Nutritional Compounds Research Articles

Nutritional features of organic peas (Pisum sativum L.) cultivated in different Italian environments and rheological profile of pea-enriched crackers.

Legumes are a key component of the human diet and a primary source of plant-based protein. They have attracted global attention as potential plant-based meat alternatives due to their numerous health benefits, and they contribute to a more sustainable and healthy food system. Among pulses, peas (Pisum sativum L.) are considered a good source of proteins, fibers, starch, minerals, and vitamins. This study evaluated the effect of environmental conditions on nutritional profile of peas cultivated in an organic farming system, in different Italian environments (mountainous and hilly), during different cultivation years (2021 and 2022). Pea grain from peas cultivated under the various conditions was used to prepare pea-based crackers containing 6% pea flour. The appearance, physical properties (rheology and texture), and nutritional profile of the snacks were evaluated, and sensory analysis was conducted. The nutritional and bioactive compounds were strongly related and the environment exerted a substantial impact on most of the nutritional components (proteins and carbohydrates), due to climatic conditions during the vegetative and reproductive stage of the crop. The incorporation of cultivated peas into wheat-based crackers improved their functional and nutritional quality while maintaining consumer acceptability, as demonstrated by sensory analysis. The results confirmed that growing conditions significantly influence the nutritional composition of peas, enhancing their quality and that of the resulting crackers. This aligns with the increasing global demand for high-quality, sustainable food products. © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Microbiome Stability Is Linked to Acropora Coral Thermotolerance in Northwestern Philippines.

Corals associate with a diverse community of prokaryotic symbionts that provide nutrition, antioxidants and other protective compounds to their host. However, the influence of microbes on coral thermotolerance remains understudied. Here, we examined the prokaryotic microbial communities associated with colonies of Acropora cf. tenuis that exhibit high or low thermotolerance upon exposure to 33°C (heated) relative to 29°C (control). Using 16S rRNA sequencing, we show that the microbial community structure of all A. cf. tenuis colonies was similar to each other at control temperature. Thermotolerant colonies, however, had relatively greater abundance of Endozoicomonas, Arcobacter, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. At elevated temperature, only thermosensitive colonies showed a distinct shift in their microbiome, with an increase in Flavobacteriales, Rhodobacteraceae and Vibrio, accompanying a marked bleaching response. Functional prediction indicated that prokaryotic communities associated with thermotolerant corals were enriched for genes related to metabolism, while microbiomes of thermosensitive colonies were enriched for cell motility and antibiotic compound synthesis. These differences may contribute to the variable performance of thermotolerant and thermosensitive corals under thermal stress. Identification of microbial taxa correlated with thermotolerance provides insights into beneficial bacterial groups that could be used for microbiome engineering to support reef health in a changing climate.

Nutritional Changes in the Process of Rendang Tempeh’s Production (Gulai, Kalio, and Rendang)

Food processing, such as cooking, can affect the bioactive components of the ingredients. In making rendang tempeh, several stages must be gone through, such as curry (gulai) and kalio formation; therefore, the production of rendang tempeh will take time and might be impacted by the changes in nutrients of the tempeh. This research was conducted to observe changes in chemical components, such as proximate components, antioxidants, fatty acids, and isoflavones, during the process of making tempeh rendang. This study processed tempeh into gulai, kalio, and rendang. Chemical analyses such as proximate analysis (water, fat, protein), antioxidant, fatty acid, and isoflavone analysis were carried out at each stage of making the rendang tempeh. Based on the study's results, it was known that the proximate profile increases during the rendang-making process. Linoleic acid, as the main fatty acid content in tempeh, was decreased, as was the isoflavone content. In this study, From the research, it was concluded that the cooking process changes the profile of the bioactive compounds in tempeh, which might be affected by the decrement of phytochemicals. In this study, the degradation pattern of phytochemical compounds, especially isoflavones, remains unknown, as well as whether the compounds are degraded or changed into aglycone forms with higher bioactivity. Therefore, the observation on molecular perspective on nutritional compounds of rendang tempeh during processing from tempe as raw material to rendang tempeh needs to be further conducted to obtain comprehensive information regarding the benefit of transformation of tempe to become a processed food "rendang tempeh."

