Nutritional Importance Research Articles

Diversity and genetic structure of yellow passion fruit in Boyacá-Colombia using microsatellite DNA markers.

The Yellow passion fruit belongs to the Passifloraceae family with great economic, nutritional and social importance in Colombia. It presents a great phenotypic and genotypic diversity, which has not yet been explored or used in genetic improvement programs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of 84 cultivars of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa from nine farms in the municipality of Miraflores, Boyacá, using eight microsatellite markers (SSR). On the basis of this information, estimates of genetic diversity parameters, molecular variance analysis (AMOVA), genetic distances, and cluster of cultivars were obtained. Low levels of genetic differentiation between cultivars were observed in the Bayesian analysis using Structure software, as well as the absence of correlation between genetic and geographic distances. The observed heterozygosity (0.50) was greater than the expected heterozygosity (0.43), suggesting a significant number of heterozygous individuals. The number of alleles per locus varied from 2 to 4, with a mean 2.88. In general, SSR were classified as informative (0.36). The average value of the Shannon Index was 0.71, which shows moderate variability in this cultivar. AMOVA showed higher diversity within cultivars (98%). The gene flow (Nm=28.4) was moderate, this can be explained by the flow of pollen between the different cultivars, the reproduction system of the species, self-incompatibility and the introduction of genotypes from other sites by farmers. The genetic diversity identified in this study is sufficient to initiate breeding programs aimed at identifying cultivars with higher yields.

Effect of Priming on seed viability of artificial aged black gram (Vigna mungo L.) seeds

Black gram (Vigna mungo L.) is a crucial Indian pulse crop, valued for its nutritional and agricultural importance. However, seed aging adversely affects germination and viability, impacting yield. This ITM University study explores the efficacy of various seed priming treatments in enhancing seed quality and viability for improved growth and yield. Accelerated aging was induced before applying priming methods with GA3, PEG, and KNO3 . Results underscore the potential of 1% KNO3 priming to enhance seed quality, viability, and growth attributes. These findings offer insights for optimizing black gram cultivation and addressing seed aging challenges.

Nutritional importance of animal-sourced foods in a healthy diet.

Animal-sourced foods, such as meats, poultry, eggs, milk, and fish are nutrient-dense foods that are rich sources of protein, essential amino acids, and micronutrients that can be challenging to obtain solely through plant-based foods. Animal-sourced protein foods provide crucial nutrients that support the growth and development in children, maintenance of muscle mass and function in adults, gain in muscle mass and strength in exercising individuals, and mitigation of sarcopenia in the elderly. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans have identified the important role of animal-sourced foods in the diet at every stage of life. Animal-sourced foods are consumed worldwide and contribute to global food security.

Nutritional value and quality aspects of wheat produced and consumed in Albania

Wheat and its flour-processed foods constitute the staple food of the Albanians. Nutritional importance relates to its role as an essential source of microelements and its flexibility to be processed in a wide range (e.g., bread, pasta, pastry, baked products). Global wheat markets have become increasingly demanding concerning wheat quality indicators. The country has a tradition of wheat cultivation connected with politics in the past decades. The study has analyzed the wheat quality according to physicochemical indicators: protein, gluten, starch, moisture, and sedimentation index, by Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). A non-destructive technique based on electromagnetic wave interactions of molecules in the analyzed matrix. Seventy-five wheat samples were collected from agricultural regions during the harvesting season 2022. Protein content varied in the interval 9.6-15.0 %, with an average of 12.7 %. The gluten content analyzed was 19.4-37.5%, with an average of 27.5%. Starch content varied in the interval 66.3 -71.5 %, with an average of 68.9%. The sedimentation index was measured in the interval 21.1-57.8 with an average value of 37.6. Finally, the moisture level varied at 9.8-12.5%, indicating no wheat sample exceeded the threshold max level of 14.5%, in accordance with national and EU food legislation.

