Nutrient Substances Research Articles

Electroactive Dressing with Selective Sorption of Exudate Enables Treatment of Complicated Wound

AbstractExudate management and cell activity enhancement are vital to complicated wound healing. However, current exudate management dressings indiscriminately remove exudate, which is detrimental to cell activity enhancement. Herein, a novel class of electroactive bilayer (cMO/PVA) dressing is developed by constructing manganese oxide nanoneedle‐clusters decorated commercial carbon cloth (MO), in situ casting polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel, and finally charging. Benefitting from the hierarchical nanoneedle‐cluster structure of MO, abundant active sites are sufficiently exposed to achieve high area‐specific capacitances (e.g., 1881.3 mF cm−2), thereby establishing the long‐lasting electric field for cMO/PVA dressing. Such a unique cMO/PVA dressing can realize extraordinary selective sorption toward noxious substances over nutrient substances during exudate management. Meanwhile, its long‐term electrical stimulation therapy can promote cell proliferation and migration and enhance antibacterial property. As a result, our multifunctional cMO/PVA dressing can rapidly repair full‐thickness wounds in type II diabetic rats, offering an advanced strategy for the treatment of complicated wounds.

Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolic Characterization of Mango Ripened by Different Methods.

So far, the metabolic differences between tree-ripened and postharvest-ripened mangoes have largely remained unexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition of nutrient substances in mangoes subjected to different ripening methods. An untargeted metabolomic approach based on ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was carried out to investigate the differences between artificially ripened and naturally ripened mangoes. The principal component analysis results indicate a clear separation between the different treatment groups. Variance analysis, fold change, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were employed to find potential markers. In total, 69 metabolites were identified, with significant variations in the abundance of organic acids, vitamins, carbohydrates, and polyphenols closely related to the ripening methods of mangoes. These results contribute to a better understanding of the metabolic changes in mangoes due to different ripening methods, which could be used to assist in evaluating the quality of mango fruit.

Shore-to-water spatial variations of complete ammonia oxidizers in a lake in Wuhan, China

Shore-to-water spatial variations of complete ammonia oxidizers in a lake in Wuhan, China

Changes in the Objective Indices Related to Meat Quality of Porcine Longissimus Dorsi Induced by Different Thawing Methods.

The quality of frozen pork is adversely affected upon thawing. In this study, the influence of various thawing methods for frozen pork, including cold water (18 °C), room temperature (18 °C), and refrigeration (4 °C) thawing, on physicochemical and nutrient substances were examined. The pork samples (a Chinese local breed: Anqing six-end-white pigs), which were thawed through the above conditions, were compared with controls (fresh porcine longissimus dorsi). Analyses were carried out to determine porcine longissimus dorsi shear force, pH value, crude protein content, antioxidant capacity, amino acid content, and fatty acid content. The results indicated that the shear force, pH value, crude protein content, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) content of the porcine longissimus dorsi muscle significantly decreased via the three thawing methods compared with the control group (p < 0.05). However, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, intramuscular fat content, inosinate and cholesterol content, essential amino acid content, and umami amino acid proportion in the cold thawing group were not significantly different from the control group (p > 0.05), but there were significant differences between the other two groups. The MDA content of the air thawing and hydrostatic thawing groups significantly increased compared with the control group (p < 0.05), with it being 42.6% and 50.8% higher than the control group, respectively. In addition, the monounsaturated fatty acid content in the pork subjected to the three thawing methods significantly increased compared with the control group (p < 0.05), and the monounsaturated fatty acid content after cold thawing and hydrostatic thawing increased by 18.2% and 21.6%, respectively. In conclusion, refrigeration had less influence on the quality of the Anqing six-end-white pork and was the most suitable thawing method. This study provides a theoretical reference for frozen pork preservation for improving food quality and availing its economic benefits.

