Supplemental Protein Source Research Articles

Yeast Proteins: Proteomics, Extraction, Modification, Functional Characterization, and Structure: A Review.

Proteins are essential for human tissues and organs, and they require adequate intake for normal physiological functions. With a growing global population, protein demand rises annually. Traditional animal and plant protein sources rely heavily on land and water, making it difficult to meet the increasing demand. The high protein content of yeast and the complete range of amino acids in yeast proteins make it a high-quality source of supplemental protein. Screening of high-protein yeast strains using proteomics is essential to increase the value of yeast protein resources and to promote the yeast protein industry. However, current yeast extraction methods are mainly alkaline solubilization and acid precipitation; therefore, it is necessary to develop more efficient and environmentally friendly techniques. In addition, the functional properties of yeast proteins limit their application in the food industry. To improve these properties, methods must be selected to modify the secondary and tertiary structures of yeast proteins. This paper explores how proteomic analysis can be used to identify nutrient-rich yeast strains, compares the process of preparing yeast proteins, and investigates how modification methods affect the function and structure of yeast proteins. It provides a theoretical basis for solving the problem of inadequate protein intake in China and explores future prospects.

Chemico-nutritional characterization and anti-inflammatory potential of Chirabilva (Holoptelea integrifolia Roxb.) seed: alternate source of protein supplement and fatty acids.

Exploring unconventional protein sources can be an alternative strategy to meet the deficiency. The seeds of Chirabilva (Holoptelea integrifolia Roxb., Family- Ulmaceae) are eaten raw by the ethnic communities of Southeast Asian countries. The present study assessed the chemical, nutritional, and biological potential of the seeds (HIS) and pericarp (HISP) of H. integrifolia. The seeds contain mainly fixed and very few essential oils. The fixed oil of HIS is composed primarily of unsaturated oleic (47%) and saturated palmitic (37%) acids. The HIS are exceptional due to a high content of lipid (50%), protein (24%), carbohydrates (19%), fiber (4%), and anti-nutritional components within permissible limits. The high content (in mg/Kg) of phosphorus (6000), magnesium (422), Calcium (279), and essential nutrients (Ni, Co, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, and Cr) in the range of (0.04-6.69) were observed. The moderate anti-oxidant potential of HISP was evident in single electron transfer in-vitro assays. Moreover, HISP extract and HIS solvent-extracted fixed oil showed anti-inflammatory action in lipopolysaccharide-induced HaCaT cells by significantly attenuating pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α) without causing cytotoxicity. Results support de-oiled HIS cake as an alternative source of a high-protein diet and its oil with anti-inflammatory attributes for topical applications.

Exploring the Impact of Protein Supplement Source on Body Composition in Women Practicing Anaerobic Resistance Exercise: A Pilot Study.

Supplements based on protein hydrolysates have been used as an effective source to access amino acids with greater bioavailability, promoting absorption to improve body composition. Five groups of young women were randomly selected. They followed a personalized eating plan that included different protein supplements (meat, vegan, branched-chain amino acids [BCAAs], whey, and control group), combined with an exercise plan, for eight weeks, aiming to assess their consumption effects combined with resistance exercise on body composition. Bioelectrical impedance before and after the treatment was conducted. The results showed that the supplementation with BCAAs presented a significant decrease (p < 0.05) on the BMI in this group (initial BMI = 19.7 kg/m2; final BMI = 19.4 kg/m2). When comparing the final measures among the groups, the BCAAs and vegan supplements caused a significant decrease in body weight (50.24 kg and 51.34 kg, respectively). The BMI of the group supplemented with meat proteins was statistically higher (22.06 kg/m2) than that the group supplemented with BCAAs (19.4 kg/m2) (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the type of protein consumed to produce muscle mass in the participants after eight weeks of study under a controlled diet and anaerobic resistance exercise. Participants exhibited energy deficiencies, but their macronutrient distribution appeared normal. Following an 8-week intervention, meat and BCAAs reduced weight and BMI, although no statistical differences were observed. It is recommended to extend the treatment for a more comprehensive understanding.