Evaluation Possibilities of Different Parts of Pomegranate, a Historical Fruit and Its Effects on Health

Today, with the faster development of science and technology, people have started to pay more attention to healthy living and consuming foods that are beneficial for human health. In this context, the value given to fruit species has become increasingly important and the importance of plants whose seeds are consumed has increased, as well as colourful fruits and vegetables. Pomegranate is a fruit grown in many countries in the world, especially in the Mediterranean climate, and its economic value has been increasing in recent years. This fruit has gained great nutritional importance not only because of its flavour but also because it contains many antioxidant substances and phenolic compounds that are beneficial to human health. There are nearly fifty pomegranate varieties registered in our country. These pomegranate varieties range from sweet to sour, from small-in size to large in size, and from hard-seeded to soft-seeded in terms of skin colour and fruit colour. In recent years, the use of pomegranate parts such as peel, seeds, and flowers in cosmetics and food industry has become widespread and studies on the antioxidant properties of different parts of pomegranate have attracted interest. The aim of this review is to investigate the health effects of pomegranate fruit, different parts of pomegranate, and products made from pomegranate.

Nutritional importance of germinated wheat flour, mung beans and beetroot: A critical review

Nutritional importance of germinated wheat flour, mung beans and beetroot: A critical review

Gamma Irradiation Doses reduce Cooking time and Improve Nutritional Profile of selected Pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp] Genotypes in Nigeria

Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan L.) is a self-pollinating perennial legume shrub with over 30,000 accessions deposited world-wide. Despite the nutritional importance of pigeon peas, its detrimental traits such as its long cooking time, has led to low cultivation of the crop and inhibit its consumers’ request. Concerted efforts to improve both the quality and quantity of this crop through mutation breeding informed this research. It was based on this premise that the study was aimed to evaluate gamma irradiation influences on the nutrient quality and cooking duration of selected pigeon pea varieties in Nigeria. Four accessions of pigeon peas (‘NG/SA/11/08/108’, ‘NG/AO/MAY/00/021/01’, ‘TCC-2’ and ‘NG/SA/07/191’) were obtained from National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Ibadan. They were irradiated at the Oncological Department ABU Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria, using Cobalt-60 (60CO) irradiation source. Standard procedures were followed to determine the effects of the irradiation on cookability and nutritional profile of the M1 plants and their respective controls. It was established that all the parameters tested were irradiation dose dependent. In NG/AO/MAY/00/021/01, 100 Gy produced the highest protein (20.40 %) and highest carbohydrate (68.93 %) contents. Anti-nutritional factors such as cyanide were lower (48.83, 46.22, 43.65 and 44.75 mg/kg in NG/AO/MAY/00/021/01, NG/SA/11/08/108, NG/SA/07/191 and TCC-2) at 400 Gy than those of their respective controls (54.83, 56.83, 53. and 53.55 mg/kg). The amount of Magnesium increased with higher doses of gamma irradiation (1.37 g/100 g for 200 Gy NG/AO/MAY/00/021/01; 1.03 g/100g for 400 Gy NG/SA/11/08/108 and 1.13 g/100 g for TCC-2). There were significant reductions in cooking time in 400 Gy treatments for all the genotypes. The differences between the control and the least cooking time in 400 Gy were 11, 16, 22 and 15 minutes for NG/AO/MAY/00/021/01, NG/SA/11/08/108, NG/SA/07/191 and TCC-2, respectively. It was therefore concluded that these variations could be exploited for further improvement of the crop for food security. Keywords: Cooking time, Mutation breeding, Gamma irradiation, Cookability, Dose dependent

Impact of adoption of better management practices and nutrition-sensitive training on the productivity, livelihoods and food security of small-scale aquaculture producers in Myanmar

