High Fiber Content Research Articles

Germinated Vigna aconitifolia: A novel functional food ingredient for heart health

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Dietary modifications, such as increasing consumption of plant-based foods, can play a crucial role in preventing and managing CVD. This study aimed to investigate the nutritional profile of germinated Vigna aconitifolia (V. aconitifolia) flour and its potential as a functional food ingredient for cardiovascular health. The nutritional profile of germinated V. aconitifolia flour was evaluated using standard analytical methods. The amino acid profile, vitamin B content, and other nutrients were analyzed and compared with its ungerminated counterpart. The results showed that germinated V. aconitifolia flour had a lower methionine content and a higher content of vitamin B6 and folate compared to its ungerminated counterpart. The germinated flour also had a higher content of fiber, potassium, and magnesium. The nutritional changes in germinated V. aconitifolia flour may contribute to its potential CVD protective action by reducing homocysteine levels and improving endothelial function.This study suggests that germinated V. aconitifolia flour may be a potential functional food ingredient for cardiovascular health. Its incorporation into food products may provide a nutritious and wholesome option for consumers

The development of protein biscuits for pets containing pro-teinrich baru residue (Dipterix alata Vog)

The objective of this work was to evaluate the chemical composition of by-product flours for the development of dog biscuits. 5 formulations were prepared with 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% replacement of baru by-product flours. Defatted pie flour contains high levels of protein (25.93 g 100 g-1) and lipids (24.89 g 100 g-1), but low in total fiber (6.15 g 100 g-1). Baru bark flour had low lipid (1.0 g 100 g-1) and protein (5.34 g 100 g-1) contents, but high total fiber content (59.67 g 100 g-1). The levels of total phenolic compounds vary from (14525 and 12532 mg EAG g 100 g-1) with emphasis on baru peel flour. The predominant nutrients in the cookies were carbohydrates (56.49 to 51.20 g 100 g-1 for cookies made with baru bark flour (BCB) 52.78 and 49.62 for cookies made with degreased pie flour baru (BTDB), followed by lipids (21.67-23.53 g 100 g-1 for BTDB and 19.05-22.33 g 100 g-1 for BCB) and protein (12.10-15.05 for BTDB g 100 g-1 and 11.23 and 12.19 for BCB g 100 g-1), the study highlights the importance of using by-products in the development of dog food products.

Chemical Composition, Fermentation Parameters and Losses of Silages From Different Hybrids of Biomass Sorghum

ABSTRACTDue to their high productivity, biomass sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) hybrids may be promising to maximise roughage production for ruminants. However, the variation in chemical composition among hybrids may impact the nutritional value and the fermentation process of the silages produced. Thus, the present study assessed the fermentation quality and chemical composition of silages from five hybrids of biomass sorghum. The experiment adopted a 5 × 2 factorial randomised block design with five biomass sorghum hybrids (CMSXS5039, CMSXS5044, CMSXS7102, CMSXS7103 and BRS 716) sowed in two municipalities of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil (Dourados and Jateí). The parameters assessed were chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility, profile of short‐chain organic acids, pH, ammonia, fermentation losses and aerobic stability. The silages produced from CMSXS7102, CMSXS7103 and BRS 716 in Dourados had higher fibre content and lower digestibility coefficients. In contrast, hybrids with higher non‐fibrous carbohydrate content and lower lignin levels, such as CMSXS5044 and CMSXS5039, exhibited the best digestibility values. Silages produced in Jateí had higher moisture content, which resulted in increased effluent losses, particularly for the CMSXS5044 (450 kg ton−1 DM) and CMSXS5039 (320 kg ton−1 DM) hybrids. This higher effluent production in Jateí led to lower soluble protein (SP) and degradable protein (DP) concentrations compared to the silages from Dourados. Additionally, the higher moisture content in Jateí promoted the production of butyric acid in the silages. Silages from the CMSXS5039 hybrid (70.5 g kg−1 DM) had the highest lactic acid content; however, no significant difference was observed in acetic acid levels between the treatments. Overall, all the sorghum biomass hybrids tested produced silages with good fermentative and nutritional quality, but CMSXS5039 stood out in most of the parameters evaluated.

