Nutritional Requirements Research Articles

446 A stochastic, dynamic agent-based model of swine nutrient requirements for the growing finishing production phase

Abstract Agent-based modeling (ABM) is a powerful tool that offers the flexibility to represent the stochasticity exhibited by swine systems due to individual animal nutritional requirements. ABM can also accurately mimic the biological dynamic growth performance of pigs. Addressing and simulating the biological growth dynamics enables precision nutrition and sustainable production management. To realistically replicate the nutrient requirement and growth performance of growing-finishing pigs, we developed an ABM based on the principles and equations from the eleventh Swine Nutrient Requirement Council Model. Each individual pig (agent) in the model had a starting weight of 20 kg and a fixed finishing weight of 140 kg, with a variable number of days on feed. Our model considers three sexes: gilt, barrow, and intact male. Pigs move through the farm, feed, and interact with the environment. Our model dynamically simulates the complex interactions between feed intake, metabolism, and growth processes of growing pigs, thereby being a virtual visualizable growing-finishing swine farm (Figure 1). The basic parameters of the biological growth of pigs, including the body weight, feed intake, metabolizable energy (ME) intake, maintenance ME requirements, protein deposition (Pd), lipid deposition (Ld), and probe backfat thickness (Figure 2), were modeled based on NRC equations. In addition to the above parameters, the daily amino acid, calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) requirements for individual pigs were calculated daily. To demonstrate ABM responsiveness to feeding strategies, ractopamine supplementation is included to evaluate the impact on protein deposition. The ABM offers more personalized nutrition management by considering unique pig growth potential and nutritional needs based on characteristics such as age and sex, which can lead to improved growth performance and feed efficiency. Besides, the ABM enables the modeling of population-level dynamics and the evaluation of different feeding scenarios to optimize growth outcomes by allocating optimized feed based on individual nutritional needs. Our ABM will be used to test different feeding management strategies and scenarios, providing valuable insights into the impact of various factors on pig nutrition and growth outcomes while minimizing both time and financial expenditures. Our ABM aims to provide a robust framework for simulating and optimizing feeding strategies and enhancing overall pig production efficiency by leveraging the comprehensive and scientifically validated guidelines provided in the NRC. To verify the accuracy and reliability of the proposed ABM, the results generated by the model were rigorously evaluated and compared with the NRC model results. The results demonstrated a highly satisfactory prediction performance by our ABM, paving the way for more real-time decisions to be made for daily feed management on growing-finishing swine operations.

43 Approaches for improving nitrogen utilization efficiency and environmental sustainability of pork production systems

Abstract Nitrogen (N) is an essential element for life, but due to its inefficient utilization, N waste and emissions generated have exceeded the planetary boundaries and ability of the Earth to effectively overcome these environmentally detrimental effects. Global food animal production contributes 29 to 34% of total global N emissions, with pork supply chains contributing about 16% of these emissions. Life cycle N use efficiency (NUE) of U.S. pork production is only about 56%, which is similar to broiler (55%) and egg (50%) production, but greater than beef (10%) and milk (31%) production. However, only about 10 to 44% of dietary N is converted into edible pork products. While genetic improvement has increased NUE associated with improved lean growth rate, improvement in litter size has led to an increased proportion of low-birth-weight pigs that have reduced NUE. Although metabolic modifiers including porcine somatotropin, ractopamine, and immunocastration improve NUE, they are not feasible or acceptable to consumers in many countries. Separate sex feeding and reducing market weight can also improve NUE. Ultimately feeding program design and implementation have the greatest potential to improve NUE because feed is associated with 70% of N emissions in pork production systems. Multi-objective feed formulation using Life Cycle Assessment environmental impact data of feed ingredients, precision feed formulation and feeding practices to overcome variability in digestible nutrient content of feed ingredients and nutritional requirements of pigs fed in groups, feed processing to enhance energy and nutrient digestibility, and minimizing feed wastage offer the greatest opportunity to improve NUE and environmental sustainability. There are substantial differences in greenhouse gas emissions and embedded water and land use associated with growing-finishing feeding programs depending on the dietary proportions of corn, soybean meal, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and crystalline amino acids among U.S. geographic regions. Furthermore, addition of thermally processed supermarket food waste to corn-soybean meal (CSBM) diets can significantly reduce environmental impacts and diet cost without compromising growth performance and carcass composition compared with current commercial feeding programs. Although growing-finishing feeding programs using CSBM diets with minimal crystalline amino acids result in greater N intake, N retained, and urinary N excretion compared with feeding low protein, crystalline amino acid supplemented (LP) diets, and diets containing 30% DDGS, growth performance and carcass composition are optimized and impacts on climate change, marine and freshwater eutrophication, and fossil resource are reduced by feeding CSBM diets compared with feeding LP or DDGS diets. Sourcing and using feed ingredients with reduced environmental impact metrics along with precision diet formulation and feeding practices to ensure “getting the right amount of energy and nutrients in the right feed fed to the right pigs at the right time” can improve NUE and environmental sustainability of pork production systems.

