Richness In Proteins Research Articles

Chemical Composition and In Vitro Protein Digestibility of Duckweed and Feed Ingredients

Duckweed is an aquatic floating plant with the potential to be used as animal feed due to its richness in protein, amino acids, starch, vitamin and minerals. Furthermore, duckweed has a high growth rate and reproducibility. Therefore, this research aimed to determine the chemical composition and in vitro protein digestibility of duckweed (Lemna, Wolffia and Spirodela) in comparison to other feed ingredients. The chemical composition was determined through proximate analysis including dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), ash and nitrogen free extract. The in vitro protein digestibility procedure simulates conditions similar to those in the swine digestive tract using synthetic enzymes to control pH, temperature and digestion time. In the results of chemical composition, Lemna and Wolffia were classified as protein sources, with high CP content (221.87 and 442.65 g/kg DM, respectively) and low CF content (63.30 and 109.11 g/kg DM), whereas Spirodela had low CP content (179.64 g/kg DM) and CF content (170.57 g/kg DM). The EE content in duckweed amounted to 16.74, 46.23 and 52.47 g/kg DM for Wolffia, Spirodela and Lemna, respectively. Additionally, high ash content was observed in Spirodela (212.40 g/kg DM), Wolffia (149.34 g/kg DM) and Lemna (142.06). For standardized ileal digestibility (SIDCP), the SIDCP of all feed ingredients were within the range of 32 to 96 %. With regard to duckweed, Lemna (72 %) showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) SIDCP compared to Wolffia (69 %) and Spirodela (39 %) due to the low contents of CF and ash. Based on nutritional values, Lemna and Wolffia were grouped with corn DDGS and brewer’s grain, indicating their potential as animal feed for sustainable livestock production. HIGHLIGHTS Duckweed exhibited high protein content, ranging from 179.64 to 65 g/kg dry matter. For in vitro protein digestibility, Lemna and Wolffia had high true digestibility, amounting to 79 and 75 %, respectively. Based on nutritional values, Lemna and Wolffia were grouped with corn DDGS and brewer’s grain, indicating their potential as animal feed for sustainable livestock production. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Preparation and properties of walnut cake-based wood adhesive with oxidation modification

Walnut cake has the potential for use in preparing wood adhesives because of its richness in protein and carbohydrate. In this work, walnut cakes were treated with sodium periodate or potassium permanganate and then were directly used as wood adhesives. Their bonding properties, curing performances, thermal properties, and chemical structures were compared. The results showed that: (1) The oxidation by KMnO4was non-selective. The reaction was very intense, accompanied by the great variability of oxidation degree and degradation degree, enormous viscosity of oxidation products, high coating difficulty, and low content of active aldehyde groups. (2) The oxidation by NaIO4 was selective; the reaction was mild and easy to control. More active aldehydes could be produced and the treatment was beneficial for constructing a spatial net structure of the adhesive. (3) Compared with oxidation of KMnO4, the walnut cake adhesive prepared by NaIO4 oxidation exhibited a more compact structure, a higher crosslinking degree, low curing temperature, and high thermal stability after curing; its bonding performances met the requirements for Class II plywood specified in GB/T 17657(2013).

Phenotypic diversity of rice bean collection [<i>Vigna umbellata</i> (Thunb.) Ohwi et Ohashi] in Burkina Faso based on quantitative traits

Ricebean (Vigna umbellata) is a multipurpose legume known for its richness in protein, minerals and vitamins. It is a plant used in soil protection and as green manure with nutritious fodder. Although very important, rice bean is a neglected and underutilized grain legume. In Burkina Faso, few studies have been carried out on this crop of interest. It is in this sense that this present study aimed at analysing the phenotypic diversity of the ricebean collection. The experiment was conducted at Farako-Bâ a research station in a randomized complete block design with three (3) replications. The accessions were evaluated on fifteen (15) quantitative variables. Analysis of variance revealed a highly significant difference (P < 0.001). The diversity analysis carried out with the quantitative traits revealed strong correlations between these traits. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed 70.80% of total variability. Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC) structured the accessions into four distinct groups, corroborated by discriminant factor analysis (DFA). Accessions R80, R85 distinguished themselves with both a short cycle and a better quantitative production of seeds and fodder. These early accessions, productive in seeds and fodder, could be exploited within the framework of future ricebean improvement programs.

