Essential Amino Acid Profile Research Articles

Food-Based Dietary Guidelines and Protein Quality Definitions-Time to Move Forward and Encompass Mycoprotein?

Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG) lack uniformity globally, with the integration of protein food sources being highly variable. Protein guidance tends to be dichotomous, e.g., animal versus plant with other categories such as fungal proteins being overlooked. In 2019 the EAT Lancet Food in the Anthropocene report was a chief driver questioning the need to supply healthy diets from sustainable food systems. Some countries are developing FBDG that integrate these aspects, but these are quite often protracted, too subtle or misaligned with other countries, diluting the effects of meaningful global change. Protein quality metrics also underpin the dissemination of dietary guidance. However, for protein, these remain based on a food’s essential amino acid profile and digestibility scores, thus are nutritionally and physiologically centric. It has been proposed that this definition is becoming increasingly myopic from a wider societal perspective. Updated indices should include contemporary issues such as protein diversity and environmental outcomes. Taken together, there is opportunity for renewed thinking about both FBDG and protein quality definitions, with scope to include both health and environmental outcomes and need to move towards the concept of protein diversification.

Effects of Replacing Fishmeal by Raw or Lactobacillus acidophilus-Fermented Soybean Meal on Growth, Intestinal Digestive and Immune-Related Enzyme Activities, Morphology, and Microbiota in Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

This study was performed to investigate the fermentation efficiency of Lactobacillus acidophilus and compare the effects of dietary soybean meal (SM) or L. acidophilus-fermented SM (LASM) on turbot. Two hundred and seventy juvenile turbots ( 13.50 ± 0.13 g ) were randomly divided into three treatments fed with a fishmeal-based diet (CNT) and two experimental diets with 45% fishmeal protein replaced by SM or LASM for 8 weeks. The results showed that fermentation significantly improved the essential amino acid profile, increased the lactic acid content, and reduced the antinutritional factor level in SM. Inferior growth of fish was observed in the SM group after the feeding trial, while the LASM group exhibited comparable performance to the CNT group. Activities of intestinal digestive enzymes (trypsin and diastase) and immune-related enzymes (alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, and lysozyme) decreased significantly in the SM group, while no significant reduction was found in the LASM group compared to the CNT group. Dietary LASM alleviated SM-induced intestinal pathological disruption with higher villus and normal lamina propria width. Dietary LASM positively regulated the intestinal microbiota, making the overall profile more coherent with that in the CNT group. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that the altered intestinal microbiota was closely linked to the digestive enzyme activities. Collectively, this study indicated that L. acidophilus fermentation significantly improved the nutritional quality of SM and relieved SM-induced adverse effects on turbot, in terms of growth, intestinal digestive and immune-related enzyme activities, morphology, and microbiota.

Insulin signaling and antioxidant proteins in adipose tissue explants from dairy cows challenged with hydrogen peroxide are altered by supplementation of arginine or arginine plus methionine.