237 Increasing the threonine-to-lysine ratio improves the growth performance of slow-growing pigs when fed with precision feeding techniques

Abstract Individual precision feeding (IPF) is a suitable tool to account for the nutritional requirement variability among pigs. It was previously reported that, within IPF, pigs require greater Thr:Lys than conventional group-phase feeding (GPF) pigs. It remains unknown if these differences in Thr:Lys requirements occur due to different growth rates (Gr). This study evaluated whether the Thr:Lys requirements of pigs fed with IPF systems are affected by Gr. Sixty pigs (30 barrows and 30 gilts) with 38.1 ± 3.8 kg of body weight were distributed in a completely randomized 3 × 5 factorial arrangement. Pigs were classified into fast (FGr), medium (MGr) and slow (SGr) Gr based on their average daily gain (ADG) during 6 wk previous to the trial. After classification, pens with 2 barrows and 2 gilts from the same Gr group were randomly assigned to one of five treatments (12 repetitions per treatment). Treatments consisted of a conventional GPF (GPF100) receiving 100% of the optimal 0.65 Thr:Lys and 4 IPF treatments providing 140% (IPF140), 120% (IPF120), 100% (IPF100) and 80% (IPF80) of the optimal ratio. GPF100 pigs were fed a single diet with 0.97% standardized ileal digestible Lys. IPF diets of the pigs were adjusted every 2 d to meet the Lys requirements of the most demanding pig in the pen. Body weight was recorded twice a week, and individual feed intake (ADFI) daily over 21 d. At d 1 and 21, pigs were scanned with dual X-ray to estimate their body composition. Body weight, body protein and lipid masses were analyzed as repeated measures over time. The Dunnett test was used to compare the IPF treatments to GPF100 and the Tukey test to compare Gr groups. The pig was considered the experimental unit. FGr maintained greater (treatment × Gr, P < 0.05) ADFI and ADG and greater (P < 0.05) lipid deposition over the trial when compared with MGr and SGr. However, increasing Thr:Lys enhanced (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI of SGr pigs within IPF, resulting in similar (P > 0.05) values between Gr groups in IPF120 and IPF140. Although FGr tended (P = 0.05) to have greater final body protein mass, SGr presented leaner gain (P < 0.05), independently of the Thr:Lys. Threonine supplementation supports metabolic processes like glycine and serine synthesis, impacting gut health, protein synthesis, energy production, and oxidative stress, potentially explaining lower lipid deposition in SGr pigs when the same level of energy in the diet. SGr pigs might need a different AA profile where a higher Thr:Lys ratio likely enhances the metabolic capacity to support fast growth in SGr pigs within IPF. Consequently, increasing the Thr:Lys ratio within IPF led to improved growth performance in SGr pigs.

Widely Untargeted Metabolomics Profiling Combined with Transcriptome Analysis Provides New Insight into Amino Acid Biosynthesis at Different Developmental Stages of Rubus Chingii Hu (Chinese Raspberry).

