Sole Diet Research Articles

Mitogenomic profiling and gut microbial analysis of the newly identified polystyrene-consuming lesser mealworm in Kenya

Plastic waste has recently become a major global environmental concern and one of the biggest challenges has been seeking for alternative management options. Several studies have revealed the potential of several coleopteran species to degrade plastics, and this is the first research paper on plastic-degradation potential by lesser mealworms from Africa. This study evaluated the whole mitogenomic profile of the lesser mealworm to further identify the insect. The ability of the mealworm to consume Polystyrene (PS) was also evaluated alongside its associated gut microbiota diversity. Our results showed a complete circular mitochondrial genome which clustered closely to the Alphitobius genus but also suggested that our insect might be a new subspecies which require further identification. During the PS feeding trials, overall survival rates of the larvae decreased when fed a sole PS diet while PS intake was observed to increase over a 30-day period. The predominant bacteria observed in larvae fed PS diets were Kluyvera, Lactococcus, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Enterococcus, while Stenotrophomonas dominated the control diet. These findings demonstrated that the newly identified lesser mealworm can survive on a PS diet and has a consortium of important bacteria strongly associated with PS degradation. This work provides a better understanding of bioremediation applications, paving the way for further research into the metabolic pathways of plastic-degrading microbes and bringing hope to solving plastic waste pollution while providing high-value insect protein towards a circular economy.

Assessment of microbial safety of fresh vegetables through Caenorhabditis elegans model

Caenorhabditis elegans is widely used as a model to predict the virulence of animal-origin human pathogens, as C. elegans and humans share similar intestinal epithelial cells. A study was undertaken to assess the feasibility of C. elegans for surveillance of foodborne pathogens in fresh vegetables. First, the virulent strains of four foodborne pathogens viz., Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1), Escherichia coli (O157), Salmonella enterica (CI1), and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC25923) were fed to the worm as sole diet and compared the survival, phenome traits, and gut integrity with standard E. coli OP50. Secondly, the vegetable surface microbiota (tomato) was enriched with gradient concentrations of PAO1, and the worm's survival and gut distension and leakage were assessed. Thirdly, the total microbiota of fresh vegetables (tomato, brinjal, and lablab) were evaluated for the worm's survival. The gut epithelial cell damage and leakage were monitored by blue dye-based smurf assay. Foodborne pathogens reduced the median lifespan (LT50) of the worm drastically, with PAO1 had 2.5 days, O157 (6 days), CI1 (8 days), ATCC25923 (6 days), while the standard diet OP50 had 16 days. The phenome traits of worms, viz., pharyngeal pumping, defecation cycle, body bends, head thrashes, touch stimulus, paralysis, gut leakage, and reproduction, were significantly negatively affected due to pathogen feeding. The gut epithelial integrity was severely affected, and blue dye leakage was the highest in O157 (73 %), followed by PAO1 (55 %), CI1 (40 %) and ATCC25923 (38 %), while the gut epithelial cells were intact in OP50 fed worms. The pathogen enrichment in tomato surface microbiota diet showed that LT50 of the worms was reduced from 8 days to 2.5 days and 10 to 8 days with increasing gradient of PAO1 in fresh tomato microbiota and 24-hours pre-enriched tomato microbiota, respectively. Smurf test also confirmed that an increase in PAO1 proportion in total microbiota distended the gut with high dye leakage. The total microbiota extracted from tomato, brinjal, and lablab did not affect the worm's health and had an extended median life span (11 – 13 days) when they were devoid of any foodborne pathogens. These findings provide a novel and straightforward approach for assessing foodborne pathogens using animal models.

Biodegradation of disposable face mask by Tenebrio molitor larvae (Mealworm) and its metagenomic characterization

<p>In recent years, the surgical face mask is mandatory for human health safeguards due to the worldwide pandemic disease COVID-19. The improper disposal of medical face masks polluted the environment. Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) larvae were shown to have the capacity to chew and consume polypropylene medical face masks. Mealworm survival rates were determined for 30 days under three different feeding conditions such as (i) medical mask as a sole diet, (ii) fed bran as a sole diet, and (iii) mealworms are starved, the survival rates results are 89.25 ± 4.5%, 95.35 ± 1.5% and 58.2 ± 3.5% respectively. While the biodegradation of the medical face mask by mealworms, it consumed 47.5% of the total mask and lost tensile strength by about 80% which showed that biodegradation of the medical mask. The biodegradation of the mask was confirmed by instrumentation analysis, which included digital microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope microscopy. The results revealed that the qualitative mask had lost its original characteristics, such as damaged pore size, many scratches, and functional groups that had changed, and that mealworms could degrade the medical face masks. In addition, mealworm gut metagenomic analysis was also performed for the microbial diversity, ten genera were found as the most abundant following Delftia, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Chryseobacterium, Spiroplasma, Stenotrophomonas, Bacillus, Rhodococcus, Brevundimo and Acinetobacter.</p>

