Higher Amino Acid Content Research Articles

Some Amino Acids Affect the Response of Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) Single Nodules In Vitro Multiplication

Organic nitrogen, which comes from amino acids, is absorbed and transported more rapidly than inorganic nitrogen by plant cells and tissues. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of some amino acids on the response of single nodes of grape Vitis vinifera L. Superior and Red globe cultivars were classified for in vitro multiplication to develop an efficient protocol for propagation of these two valuable species. The study included two experiments: first, the effect of adding three concentrations (0, 0.5, and 1) mg L-1 of Benzyl Adenine (BA) to the MS medium in the initiation stage. The second investigation utilized three amino acid types (glutamine, asparagine, and methionine) at five concentrations (0, 10, 20, 40, and 80) mg L-1 added to MS medium containing 2 mg L-1 of BA. Results indicated that the most significant newly initiated shoots (2.40 and 2.88) and the largest leaves number (7.90 and 5.88) for both cultivars, Superior and Red globe, respectively were obtained in a medium with 1 mg L-1 of BA. The multiplication results in eight weeks after cultivation showed that adding amino acid glutamine at 10 mg L-1 significantly increased the number of shoots/explant (6.60 and 6.00) and (29.50 and 38.30) leaves/explant for Red globe and Superior, respectively. The high amino acid concentrations (40 and 80) mg L-1 significantly reduced the studied growth parameters, especially the number of newly formed shoots. The results obtained from the present study exhibited the possibility of applying this modified protocol to the propagation of selected grape cultivars to encourage the expansion of the grape-growing industry in Iraq.

Environmental adaptation, growth performance and nutrient content of the clam Cyclina sinensis from different geographic locations

The clam Cyclina sinensis is an economically important marine species in China. However, overfishing, habitat destruction, and inbreeding have led to the destruction of genetic resources. In this study, five natural populations [Dandong (DD), Dongying (DY), Tianjin (TJ), Wenzhou (WZ), and Yancheng (YC)] from different geographical locations were relocated and cultured homogeneously to study their potential for translocation and environmental adaptation by observing growth performance and nutrient content. There were significant differences in the growth rates of shell length (SL), shell height (SH), and shell width (SW) among the five populations (P<0.05). The DD, TJ, and YC populations exhibited the highest SL and SH growth rates, whereas these were lowest in the WZ population. The survival rate was highest in the YC population and lowest in the WZ population, which was significantly lower than the other four populations (P<0.05). The DD population exhibited superior plumpness and glycogen content, and the overall glycogen content in male C. sinensis was higher compared with that in females (P<0.05). All populations displayed a high total amino acid content and the essential amino acid/Total Amino Acid (EAA/TAA) and Non-essential amino acid/Total Amino Acid (NEAA/TAA) ratios in the soft tissue of all five populations aligned with the FAO/WHO ideal protein evaluation standards. Despite the same aquaculture environment, however, the nutrient composition of C. sinensis sampled from different populations varied significantly (P<0.05).Therefore, ex situ conservation did not eliminate nutritional differences between the different populations of C. sinensis. These findings highlight the importance of considering environmental and ecological factors in the nutritional assessment and cultivation of shellfish. In addition, C. sinensis from sampling sites closer to the transplantation sites had higher survival rates and growth rates, and the gonadal development of all populations showed adaption to the local environment, resulting in synchronization of the reproductive period.