The composition and profile of amino acids in Rubus chingii (R. chingii) Hu serve as critical indicators of its nutritional quality. A comprehensive understanding of the amino acid metabolism within R. chingii is instrumental in the formulation and innovation of functional foods derived from this species. Utilizing advanced techniques such as wide-ranging untargeted metabolomics, transcriptome analysis, interaction network mapping, heat map analysis, and quantitative real-time PCR, we conducted a comprehensive assessment of the quality attributes across four distinct developmental stages of R. chingii. Our meticulous analysis uncovered a rich tapestry of 76 distinct amino acids and their derivatives within the developmental stages of R. chingii. The spectrum of essential amino acids was not only broad but also displayed a high degree of variety. Notably, leucine, lysine, and phenylalanine stood out as the most abundant amino acids, underscoring their significant presence throughout the growth cycle of R. chingii. The proportion of essential amino acids relative to the total amino acid content in R. chingii exhibited a notable trajectory of change throughout its developmental stages. It began with 30.92% in the immature green phase, advanced to 31.04% during the transition from green to yellow, peaked at 33.62% in the yellow to red stage, and then moderated to 30.43% in the full red phase. This pattern suggests a strategic modulation of amino acid composition, aligning with the evolving nutritional requirements and metabolic shifts as the fruit matures. Concurrent analysis of interaction networks and heat maps, alongside comprehensive profiling of amino acid metabolism and transcriptomic examination, was conducted to elucidate the intricate dynamics of cellular processes. The results showed that seven differentially expressed genes (DEGs) played important roles in amino acid metabolism, including PFK, BCAT1, TSB, ASA, ACO, TOM2AH3, and BCAT2. The expression patterns of seven DEGs conformed closely to the findings revealed by the preceding RNA-seq analysis. In this investigation, we elucidated the regulatory mechanisms underlying amino acid metabolism across the four distinct developmental stages of R. chingii through comprehensive amino acid profiling and transcriptomic analysis. These insights lay the groundwork for the development of novel functional food applications utilizing R. chingii.

Review of Liquid Vitamin A and E Formulations in Veterinary and Livestock Production: Applications and Perspectives.

Vitamins A and E are vital fat-soluble micronutrients with distinct yet intertwined roles in various biological processes. This review delves into their functions, nutritional requirements across different animal species, the consequences of deficiencies, and the impact of liquid formulations on veterinary medicine and livestock production. Vitamin A exists in multiple forms, essential for vision, immunity, and growth, while vitamin E acts primarily as an antioxidant, safeguarding cell membranes from oxidative damage. Hypovitaminosis in these vitamins can lead to severe health consequences, affecting vision, immunity, growth, reproduction, and neurological functions. Hence, supplementation, particularly through innovative liquid formulations, becomes pivotal in addressing deficiencies and enhancing overall animal health and productivity. Injectable forms of vitamins A and E show promise in enhancing reproductive performance, growth, and immune function in livestock. Administering these vitamins through drinking water offers a convenient way to enhance livestock health and productivity, particularly during times of stress or increased nutritional needs. Liquid vitamin A and E drops offer a flexible and effective solution in veterinary practice, allowing precise dosing and easy administration, particularly for companion animals. Future research may aim to optimize formulations and explore targeted therapies and precision feeding via nutrigenomics, promising advancements in veterinary medicine and livestock production.

Which Novel Ingredient Should be Considered the “Holy Grail” for Sustainable Production of Finfish Aquafeeds?

ABSTRACTThe immense production of fishmeal and fish oil is dramatically intensifying the severe state of pelagic fisheries overexploitation. The latter in conjunction with the increasing demand for low‐cost protein‐rich food supply prompt aquaculture to employ new practice. Several novel dietary ingredients are currently under evaluation for potential incorporation in aquafeeds in an effort to shift the aquaculture sector toward a more sustainable and economic production. The present review aims to summarize the existing findings regarding the effects of studied alternatives to fishmeal and fish oil on the most valuable and commercially produced marine (Sparus aurata and Dicentrarchus labrax) and freshwater (Salmo salar and Oncorhynchus mykiss) finfish species in European aquaculture. Alternative protein sources, including macroalage (marine plants), krill (marine fishery), insects (terrestrial), terrestrial animal by‐products (processed/rendered), and single cell ingredient (biotechnology), are discussed for their efficiency in promoting the growth and the welfare of both fry and adult cultured finfish species. Applicability of these ingredients is reviewed in terms of nutrient composition, dietary inclusion level, performance output, digestibility, and health benefits. In addition, a meta‐analysis was conducted based on data from peer‐reviewed scientific publications in order to assess whether novel ingredients meet the dietary protein (amino acid) and lipid requirements of finfishes. Aquafeed reformulation strategies should ensure the recommended daily nutritional requirements and additionally indicate the meta‐analysis alternatives, such as microalgae, which are deficient in essential amino acids. The sustainable expansion of aquaculture is on the horizon, but which novel ingredients may be regarded as the key drivers to its establishment?

