Potential Nutritional Source Research Articles

Eco-friendly green synthesised nano iron particles from weed leaf extract: a potential nutritional source for enhancing the germination and yield of aerobic rice

Eco-friendly green synthesised nano iron particles from weed leaf extract: a potential nutritional source for enhancing the germination and yield of aerobic rice

Holothuria atra: An Underutilized Marine Resource for Nutritional and Collagen Benefits

Aims: To assess the nutritional content in the body wall of an underutilized sea cucumber species: Holothuria atra and to extract and characterize the potential collagen types from the body wall Study Design: The specimens of H.atra were identified based on morphology and the nutritionally analyzed with respect to lipid profile, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates. H. atra body wall was used to extract collagen and later characterized.
 Place and Duration of Study: Samples were collected at Mannar, Sri Lanka. Study was conducted at the Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. Methodology: Nutritional content in the body wall (proximate analysis, lipid profile, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates) was analyzed using biochemical assays. Moreover, H.atra body wall was used to extract collagen, by acid soluble collagen extraction and characterized by physico- chemical methods.
 Results: The results showed that body wall tissues of H.atra contained high moisture level (83.2%), proteins (10.2%) and low levels of fat (2.0%) and carbohydrates (2.1%). Further, flesh contains, 0.4% saturated fatty acids, 0.4% unsaturated fatty acids, considerable amount of Calcium, Magnesium and Sodium. Collagen yield from the body wall was recorded as 0.95% and fibrils observed as irregular and dense with a loose and porous structure. Attenuate Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Ultra Violet Vis spectroscopy indicated the collagen was Type I.
 Conclusion: Results suggest that underutilized, non-commercial H.atra is a potential nutritional source and it contains type I collagen. Further studies are underway to increase the collagen yield from H.atra and to develop a collagen membrane which can be used in future industrial applications.

Biofortification via foliar application of zinc in oat grains and the effects on nutritional quality and productivity indicators

Foods enriched with zinc can reduce the rates of many diseases and health expenses. Oat, as a nutraceutical food, represents a potential nutritional source by increasing the levels of zinc in the grains by biofortification. The objective of the study is zinc enrichment in oat grains and caryopses, with analysis of productivity indicators, industrial and chemical quality of the grains for technology validation. The experiment was carried out in 2017, 2018 and 2019, in Augusto Pestana, RS, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks with eight replications and five levels of zinc doses (0, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 g ha-1) applied via foliar in the grain filling phase. There are almost no changes in oat panicle components due to the effect of biofortification doses by the compound with zinc, and no change in grain yield regardless of agricultural year. Indicators of industrial quality and organic composition of oat grains are not effectively affected by biofortification, ensuring the use of technology without compromising these variables. Considering caryopsis the edible product of oats, from 2000 g ha-1 of zinc sulfate, biofortification of the product is guarantee. Biofortification via foliar by the compound with zinc promotes a significant increase of zinc in oat grains and caryopsis, however, reducing the iron content in these structures

Capparis spinosa Promoted BDNF and Antioxidant Enzyme Levels to Protect Against Learning and Memory Deficits Induced by Scopolamine.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major neurodegenerative disorder with multiple manifestations, including oxidative stress, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) depletion, and cholinergic dysfunction. Capparis spinosa (C. spinosa) is identified as a potential source of nutrition for alleviating various ailments. The current study assessed the ameliorating properties of C. spinosa hydroethanolic extract on memory dysfunction and the possible roles of oxidative stress and BDNF in the scopolamine (Scop)-treated rats. Forty male Wistar rats were divided into the following four groups: Control, Scop (2 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection (i.p.)), Scop + C. spinosa 150, and Scop + C. spinosa 300 groups. The rats were given C. spinosa extract (150 or 300 mg/kg, oral) for 3 weeks. During the third week, Passive Avoidance (PA) and Morris Water Maze (MWM) tests were done to assess memory and learning performance. Finally, oxidative stress markers and BDNF in the brain tissue were evaluated. Scop injection was associated with a significant increase in the time latency and travelled distance to reach the platform during the learning phase of MWM In the probe test, the Scoptreated rats showed a lower time and distance in the target area. Furthermore, Scop injection significantly decreased the latency to enter the dark while increasing the dark time and the frequency of entries to the dark zone of the PA task. C. spinosa extract effectively reversed the behavioural changes induced by Scop. Treatment with the extract also significantly increased the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, thiols, and BDNF, while decreasing malondialdehyde production in the brains of the Scop-injured rats. C. spinosa hydroethanolic extract successfully ameliorated Scop-induced memory impairment by modifying BDNF and oxidative stress markers in the brain of amnesic rats.

