Nutritional Traits Research Articles

Fruit Crop Improvement with Genome Editing, In Vitro and Transgenic Approaches

Fruit species contribute to nutritional and health security by providing micronutrients, antioxidants, and bioactive phytoconstituents, and hence fruit-based products are becoming functional foods presently and for the future. Although conventional breeding methods have yielded improved varieties having fruit quality, aroma, antioxidants, yield, and nutritional traits, the threat of climate change and need for improvement in several other traits such as biotic and abiotic stress tolerance and higher nutritional quality has demanded complementary novel strategies. Biotechnological research in fruit crops has offered immense scope for large-scale multiplication of elite clones, in vitro, mutagenesis, and genetic transformation. Advanced molecular methods, such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS), QTLomics, genomic selection for the development of novel germplasm having functional traits for agronomic and nutritional quality, and enrichment of bioactive constituents through metabolic pathway engineering and development of novel products, are now paving the way for trait-based improvement for developing genetically superior varieties in fruit plant species for enhanced nutritional quality and agronomic performance. In this article, we highlight the applications of in vitro and molecular breeding approaches for use in fruit breeding.

Effect of Feeding System on Muscle Fiber Composition, Antioxidant Capacity, and Nutritional and Organoleptic Traits of Goat Meat.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding system on muscle fiber composition, antioxidant capacity, and nutritional and organoleptic traits of goat meat. Goats that grazed on flatland (whole area with about 0% inclination, FG group) and mountain range (whole area with about 40% inclination, MG group) were selected for the analysis. The results showed that grazing on flatland increased oxidized-twitch fiber percentage, the expression of the MyHC IIa gene (p < 0.001), the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (p < 0.05), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (p = 0.001), and radical scavenging ability (RSA) (p < 0.05); meanwhile, the MyHC IIb gene expression (p < 0.01) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content (p = 0.001) were decreased. Feeding system affected nutritional and organoleptic traits of goat meat, and grazing on flatland increased protein content, total content of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), pH45min, a* value, and variety of volatile flavor compounds but decreased the content of saturated fatty acid (SFA), shear force, and b* value. In addition, the key flavor substances were screened using relative odor activity value (ROAV), including hexanal, heptanal, (E)-2-octenal, octanal, nonanal, decanal, (E)-2-nonenal, and 1-octen-3-ol. Among them, 1-octen-3-ol and (E)-2-nonenal were the most contributing flavor compounds in the FG and MG groups, respectively, providing distinctive odor to goat meat.

Comparison of field performance and fruit quality among newly released Italian June-bearing strawberry cultivars

The aim of this study was to compare newly released June-bearing strawberry cultivars (?Quicky?, ?Sandra?, ?Lofty?, ?Nadja? and ?Aprica?) in terms of their phenology, vegetative growth, productivity and fruit quality to identify their potential for wider cultivation. A field study was conducted in a strawberry plantation established in July 2020 in double rows on beds covered with black polyethylene foil (Sid, Serbia). The cultivars were evaluated in 2021-2022 for their flowering and ripening time, productivity, plant growth, biometrical and nutritional fruit traits (soluble solids content - SSC, total acids - TAs, vitamin C, total anthocyanins - TACY, total phenolics - TPC and total antioxidant capacity - TAC). The cultivar ?Quicky? started to ripen earliest, while ?Aprica? was the latest in both experimental years. The number of branch crowns per plant was significantly higher in ?Sandra? and ?Lofty?, whereby ?Sandra? had also the highest number of leaves per rosette (41.5) in comparison with the other tested cultivars. The cultivar ?Aprica? was superior in terms of productivity (1061 g/plant and 4.67 kg/m2), fruit weight (29.9 g) and fruit shape index (1.15). Contrary to this, ?Nadja? was the least productive cultivar (608 g/plant and 2.68 kg/m2). The cultivars ?Lofty? and ?Sandra? showed the highest SSC values and were also characterized by a considerably high level of TPC (1.29 mg GAE eq g-1 FW) and TACY (24.4 mg pg-3-g eq 100 g-1 FW), respectively. Variability among the tested cultivars could serve as an important criterion for the selection of new high-performing cultivars for a given growing region.

