Combination Of Nutrients Research Articles

Associations Between Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Incident Sarcopenia in Prospective Cohort Studies

The loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, known as sarcopenia, is prevalent in older adults and linked to an increased risk of disability, frailty, and early mortality. Muscle health is crucial for the functionality and independence of older adults. As the aging population continuously grows, finding cost-effective strategies for preventing and treating sarcopenia is an important public health priority. While nutrition is recognized as a key factor in the development of sarcopenia, its role in preventing and treating the condition is still under investigation. In recent decades, nutritional research has shifted from a focus on individual nutrients or healthy foods to examining the combination of nutrients and foods in dietary patterns, along with their potential synergistic and antagonistic effects. A balanced diet and regular participation in physical activity are essential for maintaining musculoskeletal health. One of the healthy eating patterns with the greatest evidence of multiple health benefits is the Mediterranean diet, which has also been linked to positive effects on muscle function in observational studies. However, there is a lack of intervention studies. This review explores the updated evidence from longitudinal prospective studies on associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and sarcopenia in order to promote preventive and intervention strategies for healthy muscle aging.

The Link between Nutrition and Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a complex mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings, including manic and depressive episodes. This study explores the relationship between nutrition and bipolar disorder with the goal of determining how dietary factors may affect how this condition is managed. Recent studies suggest that dietary consumption of specific vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, including omega-3, vitamin D, and essential minerals, may be important in reducing the symptoms of BD. These nutrients have been linked to better mood stabilization and may increase the efficacy of pharmaceutical treatments, which could improve treatment outcomes and lower patient suicide rates. A review and analysis of the literature is the methodology used in this paper. This study reveals a link between bipolar disorder and nutrition, suggesting that patients with BD can benefit from using omega-3, vitamin D, and specific minerals to treat their illness and lower their risk of suicide or suicidal thoughts. Additionally, the study finds that certain nutrient combinations can reduce side effects and improve BD treatment when taken with medication. Overall, this study highlights how nutrition can improve the quality of life for those with bipolar disorder.

Using nutrition to help recovery from infections.

Antibiotics are a cornerstone of modern medicine, but antibiotic consumption can have depleting effects on the gut microbiota, potentially leading to gastrointestinal symptoms and other diseases, namely Clostridioides difficile infection. Because nutrition is a major driver of gut microbiota diversity and function, here we explore the current evidence on the potential of diets in alleviate the deleterious effects of antibiotics consumed during infections. Beneficial nutrients can enhance the symbiotic effect of the gut microbiota with the host, supporting anti-inflammatory responses and maintaining tight junction integrity. Short-chain fatty acids have been shown to positively affect the immune response, reducing the severity of C. difficile infection, whereas high-fibre diets have been shown to promote faster recovery of the gut microbiota after antibiotic therapy. The role of nutrition during infection is gaining momentum, with key findings exploring the effect of some nutrients in limiting the severity of infections and helping the microbiota recover from antibiotic-induced dysbiosis. Although this field is in its infancy, these findings open the possibility of personalised nutrition as a way of restoring microbiome diversity. But more work is needed to identify the most effective types and combinations of nutrients to achieve this.

Fundamentals of a healthy and sustainable diet

BackgroundA healthy and sustainable diet is a prerequisite for population and planetary health. The evidence of associations between dietary patterns and health outcomes has now been synthesised to inform more than 100 national dietary guidelines. Yet, people select foods, not whole dietary patterns, even in the context of following specific diets such as a Mediterranean diet, presenting challenges to researchers, policymakers and practitioners wanting to translate dietary guideline recommendations into food-level selection guidance for citizens. Understanding the fundamentals that underpin healthy and sustainable diets provides a scientific basis for helping navigate these challenges. This paper’s aim is to describe the fundamentals of a healthy and sustainable diet.ResultsThe scientific rationale underpinning what is a healthy and sustainable diet is universal. Everyone shares a physiological need for energy and adequate amounts, types and combinations of nutrients. People source their energy and nutrient needs from foods that are themselves sourced from food systems. The physiological need and food systems’ sustainability have been shaped through evolutionary and ecological processes, respectively. This physiological need can be met, and food systems’ sustainability protected, by following three interlinked dietary principles: (i) Variety – to help achieve a nutritionally adequate diet and help protect the biodiversity of food systems. (ii) Balance – to help reduce risk of diet-related non-communicable diseases and excessive use of finite environmental resources and production of greenhouse gas emissions. (iii) Moderation – to help achieve a healthy body weight and avoid wasting finite environmental resources used in providing food surplus to nutritional requirements.ConclusionThe fundamentals of a healthy and sustainable diet are grounded in evolutionary and ecological processes. They are represented by the dietary principles of variety, balance and moderation and can be applied to inform food-level selection guidance for citizens.

