Specific Nutritional Requirements Research Articles

Tailoring oil blends for specific purposes: A study on nutritional and antioxidant properties of soybean oil mixed with corn, sunflower, and flaxseed oils

Soybean oil (SO), recognized for its nutrients and affordability, often oxidizes, leading to nutrient degradation. This study presents a methodology for tailor oil blends to meet specific requirements, using SO blended with corn oil (CO), sunflower oil (SFO), and flaxseed oil (FSO). We analyzed the physicochemical properties, nutrient composition, and antioxidant capacity of various blends. Pearson's correlation analysis was utilized to examine the interrelation between nutrient composition and antioxidant capacity. The principal component analysis identified suitable blend ratios based on the desired nutrient composition and antioxidant capacity. Blend F3 (60% SO, 15% CO, 16% SFO, 9% FSO) demonstrated superior qualities, including a higher α-tocopherol content (138.8 mg/kg), and enhanced antioxidant capacities (DPPH polar: 12 μmol TE/100g, ABTS: 67.3 μmol TE/100g, FRAP: 112 μmol TE/100g), alongside a lower acid value (0.15 mg/g) compared to other blends. We highlight the roles of squalene, γ-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol, and fatty acid composition in enhancing the antioxidant capacity of oil blends. Specifically, the blend labeled F3 emerged as a nutritionally superior and highly antioxidative option among soybean oil blends. This study provides a framework for tailoring oil blends to meet specific nutritional and antioxidative requirements, providing a more flexible and purpose-driven approach to oil blending.

The role of Nutri-Score and NutrInform Battery in guiding the food choices of consumers with specific nutritional needs: A controlled study

Background and aimsThere is a significant knowledge gap regarding the effectiveness of front-of-pack labeling (FoPL) systems in helping food choices that meet specific nutritional requirements. This study sought to compare the effectiveness of the Nutri-Score (NS) and NutrInform Battery (NIB) labels in assisting consumers to select food products with low sodium or low saturated fat. Methods and resultsUtilizing a controlled experimental design, a sample of 1512 participants (aged 18–70, 50.8% females) was exposed to scenarios through computer-assisted web interviewing, where they selected food products suitable for people with suboptimal blood pressure or plasma cholesterol levels, labeled with either NS, NIB, or no label (blind). The NIB proved significantly more efficacious than NS in guiding participants towards making selections in better agreement with nutritional needs, for blood pressure or cholesterol control. Furthermore, the NIB was generally viewed more favorably, with participants rating it as more trustworthy, informative, and useful for the required task. Notably, younger participants, those with higher nutritional knowledge, and those less inclined towards intuitive or spontaneous decision-making demonstrated a greater propensity for making health-congruent food choices when using the NIB. ConclusionThe findings suggest that the informative FoPL system, NIB, may offer greater advantages in addressing specific dietary requirements. This underscores the important role of FoPL systems in promoting public health and meeting diverse and specific consumer needs. Further research is needed to confirm these results in broader contexts and for additional health conditions.

Unravelling the intricate language of fish guts: Impact of plant-based vs. plant-insect-poultry-based diets on intestinal pathways in European seabass

The long-term sustainability of aquaculture depends on finding economically viable and environmentally friendly feed ingredients to reduce the use of fishmeal and fish oil. An optimal strategy for the industry is not to identify substitutes or alternatives, but to find a combination of complementary raw materials that together meet the specific nutritional requirements for a given farmed fish species. The study aimed to examine the effects of different diets on the pyloric caeca and distal intestine of subadult European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) by applying transcriptomics and transmission electron microscopy. The study examined three dietary approaches: the classic fishmeal-based diet, a plant-based diet, and a plant-insect-poultry-based diet. The distal intestine was more sensitive to dietary changes than the pyloric caeca. The differentially expressed genes in both experimental diets were mainly involved in the digestion and absorption of proteins, fats, and vitamins. The overall transcriptomic changes were greater in the plant-based group than in the plant-insect-poultry-based group and included a greater number of overrepresented metabolic and signalling pathways. In contrast to the transcriptomic results, the ultrastructural findings showed decreased inflammation and/or evidence of tissue repair in the plant-based group, particularly in the pyloric caeca. Since the nutritional quality of all fish groups in this study was previously evaluated positively, the detected transcriptome-level changes can serve as evidence supporting the efficient nutrient utilisation and adaptability in European seabass. The study provides valuable insight into the potential benefits and implications of these dietary modifications on intestinal health and pathway regulation in European seabass. This can serve as a basis for further development of sustainable European seabass aquaculture practices and optimisation of diet formulations.

