Meal Replacement Research Articles

Techno-Functional and Sensory Characterization of Commercial Plant Protein Powders.

Many new plant proteins are appearing on the market, but their properties are insufficiently characterized. Hence, we collected 24 commercial proteins from pea, oat, fava bean, chickpea, mung bean, potato, canola, soy, and wheat, including different batches, and assessed their techno-functional and sensory properties. Many powders had yellow, red, and brown color tones, but that of fava bean was the lightest. The native pH ranged from 6.0 to 7.7. The water solubility index was 28% on average, but after heat treatment the solubility typically increased. Soy isolate had by far the best water-holding capacity of 6.3 g (H2O) g-1, and canola had the highest oil-holding capacity of 2.8 g (oil) g-1. The foaming capacity and stability results were highly varied but typical to the raw material. The emulsification properties of all powders were similar. Upon heating, the highest viscosity and storage modulus were found in potato, canola, and mung bean. All powders had raw material flavor, were bitter and astringent, and undissolved particles were perceived in the mouth. Large differences in functionality were found between the batches of one pea powder. In conclusion, we emphasize the need for methodological standardization, but while respecting the conditions found in end applications like meat and dairy analogs.

Role of beta-2 adrenergic receptor polymorphism (rs1042714) on body weight and glucose metabolism response to a meal-replacement hypocaloric diet

ObjectivesThe beta-2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) is involved in energy balance regulation. The objective of our study was to evaluate the role of the rs1042714 genetic variant of ADRB2 gene on weight loss, body composition, and metabolic changes secondary to partial meal replacement (pMR) hypocaloric diet in women with obesity. MethodsWe conducted an interventional study in 95 premenopausal women with body mass index ≥ 35 kg/m2. The subjects received two intakes per day of a normocaloric hyperproteic formula during 12 wk of a pMR diet. Body weight, body mass index, fat mass, waist circumference, lipid profile, fasting insulin levels, and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance were determined. All patients were genotyped rs1042714 and evaluated in a dominant model (CC versus CG + GG). ResultsGenotype frequencies were 31 (37.3%), 38 (45.8%), and 14 (16.9%) for the CC, CG, and GG genotypes, respectively. We found significant interaction effects between ADRB2 variant and pMR-induced changes (CC versus CG + GG) on body weight (–7.1 ± 0.3 versus –13.5 ± 0.5 kg; P = 0.03), body mass index (–0.9 ± 0.1 versus –1.2 ± 0.2 kg/m2; P = 0.03), fat mass (–4.9 ± 0.5 versus –10.2 ±1.2 kg; P = 0.01), waist circumference (–5.1 ± 0.2 versus –10.1 ± 1.9 cm; P = 0.03), glucose (–5.1 ± 1.3 versus –12.5 ± 2.5 mg/dL; P = 0.03), total cholesterol (–18.1 ± 9.3 versus –33.5 ± 4.5 mg/dL; P = 0.03), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (–9.1 ± 5.3 versus –24.5 ± 4.1 mg/dL; P = 0.04), triacylglycerol levels (–6.1 ± 5.3 versus –31.5 ± 9.5 mg/dL; P = 0.04), fasting insulin levels (–1.8 ± 0.3 versus –6.3 ± 0.5 IU/L; P = 0.03), and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (–0.6 ± 0.3 versus –1.9 ± 0.5 U; P = 0.03). The odds ratio to improve alteration in glucose metabolism adjusted by age and weight loss throughout the study was 0.26 (95% CI, 0.07–0.95; P = 0.02) in G allele carriers. ConclusionsThe G allele of rs1042714 predicts the magnitude of weight loss resulting from a pMR diet. These adiposity improvements produce a better improvement of insulin resistance and percentage of impaired glucose metabolism in G allele carriers.