Особенности пищевого поведения у детей с расстройством аутистического спектра

Objective. To study the effect of nutrition and psychopathological traits on the development of eating behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Patients and methods. A comparative analysis of the features of nutrition and eating behavior in 40 children with ASD and 40 neurotypical controls was performed. Two patient groups were comparable in age (3–8 years). The methods used to assess nutrition included retrospective dietary recall, analysis of the frequency of consumption of specific foods or meals, and a 24-hour dietary recall survey. For retrospective analysis of children’s nutrition, we developed a questionnaire for parents, considering the characteristics of eating behavior in both children with ASD and neurotypical controls. Results. The introduction of first complementary foods in children with ASD did not differ significantly from neurotypical controls. The first peculiarities of eating behavior in children with ASD began to manifest themselves when trying to expand the variety of complementary foods. In 57.5% of children with ASD, clear disorders of eating behavior coincided with the onset of regression in neuropsychological development. There appeared food selectivity (in 72.5% of children with ASD), picky eating (in 22.5%), gagging at the sight, consistency, and color of food (in 42.5%) and a limited range of foods (in 70%), which was practically impossible to expand. The nutrition of children in the control group was diverse. They were interested in new tastes and consistency of foods, and food selectivity was noticed only in 16.7% of cases and was not so categorical. An attempt to influence the health status of children with ASD, primarily to reduce psychomotor agitation, was manifested in the use of elimination diets (gluten-free and/or casein-free) in 37.5% of children with ASD, which demonstrated a positive effect in most children. However, the indications for their use and duration were commonly not coordinated with a physician, which created a risk of deterioration in children’s health. Conclusion. Eating disorders are not always noticed by specialists in time and require special attention, as they can be both symptoms of ASD and contribute to disease aggravation. Refusal of children with ASD from previously consumed foods, selectivity, and picky eating commonly coincide with regression in neuropsychological development. The use of gluten-free and/or casein-free elimination diets in children with ASD should be justified. Restricted and unbalanced diets prescribed by parents without medical supervision may exacerbate the nutritional and health problems in children with ASD. Key words: autism spectrum disorder, children, eating behavior, nutrition, gluten-free diet, casein-free diet

GENETIC ANALYSIS OF LOCAL AMAN RICE (ORYZA SATIVA L.) GENOTYPES BASED ON MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS

Rice is the staple food for the majority of the global populations and the nutritional traits improvement is the prime priority for rice breeding. The study was carried out with 30 local rice varieties including two checks during the aman season of 2021 at BIRTAN, Noakhali, Bangladesh. Significant differences were found among the cultivars for the studied parameters. The lowest days to maturity were observed in both RS 40 and RS 56. The highest grain yield per plant was observed in RS 31, followed by RS 17 and RS 22 as compared with check. The number of panicles and filled grains per panicle were the most contributing variables. Genetic distances of genotypes ranged from 0.086 to 4.262. Considering the overall diversity pattern, grain yield, and other agronomic traits, RS17, RS22, RS29, RS31, and RS42 have been selected as promising genotypes for further yield and nutritional traits improvement through hybridization.

Highlighting the benefits of biological nitrogen fixation on agronomic, physiological, and nutritive value traits of brachiariagrass

The search for efficiency in forage-based systems has intensified in recent years, increasing the need to reduce environmental impacts of animal agriculture. Reducing the dependence on fossil fuels for nitrogen (N) input with the use of microorganisms (e.g., biological nitrogen fixation, BNF) and grass-legume mixed stands has become an important practice. The objective of this study was to evaluate N input strategies that affect the agronomic, physiological, and nutritive value traits of Ipyporã brachiariagrass (Brachiaria hybrid ‘BRS RB331 Ipyporã’) based on the use of mineral N fertilization (ammonium sulfate), bacterial inoculation (Azospirillum brasilense strains Ab-V5 and Ab-V6; CNPSo), and mixed stands with forage peanut (Arachis pintoi Krapov. & W.C. Greg. cv. BRS Mandobi) in the Amazon biome. The treatments were six N-input strategies: 1. pastures with no nitrogen fertilization (control); 2. fertilized with 80 kg N ha-1 season-1 (N); 3. inoculated with A. brasilense (Az); 4. fertilized with 80 kg N ha-1 season-1 + A. brasilense (N + Az); 5. mixed stand of Ipyporã brachiariagrass and forage peanut (Mix) and 6. mixed stand + A. brasilense (Mix+Az). The experimental period was from 20 January 2015–21 March 2017, covering three summer growing seasons. Forage was cut to a 12-cm stubble when average canopy height reached 25 cm. Annual forage accumulation (FA) was greater in N, Az, N + Az, and Mix+Az (averaged 7760 kg DM ha-1) than in Control and Mix (averaged 6485 kg DM ha-1). The FA measured in Az and Mix+Az was equivalent to applying 58 and 86 kg of N ha-1, respectively when compared with Control. The greatest leaf mass was measured in N, Az, N + Az, and Mix+Az (averaged 1475 kg DM ha-1). The Az and Mix+Az can be options to improve the sustainability of forage systems and maintain forage production while using renewable sources for nitrogen.