Is Adherence to the Saudi Healthy Plate Dietary Guidelines Associated with Eating Concerns Symptoms among Saudi Young Females?

Food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) offer broad recommendations based on scientific evidence, focusing on food groups rather than nutrients that should be included in the diet. Emerging adulthood (18-30 years) is a critical period for poor dietary quality and mental health. Eating habits (EHs) are formed early in life and are influenced by various factors, such as emotional state, which can lead to either binge or restricted eating, ultimately increasing the risk of eating disorders (EDs). This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the extent of adherence to the Saudi Healthy Plate Dietary Guidelines (SHPDGs) and its potential association with Eating Concerns (ECs) among Saudi females (aged 18-30 years) from all provinces in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A validated online questionnaire was used to assess eating behaviors (EBs) using the Starting The Conversation (STC) instrument and EC symptoms using the Eating Disorders Screen for Primary Care (ESP) screening tool. The total sample size was 1092 participants with a mean age of 23.02 ± 3.47. Only 0.7% of the participants adhered to the SHPDGs and were free of EC symptoms. Conversely, 50.4% of participants who exhibited EC symptoms had poor adherence to the SHPDGs. Across Saudi Arabian provinces, high adherence to the SHPDGs was more prominent in both the Eastern and Western provinces (37.5%) than in the Central and Southern provinces (0%). The most striking result was that the Central province exhibited a high percentage of poor adherence to the SHPDGs (25.6%). Moreover, high adherence to SHPDGs was not associated with the probability of ECs. The present study revealed a trend of poor adherence to SHPDGs among Saudi females, with a large proportion also experiencing EC symptoms. Accordingly, the authors recommend increasing awareness within the Saudi community about SHPDGs using educational campaigns on social media platforms to enhance the importance of adopting a healthy diet, especially among females, and demonstrate that the impact on their health and well-being is that they are experiencing multiple phases that involve pregnancy and giving birth involves specific nutritional requirements.

Technological Processes Applied to Laboratory Animal Feeds and New Feeding Approaches

Laboratory animal nutrition plays a crucial role in ensuring the health, welfare, and scientific validity of research studies involving animals. Technological advancements in feed processing have provided researchers with innovative tools and techniques to enhance the nutritional quality and stability of laboratory animal diets. Recent developments in feed processing technology have focused on improving the precision, consistency, and nutrient bioavailability of laboratory animal diets. Techniques such as pelleting, extrusion, and coating have been utilized to create homogeneous feed formulations with controlled nutrient profiles. In addition to advances in feed processing, new feeding approaches have emerged to address the specific nutritional requirements of laboratory animals. Precision feeding technologies, incorporating real-time monitoring systems and data analytics, allow for the customization of feed formulations based on individual animal needs. Overall, the integration of technological processes and new feeding approaches in laboratory animal nutrition represents a promising avenue for advancing animal welfare, research quality, and scientific outcomes in preclinical and biomedical research. By leveraging cutting-edge feed processing techniques and tailored feeding strategies, researchers can ensure the optimal nutrition, health, and well-being of laboratory animals, fostering both ethical research practices and robust scientific results. This review provides an overview of the technological processes applied to laboratory animal feeds and introduces new feeding approaches aimed at optimizing animal health and research outcomes.

Strategies to Enhance Cultivation of Anaerobic Bacteria from Gastrointestinal Tract of Chicken.