Dietary starch level affects nutrient digestibility, faecal waste production and characteristics in yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) depending on the level of fish meal replacement

Yellowtail kingfish have a poor faecal integrity when fed with pelleted diets which may be due to the presence of dietary starch. Moreover, whether dietary starch interacts with plant protein ingredients, is not known. In this study, we investigated the effect of dietary starch level, protein source and their interaction effect on faecal waste production and characteristics (visual appearance, faecal removal efficiency and particle size distribution (PSD)). Four diets were formulated according to a 2 × 2 factorial design (starch level × protein source). The effect of starch level was tested by either including 0% (LS - low starch, 4% starch) or 20% gelatinized wheat flour (HS - high starch, 20% starch). FM diets contained fish meal as protein source, whilst at FM/P diets approximately 65% of the fish meal was replaced by plant protein ingredients. Twelve tanks were stocked with 21 fish (mean initial weight 53 g) and fish performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal waste production and characteristics were evaluated over a 36-day experimental period. Both starch level and protein source affected the organic matter digestibility (p < 0.05). The effects of starch and protein source were additive regarding macro nutrient digestibility indicated by the absence of an interaction effect (p > 0.05). Growth was similar between the FM and FM/P at low starch diets (p < 0.05), but was reduced at the FM/P at high starch inclusion level (p < 0.05). The high starch and FM/P diets resulted in more faecal waste production (p < 0.05). Faecal integrity of yellowtail kingfish was adversely affected by starch inclusion. Fish receiving low starch diets excreted faecal pellets and short strings, while faecal waste collected from fish receiving high starch diets was classified as inconsistent. This was also reflected in a higher faecal removal efficiency and larger faecal PSD for fish receiving the low starch diets compared to the high starch diets (p < 0.05). No protein source or interaction effect was observed for faecal removal efficiency (p > 0.05). Consequently, lowering starch level and excluding plant protein ingredients reduced the amount of non-removed faeces by 71.1% and 30.6%, respectively. In summary, our study showed that the reduction of dietary starch offers possibilities to replace fish meal with plant protein ingredients without limiting growth performance in yellowtail kingfish. Moreover, lowering dietary starch level may have the potential to reduce solid loading in recirculating aquaculture systems for yellowtail kingfish.

Behavioral weight loss outcomes in individuals with binge-eating disorder: A meta-analysis.

Binge-eating disorder (BED) is highly comorbid with obesity. Weight loss may benefit individuals with BED; however, these individuals are often excluded from behavioral weight loss interventions (BWLIs), and findings from BWLIs including participants with and without BED are mixed. To the authors' knowledge, this study represents the first meta-analysis of weight loss outcomes of individuals with and without BED in BWLIs, while adjusting for weight-influencing variables. Treatment dropout rates were also examined. Electronic search engines and grey literature search methods were used to identify manuscripts published through December 2022 related to BWLIs and BED. Thirty manuscripts (BED n = 1519; 25 non-BED n = 6345) were included. A meta-regression found that individuals with BED lost less weight compared with individuals without BED (~1.4 kg; ~2.9 kg among studies without meal replacements), but they still lost ~8.1 kg at post-treatment. A random-effects model showed that BED diagnosis increased odds of treatment dropout by 50%. BWLIs produced robust weight loss in those with BED, but those with BED lost less weight and had higher risk of dropout compared with those without. Future research should aim to close the gap in weight loss outcomes and retention between those with and without BED.

Presence and Quantity of Botanical Ingredients With Purported Performance-Enhancing Properties in Sports Supplements

This case series study examines the accuracy of labels of dietary sports supplements containing botanical ingredients.

Effects of Dietary Fish Meal Replacement with Alternative Protein Ingredients and Their Combinations on Growth Performance, Feed Utilization, Fillet Composition, and Biochemical Parameters of Red Seabream (Pagrus major).

The experiment was conducted to evaluate alternative protein ingredients in a low-fish meal (FM) diet for red seabream (Pagrus major). Twelve experimental diets were formulated. Control diet (CON) was designed to contain 60% FM. Other experimental diets were formulated by replacing 50% of FM from the CON with soy protein concentrate (SPC), corn gluten (CG), meat meal (MM), and/or chicken byproduct meal (CBM). Four diets were designed including one of SPC, CG, MM, or CBM as FM replacer and designated as SPC, CG, MM, and CBM. Six other diets were formulated by adding two ingredients as SPC and CG, SPC and MM, SPC and CBM, CG and MM, CG and CBM, or MM and CBM, and designated as SCG, SMM, SCM, CMM, CCM, and MCM, respectively. The 12th diet (MIX) was formulated by including SPC, CGM, MM, and CBM. Triplicate fish groups (50.2 ± 0.1 g) were hand-fed for 12 weeks. Weight gain (WG) of fish was significantly improved by MM and MCM diets compared to CG, SCG, CMM, and CCM diets. WG of CON, SPC, CM, SMM, SCM, and MIX groups were comparable with MM and MCM groups. The lowest WG was observed in CG and CMM groups. Feed efficiency (FE) was significantly higher in MM group compared to SPC, CG, SGC, and CMC groups. FE of MCM group was significantly higher than CG and SCG groups. Fillet linolenic acid (C18:2n-6) level in CG group was significantly higher than CON, MM, CM, SCM, CCM, and MCM groups. Serum lysozyme activity was significantly higher in MCM and MIX groups. Therefore, a high level of dietary CG reduces the growth performance and feed utilization of red seabream. A mixture of MM and CBM seems to be more efficient in replacing FM from red seabream diet.

