Natural Diet Research Articles

Dry Heat Sterilization of a Pelleted, Natural Ingredient Rodent Diet.

Sterilization of rodent feed is recommended to eliminate potential murine pathogens and minimize microbial variability between batches. Most research institutions sterilize feed using steam/pressure (autoclave) or irradiation. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages that contribute to their suitability, including cost, maintenance, availability, and alterations to the exposed product. Dry heat sterilization, which has been in use for over 75 y, uses higher temperatures and longer sterilization times than steam autoclave and is most often used for delicate instruments or products that would be damaged by water such as powders or oil-based liquids. Dry heat sterilization in vivaria has been limited to date but is gaining popularity due to lower initial purchase and ongoing operational costs as compared with steam autoclaves. Little published information exists on the effects of dry heat sterilization on animal feed. We evaluated the sterility and chemical alterations of a natural ingredient, pelleted, rodent diet (NIH-31) after exposure to dry heat. Feed sterility was achieved using a dry heat exposure temperature of 160 °C (320 °F) for 4 h. This exposure resulted in a significant loss of heat-labile vitamins and significantly more acrylamide production as compared with the nonsterile, irradiated, and autoclaved feed.

Rearing Coffee Berry Borer, Hypothenemus hampei, and its parasitoid Phymastichus coffea, the Togolese wasp, in natural and artificial diets

Rearing Coffee Berry Borer, Hypothenemus hampei, and its parasitoid Phymastichus coffea, the Togolese wasp, in natural and artificial diets

Mass production of Telenomus remus Nixon with an artificial diet and with leaves of Ricinus communis L., and its practical use in the control of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)

Mass production of Telenomus remus (Nixon) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) through artificial and natural diets for biological of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E.Smith) is discussed. The diet based on R. communis leaves, is less expensive since does not need high cost materials and other devices, one limitation is to produce high numbers of parasitoids related to the high need of leaves. Good effectiveness of T. remus has been recorded, when used at a rate of 6000-8000 individuals/ha/release, obtaining a high level of control and economic benefits.

Histopathological features and metabolic disorders in Tunisian rodent Psammomys obesus fed high-caloric diets

This study aimed at investigating the alteration of lipid serum profile and histopathological damage in Psammomys obesus fed different high calorie diets. Animals were randomly assigned to four groups. P. obesus of the control group were fed with a Low-Calorie natural Diet, the Chenopodicae plant (0.42 kcal/g). The three other groups were fed high calorie diets rich in carbohydrates and protein or rich in carbohydrates and fat (~3.5 - 4.7 kcal/g). Lipid serum profile was assessed bimonthly during seven-month diets. The recorded energy intake was significantly high in the groups fed high calorie diets compared with the control group. Body weight was significantly increased in animal groups fed high calorie diets. All Psammomys obesus fed high-calorie diets developed dyslipidemia with the distinction of different sub-groups developing or not obesity and diabetes. High calorie diets rich in carbohydrates and fat induced a remarkable increase in lipid serum biomarkers indicating a fast induction of dyslipidemia from the first month of the experiment with a significant increase in transaminase activities after two months revealing pronounced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity which were confirmed by a significant increase in liver and kidney relative weight and adiposity index. Severe histological alterations were recorded in obese, diabetic and dyslipidemic Psammomys obesus with a noticeable hypertrophy of the adipocytes, glomeruli and islets of Langerhans, as well as increased hepatic lipid droplet accumulation, apoptosis, necrosis and inflammation. A significant decrease in the thickness of the whole retinal layer was also observed after seven-months diet. Animals fed Low-calorie natural diet don’t show any signs of obesity, dyslipidemia or diabetes. The high calorie diets induced rapid and severe changes in body weight, severe metabolic syndrome and histopathological features causing organ structural and functional injuries. Psammomys obesus seems like an excellent model for studying nutritional pathophysiological-metabolic disorders including obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia and their complications, particularly diabetic retinopathy, comparable to those of human metabolic processes.