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of chicken is a complex ecosystem harboring trillions of microbes that play a pivotal role in the host's physiology, digestion, nutrient absorption, immune system maturation, and prevention of pathogen intrusion. For optimal animal health and productivity, it is imperative to characterize these microorganisms and comprehend their role. While the GIT of poultry holds a reservoir of microorganisms with potential probiotic applications, most of the diversity remains unexplored. To enhance our understanding of uncultured microbial diversity, concerted efforts are required to bring these microorganisms into culture. Isolation and cultivation of GIT-colonizing microorganisms yield reproducible material, including cells, DNA, and metabolites, offering new insights into metabolic processes in the environment. Without cultivation, the role of these organisms in their natural settings remains unclear and limited to a descriptive level. Our objective is to implement cultivation strategies aimed at improving the isolation of a diverse range of anaerobic microbes from the chicken's GIT, leveraging multidisciplinary knowledge from animal physiology, animal nutrition, metagenomics, feed biochemistry, and modern cultivation strategies. Additionally, we aim to implement the use of proper practices for sampling, transportation, and media preparation, which are known to influence isolation success. Appropriate methodologies should ensure a consistent oxygen-free environment, optimal atmospheric conditions, appropriate host incubation temperature, and provision for specific nutritional requirements in alignment with their distinctive needs. By following these methodologies, cultivation will not only yield reproducible results for isolation but will also facilitate isolation procedures, thus fostering a comprehensive understanding of the intricate microbial ecosystem within the chicken's GIT.

A comparative analysis of the nutrient and phytochemical richness among different varieties of quinoa in China.

Quinoa is a nutrient-dense pseudocereal that has garnered global attention for its potential to bolster food security and nutrition. Despite its celebrated status, the detailed nutritional profiles of various quinoa varieties remain poorly understood, which poses a significant barrier to the strategic cultivation and utilization of quinoa's genetic diversity to combat malnutrition. The impetus for this research lies in the urgent need to identify superior quinoa strains that can be tailored to meet specific nutritional requirements and adapt to diverse agro-ecological zones. Our findings reveal substantial variation in nutrient content across different quinoa varieties, highlighting the variety ZLZX-8 as a particularly nutrient-rich strain with the highest levels of protein, fat, essential fatty acids, amino acids, and key minerals such as Mg, K, and Zn. Moreover, ZLZX-8's exceptional antioxidant capacity suggests it may have additional health benefits beyond its macronutrient profile. In contrast, ZLZX-7 stands out for its dietary fiber and phenolic content, which are critical for digestive health and disease prevention, respectively. Meanwhile, ZLZX-5, with its high starch content, could be better suited for energy production in dietary applications. Notably, the study also uncovers a correlation between grain color and nutrient profile, with colored quinoa varieties exhibiting superior fiber, inositol, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity compared to their white counterparts. This work lays the groundwork for an informed selection of quinoa varieties that can enhance dietary quality, support local and global food systems, and contribute to the fight against malnutrition.

Nutritional status and Mediterranean diet adherence of children with Down Syndrome and their siblings

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the nutritional status, eating practices, dietary intake, and dietary patterns of Down Syndrome (DS) individuals and their non-DS siblings. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out with two groups, consisting of 34 DS individuals and 23 siblings. Socio-demographic data, anthropometric measurements, food consumption, and feeding difficulties were recorded. Dietary patterns are evaluated by the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED). The physical activity was measured with the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). Results The rates of being overweight and obese were higher in the DS group according to the WHO BMI-z scores classification (p = 0.002). Even using Turkish DS-specific growth curves, being overweight and obese rates were higher (p = 0.041). No statistical difference was found in energy, macronutrient intake, and the mean KIDMED scores. However, most of the DS group had moderate adherence and most siblings had high adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p = 0.037). The PAQ-C scores were lower in the DS group (p = 0.039). Conclusions We conclude that DS individuals have higher rates of being overweight/obese even using DS-specific growth curves despite similar dietary patterns and nutrient intake. To prevent obesity in DS, it is important to evaluate their growth considering specific nutritional requirements.