A study on water quality and pollution source investigation of Jinkengling Reservoir

Context Eutrophication pollution has emerged as a significant ecological concern on a global scale, with the quality of drinking water closely intertwined with the sustainability and advancement of rural communities. Aims The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive examination of pollution sources within the Jinkengling Reservoir, assess the extent of eutrophication pollution, and offer insights for the efficient management and regulation of the reservoir. Methods The investigation of exogenous pollution sources entailed an assessment of the pollution load, whereas the investigation of endogenous pollution sources centred on sediment testing and the analysis of sediment accumulation within the reservoir. Key results The examination of exogenous pollution sources in the reservoir indicated that nitrogen and phosphorus predominantly emanated from pollution resulting from municipal solid waste, fertiliser, and livestock and poultry farming. The analysis of endogenous pollution sources illustrated that sediment functions as a significant contributor of nutrient substances in the water. Conclusions The examination of exogenous pollution sources indicates the necessity for thorough control measures, whereas the study of endogenous pollution sources underscores the significance of sediment dredging in the reservoir. Implications This study offers insights to improve the ecological environment of local water bodies, and also has universal and reference significance for solving the global eutrophication pollution problem.

Impact of plant nutrients and organic substances on growth, yield, and quality attributes of Anna apple cultivar under semi-arid conditions

The unique challenges posed by semi-arid climates, including soil nutrient limitations and organic matter decline, underscore the importance of effective nutrient and organic substance management to ensure optimal yields, quality, and environmental sustainability. A field experiment was conducted at Horticulture Farm of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during two succeeding years, 2020–21 and 2021–22, to identify optimal nutrient management strategies of different plant nutrients and organic substances on growth, flowering, quality, and yield attributes of the “Anna” apple cultivar. The experiment consisted of nineteen treatments in an RBD system. The plant growth parameters [leaf area (33.64 cm2) and trunk girth (13.16 cm)] when applied 2.0% Urea (N) + 15% Cow urine-T12. Whereas, the number of flower buds (232.83/m2) and flowering duration (39.00 days) were found better with T6. Similarly, [fruit volume (158.95 cm3), number of fruit (63.33/tree) and fruit drop (70.54%)] and [TSS: acid ratio (22.60), reducing sugars (7.17%), non-reducing sugars (2.83%), total protein (0.97 g 100 g−1), starch index (3.59)] were superior with the application of treatment T6. Higher content of boron (80.09 ppm) was estimated in treatment T6, zinc (24.69 ppm) in T9, iron (134.67 ppm) in T1, and manganese (59.94 ppm) in T12 during the experimentation. Therefore, it was concluded that treatment T12 was most effective for enhancing plant growth while treatment T6 was found superior for flowering, high yield, and quality of apple cv. Anna fruit under semi-arid conditions.

The parasite prevalence in Clarias gariepinus from artificial and natural habitats in Oguta imo state Nigeria

This study revealed the presence of parasites in the two habitats under study. The endoparasites recovered were found to belong to Cammallanida, Pseudophyllida, and Plagiorchiida taxonomic group. Both habitats were noted to be sparingly infected; however, the natural habitat was more infected than the cultured habitat. The physicochemical parameters assayed in this study of the water and sediment samples from all the locations indicate that the water samples fall within the stipulated range of acceptability by the World Health Organization (WHO). The heavy metal concentrations in fish tissues were also within WHO set limits for the survival of aquatic organisms. However, prolonged consumption of the fish species will have adverse effects since heavy metals can bioaccumulate overtime. By implication, from the current result it may be confirmed that catfish obtained from fish pond is healthier than the uninhabited fish type in relationships of nutrient substances for human feeding. This could be due to the fact different habitat of different species the body pattern varies nutritionally. Findings from this work showed that constant monitoring of water parameters provide insight to the health of fish and aquatic ecosystems as whole. Finally, it can be inferred from the results of this study that for consumers purchasing the products in large quantities on a regularly basis, a public health hazard will definitely exist especially from natural catfish where pollution is more pronounced as a result of human activities. On the other side, no hazard might exist through the consumption of average amount of such fishes since it is within WHO permissible limits.