Coffee Pulp from Azores: A Novel Phytochemical-Rich Food with Potential Anti-Diabetic Properties.

Coffee pulp, a by-product of wet coffee processing, shows significant potential in the food and health domains, but its real applications remain underexplored. This work investigated the chemical composition and bioactive properties of coffee pulp from São Miguel Island (Azores, Portugal). The studied coffee pulp exhibited high fiber content (52% dw), mostly insoluble; notable mineral levels (10.6%), mainly K, Ca, and Mg; and 6% dw of total amino acids, with hydroxyproline, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and leucine in higher amounts. Despite containing low fat (1.6% dw), mainly saturated, it also showed considerable amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids with a favorable n6/n3 ratio (1.40) and vitamin E (α-, β-, and γ-tocopherols). Its antioxidant capacity can be partially explained by the chlorogenic acid content (9.2 mg/g dw), and caffeine (0.98%) was present in similar amounts to those observed in some arabica coffee beans. A decrease in glucose uptake in Caco-2 cells was found, but not in fructose, suggesting selective inhibition of SGLT1 and potential antidiabetic effects. These results show that Azorean coffee pulp has potential as a sustainable and bioactive ingredient for incorporation into functional foods or dietary supplements.

Quantitative Analysis of Yield Stress and Its Evolution in Fiber-Reinforced Cemented Paste Backfill

Fiber-reinforced cemented paste backfill (FR-CPB) has attracted considerable attention in modern mining applications due to its superior mechanical properties and adaptability. Despite its potential, understanding its rheological behavior remains limited, largely because of the absence of quantitative methods for assessing fiber packing behavior within CPB. This study develops a rheology-based approach to determine the maximum packing fraction of polypropylene fibers in fresh CPB, revealing that shorter fibers (3 mm) achieve a maximum packing fraction of 0.661, significantly higher than longer fibers (12 mm) with 0.534. Building on these findings, a quantitative model for the static yield stress of FR-CPB was developed, showing that under a high fiber content (0.9%) and with longer fibers (12 mm), the yield stress reached 274.34 kPa, a 40% increase compared to shorter fibers. Additionally, the study modeled the time-dependent evolution of yield stress, achieving a prediction accuracy with a correlation coefficient of 0.92. These advancements enable the optimization of FR-CPB composition, which can reduce material usage, enhance pipeline transport efficiency, and improve backfill stability in underground voids. By minimizing the risk of structural failure and optimizing resource allocation, this research provides a theoretical foundation for safer and more cost-effective mining operations.

Substituting Fishmeal with Napier Grass Protein: Effects on Intake, Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens

This study evaluated the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens fed diets with varying substitution levels of fishmeal (FM) 0 g/kg, 250 g/kg, 500 g/kg, 750 g/kg, and 1000 g/kg DM with Napier grass protein (NGP). Treatment diets included T0 (control diet), T250, T500, T750, and T1000 to represent the different substitution levels. After the starter phase, birds were finished on a conventional fishmeal-based diet for 14 days. Feed intake, weight gain, and hot carcass decreased (P < 0.01) at a decreasing rate with increasing substitution in starter diets. Feed intake, weight gain, and hot carcass were highest (P < 0.01) in T0 birds, followed by T250 birds. Feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein, and energy utilization efficiencies were highest (P < 0.01) in T0 birds, followed by T250 birds, and lowest for T1000 birds. Ileal CP digestibility (862.3 g/kg DM) was highest for T0 birds but comparable (P > 0.05) to T500 birds (716.4 g/kg DM). Similarly, ME digestibility was highest in T0 birds (819.5 g/kg DM) although comparable (P > 0.05) to T250 birds and T500 birds. In contrast, T250 and T500 birds showed higher (P < 0.05) crude fiber digestibility (645 g/kg DM) than T0 birds (402 g/kg DM). Hot carcass weight decreased (P < 0.01) with FM substitution with the heaviest carcasses recorded for T0 birds. As a percentage of the hot carcass, the weight of the breast and thigh reduced (P < 0.05) with increasing substitution of FM. Percentage weights of empty gizzard, caeca, and pancreas for T1000 birds were higher (P < 0.05) and double compared with T0 birds. In the finisher phase, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in weight gains of T0 and T250 birds, although T250 birds had numerically higher weight gain compared with T0 birds. However, the percentage change in weight gain in the finisher phase was influenced (P < 0.05) by the MFP substitution level in the starter phase. In the finisher phase, T1000 birds had the highest percentage change in weight gain (71.6%) compared to 40.7% for T0 birds. Nonetheless, regression analysis of FCR data in the starter phase showed that optimal FCR is attained at 150 g/kg NGP substitution in broiler diets. These results suggest that NGP is of low biological value in broiler diets, probably due to its high fiber content and deficiency in methionine and lysine, which are limiting essential amino acids in broiler diets.

Investigation on rheological and compression behavior of straw fiber and cement solidified dredged slurry

This study investigates the rheological and compression behavior of cement-solidified dredged slurry with varying rice straw fiber contents (0–12%). Laboratory tests, including flow tests, viscosity measurements, and compression tests, were conducted to evaluate the influence of straw fibers on material properties. Results show that the slump flow value increased by 8.4% when fiber content increased from 0% to 0.5%, reaching a peak at 3% fiber content. Beyond 5% fiber content, slump flow decreased due to fiber entanglement and water absorption. The dynamic viscosity initially decreased as straw fibers released glucose, retarding cement hydration, but increased as fiber content surpassed 1%, due to increased water absorption and the formation of a fiber network. Yield shear stress also increased with fiber content, peaking at 5% fiber content, and was higher in fiber-reinforced slurries compared to non-fiber mixtures. Compression tests revealed that the compressibility of the solidified slurry increased with higher fiber content at early curing stages (28 days) but decreased with longer curing times (90–180 days). Compression yield stress increased initially with fiber content up to 1% but declined beyond this threshold due to fiber-induced porosity and disrupted cement bonding.

Accelerated design of solid bio-based foams for plastics substitutes.

Biobased substitutes for plastics are a future necessity. However, the design of substitute materials with similar or improved properties is a known challenge. Here we show an example case of optimizing the mechanical properties of a fully biobased methylcellulose-fiber composite material. We tackle the process-structure-property paradigm using Bayesian optimization with Gaussian process regression to map the processed material composition to the final mechanical properties of new bio-based solid foams. We exploited the fast-to-measure rheological properties of the liquid biofiber suspensions processed into foams to show how these collapse to an auxiliary sub-space of low dimensionality for design. The optimal compositions for methylcellulose-fiber foams shown here correspond to two distinct cases: high methylcellulose content for the formation of strong closed-cell foams, and high fiber contents with approximately equal amounts of methylcellulose for the formation of methylcellulose-bound fiber networks. The novel approach is transferable to other biobased foam compositions with different fibers and additives. This new approach allows the rational design of bio-based plastics replacements by encompassing desired final material properties, descriptors of materials processed, and knowledge of the process.

Nutritional and technological potential of umbu-caja and soursop co-product flours.