Isolation and identification of protease-producing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LX-6 and its application in the solid fermentation of soybean meal.

Soybean meal (SM) is considered an ideal substitute for fish meal; however, its application is mainly limited because of its antigen proteins, glycinin and β-conglycinin. To improve the value of SM in the aquaculture industry, we employed an aerobic bacterial strain (LX-6) with protease activity of 1,390.6 ± 12.5 U/mL. This strain was isolated from soil samples and identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens based on morphological and physiological biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA gene sequence analyses. Subsequently, we quantified the extent of glycinin and β-conglycinin degradation and the total protein and water-soluble protein content after SM fermentation with B. amyloliquefaciens LX-6. At 24h of fermentation, the macromolecular antigen proteins of SM were almost completely degraded; the maximum degradation rates of glycinin and β-conglycinin reached 77.9% and 57.1%, respectively. Accordingly, not only did the concentration of water-soluble proteins increase from 5.74% to 44.45% after 48h of fermentation but so did the concentrations of total protein and amino acids compared to those of unfermented SM. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed that the LX-6 strain gradually disrupted the surface structure of SM during the fermentation process. In addition, B. amyloliquefaciens LX-6 exhibited broad-spectrum antagonistic activity and a wide pH tolerance, suggesting its application in SM fermentation for fish meal replacement.

Enhanced heat tolerance of freeze-dried Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354 as valid Salmonella surrogate in low-moisture foods

In microbial studies of low-moisture foods (LMFs, water activity less than 0.85), freeze-dried bacteria benefit us to inoculate LMFs without introducing extra water or altering food physiochemical properties. However, the freeze-drying process would bring unavoidable damage to bacterial cells and results in less-resistant inoculum that are unlikely to be qualified in microbial studies. Herein, we enhanced bacterial heat tolerance by subjecting the cells to mild heat (42-50 °C) to counteract the reduced heat tolerance and survivability of freeze-dried bacteria. Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354 (E. faecium), a Salmonella surrogate in LMFs, was used as the target microorganism because it was widely accepted in microbial validation of thermal pasteurizing LMFs. Three types of LMFs (peanut powder, protein powder, and onion powder) were used as LMFs models to validate the freeze-dried E. faecium in comparison with Salmonella enterica Enteritidis PT 30 (S. Enteritidis) prepared by the traditional aqueous method. The heat tolerance (D65℃ value) of E. faecium increased at all treatments and peaked (+31.48 ± 0.13%) at temperature-time combinations of 45 °C-60 min and 50 °C-5 min. Survivability of freeze-dried inoculum and its heat tolerance retained well within 50 d storage. The freeze-dried E. faecium was prepared in this study brought equal or higher heat tolerance (D85℃ or D75℃) than S. Enteritidis in tested LMFs models. For instance, the D85℃ of freeze-dried E. faecium (heat-treated at 50 °C for 5 min) and S. Enteritidis in whole egg powder are 35.56 ± 1.52 min and 28.41 ± 0.41 min, respectively. The freeze-dried E. faecium with enhanced heat tolerance appears to be a suitable Salmonella surrogate for dry-inoculating LMFs. Our protocol also enables industry-scale production of freeze-dried inoculum by broth-cultivation method combined with mild-heat treatment.

Whey protein powder with milk fat globule membrane attenuates Alzheimer's disease pathology in 3×Tg-AD mice by modulating neuroinflammation through the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ signaling pathway

Whey protein powder (PP), which is mainly derived from bovine milk, is rich in milk fat globule membrane (MFGM). The MGFM has been shown to play a role in promoting neuronal development and cognition in the infant brain. However, its role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has not been elucidated. Here, we showed that the cognitive ability of 3×Tg-AD mice (a triple-transgenic mouse model of AD) could be improved by feeding PP to mice for 3 mo. In addition, PP ameliorated amyloid peptide deposition and tau hyperphosphorylation in the brains of AD mice. We found that PP could alleviate AD pathology by inhibiting neuroinflammation through the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ)-nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway in the brains of AD mice. Our study revealed an unexpected role of PP in regulating the neuroinflammatory pathology of AD in a mouse model.