Arginine (Arg) and methionine (Met) can elicit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in animals. Unlike Met, however, it is unknown if the supply of Arg can impact key aspects of adipose tissue (AT) function in dairy cows. Since Met and Arg metabolism are linked through the synthesis of polyamines, it is also possible that they have a complementary effect on aspects of AT function during a stress challenge. In this experiment, subcutaneous AT was harvested from four lactating multiparous Holstein cows (~27.0kg milk per day, body condition score 3.38±0.23) and used for incubations (4h) with the following: control medium with an "ideal" profile of essential amino acids (IPAA; CTR; Lys:Met 2.9:1), IPAA plus 100 μM H2O2 (HP), H2O2 plus greater Arg supply (HPARG; Lys:Arg 1:1), or H2O2 plus greater Arg and methionine (Met) supply (HPARGMET; Lys:Met 2.5:1 and Lys:Arg 1:1). Western blotting was used to measure abundance of 18 protein targets associated with insulin and AA signaling, nutrient transport, inflammation, and antioxidant response. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to assess effects on genes associated with Arg metabolism. Among the protein targets measured, although abundance of phosphorylated (p) AKT serine/threonine kinase (P=0.05) and p-mechanistic target of rapamycin (P=0.04) were lowest in HP explants, this effect was attenuated in HPARG and especially HPARGMET compared with CTR. Compared with HP, incubation with HPARG led to upregulation of the AA transporter solute carrier family 1 member 3 (L-glutamate transporter; P=0.03), the reactive oxygen species detoxification-related enzyme glutathione S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1; P=0.03), and fatty acid synthase (P=0.05). Those effects were accompanied by greater abundance of solute carrier family 2 member 4 (insulin-induced glucose transporter) in explants incubated with HPARG and also HPARGMET (P=0.04). In addition, compared with other treatments, the peak response in abundance of the intracellular energy sensor 5'-prime-AMP-activated protein kinase was detected with HPARGMET (P=0.003). There was no effect of Arg or Arg plus Met on the mRNA abundance of genes associated with Arg metabolism (ARG1, NOS2, AMD1, SMS, and SRM). Overall, supplementation of Arg alone or with Met partially alleviated the negative effects induced by H2O2. More systematic studies need to be conducted to explore the function of Arg supply with or without Met on AT function.

Effects of Different Processing Methods on the Essential Amino Acid Profile of Some Non-Conventional Plant Protein Feedstuffs

Effects of Different Processing Methods on the Essential Amino Acid Profile of Some Non-Conventional Plant Protein Feedstuffs

Mulberry leaves as a feed source for livestock in Kenya: A Review

In Kenya, Mulberry is grown in less than a piece of an acre by most of the farmers. Current acreage of mulberry stands at 250, spread over Western, Nyanza, and Rift Valley and Coastal regions. Mulberry leaves are highly palatable and digestible (70-90%) to ruminants and can be fed to non-ruminants as part of feed ingredient. Protein content and essential amino acid profile in the leaves and young stems varies from 15 to 35% depending on the variety. The Mulberry leaves are highly applicable as supplements replacing concentrates for dairy cattle, as the main feed for goats and sheep, and as an ingredient in rabbits and pigs’ diets. Farmers growing mulberry fodder offer higher protein content to livestock than those relying on different varieties of Napier grass, which have failed to boost milk production despite the amounts fed. In non-ruminant production, fishmeal and soybean meals are the main source of protein. In ruminant production, cottonseed meal and canola meal are the main source of protein. These meals are expensive, inadequate in supply and of variable quality. This often leads to low egg production and poor-quality eggs, hence low income and poverty among farmers. Therefore, efforts have been made to identify locally available protein feed resources that can be used as a protein supplement for livestock. Mulberry leaf meal (MLM) has been identified as a locally available alternative protein and mineral source that are beneficial to livestock and have been proven to improve production. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 1-9, Dec 2021

Quality evaluation of noodles produced from wheat (triticum spp) and almond seed flour blends