Effect of incubation period on the glycosylated protein content in germinated and ungerminated seeds of mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek)

The effects of different incubation periods on the contents of amino acids, proteins, glycosylated proteins and metabolites in germinated and ungerminated mung bean seeds were investigated in this study. The study employs soaking of mung bean seeds in water under laboratory conditions at 28 °C for 3, 6, and 9 h, followed by germination for 12, 24, 36, and 48 h. Seeds collected from different period of imbibition and germination were subjected to total protein extraction for phytochemical analysis. Germination of the seeds was found to be most successful after 6 h of soaking (rather than 9 h of incubation). Hence, seeds imbibed for 6 h were further investigated for germination at 28 °C for 12, 24, 36, and 48 h. Total protein was extracted from both imbibed and germinated seeds, followed by trypsin digestion. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS)-based peptide mass fingerprinting revealed 38 proteins in 6 h water-imbibed seeds and 50 proteins in 24 h germinated seeds. Among these, 16 were identified as glycosylated proteins and the maximum number of glycosylated proteins were detected in 6 h water-imbibed seeds and 24 h germinated seeds. Moreover, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify amino acids from the extracted proteins. A total of 15 amino acids were detected, of which eight were essential and the remaining were non-essential; amino acid concentrations increased following 3, 6, and 9 h of imbibition when compared to the control. It was concluded from the study that seeds with 6 h of imbibition and 24 h of germination can be used as potential nutritional source of different amino acids, proteins, glycosylated proteins, and other bioactive metabolites in human diet.

Dried Wild-Grown Mushrooms Can Be Considered a Source of Selected Minerals.

Dried mushrooms might be a source of mineral components, which are indispensable for human health. The aim of this study was to determine the contents of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and selenium (Se) in dried wild-grown mushrooms (Boletus edulis and Xerocomus badius) available for sale, and to evaluate these mushrooms’ contribution to the daily reference intake of the studied bioelements. The concentrations of mineral components in the mushroom samples were determined by the flame method (Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) and the electrothermal (Se) atomic absorption spectrometry method. The mean Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn (in mg/kg), and Se concentrations (in µg/kg) in B. edulis were 82.1, 964.1, 233.4, 97.9, 25.3, 22.1, and 6501.6, respectively, whereas in X. badius: 67.5, 1060.2, 87.8, 197.2, 33.9, 19.8, and 282.4, respectively. We have shown that dried B. edulis can be considered a source of Se. In the case of the other microelements, the tested mushrooms may serve only as additional supplements. Therefore, the studied species of mushrooms cannot be regarded as potential nutritional sources of the macroelements in question. Consumers should be properly informed about this, which should be guaranteed by appropriate legal regulations.

Nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of the fruit of Berberis heteropoda Schrenk.

This study assessed the major nutrients and antioxidant properties of Berberis heteropoda Schrenk fruits collected from the Nanshan Mountain area of Urumqi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. We assessed the basic nutrients, including amino acids, minerals, and fatty acids, and determined the total phenol, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents of the extracts. The analytical results revealed the average water (75.22 g/100 g), total fat (0.506 g/100 g), total protein (2.55 g/100 g), ash (1.31 g/100 g), and carbohydrate (17.72 g/100 g) contents in fresh B. heteropoda fruit, with total phenol, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents of B. heteropoda fruits at 68.55 mg gallic acid equivalents/g, 108.42 mg quercetin equivalents/g, and 19.83 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalent/g, respectively. Additionally, UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE analysis of polyphenols in B. heteropoda fruit revealed 32 compounds. B. heteropoda fruits may have potential nutraceutical value and represent a potential source of nutrition and antioxidant phytochemicals in the human diet.

Determining Total Protein and Bioactive Protein Concentrations in Bovine Colostrum.