Effects of fermented soybean meal substitution for fish meal on intestinal flora and intestinal health in pearl gentian grouper.

This study explored the role of replacing fish meal protein with fermented soybean meal (FSBM) protein on the growth performance and intestinal morphology, immunity, and microbiota of the pearl gentian grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀ × E. lanceolatus♂). Three isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets with increasing levels of FSBM (0%, 20% and 40%; referred to as FM, FSBM20 and FSBM40 diets, respectively) as a replacement for fish meal were selected for this study. The pearl gentian grouper were fed these diets for 10 weeks. The findings revealed that the growth of fish fed the FSBM diets (FSBM20 and FSBM40) were remarkably lower than the fish fed the FM diet. Pathological manifestations of intestinal inflammation, such as shortened intestinal mucosal folds and thickened lamina propria, were observed in the fish fed the FSBM diets. Moreover, the gene expression levels of IL1β, IL12, IL17, and TNFα were remarkably upregulated in fish fed the FSBM40 diet, in contrast to the gene expression levels of IL4, IL5, IL10, and TGFβ1, which were remarkably downregulated (p < 0.05). The FSBM diets significantly affected the stability of the fish gut microbiota. Photobacterium was the dominant phylum in all experimental groups, and the proportion of these bacteria gradually decreased with increasing FSBM substitution. The composition of intestinal flora at the genus level was not the same in the three experimental groups, with a richer composition of intestinal bacteria detected in the FSBM20 and FSBM40 groups (p < 0.05). The correlation between intestinal flora balance and immune gene expression revealed that only Photobacterium was negatively correlated with the above upregulated genes, while other bacteria were positively correlated with these pro-inflammatory factors (p < 0.05). Photobacterium was positively correlated with the above downregulated genes, while other bacteria were negatively correlated with these anti-inflammatory factors (p < 0.05). In conclusion, high levels of substitution of FSBM for fish meal causes intestinal inflammation in pearl gentian grouper. This is likely associated with changes to the intestinal flora. More attention should be paid to the negative role of dietary FSBM on intestinal flora.

Affecting mechanism of Chlorella sorokiniana meal replacing fish meal on growth and immunity of Litopenaeus vannamei based on transcriptome analysis

The purpose of this study was to analyze the affecting mechanism of Chlorella sorokiniana meal replacing fish meal on the growth performance and immune function of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei by transcriptomics analysis. In a control diet containing 560 g % /kg fish meal, chlorella was used to replace 0 %, 20 %, 40 %, 60 %, 80 % and 100 % of dietary fish meal to form six iso-nitrogenous and iso-lipidic diets (C0, C20, C40, C60, C80, C100). The six diets were fed to white shrimp (1.37 ± 0.02 g) for 8 weeks. Compared to the control group, the final body weight (FBW), specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency (FE) of the C20 group were significantly improved (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in growth performance between the C40 group and the C0 group (P > 0.05). When the replacement level of fish meal by chlorella was ≥ 60 %, the FBW, SGR and FE of shrimp were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). In the analysis of the hepatopancreatic transcriptome, the amount of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in C20, C40, C60, C80 and C100 groups were 322 (176 up and 146 down), 482 (246 up and 236 down), 804 (487 up and 317 down), 1080 (684 up and 396 down) and 1262 (827 up and 435 down), respectively, when compared to the C0 group. GO Term and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of DEGs showed that DEGs between the C20 and C0 groups were significantly enriched in chitin binding and inositol metabolism processes. Several immune-related signaling pathways were also enriched, including the C-type lectin receptor pathway, complement and coagulation cascades, the B-cell receptor pathway, and most of these genes were up-regulated in the C20 group. Compared to the C0 group, DEGs in C40, C60, C80 and C100 groups were significantly enriched in lysosomal, protein digestion, and absorption pathways. In addition, in the C80 and C100 groups, the DEGs were also significantly enriched in lipid catabolism process. The high replacement of fish meal with chlorella meal affected the absorption and utilization of nutrients by regulating the signaling pathways related to protein digestion and absorption, and aggravated lipid catabolism of the body, thereby affecting the growth of shrimp. The high replacement of fish meal might also affect the homeostasis of shrimp cells and reduce immunity through the lysosomal signaling pathway. In summary, the low replacement of fish meal (20 %) with chlorella meal significantly improved the growth performance of Litopenaeus vannamei, which might be realized through activating the C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway to regulate immune function of the body, but the high substitution of fish meal (≥ 60 %) reduced the growth performance and immunity by affecting the lysosomal signaling pathway.