Nutritional and Bioactive Compounds of Novel Protein‐Based Ingredients From Industrial Hempseed Hearts

Nutritional and Bioactive Compounds of Novel Protein‐Based Ingredients From Industrial Hempseed Hearts

The Liver X Receptor Promotes Immune Homeostasis via Controlled Activation of the Innate Immune System in the Liver.

The liver is an indispensable metabolic organ, responsible for accumulating and transporting various nutritional compounds in hepatocytes. However, the transport of these materials from the liver is an energetically intensive task because they contain a considerable number of hydrophobic components, including free cholesterol, and require specialized transfer proteins to shuttle these substances through an aqueous phase. Liver X receptors (LXRs) induce the expression of cholesterol transporters in macrophages to transport free cholesterol derived from apoptotic cells into extracellular space via high-density lipoproteins. Additionally, LXRs control innate immune cells through two major mechanisms: upregulating the phagocytic activity of macrophages and suppressing inflammatory reactions to prevent aggressive activation of immune cells. Therefore, the primary role of LXRs is to accelerate efferocytosis without provoking inflammation and facilitate the transfer of free cholesterol from the intracellular space. This mechanism makes the innate immune system a substantial contributor to systemic metabolic control. Concomitantly, LXRs are important factors in regulating systemic defense mechanisms through the efficient regulation of immune cells. LXR activation, therefore, has great potential for clinical applications in the treatment of metabolic, infectious, and autoimmune diseases. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the link between LXRs and innate immune cells in the liver, along with prospects for clinical applications of LXR agonists.

Overview on the heavy metal toxicity mechanisms and the role of alimentary factors in detoxification

The significance of examining how nutritional factors like proteins, probiotics, vitamins, and dietary fiber contribute to the body's detoxification processes is still applicable, as emphasized in this review. There are detoxification mechanisms in the organism which require the intake of certain compounds from food. Nutrition quality directly affects the state of the body, because the essential compounds are obtained from food by the body. Thus, a complete consumption of nutritional compounds is a significant factor that determines human health, growth development, physical and mental activity, resistance to disease and can aid in enhancing the body's resilience during normal conditions and promote more effective recovery during illness. Nowadays, people are subject to various environmental and chemical pollutants originating from industrial and agricultural activities. There is growing evidence that chronic exposure to dietary contaminants known as xenobiotics has an adverse impact on human health and can lead to various disorders. Heavy metals can be identified as a separate group of xenobiotics that pose a danger to human health. They affect almost all body systems, exerting toxic, allergic, carcinogenic, and gonadotropic effects. The toxicity of heavy metals to the body, and its neutralizing and elimination from organism depends on a number of factors, including nutritional status. The use of knowledge about the intoxication mechanisms and the role of alimentary factors in the body detox contribute to a deeper understanding of the processes in the development of ways to neutralize the toxicants' negative effects

Dynamics of Nutritional Compounds and Antioxidant Activity during Date Palm Fruit Development and Maturity Stages

Date palm fruit development involves several stages, including Habauk, Kimri, Khalal, Rutab, and Tamer stages, characterized by intricate biochemical alterations that lead to the accumulation of various metabolites. The objective of this study was to quantify and statistically evaluate the linearity of nutritional compounds, acidity levels, water content, dry matter, secondary metabolites, and antioxidant activity capacity across the fruit development and maturation stages of two date palm cultivars, Deglet Nour and Degla Beida. Fruits were collected from ten palm trees per cultivar at each growth stage, cleaned, sliced, dried, and powdered. The acidity level was assessed using the Marx method, while water content and dry matter were determined through a drying method. The carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that constitute the nutritional components were quantified using established techniques. The extraction yield of secondary metabolites was calculated using date powder. The water content, PH, carbohydrate, protein, fat content, extraction yield, total Phenol, and total flavonoid content displayed dynamic patterns described by second-order polynomials. The maximum local values for water content, PH, and carbohydrate were observed in both varieties, while the maximum local value for total Phenol was found exclusively in Deglet Nour. Conversely, the minimum local values for protein content, fat content, total flavonoid content, and extraction yield were observed in both varieties. Notably, the minimum local value for total Phenol content was observed only in Degla Beida. For both varieties, the dry matter and antioxidant activity exhibited quadratic dynamics. However, the dry matter showed a positive increasing trend, while the antioxidant activity exhibited a change in the opposite direction.

