Lipid Content Research Articles

Biocontrol of Fusarium oxysporum-infested Gastrodia elata Bl. by Lactobacillus curvatus 2768-VOCs and mechanism of inhibition

Gastrodia elata Bl. Is susceptible to infestation by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum, which can cause severe post-harvest diseases. This paper presents the findings of an investigation into the control and bacteriostatic mechanisms of Lactobacillus curvatus 2768-VOCs on F. oxysporum-infected G. elata. The results of both in vitro and in vivo tests demonstrated that L. curvatus 2768-VOCs exhibited inhibitory effects against F. oxysporum, with inhibition rates of 63.37% and 44.4%, respectively. The results of the in vivo test also demonstrated that the pre-fumigation approach exhibited superior efficacy compared to direct fumigation, with the former showing a preventive effect. Furthermore, it was discovered that VOCs disrupted the integrity of F. oxysporum cell membranes and altered their permeability, resulting in the leakage of cell contents. The fumigation caused damage to the mycelial structure, accompanied by a notable decline in the total lipid and ergosterol content, and an appreciable increase in MDA content. Moreover, the fumigation of VOCs markedly diminished the activities of ATPase and mitochondrial dehydrogenase, thereby disrupting the respiration of F. oxysporum and its energy metabolism. The VOCs were subjected to GC-MS analysis, which revealed that the relative content of acids was the highest, particularly formic acid and glyoxalic acid. The study offers a theoretical basis for the biological control of postharvest diseases in G. elata.

Simultaneous nutrition removal and high-efficiency biomass accumulation by microalgae using cattle wastewater

The development of the livestock industry has led to the discharge of large quantities of nutrient-rich livestock wastewater, posing a significant challenge to wastewater treatment. Improper treatment may pose potential threats to the environment and human health. Microalgae are of great interest due to their rich nutritional value and as potential agents for bioremediation of pollution in aquatic environments. In this study, mixture of 60 % cattle wastewater (CW) and 40 % BG-11, supplemented with equal parts glucose and sodium bicarbonate, was found to be optimal for high production of Chlorella sorokiniana. Under these conditions, the highest biomass, protein, lipid concentration of C. sorokiniana were 8.98×1010 cells/L, 11.82 g/L, 24.9 %, respectively, Whereas, the removal efficiencies of total nitrogen (TN), ammonia nitrogen, total phosphorus (TP), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were 61.44 %, 98.99 %, 89.33 % and 65.81 %, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of C. sorokiniana in simultaneous CW treatment and nutritious microalgal biomass production.

Correlation between diet, body mass index, and lipid profile in Kosovar women treated for primary infertility

The increasing prevalence of female fertility requires the identification of potentially modifiable factors and non-pharmacological treatments. There is strong evidence that healthy preconception dietary patterns of women of reproductive age have a beneficial effect on fertility. In accordance with the hypothesis, the aim of the study is to evaluate the influence of diet on overweight and obesity in infertile women as well as the correlation of serum lipid concentration by making a comparison between three observed groups with different body mass index (BMI). A total of 107 women who were treated for infertility were investigated. Diet and food pattern survey, BMI, and lipidogram determination from venous blood samples were carried out. The determination of lipidogram parameters was carried out by enzymatic colorimetric test with the COBAS INTEGRA 400 apparatus. From the total number of patients included in the study (107), infertile women with abnormal BMI accounted for 26.16%, while fertile women with normal BMI accounted for 73.83% (p<0.001). The total cholesterol value for groups with BMI>25 kg/m2 was 6.78 mmol/L (p=0.031). High triglycerides with increased BMI were observed (2.27 mmol/L versus 2.68 mmol/L) (p=0.028). Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol had higher concentrations in obese women (n=28), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol had lower concentrations in women with BMI>25 km2 (p<0.05). Western dietary patterns of nutrition results in obesity and increased BMI values in infertile women. Increased BMI has a positive correlation with lipid profile in obese infertile women.

Transcriptome and Metabolome Based Mechanisms Revealing the Accumulation and Transformation of Sugars and Fats in Pinus armandii Seed Kernels during the Harvesting Period.

