High Sucrose Research Articles

Comparative Analysis of Industrial and Homemade Strawberry Jam Processing: Quality, Degradation, and Energy Consumption

Purpose: Compare certain steps of strawberry jam processing, energy consumption, waste generation, as well as indicators of jam quality obtained through industrial and homemade methods. Method/design/approach: The jams were prepared in the fruit and vegetable laboratory as well as in the pilot plant. The bottling process involved hot sealing in glass jars with metal lids. After sealing, the jars were inverted, cooled, and stored at -18 °C until analysis. The ingredients used included high methoxyl pectin, citric acid, sucrose, and fresh acidic lemon juice. The analysis included the use of various chemicals such as methanol, sodium acetate, potassium chloride, hydrochloric acid, NaOH, ascorbic acid, dihydrated oxalic acid, and 2,6-dichloroindophenol. Results and conclusion: The study examined industrial, semi-industrial, and homemade jams, highlighting changes in color parameters and losses of anthocyanins and ascorbic acid over time. Homemade jams exhibited greater variations in both color and processing. Strawberry pre-processing and water consumption differed between industrial and homemade productions, with a higher disposal rate observed in industrial production. The yield of industrial jams remained consistently above 90%, whereas homemade jams showed variations. Energy consumption was higher in homemade jams, making the industrial process more energy-efficient. Industrial vacuum processing provided advantages such as lower temperatures, reduced sensible heat, and minimized chemical changes, but it necessitated more expensive and maintenance-intensive equipment. Originality/value: In contemporary discourse, there has been substantial censure directed towards industrialized foods in recent years, with a considerable portion lacking a rigorous scientific foundation. This study contributes by presenting findings that facilitate the discernment of advantages stemming from both industrial and artisanal processes, contingent upon the availability of requisite technical knowledge.

Bioaccessibility and antioxidant capacity of kefir-based smoothies fortified with kale and spinach after invitro gastrointestinal digestion.

The kefir-based smoothies with kale and spinach were designed as a ready-to-drink and innovative functional snack. Microbiological, physicochemical, as well as pre- and postgastrointestinal total antioxidant capacity (TAC; CUPRAC, DPPH, and FRAP) analyses were conducted. It was determined that the kefir-based smoothies with vegetables had higher ash, carbohydrate, and dietary fiber values. Fructose and glucose contents of smoothy with kale were high, while smoothy with spinach included high sucrose and maltose. The microbiology results revealed that kefir-based vegetable smoothies had minimum Lactobacillaceae viability (>log 7 cfu g-1) for the required functional effect after 14-day storage. Moreover, the addition of kale significantly increased (p < .01) the level of initial TAC (CUPRAC, DPPH, and FRAP) and total phenolic content (TPC) values. After invitro gastric digestion analysis, smoothie with spinach demonstrated higher TAC and TPC values and the control sample had higher TAC and TPC values compared with a predigestion step. It was found that invitro intestinal DPPH values were higher for the sample with spinach samples, while the sample with kale had the highest FRAP values. It was also found that the bioaccessibility indexes of plain kefir were determined to be the highest in both invitro gastric and intestinal procedures. The present study provided novel insights into the invitro digestion properties of kefir fortified with vegetables. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to identify the functional properties of the milk and plant matrices mixture using invitro and invivo trials.

Intestinal Morphology and Glucose Transporter Gene Expression under a Chronic Intake of High Sucrose.

Sucrose is a disaccharide that is degraded into fructose and glucose in the small intestine. High-sucrose and high-fructose diets have been reported, using two-dimensional imaging, to alter the intestinal morphology and the expression of genes associated with sugar transport, such as sodium glucose co-transporter 1 (SGLT1), glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), and glucose transporter 5 (GLUT5). However, it remains unclear how high-fructose and high-sucrose diets affect the expression of sugar transporters and the intestinal morphology in the whole intestine. We investigate the influence of a chronic high-sucrose diet on the expression of the genes associated with sugar transport as well as its effects on the intestinal morphology using 3D imaging. High sucrose was found to increase GLUT2 and GLUT5 mRNA levels without significant changes in the intestinal morphology using 3D imaging. On the other hand, the delay in sucrose absorption by an α-glucosidase inhibitor significantly improved the intestinal morphology and the expression levels of SGLT1, GLUT2, and GLUT5 mRNA in the distal small intestine to levels similar to those in the proximal small intestine, thereby improving glycemic control after both glucose and sucrose loading. These results reveal the effects of chronic high-sugar exposure on glucose absorption and changes in the intestinal morphology.