Synergistic Effects of Nitrogen and Zinc Foliar Application on Yield and Nutrient Accumulation in Rice at Various Growth Stages.

The rising interest in foliar nutrient spraying as a strategy to boost crop yields has led to investigations of how such application influences nutrient uptake and accumulation, especially in edible plant parts. Despite its importance, the effects of single versus simultaneous nutrient application on plant absorption, transport, and accumulation have been underexplored. This study addresses this knowledge gap by examining the physiological and molecular responses of rice to foliar application of nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn) individually and in combination at different growth stages. We assessed how the treatments affect rice grain yield and nutrient accumulation in relation to the expression of Zn transport-related genes. Foliar application of N+Zn+ at the tillering stage resulted in a 62.01% increase in grain yield compared to the control. Additionally, Zn concentrations in brown rice were increased by 26.04% and 34.20% when N0Zn+ and N+Zn+ treatments, respectively, were applied at panicle initiation. Gene expression analysis revealed that the timing and nutrient combination significantly influenced rice productivity and grain Zn concentration. At the tillering stage, the N+Zn+ treatment elevated the expression of Zn transporters such as OsZIP3, OsZIP4, and OsZIP9 in leaves, thereby enhancing grain yield. At panicle initiation, the nutrient treatments influenced a broad range of genes, including OsZIP4, OsZIP9, OsHAM2, OsDUR3, OsAAP1, OsGS1;1, and OsFd-GOGAT, affecting grain Zn and N accumulation. These insights are crucial for developing targeted nutrient management strategies to optimize rice yield and grain nutritional quality for the benefit of consumers.

Vitamin D intakes and food sources in breastfeeding women in Ireland: findings from the WellFed study

Limited sunshine and dietary vitamin D make vitamin D deficiency very common in Ireland. Breastfeeding is the universal recommendation and supplies the best combination of nutrients and bioactive factors for all infants(1). However, maternal diet and nutrition status impacts concentrations of certain nutrients in breastmilk and therefore vitamin D concentrations can be lower than recommended for infants(2,3). This study aimed to determine the vitamin D intakes and food sources of breastfeeding mothers in Ireland.Data was collected as part of the WellFed study, a 4-week randomised control trial investigating the effectiveness of a food supplement containing a protein hydrolysate and beta glucan (Wellmune®) during lactation on immune and gut health (LS-23-07-OSullivan). Participant vitamin D intakes were assessed using FoodBook24 self-completed 24-hour recalls. Foods were grouped into food groups to determine their contribution to intake as well as the contribution from natural and added vitamin D foods. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics (version 27).Dietary analysis of 45 participants indicated that maternal vitamin D intakes were low (6.4 ± 4.6μg/day). Most participants (96%) did not meet the 15μg/day recommendation, despite 56% of participants reporting they consumed some form of vitamin D supplement. Natural vitamin D foods like eggs and egg dishes, fish and fish products, meat and meat products and foods with added vitamin D including breakfast cereals, beverages, and milk and yoghurt were the key food groups contributing to intake, with the majority coming from natural food sources.Low dietary vitamin D intake is common among breastfeeding women and diet alone is insufficient to achieve the daily vitamin D requirements even when supplements are consumed. As natural food sources of vitamin D are limited and infrequently consumed, recommendations to consume more vitamin D foods may not be successful as a standalone strategy to improve vitamin D status. A combination of approaches including the promotion of vitamin D rich food consumption, supplementation strategies, and the introduction of food fortification policies may be a feasible method for improving vitamin D across the population.