Small-scale aquaculture is a major source of food in Myanmar. Beyond its importance for food security and nutrition, small-scale aquaculture contributes to the livelihoods of many rural households and is a potentially valuable strategy for rural development. However, small-scale aquaculture producers have limited access to improved production technologies and information, which hampers the productivity and socioeconomic performance of small-scale aquaculture systems. In this study we assessed the impact of the adoption of better management practices and exposure to nutrition-sensitive training by 379 small-scale aquaculture producers in the Sagaing and Shan regions of Myanmar. We focused on whether and how the exposure to these interventions affected household food security through improvements in productivity and livelihoods. We used Propensity Score Matching to compare the performance of groups that were exposed to the intervention for one or two years, for seven impact variables. Exposure to the intervention had a positive effect for most impact variables, with differentiated effects among variables, group comparisons and regions. In terms of food security, beneficiaries had significantly higher dietary diversity (measured as the Food Consumption Score, FCS), but there were no significant differences for fish self-consumption (measured in kg/week). Longer exposure to the interventions produced significantly higher positive effects across most impact variables for the 2-year beneficiaries compared to 1-year beneficiaries and control groups. Our study suggests that the length of exposure to such interventions can be important in mediating the actual impact of small-scale aquaculture systems on household food security and livelihoods. Sustained help to small-scale producers should be considered in initiatives and development projects seeking to enhance the food security and rural development of small-scale aquaculture systems in Myanmar, and beyond.

An analysis of area and production growth rate along with price forecasting of major pulses in Bangladesh

Pulses are the most significant crops in the world, as well as in Bangladesh, for their commer-cial and nutritional importance. The study was carried out to determine the rate of expansion in area and production for several types of pulses such as Mosur, Mung, Mashkalai, Gram, and Khesari in Bangladesh, as well as to anticipate wholesale prices for those pulses. Secondary data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and the Department of Agricultural Marketing were used in this study. Following a diagnostic check, such as R2, Adjusted R2, RMSE, AIC, BIC, MAE, and MAPPE, it was discovered that the Cubic growth model was the best for specified pulses. The data over the entire time revealed that total output in the area rose in the case of all pulses. Mosur and Mung had positive average production growth rates of 2.02 and 6.919 percent, respectively. Mashkalai, Gram, and Khesari experienced negative growth rates of -0.541, -8.894, and -0.854 percent, respectively. After computing the average percentage change for Area growth rate Mosur, Mung, and Mashkalai showed positive growth rates of 1.229, 4.631, and 1.152 percent, respectively. In contrast, Gram and Khesari both had negative average values of -7.719 and -1.987 percent. This study applied the ARIMA (0,1,0) (1,0,1) model for Mosur, ARIMA (0,1,2) model for Mung, ARIMA (2,1,2) model for Mashkalai, ARIMA (2,1,4) model for Gram, and ARIMA (0,1,0) model for Khesari since those models passed the diagnostic test. Forecasting findings revealed that Mosur, Gram, and Khesari wholesale prices would be marginally modified, while Mung and Mashkalai wholesale prices would be raised in 2025. Thus, analyzing the growth rates of area and output of key pulses may help farmers allocate their land more wisely and price forecasts will help farmers in identifying the best crops for their production, which will improve the output of these crops in Bangladesh.

FTIR analysis and evaluation of phytochemicals from various solvent extracts of Ocimum gratissimum L. and Ocimum sanctum L.

The therapeutic potentiality of medicinal plants is attributed by the presence of a wide range of secondary metabolites or phytochemicals which will have various pharmacological activities. It is well known that every plant species possess complex mixture of bioactive compounds in which each component contributes to its overall bioactivity. The genus Ocimum, has long been acclaimed for their diversity and economic, nutritional, industrial and medicinal importance. The enormous information revealed by the ethnomedicinal applications of Ocimum species demands a scientific investigation into its chemical constituents. In the present study comparison of two Ocimum species, Ocimum gratissimum L. and O. sanctum L. were done in terms of phytochemical constituents and FT IR spectral analysis. Both Ocimum species showed variation in the presence of phytochemicals in different non polar to polar solvents extracts. FT-IR spectral analysis was attempted to analyze the functional groups and characteristic absorption bands & their corresponding functional groups revealed variations in fingerprint band features of Ocimum species. For O. gratissimum, the FTIR spectral peak starts at 3969.50 whereas in O. sanctum it was at 3967.57. The shared FT-IR regions between the species were 366.48, 489.92, 696.30, 1068.56, 1394.53, 2937.59 and 3728.40. Similarly, the unique bands for O. gratissimum were 1166.93 and 1512.19, while 1842.02 and 2397.52 represent that for O. sanctum. The FT-IR analysis revealed the presence of varied functional groups. Thus, the FT-IR spectra validated the presence of various phytochemicals in the plant.