Sex differences in foraging ecology of a zooplanktivorous little auk Alle alle during the pre-laying period: insights from remote sensing and animal-tracking

BackgroundEnergy and time allocation in seabirds differ between consecutive stages of breeding given various requirements of particular phases of the reproductive period. Theses allocations may also be sex-specific considering differential energetic or nutritional requirements of males and females and/or sexual segregation in foraging niches and/or areas. In this study we investigated the foraging ecology of an Arctic, zooplanktivorous seabird, the little auk Alle alle during the pre-laying period using remote sensing of the environment and GPS-TDR loggers deployed on birds. We compared foraging trips range and habitats of birds with other stages of the breeding period and between sexes.ResultsWe found that little auks during the pre-laying period foraged exclusively in cold sea surface temperature zones (with temperatures < 5 ºC) but in various sea depth zones. They dived to similar depths ranging from -4.0 to -10.9 m, exploring various thermal microhabitats (with mean temperatures values ranging from 2.2 °C in Shelf sea depth zone to 5.9 °C in Deep sea depth zone). The majority of foraging trips and dives characteristics were similar to subsequent phases of breeding. However, home ranges during the pre-laying trips were wider compared to the incubation period. As expected, females exhibited wider foraging niches compared to males (wider range of sea surface temperature and sea depth in foraging locations), which could be explained by sex specific energetic and/or nutritional requirements (females producing an egg). We also delineated local foraging areas important for little auks during their whole breeding season. Protection of these areas is crucial for sustaining the local marine biodiversity.ConclusionsWe found that little auks females during the pre-laying period explored wider foraging niches compared to males. These differences may be attributed to sex-specific nutritional or/and energetical constraints at this stage of breeding. The results of this study also emphasize the importance of shelf Arctic-type water masses as the foraging areas for little auks during successive stages of breeding.

Growth monitoring and nutritional outcome of severe acute malnutrition children in the presence and absence of edema: a facility based retrospective study

Background: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is the leading cause of death in children. SAM affects approximately 20 million preschool children, mainly in Africa and South Asia. Children with severe acute malnutrition and severe edema (+++) have an increased risk of death compared with children with severe acute malnutrition and no edema. This study evaluated the nutritional outcome of SAM patients in the presence and absence of edema. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in malnutrition treatment centre, JK Lon Hospital attached with Govt Medical College, Kota from January 2021 to December 2022 on children of age 6 months to 59 months, with clinical diagnosis of severe acute malnutrition. Ethics committee approval was not required as the study was a retrospective observational study. Patients were divided into three categories, viz. recovered, defaulted and non-responders. Results: A total of 270 patients were selected for this study on the basis of date made available through past records. Of the total patients studied, 32.2% (87) had bilateral edema while the rest (183) were non edematous. From edematous arm, 79.9% children recovered, 9.1% defaulted, and 11% were non-respondents. Conversely, of those without oedema 55.7% recovered, 7.0% defaulted, and 37.3% were non-respondents. Conclusions: Severe acute malnutrition is a preventable and treatable cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. The determinants of SAM include illiteracy, low socio-economic status, malnourished mother, low birth weight, ignorance about specific nutritional requirements of infants and young children, repeated infections, etc. In this study, we documented that the edematous children in the study area had a better likelihood of recovery as compared to those with severe wasting.

Effects of AM/PM Diets on Laying Performance, Egg Quality, and Nutrient Utilisation in Free-Range Laying Hens

Laying hen nutrient requirements change throughout the day, due to the cyclic nature of egg formation. Generally, more energy and protein are required in the morning when the albumen is deposited around the yolk, and more calcium is required in the evening when the eggshell is formed. The aim of this study was to determine if feeding laying hens diets tailored to their specific nutritional and physiological requirements throughout the day, by feeding higher levels of protein and energy in the morning and higher levels of calcium in the evening, is more beneficial than feeding one diet all day. Hy-Line Brown laying hens (n = 360) were housed in free-range floor pens (18 pens with 20 hens/pen) from 34 to 53 weeks of age (WOA). Half of the birds (n = 180, nine replicate pens) were fed a conventional layer hen diet all day (control) and the remaining birds (n = 180, nine replicate pens) were fed an AM diet from 08:00 h to 16:00 h and PM diet from 16:00 h to 08:00 h (AM/PM). From 39 WOA, hens were given access to an outdoor range from 09:00 h to 18:00 h via pop holes. Egg weight and hen-day egg production were measured daily, and feed consumption and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured weekly. Hen weight and egg size uniformity were determined at 43 and 53 WOA, and egg quality was measured at 53 WOA. A total of 72 hens (4 hens/pen, 36 hens/treatment) were euthanised at 53 WOA to determine ileal apparent energy and nitrogen digestibility. A cost–benefit analysis for the study period, based on feed costs and egg mass, was calculated. Overall, the results showed that the AM/PM treatment increased egg mass by 2.15% (60.4 vs. 59.1 g/hen/day, p = 0.086) and improved feed efficiency by 8.34% (2.231 vs. 2.436 kg feed/kg egg, p = 0.030) compared with the control. A higher yolk colour score was observed in eggs from hens on the AM/PM treatment (p = 0.002), but no other significant effects of the treatments on egg quality were observed. Ileal digestible energy and digestible nitrogen coefficient were lower in hens on the AM/PM treatment compared with the control treatment (both p &lt; 0.001). However, the AM/PM treatment was attributed to a lower feed cost to egg mass compared with the control treatment (p &lt; 0.001). In conclusion, using an AM/PM feeding strategy was found to be economically beneficial.