Marine Natural Products as Novel Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract: Alzheimer's disease is distinguished by gradual changes in behavior because of the aggregation of β-amyloid and τ protein that blocks the signal transduction pathway. It is one of the major problems in the current scenario. It mainly occurs after the age of 60 and eventually leads to memory loss. Nonetheless, medicinal plants have therapeutic potential to improve many diseases. Medicinal drugs with their phytoconstituents may offer therapeutic potential for improving the preventive treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Five synthetic drugs that have been approved by the FDA include Tacrine, Rivastigmine, Donepezil, Galantamine, and Memantine for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's. In the search for effective anti-Alzheimer's drugs from a natural source, we discovered marine resources as the origin of the therapeutic and nutritional compound. The methodology involves conducting a comprehensive literature survey. The database search methodology used in this review was the use of keywords, which can be found in the article pertaining to Alzheimer’s disease. The significant articles focused on marine flora phytoconstituents, such as Acetylcholinesterase or butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors, thus prompting a comprehensive review based on pertinent information. The review included descriptions of various studies, revealing that numerous compounds derived from marine sources have demonstrated promising efficacy in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Many compounds that originated from marine sources showed good efficacy in treating Alzheimer’s disease. Acetylcholinesterase or butyrylcholinesterase inhibition was the main pharmacological mechanism that was reported for most of the molecules, however, few articles having alternative anti Alzheimer’s mechanisms have also been reported. This article highlights marine compounds derived from marine sources like algae, fungi, and sponges, which can combat Alzheimer's disease.

The Role of Maternal and Early-Life Diet in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder with debilitating symptoms and multifactorial etiology. Nutritional factors during adult life have been implicated in IBD pathogenesis. In addition, there is growing evidence that maternal and early-life diet may be associated with intestinal inflammation and colitis severity. The aim of the current review was to detect and critically appraise all evidence regarding the role of maternal and early-life diet on intestinal inflammation. We performed a thorough search of the literature across two databases (Pubmed, ScienceDirect) using a variety of relevant terms. A total of 23 studies, 16 experimental and 7 clinical, met inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Experimental studies reveal that high-fat and high-protein diets during gestation and neonatal life induce gut dysbiosis, amplify intestinal inflammation, and exacerbate colitis. In addition, a variety of nutritional factors included in maternal diets may affect offspring's microbiota composition and intestinal health. Human studies concluded that maternal diet quality and the intake of fish and vegetables and of food fortified with vitamin D during gestation and early infancy significantly decreased IBD risk. However, human data are limited, and larger investigations are needed to further clarify the complex associations between specific nutritional compounds and intestinal inflammation. Dietary factors during pregnancy and early-life are involved in IBD pathogenesis, exerting either an exacerbating or protective effect. Improving pregnant women's dietary habits could be a cost-effective strategy to reduce future IBD burden.

Near-infrared spectrometry for rapid and real-time prediction of specific quality attributes in intact cactus pear fruits (Opuntia ficus-indica L.)