The influence of dietary patten on healthy way for fat reduction and its mechanism and suggestions

With the change in people’s diet structure, there is considerable amount of people begin to pay attention on their personal health and physical conditions. Most people search the information in how to lost their weight on the Internet and then followed without do much research and considered more dimensions. Existing studies have compared the effects of different dietary patterns, summarized the benefits and disadvantages of different diets, and investigated the role of different nutrients in human growth, but have not made a comprehensive overview of these diets and nutrients and have not combined them. This article analyzes the three different dietary patterns that are popular on the Internet and include both macronutrients and micronutrients, makes an overall review, and puts forward some suggestions. It provides a reference for the combination of dietary structure and nutrients for future research, but there are still some deficiencies in dietary patterns. Future research can focus on the direction of linking different dietary structure and nutrients.

Sprouting and Growth of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) At Green Stage Under Various Nutrients.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a vital crop, yet its growth and sprouting at the green stage can be significantly influenced by nutrient availability, which poses a challenge for optimizing yield and quality. The present research was carried out in 2022–2023 at the Nursery Department of Horticulture, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, to assess the sprouting and growth of garlic (Allium sativum L.) at green stage under various nutrients. The experimental trial was carried out in complete randomization (CRD) with three replications. Two varieties, a Chinese and a local (Desi) (Desi) variety, were grown in the pots. Macronutrients used as treatments included N1 (control). N2 = NPK+TE (trace elements) 2 g, L-1. N3 = Calcium Nitrate 0.5g, L-1 and N4 = NPK+TE 2g, L-1 + Calcium Nitrate 0.5g, L-1. The results of the present studies showed a statistically significant difference for treatments and nutrient combinations. Best results for all observations were noted in plants supplied with NPK+TE 2g L-1 that had maximum plant height 55.83 cm, leaves plant-1 6.83, leaf length 47.66 cm, leaf weight 8.96g, plant weight 13.20g, neck thickness 6.55mm, root weight 2.68g, and root depth 19.83cm. Fallow control plant height 41.00cm leaves plant-1 5.00, leaf length 31.00cm, leaves weight 4.73g, plant weight 7.61g, neck thickness 3.51mm, root weight 1.46g and root depth 12.00cm. In between varieties the Chinese had maximum plant height 54.66cm, leaves plant-1 7.00, leaf length 45.00cm, leaves weight 10.04g, plant weight 10.99g, neck thickness 8.26mm, root weight 2.81g and root depth 22.00cm. Based on nutrients, the Chinese variety of garlic performed better growth at the green stage than the local (Desi) variety of garlic. The findings of this study show that nutrient N2 = NPK+TE (Trace Elements) 2g L-1had better results for all parameters, and all results were statistically significant.

Microbial carbon utilization in a boreal lake under the combined pressures of brownification and eutrophication: insights from a field experiment

Climate and land use changes can increase terrestrial runoff to aquatic systems, leading to brownification and eutrophication in northern boreal lakes. Brownification may boost bacterial respiration and production, while eutrophication can enhance primary production and algal blooms. However, their combined effects on basal producers and bacterial carbon utilization are less understood. This study explores the combined impacts of the two stressors: brownification and eutrophication on microbial dynamics in Lake Bolmen. Utilizing a field mesocosm experimental design, treatments received different combinations of organic matter (OM) and inorganic nutrients to simulate predicted future scenarios. Results showed that OM additions significantly increased bacterial production and respiration, regardless of nutrient additions. Nutrient additions enhanced bacterial production but did not affect respiration. Both nutrients and OM stimulated bacterial growth efficiency. Labile carbon from DOM was the main driver of higher bacterial respiration and short-term production increases. Fluorescence data indicated that the combination of brownification and eutrophication led to higher terrestrial DOM utilization than each stressor alone. The study suggests that future boreal lakes may become more heterotrophic, thus increasing CO2 release. These findings highlight the complex interactions between DOM and nutrients and underscore the importance of considering multiple stressors in lake management and mitigation strategies.