Principal component analysis of yield and quality traits in Zinc rich landraces of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was carried out to find the genetic divergence among 35 zinc-rich landraces of rice along with two checks for yield and quality traits. Three principal components with Eigenvalue more than one, explained maximum variation witha total contribution of 78.33 percent of the total variability.Principal Component 1(PC 1) contributed a maximum of 51.71 percent, while PC 2 contributed to 18.71 percent and PC 3 contributed to 7.96 percent towards the total variability. Yield and quality traits&nbsp;such asdays to 50 percent flowering, number of productive tillers plant-1, grain yield plant-1, head rice recoverypercent, iron content and volume expansion ratio explained maximum variance in PC 1. The results of the 2D scatter diagramrevealed GM-120 and GM-173 landraces to be most diverse. These genotypes were identified to be high yielding and nutritionally rich, compared to BPT 5204. Hybridization of these genotypes is expected to result in desirable transgressive segregants for yield, quality and nutritional traits. Keywords: Principal component analysis, Yield components, Quality traits,Zn ,Fe.

Combining ability for morphological and nutritional traits in a diallel cross of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops grown in Nigeria, either for fresh market or industrial purposes, necessitating the development of a robust tomato breeding programme aimed at maximizing genetic improvement on economically important traits. In this study, the combining ability, nature of gene action, heterosis, and heritability for morphological, nutritional, and physicochemical parameters of tomato were examined in five tomato parents and ten F1 offsprings, generated with a 5 × 5 half diallel mating design in the greenhouse in 2017. The field evaluation was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria during the cropping season of 2018 using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of variance for combing ability revealed that both additive and nonadditive gene actions contributed to the fundamental genetic mechanism underlying the inheritance of the measured traits. The top two general combiner parents were UC-OP and Ib-local. Furthermore, the best tomato hybrid specific combiners were FDT4 × UC-OP, FDT2 × Ib-local and UC-OP × Ib-local which involved one parent having a high general combining ability effect for fruit yield and the other having other desirable traits. These hybrids may be further utilized in tomato breeding programmes.

Nutritional characterization of the extrusion-processed micronutrient-fortified corn snacks enriched with protein and dietary fiber.

The current study focused on developing protein- and dietary fiber-enriched, micronutrient-fortified corn snacks using extrusion technology. Corn, soybean, and chickpea flour were used to develop micronutrient-fortified (Fe, Zn, I, and vitamin A, and C) extruded snacks, followed by an exploration of their nutritional traits. Soybean and chickpea were supplemented discretely (20-40/100 g) or in a combination of both (10:10, 15:15, and 20:20/100 g). According to the results, the relative proportion of the raw material composition was reflected in corn snacks' proximate composition and mineral and vitamin levels. Corn snacks with 40/100 g soy flour showed the best nutrient profile, with a maximum percent increase in protein (171.9%) and fiber (106%), as compared to the snacks developed using chickpea and/or mixed supplementation with soy and chickpea. Total dietary fiber (18.44 ± 0.34%), soluble dietary fiber (10.65 ± 0.13%), and insoluble dietary fiber (7.76 ± 0.38%) were also found to be highest in the soy-supplemented snacks (40/100 g). It was discovered that 100 g of corn snacks could provide 115-127% of the RDA for iron, 77-82% of the RDA for zinc, 90-100% of the RDA for vitamin A, and 45-50% of the RDA for vitamin C. The results for the effect of extrusion processing on amino acids showed a 2.55-45.1% reduction in essential amino acids, with cysteine and valine showing the greatest decrease and leucine and tryptophan remaining relatively stable during extrusion.