Analisis Status Gizi Mahasiswi Gizi Universitas Aisyah Pringsewu Berdasarkan Indeks Massa Tubuh (IMT) dan Lingkar Lengan Atas (LILA)

Nutritional status reflects the balance between nutrient intake from food and the body's metabolic needs. Students, as a productive age group transitioning from adolescence to adulthood, have specific nutritional requirements depending on age, gender, body weight, and height. This study aims to assess the nutritional status of female students in the Nutrition Study Program at Aisyah Pringsewu University by screening weight, height, and upper arm circumference. The indicators used are Body Mass Index (BMI) and Upper Arm Circumference (UAC). This quantitative descriptive research with a cross-sectional method was conducted in March 2024. The research subjects consisted of 50 second-semester female students aged &gt;18 years selected using purposive sampling technique. The results showed that 60% of the students had normal nutritional status based on BMI, 24% were overweight, and 16% were underweight. Based on UAC, 76% had normal nutritional status and 24% experienced Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED). These findings indicate the need for tailored nutritional education approaches considering the students' age characteristics to support their nutritional well-being, given the potential health issues that may arise.

Research progress of Chinese and Western diet therapy for children and adolescent obesity and overweight

Childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity rates have been increasing year by year, becoming extremely common and posing serious health risks, making it a global epidemic. Childhood obesity should not be ignored, and in-depth prevention and treatment should be implemented to reduce the risk of chronic diseases in adulthood and promote long-term health and physical development in children. Dietary therapy is beneficial for children to maintain a healthy weight, achieve nutritional balance, and prevent obesity. Additionally, specific nutritional requirements such as the ketogenic diet can be used in combination with dietary therapy to target the treatment of obese children. The traffic light diet plan can enhance children’s awareness of healthy eating and promote adherence to a balanced diet. However, childhood obesity is influenced by various factors. This article will analyze the causes of childhood obesity and incorporate the dietary concepts of ancient Chinese scholars. It will compare the different dietary treatment methods for childhood obesity in traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, such as the Warm Gallbladder Decoction, and explore other complementary interventions such as medication. By comparing the similarities and differences between traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, we can avoid their respective shortcomings and develop their advantages, combining them to provide feasible short-term and long-term treatment methods for obese children and adolescents. Furthermore, it can provide future research prospects for the development of dietary treatments specifically tailored to pediatric obesity patients.

The emerging role of medical foods and therapeutic potential of medical food-derived exosomes.

Medical food is consumed for the purpose of improving specific nutritional requirements or disease conditions, such as inflammation, diabetes, and cancer. It involves partial or exclusive feeding for fulfilling unique nutritional requirements of patients and is different from medicine, consisting of basic nutrients, such as polyphenols, vitamins, sugars, proteins, lipids, and other functional ingredients to nourish the patients. Recently, studies on extracellular vesicles (exosomes) with therapeutic and drug carrier potential have been actively conducted. In addition, there have been attempts to utilize exosomes as medical food components. Consequently, the application of exosomes is expanding in different fields with increasing research being conducted on their stability and safety. Herein, we introduced the current trends of medical food and the potential utilization of exosomes in them. Moreover, we proposed Medi-Exo, a exosome-based medical food. Furthermore, we comprehensively elucidate various disease aspects between medical food-derived exosomes (Medi-Exo) and therapeutic natural bionanocomposites. This review highlights the therapeutic challenges regarding Medi-Exo and its potential health benefits.