ALTERNATIVE NON-TRADITIONAL SOURCES OF FEED PROTEIN AND AMINO ACIDS

The article presents a literature review on the risks of the global problem of fodder protein and protein amino acids in the feeding of agricultural animals and poultry. Alternative ways of solving it are due to the production and use of non-traditional feed raw materials in feed diets. A number of scientists consider atypical agricultural biotechnological products obtained from insects to be one of the alternative sources of fodder protein and amino acids and see prospects in the development of their production. The most common subjects for study in this regard are crickets, locusts, silkworm larvae, flies, worms, etc. Their protein value, amino acid, fatty acid and mineral composition, the content of vitamins, and other biologically active substances are studied. The development of this direction is considered one of the ways to solve a number of urgent environmental and fodder problems on a biological basis. Рurpose of the research was to study the protein value and complete amino acid composition of flour from insects, namely flour from the larvae of the BSF fly, crickets and snails, and the methods of its determining: crude protein by the Kjeldahl method, digestible protein with the help of 0,2% pepsin, and the digestibility coefficient, and the principles of conducting researches, as well as the characteristics of methods for determining the content of replaceable and essential amino acids, including sulfur-containing, using the Kapel-105M capillary electrophoresis system. As a result of the research, it was found that cricket flour is the least valuable in terms of protein value (digestible protein and digestibility coefficient), and it is also poor in the content of nonessential and essential amino acids, compared to other studied types of insect flour. The best indicators of protein value were noted in the flour from BSF fly larvae in terms of the content of crude and digestible proteins, as well as the digestibility coefficient, which is 75.6%, which indicates its good digestibility by the bodies of animals and birds. The highest content of amino acids is contained in the flour from BSF fly larvae. Taking into account the above results of crude protein content, digestibility, and digestibility in this sample, amino acid digestibility will also be higher compared to other flour samples. In addition, flour from BSF fly larvae is rich in sulfur-containing amino acids. The content of tryptophan and histidine, compared to other types of raw materials, is the highest. The studied samples of insect flour contain a complete set of essential and nonessential amino acids, but BSF fly larvae flour and snail flour are more valuable for essential amino acids.

Bioactive peptides derived from the enzymatic hydrolysis of cowhide collagen for the potential treatment of atherosclerosis: A computational approach

Cowhide collagen hydrolysates (CCHs) are peptides and amino acids obtained from the partial hydrolysis of collagen. These have numerous potential applications in the food, biomedical, and pharmaceutical industries. The study analyzed the physicochemical, antioxidant, and anti-atherosclerosis properties of collagen hydrolysates (CCHs) from cowhide using in silico methods. Proteins were identified in silico based on their molecular weights and origin from the protein database (UniProtKB). Using bioinformatics tools, numerous physicochemical properties (toxicity and amino acid composition) were determined. The identified proteins were subsequently subjected to an in silico enzymatic hydrolysis using pepsin, thermolysin, and proteinase K. The peptides obtained were characterized. Molecular docking was conducted between the peptides generated in silico and the three target enzymes (3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase, cyclooxygenase-2, and Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NADPH) oxidase). Two cowhide collagens were identified, F1MJQ6 and G3MZI7, with molecular weights of 172,076 and 184,867 ​Da, respectively. A compositional analysis of F1MJQ6 and G3MZI7 revealed the significant presence of glycine residues at 25% and 23%, and proline residues at 16% and 18%, respectively. The G3MZI7 and F1MJQ6 proteins exhibited a high concentration of both essential and semi-essential amino acids. The molecular docking results indicate that the antioxidant peptides ADF, PHF, and LW (novel potential anti-atherosclerosis peptides released by enzymatic hydrolysis with pepsin, thermolysin, and proteinase K) are the most promising candidates for further development as inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase, cyclo-oxygenase-2, and NADPH oxidase. In silico analysis revealed that cowhide collagen hydrolysates exhibited particularly significant antioxidant and anti-atherosclerosis properties.

The Influence of Substrate and Strain on Protein Quality of Pleurotus ostreatus

Background: The effect of substrate and strain on the nutritional and functional properties of mushroom flours and protein concentrates (PCs) has not thoroughly been investigated. Methods: The proteins of P. ostreatus flours (strains AMRL144 and 150) were isolated following alkaline extraction (pH 12) and isoelectric precipitation (pH 4) as it was determined by the solubility curves. The protein quality of the flours and PCs were evaluated by determining the protein solubility index (PSI) and their functional properties, such as water (WAC) and oil absorption capacity (OAC), foam capacity (FC), foam stability (FS) and emulsion stability (ES). The amino acid (AA) composition of the flours was determined by reversed-phase liquid chromatography after protein hydrolysis and o-phthalaldehyde derivatization. Results: The PSIs of the flours and PCs of P. ostreatus were comparable to those of soy protein flours and protein concentrates. The highest AA concentration was found for both strains when cultivated on the barley and oat straw (BOS) substrate, showing a similar trend as the protein content. A principal component analysis (PCA) indicated an impact of the strain on the functional properties. Conclusions: Both strains can produce high quality proteins especially when cultivated on wheat straw (WS). The FS was positively correlated with the P. ostreatus strain AMRL150 whereas the FC was positively correlated with AMRL144.