Optimizing polystyrene degradation, microbial community and metabolite analysis of intestinal flora of yellow mealworms, Tenebrio molitor

This study explored a direct feeding of expanded polystyrene as the sole diet for breeding Tenebrio molitor larvae. Temperature and relative humidity were manipulated to evaluate polystyrene biodegradation efficiency, survival rate, and formation of micro-polystyrene residue. Efficient conditions were at temperature of 25 °C with a humidity of 65 ± 5 %. Comparative metabolomic and metabolic-metabolic network analyses was performed for visualizing detailed pathway. Possibility of forming 4 (p)-hydroxyphenylacetic acid from phenylacetic acid with further conversion to 4-methylphenol, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and 4-hydroxybenzoate could be seen as a side chain route for further biodegrading process. Key species identified in the gut of T. molitor larvae included Citrobacter sp., Serratia marcescens, Klebsiella aerogenes, and Klebsiella oxytoca. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected only under an anaerobic condition whereas Acinetobacter sp. was present only under an aerobic condition. These results demonstrate the potential to decrease micro-polystyrene by optimizing breeding conditions and biodegradation process of polystyrene.

Efficient agri-food waste valorization using mealworm (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) into nutrient-rich biomass for food and feed.

The utilization of yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor (Linnaeus, Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), for food and feed is gaining interest globally. However, its production is hindered by expensive commercial diets. This study assessed mealworm growth performance, survival, bioconversion, and nutritional composition when fed on wheat bran (WB) with different inclusion levels (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) of Irish potato waste (PW). Results indicated that mealworms fed on diets with 25%-75% PW had increased body length and 1-2 times higher weight gain compared to sole WB and PW diets. The survival rate was 93%-94% across all diets. Mealworms fed on WB had a feed conversion ratio of 3.26, while the efficiency of diet conversion increased with PW inclusion levels. Mealworms fed on diets with 75% PW inclusion had the highest crude fat (48%) and energy levels (598 kcal/100 g), while sole WB produced mealworms with the highest crude protein (55%). The acid detergent fiber achieved using 100% WB was 2- to 3-fold higher, but the crude fiber and neutral detergent fiber did not vary significantly. Considerable amounts of lysine (1.6-2 mg/100 g), methionine (0.5-0.7 mg/100 g), leucine (1.4-2 mg/100 g), and threonine (0.8-1 mg/100 g) were achieved in the mealworm larvae. Our findings revealed that cheap agricultural by-products could be successfully used for the mass production of mealworms, substantially contributing to reduced production costs. Further exploration of the nutrient-dense mealworm larvae for the development of novel food and feed products is crucial.

Differences in ingestion and biodegradation of the melamine formaldehyde plastic by yellow mealworms Tenebrio molitor and superworms Zophobas atratus, and the prediction of functional gut microbes

Plastics biodegradation by insect larvae is considered as a new strategy for plastic wastes treatment. To uncover the biodegradation of a more complex chemical polymer of melamine formaldehyde (MF) by insect larvae, two worm species of yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor and superworm Zophobas atratus were fed on MF foam as sole diet for 45 days with sole bran diet as control. Although the MF foam consumption by yellow mealworms of 0.38 mg/d/g-larvae was almost 40% higher than that by superworms of 0.28 mg/d/g-larvae, a similar decrease of survival rates in both species were obtained at about 58%, indicating the adverse effects on their growth. Depolymerization and biodegradation of MF foam occurred in both larval guts, but was more extensive in yellow mealworms. MF foam sole diet influenced gut bacterial and fungal microbiomes of both larvae species, which were assessed by Illumina MiSeq on day 45. Compared to the bran-fed group, both gut bacterial and fungal communities significantly changed in MF-fed groups, but differed in the two larvae species. The results demonstrated a strong association between the distinctive gut microbiome and MF foam degradation, such as unclassified Enterobacteriaceae, Hyphopichia and Issatchenkia. However, sole MF foam diet negatively influenced worms, like lower survival rates and gut abnormalities. In summary, MF foam could be degraded by both yellow mealworms and superworms, albeit with adverse effects. Gut microbes were strongly associated to MF foam degradation, especially the gut fungi.