Assessment of Different Nutrient Combination on the Performance of Maize (Zea mays L) in North Indian Plains

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2023 at the Agriculture Research Farm, Graphic Era Hill University, Uttarakhand. Surface soil (0-15 cm) of the experiment field was sandy loam in texture, low organic carbon (0.39%), medium in available nitrogen (157 kg h-1), medium in available phosphorus (15.5 kg ha-1) and medium in available potassium (112.6 kg ha-1) with neutral soil reaction (pH 7.4). The experiment consisted of eleven treatments viz., 100% NPK (T1), 100% N (T2), 100% P (T3), 100% K (T4), 100% NP (T5), 100% NK (T6), 100% PK (T7), 100% NPK + VC 5 t ha -1 (T8), 100% + Azotobactor (T9), 100% + VC 5 t ha -1 + Azotobactor (T10), Control (T11). Each treatment was replicated thrice and constituted total of 33 plots. The field experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD). The variety used for the field experiment was K-55. The results of the field experiment reported that the effect of different treatments was significant on growth and productivity of maize. Significantly higher emergence count m-2 (9 m-2) of maize was obtained with the application of 100% NPK + VC @ 5t ha-1 + Azotobacter (T10). Maximum plant height (102.07 cm, 155.02 cm and 225.87 cm) was observed under treatment 100% NPK + VC @ 5t ha-1 + Azotobacter (T10) at 30, 45 and 60 days of sowing, respectively. It also produced highest dry matter m-2 (556.56 g, 1023.20 g, and 2062.00 g, respectively at 30 DAS, 45 DAS and 60 DAS). Application of vermicompost along with Azotobacter and chemical fertilizer produced maximum number of leaves per plant (4.05, 8.87 and 14.20 at 30 DAS, 45 DAS and 60 DAS, respectively). Application of 100% NPK + VC @ 5t ha-1 + Azotobacter (T10) resulted in significant improvement in yield attributes and yield of maize compared to other treatments. The maximum grain yield (59.93 q ha-1) and straw yield (69.90q ha-1) was produced under 100% NPK + VC @ 5t ha-1 + Azotobacter (T10). Moreover, adoption of different nutrient combinations resulted in improving the economic status of the farmer. Significantly higher B: C ratio of 1.90 was recorded for 100% NPK + VC @ 5t ha -1 + Azotobacter (T10) and it was 14.45 % higher than that for 100 % NPK (T1). Hence, it is concluded that application of 100% NPK + VC 5 t ha -1 + Azotobacter exhibited higher growth and yield along with B: C ratio.

Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth, Yield and Quality of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) cv. Pusa Himani

In this report, we compared the integrated effect of FYM, vermicompost, poultry manure with inorganic fertilizers incorporated with PSB for yield in radish cv. Pusa Himani in response of morphological, yield as well as quality attributes. As per data analysis T6 [NPK (75%) + vermicompost (25% of N) + PSB] significantly enhanced the highest plant height, leaf length, number of leaves per plant, fresh weight of shoot and dry weight of shoot at 20 DAS, 40 DAS and at harvest, respectively. Similarly, at harvest maximum root length, maximum root diameter, maximum average weight of root, maximum yield per hectare, minimum days to harvest and quality parameters i.e. T.S.S., ascorbic acid, chlorophyll content of leaves, net return and B-C ratio in comparison to all concentration with all integrated nutrient combination. So, we may conclude that [NPK (75%) + vermicompost (25% of N) + PSB] increase yield by stimulating source activity as well improves utilization of PGR (plant growth regulators).