Impact of organic and conventional cultivation on seed quality of two soya bean varieties sown at different row spacings

Soya bean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is a legume valued for, among other things, the high nutritional value of its seeds, which contain around 40% protein with an excellent amino acid composition and a significant fat content. The study aimed to evaluate the protein, fat, fibre and amino acids content of the seeds of two soya bean varieties sown at different row spacings under organic and conventional growing conditions. The study showed that the conventional method of production has a more favourable effect on the soya bean’s protein content and the most amino acids, primarily essential amino acids. In organic cultivation, soya bean seeds were characterised by a higher content of fat and sulphur amino acids (methionine and cysteine). The research carried out indicates that the seeds of the Aldana variety, compared to the Merlin variety, have greater nutritional importance to humans due to a higher content of protein and almost all amino acids, including essential amino acids. Only a higher content of seed fat and tryptophan was evidenced in the Merlin variety. Row spacing did not significantly differentiate the assessed soya bean seed quality parameters. Only the amount of methionine was significantly higher when soya beans were grown at a narrower row spacing (22.5 cm).

Probiotic Functional Yogurt: Challenges and Opportunities

This article aims to explore the challenges and opportunities inherent in producing probiotic functional yogurt through information on the benefits of consuming this food, emphasizing its nutritional characteristics and importance for health. It explains the advantages of regular consumption, including improved digestion, gastrointestinal health, immunity, and increased absorption of minerals. The discussion focuses on the perspectives within the production of functional probiotic yogurt, with emphasis on microbial dynamics, inhibition of undesirable microorganisms, and strategies to improve the quality of this product. It highlights the challenges in maintaining the viability of probiotics during production and storage, addressing factors such as pH, exposure to oxygen, temperature regulation, and interactions between strains and ingredients. Additionally, it highlights the integration of natural compounds in probiotic functional yogurt and their sensory impacts associated with health benefits. The article is a comprehensive overview that emphasizes the critical factors that influence the fermentation process of functional probiotic yogurt and the fundamental role of probiotic viability for consumer health.

Comparative analysis of morphological and biochemical properties of some Mulberry (Morus spp.) genotypes

Mulberry is a multipurpose tree in horticulture. Besides nutritional importance, it is used for raising silkworms, fodder and landscape. These is quite a wide genetic diversity among different mulberry genotypes. The present study was undertaken to evaluate certain morphological and biochemical properties of 20 genotypes of Morus alba, M. rubra, and M. nigra species distributed in Golestan Province, northern Iran. The highest leaf length (15.51 cm), petiole length (5.37 cm), vitamin C (4.34 mg/100 g) and phenol (31.89 mg/g) were recorded in M12 genotype. The highest fruit length (5.52 cm), pedicle length (17 mm), soluble solids (18.26%) and sucrose (31.64 mg/g) were recorded in M10 genotype. The amount of glucose (288.82 mg/g) and fructose (121.97 mg/g) were also dominant in M17 genotype. The utmost fruit fresh and dry weights (0.3-67.80 g), fruit diameter (1.99 cm), leaf width (11.94 cm) and flavonoids (24.67 mg/g) were also observed in the M20 genotype. The M1 and M2 genotypes had higher anthocyanin (1.13 µmol/g) and total antioxidant activity (66.71%) compared to other genotypes. Furthermore, fruit fresh and dry weights were positively correlated with fruit length and diameter, pedicle length, and leaf and petiole length. The highest positive correlation was observed among anthocyanin, vitamin C and phenols. The morphological and biochemical traits explained 99 % of the total variance of four and three main components. The results of cluster analysis grouped these genotypes into 3 main groups. Therefore, the highest heritability and genetic advance were found for fruit weight, petiole length, leaf width, antioxidant activity, fructose and flavonoids. The valuable pomological traits recorded for some genotypes may be useful for future breeding programs.