Microalgae and phytase dietary supplementation improved growth and gut microbiota in juvenile European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Fishmeal and fish oil have been the main sources of protein and fatty acid for aquaculture fish. However, their increasing price and low sustainability have led the aquafeed industry to seek sustainable alternative feedstuffs to meet the nutritional requirements of fish and improve their health and performance. Plant proteins have been successfully used to replace fishery derivatives in aquafeeds, but the presence of anti-nutritional substances is a potential drawback of this approach. Thus, it has been reported that phytate breakdown can be caused by feed supplementation with exogenous phytase. The inclusion of microalgae has been proposed to improve gut functionality in fish fed diets with a high vegetable protein content. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on the growth and gut microbiota of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles of a diet containing a blend of microalgae (Arthrospira platensis and Nannochloropsis gaditana) and different concentrations of phytase. An 83-day feeding trial was conducted, comprising four experimental diets with 2.5% microalgae and 500, 1,000, 2,000, or 10,000 phytase units (FTU)/kg feed and a microalgae- and phytase-free control diet. At the end of the trial, a significantly increased body weight was observed in fish fed the diet with the highest phytase concentration (10,000 FTU/kg) versus controls, although the gut bacterial composition did not differ from controls in alpha or beta diversity with either majority (Weighted UniFrac) or minority bacterial strains (Unweighted UniFrac). In comparison to the control group, the groups fed diets with 1,000 or 2,000 FTU/kg diets had a lower alpha diversity (Shannon’s diversity index), while those fed diets with 500 FTU/kg or 1,000 FTU/kg showed distinct clusters in beta diversity (involving minority ASVs). According to these findings, the diet containing the 2.5% microalgae blend with 10,000 FTU/kg may be useful to increase the aquafeed quality and sustain the growth performance of juvenile European seabass.

Can endurance athletes benefit from vegetarian diets?

The performance of an athlete is the result of a complex interplay of various factors, with diet representing a particularly crucial component. Nutritional profiles of vegetarian diets vary considerably from those of omnivorous diets. In our research, we propose that vegetarian diets may offer advantageous properties for endurance sportsmen. This review examines the distinctions between vegetarian and omnivorous diets and addresses these differences in the context of the nutritional requirements of athletes. The initial focus is on fundamental nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Subsequently, the emphasis shifts to micronutrients. This analysis also encompasses the challenges and advantages associated with vegetarian diets. The subsequent section concerns the cardiovascular system, which is arguably the most crucial for endurance athletes. It examines the interaction between the cardiovascular system and other physiological factors, including dyslipidaemia, blood pressure and body weight. It also considers the impact of dietary modifications on these parameters and their influence on athletic performance. Finally, the recent research on the effects of a vegetarian diet on the performance of endurance athletes is presented. Despite a lack of conclusive evidence, recent research suggests that vegetarian diets may confer certain benefits, particularly in terms of endurance training. Although there is a paucity of rigorous research in this field, the existing evidence suggests that these dietary regimens may result in overall enhanced health and improved outcomes.

Groundwater sustainability in India through nonrice-dominated cropping pattern.

Over-exploitation of groundwater for irrigation caused rapid groundwater depletion in north India, leading to food and water security challenges. However, the crucial role of changing cropping patterns on groundwater savings under the observed and projected warming climate remains unexplored. Here, we show that altering the existing rice-dominated cropping systems in India can be a potential solution for groundwater sustainability under the current and future climate. Satellite and model-based estimates show that north India lost ∼336 and 297 km3 of groundwater, respectively during 2002-2022. We developed optimized crop switching scenarios for groundwater savings considering nutritional requirements, farmers' profit, and crop production. Crop switching considering all the three targets (crop switch one: CSI) and allowing rice replacement with alternate crops (crop switch two: CSII) could save 45 and 91 km3 groundwater, respectively in north India during the observed climate (2002-2022) compared with the current cropping pattern. Altering the current cropping pattern can lead to substantial groundwater savings under the projected future climate without comprising nutritional targets and farmers' profit at the state level. Replacing 37% area of rice with other crops (CSII) can recover 61 to 108 km3 groundwater compared with -13 to 43 km3 with current cropping pattern under the 1.5-3 °C global warming levels. Similarly, under the CSI scenario, 36 to 86 km3 groundwater can be recovered in the future warming world. Moreover, the benefits of crop switching in groundwater saving are higher during the prolonged dry periods compared with the baseline under the warming climate. Therefore, crop switching offers substantial benefits for groundwater sustainability under the current and projected future climate in India.