Nutritive value of tender shoots of different bamboo species in relation to harvesting height in mid-hills of north-western Himalayas

Recognizing the importance of bamboos in human life and the knowledge gap concerning the nutritional value of tender bamboo shoots harvested at different heights; the current study was carried out by taking seven bamboo species (Dendrocalamus asper, D. hamiltonii, D. giganteus, Melocanna baccifera, Bambusa balcooa, Phyllostachys bambusoides and P. pubescens) at four harvesting heights (15±2, 20±2, 25±2 and 30±2 cm) in the mid-hills of north-western Himalayas. The findings revealed that the physical, nutritional, and anti-nutritional attributes of fresh tender shoots of bamboo species varied markedly with harvesting height. The maximum moisture content (92.66%), potassium (K) (526.62 mg 100 g−1) and calcium (Ca) (17.88 mg 100 g−1) were recorded in D. hamiltonii, while low in ascorbic acid (2.35 mg 100 g−1) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) (44.78 mg 100 g−1) content. Similarly, the highest fat (0.46%) and ash (1.24%) recorded in M. baccifera while protein (3.16%), edible per cent (49.95%) and shoot weight (669.35 g) in P. pubescens, D. asper and D. giganteus, respectively. P. bambusoides had the maximum carbohydrate (4.74%) but lowest in antioxidant activity (41.99%). Similarly, D. asper had the maximum phosphorus (P) content (39.91 mg 100 g−1) while low in total phenols (1.23 mg 100 g−1). Overall, the level of nutritional traits viz., protein, ash, antioxidant, ascorbic acid, P, and Ca decreases with increasing harvesting height, whereas carbohydrates, K, HCN, and total phenol content increases. For edible use, the bamboo species should be chosen based on the need for a specific nutritional trait, preferably at 15±2 cm in height.

Combination of Solid State and Submerged Fermentation Strategies to Produce a New Jellyfish-Based Food.

This study describes the set-up and optimization of a fermentation strategy applied to a composite raw material containing jellyfish biomass as the principal ingredient. New fermented food was developed by combining fresh jellyfish Rhizostoma pulmo and the sequential solid-state submerged liquid fermentation method used in Asian countries for processing a high-salt-containing raw material. Aspergillus oryzae was used to drive the first fermentation, conducted in solid-state conditions, of a jellyfish-based product, here named Jelly paste. The second fermentation was performed by inoculating the Jelly paste with different selected bacteria and yeasts, leading to a final product named fermented Jellyfish paste. For the first time, a set of safety parameters necessary for monitoring and describing a jellyfish-based fermented food was established. The new fermented products obtained by the use of Debaryomyces hansenii BC T3-23 yeast strain and the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MS3 bacterial strain revealed desirable nutritional traits in terms of protein, lipids and total phenolic content, as well as valuable total antioxidant activity. The obtained final products also showed a complex enzyme profile rich in amylase, protease and lipase activities, thus making them characterized by unique composite sensory odor descriptors (umami, smoked, dried fruit, spices).

Genetic Insights for Nutritional Traits in Elite Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Crosses Using Generation Mean Analysis

The present investigation was carried out to understand the genetics and inheritance of yield components, physical, chemical and nutritional quality traits using generation mean analysis. In the present experiment, the fitting of digenic interaction model indicates the prevalence of interaction effects especially additive x additive [i] type in addition to the main additive and dominance gene effects in case of amylose content. The overall genetic analysis in the three crosses suggests a simple pedigree method to develop desirable lines from only cross viz., RP-Bio-5478-185 x NH-686 would be feasible. The generation mean analysis clearly indicated that apart from the additive and dominance gene effects, significant magnitudes [i] type were observed to play greater role in expression of iron content in rice. In comparison to the estimates of [d], the component due to dominance genetic effects [h] is very high in all the three crosses uniformly. However, due to prevalence of [h] component significantly in all the crosses, inter mating in early segregating generations, would further increase chances to develop iron enriched homozygous lines. Studies for zinc content revealed that among the interactions, [i] and [j] types were found to be significant, whereas the [l] component was totally negligible. From the study, all the three crosses were considered as superior on one or other way and among these three crosses, the last one (RP-Bio-5478-185 x NH-686) was considered as superior one. Simple pedigree method to develop desirable lines for protein and zinc, inter mating in early segregating generations for iron would be more feasible methods to develop nutrient rich desirable lines.