In this study, the qualify evaluation of noodles produced from wheat and almond seed composite flour was studied. A preliminary was carried out to ascertain the optimum acceptable level of almond seed flour in wheat flour noodle processing using 0-50%w/w, samples were subjected to sensory evaluation and the most acceptable samples was chosen. Hence, in the main study, level of almond seed flour was varied within the most acceptable level using 5, 10, 15 and 20% w/w inclusion giving rise to four samples. Functional properties, anti-nutrient content, proximate composition, essential amino acid profile, selected mineral content, textural and cooking analyses and sensory evaluation were done using standard methods. The bulk densities of the blend ranged from 0.801 to 0.884 g/ml, WAC, ranged from 2.20g/g to 3.60g/g and swelling index ranged from 6.27 to 2.27 as the proportion of almond seed flour increased from 0-20 %. The values of phytate, oxalate, and tannin range from 0.12 to 0.75g/100g, 0.03 to 0.92g/100g and 0.08 to 1.23g/100g respectively. An increase (9.99 % - 14.55 %) in protein content was observed in the flour blends with increased addition of almond flour, there were significant difference (P<0.05) in mean samples. Lysine value ranged from 3.44 to 5.09%, Valine value ranged from 3.71 to 5.01% and leucine value ranged from 7.06 to 7.24% as the level of almond flour increases from 0 to 20% in the flour blends. Potassium (412.40 mg/100g), magnesium (167.00mg/100g) and calcium (66.55mg/100g) were predominant minerals in the formulated noodles while Iron and sodium were found in low concentration. The values of B1, B2 , B3 ,B6 B9, C, D and E ranged from 1.95 to 2.12mg/100g, 0.45 to 1.12 mg/100g, 0.72 to 0.68mg/100g, 1.25 to 2.12mg/100g, 12.09 to 22.02mg/100g, 19.55 to 22.12 and 0.21 to 2.12 mg/100g respectively as the proportion of almond seed increases from 0 to 20% in the blends used in noodle preparation. The results for length, porosity apparent density and weight for noodle sample from wheat flour (control) were 3.34cm, 0.52mm, 0.87 and 1.94 g respectively. The corresponding values for noodle from 95% wheat flour and 5% almond seed flour were 3.25cm, 0.50mm, 0.89 and 1.93g respectively. . Cooking time and cooking lose increased on addition of almond seed flour while percent rehydration reduced as the quantity of almond seed increased in the noodle samples. Blend formulation 80:20 W : A was mostly acceptable. This study therefore has presented a way of increasing consumption and utilization of almond seed with high nutritional content yet are underutilized increasing food security, providing more affordable noodle from local available food sources and further converts waste to wealth.

Effects of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) enriched with Schizochytrium sp. on zebrafish (Danio rerio) reproductive performances

Nutrient quality, with emphasis on lipid and fatty acid composition of broodstock diet, is one of the major dietary factors influencing fish oocytes maturation, reproductive success and offspring quality/survival. The Black Soldier Fly (BFS) (Hermetia illucens) is a valuable insect species characterized by a balanced essential amino acid profile comparable to fishmeal and has been demonstrated to be an eco-friendly and low-cost protein source in fish diets. However, as regards lipids, BFS is usually characterized by a poor content in polyunsaturated fatty acids which are essential for fish during critical life-cycle stages including oocyte maturation and reproduction.In the present study, full-fat enriched BSF prepupae meal was obtained from BSF larvae reared on coffee by-product (coffee silverskin) enriched with 10% of Schizochytrium sp. Successively, five experimental diets containing different full-fat enriched BSF prepupae meal inclusion levels (corresponding to the 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% fish meal replacement) were tested during a six-month feeding trial performed on zebrafish (Danio rerio) to investigate, for the first time, the physiological effects on female fish growth, stress response, lipid metabolism and reproductive performances. A multidisciplinary approach including biometric, gas-chromatographic, histological and molecular analyses was used during the present study to have a comprehensive overview of fish responses to the test diets. Results highlighted that up to 50% of fish meal replacement with enriched BSF meal did not impair zebrafish physiological responses while higher replacement levels (75 and 100%) negatively affected fish stress response, oocytes maturation stages, spawning and hatching success.

Yield and Nutritional Characterization of Thirteen Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Varieties Grown in North-West Europe—Part I

The cultivation of quinoa has gained increasing interest in Europe. Different European varieties exist, but more research is required to understand the individual variety characteristics for end-use applications. The objective of this study is to evaluate the agronomic performance of 13 quinoa varieties under North-West European field conditions during three growing seasons (2017–2019). Furthermore, seeds were qualitatively characterized based on characteristics and composition. Yield differed among varieties and growing seasons (0.47–3.42 ton/ha), with lower yields obtained for late-maturing varieties. The saponin content varied from sweet to very bitter. The seeds contained high protein levels (12.1–18.8 g/100 g dry matter), whereas varieties had a similar essential amino acid profile. The main fatty acids were linoleic (53.0–59.8%), α-linolenic (4.7–8.2%), and oleic acid (15.5–22.7%), indicating a high degree of unsaturation. The clustering of varieties/years revealed subtle differences between growing seasons but also reflected the significant interaction effects of variety and year. Most varieties perform well under North-West European conditions, and their nutritional content is well within the values previously described for other cultivation areas. However, optimal yield and quality traits were not combined in one variety, illustrating the importance of breeding for adapted quinoa varieties.

