Marine Protein Research Articles

Effects of Different Drying Methods on Physicochemical Properties and Nutritional Quality of Abalone Bioactive Peptides

This study conducted a systematic comparison of four drying methods (vacuum freeze-drying, spray drying, spray freeze-drying, and hot air drying) on abalone bioactive peptides, investigating their effects on physicochemical properties and nutritional composition. Scanning electron microscopy revealed distinct morphological characteristics: hot-air-dried samples showed compact structures with large particles, and vacuum-freeze-dried samples exhibited flaky morphology, while spray-freeze-dried and spray-dried samples demonstrated advantageous smaller particle sizes. Spray freeze-drying achieved superior emulsification capacity and fat absorption, significantly higher than hot air drying. The enhanced performance was attributed to increased exposure of hydrophobic amino acid residues and improved surface activity. Regarding nutritional composition, vacuum freeze-drying demonstrated optimal protein and total amino acid preservation, while spray freeze-drying showed the highest retention of Ca and Fe. Interestingly, hot air drying exhibited superior vitamin A retention, attributed to its fat-soluble nature and stability below 100 °C. The particle size reduction in spray-freeze-dried samples enhanced solvent–solute contact area, contributing to improved solubility and consequently superior foaming properties. These findings provide valuable insights into the relationship between drying methods and product characteristics, offering guidance for optimizing processing conditions in marine protein production.

Segmental analysis of human hair reveals intra-annual variation in 25(OH)D3 concentrations in modern and archaeological individuals

Vitamin D is essential for healthy skeletal growth and is increasingly recognised for its role in chronic disease development, inflammation and immunity. 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) concentrations are an indicator of vitamin D status and are normally analysed in plasma or serum samples in clinical settings, while archaeological studies rely on the identification of skeletal markers of vitamin D deficiency, such as rickets. Here, we determined 25(OH)D3 concentrations in hair specimens (‘locks’) that had been sampled close to the root, aligned by cut end, and sliced into sequential segments from participants (n = 16), from Aberdeen, Scotland, using a modified protocol designed to minimise sample size. Concentrations were above detectable levels in 14 of 16 individuals, generating a (~ monthly) time-series of 25(OH)D3 concentrations, with fluctuating intra-hair trends consistent with the bioaccumulation of 25(OH)D3. In three participants, fluctuations in intra-hair 25(OH)D3 appear linked to recent significant weight loss, potentially due to the release of stored 25(OH)D3 from adipose tissue and subsequent uptake in hair. For the remaining participants, no statistically-significant correlations were determined between mean hair 25(OH)D3 levels and self-reported data, including age, sex, BMI, vitamin D supplementation, frequency of oily fish consumption, and hours spent outside. For a subset of our cohort (n = 4) isotope analysis highlighted potential relationships between elevated δ18O values (which can indicate season of hair growth) and 25(OH)D3 concentrations in some individuals, which may reflect seasonally-increased UVB exposure. We also present data from an archaeological individual from the same city, with the addition of further isotope analysis (carbon, nitrogen, sulphur) to characterise diet. Results suggest possible positive correspondence of 25(OH)D3 levels with season in this archaeological individual, and possibly with marine protein consumption, highlighting the potential use of this approach in characterising the relationship between past vitamin D levels and diet. While results are promising, we recognise the limits of this study in terms of sample size and use of self-reported data, and further work is needed to better understand the relationship between serum and hair 25(OH)D3 before this approach can further be developed as either a non-invasive medical test or an archaeo-investigative technique.

Exploring the Physicochemical Characteristics of Marine Protein Hydrolysates and the Impact of In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion on Their Bioactivity.