Cross-sectional association between blood cholesterol and calcium levels in genetically diverse strains of mice.

Genetically diverse outbred mice allow for the study of genetic variation in the context of high dietary and environmental control. Using a machine learning approach, we investigated clinical and morphometric factors that associate with serum cholesterol levels in 840 genetically unique Diversity Outbred mice of both sexes (n = 417 male and 423 female), and on both acontrol chow (% kcals in diet: protein 22%, carbohydrate 62%, fat 16%,no cholesterol) and high fat high sucrose (%kcals in diet: protein 15%, carbohydrate 41%, fat 45%, 0.05% cholesterol). We find expected elevations of cholesterol in male mice, as well as in mice with elevated serum triglycerides and/or fed a high fat high sucrose diet. The third strongest predictor was serum calcium which correlated with serum cholesterol across both diets and sexes (r = 0.39-0.48) in both Diversity Outbred (P = 3.0 × 10-43 ) and BXD (P = 0.005) mice. This is in-line with several human cohort studies which show associations between calcium and cholesterol, and calcium as an independent predictor of cardiovascular events.

Refined diet consumption increases neuroinflammatory signalling through bile acid dysmetabolism

ABSTRACT Over recent decades, dietary patterns have changed significantly due to the increasing availability of convenient, ultra-processed refined foods. Refined foods are commonly depleted of key bioactive compounds, which have been associated with several deleterious health conditions. As the gut microbiome can influence the brain through a bidirectional communication system known as the ‘microbiota-gut-brain axis’, the consumption of refined foods has the potential to affect cognitive health. In this study, multi-omics approaches were employed to assess the effect of a refined diet on the microbiota-gut-brain axis, with a particular focus on bile acid metabolism. Mice maintained on a refined low-fat diet (rLFD), consisting of high sucrose, processed carbohydrates and low fibre content, for eight weeks displayed significant gut microbial dysbiosis, as indicated by diminished alpha diversity metrics (p < 0.05) and altered beta diversity (p < 0.05) when compared to mice receiving a chow diet. Changes in gut microbiota composition paralleled modulation of the metabolome, including a significant reduction in short-chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate and n-butyrate; p < 0.001) and alterations in bile acid concentrations. Interestingly, the rLFD led to dysregulated bile acid concentrations across both the colon (p < 0.05) and the brain (p < 0.05) which coincided with altered neuroinflammatory gene expression. In particular, the concentration of TCA, TDCA and T-α-MCA was inversely correlated with the expression of NF-κB1, a key transcription factor in neuroinflammation. Overall, our results suggest a novel link between a refined low-fat diet and detrimental neuronal processes, likely in part through modulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis and bile acid dysmetabolism.

Influence of Stachys sieboldii Miq. root powder on changes in neural system parameters in growing male rats on a high fat and sucrose diet

Influence of Stachys sieboldii Miq. root powder on changes in neural system parameters in growing male rats on a high fat and sucrose diet