Umbu-caja and soursop from the Northeast region of Brazil are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds and are widely processed by the fruit agroindustry. However, there is a lack of research examining the composition and nutritional/technological potential of these co-product fruits. The present study evaluated the nutritional and technological characteristics of umbu-caja and soursop co-product flours (UCF and SCF, respectively), in addition to cytotoxicity in healthy cells. The results demonstrated that they are rich in dietary fiber (approximately 53%), low in protein (approximately 8.0%), and have minimal moisture content (<15%). The mineral composition of the flours exhibited a notable presence of copper, iron, zinc, manganese, and boron. The evaluation of antioxidant capacity using the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods demonstrated the presence of antioxidants that resisted processing, indicated by a high antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, the flours were found to contain phenolic compounds, predominantly rutin (UCF) and p-coumaric acid (SCF). The cytotoxicity test demonstrated that both co-product flours did not exert detrimental effects on healthy cells according to the MTT assay. The technological analyses highlighted low pH values (2.38 and 3.61 for UCF and SCF, respectively), which is favorable for a greater shelf life and suggests applications in fermented products. In addition, the flours have good water and oil holding capacity and low foaming, and they could be incorporated into food products that require these properties. The results demonstrated promising qualities of the UCF and SCF for incorporation into the human diet and product development, mainly due to their high fiber content, antioxidant capacity and low cytotoxicity.

Effects of Banana Flour on Some Physicochemical, Textural, Bioactive, and Sensory Properties of Gluten-Free Cookie.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of banana flours obtained from different banana cultivars (Grand Nain (GN), Azman (AZ), and Erdemli (ER)) on some basic physicochemical, bioactive, textural, and sensory properties of the gluten-free cookie samples by the simplex lattice mixture design approach. Incorporating banana powder into cookie samples resulted in significant changes in the parameters studied. The banana flours' total dietary fiber and total starch levels ranged between 1.37% and 3.43% and 34.82% and 41.38%, respectively. Erdemli type bananas (ER) were distinguished by their high dietary fiber and resistant starch content as well as their superior bioactive properties. Total phenolic content and antiradical activity of the cookie samples enriched with banana flour were in the range of 376-600 mg GAE/kg, while the antiradical activity values ranged between 8.64% and 59.42%. The hardness of the cookie samples also ranged between 1664.5 and 2605.9 g. According to the results of the optimization, 98.5% ER and 1.5% GN flour mixture could yield the highest response scores. As a conclusion, gluten-free cookies can be enriched by using banana flour, especially ER-type ones, to increase the bioactive properties and overall acceptability.

Identification of elite accession of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L. Dunal) for root yield and brittleness

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L. Dunal) is a commercially important arid to subtropical type agroecology crop. The field experiments were conducted at ICAR-DMAPR, Anand and ARS, AU, Samdari under agro-climatic zones III and IA, respectively. The impact of both locations was studied and diverse morphotypes of Ashwagandha were evaluated for physical, chemical and molecular parameters due to genotypic traits. The accessions were observed to be eclectic in morphological, molecular and chemical content compared to available checks. Accession DNA-4 is unique for number of branches, dry stem weight, berry size, root weight, number of secondary roots, root size, test weight and root yield. Accession DTWr-1 is unique for crude fiber, starch and total withanolides content. The result obtained from evaluation studies showed that accession DNA-4 will be suitable for the powder industry and the extraction industry might prefer DTWr-1. DTWr-1 and DNA-4 were earnestly performed under both locations. Both the morphotypes with high starch and low crude fibre content roots fetch a premium price under Agro-climatic zone IA and maintain root brittleness suitable for churna and extract preparation. Overall, the region-specific cultivation of selected elites under particular agro-climatic conditions for specific purposes will be promoted.

Enhancing nutrient intake, egg production, and egg quality by fermented Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal in a diet of laying quail