Valorization of animal waste proteins for agricultural, food production, and medicinal applications

IntroductionAnimal waste proteins have been increasing in the past decade, along with consumer demands. Their huge volume and the environmental issues caused by improper treatment probably pose a massive threat to human health. These animal waste proteins contain many valuable bioactive peptides and can be used not only as nutrient substances but also as primary functional ingredients in many industries, including agriculture, food, and pharmaceuticals. However, the advancement of the value-added application of animal waste proteins within the past 10 years has not been elucidated yet. In this regard, this paper scrutinized the studies on the applications of hydrolysates and peptides from animal waste proteins throughout the last decade, hoping to display a whole picture of their value-adding applications.MethodsThe Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched from January 1, 2013, to December 12, 2023. This review included field trials, in vitro and in vivo assays, and in silico analysis based on literature surveys or proteolysis simulation. The quality of the included studies was evaluated by Journal Citation Reports, and the rationality of the discussion of studies included.ResultsNumerous studies were performed on the application potential of hydrolysates and peptides of animal waste proteins in agricultural, food, and medicinal industries. Particularly, due to the nutritional value, safety, and especially competitive effects, the peptide with antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, or antithrombotic activities can be used as a primary functional ingredient in food and pharmaceuticals.DiscussionThese value-added applications of animal waste proteins could be a step towards sustainable animal by-products management, and simultaneously, open new avenues in the rapid development of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. However, further studies on the bioavailability and structure-activity relationship are required to verify their therapeutic effects.

Evaluation of Pre-Harvest Nutrient Composition and Functional Active Substances in Various Lotus Roots.

This study investigated the impact of variety and harvest time on the visual appearance, nutritional quality, and functional active substances of six lotus root cultivars: "Xinsanwu", "Wuzhi No. 2", "Baiyuzhan", "Huaqilian", "Elian No. 6", and "Elian No. 5". Samples were collected monthly from December 2023 to April 2024. A nutrient analysis revealed a decrease in the water content with a delayed harvest. The total soluble solids and soluble sugar content peaked towards the end and middle-to-late harvest periods, respectively. Starch levels initially increased before declining, while the soluble protein exhibited a triphasic trend with an initial rise, a dip, and a final increase. The vitamin C (Vc) content varied across cultivars. Functional active substances displayed dynamic changes. The total phenolics initially decreased, then increased, before ultimately declining again. The total flavonoid content varied by both cultivar and harvest time. The phenolic acid and flavonoid content mirrored the trends observed for total phenolics and total flavonoids. Gastrodin was the most abundant non-flavonoid compound across all varieties. "Wuzhi No. 2" and "Baiyuzhan" displayed higher levels of functional active substances and starch, while the Elian series and "Xinsanwu" cultivar exhibited a greater content of Vc, soluble sugar, and soluble protein. Specific harvest periods yielded optimal results: "Wuzhi No. 2" (H1 and H5), "Huaqilian" (H2), and "Baiyuzhan" (H3 and H4) demonstrated a high nutrient and functional active substance content. Overall, the lotus roots harvested in period H4 achieved the highest score. Overall, this study provides the foothold for the rapid identification of superior lotus root cultivars and the valorization of lotus root by-products via advanced processing methods. Additionally, it offers valuable insights for market participants and consumers to select optimal varieties and harvest times based on their specific needs.

Nutrient and organic substances emissions from diffuse sources to the rivers of Ukrainian Carpathians