Metabolic GWAS-based dissection of genetic basis underlying nutrient quality variation and domestication of cassava storage root

BackgroundMetabolites play critical roles in regulating nutritional qualities of plants, thereby influencing their consumption and human health. However, the genetic basis underlying the metabolite-based nutrient quality and domestication of root and tuber crops remain largely unknown.ResultsWe report a comprehensive study combining metabolic and phenotypic genome-wide association studies to dissect the genetic basis of metabolites in the storage root (SR) of cassava. We quantify 2,980 metabolic features in 299 cultivated cassava accessions. We detect 18,218 significant marker-metabolite associations via metabolic genome-wide association mapping and identify 12 candidate genes responsible for the levels of metabolites that are of potential nutritional importance. Me3GT, MeMYB4, and UGT85K4/UGT85K5, which are involved in flavone, anthocyanin, and cyanogenic glucoside metabolism, respectively, are functionally validated through in vitro enzyme assays and in vivo gene silencing analyses. We identify a cluster of cyanogenic glucoside biosynthesis genes, among which CYP79D1, CYP71E7b, and UGT85K5 are highly co-expressed and their allelic combination contributes to low linamarin content. We find MeMYB4 is responsible for variations in cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and delphinidin 3-O-rutinoside contents, thus controlling SR endothelium color. We find human selection affects quercetin 3-O-glucoside content and SR weight per plant. The candidate gene MeFLS1 is subject to selection during cassava domestication, leading to decreased quercetin 3-O-glucoside content and thus increased SR weight per plant.ConclusionsThese findings reveal the genetic basis of cassava SR metabolome variation, establish a linkage between metabolites and agronomic traits, and offer useful resources for genetically improving the nutrition of cassava and other root crops.

Genome-Wide Identification and Comprehensive Analysis of the GASA Gene Family in Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) under Abiotic Stress

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a globally cultivated crop of significant economic and nutritional importance. The role of gibberellic-acid-stimulated Arabidopsis (GASA) family genes is well established in plant growth, development, and biotic and abiotic stress responses. However, there is a gap in understanding the function of GASA proteins in cultivated peanuts, particularly in response to abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity. Thus, we conducted comprehensive in silico analyses to identify and verify the existence of 40 GASA genes (termed AhGASA) in cultivated peanuts. Subsequently, we conducted biological experiments and performed expression analyses of selected AhGASA genes to elucidate their potential regulatory roles in response to drought and salinity. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that AhGASA genes could be categorized into four distinct subfamilies. Under normal growth conditions, selected AhGASA genes exhibited varying expressions in young peanut seedling leaves, stems, and roots tissues. Notably, our findings indicate that certain AhGASA genes were downregulated under drought stress but upregulated under salt stress. These results suggest that specific AhGASA genes are involved in the regulation of salt or drought stress. Further functional characterization of the upregulated genes under both drought and salt stress will be essential to confirm their regulatory roles in this context. Overall, our findings provide compelling evidence of the involvement of AhGASA genes in the mechanisms of stress tolerance in cultivated peanuts. This study enhances our understanding of the functions of AhGASA genes in response to abiotic stress and lays the groundwork for future investigations into the molecular characterization of AhGASA genes.