Ingestion and biodegradation of disposable surgical masks by yellow mealworms Tenebrio molitor larvae: Differences in mask layers and effects on the larval gut microbiome

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the usage and production of face masks considerably increased, resulting in large quantities of mask waste accumulating in the natural environment. To investigate whether masks of polypropylene (PP) material could be ingested and degraded by insect worms like PP foam plastic, yellow mealworms were provided with different layers of disposable surgical masks as sole diets for 30 d. Although mask layers, especially the middle layer of melt-blown filter, could be ingested by yellow mealworms, sole mask layer diets had adverse effects on the larval survival and growth. Analyses of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimeter and thermogravimetric, and gel permeation chromatography demonstrated the changes of functional groups, thermostability and molecular weights in frass compared to original masks, indicating the partial oxidation and degradation of masks. And the depolymerization of the middle layer of masks by yellow mealworms was different from that of other layers. The larval gut bacterial and fungal microbiomes were assessed by Illumina MiSeq, indicating that both of them shifted upon sole layer mask diets. Changes in relative abundances of dominant bacterial and fungal genera demonstrated the strong association between gut microbiome and mask degradation. For instance, unclassified Enterobacteriaceae was closely associated with outer layers degradation. Lactococcus and unclassified Ascomycota were responsible for middle layers degradation, while Lactococcus and Morganella for inner layers degradation. In conclusion, disposable surgical masks of PP material could be ingested and biodegraded by yellow mealworms. The diversities of gut bacterial and fungal microbiomes were associated with the differences in rigid crystalline structures of the layer masks.

Ingestion preference and efficiencies of different polymerization types foam plastics by Tenebrio molitor larvae, associated with changes of both core gut bacterial and fungal microbiomes

The discovery that insect larvae can feed on kinds of foam plastics opened new avenues and provided a potential solution for plastic wastes biodegradation. This study aimed to investigate whether plastic polymerization types had regular impacts on larvae growth, gut microbial communities and functional microbes, foam plastics of polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) were selected as the representatives of different polymerized plastic and sole diets for yellow mealworms of Tenebrio molitor larvae for 45 days, with sole bran diet as control. Our findings showed that although slightly weight gains were obtained in plastic-fed groups, the larval survival rates decreased to 61.33 %, 59.67 % and 24.00 % in PP-, PU- and EVA-fed groups, respectively. The EVA-fed group was even lower than the starvation group, indicating that the more complex polymers diet had worse adverse effects on larval survival. The gut bacterial- and fungal-microbiomes assessed by Illumina MiSeq indicated that both gut bacterial and fungal communities shifted upon diets of different polymerization types compared to the control. The gut dominant abundances of Spiroplasma, Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas in PP-fed group were significantly different from that of unclassified Enterobacteriaceae in both PU- and EVA-fed groups. In contrast, all gut fungal communities in plastics-fed groups were similar with the dominants of Rhodotorula and Cryptococcus, but more abundances that had been reported with plastics degradation ability were obtained, such as Aspergillus and Cladosporium. In summary, T. molitor could efficiently degrade complex polymers, albeit with adverse effects. Core gut microbiomes were strongly associated with polymerization types of plastic diet, especially gut fungi.

A synthetic lure for Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) based on the attractive plant Parthenium hysterophorus.