Pinus armandii seed kernel is a nutrient-rich and widely consumed nut whose yield and quality are affected by, among other things, harvesting time and climatic conditions, which reduce economic benefits. To investigate the optimal harvesting period of P. armandii seed kernels, this study determined the nutrient composition and seed kernel morphology and analyzed the gene expression and metabolic differences of P. armandii seed kernels during the harvesting period by transcriptomics and metabolomics. The results revealed that during the maturation of P. armandii seed kernels, there was a significant increase in the width, thickness, and weight of the seed kernels, as well as a significant accumulation of sucrose, soluble sugars, proteins, starch, flavonoids, and polyphenols and a significant decrease in lipid content. In addition, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of P. armandii seed kernels during the harvesting period screened and identified 103 differential metabolites (DEMs) and 8899 differential genes (DEGs). Analysis of these DEMs and DEGs revealed that P. armandii seed kernel harvesting exhibited gene-metabolite differences in sugar- and lipid-related pathways. Among them, starch and sucrose metabolism, glycolysis, and gluconeogenesis were associated with the synthesis and catabolism of sugars, whereas fatty acid degradation, glyoxylate and dicarboxylic acid metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism were associated with the synthesis and catabolism of lipids. Therefore, the present study hypothesized that these differences in genes and metabolites exhibited during the harvesting period of P. armandii seed kernels might be related to the accumulation and transformation of sugars and lipids. This study may provide a theoretical basis for determining the optimal harvesting time of P. armandii seed kernels, changes in the molecular mechanisms of nutrient accumulation, and quality directed breeding.

Administration of Essential Phospholipids Prevents Drosophila Melanogaster Oocytes from Responding to Change in Gravity.

The aim of this study was to prevent initial changes in Drosophila melanogaster oocytes under simulated weightlessness and hypergravity at the 2 g level. Phospholipids with polyunsaturated fatty acids in the tail groups (essential phospholipids) at a concentration of 500 mg/kg of nutrient medium were used as a protective agent. Cell stiffness was determined using atomic force microscopy, the change in the oocytes' area was assessed as a mark of deformation, and the contents of cholesterol and neutral lipids were determined using fluorescence microscopy. The results indicate that the administration of essential phospholipids leads to a decrease in the cholesterol content in the oocytes' membranes by 13% (p < 0.05). The stiffness of oocytes from flies that received essential phospholipids was 14% higher (p < 0.05) and did not change during 6 h of simulated weightlessness or hypergravity, and neither did the area, which indicates their resistance to deformation. Moreover, the exposure to simulated weightlessness and hypergravity of oocytes from flies that received a standard nutrient medium led to a more intense loss of cholesterol from cell membranes after 30 min by 13% and 18% (p < 0.05), respectively, compared to the control, but essential phospholipids prevented this effect.

Wastewater and warming effects on aquatic invertebrates: Experimental insights into multi-level biodiversity consequences

Wastewater effluents and global warming affect freshwater ecosystems and impact their crucial biodiversity. Our study aimed at characterizing individual and combined impacts of wastewater effluent and increased water temperature (as one aspect of climate change) on model freshwater communities. We tested the effect of experimental treatments on genetic diversity, survival, body weight, total lipid content, lipidome and metabolome of individual species as well as community composition and phylogenetic diversity. In a 21-day mesocosm experiment we assessed the responses of a simplified freshwater food web comprising of moss and seven species of benthic macroinvertebrate shredders and grazers (mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies and amphipods) to four treatments in a full factorial design: control, increased water temperature, wastewater and a multiple stressor treatment combining increased temperature and wastewater. Physiological responses varied among taxa, with species-specific sensitivities observed in survival and lipid content. The lowest total lipid content was observed in caddisflies and a mayfly subjected to multiple stressor treatment. The effects of stressors were reflected in the altered metabolic pathways and lipid metabolism of the individual taxa, with differential treatment effects also observed between taxa. A notable decrease in phylogenetic diversity was observed across all experimental communities. Gammarus fossarum demonstrated a high susceptibility to environmental stressors at the genetic level. Hence, while commonly used indicators of ecosystem health (e.g. community composition) remained stable, molecular indicators (e.g. phylogenetic diversity, metabolome and lipidome) responded readily to experimental treatments. These findings underscore the vulnerability of macroinvertebrates to environmental stressors, even over relatively short exposure periods. They highlight the importance of molecular indicators in detecting immediate ecological impacts, offering valuable information for conservation strategies and understanding the ecological consequences in freshwater ecosystems.