Nutritional Study of Various Cow Breeds from Bhatta Chowk Lahore (Punjab), Pakistan

The present study was conducted to investigate the nutritional study of cow's milk of various breeds from Bhatta Chowk Lahore. Different cow breeds were found to possess variable amounts of nutritional contents, i.e., highest moisture and ash in the Cholistani cow, highest fat in the Sahiwal cow, highest calcium and specific gravity in the Holstein cow and highest contents of protein, solid-not-fat and total solid in Red Sindhi. Red Sindhi cow’s milk was found to be more nutritious in terms of its richness in proteins, solid-not-fat and total solids whereas Holstein cow was rich in calcium. Calcium was found to be in a range of 550 to 630 ppm with the decrease of concentration in the following order: Sahiwal>Holstein Frisian= Red Sindhi>Cholistani. The Cholistani cow milk showed the presence of 3.126 % protein, 3.5 % fat, 88.2 % moisture, 8.3 % solids-not fat, 11.8 % total solids, 0.791 % ash, 30.5o lactometer reading and 1.0305 kg/m3 specific gravity. Sahiwal cow milk showed 3.318 % of protein, 4.1 % fat, 87.5 % moisture, 30.1o lactometer reading, 1.03 kg/m3 specific gravity, 8.4 % solids-not-fat, 12.5 % total solids and 0.79 % ash. Holstein Frisian’s milk demonstrated the presence of 3.33 % protein, 3.8 % fat, 87.35% moisture, 31o lactometer reading, 1.03 kg/m3 specific gravity, 8.85 % solids-not-fat, 12.65 % total solids and 0.77 % ash. Red Sindhi’s milk revealed the presence of 3.38 % protein, 3.95 % fat, 85.65 % moisture, 28o Lactometer reading, 1.028 kg/m3 specific gravity, 10.4% solids-not-fat, 14.35% total solids and 0.705% ash.

Enhanced spirulina platensis growth for photosynthetic pigments production in oil palm empty fruit bunch medium

S. platensis is a cyanobacterium known for its richness in protein and bioactive compounds, with very captivating therapeutic and nutritional properties. In Cameroon, the medium commonly used for the cultivation of S. platensis is Jourdan's medium which is expensive and less available. Thus, it is necessary to find an alternative medium that is more efficient, less expensive and more available. Nutrients present in agro-industrial by-products can be used to enhance the production of biomass and photosynthetic pigments of S. platensis. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the growth and Photosynthetic pigments productivity of S. platensis on the Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) medium. The culture medium was formulated by distilling different concentrations (0; 2; 4; 6; 8 and 10 g L-1) of ash from previously dried and incinerated OPEFB medium in distilled water. The highest optical density (1.01 ± 0.09), dry biomass (1.35 ± 0.10 g L-1) and productivity (0.032 g L-1d-1) were recorded on the medium formulated with 8 g L-1 of the OPEFB compared to the standard (Jourdan medium). The same medium showed the highest content of chlorophyll a (4.96 ± 0.31 mg L-1), chlorophyll b (2.21 ± 0.16 mg L-1) and carotenoids (1.43 ± 0.01 mg L-1). However, the protein (156.1 ± 0.70 mg L-1) and sugar (4.50 ± 0.43 mg L-1) contents recorded on the standard medium were significantly high (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the OPEFB medium is a potential medium for S. platensis culture that can replace the expensive and less accessible Jourdan medium.