HUBUNGAN KONSUMSI JUNK FOOD DAN MEDIA INFORMASI TERHADAP MENARCHE DINI PADA REMAJA PUTRI DI DESA HUTA LOMBANG KECAMATAN LUBUK BARUMUN

Early menarche is menstruation that arrives earlier between 10-11 years. A biological sign of menarche is sexual maturity. In women who experience early menarche, their reproductive function is as rapid as that of adult women. said that the age of menarche for adolescent girls has shifted to a younger age, namely 10-11 years, but normally menarche in girls occurs at the age of 12 - 16 years with an average age of 13 years. The aim of this research is to3 find out the relationship between consumption of junk food and information media on early menarche in Puri teenagers in Huta Lombang village, Lubuk Barumun subdistrict. This research is descriptive analytical in nature which aims to find out a picture of the reality of the object studied objectively regarding the relationship between junk consumption. food and information media on early menarche in adolescent girls in Huta Lombang village, Lubuk Barumun subdistrict. This research was conducted starting in July with a population of 63 and a sample of 63 respondents and sampling using the Simple Random Total Sampling technique using a questionnaire. Data management by means of editing, coding, tabulating and data entry. Research results: the majority of menarche is early consumption, 40 (63.5%) consume junk food very often, 42 (66.7%) information media, 43 (68.3%), research results on the relationship between junk consumption food against early menarche obtained (OR) 0.105. 95% CI=0.022-0.510 and P value 0.004<0.05, the relationship between information media and early menarche was obtained (OR) = 6.129. 95% CI=1.842-19.543 and P value 0.003 <0.05. Young women in particular maintain a balanced diet and reduce consumption of junk food which has an impact on early menarche by maintaining a nutritious and natural diet and reducing access to information media and seeing positive and more useful things in the media.

Fitness effects of assisted gene flow in an endangered salmonid population

AbstractAssisted gene flow is increasingly used to combat severe population declines. However, the associated risks, such as outbreeding depression, are often insufficiently assessed. Here, we studied the impact of assisted gene flow on the fitness of a highly endangered landlocked salmon population (Salmo salar m. sebago) from the lake Saimaa complex (Finland), using an anadromous Atlantic salmon population (S. salar) as donor. We released individuals of both parental populations and their hybrids into seminatural streams, monitoring their survival under predation risk from Northern pike (Esox lucius) and their growth on a natural diet. Before release, we exposed half of the salmon to the parasite Diplostomum pseudospathaceum to study whether assisted gene flow affects infection susceptibility, which could indirectly shape predation susceptibility and growth. The parental populations differed in both studied traits and the hybrids showed intermediate values. Relative to the target landlocked salmon population, hybrids experienced 21–26% lower survival, but 1.4–2.2% higher growth. They also carried 0.6–2.8 more parasites than the landlocked salmon, contributing to survival differences. These findings indicate that assisted gene flow can induce both negative and positive fitness effects. We propose that the overall net effects of this conservation tool need to be carefully evaluated before its implementation.

Combined application of nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and silicon improves growth and fatty acid composition in marine epiphytic diatoms

IntroductionMarine epiphytic diatoms are natural diets for multiple marine invertebrates, including sea cucumbers, sea urchins, etc. They also act as bioindicators in marine waters to assess water quality of coastal ecosystems. Material and methodsWe isolated three strains of Navicula and two strains of Nitzschia from macroalgal epiphytes. Combined concentrations of four macroelements, five trace metals, and three vitamins in f/2 medium were optimized for these diatoms using single-factor and orthogonal tests. Results and discussionThe biomass productivities for 4-L enlarged cultures of the five isolated diatoms in their exclusively optimized f/2 media all increased by nearly 10-fold relative to f/2 medium, and that of Navicula-1 and Nitzschia-2 reached the highest, i.e., 29.52 ± 1.98 and 30.68 ± 2.84 g m-2 d-1, respectively. Moreover, the relative abundance of C20:5n3 in the exclusively optimized f/2 medium-cultured Navicula-1 notably rose by 24%, and that in Nitzschia-2 held stable at > 25%. Thus, Navicula-1 and Nitzschia-2 were screened out with outstanding growth traits and improved fatty acid compositions at high levels of combined nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and silicon. The two diatoms have potential for becoming quality diets for marine aquaculture, and ideal candidates for effective nutrient removal.