Effects of dietary replacement of fishmeal by cottonseed meal on the growth performance, immune and antioxidant responses, and muscle quality of juvenile crayfish Procambarus clarkii

The current research was aimed to determine the impacts of cottonseed meal substitution levels for fishmeal on the growth performance, immune indices, antioxidant ability, and muscle texture of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to feed the crayfish for 8 weeks. The basal diet contained 20% fishmeal (FM), while the other four experimental diets substituted fishmeal in FM diet with cottonseed meal at levels of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%, referred to as CM25, CM50, CM75, and CM100 respectively. A total of 750 crayfish with an average initial weight of 4.00 g were selected and randomly allocated to fifteen cages. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of crayfish. Weight gain and specific growth rate declined, and feed conversion rate, asparate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase activities appear to increase as cottonseed meal substitution levels increased. Serum total cholesterol levels declined in crayfish fed CM100 diet compared to crayfish fed the FM diet. Serum phenoloxidase and lysozyme activities, and muscle hardness and mef-2a mRNA expression were the highest for crayfish fed fishmeal-based diet and showed no significant difference among other four groups. Dietary cottonseed meal levels did not significantly influence hepatopancreas index, viscerosomatic index, condition factor, serum glucose, triglyceride, albumin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and creatinine contents, as well as the contents of acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase, and muscle texture profile (cohesiveness, springiness, adhesiveness, and chewiness) and mef-2b and mstn mRNA expression. High dietary fish meal replacement by cottonseed meal tended to upregulate mRNA expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, manganese superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, and catalase. Taken together, dietary cottonseed meal reduced growth performance and feed utilization, induced hepatopancreas oxidative stress, and influenced some serum and muscle parameters. The gossypol content and unbalanced amino acid profile are considered the limiting factor influencing the fish meal replacement by cottonseed meal.

Tryptophan can alleviate the inhibition in growth and immunity of tilapia (GIFT Oreochromis spp.) induced by high dietary soybean meal level

A 85-day feeding trial was designed to verify the effects of soybean meal on growth, feed utilization, antioxidants, and immune response of tilapia (GIFT Oreochromis spp.), and evaluated the effects of dietary tryptophan on alleviating the negative responses induced by high inclusion of soybean meal. Five experimental diets, two of which substituted 15 % and 45 % of the fish meal with soybean meal, the others supplemented with 0.2 %, 0.4 % and 0.6 % L-tryptophan on the basis of 45 % soybean meal, respectively, were fed 400 juvenile fish (initial weight: 2.98 ± 0.04 g). The results showed that the crude ash content, red blood cell count (RBC), lipase (LPS) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities of tilapia significantly decreased when the soybean meal replaced fish meal by 45 % (p < 0.05). Although the growth performance values of replacing 45 % soybean meal were slightly lower than that of replacing 15 % soybean meal, while there was no significant difference between them (p > 0.05). However, supplementation with tryptophan in the high soybean meal replacement groups significantly improved the final weight, weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR), phagocytosis index (PI), RBC, trypsin (TPS), LPS and GSH-Px activities of tilapia (p < 0.05), and the apparent digestibility and feed coefficient of tilapia were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Taken together, these results suggested that excessive soybean meal inhibited the feed utilization and immunity of tilapia to a certain extent, while the inclusion of 0.2 %−0.4 % tryptophan in the diet could alleviate the negative effects of high soybean meal diet in tilapia. This study will provide ideas and a theoretical basis for further expanding the application of soybean meal in tilapia feed.

P24-008-23 The Evaluation of Culturally Appropriate, Low-Calorie Meal Replacement Shakes in a Small Island Developing State

P24-008-23 The Evaluation of Culturally Appropriate, Low-Calorie Meal Replacement Shakes in a Small Island Developing State

The Use of Creatine in Sport: An Educational Article

Many sports and strenuous exercises are associated with some degree of muscle damage, pain and fatigue that can lead to poor athletic progress, therefore the need for recovery speeding methods has been increasingly demanded. The use of performance enhancing nutritional supplements to improve athletic performance has been increasing during the previous decades. Supplementation with vitamins and minerals in excess of recommended daily allowances has been increasingly reported to have no effect on muscle mass or athletic performance, and the need to identify evidence-based sport supplements has been increasingly demanded. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the use of creatine in sport research progress.