Sugar is the sole diet for male mosquitoes and a complementary meal for females. Searching for natural sources of sugar is mediated by semiochemicals. Floral nectars, extra floral nectaries, damaged tissues of plants and rotten fruits are the most common sources of sugar in nature. I provide laboratory evidence of the high attraction of Parthenium hysterophorus L., a weed that grows in tropical climates, to Anopheles gambiae Giles. This study has tried to identify the chemicals which might be involved in the chemical attraction of A. gambiae to this plant. Using quantitative GC-MS analysis, α-pinene, camphene, 1-octen-3-ol, β-pinene, cis-β-ocimene, bornyl acetate, α-caryophyllene, hexadecanoic acid, and α-linolenic acid were identified as the main constituents of P. hysterophorus volatiles. Successive olfactory assays helped a better understanding of the more attractive chemicals of P. hysterophorus to A. gambiae which was the basis for testing a possible synthetic blend. Olfactory experiments proved this synthetic blend to be as attractive as Parthenium intact plants for A. gambiae. A minimal blend, consisting of only α-pinene, camphene, and cis-β-ocimene, was also produced and laboratory experiments indicated its relative attraction for A. gambiae. This blend can be tested in the attractive toxic sugar bait stations for sampling, surveillance, or control programs of mosquitoes in tropical Africa, where A. gambiae sensu stricto transfer malaria among residents.

Polyethylene Degradation by Plastivores Greater Wax Worms Larvae (Galleria mellonella)

In this study, wax worm larvae (Galleria mellonella) were used to examine their ability to degrade and assimilate polyethylene (PE) as an energy source. This idea came from the similarity of wax, that is used as the sole diet for larvae, with PE in composition. Morphology changes, weight loss, FTIR analysis and GC-Mass test were studied to prove the degradation of PE by G. mellonella. The maximum depth of holes on the plastic surface and 16% PE weight loss was due to extensive cutting. The creation of a novel O-H stretching alcohols/phenols group absorbance peak at 3293cm-1 observed in wax worm larvae PE frass samples may be due to the oxidation in their gut. Accordingly, the biodegradation of PE by wax worm larvae is ensured.

Functional and evolutionary implications of protein and metal content of leafhopper brochosomes

Brochosomes derived from the specialized glandular segments of the Malpighian tubules (MTs) form superhydrophobic coatings for insects of Membracoidea, and have multiple hypothetical functions. However, the constituents, biosynthesis and evolutionary origin of brochosomes remain poorly understood. We investigated general chemical and physical characteristics of the integumental brochosomes (IBs) of the leafhopper Psammotettix striatus, determined the constituents of IBs, identified the unigenes involved in brochosomal protein synthesis, and investigated the potential associations among brochosomal protein synthesis, amino acid composition of food source, and the possible roles of endosymbionts in brochosome production. The results show that IBs are mainly composed of glycine- and tyrosine-rich proteins and some metal elements, which contain both essential and non-essential amino acids (EAAs and NEAAs) for insects, including EAAs deficient in the sole food source. All 12 unigenes involved in synthesizing the 12 brochosomal proteins (BPs) with high confidence are exclusively highly expressed in the glandular segment of MTs, confirming that brochosomes are synthesized by this segment. The synthesis of BPs is one of the key synapomorphies of Membracoidea but may be lost secondarily in a few lineages. The synthesis of BPs might be related to the symbiosis of leafhoppers/treehoppers with endosymbionts that provide these insects with EAAs, including those are deficient in the sole diet (i.e., plant sap) and could only be made available by the symbionts. We hypothesize that the functional modification of MTs have combined with the application of BPs enabling Membracoidea to colonize and adapt to novel ecological niches, and evolve to the dramatic diversification of this hemipteran group (in particular the family Cicadellidae). This study highlights the importance of evolutionary plasticity and multiple functions of MTs in driving the adaptations and evolution of sap-sucking insects of Hemiptera.

Biodegradation of Expanded and Extruded Polystyrene with Different Diets by Using Zophobas atratus Larvae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Polystyrene waste pollutes the environment and poses a significant health risk to humans, animals, and marine ecology. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of degradation on expanded (EPS) and extruded (XPS) polystyrene with different diets using superworms (Zophobas atratus larvae) obtained in Malaysia. The growth and development of the larvae after consumption of EPS and XPS and the gut microbial community changes in response to high polystyrene consumption diets were also identified. The oatmeal, wheat bran, and cornmeal were used as supplement diets and showed significantly enhanced EPS and XPS consumption and degradation compared to sole diet treatment. Gel permeation chromatography was carried out using egested frass of Z. atratus larvae to characterize depolymerization of EPS and XPS, indicating a significant reduction in the average molecular weight and average molecular weight. The highest reduction occurred in the presence of oatmeal. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses indicated functional group changes and chemical modification occurred with depolymerization and partial oxidation of EPS and XPS. The larvae length increased, while the number of instars and duration of larvae became shorter with the addition of supplement diets. Oatmeal is predominantly effective among other supplements in assisting Z. atratus larvae with EPS and XPS degradation. The results of this study support the ubiquity of polystyrene biodegradation in Z. atratus and the next-generation sequencing studies. Kluyvera sp., Klebsiella sp., and Enterobacter sp. were found to be strongly associated with degrading EPS and XPS polystyrene with oatmeal as a supplemental diet.