Caracterização do germoplasma de soja com aptidão ao consumo humano no Uruguai

Abstract Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is a crop of world economic importance; and its grain constitutes a significant source of protein and carbohydrates for human consumption. This work aimed to characterize soybean genotypes available in Uruguay for human consumption regarding protein quantity and quality, carbohydrate composition and oil content in relation to yield, both in genetically modified and conventional genotypes. In this study, 13 genotypes grown in three different environments (two locations, two years), a conventional set (22 genotypes) and a genetically modified set (36 genotypes), grown in a single environment were subject to study. The traits measured were yield, total protein, oil content, soluble protein, glycinin (11S), conglycinin (7S), the 11S/7S ratio, soluble carbohydrates, sucrose and total raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs). A significant environmental and genotype effect was detected for most of the parameters. The interaction between genotype and environment was significant for total protein, oil content and sucrose. Soluble protein and the 11S fraction were only affected by environment; soluble carbohydrates and the 7S fraction were only affected by genotype. It was possible to identify genotypes with good characteristics for human consumption (high total protein, sucrose, ratio 11S/7S and low oligosaccharides) across environments, both genetically modified and conventional genotypes. Variability was found among the genotypes available in Uruguay in the parameters studied.

Chronic Metabolic Syndrome develops a frailty of cardiac rhythm similar to aging in rats

Heart rhythm decreases and alterations depend on aging and correlate with lifestyle and metabolic alterations like obesity, dyslipidemia, and chronic inflammation; these alterations may also produce ventricular hypertrophy and atrial fibrillation, increasing lethal arrhythmias. The high sucrose diet in young adult Wistar rats produces metabolic syndrome from the eighth week that continues twenty-six weeks later. In this work, we analyzed the changes presented by the heart during six months of metabolic syndrome. After this period, the rats were anesthetized, and the electrocardiogram was recorded. We observed that metabolic syndrome produced bradycardia and arrhythmias. The electrocardiogram showed an 18 % decrease in the heart rate in rats with metabolic syndrome and a decreased ability to regulate heart rate variability using the p-p interval Poincare graph. The electrical activity recorded in the sinus node showed alteration in the morphology and propagation of the action potential, therefore, a dysfunction in the pacemaker and supraventricular arrhythmias. This data correlated with the increase in the collagen and lipid area in the pacemaker that produced unexcitable segments, which induced lethal arrhythmias by alterations in electrical activity and premature aging and frailty, like those described in humans. We proposed that the changes in electrical and morphological alterations in the sinus node that are associated with metabolic syndrome are the cause of cardiovascular frailty and premature aging of the heart.

Registration of ‘Ho 13‐739’ sugarcane

Abstract‘Ho 13‐739’ (Reg. no. CV‐214, PI 703499) sugarcane (a Saccharum spp. complex polyploid) was selected and evaluated by scientists at the USDA‐ARS in Houma, LA, in cooperation with the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center and the American Sugar Cane League, Inc. It was released to growers in Louisiana in 2020. Results from evaluations in plant‐cane and first‐ and second‐ratoon crops at 13 field locations revealed that sucrose content and stalk weight of Ho 13‐739 were significantly greater than ‘L 01‐299’ in every crop and across the crop cycle. Sucrose yield was not significantly different than L 01‐299 for all crops evaluated and across the crop cycle. Ho 13‐739 is an early‐maturing cultivar with poor mature‐stalk cold tolerance. The cultivar is resistant to smut (Sporisorium scitamineum) and Sorghum mosaic virus and moderately suspectable to brown rust (caused by Puccinia melanocephala) and leaf scald (caused by Xanthomonas albilineans). It was also moderately susceptible to the sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis F). Ho 13‐739 has important traits for producers such as high sucrose content, early maturity, and adequate disease resistance.

Storage Stability of Sugarcane Stalks

Background: Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is a giant grass, belonging to the Poaceae family, and is considered as a crop of economic importance. It is the second largest agro based industry involving nearly 50.00 million farmers, their dependent and a large mass of agriculture labours. It is also known as noble cane, due to its high sucrose content and is mostly used for manufacturing of jaggery and crystalized sugars. Its consumption is very popular worldwide but there are few studies that focus on post-harvest storage of sugarcane stalks. The objectives of this study was to evaluate the quality of stored sugarcane stalks as well as fresh juice extracted from stored canes. Methods: During the investigation sugarcane variety Co238 were cleaned and grouped into bundles containing 5 stalks for each replicate (3) and then stored under both ambient (17-22°C temperature and 45-52% RH) and refrigerated temperature (4±1°C temperature and 60-65% RH). The parameter studied were weight loss, juice yield, total soluble solids, titratable acidity and pH at every 15 days interval for 120 days. Result: Study showed that among both the storage, refrigerated condition for storage of sugarcane stalks was found better to retain the maximum juice yield (40.09%) with minimum weight loss (5.15%) and maintain the quality for longer period as compared to ambient storage condition.