Natural diet of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862) in the Rio Grande, southeastern Brazil

ABSTRACTMacrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862) is a freshwater prawn species subject to high commercial exploitation in northern Brazil, with wide geographic distribution and high phenotypic plasticity. This study aimed to assess the natural diet of an M. amazonicum population from Rio Grande, comparing consumed items with differences according to sex, seasons, and habitat food availability. The prawns were collected monthly between September 2018 and August 2019. A total of 348 stomachs were examined, and their content evaluated based on degree of repletion, the point method, and frequency of occurrence. Food preferences were also determined. Seven food types were recorded in the stomachs of M. amazonicum, including microplastics. No significant differences were observed in the diet between males and females or across different seasons. The species exhibited no food preference in its diet. The findings confirm an omnivorous diet for M. amazonicum and suggest that the composition and proportion of dietary items may depend on their availability in the environment. The presence of microplastics in the analyzed stomachs raises concern as it indicates contamination in the aquatic environment resulting from unsustainable human activities.

Dental findings in wild great apes from macerated skull analysis.

Oral health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being in both humans and nonhuman primates. Understanding the oral pathologies and dental conditions in apes can provide valuable insights into their evolutionary history, dietary habits, and overall health. The present study evaluates dental findings in wild great apes from museum specimens to gain insights into the influence of natural nutrition on dental health. Complete macerated skulls of wild, adult great apes from the collection of the Museum of Natural History, Berlin, Germany, were examined. We analyzed skulls of 53 gorillas (Gorilla gorilla), 63 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), and 41 orangutans (Pongo spp.). For each skull, we recorded wear of dental hard tissues (Lussi and Ganss index), carious lesions, and periodontal bone loss. Incisal and occlusal dental hard tissue defects were found in all skulls, as well as considerable external staining. In all species, incisors and canines showed the greatest loss of tissue, followed by molars. The wear of molars decreased from the first to the third molars, premolars showed the least pronounced defects. Some individuals had apical osteolytic defects along with severe dental hard tissue loss with pulp involvement or after dental trauma, respectively (n = 5). Our study did not observe any carious lesions among the examined great ape skulls. However, we did find evidence for localized or generalized periodontal bone loss in a subset of the specimens (n = 3 chimpanzees, n = 7 orangutans). The natural diet and foraging behavior of great apes induces abrasion and attrition of dental hard tissue but does not yield carious lesions. The occurrence of periodontitis in individual apes indicates that the natural circumstances can induce periodontal bone loss even in the wild, despite physiological nutrition.

Regional and temporal variation in escape history of Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon

Abstract Each year thousands of farmed Atlantic salmon escape from seawater net pens, and introgression has been documented in a range of wild populations. Due to greater experience in the wild, escapees that have been on the run for a longer period, and successfully transitioned to a wild diet (classified: “early escapees”), could potentially have a higher spawning success and contribute more to introgression than those that have been on the run for a shorter period and/or have not transitioned to a wild diet (classified: “recent escapees”). This is the first study to examine how the escape history of farmed Atlantic salmon captured in multiple rivers and coastal fisheries, varies in time and space. During 2011–2021, adult farmed escaped salmon were captured in four rivers and at six coastal sites in Norway. The level of linoleic acid, a terrestrial fatty acid high in commercial salmon feeds but low in the natural diet of wild salmon, was used to classify the farmed salmon as early or recent escapees. We observed temporal declines in the relative proportions of escaped vs. wild salmon in the catches, and the relative proportion of early vs. recent escapees in the most southern river (driven by samples from 2011 to 2015). Overall, 14% of the escaped salmon caught in the period were classified as early escapees. The relative proportion of early escapees was lower in the two southernmost rivers (21.2% and 6.30%), as compared to the coastal fisheries (40.9%) and the northernmost river (77.6%). Both aquaculture–management regulations and production strategies have likely influenced these observations.

Concentration-dependent effect of plant secondary metabolites on bacterial and fungal microbiomes in caterpillar guts.

The caterpillar gut is an excellent model system for studying host-microbiome interactions, as it represents an extreme environment for microbial life that usually has low diversity and considerable variability in community composition. Our study design combines feeding caterpillars on a natural and artificial diet with controlled levels of plant secondary metabolites and uses metabarcoding and quantitative PCR to simultaneously profile bacterial and fungal assemblages, which has never been performed. Moreover, we focus on multiple caterpillar species and consider diet breadth. Contrary to many previous studies, our study suggested the functional importance of certain microbial taxa, especially bacteria, and confirmed the previously proposed lower importance of fungi for caterpillar holobiont. Our study revealed the lack of differences between monophagous and polyphagous species in the responses of microbial assemblages to plant secondary metabolites, suggesting the limited role of the microbiome in the plasticity of the herbivore diet.