Novel cowpea menus for the enhancement of dietary diversity and intake in selected communities in Limpopo province

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is an important grain legume which is rich in proteins, minerals and vitamins. Cowpea production is gradually increasing in South Africa and its utilisation and consumption must be matched with its production to balance demand and supply in order to enhance job creation, income generation as well as increased diversity of nutrition and dietary intake of the rural communities. Recent reports have indicated that Limpopo province is food and nutrition insecure where 2-6 year old children are malnourished and stunted. Inadequate nutrition is an ongoing problem in rural South African communities especially in the Limpopo province due to poor diversity of daily dietary intake. Majority of poor rural populations depend on a sole-maize diet with occasional vegetables added when available. The utilisation of cowpea produce and diversity of nutrition is poor due to inadequate or poor agro-processing, which leads to few markets or utilisation channels for uptake. Given the above background, this study was conducted to train farmers on agro-processing of cowpea into different menus. The training will improve dietary intake of farmers in addition to enhanced dietary diversity to ameliorate the problem of malnutrition and over dependence on sole-maize diets. This study reports on the training conducted for one hundred and twenty five farmers on agro-processing of cowpea to produce different novel products. Different recipes were employed to produce the products. Results show that 125 farmers were trained on the preparation of Akara and Moin-moin, porridge and fortification of cereal-based meals with cowpea products. The training increased the knowledge and skills of farmers on preparation of novel menus that never existed in South Africa, which will increase their dietary intake to enhance dietary diversity as well as ameliorate the problem of malnutrition and over dependence on sole maize diets. The training will also enhance the market channels for cowpea production, which will increase the demand and supply of cowpea in addition to enhanced food security and nutrition. It is recommended that such training on the novel products be extended to schools, restaurants, correctional services, hospitals and other provinces in South Africa for a greater impacts. Key words: Utilisation, akara, dietary diversity and intake, moin-moin, nutrition, Vigna unguiculata, dietary enhancement

Complex host/symbiont integration of a multi-partner symbiotic system in the eusocial aphid Ceratovacuna japonica.

Some hemipteran insects rely on multiple endosymbionts for essential nutrients. However, the evolution of multi-partner symbiotic systems is not well-established. Here, we report a co-obligate symbiosis in the eusocial aphid, Ceratovacuna japonica. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing unveiled co-infection with a novel Arsenophonus sp. symbiont and Buchnera aphidicola, a common obligate endosymbiont in aphids. Both symbionts were housed within distinct bacteriocytes and were maternally transmitted. The Buchnera and Arsenophonus symbionts had streamlined genomes of 432,286bp and 853,149bp, respectively, and exhibited metabolic complementarity in riboflavin and peptidoglycan synthesis pathways. These anatomical and genomic properties were similar to those of independently evolved multi-partner symbiotic systems, such as Buchnera-Serratia in Lachninae and Periphyllus aphids, representing remarkable parallelism. Furthermore, symbiont populations and bacteriome morphology differed between reproductive and soldier castes. Our study provides the first example of co-obligate symbiosis in Hormaphidinae and gives insight into the evolutionary genetics of this complex system.