Correlating the morphology of Anacardium occidentale L. fruits from 30 orchards with their physicochemical and nutritional properties.

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is a cross-pollinating plant whose fruit consists of two parts, the nut, and the apple. This study aimed to carry out agro-morphological characteristics of cashew fruits to establish relationships with their physicochemical and nutritional properties. Thirty (30) cashew accessions fruits were sampled in different regions of Burkina Faso. The length, width, thickness, weight, yield, kernel output ratio (KOR), proximate composition, specific minerals, phenolic compounds, and anti-nutritional factors were assessed. Evaluations were made using standard methods. The results showed significant variations in agro-morphological, physicochemical and nutritional traits depending on the accessions and the organ. Also, the ratio of apple mass versus nut one was about 12.24 ± 1.24. Kernels are an important source of proteins, fat, total phenolic compounds, and flavonoids, with average contents of 22.84 ± 1.25 g/100g, 51.65 ± 2.54 g/100g, 9.78 ± 2.15 mg GAE/g, and 6.24 ± 12.15 mg QE/g, respectively. As for the apples, they contained substantial quantities of Potassium, Phosphorus, Chlorine, and Magnesium with contents of 611.24 ± 14.5 mg/100g, 418.24 ± 16.47 mg/100g, 332.24 ± 10.54 mg/100g, and 224.95 ± 13.15 mg/100g, respectively. Statistical analyses showed that mineral and phytate contents were positively correlated to cashew apples while phenolic compounds and tannins were strongly correlated with walnuts. Principal component analyses showed three groups of accessions based on apples and kernels characteristics. These data showed a direct relationship between cashew physicochemical, nutritional potentials, kernels, and apples' agro-morphological characteristics. These data constitute an important basis for the identification of cashew accessions with high nutritional and economic potential.

Hybrid purity identification using EST-SSR markers and heterosis analysis of quantitative traits of Russian wildrye.

Russian wildrye, Psathyrostachys junceus (Fisch.) Nevski, is widely distributed in the high latitude areas of Eurasia. It plays an important role in grassland ecosystem maintenance, as well as being a valuable palatable forage species for livestock and wildlife. Russian wildrye germplasm has rich phenotypic and genetic diversity and has potential for improvement through crossbreeding. In this study, fifteen Russian wildrye hybrid combinations were produced and one F1 population with 123 putative hybrids was obtained by crossing two individual plants with significant differences in nutritional characteristics and reproductive tiller number. Twelve phenotypic traits of the F1 population were measured for three consecutive years, and ten of the twelve traits were in line with the genetic characteristics of quantitative traits. Hybrid superiority was revealed among F1 hybrids in both nutritional and reproductive traits. One non-recurrent parent plant with the highest PCA-synthesis score was selected and used to make a backcross with the 'BOZOISKY SELECT' male parent, and 143 putative BC1 hybrids were obtained. Sixteen pairs of EST-SSR primers were randomly selected from polymorphic primers derived from different expressed tiller trait related genes. Three primer pairs that amplified both the paternal and maternal characteristic band were used to assess the purity of the F1 population, and three primer pairs (with one shared primer pair) were used to identify the BC1 population. The hybrid purity was 96.75% for the F1 population and 95.80% for the BC1 population, and the results were confirmed by self-fertility test through bagging isolation. The genetic similarity coefficients between the F1 progeny and the male parent ranged from 0.500 to 0.895, and those between the BC1 progeny and the male parent ranged from 0.667 to 0.939. A subset of individuals in the BC1 population had closer genetic distance to the recurrent parent, and genetic variation within the BC1 population decreased compared to the F1 population.