Antioxidant polypeptides derived from pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L) Mill sp.) by enzymatic hydrolysis

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L) Mill sp.) seeds are rich sources of protein in the legume family and their consumption has been associated with the prevention of noncommunicated diseases, which is attributable to their content of bioactive components. Antioxidant protein hydrolysates were produced from pigeon pea protein isolate (PPI) by enzymatic hydrolysis using pancreatin and flavourzyme. The hydrolysates were analyzed for their physicochemical, molecular weight, amino acid composition, and in vitro antioxidant activities. The molecular weights of polypeptides in the hydrolysates were 8, 20, 25 and 48 kDa, which were determined after pancreatin or flavourzyme hydrolysis of the protein isolate for 4 h. Pancreatin-hydrolyzed pigeon pea protein (PPHP) contained high hydrophobic amino acids, especially isoleucine, leucine and valine, which were related to the high content of aromatic amino acids. The hydrolysates obtained from flavourzyme hydrolysis of pigeon pea proteins (PPHF) presented significantly higher capacities to scavenge ABTS˙+ and reduce Fe3 + better than that of PPI, while the PPI exhibited strong DPPH scavenging (98.4 mg trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity). The results indicated that the partial hydrolysis for PPI provided medium to high molecular weight of peptides. Therefore, PPHF could be a promising source of bioactive peptides and a potential ingredient for the formulation of functional foods against oxidative stress

The potential benefits of Oreochromis mossambicus derived hydrophobic peptides in protecting the skin against UVA-induced damage

This study explores the bioactive properties of peptide fractions obtained from tilapia fish scale collagen peptide, with a focus on their potential for skincare applications. Peptide fraction F5 demonstrated significant anti-UVA activity by effectively reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting elastase activity. Analysis of amino acid composition revealed a high concentration of specific amino acids in F5, suggesting antioxidant and elastase inhibitory actions. Moreover, compared to conventional antioxidants, F5 exhibited superior efficacy in scavenging free radicals such as ROS. In vitro studies demonstrated F5's ability to promote fibroblast proliferation and migration, contributing to cell repair and tissue regeneration. Mechanistic insights revealed F5's downregulation of MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-12 expression, which helps preserve collagen and elastin. Peptide identification and molecular docking analysis provided further understanding of F5's inhibitory mechanism against MMP-12. Overall, these findings indicate the potential of F5 in skincare products and functional foods, offering protection against UVA-induced damage and promoting skin health.

Amino acid composition of proteins and technological indicators of grain quality of genotypes and varieties of spring soft wheat in northern Kazakhstan

The purpose of the paper was to carry out a biochemical and technological evaluation of spring soft wheat grain and to determine the total amino acid composition for the selection of the most valuable genotypes with a high content of essential amino acids. This paper presents the results of biochemical and technological studies of the grain and flour of spring soft wheat plants grown in northern Kazakhstan. The research involved 170 genotypes of spring soft wheat from northern Kazakhstan, 16 of which had the highest grain quality. In the grains of the studied samples, the protein content and the number of essential and nonessential amino acids were determined, and the biological value of the protein was evaluated using the amino acid score method. A strong positive correlation was established between phenylalanine and lysine (r = 0.98), and a weak negative relationship was established between protein content and methionine (r = -0.02) and between methionine and lysine (r = -0.17). Based on the obtained data, the most valuable varieties and lines (256/14 and 53/14) with high-quality information about grain, flour, and bread and the most balanced amino acid composition of proteins were selected because these varieties are important for enhancing the nutritional value and overall utility of these wheat varieties in food production and human consumption. The utilization of such genotypes in breeding programs and agricultural practices holds the promise of yielding crops with improved protein quality and nutritional content, ultimately contributing to enhanced food security and dietary health in the region