Background and Aim: The inclusion of Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal (LLM) in poultry feed is often limited due to its high crude fiber and mimosine content. This study investigates the potential of fermented LLM (FLM) to enhance nutrient intake, egg production, and egg quality in laying quails by reducing anti-nutritional factors through fermentation. Materials and Methods: Two hundred 42-day-old laying quails were assigned to five dietary treatments: T0 (control) = 100% basal diet (BD), T1 = 98% BD + 2% FLM, T2 = 96% BD + 4% FLM, T3 = 94% BD + 6% FLM, and T4 = 92% BD + 8% FLM. Parameters including nutrient intake (energy, protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus), feed conversion ratio (FCR), egg production, egg weight, eggshell thickness, Haugh unit, and yolk color were measured over a 28-day trial. Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance, followed by Duncan’s test for significant differences (p ≤ 0.05). Results: FLM supplementation significantly improved energy, protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus intake while reducing FCR. At 4% FLM inclusion, significant enhancements in egg production, eggshell thickness, Haugh unit, and yolk color were observed. Conversely, fiber intake and overall feed intake remained unaffected across treatments. The highest egg production (56.43%) and best yolk color (8,95) were observed in the 8% FLM group. Conclusion: Incorporating FLM into the diets of laying quails effectively enhances nutrient utilization and improves egg production and quality without increasing feed intake. The optimal inclusion level for maximizing benefits appears to be 4-8% FLM. Keywords: Egg production, egg quality, fermentation, Leucaena leucocephala, nutrient intake.

Chemical, Thermal, and Morphological Properties of Sustainable Lignocellulosic Biomaterial

By the present paper, an experimental investigation was proposed to compare the morphological, chemical and mechanical properties of the Petiole Date Palm Wood (PDPW) collected from north and south of Algeria. Both regions have very distinctive climatic conditions &amp;ndash; wet conditions in the north (near the Mediterranean Sea) and semi-arid conditions in the south Biskra. To achieve this aim, large quantities of waste from PDPW were collected, cleaned, and cut according to the normalization specific to each type of test. After that, scanning electron micrographs, infrared spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and thermogravimetric analysis were made, and moisture content (MC) and water absorption (WA) were determined, to compare the effect of the different environmental conditions. From the results obtained, petiole date palm wood typical for the southern region had a high fiber content, attributed to its low porosity and excellent mechanical properties, which resulted in low water absorption. In contrast, the northern petiole wood reveals a higher glass transition temperature (Tg) and significant damping coefficient. At comparable relative density values, the specific properties were found to be comparable to those of balsa, foams and metallic honeycombs.

Evaluating chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seed administration for cholesterol reduction in quail (Coturnix coturnix)

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds contain phenolic compounds such as flavonols and phenolic acids (myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol, caffeic acid) that act as primary and synergistic antioxidants. These antioxidants reduce cholesterol by inhibiting absorption in the intestine and enhancing bile acid formation, facilitating cholesterol excretion through feces. Additionally, the high protein and fiber content in S. hispanica L. seeds reduces appetite and promotes prolonged satiety. This study evaluates the effect of different administration patterns of S. hispanica L. seeds on cholesterol reduction in common quail (Coturnix coturnix). The research involved five groups: three treatment groups receiving S. hispanica L. seeds at varying frequencies (once, twice, three times daily) and two controls (positive, negative), with six C. coturnix in each group. The S. hispanica L. seed dose was 1.8 mg per 200 g body weight (BW) administered for 30 days. Cholesterol levels were measured at baseline and after treatment and analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan’s Post Hoc Test. Results indicated that administering S. hispanica L. seeds three times daily significantly reduced cholesterol levels (p &lt; 0.05) compared to other frequencies. This research provides a foundation for further exploration into practical applications of S. hispanica L. seeds in cholesterol management, both in animals and potentially in humans.