Graphical and Numerical Analysis of the Components of Gene Effect on the Quality Traits of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Varying Environmental Conditions

Wheat is one of the main cereals. At this time, the crucial difficulty in improving nutritional traits is the influence on genotypes of different environments. Selecting superior genotypes on the basis of a gene effects analysis for varying environments is demanded. In this study, 10 different genotypes of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were used. Parents, hybrids, and two standard checks were evaluated in a complete randomized block design with three replicates in four environments: E1 and E2 (normal and late sown, Rabi 2018-19) &amp; E3 and E4 (normal and late sown, Rabi 2019-20). The analysis of the components of the gene effect revealed that most of the characters were governed by additive and dominant gene actions in the environments; for gluten, the wet gluten (E2) and starch (E3) content were the only dominant components (H1 and H2) with a significant gene effect. Overdominance, asymmetrical distribution of positive–negative and dominant–recessive genes, and narrow-sense heritability were observed in most of the characters in all environments. In a graphical analysis, the regression value b was observed to be in unity among protein content (E1 and E3), sedimentation value (E1, E2, and E3), and starch content (E1), indicating the absence of digenic interactions. Based on the intercept of the regression line on the Wr axis, the degree of dominance for protein content (E1 and E3), sedimentation value (E1, E2, and E3), and starch content (E1) was depicted as overdominance. Therefore, a given population may be improved to isolate superior recombinants for the development of desired parents in future breeding programs.

Biofloc and green water condition improves reproductive traits and fatty acid composition of Artemia franciscana cultured under limited algal conditions

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of biofloc and green water conditions on the survival, growth, reproductive traits, and fatty acid composition of the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana. Artemia was cultured in glass jars using three replicated treatments, that is, Control (7.0 × 106 cells ml−1 of freshly cultured Tetraselmis tetrathele), green water technology—GWT (control + 0.5 g/L of chicken manure extract [CME]) and biofloc technology—BFT (GWT + molasses). Artemia cysts were hatched and batch cultured in a 1‐L glass jar containing 500 ml of natural seawater, stocked at 2 nauplii/ml. In the first 2 days, Artemia was fed with fresh T. tetrathele for conditioning, after which each treatment was applied daily until the end of the experiment. Artemia cultures were maintained at 28.0 ± 1°C using an electrically heated water bath system with constant aeration and light (2000 lux) for 30 days. There was higher Artemia survival in BFT (91.3 ± 3.2%) cultures than GWT (78.1 ± 2.9%) and Control (66.8 ± 1.3%). Female pre‐reproductive period (days) was longer (25 ± 0.5) in control than in GWT (21.8 ± 0.7) and BFT (19.6 ± 0.6), while reproductive period (days) was longer in BFT (20.9 ± 2.6) than GWT (16.4 ± 2.3) and Control (12.8 ± 1.9). Total broods per female per day were higher in BFT (4.3 ± 0.3) than in GWT (3.5 ± 0.2) and Control (2.5 ± 0.3). BFT enhanced the ovoviviparous reproduction cycle with higher total offspring per female (73.5 ± 6.1) than GWT (66.2 ± 7.9) and Control (42.6 ± 12.1). BFT‐cultured Artemia had higher concentrations of myristic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, and arachidic acid. Better Artemia reproductive and nutritive traits in BFT conditions could have been enhanced by the combination of nutritious biofloc and algal materials. BFT and CME promise a major leap towards developing a nutritionally rich diet for Artemia.

Fatty Acid Composition of M. Biceps Femoris of Edible Dormouse (Glis glis L.).

This study aimed to investigate the fatty acid (FA) composition of edible dormouse m. biceps femoris in both sexes. More than 20 FA were identified in the muscle, with the 18:1cis-9 (oleic acid) being the most abundant in both sexes, comprising more than 50% of total FA in muscle. The most dominated FA were monounsaturated (MUFA), followed by saturated FA (SFA) and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), reaching 54.8%, 25.43% and 19.8% of total FA, respectively. Sums of PUFA and n-3 PUFA tended (p > 0.05) to be higher in males than in females. There were no significant differences between sexes on the FA composition. Nevertheless, the 18:2n-6 tended to differ between sexes (p = 0.063). Several long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA) were detected in dormouse muscle, with the 20:4 n-6 (arachidonic acid, AA) and the 22:6 n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) being the most abundant in both sexes. The relatively high stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) indexes and the large concentration of 18:1cis-9 in dormouse muscle tissues might point to a low mobilization of the SCD products. Furthermore, finding the unusual FA 20:3 ∆5,∆11,∆14, suggests feeding on leaf and wood lipids of Coniferophytes. We demonstrated sexual size monomorphism in edible dormouse. The literature regarding the composition of dormouse meat is scarce and no studies reported the FA composition of muscle, thus, this work can contribute to increasing the knowledge on edible dormouse physiology and nutritional traits.