Cell rupture of Tetradesmus obliquus using high-pressure homogenization at the pilot scale and recovery of pigments and lipids

Microalgae are promising sources of intracellular metabolites such as proteins, polysaccharides, pigments, and lipids. Thus, this study applied high-pressure homogenization (HPH) techniques on a pilot scale to disrupt the cells of Tetradesmus obliquus. The effects of pressure (P; 150, 250, and 350 bar), suspension concentration (Cs; 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 % w/v), and number of cycles (Nc; 5, 15, and 25) were evaluated in HPH via a Box–Behnken experimental design. Response surface methodology was applied to optimize the recovery rate (dTr) of pigments and lipids. The specific energy consumption (SEC) and color change gradient (ΔE) of the biomass during HPH were also assessed. The optimal HPH conditions for pigment extraction with 1.5 % Cs (w/v) were as follows: P = 312 bar and Nc = 22 for chlorophyll-a (0.83 g/100 g; dTr = 69 %; SEC = 47.50 kJ/g dry matter); P = 345 bar and Nc = 24 for chlorophyll-b (0.63 g/100 g; dTr = 80 %; SEC = 57.30 kJ/g dry matter); P = 345 bar and Nc = 24 for total carotenoids (0.53 g/100 g; dTr = 79 %; SEC = 54.12 kJ/g dry matter); and P = 350 bar and Nc = 25 for β-carotene (299 µg/g; dTr = 58 %; SEC = 62.08 kJ/g dry matter). The optimal HPH conditions for lipid extraction were P = 350 bar and Nc = 23, with a lipid recovery rate of ≥28 %. Cell disruption during HPH caused a change in the color of the biomass (ΔE) due to the release of intracellular biocompounds. Increasing P and Nc led to higher SECs, ΔE gradients, and pigment and lipid contents. Thus, the levels of recovered pigments and lipids can be indicators of cell disruption in T. obliquus.

Multi-omics joint analysis reveals that the Miao medicine Yindanxinnaotong formula attenuates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

BackgroudNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing chronic liver disease worldwide, and no effective agent is approved yet for this condition. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which has been practiced for thousands of years in China and other Asian countries, is considered an important source for identifying novel medicines for various diseases. Miao medicine Yindanxinnaotong formula (YDX) is a classical TCM for the treatment of hyperlipidemia disease by reducing blood lipid content, while the role of YDX have not been clarified in NAFLD. PurposeTo investigate the protective effect of YDX on NAFLD in mice induced by high fat diet (HFD) and clarify the potential mechanism. MethodsNAFLD mice model was constructed by receiving HFD for 10-week period with or without YDX administration. Lipid profiles, biochemical indicators, and histopathological staining were performed to evaluate the extent of hepatic lipid accumulation and hepatic steatosis. 16S rRNA sequencing was used to determine the gut microbial composition. Serum metabolomics was further used to investigate the changes in plasma biomarkers for NAFLD-associated by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS analysis. Subsequently, liver transcriptomics was employed to identify differentially expressed genes and explore regulatory pathways. Then, lipid metabolism–related proteins and inflammation factors were examined by Western blot and ELISA. ResultsYDX reduced body weight gain, liver index and inflammatory cytokines levels, along with improved hepatic steatosis, serum lipid profile, sensitivity to insulin and also tolerance to glucose, and enhanced oxidative defense system in HFD-induced mice. Also, YDX remarkedly affected gut microbiota diversity and community richness and decreased the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes. Meanwhile, YDX also reduced the production of harmful lipid metabolites in the sera of NAFLD mice, such as LPC(18:0), LPC(18:1) and carnitine. Notably, consistent with liver transcriptomics results, YDX downregulated the expression of proteins implicated in de novo lipid synthesis (Srebp-1c, Acaca, Fasn, Scd-1, and Cd36) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α), and increased the expression of proteins-related fatty acid β-oxidation (Ampkα, Ppar-α, and Cpt-1) in the liver by activating Ampk pathway. ConclusionYDX is promisingly an effective therapy for preventing NAFLD by modulating the Ampk pathway, inhibiting gut microbiota disorder, and reducing the production of harmful lipid metabolites.

Use of plant growth regulators and their combined application to enhance lipid productivity in the filamentous microalga Tribonema sp.