Fish protein hydrolysates (FPHs) were obtained from different fish sources using a combination of microbial enzymes. The industrially produced FPHs from blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) and sprat (Sprattus sprattus) were compared to freeze-dried FPHs generated in-house from hake (Merluccius merluccius) and mackerel (Scomber scombrus) in terms of their physicochemical composition and functionality. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the protein, moisture, and ash contents of the FPHs, with the majority having high levels of protein (73.24-89.31%). Fractions that were more extensively hydrolysed exhibited a high solubility index (74.05-98.99%) at different pHs. Blue whiting protein hydrolysate-B (BWPH-B) had the highest foaming capacity at pH 4 (146.98 ± 4.28%) and foam stability over 5 min (90-100%) at pH 4, 6, and 8. The emulsifying capacity ranged from 61.11-108.90 m2/g, while emulsion stability was 37.82-76.99% at 0.5% (w/v) concentration. In terms of peptide bioactivity, sprat protein hydrolysate (SPH) had the strongest overall reducing power. The highest Cu2+ chelating activity was exhibited by hake protein hydrolysate (HPH) and mackerel protein hydrolysate (MPH), with IC50 values of 0.66 and 0.78 mg protein/mL, respectively, while blue whiting protein hydrolysate-A (BWPH-A) had the highest activity against Fe2+ (IC50 = 1.89 mg protein/mL). SPH scavenged DPPH and ABTS radicals best with IC50 values of 0.73 and 2.76 mg protein/mL, respectively. All FPHs displayed noteworthy scavenging activity against hydroxyl radicals, with IC50 values ranging from 0.48-3.46 mg protein/mL. SPH and MPH showed the highest scavenging potential against superoxide radicals with IC50 values of 1.75 and 2.53 mg protein/mL and against hydrogen peroxide with 2.22 and 3.66 mg protein/mL, respectively. While inhibition of α-glucosidase was not observed, the IC50 values against α-amylase ranged from 8.81-18.42 mg protein/mL, with SPH displaying the highest activity. The stability of FPHs following simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGID) showed an irregular trend. Overall, the findings suggest that marine-derived protein hydrolysates may serve as good sources of natural nutraceuticals with antioxidant and antidiabetic properties.

Sustainability Compass Analysis of the Primadona Tuban Program through the SDGs (Sustainability Development Goals) Indicator

The Primadona Tuban is a CSR program that aims to solve environmental, economic, social, and community welfare problems. This research describes the impacts that occurred in society after the implementation of the Primadona Tuban Program. Discussion of impacts is carried out using a sustainable compass analysis consisting of nature, economic, society, and well-being. Researchers operate a sustainability compass using 17 SDGs indicators. The research results show that the Primadona Tuban Program has had an impact on nature in the form of planting 3 types of trees, carbon absorption of 483.2 g/hour, managing vegetation cover, and handling climate change. The economic impact that occurs is improving the group's economy through tourism activities and marine product management, infrastructure development, increasing marine protein consumption by 25%, and collaboration between groups to achieve goals. The social impact of this program is gender equality with the involvement of 2 groups of women in public spaces, access to clean water and proper sanitation, reduced inequality through access to entrepreneurship for vulnerable groups, safe settlements from disasters and strong institutions in managing Panduri Beach. The wellbeing that arises from this program is a reduction in poverty, no hunger, and a healthy and prosperous life.

Health inequality in medieval Cambridge, 1200-1500 CE.

Health inequality is not only a major problem today; it left its mark upon past societies too. For much of the past, health inequality has been poorly studied, mostly because bioarchaeologists have concentrated upon single sites rather than a broader social landscape. This article compares 476 adults in multiple locations of medieval Cambridge (UK). Samples include ordinary townspeople (All Saints), people living in a charitable institution (the Hospital of St. John), and members of a religious order (the Augustinian Friary). These groups shared many conditions of life, such as a similar range of diseases, risk of injury, and vertebral disk degeneration. However, people living on charity had more indicators of poor childhood health and diet, lower adult stature, and a younger age at death, reflecting the health effects of poverty. In contrast, the Augustinian friars were members of a prosperous, well-endowed religious house. Compared with other groups, they were taller (perhaps a result of a richer diet during their adolescent growth period); their adult carbon and nitrogen isotope values are higher, suggesting a diet higher in terrestrial and/or marine animal protein; and they had the highest prevalence of foot problems related to fashionable late medieval footwear. As this illustrates, health inequality will take particular forms depending upon the specificities of a social landscape; except in unusual circumstances where a site and its skeletal samples represent a real cross-section of society, inequality is best investigated by comparison across sites.