Pelaksanaan Program PKM-KKN Kampus Peduli Stunting di Kelurahan Rangkapan Jaya Baru, Depok.

Children's growth and development is influenced by several factors, including nutrition and nutrition. Stunting in early childhood will reduce the quality of growth and development as well as children's intelligence, so it is very important for various parties in society and academic circles to take a role in reducing stunting rates in the environment where they live. This community service aims to provide healthy food menus with balanced nutrition as an effort to fulfill nutritional requirements for children under five who suffer from stunting in the Rangkapan Jaya Baru Village environment. The service method used is the Community Based Research (CBR) method which includes four stages, including laying the foundation, planning, collecting and analyzing data (information gathering and analysis) and acting on findings. The results of the service show that providing a healthy, nutritious menu directly for stunted children can be an innovation for Ocan Bananas and parents in providing adequate nutrition for children with an appearance and food preparation that is attractive to young children.

Nutritional and Health Requirements to Achieve Quality in The Localization of Baby Food Industry

Nutritional and Health Requirements to Achieve Quality in The Localization of Baby Food Industry

The Integration of Phosphorus-Solubilizing Rhizobacteria, Eisenia fetida and Phosphorus Rock Improves the Availability of Assimilable Phosphorus in the Vermicompost

Due to increasing soil degradation caused by unsustainable agricultural practices and the continued demand for quality food for the human population, it is imperative to find sustainable strategies for high-quality food production. For this reason, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the interaction between the factors of consortium of phosphorus-solubilizing rhizobacteria, addition of phosphate rock and worm load in horse manure to produce an organic fertilizer fortified with phosphorus. For this, consortia of phosphate-solubilizing rhizobacteria of the genus Bacillus (Bacillus aryabhattai, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus) isolated from the rhizosphere of Distichlis spicata were inoculated. Igneous phosphate rock (0 and 2%) was added in the vermicomposting process (with 25 and 50 g of E. fetida worms per kg of horse manure). The results obtained show that there is a significant interaction between the factors of inoculation with bacterial consortia (1 × 108 CFU mL−1), phosphate rock (2%) and earthworm biomass (50 g kg−1 of manure), and that this interaction promotes the production of assimilable forms of phosphorus for plants (such as monobasic phosphate ions H2PO4−1 or dibasic phosphate ions HPO4−2) within the vermicomposting process, having as a product an organic substrate supplemented with the optimal nutritional requirements for the development and growth of crops. This work can serve as a basis to produce high-quality organic fertilizer. However, field studies are required in order to observe the impact of vermicompost on the yield and quality of the fruits, and it can be compared with other types of fertilizers and the relevance of their use in different types of climates.

Surgical Risk, Operative Time, and Anesthesia Time Associated With Combining Tracheostomy and Gastrostomy Tube Placement Under a Single Anesthetic

IntroductionPediatric patients may need both tracheostomy and gastrostomy tube (G-tube) placement to satisfy both oxygen and nutritional requirements for sustaining life. It is unclear if combining both procedures under one anesthetic is associated with reductions in total operative time or surgical risk, compared to performing the two procedures separately. MethodsOur study used the 2016–2021 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric Participant Use Files. Patients age 0–2 years were included if they underwent elective tracheostomy or G-tube placement and no concomitant procedures other than direct laryngoscopy or bronchoscopy. The initial cohort included 14,047 patients undergoing G-tube placement only, 571 undergoing tracheostomy only, and 236 undergoing both procedures concurrently. Multivariable analysis used propensity score matching to compare combined procedures to matched synthetic controls, created by combining data from patients undergoing each procedure independently (N = 180 matched pairs). ResultsAfter matching, combined procedures were associated with lower complication risk (odds ratio: 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.27, 0.65) and reduced anesthesia time (mean difference: 57 min; 95% CI: 47, 68) when compared to synthetic controls, but did not differ on total operative time (mean difference: −4.5 min; 95% CI: −12.6, +3.6). ConclusionCombined procedures are theorized to reduce risks associated with prolonged exposure to anesthesia. We found a reduction in total anesthesia time associated with combining tracheostomy and G-tube placement under one anesthetic, and lower risk of complications, but no change in total operative time relative to performing 2 separate surgeries. Level of EvidenceIII.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Personalized Nutrition