The Modulatory Bioeffects of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Polyphenols on Metabolic Disorders: Understanding Their Preventive Role against Metabolic Syndrome

Modern research achievements support the health-promoting effects of natural products and diets rich in polyphenols. Pomegranate (PG) (Punica granatum L.) contains a considerable number of bioactive compounds that exert a broad spectrum of beneficial biological activities, including antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiobesity, and atheroprotective properties. In this context, the reviewed literature shows that PG intake might reduce insulin resistance, cytokine levels, redox gene expression, blood pressure elevation, vascular injuries, and lipoprotein oxidative modifications. The lipid parameter corrective capabilities of PG-ellagitannins have also been extensively reported to be significantly effective in reducing hyperlipidemia (TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and TAGs), while increasing plasma HDL-C concentrations and improving the TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios. The health benefits of pomegranate consumption seem to be acheived through the amelioration of adipose tissue endocrine function, fatty acid utilization, GLUT receptor expression, paraoxonase activity enhancement, and the modulation of PPAR and NF-κB. While the results from animal experiments are promising, human findings published in this field are inconsistent and are still limited in several aspects. The present review aims to discuss and provide a critical analysis of PG’s bioeffects on the components of metabolic syndrome, type-2 diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia, as well as on certain cardiovascular-related diseases. Additionally, a brief overview of the pharmacokinetic properties, safety, and bioavailability of PG-ellagitannins is included.

PSII-6 Changes in Galectin Gene Expression and Secretion in Response to Gum Arabica Drench in Goats

Abstract Acacia senegal is part of the natural diet of goats. Gum Arabica (GA) is a water-soluble complex polysaccharide antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory prebiotic, derived from Acacia Senegal. Its mechanism of action has not been defined. Galectins are secreted sugar-binding animal proteins involved in the regulation of innate and adaptive immunity. They function in microbe recognition and as regulators of inflammation. This study evaluated the effect of GA on Galectin transcription. Clinically healthy Boer X Spanish goats (n = 20) were randomly assigned to two groups of 10. Goats in the treatment group received 10 mL of GA in water daily for six weeks, controls received sterile water. Blood was collected weekly from the jugular vein using acid citrate dextrose as an anticoagulant. Subsequently, the blood was centrifuged to isolate the cells and plasma. Total RNA isolation was isolated from the cell pellet using Trizol (Sigma-Aldrich). The RNA concentration (ng/μL) and purity was assessed using a Nanodrop Spectrophotometer (Thermo Scientific Inc). Galectin-1, -3 and -9 transcription was conducted using goat specific primers and housekeeping genes for real-time PCR. Fold changes were calculated using the Livak method. The Log2FC values for Galectin 1, 3, and 9 expressions were 12.47, 0.29, and 2.22 respectively. Thus, GA had varying effects on structurally distinct galectins. Galectin 1 gene (Lgals1) is an important modulator of the immune response and was highly induced. Changes in Galectin transcription can impact microbial recognition and immune activation for goat health. Further analyses are needed to evaluate the functional effects of GA for application as a prebiotic and immune modulator lain goat health.

A comparison of commercially available feeds for rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and degus with evidence of their diet and feeding behaviour in natural habitats.

A large variety of pet feeds is commercially available for pet herbivores; these feeds may differ in nutrient composition from the natural diet, and may trigger different feeding behaviours than observed in natural habitats. Here, we surveyed literature on the natural diet and activity budget of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) and degus (Octodon degus), as well as 260 compound feeds commercially available for these species between 1982 and 2020. The species are classified as herbivores, with available data on natural diets suggesting a crude fibre (CF) level of approximately 250 g/kg dry matter (DM), natural feeding activity at a magnitude of 4-7 h per day, with distinctively shorter feeding when fed on compound pet feeds. Only for a minority of feeds did the first 5 listed ingredients not include a starchy ingredient, or only ingredients not considered suitable for human consumption. The percentage of feeds whose CF level was less than 150 g/kg DM was 22 % for production rabbits, 18 % for pet rabbits, 26 % for guinea pigs, 18 % for chinchillas and 14 % for degus; in other words, a majority of currently marketed products have CF levels in accord with published recommendations, even if that means a discrepancy to natural diets. Screening the producers' feeding instructions suggests they should generally not be followed uncritically. No temporal trends in the CF levels of these diets was evident. There is no consensus whether only products resembling natural diet items should be included in pet feeds, or whether vegetable byproducts not edible by humans should also be included. The observed practice of pet feed composition largely did not follow either concept, questioning the general rationale of pet feed composition. Whole forage like hay is recommended as the main diet component for these species, and 76 % of pet feed products noted that hay should be fed in the feeding instructions.