346 Substitution of Modified Distillers Grains with Soybean Meal with Or Without Hulls Had Negligible Effect on Growth Performance, Efficiency and Carcass Traits in Yearling Steers

Abstract Changes to the fuel landscape in the United States have resulted in changes in long-held supplemental protein price relationships. The objective of this study was to evaluate substituting oilseed meal for corn processing co-products. Predominately Angus steers [initial shrunk body weight (BW) = 435 ± 23.6 kg] were used in a 118-d experiment using three treatments: modified distillers grains (MDGS)fed at 15% diet DM (MDGS) replaced by either soybean meal and corn (9 and 6% of DM, respectively; SBM), or soybean meal and soyhull pellets (9 and 6% of DM, respectively; SBM-SBH). Steers (n = 240) were individually weighed and allotted to one of 24 pens (n = 10 steers per pen; 8 pens per treatment) at the Southeast Research Farm located near Beresford, SD. Dietary concentrations of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber based on tabular values and weekly batching records were 12.3 and 17.6%, 12.8 and 14.5%, and 12.8 and 17.8% for MDGS, SBM, and SBM-SBH, respectively. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 with treatment and block as fixed effects; pen was the experimental unit. Pen conditions were wet and muddy during the final weeks of this experiment; consequently, final BW was calculated by dividing hot carcass weight (HCW) by a common dressing percentage of 62.5. No differences amongst treatments (P ≥ 0.11) were found for carcass-adjusted final BW, dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), or feed efficiency. Dietary treatment had no effect (P ≥ 0.11) on HCW, dressing percentage, ribeye area, rib fat, marbling score, USDA Yield Grade, percent empty body fat (EBF), or final BW adjusted to 28% EBF. Distribution of USDA Quality and Yield grades were unaffected by treatment (P ≥ 0.39). Dietary treatment did not affect liver abscess incidence and severity (P = 11). Net energy values calculated from animal performance agreed closely with tabular estimates with observed to expected ratios for net energy equaling one. In this experiment, feeding supplemental protein sources with enhanced diet conditioning attributes and greater concentrations of ruminally undegradable protein provided no advantage to cattle performance. These results indicate that protein source decisions can be based upon price per unit of delivered crude protein.

Giant Floater (Pyganodon Grandis) as Feed Ingredient in Broiler Production

The focus of the research was to determine how giant floater (Pyganodon grandis) worked as a feed ingredient in broiler production. A total of 120 one-day-old Cobbs 500 were reared for 42 days, regardless of sex. The chicks were weighed and brooded for 14 days. The chicks were weighed and distributed at random on the fourteenth day for four treatments with three replications, each containing ten chicks. They were given varied proportions of giant floater meal as a feed ingredient. Treatment 1 was simply home mixed; treatment 2 had a 3% addition of giant floater meal; treatment 3 had a 6% inclusion of giant floater meal; and treatment 4 had a 9% inclusion. The supplementation of giant floater meal as a feed ingredient for broilers had a significant effect on the broilers' weekly body weight gain. Broiler-fed diets containing a higher percentage of inclusion gained the most weight as compared to broiler-fed diets containing a lower percentage of giant floater meal or diets containing no giant floater meal. In terms of broiler feed consumption, the results showed that broilers fed with 9% (T4) and 6% (T3) giant floater meal had higher feed intake than broilers fed with 3% (T2) giant floater meal, and the least feed intake was found in the control group. The result of this study shows that using giant floater meat as a feed ingredient for broilers improves their development and production performance in terms of body weight gain and that it can be used as a replacement and/or supplementary source of protein in broiler feeds.

The microbiome and gene expression of honey bee workers are affected by a diet containing pollen substitutes.

Pollen is the primary source of dietary protein for honey bees. It also includes complex polysaccharides in its outer coat, which are largely indigestible by bees but can be metabolized by bacterial species within the gut microbiota. During periods of reduced availability of floral pollen, supplemental protein sources are frequently provided to managed honey bee colonies. The crude proteins in these supplemental feeds are typically byproducts from food manufacturing processes and are rarely derived from pollen. Our experiments on the impact of different diets showed that a simplified pollen-free diet formulated to resemble the macronutrient profile of a monofloral pollen source resulted in larger microbial communities with reduced diversity, reduced evenness, and reduced levels of potentially beneficial hive-associated bacteria. Furthermore, the pollen-free diet sharply reduced the expression of genes central to honey bee development. In subsequent experiments, we showed that these shifts in gene expression may be linked to colonization by the gut microbiome. Lastly, we demonstrated that for bees inoculated with a defined gut microbiota, those raised on an artificial diet were less able to suppress infection from a bacterial pathogen than those that were fed natural pollen. Our findings demonstrate that a pollen-free diet significantly impacts the gut microbiota and gene expression of honey bees, indicating the importance of natural pollen as a primary protein source.