SPIRULINA: A SPOTLIGHT ON ITS NUTRACEUTICAL PROPERTIES AND FOOD PROCESSING APPLICATIONS

Spirulina, blue-green algae is now worldwide used as a dietary supplement owing to its richness in protein (50-60%), antioxidants, essential fatty acids, etc. The amino acid composition of Spirulina protein ranks among the best in the plant world, more than that of soya beans. This review article serves as an overview of why Spirulina is considered as a ‘superfood’. Its methodologies of cultivation, richness in nutrients and bioactive components, therapeutic properties in the health food circuits, and versatile utilization in various food supplements are elaborately introduced. All possible fortification of Spirulina platensis emphasizing the elevation of nutrient levels in bakery products, beverages, dairy products, extruded snacks, energy bars, infant foods, and confectionaries is briefed. Beyond, these algae convert carbon dioxide into organic substances and produce oxygen during their growth in alkaline and saline water thereby not wasting fresh water and allowing the production in barren areas. Such an organism with a plethora of health profits to humans, animals and the environment is limitless and has probably more to offer in the future.

The preliminary results of quality assessment of walnut fruits formed in the botanical garden of Samara University using a microfocus X-ray method

The growing interest in nuts as an undoubted essential component of a healthy diet, widespread in recent years, determines the expansion of nuts world cultivation areas, as well as the volume of seed production received. The reasons ensured the growing popularity of walnut as the oldest culture are not only the pleasant taste of the seeds (kernel), widely used in food directly and as a component of various products, but also their unique chemical composition, including richness in proteins, vitamins and oil, in which essential polyunsaturated fatty acids are widely presented. The walnut is introduced into territories outside its natural area even now due to efforts of specialists working in the fields of plant introduction and selection as well as amateur enthusiasts who try to grow this valuable crop in their gardens. The introduction of species of Juglans L. genus into the Botanical Garden of Samara University began in the 1930s. As we know one of the goals of making a dendrological collection on the territory of the Samara Region was the introduction of new plant species, including walnut, which has valuable wood and fruits with high nutritional and taste properties, into forest plantations and gardens. The collection of walnut trees was created from seed samples received from various geographical locations (Saratov, Volgograd, Stavropol, Crimea, Ukraine, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, etc.). The large-scale study of walnuts in the Samara (from 1936 to 1992 - Kuibyshev) Region faced climatic difficulties, but was always revived. Currently, the walnut collection contains about 900 specimens of genotypes of various origins, which are natural hybrids on their own roots. As a result of the introduction study of walnuts, extensive material has been collected; it is related to their stress resistance, structural and functional features. The paper presents the results of a preliminary X-ray screening of walnut fruits of the 2021 harvest from the dendrological collection of the Botanical Garden of Samara University, performed for trees of different ages and genealogy related to ordinary and accelerated forms of fruiting. The prospects of this research method for assessing the quality of nuts are shown. The dense shell of the seed and the features of its internal structure are not an obstacle to revealing the degree of development of the nucleus. The results obtained open up the possibility of a non-damaging express assessment of the quality of nuts as a specific seed material for the purpose of selection and a detailed study of their structural features.

Comparison of whole goat milk and its major fractions regarding the modulation of gut microbiota.