Microalgae as Sources of High-Quality Protein for Human Food and Protein Supplements.

As a result of population growth, an emerging middle-class, and a more health-conscious society concerned with overconsumption of fats and carbohydrates, dietary protein intake is on the rise. To address this rapid change in the food market, and the subsequent high demand for protein products, agriculture, aquaculture, and the food industry have been working actively in recent years to increase protein product output from both production and processing aspects. Dietary proteins derived from animal sources are of the highest quality, containing well-balanced profiles of essential amino acids that generally exceed those of other food sources. However, as a result of studies highlighting low production efficiency (e.g., feed to food conversion) and significant environmental impacts, together with the negative health impacts associated with the dietary intake of some animal products, especially red meats, the consumption of animal proteins has been remaining steady or even declining over the past few decades. To fill this gap, researchers and product development specialists at all levels have been working closely to discover new sources of protein, such as plant-based ingredients. In this regard, microalgae have been recognized as strategic crops, which, due to their vast biological diversity, have distinctive phenotypic traits and interactions with the environment in the production of biomass and protein, offering possibilities of production of large quantities of microalgal protein through manipulating growing systems and conditions and bioengineering technologies. Despite this, microalgae remain underexploited crops and research into their nutritional values and health benefits is in its infancy. In fact, only a small handful of microalgal species are being produced at a commercial scale for use as human food or protein supplements. This review is intended to provide an overview on microalgal protein content, its impact by environmental factors, its protein quality, and its associated evaluation methods. We also attempt to present the current challenges and future research directions, with a hope to enhance the research, product development, and commercialization, and ultimately meet the rapidly increasing market demand for high-quality protein products.

Proximate Composition, Fatty Acid and Amino Acid Profiles of Narrow-Barred Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) Fillets from İskenderun Bay in The North-Eastern Mediterranean Sea

The present study aims to determine the proximate, fatty acid and amino acid profiling of consumed fresh narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson). Landed fish were freshly sampled (total length 33.7-48.7 cm and weight 617-1260 g) from the Yumurtalık Bay (north-eastern Mediterranean Sea) in Turkey during January, February and March. The protein values were highest in January (22.89%) while the and lowest in February (21.38%) and March (21.73%). Lipid and ash values were not significantly differencing among sampling time. The fatty acid data revealed that the saturated fatty acid values were found higher than the polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acid values. In general, the fillets were abundant in palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (18:1n-9) and docosapentaenoic acid (C22:6n-3; DHA) values, regardless of the sampled months. DHA value was recorded as 315.08 mg 100g-1 in January, while it increased to 327.55 mg 100g-1 in the March samples. A total of 16 amino acids were determined from the fresh fillets. Compared with the other essential amino acids, the concentration of lysine and leucine were found to be higher in the fillet. At the same time, the lower rates of tryptophan were detected in examined samples for all months. Consequently, this study shows that the narrow-barred Spanish mackerel as a finfish (commercially valuable) from the north-eastern Mediterranean Sea has precious nutritional values that of the protein, fatty acids and amino acids during the sampling period. This fish can be recommended in terms of detected essential fatty acid and amino acid profile that completely nutritious for the human as well as other organisms’ dietary requirements.