Effect of pH and Different Fermentation Time Intervals on the Production of Single Cell Proteins (SCPs) from Potato Peels

Dried cells of microorganisms such as fungi, algae, and bacteria, known as Single-Cell Proteins (SCPs), are utilized as a source of protein supplements in animal feed or human food. These SCPs can be produced through the use of low-cost feedstocks and waste materials as sources of carbon and energy, which can be converted into biomass and concentrated proteins. Objective: To optimize the yield and growth of dry cell biomass through the manipulation of fermentation conditions. Methods: A batch fermentation process was used to produce dry cell biomass from a microorganism. Different pH values, fermentation times, and reactor configurations were tested, and the resulting biomass was analyzed for its protein content. Results: The maximum yield of dry cell biomass was achieved at pH 4.5, with a yield of 1.951 g/100 ml. The maximum dry biomass was achieved after 72 hours of fermentation, with a yield of 2.824 g/100 ml. The maximum yield of dry biomass was achieved with an Airlift fermenter at an aeration rate of 1.0 vvm and a temperature of 35°C for 72 hours, resulting in a yield of 5.452 g/L. The protein content of the dried cell biomass was found to be in the range of 45-55%. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the yield and growth of dry cell biomass can be optimized by controlling the fermentation conditions, specifically pH, fermentation time, and reactor configuration. These findings may have implications for the industrial-scale production of dry cell biomass, as they offer insight into how to maximize yield and protein content.

Interactive effects of culture systems (biofloc and clear water) and dietary protein levels on growth, digestive activity, mucosal immune responses, antioxidant status, and resistance against salinity stress in the Caspian roach (Rutilus caspicus) fry

This experiment aimed to evaluate effects of culture system and dietary protein level on performance of the Caspian roach fry. Fish (0.99 ± 0.06 g) were stocked into 12 tanks (water volume, 50 L) at a stocking density of 100 fish per tank. The experiment was designed with two culture systems (biofloc, BFT and clear water, CW) each with 38 and 28% dietary protein levels following a 2 × 2 factorial design. After 60 days, fifty fish were randomly captured from each tank and exposed to salinity challenge (13 g/L) for 72 h. On days 45 and 60, total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) values were significantly higher in CW treatments, then BFT38 treatment, and lower in BFT28 treatment. The final weight, weight gain, and SGR in BFT and CW38 treatments were significantly higher and FCR was lower than the CW28 treatment. The protein efficiency ratio was highest in the BFT28 treatment. Also, amylase, lipase, and protease activities in fish cultured in BFT system were significantly higher than the CW system. After salinity stress, skin mucus cortisol values were significantly lower and survival rate was higher in BFT groups compared to the CW treatments. After 72 h stress, the mucus glucose values in BFT and CW38 treatments were significantly lower than the CW28 treatment. Before stress, the mucus alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was lowest in the CW28 treatment. Skin mucus protease activity was significantly higher in BFT groups at before and all sampling times after salinity challenge. The skin mucus lysozyme activity and total protein value in all treatments increased at 24 h post stress, and then only returned to the pre-stress values at 48 h for the BFT38 treatment. After salinity stress, lysozyme activity in BFT and CW38 treatments was significantly lower than the CW28 treatment. After 48 h stress, the highest mucus ACH50 activity was observed in the BFT38 treatment, but it was not significantly different from the BFT28 and CW38 treatments. After salinity stress, muscle catalase and SOD activities were significantly higher and MDA content was lower in BFT treatments than the CW treatments, suggesting that biofloc can enhance the antioxidant defense in fish. Overall, biofloc system and high dietary protein level beneficially affect growth, skin mucus immune responses, and resistance against salinity challenge in fish. Also, microbial proteins contained in bioflocs as a supplemental protein source can compensate 10% reduction of protein in the Caspian roach fry diet.