Formulation of the problem. The transition from territorial-administrative to basin-based water resources management in Ukraine requires an assessment of the load of water bodies with pollutants from diffuse and point sources. Among the various components of the chemical composition of water entering water bodies, organic matter and nutrients are the most important. The Danube is the second largest river in Europe, with a basin covering the territories of 19 countries and is an important transportation waterway. Within Ukraine, the Danube is divided into the Lower Danube sub-catchment and the Tisza, Prut, and Siret River basins within the Carpathian region. The scientific results presented in this paper were obtained during research within the framework of state budgetary research works of the UHMI, the implementation of which will contribute to the further development of knowledge in the field of hydrometeorology. The results presented in the publication are important for supplementing information when writing the Danube River Basin Management Plan, which is being developed in accordance with Ukraine's obligations under the Association Agreement with the European Union. Aim of the study. To calculate the supply of nutrients and organic matter from diffuse sources to the rivers of the Danube basin within the Ukrainian Carpathians. Methods. Monitoring data of organic substances and nutrients provided by the Danube Hydrometeorological Observatory (the state surface water monitoring network of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine) for 2018 were used for calculations. To assess the load of water bodies by diffuse sources, a conceptual scheme was developed that allowed to take into account the main pathways of substances supply, i.e precipitation; water runoff from arable land, forests, meadows and pastures, built-up areas, rock outcrops, as well as from the population of rural regions without sewage systems. Scientific novelty. For the first time: the load of nutrients and organic matter in the Danube rivers within the Ukrainian Carpathians by the sources of their income was evaluated; it was found that agricultural land is the main source of emissions of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus compounds. Practical value. The analysis of the diffuse load by nutrients and organic matter in the Danube rivers can be used as an important part of the River Basin Management Plan. The results of the calculations can also be used to develop measures to achieve certain environmental objectives. Results. The main source of organic matter in the water of rivers of the Carpathian region ere agricultural enterprises locating within rural settlements that are not equipped with sewage systems. Surface water of Prut and Tisza River basins is the most polluted by organic matter. By source, the nutrient emissions are distributed as follows. For the Tisza and Prut rivers, more than 50% of the total nitrogen compounds emissions come from agricultural land, while for the Siret River the source of nitrogen compounds are forests (46% of the total nitrogen emissions). Accordingly, the total phosphorus runoff for the Tisza and Prut rivers was distributed as follows: the dominant share (up to 45%) comes from agricultural land, the load caused by population not connected to the sewerage systems is 36%. For the Siret River, agricultural land and forested areas are of equal shares (33%) among the sources of phosphorus compounds.

The Body’s Energy Requirement; General Considerations

The fundamental problem in the field of human nutrition puts more and more emphasis on the prophylactic role of nutrition in ensuring health and especially to avoid metabolic imbalances that may occur in the body. Nutrient substances found in food must be utilized according to the physiological requirements of the body, its real needs based on the balanced metabolic balance. It is necessary to know the optimal ration and the consequences of an inadequate intake for each food. Such nutrition must be achieved with the help of reason and science. The objective of contemporary nutrition should be to preserve health. The harmony between the physical, psychic and mental is the key to maintaining health and balance in life. The fundamental problem in the field of human nutrition puts more and more emphasis on the prophylactic role of nutrition in ensuring health and especially to avoid metabolic imbalances that may occur in the body. Nutrient substances found in food must be utilized according to the physiological requirements of the body, its real needs based on the balanced metabolic balance. It is necessary to know the optimal ration and the consequences of an inadequate intake for each food. Such nutrition must be achieved with the help of reason and science. The objective of contemporary nutrition should be to preserve health. The harmony between the physical, psychic and mental is the key to maintaining health and balance in life.

Disinfectant-induced ammonia oxidation disruption in microbial N-cycling process in aquatic ecosystem after the COVID-19 outbreak

Anthropogenic activities significantly impact the elemental cycles in aquatic ecosystems, with the N-cycling playing a critical role in potential nutrient turnover and substance cycling. We hypothesized that measures to prevent COVID-19 transmission profoundly altered the nitrogen cycle in riverine ecosystems. To investigate this, we re-analyzed metagenomic data and identified 60 N-cycling genes and 21 host metagenomes from four urban reaches (one upstream city, Wuhan, and two downstream cities) along the Yangtze River. Our analyses revealed a marked decrease in the abundance of bacterial ammonia monooxygenase genes, as well as in the host, ammonia-oxidizing autotrophic Nitrosomonas, followed by a substantial recovery post-pandemic. We posited that discharge of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) disinfectant may be a primary factor in the reduction of N-cycling process. To test this hypothesis, we exposed pure cultures of Nitrosomonas europaea to NaOCl to explore the microbial stress response. Results indicated that NaOCl exposure rapidly compromised the cell structure and inhibited ammonia oxidation of N. europaea, likely due to oxidative stress damage and reduced expression of nitrogen metabolism-related ammonia monooxygenase. Using the functional tagging technique, we determined that NaOCl directly destroyed the ammonia monooxygenase protein and DNA structure. This study highlights the negative impacts of chlorine disinfectants on the function of aquatic ecosystems and elucidates potential mechanisms of action.