Preadult diets in the prehistoric Lima-city: Stable isotopes from Huaca 20 (620–780 CE), Maranga Complex, Peru

Preadult diets in the prehistoric Lima-city: Stable isotopes from Huaca 20 (620–780 CE), Maranga Complex, Peru

Mesh-shaped absorbable hemostatic hydrogel patch fabricated with marine organism-derived protein biomaterials with contact-activated blood coagulation for application in visceral surgery

Mesh-shaped absorbable hemostatic hydrogel patch fabricated with marine organism-derived protein biomaterials with contact-activated blood coagulation for application in visceral surgery

Agropastoral and dietary practices of the northern Levant facing Late Holocene climate and environmental change: Isotopic analysis of plants, animals and humans from Bronze to Iron Age Tell Tweini.

One of the largest isotopic datasets of the ancient Eastern Mediterranean region is evaluated, based on plants (n = 410), animals (n = 210) and humans (n = 16) from Tell Tweini (Syria). Diachronic analysis of plant and faunal specimens from four main periods of occupation: Early Bronze Age (2600-2000 BC), Middle Bronze Age (2000-1600 BC), Late Bronze Age (1600-1200 BC) and Iron Age (1200-333 BC) were investigated. Mean Δ13C results from seven plant species reveal emmer and free threshing wheat, olives, bitter vetch, rye grass and barley were adequately or well-watered during all periods of occupation. The grape Δ13C results suggest excellent growing conditions and particular care for its cultivation. The δ15N results indicate that especially the emmer and free threshing wheats received some manure inputs throughout the occupation sequence, while these were likely further increased during the Iron Age, encompassing also the olive groves and grape vineyards. Generally, domestic animals (cattle, sheep, goats) had C3 terrestrial diets and were kept together in similar environments. However, some animals consumed significant amounts of marine or C4 plants, possibly from disturbed habitats due to land use pressure or salt tolerant grasses and shrubs from wetland environments, which were recorded in the direct vicinity of the site. Middle Bronze Age humans consumed a C3 terrestrial diet with no measurable input from C4, freshwater or marine protein sources. Interestingly, the human diet was relatively low in animal protein and appears comparable to what is considered today a typical Mediterranean diet consisting of bread (wheat/barley), olives, grapes, pulses, dairy products and small amounts of meat. The combined isotopic analysis of plants, animals and humans from Tell Tweini represents unbroken links in the food chain which create unparalleled opportunities to enhance our current understanding of environmental conditions, climate change and lifeways in past populations from the Eastern Mediterranean.

Conjugates of glycosylated antarctic krill proteins and curcumin: Maintaining the storage quality of salmon fillets coupling with photodynamic inactivation

Conjugates of glycosylated antarctic krill proteins and curcumin: Maintaining the storage quality of salmon fillets coupling with photodynamic inactivation

Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) silage, a possible low trophic marine protein source for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) silage, a possible low trophic marine protein source for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

Seaweed Fly Larvae Cultivated on Macroalgae Side Streams: A Novel Marine Protein and Omega-3 Source for Rainbow Trout.