Vermiwash: An effective nutritive blessing to crops

Under alarming situation of poor soil health, reduction in produce, increase in incidences of pest and disease and environmental pollution due to the application of chemical fertilizers over a period, it is necessary to look for alternatives which are effective and eco-friendly for sustainable agriculture. Therefore, it is very important to seek alternative as a supplement for chemical fertilizers. To cope with these problems, vermiwash can play an important role in ensuring a sustainable agricultural system. A review was conducted on vermiwash to assess the characteristics, potentiality to use and ultimately beneficial effects in sustainable agriculture. Vermiwash is coelomic fluid extraction contains significant quantities of nutrients, a large beneficial microbial population, biologically active metabolites particularly gibberellins, cytokinins, auxins and group B vitamins which can be applied alone or in combination with organic or inorganic fertilizers, so as to get better yield and quality of diverse crops. Evidences proved that qualities of vermiwash depend on the used organic bed producing vermicompost. Vermiwash can serve as a valuable foliar spray, because it is a combination of earthworm mucous discharges, nutrients, microorganisms and plant growth promoting materials composed of excretory products and mucus secretions from earthworms and micronutrients from the organic molecules in the soil. These nutrients are absorbed and then transported to the leaves, shoots, and other parts of a plant. Application of vermiwash improves plant health, yield and nutritional quality. Vermiwash proves to be an effective fertilizer which contributes the growth of plants when sprayed directly as well as mixed with a definite ratio of vermicompost. It was also observed that the plants treated with vermiwash were disease resistant and no any worms like leaf eaters were seen on the leaves and other parts of plants. Vermiwash can be used as a substituent of commercial fertilizers available in the market. Vermiwash acts not only as a liquid organic fertilizer but also act as mild biocide. It can be used as an effective input in organic agriculture for both soil health and disease management for sustainable crop production with low cost which could be ensure food security. Bangladesh J. Nuclear Agric, 38(1): 21-40, 2024

Hyperspectral Imaging for Phenotyping Plant Drought Stress and Nitrogen Interactions Using Multivariate Modeling and Machine Learning Techniques in Wheat

Accurate detection of drought stress in plants is essential for water use efficiency and agricultural output. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) provides a non-invasive method in plant phenotyping, allowing the long-term monitoring of plant health due to sensitivity to subtle changes in leaf constituents. The broad spectral range of HSI enables the development of different vegetation indices (VIs) to analyze plant trait responses to multiple stresses, such as the combination of nutrient and drought stresses. However, known VIs may underperform when subjected to multiple stresses. This study presents new VIs in tandem with machine learning models to identify drought stress in wheat plants under varying nitrogen (N) levels. A pot wheat experiment was set up in the glasshouse with four treatments: well-watered high-N (WWHN), well-watered low-N (WWLN), drought-stress high-N (DSHN) and drought-stress low-N (DSLN). In addition to ensuring that plants were watered according to the experiment design, photosynthetic rate (Pn) and stomatal conductance (gs) (which are used to assess plant drought stress) were taken regularly, serving as the ground truth data for this study. The proposed VIs, together with known VIs, were used to train three classification models: support vector machines (SVM), random forest (RF), and deep neural networks (DNN) to classify plants based on their drought status. The proposed VIs achieved more than 0.94 accuracy across all models, and their performance further increased when combined with known VIs. The combined VIs were used to train three regression models to predict the stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rates of plants. The random forest regression model performed best, suggesting that it could be used as a stand-alone tool to forecast gs and Pn and track drought stress in wheat. This study shows that combining hyperspectral data with machine learning can effectively monitor and predict drought stress in crops, especially in varying nitrogen conditions.

Optimizing Nutrient Strategies for Rice Blast Disease Control and Paddy Yield Enhancement

Rice blast disease, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, is one of the most destructive and devastating fungal diseases affecting rice crops. Traditionally, the disease is managed through host resistance and the application of fungicides; however, the latter approach is environmentally toxic and not always feasible. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various nutrients, both individually and in combination, for disease control. Greenhouse experiments were conducted over two consecutive years, 2019 and 2020, to assess three nutrients and their combinations against rice blast disease. The nutrient combinations of potash (20g/L) and silicon (1g/L) resulted in disease incidence reductions of 79.38% and 78.76%, respectively, compared to the application of Nativo, which achieved slightly higher reductions of 82.38% and 80.76%. Among the zinc treatments and its combinations, zinc (2g/L) and silicon (1g/L) showed disease reductions of 72.39% and 73.4% in 2021 and 202, respectively. In 2019, the combination treatment of potash (20g/L) and silicon (1g/L) yielded the highest plant height (120.03 cm), number of tillers (23.01), panicle length (28.93 cm), and number of grains per panicle (128.19). In 2020, the same treatment resulted in the highest plant height (122.61 cm), number of tillers (17.23), panicle length (28.31 cm), and number of grains per panicle (122.61). The overall results of this study suggest that the application of alternative disease management strategies not only reduces the use of chemicals but also lowers the risk of residual effects on paddy grains, thereby enhancing the export potential of paddy.