Oleaginous Tribonema sp. has shown great potential in biodiesel production. However, effective strategies are still needed to increase overall lipid productivity for cost-effectiveness. Although the effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on enhancing microalgal growth and lipid content have been widely demonstrated, the synergistic effects of their combinations on improving lipid productivity in Tribonema sp. remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the comparative effects of five PGRs (e.g., fulvic acid, melatonin, gibberellin, γ-aminobutyric acid [GABA], and indoleacetic-3-acid [IAA]) at different concentrations (0.1–10 mg/L) on the growth, nitrogen uptake, and lipid content of Tribonema sp. The results showed that 10 mg/L GABA and 0.1 mg/L IAA were optimal conditions, contributing to an approximately 33.00 % increase in lipid productivity compared with the control (without PGRs). Based on these findings, the combination of optimized concentrations of GABA and IAA, especially in equal proportions, resulted in a more desirable fatty acid profile and produced the highest biomass, lipid content, and lipid productivity, with increases of 23.55 %, 25.62 %, and 54.95 %, respectively, over the control. This combination also significantly increased nitrogen removal efficiency in the medium, which was 46.24 % higher that of the control. These results were attributed to the significant upregulation of genes associated with nitrogen metabolism mediated by the synergy of IAA and GABA, promoting nitrate uptake by algal cells in the medium. Genes involved in photosynthesis and lipid synthesis were also upregulated, facilitating simultaneous biomass and lipid accumulation to maximize lipid productivity. Overall, this study is the first to report the combined application of GABA and IAA as an effective strategy to enhance lipid productivity in Tribonema sp., providing insights into the underlying mechanisms. These findings offer a promising solution for economically improving microalgal lipid production.

Screening of Serum Cholesterol Level Amongst Sri Lankan Women in Relation to Waist-Height Ratio (WHtR), Waist Circumference (WC), Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR), and Waist-Thigh Ratio (WTR): A Cross-Sectional Study

Anthropometric measurements give a general reflection of any changes in lipid concentration in the human body. A disturbed lipid profile can be associated with cardiovascular disease risk. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum total cholesterol level and different anthropometric parameters related to obesity in a female population of two administrative areas in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. Analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Boral and Hiththatiya-Meda areas of Matara district, Sri Lanka. The systematic random sampling method was followed to select 314 females aged 18-60 years. Serum total cholesterol concentration was measured on a venous blood sample by Konelab 20XT biochemistry analyser with a commercially available reagent kit. Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist-Height Ratio (WHtR), Waist Circumference (WC), Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR), and Waist-Thigh Ratio (WTR) parameters were calculated for each individual. Pearson correlation test, chi-squared test and t-test were done to analyse data using SPSS, 16 (P&lt;0.05). The serum total cholesterol concentration is positively associated with abdominal obesity while showing a statistically significant positive correlation with BMI, WC, WHR, WTR and WHtR (r=0.217, r=0.590, r=0.315, r=0.347 and r=0.574 respectively; P≤0.05). The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in the population was 8.6%. These results indicate that all main anthropometric parameters of this study are positively associated with serum total cholesterol levels and an increment of these risk markers can lead to an increase in risk of developing metabolic diseases associated with abdominal obesity among women.

From fringe to basin: unravelling the survival strategies of Calanus hyperboreus and C. glacialis in the Arctic Ocean

The large calanoids Calanus hyperboreus and C. glacialis dominate the zooplankton biomass in the central Arctic Ocean (CAO), but the absence of early life stages has raised speculation whether they complete their life cycle there, or whether they represent expatriates advected from adjacent regions. Our study, conducted across 2 transects of the CAO during fall 2011, focused on the distribution, stage composition, dry weight, individual lipid content, and egg production of these species. Although reproductive activity and early developmental stages were observed only on the fringes of the deep basins, late-stage copepodite and adult female abundances remained steady across the study area for C. glacialis and increased away from the shelves for C. hyperboreus. We found no decline in lipid content or dry weight in adult C. glacialis away from productive regions and only a minor reduction in adult C. hyperboreus. However, the lipid content and dry weight in C5 copepodites significantly decreased away from the shelf break, particularly in C. hyperboreus. This suggests that although early life stages struggle to survive in the resource-limited conditions of the deep CAO and even subadults remain vulnerable to starvation, adults have the resilience to survive long enough to be eventually transported by ocean currents to more favourable regions for reproduction. As such, we suggest that both species of Calanus are neither ‘residents’ nor ‘expatriates’ in the Arctic basins, but rather ontogenetic migrants that take advantage of different habitats within the Arctic Ocean to maximise their survival and reproductive success.