Goat milk can be important for human nutrition because of its nutritional value, which may be attributed to its richness in protein, lactose, fat, and other bioactive components. This study compared the diversity and composition of gut microbiota in response to whole goat milk and its major fractions (milk fat, casein, milk whey, whey protein, and whey supernatant). Goat milk, its major fractions, and sterile distilled water (for the control group) were administered to mice intragastrically, and gut microbiota were compared in these groups using metagenomic analysis. We observed distinct patterns of gut microbiota from different diet groups. The sample distance heatmap showed that, compared with other goat milk fractions, gut microbiota in the casein group was more similar to that in the whole goat-milk group. The relative abundance of the genus Lactobacillus increased significantly after whole goat-milk treatment; the milk whey fraction increased the abundance of Blautia; milk fat and milk whey related fractions treatment promoted the population of Bacteroides. The network analysis showed that genera Lactobacillus and Lactococcus were negatively associated with Helicobacter and Acinetobacter, respectively. Fractions of goat milk could contain different gut microbiota from whole goat milk. Consumption of certain goat milk fractions could increase the ingestion of beneficial bacteria and inhibit the growth of some pathogenic bacteria. Our results could provide the basis for the research into and development of goat-milk based functional foods. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Protein-Rich Breakfast on Subsequent Energy Intake and Subjective Appetite in Children and Adolescents: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Breakfast has been labeled “the most important meal of the day”, especially for children and adolescents. Dietary protein intake may benefit and regulate appetite and energy balance. However, few meta–analyses have been conducted to examine the effect of protein–rich (PR) breakfast on both children and adolescents. This meta–analytic study was conducted to examine the effect of consuming a PR breakfast on short–term energy intake and appetite in children and adolescents. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China Biology Medicine disc (CBM), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in January 1990–January 2021. The inclusion criteria applied were RCTs in children and adolescents (7–19 year) comparing PR breakfast consumption with normal protein (NP)/traditional breakfast consumption. Finally, ten studies were included in the analysis, eight studies examined the effect of consuming PR breakfast on SEI (n = 824), and nine studies examined the effect on appetite (fullness = 736, hunger = 710). Our meta-analysis using the random–effects model shows that participants assigned to consume PR breakfast had lower SEI (MD, −111.2 kcal; 95% CI: −145.4, −76.9), higher fullness (MD, 7.4 mm; 95% CI: 6.0, 8.8), and lower hunger (MD, −8.5 mm; 95% CI: −9. 7, −7.3) than those assigned to consume NP/traditional breakfast. However, there was considerable inconsistency across the trial results. Our review suggests that the consumption of PR breakfast could be an excellent strategy for weight management by declining SEI and suppressing appetite, and provides new evidence of the relationship between energy balance and obesity. However, since most eligible studies were of low quality, the results ought to be interpreted cautiously.

Effects of dietary macronutrients on serum urate: results from the OmniHeart trial

Dietary recommendations to prevent gout emphasize a low-purine diet. Recent evidence suggests that the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet reduces serum urate while also improving blood pressure and lipids. To compare the effects of DASH-style diets emphasizing different macronutrient proportions on serum urate reduction. We conducted a secondary analysis of the Optimal Macronutrient Intake Trial to Prevent Heart Disease feeding study, a 3-period, crossover design, randomized trial of adults with prehypertension or hypertension. Participants were provided with 3 DASH-style diets in random order, each for 6 wk. Each DASH-style diet emphasized different macronutrient proportions: a carbohydrate-rich (CARB) diet, a protein-rich (PROT) diet, and an unsaturated fat-rich (UNSAT) diet. In the PROT diet, approximately half of the protein came from plant sources. We compared the effects of these diets on serum urate at weeks 4 and 6 of each feeding period. Of the 163 individuals included in the final analysis, the mean serum urate at baseline was 5.1 mg/dL. Only the PROT diet reduced serum urate from baseline at the end of the 6-wk feeding period (-0.16 mg/dL; 95% CI: -0.28, -0.04; P=0.007). Neither the CARB diet (-0.03 mg/dL; 95% CI: -0.14, 0.09; P=0.66) nor the UNSAT diet (-0.01 mg/dL; 95% CI: -0.12, 0.09; P=0.78) reduced serum urate from baseline. The PROT diet lowered serum urate by 0.12 mg/dL (95% CI: -0.20, -0.03; P=0.006) compared with CARB and by 0.12 mg/dL (95% CI: -0.20, -0.05; P=0.002) compared with UNSAT. A DASH-style diet emphasizing plant-based protein lowered serum urate compared with those emphasizing carbohydrates or unsaturated fat. Future trials should test the ability of a DASH-style diet emphasizing plant-based protein to lower serum urate and prevent gout flares in patients with gout. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00051350.