Chytrids enhance Daphnia fitness by selectively retained chytrid-synthesised stearidonic acid and conversion of short-chain to long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Chytrid fungal parasites convert dietary energy and essential dietary molecules, such as long-chain (LC) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), from inedible algal/cyanobacteria hosts into edible zoospores. How the improved biochemical PUFA composition of chytrid-infected diet may extend to zooplankton, linking diet quality to consumer fitness, remains unexplored.Here, we assessed the trophic role of chytrids in supporting dietary energy and PUFA requirements of the crustacean zooplankton Daphnia, when feeding on the filamentous cyanobacterium Planktothrix.Only Daphnia feeding on chytrid-infected Planktothrix reproduced successfully and had significantly higher survival and growth rates compared with Daphnia feeding on the sole Planktothrix diet. While the presence of chytrids resulted in a two-fold increase of carbon ingested by Daphnia, carbon assimilation increased by a factor of four, clearly indicating enhanced carbon transfer efficiency with chytrid presence.Bulk carbon (δ 13C) and nitrogen (δ 15N) stable isotopes did not indicate any treatment-specific dietary effects on Daphnia, nor differences in trophic position among diet sources and the consumer. Compound-specific carbon isotopes of fatty acids (δ 13CFA), however, revealed that chytrids bioconverted short-chain to LC-PUFA, making it available for Daphnia. Chytrids synthesised the ω-3 PUFA stearidonic acid de novo, which was selectively retained by Daphnia. Values of δ 13CFA demonstrated that Daphnia also bioconverted short-chain to LC-PUFA.We provide isotopic evidence that chytrids improved the dietary provision of LC-PUFA for Daphnia and enhanced their fitness. We argue for the existence of a positive feedback loop between enhanced Daphnia growth and herbivory in response to chytrid-mediated improved diet quality. Chytrids upgrade carbon from the primary producer and facilitate energy and PUFA transfer to primary consumers, potentially also benefitting upper trophic levels of pelagic food webs.

Different performances in polyethylene or polystyrene plastics long-term feeding and biodegradation by Zophobas atratus and Tenebrio molitor larvae, and core gut bacterial- and fungal-microbiome responses

The biodegradation of plastics by insect larvae is considered as an emerging strategy for the resistant plastic wastes disposal. To uncover the correlation of insect larval gut-microbiome with plastics biodegradation, two worm species including superworm Zophobas atratus and yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor were fed with either polyethylene (PE) or polystyrene (PS) foam as sole diet for a longer period of 45 days, sole bran diet was used as control. Rapid declines of survival rates and plastic ingestions after 30 days were observed, suggesting that long-term sole plastic diet was detrimental to growth and life cycle completion in both larval species. Both PE and PS plastics were found more extensively depolymerized and biodegraded in gut of yellow mealworms than that of superworms by GPC analysis. The larval gut bacterial- and fungal-microbiomes at day 45 were assessed by Illumina MiSeq. The results showed that both gut bacterial and fungal communities shifted upon sole plastic diet ingestion compared to the control. Gut bacterial communities were similar in PS-fed groups but significantly different in PE-fed groups between both species. In contrast, gut fungal communities were clustered by species in general, although they were similar between PE- and PS-fed yellow mealworms but were more divergent between PS- and PE-fed superworms. Analysis of the changes of relative abundances of dominant bacterial and fungal genera demonstrated the strong association between the distinctive gut microbiome and plastic degradation. For instance, Spiroplasma and Rhodotorula for PE degradation, Cryptococcus for PS degradation in mealworms. Issatchenkia for both PS and PE degradation, Pseudomonas for PS degradation in superworms. In conclusion, changes of both gut bacterial- and fungal-microbiomes diversities were associated with plastic feedstock types and larval species, especially fungal microbiomes were strongly associated with larval species.

Effect of Production System on Chemical Composition and Macro-Minerals of Sudanese camels Milk

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the production system effect on camel milk composition and macro-elements content in Sudan.
 Methodology: Sample purchased from camel milk production markets (Albutana- Tumbool, Kordfan-Elobied, and Khartoum-Alsalam market) in 6 replicates.
 Findings: There were no difference in moisture, and protein % among camel milk from different area, on the other hand there were significantly different in fat and ash content % with highest values for Khartoum camel milk and lowest values for Kordofan camel milk. Macro-minerals (Na, K, Mg, Ca, and P) content in camel milk were determined and there was different content. Ca, Na, K, Mg and P higher in Khartoum camel milk and lowest content values for Kordofan camel milk. The study was extended to determine soil macro-elements contents in Albutana and Kordofan areas which were fed by grazing system, and ignored soil in Khartoum whereas camels lives in a farm.
 Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Camels produce more milk of high nutritional quality and for a longer period of time than other species in an environment that might be rightly termed as hostile in terms of extreme temperature, drought and lack of pasture, in Sudan camel’s milk constitutes the sole diet of camel herders for considerable periods and they rely completely on camel’s milk for more than month without having drinking water especially during the migratory routes. Camel milk from different areas and production system had different chemical content in fat and ash % and similar in moisture and protein %, within the same season. However, macro-minerals in camel milk increasing by soil macro minerals contents specially on grazing system.

