Total Non-essential Amino Acids Research Articles

Exploring lipid health indices and protein quality in ninety Indian linseed varieties by comprehensive analysis of fatty acid composition, lignan content, and amino acid composition

Biochemical profiling of 90 linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) varieties was done to have insights into their health benefits and nutritional properties. The analysis of fatty acid (FA) composition revealed 5 major FAs as α-linolenic acid (ALA), linoleic acid (LA), oleic acid (OA), palmitic acid (PA), and stearic acid (SA) ranging from 1.68% to 59.19%, 5.61–62.44%, 18.14–45.54%, 5.69–9.5%, and 3.94–10.29%, respectively. Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) content varied significantly with a wide range of 0.02–3.60% in the seed with highest SDG content recorded so far as 3.60% in variety KL-226. Amino acid (AA) composition analysis revealed the variation in average amino acid content of essential amino acids (EAA) (His, Thr Val, Met, Trp, Phe, Ile, Leu, Lys) and non-essential amino acids (NEAA) (Asp, Glu, Ser, Gly, Arg, Ala, Tyr, Cys). Total NEAA content ranged from 3.24% to 23.69% while total EAA content ranged from 1.89% to 14.89%. Lipid heath indices such as atherogenicity index, thrombogenicity index, cholestrolemic index and peroxidisability index along with other fatty acid ratios such as n-6/n-3 ratio, UFA/SFA, PUFA/SFA were calculated to determine the stability of the varieties against auto-oxidation. It also revealed the positive effect of all varieties providing protection against atherosclerosis, coronary heart diseases, cancer and inflammatory diseases. Oleic desaturation ratio (ODR) and linoleic desaturation ratio (LDR) calculated to determine the desaturation efficiency of fatty acids, while protein efficiency ratio (PER) value calculated using amino acid composition determine the nutritional quality of protein. PER value ranged from 1.92 to 4.12 making all 90 varieties a good quality protein plant source. Principal component analysis revealed a significant variation between the fatty acid composition, amino acid composition and SDG content with a total variation of 69.95%. Hierarchical cluster analysis calculated using Pearson correlation coefficient revealed that 89 varieties are mostly similar except TL-99 variety.

Evaluation of the effects of hempseed cake on plasma metabolites and cytokines in response to an LPS challenge in finishing steers

A lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 0.25 µg LPS/kg of body weight (BW)) challenge in steers ( n = 5; initial BW = 542 kg, SD = 40 kg; Youden square) was conducted to evaluate feeding 0% (dry matter basis; control) or 20% hempseed cake (HEMP) or corn distillers grains (DDGS) on plasma metabolites and cytokines. Plasma isoleucine, leucine, tryptophan, aspartic acid, glycine, tyrosine, total nonessential amino acids, interleukin-1α (IL-1α), interleukin-36 receptor antagonist (IL-36RA), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) decreased ( P ≤ 0.04) in steers fed hempseed cake compared to steers fed DDGS after the LPS challenge. These data suggest that hempseed cake may influence inflammation by altering cytokine production and by increasing degradation and/or utilization of some amino acids.

Effects of dietary arginine supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, intestinal digestive enzyme activity, muscle transcriptome, and gut health of Siniperca chuatsi