Colostrum is a complex biological fluid produced by mammals immediately after parturition. It meets all the nutritional requirements for neonates as a good source of macro- and micronutrients, bioactive peptides, and growth factors. Bovine colostrum is also a potential source of nutrition and bioactive because of its rich protein content that includes immunoglobulin G (IgG) and lactoferrin. However, the level of lactoferrin and IgG in bovine colostrum changes markedly during the lactation period. Therefore, monitoring the concentration of IgG and lactoferrin for the use of bovine colostrum as a protein source is an important question to study. Methods in this article describe how to determine protein content, as well as specific concentrations of lactoferrin and IgG. These methods include the following steps: Isolation of bovine colostrum proteins, Determination of protein concentration via Bicinchoninic acid assay (BCA), Visualization of proteins via SDS-PAGE, Determination of lactoferrin, and IgG concentration using an ELISA Assay.

Composition of Saffron By-products (Crocus sativus) in Relation to Utilization as Animal Feed

Background: In the region of Taliouine-Taznakhte, the saffron culture constitutes the pivot of the agriculture. Nevertheless, a huge amount of saffron by-products with little or no commercial value are wasted during the processing of the stigmas. To increase the overall profitability of this crop, these by-products have been investigated as a potential source of nutrition. Methods: The different parts of Crocus sativus were analyzed. The leaves have high crude fibers (19, 31%), proteins (7, 24%), lipids (6, 10%), N (1, 15%), Fe (985, 59 mg/kg). The petals are the flower parts with the highest contents of crude fiber (11, 25%), ash (7, 30%), protein (6, 35%) and total carbohydrates (71, 16%). Corms have high total carbohydrates (92,41%). The fatty acids in cyclohexane extract oils from leaves were palmitic acid (21.68%) and linolenic acid (25.09%) while in the petals, palmitic acid (11.64%) and linoleic acid (22.60%). Result: From the result obtained, it is suggested that some of the by-products of Moroccan saffron could be utilized by ruminants as feed supplement during both wet and dry seasons.

Nutritional composition of Apis mellifera adansonii L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from three ecological zones of Nigeria

The honey bee is an important economic and domesticated insect. This insect has been gaining attention as a potential nutritional source in different parts of the world. This study therefore evaluated the nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of the tissue of honey bees, Apis mellifera adansonii, from the rainforest, guinea savannah and derived savannah zones of Nigeria. Honey bee samples were collected from fully colonised colonies of two different apiaries each from the rainforest, guinea and derived savannah zones of Nigeria for chemical analyses. Proximate, minerals composition, vitamin and secondary metabolites composition were estimated using standard methods. The levels of proximate compositions (fat, ash, crude fibre, crude protein and carbohydrate contents), minerals, vitamins and secondary metabolites recorded in the honey bees from the three ecological zones were not significantly different. Potassium, chloride and calcium respectively were higher in the honey bee tissue than the other minerals tested. However, the level of phytate was higher in the honey bee samples than the regulatory safe level. Based on the results of this study, honey bees from the studied ecological zones of Nigeria are equally nutritious.

Developments and Prospects in Imperative Underexploited Vegetable Legumes Breeding: A Review.

Vegetable legumes are an essential source of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, along with health-promoting bioactive chemicals. The demand for the use of either fresh or processed vegetable legumes is continually expanding on account of the growing consumer awareness about their well-balanced diet. Therefore, sustaining optimum yields of vegetable legumes is extremely important. Here we seek to present d etails of prospects of underexploited vegetable legumes for food availability, accessibility, and improved livelihood utilization. So far research attention was mainly focused on pulse legumes’ performance as compared to vegetable legumes. Wild and cultivated vegetable legumes vary morphologically across diverse habitats. This could make them less known, underutilized, and underexploited, and make them a promising potential nutritional source in developing nations where malnutrition still exists. Research efforts are required to promote underexploited vegetable legumes, for improving their use to feed the ever-increasing population in the future. In view of all the above points, here we have discussed underexploited vegetable legumes with tremendous potential; namely, vegetable pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus), and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), thereby covering the progress related to various aspects such as pre-breeding, molecular markers, quantitative trait locus (QTLs), genomics, and genetic engineering. Overall, this review has summarized the information related to advancements in the breeding of vegetable legumes which will ultimately help in ensuring food and nutritional security in developing nations.