Dairy Farming Conditions and Utilization Levels of Liquid Brewers’ Yeast in Kenya

Dairy production plays an integral part in supporting smallholder farmers’ livelihoods. The desire to increase the number of dairy cattle is not feasible due to the reduced output of feed resources occasioned by climate change. Consequently, the need to increase productivity per cow is inevitable. Conventional protein supplements are costly; hence, the need to explore affordable nutrientdense alternative feed resources. Liquid brewers’ yeast (LBY), a by-product of the brewing industry, is a rich protein supplement in dairy production. This study aimed to assess the dairy farming conditions and utilization levels of LBY as a feed supplement in Githunguri Sub-county, Kiambu. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 457 dairy farmers in a cross-sectional survey. The findings revealed that most farmers (94.2%) fed their cattle on established forage/fodder and crop residues with supplementation. Even though 53.1% of the respondents were aware of the use of LBY, only 30.6% utilized it to supplement dairy cows, most of whom (96.0%) used it fresh without preservation. Membership in farmers’ organizations increased awareness of LBY (r = 0.732). Principal component analysis indicated that the benefits of using LBY outweigh the challenges involved with a loading matrix of 0.891 - 0.954 and 0.681 - 0.807, respectively. The low adoption and use levels of LBY as a source of protein supplements were due to low awareness. There is a need for concerted efforts by stakeholders in the industry to increase farmers’ knowledge base on the utilization and effectiveness of LBY in dairy production.

Adsorption of Phenylalanine from Aqueous Solutions Using Activated Carbon from Sunflower Meal Functionalized with Sulfonic Groups.

The present work proposes the use of an agro-industrial residue from the sunflower crop as a feedstock to produce a low-cost adsorbent with a chemically modified surface bearing sulfonic groups. This modified low-cost adsorbent can be used for the removal of phenylalanine, and can also be applied in the process of obtaining a source of protein supplementation for patients with phenylketonuria. The functionalization of the adsorbent with sulfonic groups was adapted and presented advantages in terms of execution time, energy expenditure, number of reagents used and adsorbed amino acids. The produced adsorbent presented a surface area of 317.31 m2 g-1 with a predominance of micro- and mesopores, that influenced an approximate 30-fold reduction in adsorption equilibrium time. The optimization results indicated a higher adsorption capacity (39.64 mg g-1) in pH = 4; temperature of 25 °C and adsorbent dosage of 10 g L-1. The FTIR analyzes and the qualitative analysis of the elements present in the samples by EDS confirmed the introduction of sulfonic groups in the MPS500 coal. This work contributed to the understanding behind the adsorption of L-phenylalanine on charcoal surfaces functionalized with sulfonic groups, showing that they can be more selective for the adsorption of phenylalanine in a competitive system.

Growth performance, haematological parameters and proximate composition of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss fed varying dietary levels of protein hydrolysate from heads of Penaeus monodon shrimp processing industry

Fish farming is a huge industry in Vietnam, but there is a shortage of protein supplements for fish diets. A potential great source of protein supplement is the co-products of shrimp processing. The present study aimed to investigate the growth performance and haematological parameters of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss juveniles fed diets containing four different concentrations of shrimp head protein hydrolysates (0% as the control, 1, 3 or 5% SHPH, four replicates per treatment). Rainbow trout juveniles were randomly distributed into 12 tanks at a density of 30 individuals/tank and were fed twice a day at 8:00 and 17:00 for 8 weeks. Mean weight gain (MWG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and survival (SR) were calculated. Significant differences (p<0.05) in MWG, SGR, FCR, PER and SR were detected between treatments, with fish fed 5% SHPH performing the best. Mean white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin content (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) significantly increased as dietary protein hydrolysate increased in the diet. Protein and triglyceride concentrations in plasma were not significantly affected by dietary treatment (p > 0.05). Furthermore, muscle and whole body lipid contents were higher in fish fed 3% and 5% protein hydrolysate from shrimp heads than other groups, but muscle and body protein contents in the group fed 5% were higher than other groups. Results from the present study showed that protein hydrolysate from shrimp heads has good potential for use as protein supplement in rainbow trout diets up to 5%. Supplemental dietary protein hydrolysate from shrimp heads also has potential as an immune enhancer because of an increase in WBC. These data provide a potential use for a current waste product and might serve as a model for other countries that have both warm water crustacean industries and cold water fish industries. Further studies to explore the use of protein hydrolysate from shrimp heads in fish diets at more than 5% are recommended.