Physicochemical and Organoleptic Properties of Mixed Mulberry (Morus alba) Jam at Different Temperatures and Aloe Vera (Aloe vera) Concentrations

This study aims to determine the effects of temperature and Aloe vera concentration on the physicochemical and organoleptic properties of mixed mulberry (Morus alba) jam. Jam is a semi-solid fruit and sugar-based product that requires a thickening agent to achieve optimal texture. Aloe vera was selected as a natural thickening alternative due to its polysaccharide content, such as acemannan and glucomannan, which can form gels, replacing expensive and import-dependent commercial pectin. The research employed a quantitative experimental method with a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), involving four treatment combinations of Aloe vera concentration (75 g and 100 g) and cooking temperature (70°C and 85°C). The parameters tested included physicochemical properties such as viscosity, fiber content, and vitamin C levels, along with organoleptic evaluations involving 25 panelists to assess viscosity and taste. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and an effectiveness test to identify the best treatment. The results showed that the combination of 100 g Aloe vera concentration and a cooking temperature of 85°C produced the best-quality jam, characterized by optimal viscosity, high fiber content, preserved vitamin C levels, and high panelist preference for viscosity and taste. This conclusion highlights the potential of Aloe vera as a cost-effective and value-added natural thickening agent for the food industry.

The Influence of Rice Types and Boiling Time on Glycemic Index: An In Vivo Evaluation Using the ISO 2010 Method

Effective blood glucose management is essential for individuals with type 1 diabetes, particularly when dietary adjustments involve staple foods like rice. As a primary carbohydrate worldwide, rice significantly influences the glycemic index (GI) based on its type and cooking method. This study investigated the impact of rice type and boiling duration on the GI in healthy adults using an in vivo approach aligned with ISO 2010 standards. The glycemic response to four rice types (white round-grain, parboiled medium-grain, white long-grain, and whole-grain long-grain) was measured through postprandial blood glucose levels under both standard and extended boiling conditions to assess their implications for dietary glycemic control. Ten healthy participants (mean age 25 years, body mass index (BMI) 23.0 ± 1.6 kg/m2) consumed rice samples containing 50 g of available carbohydrates, prepared under controlled boiling conditions. Postprandial glycemic response was measured at regular intervals over 2 h following ingestion, with glucose solution as a reference food. The GI was calculated based on the incremental area under the glycemic response curve for each rice sample. Extended boiling significantly increased the GI across all rice types. White round-grain rice exhibited the highest relative increase (+15.8%) in the GI, while whole-grain long-grain rice, despite showing a greater percentage increase (+25.4%), maintained the lowest overall GI due to its high amylose and fiber content. Rice types with higher amylopectin content demonstrated faster glycemic responses and higher GI compared to high-amylose types. This study highlights rice type and cooking time as critical factors influencing postprandial glycemic response. Shorter boiling durations may benefit individuals requiring strict glycemic control, particularly those with diabetes, underscoring the importance of personalized dietary guidance for managing glycemic outcomes effectively.

Hydrolysis of palm kernel meal fibre using a newly isolated Bacillus subtilis F6 with high mannanase activity

AbstractPalm kernel meal (PKM) presents a challenge for non-ruminant livestock feeding due to its high fibre content predominantly in the form of mannan. Microbial fermentation offers a sustainable solution for fibre hydrolysis in lignocellulosic biomass. In this study, a Bacillus subtilis strain (F6), with high mannanase secretion capability, was isolated from the environment. Fermentation of PKM with B. subtilis F6 resulted in at least a 10% reduction in neutral detergent fibre, decreasing from 78.4 to 60.9% within 24 h. Notably, B. subtilis F6 rapidly responded to PKM, producing significant mannanase activity within 6 h, facilitating quick fibre degradation. Transcriptome analysis identified key enzymes involved in this process, with β-mannanase GmuG showing the highest increase in expression (45.2-fold) after fermentation. Purified recombinant GmuG exhibited strong PKM hydrolysis activity, primarily releasing mannobiose and mannotriose. Characterization of GmuG using locust bean gum as a substrate revealed an optimum temperature of 50–55 °C and pH optima at 5.0 and 9.0. This study highlights the potential of B. subtilis F6 and its mannanase GmuG for efficient PKM fibre hydrolysis, and provides insights into their application in the valorization of mannan-rich bioresources. Graphical Abstract

Effects of Supplementing Concentrate on Cumulative Gas Production of Ration-Based Natural Grass