Fatty acid composition in seeds of holoparasitic Orobanchaceae from the Caucasus region: Relation to species, climatic conditions and nutritional value

The specialization of parasitic plants from the Orobanchaceae family to the heterotrophic lifestyle caused several morphological, physiological and molecular changes. One of the adaptations to the parasitic lifestyle is the production of a large number of the smallest seeds in world flora, also called “dust-seeds”. Seeds of 34 holoparasitic species from the Cistanche, Orobanche, Phelipanche, and Phelypaea genera were collected in the Caucasus region (54 samples) and their fatty acid content and compositions analysed. Of these seeds, 28 were investigated for the first time, and 12 are endemic to the Caucasus (one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the world). The influence of different hosts, populations, habitats, and climatic conditions on the fatty acid content and composition, as well as some connections of taxonomic classification are discussed. The fatty acid content in the species varied between 0.9 and 42.5%, and showed quantitative differences at generic and infrageneric levels, while displaying uniform fatty acid composition. Thirteen fatty acids were identified, of which nine were undescribed for Orobanchaceae. The fatty acid composition of the Orobanchaceae seeds represented a mixture of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) (average 7.8%) and unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) (average 92.2%). The fatty acid content in the Orobanchaceae seeds was directly unrelated to taxonomy, while the n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio supported the clear separation of the Orobanche and Phelipanche genera. Orobanchaceae seeds contained mainly linoleic and oleic acids, thus they could be a potential nutritional source of the unsaturated fatty acids. Additionally, the studies confirmed the hypothesis that the degree of seed oil fatty acid unsaturation increased in colder climatic conditions, especially for the Orobanche genus.

Halophytes of Thar Desert: Potential source of nutrition and feedstuff

Salinity associated with drought is severe ecological threat in the Western part of Rajasthan which is recognized as “Thar Desert’’. The increased population and the deterioration of the arable lands make it inevitable to exploit marginal and long-neglected natural resources and re-assess them in the provision for utilization. Halophyte plants are widely distributed throughout several regions of the Western part due to the presence of saline extents such as Pachpadra, Lunkarsar, Khajuwala, Lanela as well as Thob. The growth of salt-tolerant fodder species for animals and other livestock offers a major opportunity to use land and water resources that are too saline for conventional crops and forages. To illustrate this point, we conducted literature searches regarding growth, biomass production and nutritive value of halophyte plants under saline irrigations practice throughout the world. This review summarized the valuable information regarding the perspective of wild halophytes as promising foodstuff alternative for animal raised in saline lands and or in arid and semi-arid regions. To sum up, it seems that a wide range of halophytes (Haloxylon spp., Suaeda spp., Trianthema spp., Zygophyllum spp.) and salt-tolerant grasses (Juncus spp., Sporobolus spp) could be considered as promising feed resources for cattle and other livestock raised in the Thar Desert. However, further research is needed regarding the chemical characterizations of these plants under commercial cultivation practices and their long-term bioactivity with safe consumption.

Inhibitory Effect and Mechanism of Arctium lappa Extract on NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation.

Arctium lappa (A. lappa), Compositae, is considered a potential source of nutrition and is used as a traditional medicine in East Asian countries for centuries. Although several studies have shown its biological activities as an anti-inflammatory agent, there have been no reports on A. lappa with regard to regulatory role in inflammasome activation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of A. lappa extract (ALE) on NLRP3 inflammasome activation and explore the underlying mechanisms. We found that ALE inhibited IL-1β secretion from NLRP3 inflammasome activated bone marrow derived macrophages but not that secreted by NLRC4 and AIM2 inflammasomes activation. Mechanistic studies revealed that ALE suppressed the ATPase activity of purified NLRP3 and reduced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) generated during NLRP3 activation. Therefore, the inhibitory effect of ALE on NLRP3 inflammasome might be attributed to its ability to inhibit the NLRP3 ATPase function and attenuated the mROS during inflammasome activation. In addition, ALE significantly reduced the LPS-induced increase of plasma IL-1β in mouse peritonitis model. These results provide evidence of novel anti-inflammatory mechanisms of A. lappa, which might be used for therapeutic applications in the treatment of NLRP3 inflammasome-associated inflammatory disorders.