Diferentes fontes de sacarose na fermentação do kefir de água

Abstract Kefir is a functional drink with potential market growth and several beneficial properties to the human body such as intestinal microbiota balance and anti-inflammatory properties. It is produced from grains that multiply from an initial culture of microorganisms that ferment sucrose, resulting in a slightly acidic, carbonated and low-alcohol beverage. The objective of this work was to use three different substrates for the fermentation (coconut, brown, and refined sugar) and to carry out analyzes of pH, titratable acidity (TA), and soluble solids content during 48 h of the process. In the grains, microbial biomass, dry mass content, and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) were evaluated. Five fermentations were made for each sugar. The results showed differences in the use of sugar, concluding that there was a greater difference in relation to refined sugar and the others. Drinks fermented in coconut and brown sugar showed pH and acidity values within the ranges found in the consulted literature, with grain structures that provided good adhesion of microorganisms, which was not noticed in refined sugar grains. This may be due to the white sugar’s refining process involving chemical compounds, causing the sugar to have a high sucrose content but a low concentration of minerals and nutrients that favor grain growth. However, grains did not show a high mass gain, which may have been caused by the proportion of sugar/grain (40 g/26 g), temperature (27 °C), and time (48 h) used. Considering the aforementioned parameters, this pioneering study compared coconut, brown, and refined sugars. It was concluded that coconut and brown sugars were more suitable for the fermentation of the kefir drink, due to their similarities with the desired characteristics.

Molecular Approach to Identify Anti-inflammatory Potential of Stevioside in HFD-induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats: Evidence From in Vivo Study

Stevioside is a natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It has gained popularity as a sugar substitute due to its intense sweetness without adding calories or affecting blood sugar levels, making it a suitable option for people with diabetes or those looking to reduce their sugar intake. Studies have shown that stevioside has glucose lowering effects. Previous studies have shown that it has significant role in skeletal muscle but its role on expression of inflammatory signaling molecules in adipose tissue against high diet and sucrose-induced type-2 diabetes in experimental rats is yet to be done. The current research was undertaken to investigate if stevioside could also exert its antidiabetic effects by circumventing adipocyte induced inflammation, a key driving factor for insulin resistance in obese individuals. Effective dose of stevioside (20 mg/kg b.wt) was administered orally for 45 days to high fat diet and sucrose induced type-2 diabetic rats. Interestingly, stevioside treatment restores the elevated serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and enhances Peroxisome Proliferator–activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) in adipocytes of diabetic rats. The gene expression of IR, GLUT4 and PPAR-γ mRNA were also significantly activated in stevioside treated groups but reduced IL-1 beta, IlL-6, IKKB, TNF-alpha and NFkB mRNA expression in diabetic adipose tissue. More importantly, stevioside acts very effectively as metformin to circumvent inflammation and insulin resistance in diabetic rats. Our results clearly show that stevioside inhibits obesity induced insulin resistance by ameliorating the inflammatory events and upregulating insulin signalling molecules. Keywords: Stevioside, HFD-T2DM, pro inflammation, insulin signalling; adipose tissue, obesity; signaling pathways; Therapautics.

The Effect of Sucrose and Yeast Extract on Total Phenolic, Flavonoid, and Anthocyanin of Lactic-Acid-Fermented Mangosteen Fruit Peel (Garcinia mangostana L.).