Cactus pear fruits are rich sources of nutritional (essential vitamins, amino acids and minerals) and antioxidant compounds (flavonoids, carotenes, betalains, ascorbic acid and quercetin). The fruit is cultivated for fresh markets and also serves as nutraceutical and functional food, finding application in various forms such as juice, jam, wine, syrup and in dairy products. However, short postharvest life and negative perception has contributed to its underutilization in the local context. Total titratable acidity (TTA) and total soluble solids (TSS) are among the desirable attributes used to assess postharvest quality of Cactus pears. A portable near-infrared spectrometer (NIRS) can non-destructively determine the internal quality of Cactus pears’ thus reducing postharvest losses. This study evaluated the potential of a handheld NIRS coupled with chemometrics of partial least square regression (PLSR) for rapid, non-destructive, and simultaneous determination of TTA and TSS in intact Cactus pear fruits. Cactus pears at different stages of maturity were sampled from Laikipia county, in Kenya, and immediately subjected to spectral data acquisition and wet-chemistry analyses. The PLSR was used to train and validate predictive models for the determination of TTA and TSS content in intact Cactus pears. The prediction model for TTA gave an R-squared (R2) of 0.73, root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP) of 0.28% citric acid, and residual predictive deviation (RPD) of 1.97. Additionally, the TSS model resulted in R2 of 0.75, RMSEP of 1.60° Brix, and RPD of 2.06. Overall, these findings highlight the effectiveness of NIRS in non-destructive measurement of TTA and TSS levels in whole Cactus pears. However, with further refinement and optimization of these models, the full potential of this technique for swift and precise assessment of these parameters in whole Cactus pears can be realized. This would greatly benefit farmers and processors by reducing expenses associated with quality assessment and facilitating market entry of Cactus pear derived food products.

Nutritional and Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant Properties and Antibacterial Activity of Chinese Chive (Allium odorum L.).

The present study was conducted to generate the comprehensive data on the nutritional composition, minerals, heavy metal, bioactive compounds, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Chinese chive (Allium odorum L.) grown at two different locations including Manipur and Punjab. The crop grown in Manipur exhibited higher values of nutritional and phytochemical compound values than those grown in Punjab. It exhibited significantly higher amounts of crude protein, crude fiber, potassium, calcium and iron content in the Manipur environment. The allicin content in leaves of Chinese chive on a dry weight (dw) varied from 1.31 to 1.4% and there was non-significant difference in allicin content at both locations. Besides, the heavy metal content of Chinese chive was much below the permissible limits of the World Health Organization. The IC50 value of Chinese chive was 78.908-95.140µg/ml which imparts strong antioxidant activity and higher DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl)radical scavenging activity higher in fresh leaves than dried leaves. Total phenol and total flavonoid were found to be significantly high. In addition, high antibacterial activities were observed against toxin producing pathogenic bacterial strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. The nutritional and bioactive compounds, antioxidant properties and antibacterial activity of Chinese chive make it ideal for its use as a functional food and/or supplement.

A Preliminary Lexicon for Juçara (Euterpe edulis Martius) Pulp: Possible Applications for Industry and Clinical Practice

Juçara is an important element for biodiversity in the Atlantic Forest, not only providing a rich source of nutritional and bioactive compounds, but also holding promising potential for sustainability. However, despite its virtues, there remains a dearth of studies fully exploring its potential. In our pioneering study, conducted using a panel of eight trained specialists, we delved into a sensory analysis of dehydrated juçara pulp, employing both descriptive analysis and the temporal dominance of sensations (TDS) technique. The findings revealed striking differences between juçara and açaí, not only in terms of flavor and aroma, but also in their potential to drive more mindful eating habits. By promoting the consumption of juçara, we are supporting the sustainability of the Atlantic Forest, where it is cultivated in an environmentally responsible manner. Thus, we are contributing to the preservation of this unique ecosystem and the well-being of local communities.