Our study investigated the effects of dietary arginine supplementation on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, intestinal digestive enzyme activity, muscle transcriptome, and gut health of Chinese perch (Siniperca chuatsi). Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets (50% crude protein, 11% crude lipid) with graded levels (2.61%, 2.99%, 3.37%, and 3.82%) of arginine were formulated and processed. A total of 360 Chinese perch (approximately 45–46 g) were randomly divided into four groups with triplicates of 30 fish per cage in each group. Our results revealed that although there was no significant improvement in the growth performance of Chinese perch, their antioxidant capacity and nutritional metabolism were significantly improved. Compared to the control group (without arginine supplementation, 2.61% group), feeding graded arginine levels could significantly (P < 0.05) decrease serum glucose and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, as well as increase total superoxide dismutase (TSOD) activity. Fish fed a 3.37% arginine diet had the highest TSOD activity in the serum and liver. The intestinal morphological structure was clearer and more uniform in the 2.99% and 3.37% arginine groups. Fish fed with 3.82% arginine had significantly decreased (P < 0.05) muscle valine, glutamate, tyrosine, and total non-essential amino acid contents, with decreased (P < 0.05) intestinal amylase activity. Transcriptome analysis showed that graded arginine levels significantly (P < 0.05) influenced muscle gene expression involved in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways of energy metabolism (amino acid, glucose, fatty acid), signaling pathways (mTOR, PI3K-Akt, MAPK, foxO, and insulin pathway), etc. The microbial community structure did not change significantly. Mycoplasma showed the highest abundance in the control group, and Cetobacterium had the highest abundance in the dietary arginine supplementation groups. Network analysis showed that the network complexity of the control group was higher than those of arginine groups. Our finding would help advance the field of arginine nutrition and guide the development of future fish feeds. Based on antioxidant and intestinal health indicators, the optimal dietary arginine requirement for Chinese perch was 2.99%–3.37% of the dry diet (6.08%–6.79% of dietary protein).

Comparison of fatty acids and amino acids profiles of the selected perennial and annual wheat varieties from Kazakhstan

This study applied various chromatographic methods to assess the chemical composition of five selected perennial and annual wheat seed varieties cultivated in Kazakhstan. Gas Chromatography (GC) analysis revealed distinct fatty acid profiles, with perennial, soft, and durum annual wheat seeds displaying varying levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (SFA: 10.538 − 19.676%, MUFA: 17.124 − 23.131%, PUFA: 58.649 − 66.938%). HPLC analysis uncovered significant differences in the content of total non-essential amino acids (TNEA) and essential amino acids (TEA). Among the analysed varieties, "Sova" had the highest TNEA content (4464.70 mg/g) with aspartic acid as the predominant amino acid (4146.35 mg/g), while "704" displayed the highest TEA content (579.95 mg/g) with tyrosine as the dominant amino acid (219.98 mg/g). These findings highlight the potential of Kazakh wheat varieties as rich sources of essential nutrients and hold promise for improving public health.

Dietary protein regulates ovarian development through TOR pathway mediated protein metabolism in female Litopenaeus vannamei

The accumulation of nutrients in the gonads is closely related to reproductive capacity and quality of the larvae in the subsequent autotrophic stage of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Nutrition is one of the important factors affecting the gonad development of aquaculture animals, dietary protein is utilized as the major component of vitellogenin through vitellogenesis, which acts as an indispensable nutrient in ovary development. Therefore, six different protein diets were formulate to contain 39.81%, 44.34%, 48.20%, 52.81%, 56.12% and 59.45%, respectively. A total of 540 shrimp (initial weight, 9.3 g) were distributed randomly into eighteen 250-L cylindrical fiber-glass tanks, with each diet assigned to 3 replicate tanks. The results showed Arg, His, Leu, Lys, Glu, Gly, Pro, total essential amino acids (ΣEAA) and total non-essential amino acids (ΣNEAA) in ovary were significantly influenced by dietary protein levels, and shrimps fed diet with 39.81% protein exhibited the lowest total amino acids composition in ovary among all treatments. The percentage of ovarian development in stages III-V was higher in shrimp fed diets with higher protein ( ≥ 48.20%) than those fed diets with lower protein. Shrimp fed diet with 52.81% protein had higher serum concentrations of vitellogenin (VTG), meanwhile, shrimp fed the diet with 52.81% protein had higher expression levels of vitellogenin 1 (vg1), vtg and vitellogenin receptor (vgr) in the ovaries than those fed the other diets. However, the highest concentrations of VTG in the hepatopancreas and ovaries were observed at shrimp fed diet with 52.81% protein. The expression levels of target of rapamycin (torc1), ras homologue enriched in brain (rheb), protein kinase B (akt), 4E-binding protein (4ebp) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (pi3k) in ovary and hepatopancreas significantly up-regulated in shrimp fed diet with 52.81% protein. In conclusion, dietary 52.81% protein promoted the synthesis of exogenous vitellogenin in hepatopancreas and its transport to the ovary through serum, and also motivated the production of endogenous vitellinogen in ovary, and was involved in the regulation of ovarian development through TOR mediated protein metabolism of L.vannamei .