Impact of abscisic acid treatment on postharvest storage quality and volatile flavor substances in blueberries

AbstractTo investigate the impact of abscisic acid (ABA) on the postharvest flavor and quality of blueberries, this study employed different concentrations of ABA (400 μM ABA, 600 μM ABA, and 800 μM ABA) to treat the blueberries. The treated blueberries were then stored at 4°C (~80% relative humidity) for 35 day. Subsequently, genes associated with the metabolism of volatile aromatic substances and fatty acids in postharvest blueberries were assessed using real‐time PCR. Our results revealed that the treatment of ABA could maintain a high level of nutrient and aromatic substances in blueberries. Particularly, 600 μM ABA caused most significant changes in fatty acid metabolism‐related enzyme activities, such as lipoxygenase, hydroperoxide lyase, alcohol dehydrogenase, as well as related gene expressions, like VcLOX2S, VcHPL, VcADH1‐1, VcADH1‐2, VcADH1‐3, and VcADH1‐4. In addition, Furthermore, the blueberries treated with 600 μM ABA exhibited a superior quality when compared to the control group. This superior quality included higher levels of total acid, ascorbic acid, total phenol, anthocyanin, soluble sugar contents, and so forth. In conclusion, postharvest ABA treatment decelerated the decrease in volatile aroma substances and effectively maintained the flavor of blueberries.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Impact of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis on Toona ciliata var. pubescens Seedlings

Toona ciliata var. pubescens, known as “Chinese mahogany”, has high commercial value and is classified as a level II priority protected wild plant in China. However, due to overexploitation and its poor natural regeneration capacity, natural T. ciliata var. pubescens forests show varying degrees of decline in habitat adaptability. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) symbiosis presents a potential strategy to enhance its regeneration. In this study, T. ciliata var. pubescens seedlings were inoculated with Septoglomus viscosum, followed by RNA-Seq analysis to compare gene expression differences between AMF-inoculated (AMI) and non-mycorrhizal (NM) treatments three months post-inoculation. A total of 16,163 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were upregulated by AMF colonization, constituting 96.46% of the total DEGs. Specifically, 14,420 DEGs were exclusively expressed in the AMI treatment, while 35 DEGs were completely silenced. Most of the upregulated DEGs were located on the cell membrane, nucleus, and cytoskeleton and functioned in protein binding, S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase activity, and lipid binding during cellular/macromolecule/protein localization, intracellular/protein transport, the cell cycle, and signal transduction. Additionally, lots of key genes related to oxidative stress responses, nutrient transport, and small GTPase-mediated signal transduction were found to be upregulated. These results suggest that AMF inoculation may enhance root cell growth by activating genes involved in nutrient uptake, stress responses, signal transduction, and substance transportation. This study elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying the growth promotion of T. ciliata var. pubescens through AMF symbiosis, laying a foundation for the future application of AMF in its natural forest regeneration.

Seasonal Variation of Water Quality of Taiping Lake in Eastern China

Lakes and reservoirs are an important sources of drinking water for human life. However, numerous water quality indexes show seasonal fluctuation under different climatic conditions. We conducted a one-year investigation of Taiping Lake in year 2022 to construct relationship between water quality parameters and water quality. High water temperature promotes the growth of algae, and the existence of N species could provide the essential nutrient substance for the growing of algae. Under the irradiation of sunlight, algae will consume carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and release oxygen which can raise oxygen levels in the water. However, the rapid growth of algae could influence the acid-base balance in water through the consumption of carbon dioxide; thus, resulting in the increasing of pH values. These pH changes may pose a threat to drinking water.

Transporters, Ion Channels, and Junctional Proteins in Choroid Plexus Epithelial Cells.