Potential of Sea Cucumbers as Fuctional Foods

Sea cucumbers have great potential for managing water resources because they have filter feeder properties that can clean water from harmful substances. Apart from that, sea cucumbers also contain active compounds which have properties as functional foods and can help prevent cancer. Samples of sea cucumbers were collected from Karimunjawa, Central Java, and Surabaya. The research included tests for bacteria, chemicals, and heavy metals on dried sea cucumbers, as well as amino acid analysis. Two species of sea cucumbers were identified: Holothuria atra and Stichopus variegates. H. atra had a higher amino acid content and the highest collagen content among all the amino acids (14,600mg.100g-1). Both types of sea cucumber samples contain amino acids that have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. This is due to their content of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, and terpenoids, which are beneficial for health. Additionally, S. variegates has been found to have antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria. The amino acid analysis of S. variegates shows the presence of sulfate and alanine compounds, which are not found in H. atra. Research has shown that sea cucumbers can be consumed as supplements or additional food to support health and prevent various diseases, including cancer. The use of sea cucumbers as functional food ingredients also has the potential to manage water resources sustainably. In conclusion, H. atra and S. varigatus sea cucumbers have great potential for managing water resources for functional food and cancer prevention efforts. Their high content of amino acids and other phytochemical compounds makes them a good choice for development as functional food ingredients.

Enhancing anammox process with granular activated carbon: A study on Microbial Extracellular Secretions (MESs)

Granular activated carbon (GAC), a porous carbon-based material, provides increased attachment space for functional microorganisms and enhances nitrogen removal by facilitating extracellular electron transfer in the anammox process. This study investigates the effects of GAC on the biosynthesis of microbial extracellular secretions (MESs) and explores the roles of these secretions in anammox activities. Four lab-scale reactors were operated: two downstream UASB reactors (D1 and D2) receiving effluents from the upstream UASB reactors (U1: no-GAC, U2: yes-GAC). Our results indicate that MESs were enhanced with the addition of GAC. The effluent from U2 exhibited a 59.62 % higher amino acid content than that from U1. These secretions contributed to an increase in the nitrogen loading rate (NLR) in the downstream reactors. Specifically, NLR in D1 increased from 130.5 to 142.7 g N/m3/day, and in D2, it escalated from 137.5 to 202.8 g N/m3/day, likely through acting as cross-feeding substrates or vital nutrients. D2 also showed increased anammox bacterial activity, enriched Ca. Brocadia population and hao gene abundance. Furthermore, this study revealed that D2 sludge has significantly higher extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) (48.71 mg/g VSS) and a larger average granule size (1.201 ± 0.119 mm) compared to D1 sludge. Overall, GAC-stimulated MESs may have contributed to the enhanced performance of the anammox process.

BEE PRDUCTS AND THE POTENTIAL HEALTH ISSUES ARISING FROM THEIR UNCONTROLLED USE

In Turkiye, as well as worldwide, traditional and alternative medical practices are employed for the preservation of health and the treatment of various diseases. Among these practices, Apitherapy has gained particular attention, especially in recent years. Since drug use causes serious side effects, especially on human health, people are increasingly turning to alternative medical treatment methods with minimal or no side effects.
 Apitherapy is a treatment method involving bee products such as honey, pollen, Royal Jel, propolis, and bee venom. It is primarily used for the purpose of promoting a healthier lifestyle. While these products have been traditionally used in various treatments for many years, their systematic use has gained prominence in recent years. Studies have shown that these products strengthen the immune system, provide protection against various types of cancer, and exhibit antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
 Furthermore, the high content of protein, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids in these products enhances their therapeutic potential. However, alongside the benefits of these supportive and therapeutic substances, there is a possibility of various toxic effects when used irregularly and without medical supervision. Sometimes, these situations can lead to various organ failures. This review aims to reveal the undesirable effects encountered in the use of bee products and apitherapy applications, and emphasizes that all natural products, especially bee products, should not be used uncontrolled.

Comparative Metabolomics and Transcriptome Studies of Two Forms of Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall. under UV-B Stress.

Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall. (R. chrysanthum), a plant with UV-B resistance mechanisms that can adapt to alpine environments, has gained attention as an important plant resource with the ability to cope with UV-B stress. In this experiment, R. chrysanthums derived from the same origin were migrated to different culture environments (artificial climate chamber and intelligent artificial incubator) to obtain two forms of R. chrysanthum. After UV-B irradiation, 404 metabolites and 93,034 unigenes were detected. Twenty-six of these different metabolites were classified as UV-B-responsive metabolites. Glyceric acid is used as a potential UV-B stress biomarker. The domesticated Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall. had high amino acid and SOD contents. The study shows that the domesticated Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall. has significant UV-B resistance. The transcriptomics results show that the trends of DEGs after UV-B radiation were similar for both forms of R. chrysanthum: cellular process and metabolic process accounted for a higher proportion in biological processes, cellular anatomical entity accounted for the highest proportion in the cellular component, and catalytic activity and binding accounted for the highest proportion in the molecular function category. Through comparative study, the forms of metabolites resistant to UV-B stress in plants can be reflected, and UV-B radiation absorption complexes can be screened for application in future specific practices. Moreover, by comparing the differences in response to UV-B stress between the two forms of R. chrysanthum, references can be provided for cultivating domesticated plants with UV-B stress resistance characteristics. Research on the complex mechanism of plant adaptation to UV-B will be aided by these results.

Extraction and purification of seaweed protein from Ulva sp. - Challenges to overcome

Ulva sp. has gained attention as a promising and sustainable protein source, due to its high essential amino acid content. This study investigated traditional extraction methods using a double screw press followed by acid or heat precipitation. Furthermore, the screw pressing was combined by a novel purification method that combines mild heat treatment with microfiltration for removal of chlorophyll, to produce white Ulva protein. The double screw press followed by acid precipitation or heat denaturation showed low total protein yields, with 14% of the biomass protein extracted, of which half was soluble. The highest total protein yield (5.5%) was achieved with acid precipitation at pH 2, while heat denaturation at 90 °C resulted in a total protein yield of 4.1%. Acid precipitation proved to be effective with ∼ 81% precipitation of solubilized protein compared to ∼ 43% for heat denaturation. While microfiltration effectively retained chlorophyll in the retentate, the recovery of protein in the permeate remained challenging. SDS-PAGE analysis of proteins in different microfiltration-fractions showed that larger protein complexes (>250 kDa) were unable to transmit through the membranes, resulting in a maximum recovery of 24.9% of the feed-protein in the permeate. Further refinement of Ulva fractionation protocols is imperative for improvement.

Integration of widely targeted metabolomics and the e-tongue reveals the chemical variation and taste quality of Yunnan Arabica coffee prepared using different primary processing methods

UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and electronic tongue analysis were applied to analyse the metabolic profile and taste quality of Yunnan Arabica coffee under seven primary processing methods. The total phenolic content ranged from 34.44 to 44.42 mg/g DW, the e-tongue results revealed the strongest umami sensor response value in the sample prepared with traditional dry processing, while the samples prepared via honey processing II had the strongest astringency sensor response value. Metabolomics analysis identified 221 differential metabolites, with higher contents of amino acids and derivatives within dry processing II sample, and increased contents of lipids and phenolic acids in the honey processing III sample. The astringency and aftertaste-astringency of the coffee samples positively correlated with the trigonelline, 3,5-di-caffeoylquinic acid and 4-caffeoylquinic acid content. The results contributed to a better understanding of how the primary processing process affects coffee quality, and supply useful information for the enrichment of coffee biochemistry theory.

Characteristics of the photosynthetic activity of corn using different drugs under stress