Investigation on nutritional compounds and toxic elements in dietary supplements from young green barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

BackgroundYoung green barley is rich in nutrients and bioactive substances and hence is used for dietary supplement production. However, polluted environment and the use of pesticides can lead to the contamination of raw plant material. Purpose of the study1) determination of the young barley ingredients considered beneficial to the body (antioxidant activity, total polyphenols, phenolic acids, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc); 2) assessment of the potential risk to human health posed by contaminants (pesticides, polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs), arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead). Materialsdietary supplements containing green barley in a form of tablets, powders and juices. MethodsUltraviolet-visible (UV–Vis) spectrometry (determination of antioxidant activity and total polyphenols), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS; used for element determination), liquid chromatography (phenolic acids, some pesticide analysis); gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS; pesticide and PAH determination). Main findingsthe young barley powders were rich in macro- and microelements, particularly Fe and Mn, and could meet up to 20 % of the human requirements. However, they were also considerably contaminated with heavy metals and imidacloprid. The maximum levels established in European Union for examined substances were exceeded in the case of imidacloprid (6 samples of barley powders: P1, P2, P7-P10), PAH4 sum (one sample of barley powder - P10), and mercury (2 samples of barley powders: P6 and P12, 3 samples of tablets – T1, T2, T14). Calculated risk assessment also indicated that regular consumption of these dietary supplements could pose a significant health risk in case of arsenic. Conclusionsthe research suggests that although young barley powders exhibit a substantial amount of macro and microelements, and additional bioactive ingredients they may also be a potential source of some harmful substances such as heavy metals or pesticide residues.

Home-made vs industry-made: Nutrient composition and content of potentially harmful compounds of different food products.

Many consumers perceive industrially processed foods as lower in quality and potentially harmful to health, with concerns about poor nutrition, additives, and harmful compounds formed during processing. Epidemiological studies have highlighted risks associated with "ultra-processed foods," but empirical comparisons between industrial (IND) and home-made (HM) foods are scarce. This study aimed to compare nutritional values and harmful compounds in IND vs. HM versions of four common foods: plumcake, fish sticks, tomato sauce, and cereal bars. The HM foods were prepared using similar recipes to their industrial counterparts, avoiding technologies and ingredients not available at home. The analysis revealed identical nutritional compositions between the IND and HM versions. Acrylamide (AA) and Maillard reaction (MR) products, considered potentially harmful, showed comparable levels across the food pairs, though HM versions showed slightly higher levels in some cases. AA was undetectable in IND plumcake and HM cereal bars, while HM fish sticks had higher AA content than the industrial version. These findings indicate that homemade foods do not necessarily offer superior nutritional quality or lower levels of harmful compounds compared to industrial products. The classification of food products quality based on processing or industrial ingredients alone is not a reliable indicator of their healthiness.

Obesity and Depression: Common Link and Possible Targets.

Depression is among the main causes of disability, and its protracted manifestations could make it even harder to treat metabolic diseases. Obesity is linked to episodes of depression, which is closely correlated to abdominal adiposity and impaired food quality. The present review is aimed at studying possible links between obesity and depression along with targets to disrupt it. Research output in Pubmed and Scopus were referred for writing this manuscript. Obesity and depression are related, with the greater propensity of depressed people to gain weight, resulting in poor dietary decisions and a sedentary lifestyle. Adipokines, which include adiponectin, resistin, and leptin are secretory products of the adipose tissue. These adipokines are now being studied to learn more about the connection underlying obesity and depression. Ghrelin, a gut hormone, controls both obesity and depression. Additionally, elevated ghrelin levels result in anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects. The gut microbiota influences the metabolic functionalities of a person, like caloric processing from indigestible nutritional compounds and storage in fatty tissue, that exposes an individual to obesity, and gut microorganisms might connect to the CNS through interconnecting pathways, including neurological, endocrine, and immunological signalling systems. The alteration of brain activity caused by gut bacteria has been related to depressive episodes. Monoamines, including dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, have been widely believed to have a function in emotions and appetite control. Emotional signals stimulate arcuate neurons in the hypothalamus that are directly implicated in mood regulation and eating. The peptide hormone GLP-1(glucagon-like peptide- 1) seems to have a beneficial role as a medical regulator of defective neuroinflammation, neurogenesis, synaptic dysfunction, and neurotransmitter secretion discrepancy in the depressive brain. The gut microbiota might have its action in mood and cognition regulation, in addition to its traditional involvement in GI function regulation. This review addressed the concept that obesity-related low-grade mild inflammation in the brain contributes to chronic depression and cognitive impairments.