Increased light availability modulates carbon and nitrogen accumulation in the macroalga Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis (Rhodophyta) in response to ocean acidification

The economically important red macroalga Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis has demonstrated positive ecological functions in nutrient bioextraction efficiency and high harvestable biomass, as well as being a food and agar source owing to its richness in proteins and polysaccharides. Carbon dioxide (CO2)-induced ocean acidification has resulted in mixed nutrient compound accumulations in this marine autotroph. G. lemaneiformis also experiences light variations resulting from self-shading and varied cultivation depths. Therefore, a factorial coupling experiment was conducted to examine how growth, photosynthesis performance, soluble cell components and metabolic enzyme-driven activities respond to light availability changes and CO2 enrichment. The ocean acidification enhanced the growth characteristics, total carbon/nitrogen ratios and metabolic nutrient accumulation processes in G. lemaneiformis regardless of the light level. Photosynthetic performances, including relative electron transport rate and maximum photochemical quantum yield, were increased by high pCO2 concentrations, resulting in soluble carbohydrate accumulation. The carbon and nitrogen accumulations might result from variations in carbonic anhydrase and nitrate reductase activities under high pCO2 conditions. The soluble protein and free amino acids contents declined in response to CO2 elevation, and this effect was more pronounced as the light intensity increased. Thus, future climate changes may cause greater algal biomass accumulations, but they may negatively affect the cell composition and nutritional quality of G. lemaneiformis.

Official Feed Control Linked to the Detection of Animal Byproducts: Past, Present, and Future.

In the context of the expansion of the human population, availability of food, and in extension of animal feed, is a big issue. Favoring a circular economy by the valorization of byproducts is a sustainable way to be more efficient. Animal byproducts are an interesting source of feed materials due to their richness in proteins of high nutritional value. Prevention and control efforts have allowed a gradual lifting of the feed ban regarding the use of animal byproducts. Nevertheless, the challenge remains the development of analytical methods enabling a distinction between authorized and unauthorized feed materials. This Review focuses on the historical and epidemiological context of the official control, the evaluation of current and foreseen legislation, and the available methods of analysis for the detection of constituents of animal origin in feedingstuffs. It also underlines the analytical limitations of the approach and discusses some prospects of novel methods to ensure food and feed safety.

Karanja (Milletia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi): a tropical tree with varied applications

Milletia pinnata, popularly known as Karanja, is a perennial tropical tree indigenous to India, South-Eastern Asia, and Australia. This highly favored oilseed plant is used in agroforestry as well as for restoration of wastelands due to its moderate tolerance to drought and salinity. Karanja tree, though widely investigated as biofuel feedstock producer, possess wider commercializing values that can be exploited in agricultural and industrial sectors. The oil, leaves, and bark of the Karanja tree have remarkable medicinal properties. In contrast, oil cakes have broad pesticidal applications due to the presence of various bioactive constituents (e.g., karanjin and pongamol). Due to richness in proteins and fatty acids, oil cakes have also been utilized as feedstock for industrially relevant enzyme production and animal feed. In this paper, we have presented the recent and updated review of varied applications of Karanja biomass classified into medicinal, industrial, and agricultural applications.

Antimicrobial Compounds from Crustaceans and Their Applications for Extending Shelf-Life of Marine-Based Foods

Antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms have become a major challenge for public health and food industries because of their fast adaptability and slow response to synthetic antimicrobials. Bioactive compounds from marine sources exert various biological roles including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, and anticancer properties. Their advantage as an antimicrobial compound is gradually be exploited, particularly in marine-based foods (MBFs), which are highly perishable since they are abundant in proteins, lipids, and other nutrients. Also, the growing demand for fresh products with prolonged shelf-life is making the MBFs industry to urgently seek the effective methods for preservation of fresh or refrigerated MBFs. Crustaceans, which are invertebrates, are valuable source of essential nutrient based on their richness in protein, carbohydrate, minerals, lipids, and vitamins. Additionally, the by-product from the processing of crustaceans could be used as an alternative source of antimicrobials, which can be employed in MBFs as natural preservatives. This review therefore revisited the recovery of antimicrobials compounds such as antimicrobial peptides, carotenoids, and chitosan derivatives from crustaceans. The uses of these crustacean antimicrobials in extending the shelf-life of MBFs are also discussed.