Effect of prehabilitation-related DIETary protein intake on Quality of Recovery after elective cardiac surgery (DIETQoR) study: protocol of a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionProtein malnutrition is associated with higher risks of postoperative complications, mortality, prolonged postoperative stays in hospital, slower physical and mental recovery after surgery and lower subsequent health-related quality of life....

Development of methodology for assessing flowability of milk protein powders using shear failure testing device

Protein-rich milk powders can be susceptible to caking and clumping during manufacture and storage. A method was developed for objective and reliable assessment of their flowability, i.e., tendency of powders not to stick to the equipment surfaces. Milk protein powder (MPC 80) was subjected to three-point shear failure testing on a powder shear cell attached to a MCR302e rheometer. Flow function coefficients (ffc) were obtained after the Mohr circle analysis of pre-shear and shear-to-failure points. Due to their globular shape and significantly larger particle size (50–70 μm), milk protein powders exhibited more stick-slip phenomenon and lack of shear to failure point particularly at higher pre-shear (>6 kPa) and shearing normal stresses than the flat-shaped, smaller size (<20 μm) cohesive calcium carbonate powder (ffc value 2.1 at 3.0 kPa). Absence of shear-to-failure points in milk protein powders was attributed to instant failure of the powder at higher normal stresses due to larger particle size and globular shape, which was avoided by lowering pre-shear (3, 6, and 9 kPa to 1, 3 and 6 kPa) and shearing normal stresses, increasing data capturing interval and optimizing shear speed. Reliable ffc values at 3.0 kPa pre-shear normal stress, characterizing MPC 80 powder (4.6 ± 0.4) as easy flowing and MPI 85 as cohesive (3.7 ± 0.5) were obtained successfully using developed protocol.

Poster 363: Post-Operative Protein Supplementation following Orthopaedic Surgery: A Systematic Review

Objectives: Decreased mechanical loading after orthopaedic surgery predisposes patients to develop muscle atrophy. The purpose of the study was to assess whether oral protein supplementation can help decrease postoperative muscle atrophy and/or improve patient outcomes following orthopaedic surgery. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The review was registered with the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). A search of the PROSPERO registration did not identify similar prior systematic reviews or meta-analyses. Databases were searched during April 2021 and included: MEDLINE (Pubmed), Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. Each search contained a combination of the following terms: “orthopaedic procedures” AND “protein” OR “amino acid” AND “dietary supplements” OR “supplementation” OR “supplement.” Orthopaedic procedures were listed individually using the PubMed index of orthopaedic procedures, as well as using the mesh function to extract articles with orthopaedic procedures listed as keywords. Eligibility Criteria The principal inclusion criteria consisted of randomized controlled trials evaluating protein or amino acid regimens as a measure to counteract muscle atrophy following orthopaedic surgery. Articles that evaluated other forms of dietary supplementation or non-orthopaedic procedures were excluded. Control groups included either placebo or a natural history control (i.e. routine post-operative protocol). The scope of surgery was intentionally left broad, to allow for a comparison of protein supplementation effectiveness across different surgical interventions. Each study’s reference list was manually reviewed for additional articles to prevent unintentional exclusion of studies. Two reviewers independently assessed all articles identified by the search strategy and applied the eligibility criteria. Data Extraction The content extracted from each article included: (1) demographic data, (2) protein supplement regimen used, (3) outcomes, (4) complications, and (5) length of follow up. Primary outcomes included functional or physiologic measures of muscle atrophy or strength. Secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction and time to return to sport or work. Data Analysis Quality assessment of studies was performed using Modified Coleman Methodology Scoring (MCMS). Heterogeneity of study design was noted including differences in protocols, measurement techniques, and outcomes measured, which prevented an adequate statistical comparison for meta-analysis. Results: Fourteen studies including 611 patients (224 male, 387 female) were analyzed (Figure 1). Four surgical cohorts were identified: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), total hip arthroplasty (THA), hip fractures (THA, revision THA, hip resurfacing), and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The ACLR, THA, and hip fracture cohorts were each composed of 3 studies, while there were 5 studies in the TKA cohort. Average length of follow-up was 9 weeks for ACLR, 7 weeks for THA, 10 weeks for hip fracture, and 7 weeks for TKA. Protein supplementation included various combinations of essential amino acids in tablet form or whey protein powder. Placebo supplements were most commonly an isocaloric carbohydrate tablet or powder. Protein supplementation was reported to have beneficial effects across all types of identified surgeries. The primary benefit was decreased muscle atrophy measured by muscle cross sectional area. The most significant difference in muscle atrophy was observed in the final week of follow-up for the majority of studies (average follow up was 8 weeks). Multiple studies also demonstrated improved functional measures, including increased muscle function measured by isokinetic muscle strength. Of note, most participants were involved in some form of formal physical therapy for varying durations after surgery, but this was not standardized across all studies. There were no significant increases in side effects reported comparing protein supplementation cohorts to controls. Of the included investigations, only 2 studies (both for hip fracture) had participants follow a standardized diet. Average MCMS scores for each surgical cohort were as follows: ACLR 55 (fair), TKA 55 (fair), THA 46 (poor), hip fracture 44 (poor). Conclusions: In conclusion, protein supplementation appears to have beneficial effects on mitigating muscle atrophy in the postoperative period following ACLR, THA, TKA, and surgical treatment of hip fracture. This response often correlates with improved functional measures and quicker achievement of rehabilitation benchmarks. Further research is needed to establish standardized supplementation regimens and guidelines for improving clinical outcomes in the postoperative period.