Detoxication and bioconversion of aflatoxin B1 by yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor): A sustainable approach for valuable larval protein production from contaminated grain

Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) is a supplementary protein source for food and feed and represents a promising solution to manage grain contaminated with Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). In this study, AFB1 present in different concentrations in wheat bran was treated and removed via bioconversion by yellow mealworm of different instars, with emphasis on the bioconversion performance and metabolism of AFB1. Upon application of wheat bran spiked with 100 μg/kg AFB1 to 5th–6th instar yellow mealworms, the conversion rate of AFB1 was up to 87.85 %. Low level of AFB1 (< 2 μg/kg) was accumulated in the larval bodies, and the survival rate, development and nutrition contents of yellow mealworm were not significantly affected. It was revealed that 1 kg of wheat bran contaminated with AFB1 increased the weight of yellow mealworms from 138 g to 469 g, containing approximately 103 g of protein. The bioconversion of AFB1 by yellow mealworms led to generation of 13 metabolites in the frass and 3 metabolites in the larvae. AFB1 was detoxicated and removed via phase I metabolism comprising reduction, dehydrogenation, hydration, demethylation, hydroxylation, decarbonylation and ketoreduction, followed by phase II metabolism involving conjugation of amino acid, glucoside and glutathione (GSH). The toxicity of AFB1 metabolites was deemed lower than that of AFB1 according to their structures. This study provides a sustainable approach and theoretical foundation on using yellow mealworms for cleaner grain contamination management and valuable larval protein production via bioconversion of food and feed contaminated by AFB1.

Protein Extraction from Spirulina Platensis with The Cellulase Enzyme Assistance

Microalgae is a relatively new, sustainable source of protein supplements. Among various microalgae strains, Spirulina platensis has shown an effective protein potential source compared with others. A high-performance protein recovery technology is required for this prospect. When the cellulase enzyme supported the recovery process, the condition to get the highest protein recovery efficiency (40.13±2.87%) were 50 UI/g dry algae for enzyme activity, 1:20 for the ratio of dry algae: solvent, 7.0 for pH value with a process temperature of 50oC for 90 minutes. This study succeeded in using cellulase enzymes to support protein extraction with high recovery efficiency from Spirulina platensis grown in Vietnam, opening up an additional source of protein in the trend of plant-based meat production.

Application of Edible Insects as Novel Protein Sources and Strategies for Improving Their Processing.

Insects have long been consumed by humans as a supplemental protein source, and interest in entomophagy has rapidly increased in recent years as a potential sustainable resource in the face of environmental challenges and global food shortages. However, food neophobia inhibits the widespread consumption of edible insects, despite their high nutritional and functional value. The own characteristics of edible insect protein such as foaming properties, emulsifying properties, gelling properties and essential amino acid ratio can be improved by drying, defatting, and extraction. Although nutritional value of some protein-enriched bread, pasta, and meat products, especially essential amino acid components was increased, replacement of conventional food with edible insects as a novel food source has been hindered owing to the poor cross-linking properties of edible insect protein. This deterioration in physicochemical properties may further limit the applicability of edible insects as food. Therefore, strategies must be developed to improve the quality of edible insect enriched food with physical, chemical, and biological methods. It was presented that an overview of the recent advancements in these approaches and highlight the challenges and prospects for this field. Applying these strategies to develop insect food in a more familiar form can help to make insect-enriched foods more appealing to consumers, facilitating their widespread consumption as a sustainable and nutritious protein source.