This study aimed to determine the most suitable concentration of sucrose and yeast extract (SYE) and its impact on the levels of total phenol, flavonoid, and anthocyanin (TPFA) for lactic acid fermentation in mangosteen fruit peel. In this study, the primary components were mangosteen fruit peel, SYE, and lactic acid bacteria starter. The experimental design was conducted using the Factorial Design method. The colorimetric method was used to determine the total phenol (Folin-Ciocalteu reagent) and total flavonoid (AlCl3 reagent). In addition, the differential pH method was used to determine the total anthocyanins using KCl and the CH3COONa reagent. The addition of SYE during the fermentation of mangosteen fruit peel significantly increased the concentrations of TPFA compared with the control (p value of 0.0001). The high sucrose concentration and low yeast extract produced the highest TPFA levels in mangosteen rind fermentation. The use of SYE affects the levels of TPFA in lactic acid-fermented mangosteen fruit peel, with the most suitable concentrations obtained using sucrose (45 g/L) and yeast extract (2.5 g/L).

Oat-based postbiotics ameliorate high-sucrose induced liver injury and colitis susceptibility by modulating fatty acids metabolism and gut microbiota

High-sucrose (HS) consumption leads to metabolic disorders and increases susceptibility to colitis. Postbiotics hold great potentials in combating metabolic diseases and offer advantages in safety and processability, compared with living probiotics. We developed innovative oat-based postbiotics and extensively explored how they could benefit in rats with long-term high-sucrose consumption. The postbiotics fermented with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (OF-1) and OF-5, the one fermented with the optimal selection of five probiotics (i.e., L. plantarum, Limosilactobacillus reuteri, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium lactis) alleviated HS induced liver injury, impaired fatty acid metabolism and inflammation through activating AMPK/SREBP-1c pathways. Moreover, oat-based postbiotics restored detrimental effects of HS on fatty acid profiles in liver, as evidenced by the increases in polyunsaturated fatty acids and decreases in saturated fatty acids, with OF-5 showing most pronounced effects. Furthermore, oat-based postbiotics prevented HS exacerbated susceptibility to dextran sodium sulfate caused colitis and reconstructed epithelial tight junction proteins in colons. Oat-based postbiotics, in particular OF-5 notably remodeled gut microbiota composition, e.g., enriching the relative abundances of Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, Alloprevotella and Prevotella, which may play an important role in the liver-colon axis responsible for improvements of liver functions and reduction of colitis susceptibility. The heat-inactivated probiotics protected against HS-induced liver and colon damage, but such effects were less pronounced compared with oat-based postbiotics. Our findings emphasize the great value of oat-based postbiotics as nutritional therapeutics to combat unhealthy diet induced metabolic dysfunctions.

High Sucrose Diet-Induced Subunit I Tyrosine 304 Phosphorylation of Cytochrome c Oxidase Leads to Liver Mitochondrial Respiratory Dysfunction in the Cohen Diabetic Rat Model.

The mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation process generates most of the cellular energy and free radicals in mammalian tissues. Both factors play a critical role in numerous human diseases that could be affected by reversible phosphorylation events that regulate the function and activity of the oxidative phosphorylation complexes. In this study, we analyzed liver mitochondria of Cohen diabetes-sensitive (CDs) and Cohen diabetes-resistant (CDr) rats, using blue native gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE) in combination with mitochondrial activity measurements and a site-specific tyrosine phosphorylation implicated in inflammation, a known driver of diabetes pathology. We uncovered the presence of a specific inhibitory phosphorylation on tyrosine 304 of catalytic subunit I of dimeric cytochrome c oxidase (CcO, complex IV). Driven by a high sucrose diet in both CDr and CDs rats, Y304 phosphorylation, which occurs close to the catalytic oxygen binding site, correlates with a decrease in CcO activity and respiratory dysfunction in rat liver tissue under hyperglycemic conditions. We propose that this phosphorylation, specifically seen in dimeric CcO and induced by high sucrose diet-mediated inflammatory signaling, triggers enzymatic activity decline of complex IV dimers and the assembly of supercomplexes in liver tissue as a molecular mechanism underlying a (pre-)diabetic phenotype.