Personalised nutrition uses individual data to optimise dietary recommendations for better health results. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) provides an innovative solution to the issues of this industry. AI can process massive and complicated datasets, such as genetic, phenotypic, and behavioural data, to generate highly personalised nutrition recommendations. Machine learning methods, ranging from grouping and prediction to deep learning, allow for the discovery of food patterns, health effects, and individualised nutritional requirements. This study investigates the use of AI in personalised nutrition, including existing applications and future perspectives needed to overcome problems such as data interoperability, ethical considerations, and model interpretability. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI), MPersonalized Nutrition, Precision Nutrition, Machine Learning, Genomics.

Peritoneal dialysis in children, what's different: Your questions answered.

Maintenance peritoneal dialysis (PD) is the most used kidney replacement therapy for children with kidney failure throughout the world. Underlying causes of kidney failure, indications for dialysis, body size, and nutritional requirements differ between children and adults on PD. These differences, along with the ongoing growth and development that occurs throughout childhood, impact PD access, prescription, and monitoring in children. This review highlights the unique challenges and management approaches to optimize the care of children on maintenance PD.

Enhancing Biological Control Efficacy: Insights into the Feeding Behavior and Fitness of the Omnivorous Pest Lygus lineolaris.

Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) (Hemiptera: Miridae), a true omnivorous insect, poses a significant threat to agriculture in the Neartic region. Understanding the feeding behavior of L. lineolaris is crucial for developing integrated pest management strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different diets on the fitness of L. lineolaris, with a focus on the diet source, feeding regime (phytophagy, zoophagy, and phytozoophagy), and number of diet items. The experimental design in the laboratory investigated the impacts of strawberry, canola and buckwheat flowers, as well as spider mites and aphids to explore relationships found in a conventional strawberry field. Results reveal that diet source, feeding regime, and the number of diet items influence L. lineolaris performance (i.e., survivorship rate, developmental time, and adult weight and length). Improvements in fitness are indicated by higher nymphal survival, shorter developmental time, and larger adults. Immature stages of L. lineolaris show improved fitness when provided with diets rich in canola compared to strawberry flowers and spider mites. Furthermore, the inclusion of multiple diet items in phytozoophagous regimes enhances insect performance. The findings emphasize the significance of understanding L. lineolaris' nutritional requirements and the biodiversity of target ecosystems for modeling energy flows and designing effective IPM strategies against this pest. This research contributes to the knowledge base for biological control programs targeting L. lineolaris in agricultural systems.

Integrated foodbank network design: Model and a case study

To address the UN’s zero hunger goal (SDG 2), scattered and isolated initiatives by nonprofit organizations towards operating foodbanks are generally ineffective in developing countries where the foodbank ecosystem is at a preliminary stage. Establishing an integrated system comprising entities such as donors, foodbanks, food recovery and redistribution agencies (FRRA), and beneficiaries can be quite complex due to an underlying hierarchy, scale of operation, types of donors, and the severity of food insecurity of the beneficiaries. In this work, we present a strategic mixed-integer programming model to design an integrated foodbank network towards achieving an efficient, effective, and equitable food distribution mechanism for food-insecure beneficiaries while accounting for their age profile and nutritional requirements. We ensure cost-efficiency by minimizing the total system cost, effectiveness by discouraging food waste and unmet demand via charging penalties, and equity by adopting five variants of an egalitarian approach. We conduct a case study with a mix of real and realistically estimated data to design a foodbank network in Delhi (India) and present detailed analyses with insights for the practitioners. Specifically, the effects of foodbanks’ initial capacities, budget and strategic-to-operational cost constraints on the solution are identified. Among important observations, our analyses highlight when initiatives for collecting more ready-to-eat foods might be taken to relieve the pressure on the integrated system, and also help in identifying the conditions when investment in capacity building serves the beneficiaries’ interests better than direct spending.