Insect-based diet, a promising nutritional source, modulates gut microbiota composition and SCFAs production in laying hens

Insects could be potential nutritional sources both for humans and animals. Among these, Hermetia illucens, with good amount of chitin and proteins, represents a suitable diet replacement for laying hens. Little is known about insect diet effects on the microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal tract and bacterial metabolites production. In this study we investigated the effect of H. illucens larvae meal administration on cecal microbiota and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production in laying hens. 16S rDNA sequencing showed strong differences between cecal microbiota of soybean (SD) and insect diet (ID) groups both in type and relative abundance (unweighted and weighted beta diversity) of microbial species. In particular, Bacteroides plebeius, Elusimicrobium minutum, Alkaliphilus transvaalensis, Christensenella minuta, Vallitalea guaymasensis and Flavonifractor plautii represented the principal contributors of changes in gut microbiota composition of ID group (FDR p-values < 0.05). Of these, F. plautii, C. minuta and A. transvaalensis have the potential to degrade the chitin’s insect meal and correlated with the observed high levels of gut SCFAs produced in ID group. These microorganisms may thus connect the chitin degradation with high SCFAs production. Our results suggest H. illucens as a potential prebiotic by well feeding gut microbiota.

Assessment of nutritional subsidies to freshwater mussels using a multiple natural abundance isotope approach

Summary Freshwater mussels are a particularly imperilled group of aquatic organisms. To date, there is limited understanding of their dietary and nutritional subsidies, including those from both autochthonous (aquatic) and allochthonous (terrestrial) sources. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relative contributions of potential nutritional resources to mussel biomass using a Bayesian mixing model (MixSIAR) for (i) bulk suspended versus benthic organic matter (OM) pools, (ii) general autochthonous versus allochthonous OM sources and (iii) specific individual OM sources. Nutritional subsidies of five species of freshwater mussels were assessed using natural abundance stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N, δ2H) and natural radiocarbon (Δ14C). The ranges for each of the four isotopes were similar across all species and sampling dates, and mussel δ13C and δ15N values were similar to those measured in previous studies. Despite relatively low variability in this study, species and temporal differences in mussel δ15N, δ2H and Δ14C values were generally significant (P &lt; 0.05). Based on δ13C values alone, bulk suspended OM subsidised mussel biomass to a greater extent than bulk benthic OM (c. 60 and 40% respectively). Modelling of multiple isotopes indicated that while the collective allochthonous nutritional sources accounted for a significant part (c. 33%) of mussel biomass, autochthonous materials collectively subsidised mussel tissue at about twice this level (c. 67). Significant amounts of 14C‐depleted aged carbon were incorporated into freshwater mussel tissue (mean equivalent 14C age = 1325 ± 68 years BP). Potential nutritional sources were also mostly aged, including benthic algae (1226 ± 556 years BP), zooplankton (1682 years BP), terrestrial soil (10 588 ± 4330 years BP) and suspended particulate OM (1443 ± 57 years BP). No single potential individual nutritional OM source explained the multiple isotopic values of freshwater mussel tissue, indicating that these organisms have a multi‐source and potentially opportunistic diet. Benthic algae and phytoplankton were quantitatively the most important individual OM subsidies to freshwater mussel nutrition at our study site (27 and 19% respectively). Observed seasonal shifts in freshwater mussel isotopic values were minimal, suggesting (i) that mussels may not be seasonally limited by individual nutritional resources and/or (ii) the replacement times of C, N and H in freshwater mussel tissues make detection of temporal nutritional subsidy shifts – if they occur – difficult to discern.

The Role of Microbes in the Nutrition of Detritivorous Invertebrates: A Stoichiometric Analysis.

Detritus represents an important pool in the global carbon cycle, providing a food source for detritivorous invertebrates that are conspicuous components of almost all ecosystems. Our knowledge of how these organisms meet their nutritional demands on a diet that is typically comprised of refractory, carbon-rich compounds nevertheless remains incomplete. “Trophic upgrading” of detritus by the attached microbial community (enhancement of zooplankton diet by the inclusion of heterotrophic protozoans) represents a potential source of nutrition for detritivores as both bacteria and their flagellated protistan predators are capable of biosynthesizing essential micronutrients such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). There is however a trade-off because although microbes enhance the substrate in terms of its micronutrient content, the quantity of organic carbon is diminished though metabolic losses as energy passes through the microbial food web. Here, we develop a simple stoichiometric model to examine this trade-off in the nutrition of detritivorous copepods inhabiting the mesopelagic zone of the ocean, focusing on their requirements for carbon and an essential PUFA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Results indicate that feeding on microbes may be a highly favorable strategy for these invertebrates, although the potential for carbon to become limiting when consuming a microbial diet exists because of the inefficiencies of trophic transfer within the microbial food web. Our study highlights the need for improved knowledge at the detritus-microbe-metazoan interface, including interactions between the physiology and ecology of the associated organisms.