Growth performance and efficiency of protein utilization in giant tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon reared in tarpaulin pond with and without faecal chamber

The accumulation of organic matter at the bottom of the pond greatly affects nutrient metabolism, feed efficiency, growth and productivity in giant tiger prawn cultivation. One of the causes is improper pool bottom construction The purpose of this study was to compare the growth performance and efficiency of protein utilization in giant tiger prawns consuming artificial feed supplemented with multi-enzymes and reared in tarpaulin ponds constructed between not and using the faecal chamber (FAMBER) or the space of metabolic waste and unconsumptioned feed (SOMECOF) at the bottom of the pond with a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). A tarpaulin pond with a diameter of 3 m and a height of 100 cm filled with 80 cm of seawater. The tarpaulin pond is equipped with a transparent plastic roof, seawater and aeration installation, and a filter in the water pump tank. The average body weight of the experimental prawn used were 8-9 g. The feed given is pellet type artificial feed supplemented with multi-enzymes at a dose of 30 cc/kg of feed. The frequency of feeding were four times a day, namely at 07:00; 12:00; 17:00 and 22:00 with a dose of 5%. The parameters measured were growth performance including growth, condition factors and feed efficiency, while the efficiency of protein utilization included protein content, protein efficiency ratio, amino acid profile, index and score of essential amino acids of feed and experimental prawn. Data analysis was done descriptively. The results showed that all parameters of growth performance and efficiency of protein utilization in tiger prawns reared in tarpaulin ponds using FAMBER were better than those without FAMBER. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that keeping giant tiger prawns in a tarpaulin pond using a FAMBER is better than not using a FAMBER.

Engineering a feedback inhibition-insensitive plant dihydrodipicolinate synthase to increase lysine content in Camelina sativa seeds

Camelina sativa (camelina) is emerging as an alternative oilseed crop due to its short growing cycle, low input requirements, adaptability to less favorable growing environments and a seed oil profile suitable for biofuel and industrial applications. Camelina meal and oil are also registered for use in animal and fish feeds; however, like meals derived from most cereals and oilseeds, it is deficient in certain essential amino acids, such as lysine. In higher plants, the reaction catalyzed by dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS) is the first committed step in the biosynthesis of lysine and is subject to regulation by lysine through feedback inhibition. Here, we report enhancement of lysine content in C. sativa seed via expression of a feedback inhibition-insensitive form of DHDPS from Corynebacterium glutamicums (CgDHDPS). Two genes encoding C. sativa DHDPS were identified and the endogenous enzyme is partially insensitive to lysine inhibition. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to examine the impact of alterations, alone and in combination, present in lysine-desensitized DHDPS isoforms from Arabidopsis thaliana DHDPS (W53R), Nicotiana tabacum (N80I) and Zea mays (E84K) on C. sativa DHDPS lysine sensitivity. When introduced alone, each of the alterations decreased sensitivity to lysine; however, enzyme specific activity was also affected. There was evidence of molecular or structural interplay between residues within the C. sativa DHDPS allosteric site as coupling of the W53R mutation with the N80V mutation decreased lysine sensitivity of the latter, but not to the level with the W53R mutation alone. Furthermore, the activity and lysine sensitivity of the triple mutant (W53R/N80V/E84T) was similar to the W53R mutation alone or the C. glutamicum DHDPS. The most active and most lysine-insensitive C. sativa DHDPS variant (W53R) was not inhibited by free lysine up to 1 mM, comparable to the C. glutamicums enzyme. Seed lysine content increased 13.6 -22.6% in CgDHDPS transgenic lines and 7.6–13.2% in the mCsDHDPS lines. The high lysine-accumulating lines from this work may be used to produce superior quality animal feed with improved essential amino acid profile.

Addressing Iron and Zinc Micronutrient Malnutrition Through Nutrigenomics in Pearl Millet: Advances and Prospects.

Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) micronutrient deficiencies are significant health concerns, particularly among the underprivileged and resource-poor people in the semi-arid tropics globally. Pearl millet is regarded as a climate-smart crop with low water and energy footprints. It thrives well under adverse agro-ecologies such as high temperatures and limited rainfall. Pearl millet is regarded as a nutri-cereal owing to health-promoting traits such as high grain Fe and Zn content, metabolizable energy, high antioxidant and polyphenols, high proportion of slowly digestible starches, dietary fibers, and favorable essential amino acid profile compared to many cereals. Higher genetic variability for grain Fe and Zn content has facilitated considerable progress in mapping and mining QTLs, alleles and genes underlying micronutrient metabolism. This has been made possible by developing efficient genetic and genomic resources in pearl millet over the last decade. These include genetic stocks such as bi-parental RIL mapping populations, association mapping panels, chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) and TILLING populations. On the genomics side, considerable progress has been made in generating genomic markers, such as SSR marker repository development. This was followed by the development of a next-generation sequencing-based genome-wide SNP repository. The circa 1,000 genomes re-sequencing project played a significant role. A high-quality reference genome was made available by re-sequencing of world diversity panel, mapping population parents and hybrid parental lines. This mini-review attempts to provide information on the current developments on mapping Fe and Zn content in pearl millet and future outlook.

A Comparison of β-Carotene, Phytoene and Amino Acids Production in Dunaliella salina DF 15 (CCAP 19/41) and Dunaliella salina CCAP 19/30 Using Different Light Wavelengths.

Strains of Dunaliella salina microalgae are of considerable research and industrial interest because they hyper-accumulate β-carotene as well as produce high-quality protein. To explore the co-production of valuable compounds in D. salina, this study compared the production of β-carotene, phytoene and amino acids in two strains cultivated under white, red or blue light until no further nitrogen was available. D. salina DF15 (CCAP 19/41 (PLY DF15)) produced more than 12% β-carotene (ash-free dry weight (AFDW) basis), and red light triggered the production of 9-cis β-carotene at a 9-cis/all-trans β-carotene ratio of 1.5. Phytoene production was also evident in D. salina DF15 under all conditions, particularly under blue light. However, the profile of essential amino acids (EAAs) and calculation of the essential amino acid index (EAAI) was less than ideal in terms of protein quality, for both strains. Umami compounds, quantified as monosodium glutamate (MSG) equivalents, indicated a higher equivalent umami concentration (EUC) in D. salina DF15 under red light (3.2 g MSG/100 g AFDW) than in D. salina CCAP19/30. Overall, D. salina DF15 demonstrates valuable traits for further exploration and product optimisation.

Estimation of the ideal dietary essential amino acid pattern for pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) in the later-juvenile growth phase

This study aimed to estimate the ideal pattern of dietary essential amino acids (EAAs) for pacu ( Piaractus mesopotamicus ) in the later-juvenile growth phase (weighing 460–560 g) by the amino acid (AA) deletion method. A total of 231 pacu in the later-juvenile growth phase (with initial average body weight of 460 ± 4.65 g) were equally distributed in a completely randomized design among 33 fiber tanks of 1000-L (7 fish per tank) in a closed water recirculation system. The trial consisted of 11 treatments including a control diet (CD) and 10 EAA-deficient diets (DDs), with three replicates (tanks) per treatment. The CD consisted of 45% synthetic amino acids and purified feed ingredients and 55% non-purified conventional feed ingredients. The 10 DDs represented the same nutritional composition of the CD but each DD was maintained deficient in 45% of the respective test EAA. During the 60-day experimental duration, fish were fed with extruded diets three times a day until apparent satiation. The present results revealed that fish fed with CD showed better growth performance, feed utilization and body N deposition as compared to DDs. The ideal pattern of dietary EAAs was estimated through the relationship between body nitrogen retention and the amount of amino acid deleted from the control diet. Based on the deletion method, the ideal pattern of dietary EAAs for pacu in the later-juvenile growth phase (expressed relative to lysine requirement of 100%) was estimated as: arginine (84.33%); phenylalanine (55.21%); histidine (29.52%); isoleucine (55.06%); leucine (73.82%); methionine (24.86%); threonine (46.08%); tryptophan (10.42%); and valine (57.00%). • Deletion method can efficiently estimate the ideal EAA pattern for pacu in the later-juvenile • growth phase • 2: Estimation of ideal ratios of EAAs is required for obtaining maximum performance of fish • 3: Diets with ideal EAA ratios may optimize the feed utilization efficiency of fish • 4: Estimation of ideal EAA profiles could help to economize the protein content of feed