163 Effect of Enogen Feed Corn Inclusion in Conventional and Natural Finishing Cattle Diets

Abstract A finishing experiment was conducted to determine the effects of Enogen Feed Corn inclusion in comparison with a control corn hybrid within natural and conventional feeding programs on finishing performance. The experiment used 400 crossbred steers (initial BW = 384 ± 33 kg) and 200 crossbred heifers (initial BW = 330 ± 19 kg) in a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments with 10 replications of steers and 5 replications of heifers per treatment. Factors were Enogen Feed Corn (EFC) or control corn hybrid inclusion as dry-rolled corn and corn silage within conventional and natural feeding programs. Cattle assigned to the conventional program were fed rations that contained feed additives and received implants whereas cattle in the natural program received neither. Performance data were analyzed as a 2×2×2 factorial assessing interactions between sex, feeding program, and corn hybrid inclusion. A sex by feeding program by corn hybrid (P = 0.01) interaction was observed for dry matter intake (DMI). Interactions between sex and feeding program were observed for carcass adjusted final BW (final BW; P < 0.01), average daily gain (ADG; P < 0.01), feed efficiency (G:F; P < 0.01), and hot carcass weight (HCW; P = 0.01). No significant corn hybrid by sex interactions (P ≥ 0.12) or corn hybrid by feeding program interactions (P ≥ 0.13) were observed. Inclusion of EFC in natural heifer diets tended to increase DMI by 0.4 kg/d (P = 0.10), while hybrid inclusion had no impact on DMI of conventional heifers. Feeding EFC in conventional steer diets tended to increase DMI by 0.4 kg/d (P = 0.06) compared with steers consuming the control corn hybrid diet. Corn hybrid had no impact on DMI in natural steer diets (P = 0.15). Carcass adjusted final BW decreased by 75 kg in natural steers and 41 kg in natural heifers compared with conventional programs (P < 0.01). Natural heifers gained 0.24 kg/d less than conventional heifers (P < 0.01). Feeding steers in the natural program reduced ADG by 0.43 kg/d in comparison with conventional program steers (P < 0.01). Compared with natural cattle, G:F improved by 13.0% when heifers were fed in a conventional program (P < 0.01) and 19.4% when steers were fed in a conventional program (P < 0.01). Feeding program had no effect on marbling (P = 0.38) while conventional cattle had greater 12th rib fat than natural cattle (P < 0.01). Inclusion of EFC had no effect on ADG (P = 0.71), G:F (P = 0.22), or HCW (P = 0.57). The incorporation of implants and feed additives within the finishing period increased final BW, HCW, and ADG leading to improved G:F in steers and heifers, with the improvement being greater in steers.

Natural diet of the pink spiny lobster, Palinurus mauritanicus (Malacostraca, Decapoda, Palinuridae), from the Algerian west coast

Abstract The pink spiny lobster, Palinurus mauritanicus Gruvel, 1911 is a target species of commercial fisheries along the Algerian west coast. To better understand the natural diet of a population of P. mauritanicus, a study was conducted between June 2021 and May 2022, which aimed to compare the consumed food items based on sex, seasonality, and body size. This approach involved analysing stomach contents and determining ingested prey, with seasonal sampling conducted at three main fishing ports (Béni Saf, Bouzedjar and Oran). The results showed that fish (in general “Pisces”, but only Osteichthyes retrieved) (46.42%), Crustacea (34.28%), Annelida Polychaeta (23.33%), and Mollusca (18.57%) were the major components of the lobster’s diet. Echinodermata (8.57%), Porifera (2.38%) and Bryozoa (0.95%) were classified as minor groups. We also showed that sex and season affected the prey items consumed by the lobster. Based on the vacuity index, the pink spiny lobster was found to be feeding intensively in spring and decreasingly so in summer, autumn and winter. These results indicate that the pink spiny lobster is to be characterized as an omnivorous generalist and opportunist.