Full-fat black soldier fly larvae meal and yellow mealworm meal: Impact on feed protein quality, growth and nutrient utilization of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) post smolts

The shift towards insect-based alternatives in aquafeeds stems from the need to reduce the carbon footprint associated with the ingredients used in salmon feeds. In the present study, we describe the effects of full-fat insect meal incorporation on amino acid derivatives in feeds and the growth performance and nutrient utilization of Atlantic salmon post-smolts fed insect meals. A 74-day growth trial was conducted employing 520 fish (143 ± 12.8 g); these fish were fed either a control diet (CO) that contained 20 % fishmeal, 20 % soy protein concentrate (SPC), 14 % wheat gluten, 19 % plant raw materials, 13 % fish oil and 6 % rapeseed oil, or one of four insect meal diets, prepared with either 5 % and 10 % black soldier fly larvae meal (BS5, BS10) or 15 % and 30 % mealworm meal (MW15, MW30), by substituting mainly SPC, wheat gluten and rapeseed oil. The inclusion levels of BS and MW were determined based on their distinct chemical compositions, specifically their lipid content. As regards the results, HPLC-based high-throughput data on amino acid derivatives revealed the following: carboxymethyllysine was significantly higher in the MW30 feed than in BS5, BS10 and MW15 feeds; carboxyethyllysine was higher in the MW15 and MW30 feeds compared to the others; furosine was lower in the MW15 feed compared to the CO, BS5 and MW30 feeds. Regarding the effect of the insect meals on Atlantic salmon post-smolts, their inclusion had no significant effect on feed conversion ratio, health indicators and the retention efficiency of macronutrients. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter, lipid, ash and energy were not significantly different. However, protein digestibility in the 30 % MW group (80.4 %) was significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) compared to the control and BS5 group (84.5 %). Furthermore, the ADC of protein was found to decrease linearly with increasing levels of insect meals, with MW showing a significant relationship (adjusted r2 = 0.77, p = 0.014). Overall, our study highlights the efficacy of 5 and 10 % BS and 15 % MW as ingredients in the feeds of Atlantic salmon. Other focal points included the undesirable amino acid derivatives and a reduction in protein digestibility associated with 30 % of MW in the diet of Atlantic salmon. Hence, future investigations should focus on the effects of feed processing conditions on the protein quality of mealworm before suggesting higher inclusion levels to the feed industry.

Dietary nicotinamide improves growth performance and ameliorates liver lipid profiles by alleviating glycerophospholipid and sphingolipids metabolism in swamp eel (Monopterus albus)

The effect of dietary niacinamide (NAM) on the growth performance and liver lipid metabolism of swamp eel have been poorly investigated. Therefore, a 120-day feeding trial was conducted to provide different levels of NAM in diet and an untargeted lipidome analysis was performed to address this subject. We found that dietary NAM improved the growth performance of swamp eel. It also decreased the contents of glucose and lipids, including glucose, glycogen, TG, and NEFA, as well as fat accumulation in liver, but increased HDL-C content. We speculated that NAM inhibited lipid accumulation in liver by decreasing the key enzyme activity of LPL, HL and LPS. Fatty acid profile analysis showed that the contents of MUFA and PUFA, such as palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid were significantly increased, while the contents of SFA, such as myristic acid, stearic acid, and palmitic acid were decreased in liver by dietary NAM. Lipidome analysis also indicated that the majority of differential lipid metabolites belonged to glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids, which were enriched in the pathways of insulin resistance, adipocytokine signaling pathway, cholesterol metabolism, fat digestion and absorption, lipid and atherosclerosis, and lipid cell lipolysis regulation. These findings gave scientific evidences and novel insights into the metabolic responses to dietary NAM in swamp eel, and provided basic knowledge for using NAM as a feed additive in swamp eel production.