Broiler chicken production using dietary crude protein reduction strategy and free amino acid supplementation

Very low self-sufficiency of soybean meal, which is the primary source of protein supplement used by European feed industry, caused great interest in EU to reduce the content of soybean meal in broiler chicken diets. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of reduced dietary crude protein (CP) and supplementation with 7 indispensable amino acids on broiler chicken performance and carcass composition. Two experiments (Exp.) were conducted, each with 2,640 fast growing broiler chickens. Grower diets were provided from d 10 to 31 in Exp. 1 and from d 10 to 28 in Exp. 2. In Exp. 1, broiler chickens were assigned to 4 treatments (22, 21, 20, and 18% CP diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids to achieve the same standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys (10.9 g/kg), SID Met + Cys (8.07 g/kg), SID Thr (7.08 g/kg), SID Ile (7.63 g/kg), and SID Val (8.72 g/kg)) with 6 pens per treatment and 110 broiler chickens per pen. In Exp. 2, broiler chickens were assigned to 3 treatments (20, 19, and 18% CP diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids to have the same SID Lys, Met + Cys, Thr, Ile, and Val plus SID Arg (11.45 g/kg), and SID Trp (10.9 g/kg)) with 8 pens per treatment and 110 broiler chickens per pen. With decreasing CP from 20 to 18%, body weight decreased (P < 0.05). The greatest body weight was achieved at a CP concentration of 20% in both experiments (P < 0.05). In feed conversion ratio, breast meat yield, and an European efficiency factor, there were no differences between CP concentration 20 and 19% in Exp. 2. Based on the European efficiency factor, reducing dietary CP and adding crystalline amino acids seems to be a promising approach to achieve competitive broiler chicken meat production in Europe.

Remotely Sensed Spatiotemporal Variation in Crude Protein of Shortgrass Steppe Forage

In the Great Plains of central North America, sustainable livestock production is dependent on matching the timing of forage availability and quality with animal intake demands. Advances in remote sensing technology provide accurate information for forage quantity. However, similar efforts for forage quality are lacking. Crude protein (CP) content is one of the most relevant forage quality determinants of individual animal intake, especially below an 8% threshold for growing animals. In a set of shortgrass steppe paddocks with contrasting botanical composition, we (1) modeled the spatiotemporal variation in field estimates of CP content against seven spectral MODIS bands, and (2) used the model to assess the risk of reaching the 8% CP content threshold during the grazing season for paddocks with light, moderate, or heavy grazing intensities for the last 22 years (2000–2021). Our calibrated model explained up to 69% of the spatiotemporal variation in CP content. Different from previous investigations, our model was partially independent of NDVI, as it included the green and red portions of the spectrum as direct predictors of CP content. From 2000 to 2021, the model predicted that CP content was a limiting factor for growth of yearling cattle in 80% of the years for about 60% of the mid-May to October grazing season. The risk of forage quality being below the CP content threshold increases as the grazing season progresses, suggesting that ranchers across this rangeland region could benefit from remotely sensed CP content to proactively remove yearling cattle earlier than the traditional October date or to strategically provide supplemental protein sources to grazing cattle.

The Dietary Use of Pigeon Pea for Human and Animal Diets.

Pigeon pea (PP) [Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth] plays an important role in preserving poor smallholders' major source of income in the tropics and subtropics by improving food and feed security, particularly protein intake. In the meantime, protein deficiency is frequent in tropical and subtropical regions due to rapidly increasing human populations and the high cost of animal-origin proteins. As a result, pulse crops should be their primary source of protein. Among these, PP is the most important pulse crop utilized as a food component in rain-fed agricultural conditions with the lowest costs, and it is the best source of protein supplements in typical cereal-based diets to fill the nutritional deficit. Despite this, it is the world's least-used pulse crop. Therefore, the primary goal of this review was to provide and synthesize scientifically confirmed and up-to-date information on the dietary usage of pigeon pea for food and feed. Protein, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and essential amino acids are all present in reasonable amounts in both mature and immature PP seeds. PP has the most potential for usage as food and feed, and its nutrients are comparable to those of soybeans and maize. PP's green leaves, roots, seeds, and pods are high in phenolic compounds, which have anti-inflammation, antibacterial, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and antidiabetic properties, as well as the ability to cure diseases like measles, smallpox, chicken pox, sickle cell anemia, fever, dysentery, hepatitis, and antimalarial medications for the body. Furthermore, the addition of pigeon pea and its by-products improves ruminant and nonruminant animal feeding performance significantly. In general, PP products such as dried grain, fresh (aerial portion), and green pods are used as a low-cost (low-cost) source of high-quality and quantity of protein food and feed for tropical and subtropical populations' livelihoods.