A nutritional bottleneck in salmonid aquaculture is the procurement of marine-derived compounds, such as essential amino and fatty acids, including omega-3 fatty acids, lysine, and methionine. Therefore, insects containing these compounds are highly promising as feed ingredients. The present study evaluates larvae of a "marine" insect (Coelopa frigida, the bristly-legged seaweed fly larvae, SWFL) reared on brown algae side streams as a feed ingredient for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). SWFL contained, on a dry matter basis, 60% crude protein (CP), 3.5% lysine, and 1.5% methionine, as well as 17% lipids, including 4% eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Four isoenergetic (ca. 23 MJ kg-1 gross energy) and isoproteic (ca. 45% CP) feeds were evaluated in a 10-week feeding trial. The diets included a control containing 25% fish meal, a commercial reference, and two diets substituting 40% fish meal with either SWFL or partially defatted black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal (Hermetia illucens). SWFL-fed fish displayed higher specific growth rates (SGR) compared to BSFL-fed fish and similar SGR compared to control and reference diet-fed fish. Feed intake in SWFL-fed fish was higher than for the control and BSFL diets and similar to the reference diet. The feed conversion ratio of fish fed the BSFL and SWFL diets was higher compared to the control, suggesting lower bioavailability of both insect meals compared to fish meals. No difference in intestinal health parameters was noted between the insect diets and the control diet, indicating good intestinal health across all treatments. However, changes in electrogenic intestinal transport were observed between the SWFL and BSFL diets, illustrating the heterogeneous effect of different insect products. Overall, SWFL meal is a promising alternative marine feed ingredient, compatible with circular production systems, as it can be efficiently cultivated using marine side streams.

Sex Determination and Isotopic Analysis of the Nivåfjord Mesolithic Burials, Zealand, Denmark

Since 1992 the prehistoric Nivåfjord in northeast Zealand, Denmark, has yielded an appreciable number of inhumation burials and cremations dating to the Mesolithic, especially the sites of Nivå 10 and Nivågård. Unfortunately, the micro-region is characterised by poor organic preservation, restricting the successful application of biomolecular techniques to human remains, including large-scale radiocarbon dating programmes as well as both stable isotope and ancient DNA analyses. Here, we apply an alternative technique, an acid etch peptide-based method, to determine the sex of eight individuals from Nivå 10 as well as the Nivågård child. Moreover, we revisit the utility of stable carbon (δ13C), nitrogen (δ15N) and sulfur (δ34S) isotope analysis of human tissues to reconstruct the life histories and diets of 10 individuals from Nivå 10 as well as the Nivågård child. To contextualise further, we sampled 14 Capreolus capreolus and three Sus scrofa from the Nivågård site for stable isotope analysis. We demonstrate that sex can successfully be determined from contexts susceptible to poor organic preservation, and show that the Nivågård child spent a proportion of its life outside a sea spray-influenced environment, and consumed significant quantities of marine protein as demonstrated by its δ13C and δ34S values.

Growth performance, gut microbiota composition, health and welfare of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fed an environmentally and economically sustainable low marine protein diet in sea cages

The large use of fish meal/fish oil in carnivorous fish feeds is the main concern regarding environmental sustainability of aquaculture. Here, we evaluated the effects of an innovative diet, designed to be (1) environmentally sustainable by lowering the marine protein content while being (2) cost effective by using sustainable alternative raw materials with acceptable cost and produced on an industrial scale, on growth performance, gut microbiota composition, health and welfare of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), a key species of the Mediterranean marine aquaculture, reared in sea cages. Results show that the specific growth rate of fish fed the low marine protein diet was significantly lower than those fed conventional diet (0.67% vs 0.69%). Fatty acid profile of fillets from fish fed a low marine protein diet presented significant lower n-6 and higher n-3 content when compared to conventional ones. Then, a significant increase in the abundance of Vibrio and reduction of Photobacterium were found in the gut of fish fed with the low marine protein diet but effects on sea bass health needs further investigation. Finally, no major health and welfare alterations for fish fed the low marine protein diet were observed, combined with a potential slight benefit related to humoral immunity. Overall, these results suggest that despite the low marine protein diet moderately affects growth performance, it nevertheless may enhance environmental and economic sustainability of the sea bass aquaculture.

Effects of endogenous lipid on the functional qualities of tuna protein during cold storage

The effects of endogenous lipid on the quality of tuna protein during storage was evaluated. Defatted tuna protein was prepared and co-stored with different contents of tuna oil or soybean oil, and the functional qualities, oxidation, protein structure and lipid oxidation were compared. During storage, a higher tuna oil content caused a greater attenuation in the functional qualities of protein, including emulsifying, foaming and water absorption abilities, and tuna oil could lead to more severe attenuation than soybean oil. Besides, the higher the oxidation degree of oil, the higher the oxidation degree and the more disordered of sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins, which indicated that protein oxidation could be induced by lipid oxidation and cause greater structural damage. Finally, Pearson correlation revealed that variation in myofibrillar protein more strongly affects the functional qualities than sarcoplasmic protein. Therefore, the removal of endogenous lipid had a significant positive impact on the quality stability of protein products during storage, especially for marine protein products.