Different plastics ingestion preferences and efficiencies of superworm (Zophobas atratus Fab.) and yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor Linn.) associated with distinct gut microbiome changes.

Larvae of superworms (Zophobas atratus Fab.) and yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor Linn.) can survive on sole plastic diets. However, no side-by-side comparison of plastics degradation by both species is available yet. Here, superworms and yellow mealworms were fed with polystyrene (PS) or polyurethane (PU) foam plastics as sole diets for 35 days with bran as control. Superworms survived 100% on all diets but decreased weights were observed after 20 days with sole plastic diets. In contrast, yellow mealworms survived 84.67% or 62.67% with PS or PU diet, respectively, both plastics diet groups showed increased weights. Cumulative consumption of plastics by superworms were 49.24 mg-PS/larva and 26.23 mg-PU/larva, which were 18 and 11 folds of that of yellow mealworms, respectively. When converted into mg/g-larvae, superworms had a higher PS consumption rate but both species had similar PU consumption rates. Similar changes of the plastic chemical functional groups in frass indicated occurrences of oxidation and biodegradation of plastics in the guts of both species. Changes of gut microbial communities were found associated with plastics feedstocks and larvae species. The increased relative abundances of unclassified Enterobacteriaceae, Klebsiella, Enterococcus, Dysgonomonas and Sphingobacterium were strongly associated with PS diet in superworms, while Hafnia was strongly associated with PS diet in yellow mealworms. Enterococcus and Mangrovibacter were dominant in PU-fed superworm guts, while unclassified Enterobacteriaceae and Hafnia were strongly associated with PU feeding in yellow mealworms. The results demonstrated that different plastics ingestion preferences and efficiencies of both species were associated with distinct dominant microbiomes although similar changes of chemical groups in plastics were observed.

Nutritional Content of Adult Norway Rats for Small Carnivores’ Feeding

Rats are the natural diet of many free-ranging carnivores. They are also fed to small carnivore mammals, raptor birds, and reptiles in captivity as a sole or partial diet, however, little is known about the nutrients that a rat can provide as animal feed. This study aimed to determine the nutritional content of the whole captive-bred Norway rats. A total of 12 randomly selected weaned male and female Wistar Norway rats were fed ad libitum with a local dry dog food diet. The rats were weighed weekly until an average weight of 300 g was reached. Biochemical and mineral analyses were carried out for each rat. The results of the study showed significant differences between male and female rats in terms of growth rate, crude protein, total fat, and calcium concentrations. Males presented a faster growth rate and reached the desired weight in around half the time (6 weeks), compared to females (13 weeks). Moreover, males had a higher percentage of crude protein (23.57%) on a fed matter basis, calcium (2.61%), and phosphorus (0.98%). Females showed higher total fat (13.92%) and lower crude protein (19.49%), calcium (0.54%), and phosphorus (0.47%), compared to males. The results of this research may be used to determine whether a whole rat can provide all the necessary nutrients to carnivore animals commonly kept in captivity. Present findings indicated that rats could provide the necessary nutrients, however, if given as a sole diet, they could not be enough to supply the nutritional requirements of animals in the long term.

Partial replacement of ryegrass and clover herbage with chicory to alter urination behaviour and soil nitrogen loading of grazing dairy cows

Chicory (Chicorum intybus L.) is a high moisture, low fibre forage, traits that have been identified to influence protein degradation and urea metabolism. Our recent study revealed that sole diets of chicory increased urinations and diluted the concentration of nitrogen in the urine. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of feeding a lesser proportion of chicory in the diet, and the impact of the diurnal changes in chemical composition of chicory on urinations and urinary nitrogen concentration. Thirty-six dairy cows were evenly divided into nine groups, and randomly allocated either ryegrass/white clove only (RGWC), ryegrass/white clove plus morning allocation of chicory (CHAM) or ryegrass/white clove plus afternoon allocation of chicory (CHPM). Chicory inclusion increased urinations by up to 69%, resulting in a 33% mean decline in UN concentration, independently of time of allocation. While farmers are encouraged to adopt mitigation strategies to reduce urinary N losses, there is value in offering a range of forage options to improve adoption. These results show that low moistures forages including chicory have the potential to reduce nitrogen leaching through changes in urination behaviour and urinary nitrogen loading.