Amaranth Meal Powder Use in the Technology of Sweets with Fondant Cases

One of the main confectionery industry objectives is the development of waste-free technologies based on domestic raw materials. The objective is most relevant for the sweet production based on fondant cases – energetically unstable systems with a high sucrose concentration (more than 80 %) and a simple chemical composition causing the rapid consumer properties loss during storage. The study aims at the scientific use justification of the new raw material – amaranth meal powder in the technology of sweets with fondant case. The study objects are the following: amaranth meal of the native species Amaranthus L. (variety “Krepysh” of the FSVC selection); amaranth meal powder; sugar, fruit and milk fondant candy masses; candies. A man determined the chemical composition of pilot order of amaranth seed meal: 19.6 % proteins including water-soluble; 17.9 % dietary fiber; 46.9 % starch; 1.01 % macro- and microelements including selenium. The research concerns the IR treatment impact of amaranth meal particles on the power consumption of the disintegrator; the attack of amaranth meal proteins by digestive enzymes, the dependence of the organoleptic meal parameters on the processing temperature. The rational temperature range of IR processing is 115–120 °C. A man introduced the amaranth meal powder into the formulation of sweets with fondant cases by replacing white sugar. The amaranth meal powder presence in fondant syrup accelerates the crystallization process due to the sucrose adsorption on the amaranth meal particle surface followed by nucleation and crystal growth. The authors analyzed fractional composition by a microscopy. They determined that with an increase in the fine-crystalline fraction proportion, the sweet quality improves.

Lysophosphatidic acid triggers inflammation in the liver and white adipose tissue in rat models of 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 2 deficiency and overnutrition.

AGPAT2 (1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate-acyltransferase-2) converts lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) into phosphatidic acid (PA), and mutations of the AGPAT2 gene cause the most common form of congenital generalized lipodystrophy which leads to steatohepatitis. The underlying mechanism by which AGPAT2 deficiency leads to lipodystrophy and steatohepatitis has not been elucidated. We addressed this question using an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) to knockdown expression of Agpat2 in the liver and white adipose tissue (WAT) of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Agpat2 ASO treatment induced lipodystrophy and inflammation in WAT and the liver, which was associated with increased LPA content in both tissues, whereas PA content was unchanged. We found that a controlled-release mitochondrial protonophore (CRMP) prevented LPA accumulation and inflammation in WAT whereas an ASO against glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase, mitochondrial (Gpam) prevented LPA content and inflammation in the liver in Agpat2 ASO-treated rats. In addition, we show that overnutrition, due to high sucrose feeding, resulted in increased hepatic LPA content and increased activated macrophage content which were both abrogated with Gpam ASO treatment. Taken together, these data identify LPA as a key mediator of liver and WAT inflammation and lipodystrophy due to AGPAT2 deficiency as well as liver inflammation due to overnutrition and identify LPA as a potential therapeutic target to ameliorate these conditions.

High Fat Diet and High Sucrose Intake Divergently Induce Dysregulation of Glucose Homeostasis through Distinct Gut Microbiota-Derived Bile Acid Metabolism in Mice.

A high calorie diet such as excessive fat and sucrose intake is always accompanied by impaired glucose homeostasis such as T2DM (type 2 diabetes mellitus). However, it remains unclear how fat and sucrose individually affect host glucose metabolism. In this study, mice were fed with high fat diet (HFD) or 30% sucrose in drinking water (HSD) for 24 weeks, and glucose metabolism, gut microbiota composition, as well as bile acid (BA) profile were investigated. In addition, the functional changes of HFD or HSD-induced gut microbiota were further verified by fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and ex vivo culture of gut bacteria with BAs. Our results showed that both HFD and HSD caused dysregulated lipid metabolism, while HFD feeding had a more severe effect on impaired glucose homeostasis, accompanied by reduced hyocholic acid (HCA) levels in all studied tissues. Meanwhile, HFD had a more dramatic influence on composition and function of gut microbiota based on α diversity indices, β diversity analysis, as well as the abundance of secondary BA producers than HSD. In addition, the phenotypes of impaired glucose homeostasis and less formation of HCA caused by HFD can be transferred to recipient mice by FMT. Ex vivo culture with gut bacteria and BAs revealed HFD-altered gut bacteria produced less HCA than HSD, which might closely associate with reduced relative abundance of C7 epimerase-coding bacteria g_norank/unclassified_f_Eggerthellaceae and bile salt hydrolase-producing bacteria Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in HFD group. Our findings revealed that the divergent effects of different high-calorie diets on glucose metabolism may be due to the gut microbiota-mediated generation and metabolism of BAs, highlighting the importance of dietary management in T2DM.