Characterization of soluble dietary fiber from Moringa oleifera seeds and its immunomodulatory effects

Moringa oleifera (moringa or drumstick) seeds are a potential source of dietary fiber with 6.5% w/w soluble dietary fiber. Biochemical characterization of moringa seed soluble fiber revealed that it is a glycoprotein with 5% neutral sugars. Arabinose and xylose are the major neutral sugars identified by gas liquid chromatography (GLC). Moringa seed soluble fiber was identified as protease resistant⿿glycoprotein and termed as moringa seed resistant protein (MSRP). MSRP was found to be a homodimer (18kDa) containing two 9kDa monomeric units as revealed by SDS-PAGE analysis with pI 10.8. Immunostimulating activity of MSRP was assessed by murine splenocyte proliferation and production of NO from macrophages. MSRP at low concentration (0.01μg/well) strongly increased proliferation of splenocytes, while MSRP at high concentration weakly responded. MSRP induced 6-fold increase in NO production when compared to the control which indicates the activation of macrophages. MSRP isolated from defatted moringa seed flour is a potent mitogen, enhancing the proliferation of lymphocytes and inducing NO from macrophages. This study concludes that moringa seed is a potential nutritional source to promote the immune system of the host.

PROXIMATE BIO-CHEMICAL AND NUTRITIVE COMPOSITION IN LOCAL GENOTYPES OF PRUNUS TRIFLORA OF MANIPUR, INDIA

The North - East state Manipur, India is a powerhouse of many wild flora and fauna. Varied ran ges of wild edible Prunus triflora genotypes commonly known as plum are found in valley and hill districts of the region. Each fruit has d istinctive physiological habitat and geographical characteristic. However, to the best of our knowledge no biochemical evaluation has been carried out of these fruits from this region . Four populations of wild Prunus triflora genotypes ( Imphal kalenheikha, Senapati maoheikha, Ukhrul applemix, Ukhrul mangomix ) were selected as source for study to estimate bio - chemical cont ents using standard protocols . The selected site differed in respect to their altitudes rang ing from 750 - 2740 m above msl . P roximate analysis revealed that the Prunus triflora genotype of Senapati maoheikha have high est amount of t otal soluble sugar , redu cing sugar, total soluble protein and antioxidant activity of 34.67 ± 0.65 mg / 100g , 23.65±2.22 mg / 100g , 5.66±0.23 mg / 100g , IC 50 666.3 ± 26 µg/ml , respectively. While the genotype of Ukhrul applemix showed high value of 16.51± 5.9 mg / 100g non – reduci ng sugar. A scor bic acid content was h igh est in Imphal kalenheikha having 13.19±0.9 mg / 100g of fresh weight among the genotypes . S ignificant correlationship was achieved between ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity in all the genotype s . O ur study showed that wild Prunus triflora is a pot ential source of nutrition and a food containing health giving additives like functional food. Therefore, popularizing and bringing into mainstream cultivation of the s e fruit need initiation .

Identification of the nutritional resources of larval sea lamprey in two Great Lakes tributaries using stable isotopes

Abstract The sea lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus ) is an important invasive parasitic species in the Laurentian Great Lakes, but the nutritional subsidies supporting the protracted filter feeding ammocoete stage are not well established. We used stable isotope ratios (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) to determine the major sources of autochthonous (aquatically produced) and allochthonous (terrestrially produced) organic matter (OM) to the nutrition of ammocoetes collected in 2010 from the Pigeon and Jordan Rivers in Michigan (USA). Ammocoete δ 13 C was positively correlated with animal length and C:N ratio, but δ 15 N was not correlated with either, suggesting that ammocoetes are primary consumers. We used a Bayesian model (MixSIR) to estimate the contributions of potential nutritional sources to ammocoetes. Estimates suggest that aquatic sediments were most important to ammocoete nutrition (median contributions ranged from 49–51%). Aquatic plants, including macrophytes and algae, were also important to ammocoete nutrition with a median contribution of 29%. Terrestrial plants were generally of lesser but still significant importance to ammocoetes, with a median contribution of 19–39%. Our findings generally agree with those of previous studies that have found that inputs of detrital and recently living OM from aquatic primary producers both provide an important source of nutrition for ammocoetes. The present study provides more quantitative estimates of the different forms of OM supporting ammocoete nutrition and biomass.