Use of a Micronutrient Cocktail to Improve Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) in Adults with Obesity: A Randomized, Double-Blinded Pilot Clinical Trial.

Background and Objectives: The goal of this study was to assess the impact of supplementation with a combination of nutrients on metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)-related liver parameters, and other parameters related to metabolic syndrome in adults with obesity. These measurements included anthropometric and lipid profiling, and FibroScan technology (controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and transient elastography (TE) values). Materials and Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial was conducted over a three-month treatment period. Adults with metabolic syndrome and obesity were allocated to receive either a cocktail of nutrients with defined daily dosages (5-MTHF, betaine, alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, choline bitartrate, docosahexaenoic acid, and vitamin B12) or a placebo. The participants were evaluated at the start and the end of the three-month treatment period. Results: A total of 155 participants entered the study, comprising 84 in the treatment group and 71 in the placebo group. The administration of the nutritional supplement resulted in a notable reduction in both CAP and TE scores when compared to the placebo group. The treatment group exhibited a mean reduction in CAP of 4% (p < 0.05) and a mean reduction in TE of 7.8% (p < 0.05), indicative of a decline in liver fat content and fibrosis. Conclusions: The supplementation over a period of three months led to a significant amelioration of liver fibrosis and steatosis parameters in adults with metabolic syndrome and obesity. These findings suggest that this supplementation regimen could be a beneficial adjunct therapy for improving liver health in adults with obesity-induced MASLD.

Dietary Patterns and Their Association with Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Determinants in Kashan, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Dietary patterns (DPs) are a combination of nutrients which are determined through feeding behaviors of a particular population. Paying attention to DPs gives us a good picture of the diet and eating habits of people in the community. DPs help identify people at risk of chronic nutrition-related illnesses and give them nutritional advice. In the present study, the authors determine the DPs of people in Kashan city, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the DPs of the Kashan population from September 2019 to March 2020. A validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to collect sociodemographic and dietary data. Then, DPs were assessed using principal component analysis. Results: The results showed that the average consumption of food items in cereals and products based on cereals, fruits and fruit products, vegetables and their products, meat and meat products, and milk and dairy products were 282.38±65.71, 287.58±8.89, 364.17±21.05, 34.48±3.81, and 456.65±39.16 g/day, respectively. The identified DPs included: 1) Unhealthy and processed, 2) fruit and fruit-based products, 3) Kashan traditional food, 4) Healthy diet, and 5) Mixed diet. Conclusion: Findings of the present study reveal that sociodemographic factors and lifestyle are associated with food choices. In addition, the authors found the low consumption of grains, fruits, vegetables, and meat and their products in the studied population. The researchers call for nutritional interventions to modify the consumption pattern for these food items.

Enhancing Spinach (Amaranthus tricolor L.) Growth Using Maggot Fermentation-Derived Liquid Organic Fertilizer and AB Mix in Drip Fertigation Systems

Spinach (Amaranthus tricolor L.) is a highly nutritious leafy vegetable widely cultivated for its rich content of vitamins and minerals. To enhance spinach production sustainably, this study investigates the use of liquid organic fertilizer derived from maggot fermentation combined with AB mix nutrients, applied through a drip fertigation system. The study was conducted using three different concentrations: 2.5 ml/L, 5 ml/L, and 7.5 ml/L, with the goal of identifying optimal conditions for maximizing spinach growth. The research utilized a two-factorial, Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five replications to evaluate the effects of these nutrient combinations on key growth parameters, including plant height, leaf number, leaf area and weight of plants. Results indicated that a concentration of 7.5 ml/L provided the most favorable growth outcomes, with a 46.5 cm increase in plant height and a biomass accumulation of 61.8 grams, representing significant improvements over control treatments. The macro-nutrient content of the maggot-derived POC met national agricultural standards, except for pH, which improved to 7.10 when combined with AB mix. These findings suggest that integrating maggot POC with AB mix offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional fertilizers, promoting sustainable agricultural practices. This study contributes to developing efficient cultivation methods for spinach, addressing increasing market demands, and reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers.