Metabolic diversity in a collection of wild and cultivated Brassica rapa subspecies.

Brassica rapa (B. rapa) and its subspecies contain many bioactive metabolites that are important for plant defense and human health. This study aimed at investigating the metabolite composition and variation among a large collection of B. rapa genotypes, including subspecies and their accessions. Metabolite profiling of leaves of 102 B. rapa genotypes was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-PDA-QTOF-MS/MS). In total, 346 metabolites belonging to different chemical classes were tentatively identified; 36 out of them were assigned with high confidence using authentic standards and 184 were those reported in B. rapa leaves for the first time. The accumulation and variation of metabolites among genotypes were characterized and compared to their phylogenetic distance. We found 47 metabolites, mostly representing anthocyanins, flavonols, and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives that displayed a significant correlation to the phylogenetic relatedness and determined four major phylometabolic branches; 1) Chinese cabbage, 2) yellow sarson and rapid cycling, 3) the mizuna-komatsuna-turnip-caitai; and 4) a mixed cluster. These metabolites denote the selective pressure on the metabolic network during B. rapa breeding. We present a unique study that combines metabolite profiling data with phylogenetic analysis in a large collection of B. rapa subspecies. We showed how selective breeding utilizes the biochemical potential of wild B. rapa leading to highly diverse metabolic phenotypes. Our work provides the basis for further studies on B. rapa metabolism and nutritional traits improvement.

Impact of genus (Geotrigona, Melipona, Scaptotrigona) on the targeted 1H-NMR organic profile, and authenticity test by interphase emulsion of honey processed in cerumen pots by stingless bees in Ecuador

The biodiversity of Ecuadorian stingless bees is almost 200 species. Traditional pot-honey harvest in Ecuador is mostly done from nests of the three genera selected here Geotrigona Moure, 1943, Melipona Illiger, 1806, and Scaptotrigona Moure, 1942. The 20 pot-honey samples collected from cerumen pots and three ethnic honeys “abeja de tierra”, “bermejo”, and “cushillomishki” were analyzed for qualitative and quantitative targeted 1H-NMR honey profiling, and for the Honey Authenticity Test by Interphase Emulsion (HATIE). Extensive data of targeted organic compounds (41 parameters) were identified, quantified, and described. The three honey types were compared by ANOVA. Amino acids, ethanol, hydroxymethylfurfural, aliphatic organic acids, sugars, and markers of botanical origin. The number of phases observed with the HATIE were one in Scaptotrigona and three in Geotrigona and Melipona honeys. Acetic acid (19.60 ± 1.45 g/kg) and lactic acid (24.30 ± 1.65 g/kg) were particularly high in Geotrigona honey (in contrast to 1.3 g/kg acetic acid and 1.6 g/kg lactic acid in Melipona and Scaptotrigona), and with the lowest fructose + glucose (18.39 ± 1.68) g/100g honey compared to Melipona (52.87 ± 1.75) and Scaptotrigona (52.17 ± 0.60). Three local honeys were tested using PCA (Principal Component Analysis), two were assigned with a correct declared bee origin, but “bermejo” was not a Melipona and grouped with the Scaptotrigona cluster. However after HCA (Hierarchical Cluster Analysis) the three honeys were positioned in the Melipona-Scaptotrigona cluster. This research supports targeted 1H-NMR-based profiling of pot-honey metabolomics approach for multi-parameter visualization of organic compounds, as well as descriptive and pertained multivariate statistics (HCA and PCA) to discriminate the stingless bee genus in a set of Geotrigona, Melipona and Scaptotrigona honey types. The NMR characterization of Ecuadorian honey produced by stingless bees emphasizes the need for regulatory norms. A final note on stingless bee markers in pot-honey metabolites which should be screened for those that may extract phylogenetic signals from nutritional traits of honey. Scaptotrigona vitorum honey revealed biosurfactant activity in the HATIE, originating a fingerprint Honey Biosurfactant Test (HBT) for the genus in this set of pot-honeys.

Determination of Grain Yield and Nutrition Traits in Hull-less Barley Genotypes

Determination of Grain Yield and Nutrition Traits in Hull-less Barley Genotypes