Nutritional composition assessment and antimicrobial activity of Catostylus perezi, jellyfish blooms along the coast of Pakistan: an awareness to avoid food neophobia in Pakistan

This study highlighted the nutritional importance of Catostylus perezi (an edible jellyfish) in Pakistan; a society where a large proportion of the population suffers from malnutrition, while C. perezi, a blessing of the sea, is wasted or exported. In the present study, the amino acid and fatty acid profiles of the oral arms and umbrella of C. perezi were determined by HPLC. The total amino acid concentration (ΣAA) in the oral arms was 151.19 mg/100g, while in the umbrella it was 100.17 mg/100g. The ratio of total essential amino acids to total non-essential amino acids (TEAA/TNEAA) was 0.72 in the oral arms, while it was 0.70 in the umbrella. Higher amount of ω-3 with lower ratio of ω-6/ω-3 in oral arms (0.52), rather umbrella (ω-6/ω-3 ratio; 0.62). The antimicrobial activity, MIC, MBC, and MFC of the whole body of the edible jellyfish were determined. On the basis of polarity, different solvents were used, e.g. water, methanol, dichloromethane, chloroform, and n-hexane. Among all the extracts, the water extract gave the highest ZOI against C. xerosis (29 mm), while the n-hexane extract gave the lowest ZOI against S. aureus (MRSA) ATCC 33591 (8.20 mm). The water extract of C. perezi had high potential against C. xerosis with the highest AMI and PAI (1.53 and 153, respectively), while the same extract had the highest TAI against E. coli (81.43 mL/g). For fungi/yeast, the methanolic extract had the highest ZOI (29.70 mm) against S. cerevisiae and the lowest MIC/MFC (2.40 µg/mL) against the same pathogen. The n-Hexane extract gave the lowest ZOI (11.10 mm) against P. variotii and the highest MIC/MFC (31.60 µg/mL) against Penicillium sp. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to analyse the disintegrating effect of the extracts (with the highest antimicrobial effect) on the cells of selected Gram-positive, Gram-negative and yeast species. The amino acid and fatty acid profiles and antimicrobial assessment showed that C. perezi has great nutritional importance, so the use of C. perezi as food is highly recommended for the Pakistani community.

Effects of Dietary Curcumin on Growth and Flesh Quality in Juvenile Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus)

This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of curcumin levels on growth, flesh quality, and oxidative resistance in juvenile genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus). Fish (initial mean weight: 4.5 ± 0.3 g) were randomly fed five diets with curcumin supplementation levels of 0 (control), 150, 300, 600, and 1,200 mg/kg. After 60 days of feeding, the hepatosomatic index was significantly reduced in the curcumin supplemented groups. The 300 mg/kg group had the highest crude protein content of the whole fish. Compared to the control group, the crude fat content of whole fish in the 150 and 300 mg/kg groups was significantly reduced by 18.83%–19.74%, respectively. The highest values for muscular hardness, chewiness, myofibrillar density, and proportion of small-sized myofibers (<40 μm) were observed in the 300 mg/kg group. The levels of total nonessential amino acids and bitter amino acids in muscle were significantly lower in the 150 and 300 mg/kg groups than in the other groups. The 300 mg/kg group had higher levels of free sweet amino acids in the muscle than the other groups. Muscles from the 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg groups had significantly higher levels of umami amino acids than in the other groups. The levels of total free nonessential amino acids and total amino acids in serum were significantly higher in the 300 mg/kg group than in the control group. Serum aspartate transaminase activity was significantly lower in the curcumin supplementation groups than in the control group, and the serum alanine aminotransferase activity was significantly lower in the 150 mg/kg group than in the other groups. Serum superoxide dismutase activity was significantly higher in the curcumin supplementation groups than in the control group. Serum catalase activity was significantly higher in the 150 mg/kg group than in the other groups. The serum malondialdehyde level was lowest in the 150 mg/kg group. These results suggest that dietary curcumin supplementation in the diet at 150–300 mg/kg can effectively improve the nutritional value, muscle flavor, and antioxidant capacity of tilapia.