The nutritional values of two species of sea cucumbers (Holothuria scabra and Holothuria lessoni) from Madagascar

Sea cucumbers are fishery products that are not used for consumption by the Malagasy people. In this study, nutritional values of two species of trepangs (air dried sea cucumber) from Madagascar Holothuria scabra and Holothuria lessoni were determined including moisture, ash, fat, protein and carbonhydrate. The results showed that H. scabra and H. lessoni had respective water contents of 13 and 14%, the dry matter contents were around 86%. Results on crude protein were around 47% for H. scabra and 41% for H. lessoni, which constitute almost half of their total composition. Crude ash represented 32% of the dry matter for H. scabra and 39% for H. lessoni. Lipids and carbohydrates are low (between two and three percent for lipids and about eight percent for carbohydrates). The findings from this study have shown that there are significant differences (p-value <0.005) in nutrient composition in the two species. This low moisture content ensures a long preservation time of the food. These two species are very rich in proteins; this richness in proteins could be an asset in the fight against the malnutrition existing in Madagascar. The high quantity of ash is already sufficient to assume that there are a high quantity and quality of mineral elements. The objective of this study is to determine the nutritional value of the two species for possible presentation to consumers. Key words: Sea cucumbers, Trepangs, nutritional analysis, Holothuria scabra, Holothuria lesson, Madagascar.

SYSTEMATIC INVESTIGATION ON PRODUCTION AND QUALITY EVALUATION OF LUGDI: A TRADITIONAL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA

The present study was aimed to investigate the traditional process of lugdi production, collection of samples and physicochemical analysis of collected samples. The survey revealed that rice (local varieties) or broken rice was used as the main raw material for lugdi preparation. It was further observed that phab was the only inoculum used to carry out the lugdi fermentation. The general production steps in lugdi preparation were cooking of rice (time and water can vary according to place), followed by cooling and mixing of powdered phab. The physicochemical analysis of collected lugdi samples revealed the total soluble solids (TSS) in ranges from 2.5 to 3.9°B, ethanol 4.61 to 5.68%, lactic acid from 0.83 to 1.15%, total phenols from 127.56-168.54 mg/100 mL. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) of lugdi samples also confirmed its richness in protein and phenolic compounds. In nutshell, it is concluded that despite its nutritional and health benefits a wide range of variability has been observed in different samples collected from the same production unit, which should be standardized with the involvement of researchers to get a uniform product.

Biocidal Effect of Leaves of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Crataeva religiosa&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Forst on a Resistant Strain of Groundnut Bean &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Caryedon serratus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; (Olivier)

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a legume that is highly coveted by West African populations, particularly those in Senegal. However, it suffers enormous damage caused by a bruchidae beetle, Caryedon serratus. This lust rests on its richness in proteins, calories and the absence of major constraints for its production. Losses recorded can reach 83% for a period of 4 months of storage. To counter this damage, several authors have looked for alternative methods to the use of synthetic insecticides, often harmful to animal populations and the environment. In this logic, we tested the biological impact of a leaf-based formulation of plants indigenous to Senegal (Crateva religiosa) on the external forms of C. serratus. In this study, analysis of the biological parameters of strain C. serratus showed low adult mortality of C. serratus. On the other hand, the extract affects the viability of eggs and larvae and fertility is reduced. The effect of the C. religiosa plant also results in reduced fertility of surviving females and a sex ratio in favor of the males causing a risk of decreasing population growth. On the other hand, there is an extension of the total development time.