Effects of Replacing Soybean Meal with Fermented Bambara Groundnut Meal (Vigna subterranea) Meal in the Diet of Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings

Background: Efforts to reduce fish feed cost have been geared towards fishmeal replacement with cheap ingredients. However, the price of soybean which is a supplementary protein source in fish diet is also soaring due to impact of covid-19 pandemic couple with competition by man and livestock; this therefore calls for a search for its alternatives. Bambara groundnut (BG), although highly nutritious and climate resistant crop, is described as a neglected and under-utilized crop in most countries of Africa.&#x0D; Aims: To ascertain the effect of replacing soybean meal with Fermented Bambara Groundnut Meal (FBGM) on the growth performance and feed utilization of C. gariepinus.&#x0D; Study Design: Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used with five treatments and three replicates. Diet FBGM00 with no FBGM was used as control. Various replacement levels were designation as FBGM25, FBGM50, FBGM75 and FBMG100 for 25, 50, 75 and 100% respectively.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike; Central Labouratory, University of Uyo, Nigeria, between May 2021 and August 2021.&#x0D; Methodology: We fermented Vigna subterranea for 72 hours, air-dried, weighed and oven dried at 60˚C for 24 hours, followed by cooling. Dried flour of FBGM and other ingredients were analyzed for proximate composition used in the formulation of experimental diets. These were milled at 2 mm pellets, sundried and stored at 10 per cent moisture content, in black polythene bags. Diets were fed to one hundred and fifty (150) fingerlings of catfish (C. gariepinus) with mean weight 50±2.35 for 84 days. Growth performance, feed utilization and survival rate parameters were calculated and statistically compared.&#x0D; Results: Physico-chemical parameters fluctuated slightly but were within the optimum range. The highest daily weight gain (85.29±14.46 g) was recorded in FBGM75 while the lowest (68.29±8.49 and 69.86±8.73 g) were recorded in the control diet (FBGM00) and FBGM25 respectively. The specific growth rate, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and percentage survival rate also followed the same pattern. However, no significant differences (P&gt;.05) were detected in all these parameters.&#x0D; Conclusion: Fermented Bambara Groundnut Meal can totally replace soybean meal in the diet of C. gariepinus, without adversely affecting growth performance, feed utilization and survival rate. However, the optimum replacement level lies in FBGN75. More researches are needed on the adults or grow out stages to unveil its effects on the grow out stage and brooder and different processing methods employed and compared to the best processing method that will be mild enough to increase the nutrient content while removing the phytochemicals.

ISSR markers and population differentiations in Erodium ciconium (L.) L'hér ex Aiton

Erodium ciconium is an important grazing plant and a source of protein supplements to straw for ruminants in semideserts and wastelands of the Middle East. There is no information on its population genetic structure, genetic diversity, and morphological variability in Iran. We performed molecular data for knowing the population differentiation in this species. For this study, we used 110 randomly collected plants from 15 geographical populations in 6 provinces of Iran. AMOVA test revealed significant genetic difference among the studied populations and also revealed that, 63% of total genetic variability was due to within population diversity while, 37% was due to among population genetic differentiation. Mantel test showed positive significant correlation between genetic distance and geographical distance of the studied populations. Networking, STRUCTURE analyses revealed some degree of gene flow among these populations.&#x0D; Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 28(1): 61-73, 2021 (June)

Review on Biotechnological advances in Vigna radiata and their future prospects

Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) is an unique source of protein supplement with full of benefits as medicinal and climate friendly crop. Hence from past few decades, an increase has been observed in efforts of the improvement and expansion of cultivation of this pulse crop. Biotechnology in conjunction with conventional breeding techniques has a significant role in mungbean improvement programs. There is a necessity of major exploration in genetic resources, cytological, genetic, genomic, and tissue culture research to expand the vertical and horizontal base of this important crop to the level of other major legumes. Limited reports for development of transgenic Mungbean in comparison to other legume crops proves lack of an efficient plant genetic transformation protocol compatible with in vitro regeneration system. There is an utmost need to imply new technologies such as transgenic production, genome editing and conventional breeding along with embryo rescue techniques. Biotechnological approaches will speed up rather than replacement of conventional methods in mungbean breeding. The paper reviews in-depth studies on in vitro advancements of mungbean to understand the existing gaps for improvement in literature.