AMINO ACID PROFILE ANALYSIS OF RED AND GREEN MELINJO PEELS TEA

The study aims to analyze the profile of non-essential and essential amino acids in the peels and herbal tea products made from red and green melinjo peels. The processing of melinjo seeds into chips in Pandeglang Regency in Banten Provence, produces large amounts of melinjo peels waste. The processed tea from red and green melinjo peels contains polyphenol compounds, antioxidants, protein and amino acids that are good for health. The processing stages of the melinjo peel tea by sorting the peels for red and green melinjo peels, then washed, made them into thin slices, and dried using an oven blower at 65oC of temperature for 4 hours. Both green and red melinjo peels tea were analyzed for the amino acid profile using the UPLC method. Based on the results of the analysis, it was found that the amino acid content of melinjo peels and melinjo peels tea, both green and red, consisted of 7 non-essential amino acids and 8 essential amino acids. L-glutamic acid and L-aspartic acid are the highest amino acid components which can give melinjo peels tea a characteristic aroma and taste.

TORTILLAS MADE WITH EXTRUDED FLOURS OF BLUE MAIZE AND CHÍA SEEDS AS AN NUTRITIOUS AND NUTRACEUTICAL FOOD OPTION

Tortillas with adequate nutrients and phytochemicals as a recommended option may improve health in older adults. In this research tortillas were prepared with native blue maize (Zea mays L.) and chía (Salvia hispanica) seeds processed by alkaline extrusion. The hypothesis was that alkaline extrusion would generate flours of both seeds with improved nutraceutical and nutritional characteristics compared to traditional products. The aim was then to evaluate extruded defatted chía flour addition on nutritional and nutraceutical properties of tortillas made with extruded native blue maize flour. Tortillas were prepared with a mixture 75% extruded blue maize flour +25% extruded defatted chía flour. Other tortillas from 100% extruded blue maize flour and commercial lime-cooked maize flour (Blue MASECA®) were used as control and reference. Nutritional, antioxidant, antihypertensive and hypoglycaemic properties of tortillas were evaluated in vitro. A completely randomized experimental design with one factor (type of tortilla) was used for data analysis. Tortillas added with extruded chía flour had higher protein, dietary fibre, essential amino acid (EAA) profile, in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), and calculated protein efficiency ratio (C-PER) than control and reference tortillas. Tortillas with addition of extruded chía flour also had better antioxidant activity [oxygen radical absorbance capacity, (ORAC) 18006 vs 15531 Trolox equivalent, (TE) μmol per 100g of dry weight, (DW) sample], and better antihypertensive [(ACE) angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, IC50=0.47 vs 0.65 extract mg mL-1] and hypoglycaemic (IC50=20.07 vs 25.81 extract mg mL-1 to α-amylase inhibition, and IC50=16.25 vs 19.69 extract mg mL-1 to α-glucosidase inhibition) potential than tortillas from 100% extruded blue maize flour. The use of extruded chía flour and blue maize flour allowed obtaining tortillas with enhanced nutritional, antioxidant, antihypertensive, and hypoglycaemic properties. The extrusion process consumes few water volumes without generating polluting effluents. An appropriate public policy in Mexico may promote these tortillas to be used to fight against malnutrition, and to reduce incidences of chronic degenerative diseases such as hypertension or diabetes.

Ethnomedicinal and nutraceutical potentialities of Moringa oleifera: A Review

Moringa oleifera is a perennial plant popularly known as ‘Miracle plant’ with great ethnomedicinal, nutritional and economical importance due to high content of nutrients, essential phytochemicals and antioxidants etc. The different parts of these plants such as leaves, flowers, fruits (pods), stem bark, roots, seeds and gum etc are used traditionally as alternative medicines for socially neglected people in addition to uses as good source of food nutrients. This plant contains a high profile of essential minerals, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fibre, carotenoids, amino acids and antioxidants like flavonoids, polyphenols, ascorbic acid, glycosides and glucosinolates etc. Various parts of this plant possess medicinal properties and act as cardiac stimulant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-tumor, antipyretic, anti-ulcer, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial and anti-fungal agent, anti-asthmatic due to its potential antioxidants and some other phytochemicals. In this background, this review compiles information on the multidimensional uses of Moringa oleifera in respect to its ethnomedicinal and nutraceutical potentialities in order to explore and evaluate for future research opportunities.