Fish Marketing in Salah Al-Din Governorate for the 2022 Productions (Tikrit District as a Model)

The research mainly aims to study fish marketing in Salah al-Din Governorate / Tikrit district for the year (2022) by measuring marketing costs, marketing margins, and the share of the producer, wholesaler, and retailer from the distribution of consumer dinars, Calculate marketing efficiency and know the level of competence for each of the producer, intermediaries, wholesalers, and retailers, and find strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities through (SWOT) analysis, A stratified random sample was selected in the study area consisting of (73) fish producers in the district, and the information related to the study was collected through the questionnaire that was designed for producers. Then, information on camel traders was collected through a questionnaire distributed to (25) wholesale market traders, and then information on retail traders was collected through a questionnaire number (25) distributed to retail market traders. The marketing costs of the product, wholesalers, and retailers, respectively, amounted to (1090, 746.1, 235.75) dinars/kg, and the absolute and relative marketing margin between the wholesaler and the producer amounted to (1250) dinars/kg (23.8%), and the absolute and relative marketing margin between the retailer and the merchant Total (1750) dinars/kg (25%), And between the retailer and the producer, it amounted to (3000) dinars/kg (42%), and the share of the producer, the wholesaler, and the retailer in consumer dinars, respectively, was (57.15%), (17.85%), (25%,)As for the marketing efficiency, according to the first scale, it reached (62.26%), and the marketing efficiency according to the second scale, in the three stages of the product and wholesale, amounted to (73.22%), retail and wholesale, it amounted to (66.14%), and finally, for retail and product, it was (53.25%). As for marketing efficiency according to the third scale, it amounted to (21.59%). We conclude from this that there is a difference in marketing efficiency according to the three formulas because of the difference in prices, production, and marketing costs, The study recommends giving importance to scientific research for fish in terms of production, costs and marketing because of its nutritional importance and the provision of job opportunities and a comprehensive study of the fish market in Salah Governorate and seizing opportunities and avoiding potential risks and identifying needs and requirements and identifying products required for consumers because of their importance in increasing production efficiency, marketing and consumption optimal allocation of resources, achieving stability and encouraging growth.

Enhancing the nutritional value of sweet pepper through sustainable fertilization management

IntroductionThe need for healthy foods has become a major concern in our modern world, as the global population continues to grow and environmental challenges intensify. In response to these challenges, researchers have started to explore a range of sustainable solutions, including organic farming practices, precision agriculture, and the development and testing of innovative biofertilizers. Consistent with these ideas come the aim of this study, which sets out to give new insights into the cultivation of two sweet pepper cultivars with economic and nutritional importance in Romania.MethodsTwo sweet pepper cultivars (Blancina and Brillant), chemically (Nutrifine®), organically (Orgevit®) and biologically (Micoseed®) fertilized were cultivated over the course of two years (2019 and 2020), between April and October, in high-tunnel, by following a split-plot design with three replications. Production parameters (number of fruits, fruit weight, yield), proximate composition (water content, dry matter, total soluble solids, acidity, ash), the content of phytonutrients (polyphenols, lycopene, β-carotene, antioxidant activity), phytochemical composition (phenolic compounds) and minerals (macro- and micro-elements) were analyzed in order to determine the impact of fertilization on the quality of sweet peppers.ResultsThe results showed that the biological and organic fertilizations had a significant positive impact on most of the parameters analyzed, starting with yield and continuing with acidity, phytonutrient content (total phenolic content, lycopene, β-carotene), antioxidant activity and phytochemical composition (chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, quercetin and isoquercetin). Only in the case of mineral content, the chemical treatment gave better results compared with the organic and biological fertilizers.ConclusionOverall, this study provides valuable information on the potential of organic and biological fertilizers to enhance the nutritional value of sweet peppers from Blancina F1 and Brillant F1 cultivars, paving the way for subsequent research aimed at achieving superior quality and increased yields.

Chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities of the leaf essential oil of Roxburgh’s Cherry (Eugenia roxburghii), an underutilized species

Eugenia roxburghii (Myrtaceae), known as Roxburgh’s Cherry, is a wild edible fruit-producing plant having multiple use in traditional and folk medicines in India and Sri Lanka. In spite of its nutritional and medicinal importance, there is no report on the chemical composition and bioactivities of the essential oil (EO) of this species. In this article, the chemical composition of the leaf EO of E. roxburghii has been reported for the first time along with its antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities. GC–MS analysis of EO led to the identification of 41 compounds with β-caryophyllene (22.32%) as the major constituent. The EO exhibited strong antioxidant capacity in DPPH and ABTS assays with IC50 values of 15.12 ± 0.23 μg/mL and 7.32 ± 0.05 μg/mL, respectively. It also exhibited strong reducing power ability (EC50 = 1.47 ± 0.06 μg/mL). The EO showed highest sensitivity against enteric pathogenic bacteria, Shigella flexneri (ZOI = 24 ± 0.4 mm, MIC = 31.25 μg/mL) validating its ethnomedicinal claim against dysentery. Further, E. roxburghii EO showed significant antiproliferative activity against human colon (HCT-116, IC50 = 64.84 μg/mL) and prostatic adenocarcinoma (PC-3, IC50=70.11 μg/mL) cell lines. The present study suggests that EO can be used as an antiproliferative agent and for the treatment of enteric diseases.

Intake of palmitic acid and its association with metabolic flexibility in middle-aged individuals: a preliminary study

Objective This study aimed to assess the relationship between dietary palmitic acid (PA) intake and its association with body fat deposition and metabolic flexibility (MF) in middle-aged healthy individuals. Methods Fifteen healthy participants (n = 15; 6 males, 9 females) with a mean age of 54 were enlisted. They were subjected to graded exercise tests using a cycle ergometer coupled with a calorimeter. Respiratory gas exchange was evaluated to determine two MF parameters. First, the MF index was derived by multiplying peak fatty acid oxidation (PFO) per kg of fat-free mass (FFM) with the percentage of VO2max at PFO. The second parameter, peak energy substrates’ oxidation (aka PESO), was computed by aggregating the kilocalories from PFO and peak carbohydrate oxidation, normalized per kg FFM. Dietary intake was gauged using a 7-day dietary record. Spearman’s regression was employed to analyze the association between dietary intake of specific fat classes, PA, MF parameters, and body fat percentage. Results Preliminary results demonstrate that dietary saturated fatty acids (SFA) within physiological limits correlate with enhanced substrate oxidation capacity. This suggests augmented MF in middle-aged subjects. Among dietary SFA, PA was identified as the primary factor in this favorable correlation. Conclusions Our initial observations, even though preliminary, strongly suggest a beneficial association between PA intake, MF, and body fat percentage. This underscores the potential nutritional importance of PA in promoting MF. Significance Statement Disparities in data regarding the health effects of dietary fats may arise from the distinct roles various dietary fatty acids play in MF.

Research progress in the role and mechanism of Leucine in regulating animal growth and development.

Leucine, a branched-chain amino acid, is essential in regulating animal growth and development. Recent research has uncovered the mechanisms underlying Leucine's anabolic effects on muscle and other tissues, including its ability to stimulate protein synthesis by activating the mTORC1 signaling pathway. The co-ingestion of carbohydrates and essential amino acids enhances Leucine's anabolic effects. Moreover, Leucine has been shown to benefit lipid metabolism, and insulin sensitivity, making it a promising strategy for preventing and treating metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and obesity. While emerging evidence indicates that epigenetic mechanisms may mediate Leucine's effects on growth and development, more research is needed to elucidate its mechanisms of action fully. Specific studies have demonstrated that Leucine promotes muscle growth and metabolic health in animals and humans, making it a promising therapeutic agent. However, it is essential to note that Leucine supplementation may cause digestive issues or interact with certain medications, and More study is required to determine definitively optimal dosages. Therefore, it is important to understand how Leucine interacts with other nutrients, dietary factors, and lifestyle habits to maximize its benefits. Overall, Leucine's importance in human nutrition is far-reaching, and its potential to prevent muscle loss and enhance athletic performance warrants further investigation.