This research aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation with concentrate on the cumulative in vitro gras production of rations made from natural grass. Natural grass is the primary source of fibre in livestock diets, especially for ruminant animals, and thrives in tropical regions. The high fibre content in field grass can have a positive effect on the digestive process. The following treatments were applied: T1 (40% natural grass + 60% concentrate-C1), T2 (40% natural grass + 60% concentrate-C2), T3 (40% natural grass 60% concentrate-C3), and T4 (40% natural grass + 60% concentrate-C4). The experiment used a randomized block design (RBD) involving four treatments and three replications. The variables observed were cumulative gas production, potential of degradation (b) and rate of degradation (c) values. The results revealed that the treatments significantly affected (P&lt;0.05) cumulative gas production, with the highest value occurring in the T5 treatment (155.6 ml/500 g DM), followed by the T4, T3, T2 and T1 treatments (147.8, 138.0, 129.0 and 91.6 ml/500 mg DM, respectively), and potential gas production; however, the treatments did not significantly affect the b and c values. It can be concluded that, based on the research results, the concentrate containing the highest proportion of tofu waste had the highest cumulative gas production.

Efficient RNA extraction method for acquiring high-quality RNA from various tissues of the fiber crop abaca, Musa textilis Née.

Isolation of high-quality RNA from abaca is very challenging due to the presence of polyphenols, polysaccharides, and its high fiber content. In this study, we compared six extraction methods across three tissue types and different developmental stages (in-vitro-grown young versus field-grown mature tissue). The Invitrogen PureLink RNA kit proved to be the most efficient in extracting RNA from young abaca tissues (leaves, pseudostem, and corm). The quality of RNA extracted from young tissues was further assessed by RNA-seq applications, with raw sequencing reads mapping back to the M. textilis reference genome at rates of 86.0%-90.4%. The SDS-TRIzol-method modified with an added on-column DNAse I treatment was used to extract RNA from mature tissues (leaves, midrib, and pseudostem). RNA isolated from five M. textilis cultivars and across three mature tissue types showed RNA yield per 100 mg of fresh weight ranges from 0.57 to 10.94 µg and RNA integrity number (RIN) scores of more than 7.0 for all tissue types. Our improved SDS-Trizol method for RNA extraction described here is simple and yields good quality RNAs from mature abaca tissues while the PureLink RNA kit is suitable for extracting RNA from young abaca samples amenable to RT-qPCR and next-generation sequencing studies.

Effects of Preservation Methods on the Proximate Composition of Three Varieties of Pepper

Pepper is a vital commercial crop, cultivated for vegetable, spice, and value-added processed products. It is an important constituent of many foods, adding flavour, colour, minerals and vitamins A and C, therefore, indispensable to Ghana and world food industries. Proximate analysis of food is very critical in the food science that determine the composition of any food substance. It is through the proximate analysis that nutritional assessment on moisture, ash, crude protein crude fat and crude fibre are made. Essentially, proximate analysis allows manufacturers to maintain quality control. This study aimed at determining the effects of preservation on the proximate composition of three varieties of pepper (Capsicum frutescence, Capsicum cayenne and Capsicum chinense) in the Bibiani Municipality of the Western North Region. The study was laboratory experiment. From the findings it was revealed that the pepper stored under room temperature was noted for good protein (14.64%), ash (8.04%) and fat (10.71%) and carbohydrate (68.09% while parboiling pepper and drying influence a very high fibre (11.50%) content, and retain good amount of ash (5.53%), carbohydrate (68.09%) with poor fat (4.56%) and protein (10.21%) content. It was also observed that the ash content of pepper due to interaction effect of varietal variation and method of preservation also showed a distinct difference (p&amp;lt;0.01) The effect of interaction between the variety and method of preservation influenced a significant variation in the protein content of the pepper samples. The study showed moisture content in pepper differs with respect to difference in the variety. Hence, different variety of pepper has moisture level of a vary effect.