Goal. To study under controlled conditions the effect of hormonal preparations based on humus extracts and anti-stress stimulants with a high content of amino acids and biologically active substances on the development of corn under conditions of stress, as well as their effect on the photosynthetic activity of plants.
 Methods. The research was carried out in a climatic chamber (a room with adjustable control of temperature, daylight and air humidity) of the Ukrainian research plant quarantine station of the Institute of Plant Protection of the National Academy of Sciences. Photosynthetic activity was measured using a portable fluorometer «Floratest». During the growing season, two foliar feedings were carried out in the phase of development of corn VVSN 12, the first application of drugs during the growing season — VVSN 13, — the second application of drugs during the vegetation period — VVSN 14.
 Results. The analysis of the induction curves of chlorophyll fluorescence and the indicators of the maximum background fluorescence showed a difference between the plants that were under soil moisture of 70% and 50% RH. When corn plants were in a state close to stress for a long time, the difference between the curves of chlorophyll fluorescence intensity between the two controls increased. The use of the studied drugs provided the finding of the indicator of the maximum value of fluorescence induction above the dry control in all variants of the experiment. Best results provided: preparation B (high concentrated suspension for nutrition and plant stress decreasing based upon the humus extract. They contented N — 150 g/l, K2O — 300 g/l, Mg — 30 g/l, metal cations in В, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn with additional adhesive effects and surfactant), at rate of application 0.5 and 0.25 l/ha; Axofol (high concentrated suspension from extract of brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum with microelements, B — 38.1 g/l, Mn — 10.2 g/l, Zn — 6.4 g/l) at rate of application 1.0 and 0.5 l/ha.
 Conclusions. As the time of corn plants being in a state close to stress increases, the difference between the curve of chlorophyll fluorescence intensity in the wet control and the dry control increases. The use of the studied drugs provided the finding of the indicator of the maximum value of fluorescence induction above the dry control in all variants of the experiment. The use of the researched preparations in conditions of soil moisture of 50% ensured the improvement of vegetation indicators of plants.

Can Foliar-Applied Omeprazole Improve the Yield, Assimilation, Recovery and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Bean Plants?

The low efficiency of nitrogen (N) fertilizers is a frequent problem in agriculture that impacts the environment. Omeprazole (OMP) has been reported to promote N uptake and assimilation in tomato, basil, and corn. However, information about the effect of omeprazole on N assimilation, recovery, and N use efficiency parameters for bean plants is limited. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the effect of foliar applications of OMP at 0, 1, 10, and 100 µM on nitrogen assimilation, growth, yield, nitrogen use efficiency parameters, and recovery percentage in green bean plants. Green bean plants cv. Strike grown in pots were used. Biomass, yield, nitrate reductase activity, photosynthetic pigments concentration, soluble amino acids and protein concentrations, total nitrogen concentration, nitrogen use efficiency parameters, and nitrogen recovery were analyzed. The results obtained indicate that the application of OMP at 1 µM increased yield and biomass, promoted N assimilation through higher NR enzyme activity, higher amino acid concentration, higher N use efficiency coefficient, and allowed a more efficient nitrogen recovery percentage.

Nutritional and physicochemical characteristics of Asiatic hard clam powder prepared by different cook-drying processes: a comparative study.

Asiatic hard clam (Meretrix meretrix) is an underutilized bivalve resource. This study discusses dried clam powders prepared from this resource to enhance its utilization and improve nutritional security in protein-deficient populations. Dried clam powder was prepared from Asiatic hard clam and the effects of different pre-cooking methods (boil-dried clam powder, BDCP; steam-dried clam powder, SDCP; and microwave-dried clam powder, MDCP) on nutritional (proximate composition, amino acid profiling, mineral profiling, fatty acid profiling) and physicochemical qualities were investigated. Different pre-cooking methods significantly influenced the characteristics of the clam powder. The MDCP sample showed the highest concentration of amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, Na, K, Ca and Mg content compared to BDCP and SDCP. The boiling process led to a loss of nutritional quality in terms of amino acids and macrominerals. The MDCP displayed the highest solubility in water (30.10%) but its oil and water absorption characteristics were the lowest among all the samples. Boil-cooked clam powder displayed the highest oil binding (2.03 mL g-1 protein) capacity. Boiling and steaming processes resulted in malondialdehyde generation compared to microwaving. Different pre-cooking processes did not influence the colour attributes significantly, but the control sample prepared without pre-cooking (CCP) had a significantly lower L* value (32.34), resulting in a darker product. In vitro digestibility of the clam powder varied in the order MDCP > SDCP > BDCP > CCP. The study demonstrated that nutritionally rich protein powder can be prepared from Asiatic hard clam. Based on the results, microwave pre-cooking is considered the best pre-cooking method to preserve the nutritional qualities of clam powder. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

In Vivo Diuretic Activity and Anti-Hypertensive Potential of Hibiscus sabdariffa Extract by Inhibition of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme and Hypertension Precursor Enzymes.