From Biogas and Hydrogen to Microbial Protein Through Co-Cultivation of Methane and Hydrogen Oxidizing Bacteria.

Increasing efforts are directed towards the development of sustainable alternative protein sources among which microbial protein (MP) is one of the most promising. Especially when waste streams are used as substrates, the case for MP could become environmentally favorable. The risks of using organic waste streams for MP production–the presence of pathogens or toxicants–can be mitigated by their anaerobic digestion and subsequent aerobic assimilation of the (filter-sterilized) biogas. Even though methane and hydrogen oxidizing bacteria (MOB and HOB) have been intensively studied for MP production, the potential benefits of their co-cultivation remain elusive. Here, we isolated a diverse group of novel HOB (that were capable of autotrophic metabolism), and co-cultured them with a defined set of MOB, which could be grown on a mixture of biogas and H2/O2. The combination of MOB and HOB, apart from the CH4 and CO2 contained in biogas, can also enable the valorization of the CO2 that results from the oxidation of methane by the MOB. Different MOB and HOB combinations were grown in serum vials to identify the best-performing ones. We observed synergistic effects on growth for several combinations, and in all combinations a co-culture consisting out of both HOB and MOB could be maintained during five days of cultivation. Relative to the axenic growth, five out of the ten co-cultures exhibited 1.1–3.8 times higher protein concentration and two combinations presented 2.4–6.1 times higher essential amino acid content. The MP produced in this study generally contained lower amounts of the essential amino acids histidine, lysine and threonine, compared to tofu and fishmeal. The most promising combination in terms of protein concentration and essential amino acid profile was Methyloparacoccus murrelli LMG 27482 with Cupriavidus necator LMG 1201. Microbial protein from M. murrelli and C. necator requires 27–67% less quantity than chicken, whole egg and tofu, while it only requires 15% more quantity than the amino acid-dense soybean to cover the needs of an average adult. In conclusion, while limitations still exist, the co-cultivation of MOB and HOB creates an alternative route for MP production leveraging safe and sustainably-produced gaseous substrates.

Analysis of the growth performance, stress, profile of fatty acids and amino acids and cortisol in Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), cultured at high stocking density using in-pond raceway system.

In-pond raceway system technology (IPRS) was introduced in Pakistan in 2019 as solution for sustainable aquaculture approach by effectively increasing production, reducing pollution and facilitating feed and pond management. Fingerlings of GIFT Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (n = 16,500 in each raceway, initial weight = 32.00 ± 1.26 g) were stocked in June 2019 in two IPRS raceways (area of each raceway = 220 m3) for 171 days until harvested on November 30, 2019. Fingerlings stocked in traditional earthen ponds (area of each pond = 6167 m3) were studied as control (n = 3000 in each pond, initial weight = 32.00 ± 1.26 g). Average harvested biomass from raceways was 57.33 kg/m3 with an average daily weight gain per fish of 4.47 g per day. On the other hand, average harvested biomass from control ponds was 0.38 kg/m3 with an average daily weight gain per fish of 4.60 g per day. Average feed conversion ratio (FCR) in both raceways and control ponds was recorded as 1.25 and 1.24, respectively. Overall survival rate in both raceways and control ponds was above 99%. No sign of any disease was noted at any stage in both study groups. Crude protein and fats contents did not reduce in any raceway despite of high stocking density and sharp seasonal changes. Profile of essential and non-essential amino acids were found to be upto nutritional requirements of adult human. High levels of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids in fish collected from raceways as compared to those in traditional earthen pond show that muscle quality was not compromised due to high stocking density in small area. Return on investment excluding capital cost was 47.05 which implies that IPRS technology can be economically feasible with further modifications.