Buttermilk treatment strategies to obtain MFGM-enriched isolates and comprehensive characterization of their lipid and protein components

The extraction of Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM) from dairy by-products, particularly buttermilk, involves a highly intricate procedures to obtain a bioactive isolate with multiple health benefits. This study delves into a laboratory ultrafiltration-based method enabling the acquisition of a concentrated MFGM isolate. Pre-ultrafiltration treatments, designed to clarify the sample, such as casein coagulation and the addition of sodium citrate, were examined to evaluate their impact on the lipid and protein components of the MFGM. Treatments combining rennet coagulation with centrifugation steps, as well as those combining rennet with sodium citrate, yielded highly pure MFGM isolates exhibiting a substantial concentration of polar lipids and a rich content of MFGM proteins. This laboratory investigation offers valuable insights into the potential industrial-scale applications of MFGM isolation and purification.

Exploring quorum sensing for inducing bioactives overproduction in the dinoflagellate microalga Amphidinium carterae

The dinoflagellate Amphidinium carterae is a promising source of unique bioactive compounds with potential applications in diverse industries. Abiotic strategies for increasing bioactive cell quota have been preferred for cost-effectiveness, controllability, and existing knowledge. The supernatants of Heterosigma akashiwo and Pavlova sp. enhanced haemolytic activity of A. carterae by 2.3 times and improved its final biomass by 10 % when added to the growth medium. Prymnesium parvum supernatant increased the total lipid content of A. carterae by 50 %, while Pleurochrysis roscoffensis supernatant boosted its total carotenoid content by 40 %. This study demonstrated a rapid screening strategy for evaluating growth responses and highlights the potential of using allelopathic strategies to enhance bioactive metabolite production. Utilizing supernatants for the formulation of growth media fosters a circular economy by repurposing resources, minimizing waste, and promoting sustainability in the microalgal biotechnological industry.

Rheological and Lipid Characterization of Minipig and Human Skin Tissue: A Comparative Study Across Different Locations and Depths.

Understanding the rheology of minipig and human skin is crucial for enhancing drug delivery methods, particularly for injections. Despite many studies on skin's viscoelasticity, especially the subcutaneous layer, comparative analyses across different clinical sites are scarce, as is data on the impact of hydration or lipid levels. This study employs shear rheology and lipid analysis to evaluate viscoelasticity and lipid content across three anatomical locations-breast, belly, and neck and three different depth layers in Yucatan minipigs. It reports on how viscoelastic properties change with frequency, time, and strain, noting strain-stiffening and shear-thinning at high strain amplitudes. Human male and female abdominal tissues are also compared to minipig tissues, highlighting distinct viscoelastic traits and lipid's role in them. The findings suggest the existence of species, anatomical location, tissue depth, and sex-based rheological differences.Furthermore, the use of male minipig models for studying human male subcutaneous tissue is discussed.

Organoenergetic Investigation on the Potential of Industrial Brewers' Spent Grain Valorization for Biogas Production

Cameroon is a high country producer and consumer of beer in Africa which has various breweries generating a large amount of brewer spent grain (BSG) yearly. This study was designed to investigate the potential use of spent grains derived from the Cameroonian brewing industry as a viable and sustainable energy source for biogas production. A comprehensive proximate analysis was performed, focusing on key physicochemical parameters including moisture content, acidity level, ash content, and the proportions of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, thereby enabling the derivation of their energy value to determine the organoenergetic profile. Physicochemical characterization of the spent grains revealed a pH of 5.6, moisture content of 8%, and ash content of 9.8% at 450 °C for 2 h using a muffle furnace. The organic composition included a high iron content of 194.2 mg/100 g, an organic matter content of 99%, a total organic carbon (TOC) content of 57.39%, a total nitrogen content of 3%, and a nitrogen-carbon ratio of 19.13%. In addition, the spent grains exhibited substantial concentrations of total protein (18.75%), crude fiber (3.6%), lipids (8.7%), and carbohydrates (51.15%), with an energy value of 14.97 MJ/kg. Moreover, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) was determined to be 3,880 mg/kg, while the lower calorific value (LCV) was 19.76 MJ/kg, resulting in a COD/TOC ratio of 86.03. These findings showed that the spent grain from Cameroonian brewery has a significant organ energetic potential based on its components and physicochemical properties, thereby highlighting their suitability as a valuable resource for biogas generation.

Sensing Biomolecules Associated with Cells' Radiosusceptibility by Advanced Micro- and Nanospectroscopy Techniques.

