptibility index (SI) of pro-oxidative damage, mRNA expression of Nrf2, NFκB-p65, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α, in addition to superoxide-dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione-peroxidase (GPx) activities were measured. 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were assessed in both sperm and testis.ResultsHFD-fed rats had significantly increased 8-OHdG content in sperm and testis, increased testicular SI, decreased testicular weight, SOD and GPx activity compared to control. Strikingly, supplementation of HFD appeared to significantly reduce 8-OHdG in sperm and testis (22% and 24.3%, respectively), reduce testicular SI and MDA content (28% and 40%, respectively), increase testicular weight (24%), SOD and GPX activity (30% and 70%, respectively) and GSH content (19%). Moreover, supplementation had significant impact to increase testicular folate content regardless of diet. Furthermore, an overall effect of supplementation to increase testicular mRNA expression of Nrf2 was observed across groups. Interestingly, testicular SI was positively correlated with sperm and testicular 8-OHdG and MDA content, suggesting a critical role of testicular antioxidant activity to combat oxidative damage in sperm and testis.ConclusionOur findings suggest that antioxidant-based micronutrient supplement has the potential to interrupt HFD-induced sperm and testicular oxidative damage by improving testicular antioxidant capacity.Graphical abstract

Abstract 3745: Global DNA hypomethylation can be linked to decreased methyl-donor content in colorectal cancer progression

Abstract Reduction of global DNA methylation is a characteristic epigenetic alteration of various cancer types, including colorectal cancer. Abnormality of several factors, such as DNA methyltransferases (DNMT), demethylases, or deviation in methyl-donor (folate and S-adenosylmethionine) availability can contribute to the development of genome-wide hypomethylation. Detection of epigenetic changes as global DNA hypomethylation in cell-free DNA fraction obtained from blood samples can expand the opportunities for the early recognition of colorectal cancer. One of our main goals was the investigation of global DNA methylation patterns in tissue biopsies (n=183) and cell-free DNA fraction of blood samples (n=48) along the colorectal normal-adenoma-carcinoma sequence and in inflammatory bowel disease. Moreover, we aimed to explore possible underlying mechanisms of genome-wide hypomethylation formation in 12 colorectal tumor tissue sections, containing transition zones. Using LINE-1 pyrosequencing, significantly reduced global DNA methylation level was detected in line with cancer progression in tissue specimens (normal: 77.5±1.7%, adenoma: 72.7±4.8%, carcinoma: 69.7±7.6%, p≤0.0001) and in liquid biopsies as well (normal: 82.0±2.0%, adenoma: 80.0±1.7%, carcinoma: 79.8±1.3%, p≤0.01). However, no significant methylation changes were found in inflammatory bowel disease cases. Analyzing microarray data in silico, altered mRNA expression of certain methylation-, and one-carbon metabolism-related genes were detected in tumorous specimens vs. healthy biopsies, from which DNMT1 was upregulated, and folate receptor 2 (FOLR2) was downregulated. DNMT and FOLR2 expression were validated by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, significantly reduced folic acid and S-adenosylmethionine content were observed in parallel with diminishing 5-methylcytosine levels in adenoma and carcinoma sections compared to normal adjacent to tumor tissue areas by immunolabeling (p≤0.05). Our results suggest that intraindividual monitoring of genome-wide hypomethylation may assist in the recognition of adenoma formation, cancer progression, or remission as well. Moreover, lower global DNA methylation level could be connected to decreased methyl-donor availability with the contribution of reduced FOLR2 expression. Citation Format: Krisztina Andrea Szigeti, Alexandra Kalmár, Gábor Valcz, Barbara Kinga Barták, Zsófia Nagy, Sára Zsigrai, Ildikó Felletár, Árpád V Patai, Tamás Micsik, Márton Papp, Eszter Márkus, Zsolt Tulassay, Péter Igaz, István Takács, Béla Molnár. Global DNA hypomethylation can be linked to decreased methyl-donor content in colorectal cancer progression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3745.