Genetic Engineering of Agrobacterium Increases Curdlan Production through Increased Expression of the crdASC Genes.

Curdlan is a water-insoluble polymer that has structure and gelling properties that are useful in a wide variety of applications such as in medicine, cosmetics, packaging and the food and building industries. The capacity to produce curdlan has been detected in certain soil-dwelling bacteria of various phyla, although the role of curdlan in their survival remains unclear. One of the major limitations of the extensive use of curdlan in industry is the high cost of production during fermentation, partly because production involves specific nutritional requirements such as nitrogen limitation. Engineering of the industrially relevant curdlan-producing strain Agrobacterium sp. ATTC31749 is a promising approach that could decrease the cost of production. Here, during investigations on curdlan production, it was found that curdlan was deposited as a capsule. Curiously, only a part of the bacterial population produced a curdlan capsule. This heterogeneous distribution appeared to be due to the activity of Pcrd, the native promoter responsible for the expression of the crdASC biosynthetic gene cluster. To improve curdlan production, Pcrd was replaced by a promoter (PphaP) from another Alphaproteobacterium, Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Compared to Pcrd, PphaP was stronger and only mildly affected by nitrogen levels. Consequently, PphaP dramatically boosted crdASC gene expression and curdlan production. Importantly, the genetic modification overrode the strict nitrogen depletion regulation that presents a hindrance for maximal curdlan production and from nitrogen rich, complex media, demonstrating excellent commercial potential for achieving high yields using cheap substrates under relaxed fermentation conditions.

Starting with Sustainability: Utilizing food Wastes as Nursery Feed for Black Solder Fly Neonates

With black soldier fly (BSF) larvae being recognized as effective waste convertors, the global market for BSF industry is projected to grow substantially in the coming decade. However, using non-waste materials in the bioconversion process increases the environmental footprint of the BSF industry [e.g.: chicken feed (CF) as primary neonatal nursery meal]. In this study, we first tested if industrial food wastes (i.e., okara, biscuit meal, dried fish, coconut.) can be substitute diets for BSF neonates. Next, we tested three formulated meals based on the nutritional properties of the well-performing nursery diets from the first test/previous literatures. In the first test, we observed significant differences in neonatal growth when food wastes were directly used as nursery meals, and the initial weight of neonates influenced the development time of the larvae, with smaller neonates exhibiting prolonged larval duration. In contrast, the formulated meals performed well in promoting the growth of neonates, and the larval development showed no significant difference by day eight in the post-nursery rearing. In summary, our findings indicate that by meeting specific nutritional requirements, formulated diets made from industrial food waste could serve as a viable replacement for CF as nursery meals, resulting in a significant boost in the sustainability of the BSF industry.Graphical

Establishment of a Single Temperature Incubation Approach for Environmental Monitoring Samples with Focus on Mold Recoveries.

A robust environmental monitoring program is essential to properly estimate and identify microorganisms in cleanrooms, ensuring that microbial contamination remains acceptably low, and a good state of control is maintained in the manufacturing areas. The incubation conditions are important to support optimal microbial recoveries, considering that there is no single culture medium, temperature and incubation time that can recover all microorganisms. Particularly molds are quite sensitive microorganisms, and some species may have very specific nutritional and environmental needs. In this study, a two-phase approach was used to identify a single incubation-temperature approach that could recover most of the cleanroom microbial flora with focus on molds. Phase 1 included a growth promotion study performed in the laboratory using pharmacopeial and in-house strains, comparing different media (SDA and TSA) at single or dual incubation-temperature approaches for 5 or 6 days. Phase 2 was based on an in situ study where sampling was performed in different areas of a pharmaceutical facility, comparing the recoveries at different incubation conditions. In addition, extension studies of phase 1 and phase 2 were performed to get a better understanding of growth requirements for in-house molds. The results show that an incubation on Tryptone Soy Agar (TSA) at 25-30° for 3-4 days was able to recover most tested microorganisms in phase 1 and a large variety of microorganisms in phase 2, indicating that the single incubation-temperature is an optimal approach for the recovery of microorganisms in cleanrooms. Exceptions were noted for one strain of the species Cutibacterium acnes, a microaerophilic bacterium for which anaerobiosis and higher temperatures were needed, and two mold strains (Sistotrema brinkmannii and Stereum hirsutum), indicating that those molds required a specific media (Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, SDA) for their proliferation. The results showed that TSA incubated at single or dual incubation-temperature approach cannot compensate for the absence of SDA for some environmental molds that may be atypical in cleanrooms. Therefore, in addition to TSA, certain monitoring with SDA at e.g., cleanroom entrance points may be beneficial to recover molds with very specific nutritional requirements.