Impact of relative humidity and temperature oscillations mimicking authentic storage during shipping on whey proteins powders properties

The impact of authentic storage conditions during shipping was tested on whey protein concentrate powders as environmental conditions heavily influence shelf-life performance. Most experimental studies are conducted at constant conditions of temperature and/or humidity whereas in real shipment conditions powders are often transported all over the world in ships which can experience vastly different temperatures and humidity with large amplitudes from day-time to night-time. Here, industrial whey protein concentrates and β-lactoglobulin powders were stored under cycled temperatures and relative humidity fashioned from authentic data collected on ships carrying dairy powders. Protein lactosylation and denaturation, browning index, particle surface and powder functional properties were measured in order to estimate functional and physicochemical modifications occurring close to authentic storage under shipping. It was observed that oscillation amplitudes tested had no impact on powders unlike the storage duration. The presence of residual lactose (1.5%) in the whey protein powder induced lactosylation during storage leading to particle surface hydrophobicity and surface elasticity increases whereas for β-lactoglobulin powders (depleted in lactose), transformation of initial lactosylated proteins into advanced Maillard products was observed with no particle surface impact. The rehydration was not impacted regardless of the storage conditions and powder chemical composition.

Effect of Japanese sandfish (Arctoscopus japonicus) meal in paste diet for Anguilla japonica in terms of growth, feed efficiency and digestibility

In this study, the effect of replacement of high-quality fish meal (HQFM) with Japanese sandfish (Arctoscopus japonicus) meal (SFM) and the utility of a viscous culture broth of Leuconostoc mesenteroides (VCL) as binding material in paste diet for Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) was tested in terms of growth, feed efficiency and digestibility. Four experimental paste diets contained, fish meal and binding materials as, HQFM and starch (F0, control), SFM and VCL (F1), SFM and a mixture of starch and VCL (F2) and SFM and starch (F3). Each diet was formulated to be iso-nitrogenous and iso-lipidic. Each group of 10 juvenile eels with an average initial body weight of 20 ± 2.5 g were randomly distributed into 15 tanks in triplicates and fish were fed twice daily with one of the 4 experimental paste diets for 90 days. Eels fed with diet F2 exhibited good growth performance (final mean weight; 55.3±0.67 g, WGR; 169±5%), being similar to eels (55.5±0.26g, 170±7%) fed a control diet (p&gt;0.05). In spite of iso-nitrogenous and iso-lipidic diets, the feed efficiency of F1 and F3 were inferior to other diets and the same trend was observed in growth performance also, probably due to reduced feed intake owing to poor water stability of the feeds. It should be considered that incorporation of SFM could lead to the discharge of undesirable matters such as phosphorus into the water environment, though it would contribute to lowering production costs.Therefore, further investigations are needed to improve the quality of SFM. Keywords: Fish meal replacement, Growth performance, Iso-lipidic diet, Iso- nitrogenous diet, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Water stability.