Fish processing side streams are promising ingredients in diets for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) -Effects on growth physiology, appetite, and intestinal health.

Due to the growth of aquaculture and the finite supply of fishmeal and oil, alternative marine protein and lipid sources are highly sought after. Particularly promising is the use of side streams from the fish processing industry, allowing for the recovery and retention of otherwise lost nutrients in the food production chain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential of three fish processing side streams as fish feed ingredients. The side streams originated from different stages of the production chain, were used without further processing, and included sprat trimmings (heads, frames, viscera), marinated herring (fillets), and mackerel in tomato sauce (fillets and sauce). The three side streams contained moderate levels of protein (28-32% dry matter) and high levels of lipid (34-43%). The sprat trimmings included ca. 29% ash and 1.5% phosphorous, which may add value due to the high level of essential minerals but needs to be considered in feed formulations. Three diets were formulated to include 50% of each side stream replacing all fishmeal and ca. 80% of the fish oil of the control diet, which contained 35% fishmeal and 10% fish oil. The diets were evaluated in a 12-week feeding trial using rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish fed the sprat diet displayed the highest feed intake and growth and showed no negative effects on the intestinal health. The mackerel side stream displayed a good digestibility but resulted in lower growth rates compared to the sprat trimmings. Fish fed the herring diet displayed the lowest performance regarding growth, feed intake, and digestibility. They further exhibited a reduction in nutrient uptake in both proximal and distal intestines, likely contributing to the observed lower digestibility and growth, and a reduction in plasma ghrelin levels. As part of a circular approach to increase marine lipid and protein production for fish feed, the tested sprat and mackerel side streams are promising raw materials; however, additional studies using more commercial-like feed formulations are encouraged.

High clergy feasts and suburban suppers: Diet and social status in Medieval and Early Modern Tartu, Estonia

High clergy feasts and suburban suppers: Diet and social status in Medieval and Early Modern Tartu, Estonia

Prediction of Feed Efficiency and Performance-Based Traits in Fish via Integration of Multiple Omics and Clinical Covariates.

Fish aquaculture is a rapidly expanding global industry, set to support growing demands for sources of marine protein. Enhancing feed efficiency (FE) in farmed fish is required to reduce production costs and improve sector sustainability. Recognising that organisms are complex systems whose emerging phenotypes are the product of multiple interacting molecular processes, systems-based approaches are expected to deliver new biological insights into FE and growth performance. Here, we establish 14 diverse layers of multi-omics and clinical covariates to assess their capacities to predict FE and associated performance traits in a fish model (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and uncover the influential variables. Inter-omic relatedness between the different layers revealed several significant concordances, particularly between datasets originating from similar material/tissue and between blood indicators and some of the proteomic (liver), metabolomic (liver), and microbiomic layers. Single- and multi-layer random forest (RF) regression models showed that integration of all data layers provide greater FE prediction power than any single-layer model alone. Although FE was among the most challenging of the traits we attempted to predict, the mean accuracy of 40 different FE models in terms of root-mean square errors normalized to percentage was 30.4%, supporting RF as a feature selection tool and approach for complex trait prediction. Major contributions to the integrated FE models were derived from layers of proteomic and metabolomic data, with substantial influence also provided by the lipid composition layer. A correlation matrix of the top 27 variables in the models highlighted FE trait-associations with faecal bacteria (Serratia spp.), palmitic and nervonic acid moieties in whole body lipids, levels of free glycerol in muscle, and N-acetylglutamic acid content in liver. In summary, we identified subsets of molecular characteristics for the assessment of commercially relevant performance-based metrics in farmed Chinook salmon.