A review of fermentation and the nutritional requirements for effective growth media for lactic acid bacteria

Lactic acid bacteria are useful microorganisms that are well-known to have probiotic effects and provide foods with unique sensory qualities such as aroma and taste (flavor). Probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus are found in many fermented food products and confer several human health benefits. Probiotic strains help to strengthen and boost the human immune system, increasing the body's resistance to a wide range of disease conditions. The food industry’s effort to meet customers' sensory and health demands in dairy and fermented food items has boosted the need for probiotic starter cultures with superior performance and health-beneficial qualities. One of the crucial dairy starter cultures for producing fermented dairy products such as yogurt and cheese is lactic acid bacteria, particularly L. bulgaricus. An enhanced fermentation media improves the generation of essential metabolites, such as lactic acid and the sensory attribute of fermented food. Therefore, this review aims to present an overview and the importance of lactic acid bacteria in fermentation. The review also presents information on specific nutritional requirements of growth media for fermentation purposes as well as new classifications and views on the present commercial applications of these healthy bacteria.

Investigating Owner Use of Dietary Supplements in Dogs with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction.

Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) is becoming increasingly recognized in veterinary medicine, as dogs live longer and with CCD being highly prevalent among the elderly dog population. Various studies have shown that diet and dietary supplementation can positively influence the clinical signs of CCD, especially if given at an early stage. The aim of this study was to investigate owner use of dietary supplements (DSs) in dogs with age-related behavioral changes. An observational study based on an online questionnaire for owners of dogs with age-related behavioral changes was performed. Out of a total of 394 owners who completed the survey, after noticing age-related behavioral changes, over half of the dogs received DSs (54%), whereas only 8% reported changing their dog's base diet. The most used DS was fish oil (48%). The use of DSs should be discussed with and monitored by veterinary surgeons since many geriatric patients have multi-morbidities, may have specific nutritional requirements and receive multi-faceted medications.

Debottlenecking and reformulating feed media for improved CHO cell growth and titer by data-driven and model-guided analyses.

Designing and selecting cell culture media along with their feeding are a key strategy to maximize culture performance in biopharmaceutical processes. However, the sensitivity of mammalian cells to their culture environment necessitates specific nutritional requirements for their growth and the production of high-quality proteins such as antibodies, depending on the cell lines and operational conditions employed. In this regard, previously we developed a data-driven and in-silico model-guided systematic framework to investigate the effect of growth media on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell culture performance, allowing us to design and reformulate basal media. To expand our exploration for media development research, we evaluated two chemically defined feed media, A and B, using a monoclonal antibody-producing CHO K1 cell line in ambr15 bioreactor runs. We observed a significant impact of the feed media on various aspects of cell culture, including growth, longevity, viability, productivity, and the production of toxic metabolites. Specifically, the concentrated feed A was inadequate in sustaining prolonged cell culture and achieving high titers when compared to feed B. Within our framework, we systematically investigated the major metabolic bottlenecks in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and relevant amino acid transferase reactions. This analysis identified target components that play a crucial role in alleviating bottlenecks and designing highly productive cell cultures, specifically the addition of glutamate to feed A and asparagine to feed B. Based on our findings, we reformulated the feeds by adjusting the amounts of the targeted amino acids and successfully validated the effectiveness of the strategy in promoting cell growth, life span, and/or titer. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.