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF NUTRITIONAL AND BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN FRUITS OF KIWANO (CUCUMIS METULIFERUS E. MEY) TEMPUS CULTIVAR

Locally-grown kiwano fruits, Tempus cultivar, were evaluated for their content in some main classes of nutritional organic compounds. With 448/98 mg/kg DW (pulp/peel) total carotenoid content was average when compared to other Cucurbitaceae. Among identifiable carotenoids, lycopene was the only one in notable amounts, in peel (12% of total carotenoids). With 51,751/37,624 mg/kg, total phenolic inventory was extremely rich. Flavonoids were clearly dominant (78/49%). Hydroxycinnamic acids were found in significant proportions (11/27%). Fruit pulp also showed some amounts of tannins (5.9%) and stilbenes (2%), while coumarins were found in low amounts. Ascorbic acid was abundant, 20,140 mg/kg in pulp and 7,689 mg/kg in peel. Soluble sugars were 15,915 /6,634 mg/kg while lipids were 5,556 /2,721 mg/kg.

A Short Review on Some Medicinal Flowers

Flowers have long been cherished not only for their beauty but also for their medicinal and nutritional value. Historically, they have been integral to alternative treatments and traditional cuisine, owing to their high concentration of protective and nutritional compounds. Flowers possess various medicinal properties, such as anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, immunomodulatory, and antibacterial activities. Rich in bioactive compounds, flowers play a significant role in alternative medicine, food, and cosmetic industries. They are especially beneficial in modern cosmetics, particularly for skin applications, and contribute positively to mental and emotional health. Typically composed of 70-95% water, the dry matter of flowers includes carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, fiber, vitamins (A, C, and E), organic acids, minerals (P, K, Ca, Mg), and various phytochemicals like phenolic and terpenoids. While volatile compounds such as mono- and sesquiterpenes are well-documented, the presence of triterpenoids and phytosterols, despite their significant health benefits, is less frequently reported. These compounds enhance human health by improving insulin resistance, lipid metabolism, and exhibiting hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties.

Exploring oil cakes in the production of proteases: a systematic review

Oil cakes, valuable co-products of the oil industry, are rich in bioactive and nutritional compounds, making them suitable for biotechnological processes that lower costs and reduce environmental impact. These versatile materials are commonly used as substrates for microbial enzyme production, particularly in the context of sustainable, cost-effective protease synthesis. This review surveyed the application of oil cakes as substrates for microbial protease production, focusing on studies published between 2013 and 2023 from databases such as ScienceDirect, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. After screening, 30 studies were deemed eligible from an initial pool of 1602 articles. Nineteen different oil cake types were identified, with soybean cake being the most utilized. The studies highlighted the effectiveness of oil cakes in supporting microbial protease production, particularly with species from the Aspergillus (fungi) and Bacillus (bacteria) genera. Despite the diversity of microorganisms and substrates explored, only a limited number of studies provided detailed compositional analyses of the oil cakes. Nonetheless, the review underscores the growing trend of using oil cakes as an economical and sustainable nutrient source for microbial protease production. Oil cakes, valuable co-products of the oil industry, are rich in bioactive and nutritional compounds, making them suitable for biotechnological processes that lower costs and reduce environmental impact. These versatile materials are commonly used as substrates for microbial enzyme production, particularly in the context of sustainable, cost-effective protease synthesis. This review surveyed the application of oil cakes as substrates for microbial protease production, focusing on studies published between 2013 and 2023 from databases such as ScienceDirect, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. After screening, 30 studies were deemed eligible from an initial pool of 1602 articles. Nineteen different oil cake types were identified, with soybean cake being the most utilized. The studies highlighted the effectiveness of oil cakes in supporting microbial protease production, particularly with species from the Aspergillus (fungi) and Bacillus (bacteria) genera. Despite the diversity of microorganisms and substrates explored, only a limited number of studies provided detailed compositional analyses of the oil cakes. Nonetheless, the review underscores the growing trend of using oil cakes as an economical and sustainable nutrient source for microbial protease production.