Aqueous extracts of calyx from Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) (roselle) are highly appreciated for their nutritional and therapeutic effects, especially as anti-hypertensive substances. This study aimed to evaluate their anti-hypertensive potential through an in vitro inhibition assay of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and hypertension precursor enzymes and to assess the in vivo diuretic activity of HS. Results showed that HS extract inhibited enzymes belonging to several classes, such as α-amylase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, xanthine oxidase, lipoxygenase, and angiotensin-converting enzyme. In particular, enzymatic kinetics of ACE indicated a competitive inhibition fashion of HS extract. Furthermore, the extracts showed remarkable diuretic and natriuretic effects at doses of 50 mg/kg/bw, 100 mg/kg/b.w, and 200 mg/kg.b.w. These activities can be explained by the high content of phenolic compounds and essential amino acids. Roselle could be a potential source of nutraceuticals and anti-hypertensive bioactive compounds.

Composition of microalgae produced using different types of water and nutrient sources

Microalgae are commonly referred to as ‘unicellular factories’ due to their size and their capacity to produce and accumulate valuable biomolecules. The synthesis of a given biomolecule is generally triggered by external stimuli (e.g., light). This work evaluated the effect of different types of water and nutrient sources (freshwater, wastewater, fertilisers, or pig slurry) on the biochemical composition of the microalga Tetradesmus almeriensis produced on a pilot-scale. Overall, significant differences were observed in the biochemical composition of the biomasses (p < 0.05). The biomass produced using freshwater and fertilisers showed potential to be used as food given its high content of essential amino acids, carotenoids (mainly lutein and β-carotene), and PUFAs (C18:2 and C18:3). The microalgae produced using wastewater showed potential applications in the animal feed and agricultural industries. They showed a higher abundance of essential amino acids and carotenoids, including fucoxanthin and lycopene; the latter was only detected when the biomass was produced using secondary wastewater. The biomass produced using pig slurry as the source of nutrients showed potential for being used as animal feed or as an agricultural product given its high content in essential biomolecules and amino acids. The biochemical composition was not only a cause of different microbial diversities but also of the effect of the different composition of the culture medium that trigger different responses of the microalgal cells.

Nutritional guide to feeding wheat and wheat co-products to swine: a review.

Inclusion of wheat grain can offer feeding opportunities in swine diets because of its high starch, crude protein (CP), amino acid (AA), and phosphorus (P) content. High concentrations of starch within wheat grain makes it a good energy source for swine. Mean energy content of wheat was 4,900 and 3,785 kcal/kg dry matter (DM) for digestible energy and metabolizable energy, respectively. CP concentration can vary based on the class of wheat which include hard red winter, hard red spring, soft red winter, hard white, soft white, and durum. The average CP of all wheat data collected in this review was 12.6% with a range of 8.5% to 17.6%. The AA concentration of wheat increases with increasing CP with the mean Lys content of 0.38% with a standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of 76.8%. As CP of wheat increases, the SID of AA in wheat also increases. Mean P of wheat was 0.27% and median P was 0.30%. Off-quality wheat is often associated with sprouts, low-test weight, or mycotoxin-contamination. Sprouted and low-test weight wheat are physical abnormalities associated with decreased starch within wheat kernel that leads to reductions in energy. The assumed energy value of wheat grain may need to be reduced by up to 10% when the proportion of sprouted to non-sprouted wheat is up to 40% whereas above 40%, wheat's energy may need to be reduced by 15% to 20%. Low-test weight wheat appears to not influence pig performance unless it falls below 644kg/m3 and then energy value should be decreased by 5% compared to normal wheat. Deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination is most common with wheat grain. When content is above the guidance level of 1mg/kg of DON in the complete diet, each 1mg/kg increase in a DON-contaminated wheat-based diet will result in a 11% and 6% reduction in ADG and ADFI for nursery pigs, and a 2.7% and 2.6% reduction in ADG and ADFI, in finishing pigs, respectively. Wheat co-products are produced from the flour milling industry. Wheat co-products include wheat bran middlings, millrun, shorts, and red dog. Wheat co-products can be used in swine diets, but application may change because of differences in the final diet energy concentration due to changes in the starch and fiber levels of each wheat co-product. However, feeding wheat co-products are being evaluated to improve digestive health. Overall, wheat and wheat co-products can be fed in all stages of production if energy and other nutrient characteristics are considered.