Preparation and characterization of folate-enriched eggs and egg yolk powders

In this study, a dose-response relationship between egg folate content and dietary folic acid content was observed. Folic acid supplementation did not affect egg quality or the performance of laying hens besides feed intake and feed/egg ratio. Vitamin C supplementation (150 mg/kg) promoted folate enrichment in the eggs, with a maximum value of 78 μg/egg being achieved. Moreover, there was no obvious effect on egg quality and an improvement in laying performance. Vitamin B12 supplementation did not affect egg folate content, suggesting there was already enough present in the original diet. The folate in eggs was relatively stable to degradation during storage, which was attributed to the protection provided by egg whites and eggshells. A folate-enriched egg yolk powder (803 μg/100 g) was prepared through spray drying in a nitrogen atmosphere. This powder was yellower, redder, and darker than one produced by spray drying in air and exhibited better storage stability. However, both powders exhibited similar water solubility and emulsifying properties. These results suggest that folate-enriched eggs and egg yolk powder could be used as functional foods for folate supplementation.

Heterologous Expression of SiFBP, a Folate-Binding Protein from Foxtail Millet, Confers Increased Folate Content and Altered Amino Acid Profiles with Nutritional Potential to Arabidopsis.

The mechanism underlying folate degradation in foxtail millet grains remains unclear. Here, we identified SiFBP (Setaria italica folate-binding protein) from foxtail millet. A phylogenetic tree revealed that FBPs have close genetic relationships among cereal crop species. Docking analysis and heterologous expression of SiFBP in yeast showed that it could bind folic acid (FA). The SiFBP localized to the plasma membrane in tobacco mesophyll cells by transient expression. In Arabidopsis, it was expressed specifically in the roots and germinating seeds. Overexpressing SiFBP in yeast and Arabidopsis significantly increased folate contents. Untargeted metabolome analysis revealed differentially accumulated metabolites between the transgenic lines (TLs) and wild type (WT); these metabolites were mainly enriched in the amino acid metabolism pathway. The relative contents of lysine and leucine, threonine, and l-methionine were significantly higher in the TLs than in WT. Genes related to the folate and lysine synthesis pathways were upregulated in the TLs. Thus, SiFBP can be used for biofortification of folate and important amino acids in crops via genetic engineering.

Folate content of a staple food increased by fermentation of a cereal using selected folate-producing microorganisms

Folate deficiencies are widespread in Africa due to predominantly cereal-based diets. The objective of this work was to test the feasibility of using folate-producing microorganisms to increase folate content of tef injera, a traditional Ethiopian fermented staple food. To this end, a strain of Lactobacillus plantarum previously isolated from fermented tef batter and a commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used alone and in combination to prepare injera. Ten successive fermentations using backslopping from the fermented batter prepared with L. plantarum inoculation were performed to mimic the traditional backslopping. The highest folate content was obtained with S. cerevisiae (53.5 μg/100 ​g fresh material). All the combinations were efficient and could cover up to 22 % of the recommended nutrient intakes. All injera prepared with selected inoculums were preferred by sensory panelists to the traditional one. This work demonstrates the possibility to increase folate intake using folate-producing microorganisms in the conditions normally encountered in households.

Supplementation of sulfur and folic acid improves performance of broiler chicken fed suboptimal concentrations of dietary methionine.

Supplementation of sulfur (S) and folic acid (FA) are known to spare the dietary requirement of methionine (Met) in chicken. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of feeding graded concentrations of FA (0, 2, 4, 6, 8mg kg-1 ) and two concentrations of S (0 and 2g kg-1 ) in 5 × 2 factorial design. Diet without FA and S was considered as negative control (NC). Another diet with the recommended concentration of Met was considered as the positive control (PC). Each diet was offered ad libitum from day 1 to 42 to 10 pens of 20 male chicks each. Broilers fed the NC diet had lower body weight gain (BWG), high feed conversion ratio, lower ready-to-cook yield, higher lipid peroxidation and reduced concentrations of protein and albumin in serum. BWG improved with FA at day 21 and showed a trend of improvement at day 42. Similarly, BWG improved with S supplementation at day 42. The FA and S interaction indicated a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation with S supplementation at the majority of FA levels. Serum protein fractions increased with increased dietary FA content and increased further with S supplementation. Based on the results, it is concluded that the combination of FA (4mg kg-1 ) and S (2g kg-1 ) improved BWG. Similarly, the feed efficiency with 6mg FA alone or with S was similar to the PC group. The improvement was probably due to the increase in protein accretion and reduction in lipid peroxidation with FA and S supplementation. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.