Chemical Properties of Liquid Broth Extracted from Freshwater and Marine Shrimp Shells Waste

Indonesia's shrimp industry is growing rapidly, but a surge in shrimp waste such as shells and heads shrimps are increasing as well. These waste products contain important components such as protein, minerals, and amino acids. This study aims to determine the chemical properties of liquid broth extracted from freshwater and marine shrimp shells, including ash, protein, fat, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and antioxidant. The liquid broth was extracted by boiling shrimp shells and heads in water with a ratio of 1:2 for 1 hour at 80oC. Results indicate that the type of shrimp used did not affect the broth's ash, fat, protein, MSG, or antioxidant content. Marine and freshwater shrimp liquid broths contain 0.56% and 0.28% ash, 0.10% and 0.50% fat, 2.19% and 1.97% protein, 1.5291% and 1.6274% MSG, and 2263.73 ppm and 2786.2 ppm antioxidant.

Enhancement of Soybean Meal Alters Gut Microbiome and Influences Behavior of Farmed Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar).

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is one of the worlds most domesticated fish. As production volumes increase, access to high quality and sustainable protein sources for formulated feeds of this carnivorous fish is required. Soybean meal (SBM) and soy-derived proteins are the dominant protein sources in commercial aquafeeds due to their low-cost, availability and favorable amino acid profile. However, for Atlantic salmon, the inclusion of soybean meal (SBM), and soy protein concentrate (SPC) in certain combinations can impact gut health, which has consequences for immunity and welfare, limiting the use of soy products in salmonid feeds. This study sought to address this challenge by evaluating two gut health-targeted enhancements of SBM for inclusion in freshwater phase salmon diets: enzyme pre-treatment (ETS), and addition of fructose oligosaccharide (USP). These were compared with untreated soybean meal (US) and fish meal (FM). This study took a multi-disciplinary approach, investigating the effect on growth performance, gut microbiome, and behaviors relevant to welfare in aquaculture. This study suggests that both enhancements of SBM provide benefits for growth performance compared with conventional SBM. Both SBM treatments altered fish gut microbiomes and in the case of ETS, increased the presence of the lactic acid bacteria Enterococcus. For the first time, the effects of marine protein sources and plant protein sources on the coping style of salmon were demonstrated. Fish fed SBM showed a tendency for more reactive behavior compared with those fed the FM-based control. All fish had a similar low response to elicited stress, although ETS-fed fish responded more actively than US-fed fish for a single swimming measure. Furthermore, SBM-fed fish displayed lower repeatability of behavior, which may indicate diminished welfare for intensively farmed fish. The implications of these findings for commercial salmonid aquaculture are discussed.

North and South: Exploring isotopic analysis of bone carbonates and collagen to understand post-medieval diets in London and northern England.

We evaluate the potential of paired isotopic analysis of bone carbonate and collagen to examine the diet of post-medieval human and animal populations from England (17th-19th c.), including, for the first time, manufacturing towns in northern England. The potential for identifying C4 crop consumption is explored alongside regional and local patterning in diet by sex and socioeconomic status. Humans (n = 216) and animals (n = 168) were analyzed from sites in London and northern England for both carbon and nitrogen isotopes of bone collagen (𝛿13 Ccoll , 𝛿15 Ncoll ). Isotopic analysis of bone carbonates (𝛿13 Ccarb , 𝛿18 Ocarb ) was carried out on all humans and 27 animals, using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance to assess diagenesis. Variations in diet were observed between and within different populations by geographical location and socioeconomic status. Three pigs and one cow consumed C4 resources, indicating the availability of C4 -fed animal protein. Londoners consumed more animal and marine protein and C4 resources. Middle- and upper-class populations from both London and northern populations also had greater access to these foods compared to those of lower status in the same regions. This substantial multi-isotope dataset deriving from bone carbonate and collagen combined from diverse post-medieval urban communities enabled, for the first time, the biomolecular identification of the dynamics of C4 consumption (cane sugar/maize) in England, providing insight into the dynamics of food globalization during this period. We also add substantially to the animal dataset for post-medieval England, providing further insight into animal management during a key moment of agricultural change.