Availability and consumption of hyper-palatable foods in an all-you-can-eat cafeteria among college freshmen

IntroductionCollege campuses provide an expansive food environment, which may contribute to elevated risk of excess energy intake and weight gain among college students. All-you-can-eat style cafeterias often expose students to hyper-palatable foods (HPF), which may promote overeating. This study aimed to examine the availability of HPF in an all-you-can-eat college cafeteria, and to examine HPF intake during meals among undergraduates. MethodPublicly available cafeteria menu data from a Midwestern university were analyzed and included 25 meals. To determine the availability of HPF within the cafeteria meals, the standardized definition of HPF by Fazzino et al. (2019) was used, which specifies combinations of palatability-inducing nutrients at quantitative thresholds that may induce hyper-palatability. Participants (N = 225) who ate in the cafeteria in the past 24 h were presented with a list of all menu items for their corresponding cafeteria meal, and self-reported all items consumed. ResultsOn average, 40 % (SD = 1.4) of total food items available per meal were HPF, with 68 % (SD = 3.6) of items with elevated fat and sodium. Regarding intake of HPF among students, approximately 64 % (SD = 31.4) of foods consumed were HPF, and 51 % (SD = 32.3) of items consumed had elevated fat and sodium. ConclusionFindings indicated that college students may be regularly exposed to HPF in all-you-can-eat college cafeteria environments, and that students may consume cafeteria meals that are primarily comprised of HPF.

The Effect of Supplying a Combination of Nutrients and the Addition of CaCl2 on the Growth and Yield of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Hydroponically by Wick System

The Effect of Supplying a Combination of Nutrients and the Addition of CaCl2 on the Growth and Yield of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Hydroponically by Wick System

Flaxseed Oil, Casitose, and Its Combination Diets Increase Antioxidant Activity and Upregulates Aging-related Genes in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract Background: Nutrigenomics refers to the study of how diet influences the genomic expression and function of an organism. Diet is a significant factor that impacts metabolism, aging, and lifespan. Long-term dietary patterns can influence the risk of age-related diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and cancer. While research in Drosophila melanogaster has focused on areas such as calorie restriction, high-sugar and high-fat diets, micronutrients, and disease-specific nutritional interventions, the effects of different combinations of macronutrients have not been adequately studied. This study aimed to analyze the impact of individual macronutrients, specifically flaxseed oil (a source of fat) and casitose (hydrolyzed milk protein), as well as their combinations, on longevity, antioxidant activity, and the expression of aging-related genes in D. melanogaster. Methods: The study examined the in vivo effects of different concentrations of flaxseed oil (120 μl, 240 μl, 480 μl, and 960 μl), casitose (125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg, and 1000 mg), and their combinations with a base diet on longevity, antioxidant activity, and the expression of aging-related genes, namely manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD or SOD1) and copper–zinc SOD (Cu-Zn SOD or SOD2) in D. melanogaster. Results: The study found that flaxseed oil, casitose, and their combinations increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) activity, leading to the production of reactive oxygen species. However, these substances also enhanced the activity of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and catalase, which help combat-free radicals. Furthermore, the gene expression of SOD1 and SOD2 was upregulated, suggesting a potential mechanism for the observed improvements in lifespan. Interestingly, high doses of flaxseed oil (960 μl) were associated with decreased lifespan in the flies. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the optimal levels of flaxseed oil, casitose, or their combination can increase lifespan in Drosophila by upregulating the expression of the antioxidant enzymes SOD1 and SOD2. This provides insights into the potential of targeted nutrient combinations as a dietary approach to combat aging-related diseases.