The choroid plexus (CP) plays significant roles in secreting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and forming circadian rhythms. A monolayer of epithelial cells with tight and adherens junctions of CP forms the blood-CSF barrier to control the movement of substances between the blood and ventricles, as microvessels in the stroma of CP have fenestrations in endothelial cells. CP epithelial cells are equipped with several kinds of transporters and ion channels to transport nutrient substances and secrete CSF. In addition, junctional components also contribute to CSF production as well as blood-CSF barrier formation. However, it remains unclear how junctional components as well as transporters and ion channels contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. In this manuscript, recent findings regarding the distribution and significance of transporters, ion channels, and junctional proteins in CP epithelial cells are introduced, and how changes in expression of their epithelial proteins contribute to the pathophysiology of brain disorders are reviewed.

Potential Effects of Live and Nutrient-Enhanced Food on Growth Performance and Biochemical Composition of Blue Acara (Andinoacara pulcher)

Fish food and feeding play an important role in understanding the rate of growth, development and reproduction in ornamental fish culture. The current study evaluated the impact of different types of food on the growth of Ornamental fish, Andinoacara pulcher. A comparative analysis of live, prepared, and commercial food was conducted in three feeding groups A, B and C, respectively. For live feed, Artemia larvae were cultured from Artemia seeds, and fed. The growth in terms of weight and body length was measured at 15-day intervals throughout the experimental period of 60 days. In addition, the protein, lipid, ash, and moisture composition of fish were estimated and analyzed. From the results, the fish fed with live artemia feed attained maximum growth when compared to other prepared feed and commercial feed. The specific growth rate (SGR) was found to be maximum in group A (1.46%), followed by group B (1.15%) and group C (0.71%). There is a well-defined relationship between the rate of growth and the type of food consumed. The protein, carbohydrate, and fat content of fish revealed a higher biochemical composition. In conclusion, the growth and biochemical study in the present investigation indicated that the live feed contains good constituents of vital nutrient substances that promote the growth and protein content of ornamental fish, Blue Acara.

Variations of salt stress responses and functional identification of TgPYR1-like8 in Tulipa gesneriana

Variations of salt stress responses and functional identification of TgPYR1-like8 in Tulipa gesneriana

Regulation of myogenic differentiation of myoblasts by groove structure for the design of cell culture meat scaffolds

Regulation of myogenic differentiation of myoblasts by groove structure for the design of cell culture meat scaffolds

Transcription factor encoding gene OsC1 regulates leaf sheath color through anthocyanidin metabolism in Oryza rufipogon and Oryza sativa

Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, minerals and vitamins are nutrient substances commonly seen in rice grains, but anthocyanidin, with benefit for plant growth and animal health, exists mainly in the common wild rice but hardly in the cultivated rice. To screen the rice germplasm with high intensity of anthocyanidins and identify the variations, we used metabolomics technique and detected significant different accumulation of anthocyanidins in common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon, with purple leaf sheath) and cultivated rice (Oryza sativa, with green leaf sheath). In this study, we identified and characterized a well-known MYB transcription factor, OsC1, through phenotypic (leaf sheath color) and metabolic (metabolite profiling) genome-wide association studies (pGWAS and mGWAS) in 160 common wild rice (O. rufipogon) and 151 cultivated (O. sativa) rice varieties. Transgenic experiments demonstrated that biosynthesis and accumulation of cyanidin-3-Galc, cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside and cyanidin O-syringic acid, as well as purple pigmentation in leaf sheath were regulated by OsC1. A total of 25 sequence variations of OsC1 constructed 16 functional haplotypes (higher accumulation of the three anthocyanidin types within purple leaf sheath) and 9 non-functional haplotypes (less accumulation of anthocyanidins within green leaf sheath). Three haplotypes of OsC1 were newly identified in our germplasm, which have potential values in functional genomics and molecular breeding of rice. Gene-to-metabolite analysis by mGWAS and pGWAS provides a useful and efficient tool for functional gene identification and omics-based crop genetic improvement.