Villagers’ knowledge of some edible insects in southern Cameroon: crickets, termites, honeybees and cockchafers

With the global meat crisis and the high growth in the human population, alternative sources of protein need to be found in order to ensure food security. Insects are widely recognised as an important source of protein and food for several countries worldwide. We carried out a study of the importance of crickets, termites, honeybees and cockchafers in five divisions of Cameroon: Koung-khi, High Plateaus, Menoua (West Region), Mvila, Dja and Lobo (South Region). A semi-structured survey involving 409 villagers was conducted from December 2014 to February 2015. The results showed that most villagers (71.3%) eat these insects. The highest proportion was obtained for termites (96%), followed by crickets (94%) and cockchafers (87%). Honeybees were the least consumed (17.5%) and villagers reported that it is a dangerous insect because of its venom. Crickets, termites, honeybees and cockchafers are eaten under different preparations and the most cited were fried in oil and braised in fire. These insects are all found on farms mainly during the rainy season. The developmental stages most consumed depended on the insect group: adults for crickets and termites; larvae for cockchafers, and both stages for honeybees. These insects are consumed because of their good taste (74.4%) and their richness in protein (49.6%). Villagers also provided some additional uses of these insects in various domains such as medicine, cultural rites and indigenous traditions. A small proportion of villagers (4%) practised the trade of these edible insects in local markets, with the exception of crickets, and most of them (75%) reported to earn some essential money for their households. The medicinal value of these insects needs to be verified and eventually promoted for widespread use, and their commercial value needs to be improved in a way to optimise the production and trade thereof on a regional scale.

The Impact of Different Protein Content of Pollen on Honey Bee (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Apis mellifera&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L.) Development

The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of the protein content of pollen on the development of the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.). The protein content of the pollen influenced the development of the honey bees, and should be taken into consideration as an essential factor. The pollen collected in different periods of the year has a different protein value. The protein content in the examined samples throughout the three seasons ranged from 13.9% to 27.8%, and the average value was 20.9%. Pollen from plants blooming in spring had higher protein content (21.1–27.8%) than those from summer (13.9–23.5%) and autumn (15.1–25.1%). The great amount of pollen that honey bees collected in spring and its richness in proteins could explain the strong growth of brood and population during this period. The development of bee colonies is higher, when honey bees collect pollen with higher protein content. The higher it is, the higher development is. During the spring the pollen with protein content over 21%, and especially over 27% allows the colonies to maintain a high level of development. When autumn providing pollen with high protein content, the bee colonies grow faster in the early spring of the following year as well. Considering the fact that the new beekeeping season started at the end of August and at the beginning of September of the previous year, the amount of protein in the pollen was of great importance for rearing a large amount of brood in the early spring, when the blooming of a large number of plants had not yet begun and the bees used mainly the pollen supplies from the previous year. When the protein content is going down, the development of the bee colonies is also restricted. There is a relationship between the protein content of pollen and the development of bee colonies. This study shows, that development of the bee colonies is strongly connected by protein content of pollen, and protein content of pollen is characterized by a great dynamics of pollen sources.

Potential of Mushroom Compounds as Immunomodulators in Cancer Immunotherapy: A Review.

Since time immemorial, plants and their compounds have been used in the treatment and management of various ailments. Currently, most of conventional drugs used for treatment of diseases are either directly or indirectly obtained from plant sources. The fungal group of plants is of significance, which not only provides food directly to man but also has been source of important drugs. For instance, commonly used antibiotics are derived from fungi. Fungi have also been utilized in the food industry, baking, and alcohol production. Apart from the economic importance of the microfungi, macrofungi have been utilized directly as food, which is usually got from their fruiting bodies, commonly known as mushrooms. Due to their richness in proteins, minerals, and other nutrients, mushrooms have also been associated with boosting the immune system. This makes mushrooms an important food source, especially for vegetarians and immunosuppressed individuals including the HIV/AIDS persons. In complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs), mushrooms are increasingly being accepted for treatment of various diseases. Mushrooms have been shown to have the ability to stimulate the immune system, modulate humoral and cellular immunity, and potentiate antimutagenic and antitumorigenic activity, as well as rejuvenating the immune system weakened by radiotherapy and chemotherapy in cancer treatment. This potential of mushrooms, therefore, qualifies them as candidates for immunomodulation and immunotherapy in cancer and other diseases' treatment. However, a critical review on mushroom's immune modulating potential in cancer has not been sufficiently addressed. This review puts forward insights into the immune activities of mushroom associated with anticancer activities.