Assessing new microalgae species as potential feed for bivalve spat in nursery culture

ABSTRACT Microalgae remains a primary food source for hatchery and nursery culture of juvenile bivalves. However, there is a mismatch between the characteristics of the microalgae currently used in nursery culture and the feeding abilities and nutritional requirements of juveniles of some bivalve species, such as the green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus. Therefore, there is a need to identify new species of microalgae for this purpose that have favourable cell size, good growth performance under culture conditions and appropriate nutritional content for juvenile bivalves by using these characteristics as primary selection criteria. In this study, the growth performance under standard culture conditions of four microalgae species (Chrysochromulina camella, Gymnodinium simplex, Pyramimonas parkeae and Stephanodiscus niagarae) which are of a sufficiently large cell size to meet the needs of juvenile mussels (i.e. 10–20 µm size range) were tested in comparison to three commonly cultured commercial species (Chaetoceros muelleri, Diacronema lutheri and Tisochrysis lutea). Results show that G. simplex, S. niagarae and the two strains of P. parkeae (P. parkeae (C) and P. parkeae (I)) can achieve similar biomass as the reference species in the intermediate (1 L) culture stages despite the large difference in cell densities. The poor growth of C. camella in F/2 media indicates a necessity of determining its appropriate culture conditions before further assessing its suitability as a nursery feed for juvenile bivalves. The proximate analysis of S. niagarae, G. simplex and P. parkeae (I) reveals nutritional profiles conducive to spat development. However, the P. parkeae (C) strain contained low carbohydrate content, suggesting inferior nutritional value compared to the P. parkeae (I) strain, showing that variants of the same species can have different biochemical composition and suggesting the former might have limited suitability for feeding in nursery culture. The findings indicate that G. simplex, S. niagarae and P. parkeae (C) hold sufficient promise as spat feed in nursery culture to warrant further testing to confirm their efficacy as live microalgal feed for bivalve spat.

A Review of Laboratory Requirements to Culture Lichen Mycobiont Species.

Lichens are symbiotic associations between fungi (the mycobiont) and algae or cyanobacteria (the photobionts). They synthesize a large number of secondary metabolites, many of which are potential sources of novel molecules with pharmacological and industrial applications. The advancement of in vitro culture methods of lichen-forming fungi would allow the comprehensive application of these compounds at large scales, enable improvements in the synthesis, facilitate understanding of the role of the partners in the synthesis of these compounds and increase our knowledge about the genes associated with secondary metabolites production. The aim of this work is to summarize the nutritional and physicochemical requirements that have been used to date to culture different lichen-forming fungi species. In total, the requirements for the cultivation of 110 species are presented. This review can provide a starting point for future experiments and help advance the methods of culturing lichenized fungi. The type of diaspore selected to isolate the mycobiont, the composition of the isolation and culture media and the corresponding physicochemical parameters are essential in designing an efficient lichen culture system, allowing the achievement of a suitable growth of lichen-forming fungi and the subsequent production of secondary metabolites.

A Mathematical Model for Green Leaves Diet Using Ranking of Tridecagonal Fuzzy Numbers

This study presents a new way of ranking transportation options using tridecagonal fuzzy numbers. This approach takes into account factors such as demand, supply, and transportation costs, and aims to provide a more optimized solution for these fuzzy environments. With the rising importance of healthy eating habits, particularly emphasizing green leafy vegetables, devising an effective dietary plan becomes imperative. Traditional approaches often overlook the inherent uncertainty and fuzziness in dietary preferences and nutritional requirements. In this context, tridecagonal fuzzy numbers offer a robust framework to represent and analyze uncertain dietary preferences. Our ultimate goal is to promote a green leaf diet that is both affordable and widely available, while also improving the overall health and well-being of the general public. This research contributes to the advancement of mathematical modelling in nutrition science, offering a valuable tool for promoting healthier dietary choices and lifestyle habits.