Influence of Electrical Conductivity on Plant Growth, Nutritional Quality, and Phytochemical Properties of Kale (Brassica napus) and Collard (Brassica oleracea) Grown Using Hydroponics

Kale (Brassica napus) and collard (Brassica oleracea) are two leafy greens in the family Brassicaceae. The leaves are rich sources of numerous health-beneficial compounds and are commonly used either fresh or cooked. This study aimed to optimize the nutrient management of kale and collard in hydroponic production for greater yield and crop quality. ‘Red Russian’ kale and ‘Flash F1’ collard were grown for 4 weeks after transplanting in a double polyethylene-plastic-covered greenhouse using a nutrient film technique (NFT) system with 18 channels. Kale and collard were alternately grown in each channel at four different electrical conductivity (EC) levels (1.2, 1.5, 1.8, and 2.1 mS·cm−1). Fresh and dry yields of kale increased linearly with increasing EC levels, while those of collard did not increase when EC was higher than 1.8 mS·cm−1. Kale leaves had significantly higher P, K, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B than the collard at all EC levels. Additionally, mineral nutrients (except N and Zn) in leaf tissue were highest at EC 1.5 and EC 1.8 in both the kale and collard. However, the changing trend of the total N and NO3- of the leaves showed a linear trend; these levels were highest under EC 2.1, followed by EC 1.8 and EC 1.5. EC levels also affected phytochemical accumulation in leaf tissue. In general, the kale leaves had significantly higher total anthocyanin, vitamin C, phenolic compounds, and glucosinolates but lower total chlorophylls and carotenoids than the collard. In addition, although EC levels affected neither the total chlorophyll or carotenoid content in kale nor glucosinolate content in either kale or collard, other important health-beneficial compounds (especially vitamin C, anthocyanin, and phenolic compounds) in kale and collard leaves reduced with the increasing EC levels. In conclusion, the kale leaf had more nutritional and phytochemical compounds than the collard. An EC level of 1.8 mS·cm−1 was the optimum EC level for the collard, while the kale yielded more at 2.1 mS·cm−1. Further investigations are needed to optimize nitrogen nutrition for hydroponically grown kale.

Study of Morphology, Nutrition and Bioactive Compounds at Two Accessions Marigold (Tagetes Erecta) in Kepahiang Regency

Marigold (Tagetes erecta) is an ornamental herbaceous and medicinal plant that is easily cultivated, so many are found at various heights, such as in Kepahiang Bengkulu regency, Indonesia. In addition, marigolds contain nutrients and bioactive compounds that have yet to be fully utilized. This study aims to identify the morphology, nutrients and bioactive compounds of marigold flowers in Kepahiang district of Bengkulu, Indonesia. The study was conducted using a purposive sampling survey method by conducting non-experimental descriptive observations. Sampling locations were conducted around Kepahiang regency. The variables observed were morphological identification, nutrient content and bioactive compounds. Two accessions are found: marigold flowers with small petals of orange and marigold flowers with small petals of yellow. Orange marigold flowers with small petals-shaped protein (10.51%) are higher than the small yellow marigold (9.49%), while the protein content of leaves (5.96%) is lower than the protein marigold flowers. Small-sized orange Petals marigold flowers have a higher carotenoid content (166.41 mg/kg) than small-sized yellow petals flowers (85.89 mg/kg). But compared to flowers, marigold leaves have a higher chlorophyll content (246.93 mg/kg). Marigold flower with orange petals in a small shape has the best nutritional and bioactive compounds content for poultry feed