Timing of outdoor light exposure is associated with sleep-wake consolidation in community-dwelling older men

IntroductionA consolidated sleep-wake pattern is essential for maintaining healthy cognition in older individuals, but many suffer from sleep fragmentation that exacerbates age-related cognitive decline and worsens overall mental and physical health. Timed light exposure (light therapy) has been explored as a countermeasure, but mixed results have been obtained. To determine whether the timing of light exposure is important for sleep-wake consolidation, we analyzed the natural light diets of a cohort of community-dwelling older men.MethodsThe degree of sleep-wake fragmentation and light exposure patterns were obtained over a week using wrist actigraphy. Correlations between fragmentation, light patterns, and various physical and mental health measures were examined (n = 877).ResultsOur findings revealed that higher sleep-wake fragmentation correlated with poorer physical and mental health and reduced cognition. Moreover, reduced daytime light exposure was associated with increased sleep-wake fragmentation. Interestingly, morning and evening light exposure (>1,000 lux) were not useful in distinguishing between low and high sleep-wake fragmentation scores, while increased afternoon light exposure showed much better discrimination. Specifically, optimal discrimination between low and high fragmentation occurred 6.7 h after habitual sleep offset. This suggests that afternoon light therapy might be more efficient in consolidating sleep and wake in older adults, particularly in those with low-amplitude circadian rhythms.DiscussionThis study highlights the significance of properly-timed light exposure in promoting consolidated sleep and cognitive health among older individuals. Tailored light-based strategies may have the potential to enhance physical, mental, and cognitive well-being in the aging population.

Atlantic cod individual spatial behaviour and stable isotope associations in a no-take marine reserve.

Foraging is a behavioural process and, therefore, individual behaviour and diet are theorized to covary. However, few comparisons of individual behaviour type and diet exist in the wild. We tested whether behaviour type and diet covary in a protected population of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua. Working in a no-take marine reserve, we could collect data on natural behavioural variation and diet choice with minimal anthropogenic disturbance. We inferred behaviour using acoustic telemetry and diet from stable isotope compositions (expressed as δ13 C and δ15 N values). We further investigated whether behaviour and diet could have survival costs. We found cod with shorter diel vertical migration distances fed at higher trophic levels. Cod δ13 C and δ15 N values scaled positively with body size. Neither behaviour nor diet predicted survival, indicating phenotypic diversity is maintained without survival costs for cod in a protected ecosystem. The links between diet and diel vertical migration highlight that future work is needed to understand whether the shifts in this behaviour during environmental change (e.g. fishing or climate), could lead to trophic cascades.

Comparative analysis of pancreatic amylase activity in laboratory rodents

Alpha-amylase is the main enzyme for starch digestion in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. There are species differences in the enzymatic activity of pancreatic amylase that are related to the digestive strategy and natural diet of a species. This aspect is well investigated in pet and farm animals, while in common laboratory animal rodents, information is scarce. In the context of the 3R concept, detailed knowledge of the digestive physiology should be the basis of adequate nutrition, experimental planning and data interpretation. The present study aimed to obtain reference data on amylase activity in pancreatic tissue and duodenal digesta in laboratory mice, rats and hamsters. In addition, digesta was stained with Lugol’s iodine to visualize starch in the process of degradation throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Amylase activity in pancreatic tissue and duodenal digesta was significantly lower in hamsters than rats and mice. The Lugol staining showed intense starch degradation in the hamsters’ forestomachs, presumably by microbial fermentation. A possible explanation is that the prae-duodenal microbial starch fermentation enhances digestibility and reduces the need for pancreatic amylase in hamsters. Rats and mice may rely more on pancreatic amylase for prae-caecal starch digestion, while the microbial fermentation is mainly located in the caecum. The results clearly show species differences in the digestive capacity for starch in mice, rats and hamsters that need to be considered in the feeding of these species in the laboratory setting as well as in the use of rodents as translational animal models.

Blenderized tube feedings: Practice recommendations from the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.

Prior to the 1970s, blending food and liquids and putting them through an enteral access device (EAD) was the most common form of enteral nutrition (EN). However, in the 1970s, blenderized tube feedings (BTFs) became less popular due to the emergence of modern commercial enteral formulas (CEFs). Recently, a cultural shift toward consuming a natural diet, consisting of whole foods, has led to a resurgence in the use of BTF. The increasing use of BTF in a variety of patient care settings identifies a need for practice recommendations that provide guidance for nutrition professionals and patients. Members of the American Society for Parental and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) Enteral Nutrition Committee identified salient clinical questions concerning BTF, conducted a comprehensive literature search, and subsequently developed practice recommendations pertaining to the use of BTF. This paper was approved by the ASPEN 2022-2023 Board of Directors.