Radiotherapy is one of the most common approaches for cancer treatment, especially in the case of peripheral nervous system tumors. As it requires exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation, it is important to look for substances that support efficient reduction of the tumor volume with simultaneous prevention of the surrounding noncancerous cells. Cannabidiol (CBD), which exhibits both anticancer and neuroprotective properties, was applied as a potential modulator of radiological response; however, its influence on cells undergoing irradiation remains elusive. Here, we have applied high-resolution optical spectroscopy techniques to capture biomolecules associated with CBD shielding of normal and damaging cancerous cells upon X-ray exposure. Conventional Raman (RS) and Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopies provided semiquantitative information mainly about changes in the concentration of total lipids, DNA, cholesteryl esters, and phospholipids in cells. A through assessment of the single cells by atomic force microscopy coupled with infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR) allowed us to determine not only the alterations in DNA content but also in its conformation due to cell treatment. Pronounced nanoscale changes in cholesteryl ester metabolites, associated with CBD treatment and radiation, were also observed. AFM-IR chemoselective maps of the single cells indicate the modified distribution of cholesteryl esters with 40 nm spatial resolution. Based on the obtained results, we propose a label-free and fast analytical method engaging optical spectroscopy to assess the mechanism of normal and cancerous cell susceptibility to ionizing radiation when pretreated with CBD.

Hemp Seed (Cannabis sativa L.) Varieties: Lipids Profile and Antioxidant Capacity for Monogastric Nutrition.

The present research aimed to study the proximate composition, fatty acid profile, antiox-idant activity, total phenolic and N-trans-Caffeoyltyramine content of three distinct varieties of hemp seeds (Carmaenecta, Enectaliana and Enectarol, grown in a Mediterranean area (Central Italy), as feed in the diet of farm animals. Proximate composition was determined using the official methods of analyses; the fatty acid profile was determined by gas chromatography, total phenolic content (TPC) and the scavenging activity (DPPH• and ABTS•+) by the colorimetric method, and N-trans-Caffeoyltyramine content by HPLC analysis. The hemp seed Enectarol showed the highest total lipid content and the best antioxidant activity with the highest TPC, N-trans-Caffeoyltyramine content, and ABTS•+, and the lowest peroxidation index and DPPH•; Carmaenecta showed the best fatty acid profile and nutritional indices (atherogenic and thrombogenic indices and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio), and Enectaliana showed the highest crude protein and dietary fiber content. The differences observed in the chemical composition, fatty acid profile and antioxidant activity are because of the varieties, considering that all other growing conditions were the same. The results obtained suggest that hemp seed can be used as a source of lipid and protein in animal diets due to their valuable antioxidant activity and as a rich source of essential fatty acids.

Biochemical profile of the native seaweed fly Fucellia maritima (Haliday, 1838) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) reared on five different substrates

Abstract The sustainability of aquaculture production is crucial for the industry’s long-term viability. Diversification of feed ingredients is a key component in achieving this sustainability. Considered a promising alternative to traditional feed ingredients, terrestrial insect meals often lack sufficient n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). This study explores the potential of marine insect species, specifically evaluating the influence of five different substrates on the growth and composition of the European native seaweed fly, Fucellia maritima. The substrates tested include a brown seaweed (Fucus sp.), a green seaweed (Ulva sp.), a red seaweed (the invasive Agarophyton vermiculophyllum), the invasive freshwater hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), and fish processing waste (codfish Gadus morhua frames). Results show no significant difference in the number of individuals per substrate, although Fucus sp. had a higher total number of individuals completing their life cycle. In contrast, feeding on codfish frames resulted in a lower number of completed life cycles, while E. crassipes led to no survival. Protein content in adult flies ranged from 55.2% to 56.7%, and in pupae, it ranged from 46.1% to 48.7% across different feeding substrates. Notably, pupae fed with Ulva sp., exhibited the highest protein content at 48.7%. Lipid content in adult flies ranged from 10.0% to 13.0%, while in pupae, it ranged from 8.8% to 11.4%. Codfish frames had the highest lipid content in both pupae (11.4%) and adults (13%). The most abundant fatty acid in Fucus sp. – fed pupae and adult flies was oleic acid (18:1 n-9), while palmitoleic acid (16:1 n-7) dominated in other treatments. It is worth highlighting that docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3) was reported for the first time in a seaweed fly, namely when supplied with fish processing waste. These findings suggest that Fucellia maritima may be a promising complementary ingredient for formulating marine aquafeeds.