Effects of climatic factors on carbohydrate composition of soybeans in Argentina

AbstractCarbohydrates are the second largest component of soybean seeds and include soluble sugars, a major source of energy. However, some oligosaccharides such as the raffinose family of oligosaccharides (RFOs) are considered antinutritional factors. In Argentina, the soybean crop area shows high climatic variation during the seed‐filling period (R5–R7), affecting seed composition. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of climatic traits on carbohydrate (CHO) seed composition of different cultivar types. Daily air temperature and solar radiation were measured during R5–R7 in two soybean varieties: (non‐transgenic) ALIM3.14 and a commercial. Precipitation and evapotranspiration during the crop season (R1–R7) were used to calculate a hydric balance proxy. ALIM 3.14 showed a better CHO profile than the commercial soybean. ALIM 3.14 had lower stachyose and total RFOs (25.1 and 28.9 g kg−1) than the commercial cultivar (37.3 and 42.3 g kg−1), respectively. Air temperature explained variations in CHO. A decrease in sucrose was observed with the increase in mean temperature (−2.65 g 100 g−1 per °C). Sucrose/total RFO and total sugar concentration also declined with increasing mean temperature −0.10 g 100 g−1 per °C and −0.35 g 100 g−1 per °C, respectively. Soybean with desired nutritional profile for specialties, such as high sucrose concentration and low raffinose, were obtained at cool temperatures (&lt;19.4°C) during seed filling. Producers and breeders can use this information to identify climatic variable thresholds that maximize the concentration of sugars in seeds and select traits and environments useful to improve soybean under climate warming conditions.

Genetics and diet explain sex differences in glucose metabolism and cognitive function

AbstractBackgroundDiabetes and cognitive impairment occur together more often than would be expected by chance [1–6]. Individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have a 1.4–2.2‐fold higher risk of dementia than those without diabetes [2,6,7]. Epidemiological research has demonstrated shared risk factors, metabolic disorders, and comorbidities[5,8], shared genetics[9], and evidence of causality assessing glycemic traits [4,10–12]. We set out to determine how glucose metabolism modifies normal aging‐related cognitive decline in comparison to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)‐related decline, given genetic diversity and controlled diet (GxD).MethodWe studied an innovative, genetically diverse mouse population (AD‐BXDs, Fig. 1) to determine GxD effects on metabolic function and the transition to cognitive impairment [13]. The data were collected longitudinally from a cohort of ∼650 AD‐BXD mice (39 unique strains) fed either a low‐fat chow diet or a high‐fat, high sucrose diet (HFD:45% fat,17.5% sucrose). Glucose metabolism was assessed by measuring the area under the curve of an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT). In general, faster clearance of glucose (smaller area under the curve) reflects better glycemic control. Contextual fear memory (CFM) at 6 and 14 months of age was the measure of cognitive function. We used multivariable linear regression to model the relationship between overall CFM and an IPGTT by strain effect.ResultWe found that there was heterogeneity in IPGTT by sex, strain, and diet, accounting for more than 50% of the variation explained (Fig. 2). Females generally exhibit faster glucose metabolism than males (Fig.2, left), while the magnitude of the effect of sex and diet on IPGTT differs by strain (Fig. 2, x‐axis). For our research question of how glucose metabolism affects cognitive function, we identified strains that exhibited resilience to cognitive dysfunction as predicted by their glucose metabolism, with a broad‐sense heritability of 0.81 (Fig. 3). These early findings establish a foundation to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and GxD‐type QTLS based on glucose tolerance and cognitive function associations.ConclusionBy examining the effect of diet on AD‐BXD strains and incorporating metabolic measures associated with diabetes, we will be able to evaluate and validate cause in these relationships for the first time.