Free amino acids in response to salinity changes in fishes: relationships to osmoregulation.

Free amino acids (FAAs) are believed to play important roles in osmoregulation and buffer capacity in some aquatic animals, such as fishes. However, the potential roles of FAAs have not been systematically summarized and characterized until now. In the present study, the meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the relationships between FAAs and environmental salinities. Twenty published documents were included, accounting for 106 study cases. The effect sizes of total free amino acids (TFAAs), total essential amino acids (TEAAs), and total non-essential amino acids (TNEAAs) to salinity increase were calculated and determined by the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) method. It clearly showed that the elevated salinities significantly induced the contents of TFAAs, TEAAs, and TNEAAs at the ratio of 36%, 27%, and 29%, respectively. Faced to the salinity changes, the contents of FAAs in fishes under freshwater and seawater varied significantly, while the individuals under brackish water displayed relatively constant contents of FAAs. When salinity elevated, the contents of 17 amino acids in muscles significantly increased, suggesting the important roles of FAA metabolism in osmoregulation in fishes. The results also indicated that the effect sizes of TFAAs were positively related to the rates of salinity increases, and exhibited a significant quadratic linear relationship with temperatures. Additionally, the contents of FAAs also showed positive correlation with osmotic pressure, concentrations of plasma Na+, Cl-, and urea, implying their potential roles of FAAs in osmoregulation in fishes. These findings suggested that elevated salinities greatly induced the contents of FAAs in fishes, making a great contribution to maintaining the homeostasis of fishes in response to environmental salinity changes.

The use of ultrasonication in producing potato-based milk, and to determine its proximate composition

Plant-based food is gaining the limelight, as it is unique, with high nutritional content and zero cholesterol and calories. However, there are no known plant-based milk alternatives of vegetable origin. Hence, our research aims to develop milk from potatoes associated with ultrasonication. The obtained potato milk was assessed for its proximate composition, and it was determined to be 92.66 ± 0.032% moisture, 0.66 ± 0.044% ash, 7.34 ± 0.002% total solids, 7.1 ± 0.001 pH, 96 °C boiling point, 0% lactose, 0.09 ± 0.004% titratable acidity, 1.030 ± 0.098 specific gravity, and the color L* 92.33 ± 0.023, a* −2.33 ± 0.044, b* 10.12 ± 0.089. The total essential amino acid was 44.76 g/100 g, and the total non-essential amino acid was 53.48 g/100 g. The fatty acid profile of potato milk was palmitic acid (23.22 ± 0.12), stearic acid (5.33 ± 0.33), oleic acid (6.6 ± 0.10), linoleic acid (41.2 ± 0.05) and linolenic acid (19.4 ± 0.01). The potato milk's fat, protein, and carbohydrates were 0.3 ± 0.002%, 3.92 ± 0.341%, and 54.2 ± 0.046%, the dietary fiber was1.9 ± 0.234. The sugar content was 1 ± 0.087. The Vitamin-A and Vitamin-C content was 0.03 ± 0.001 and 28 ± 0.099, respectively. Hence, due to their similar proximate composition to bovine milk and good nutritional and fatty acid value, the produced potato milk can have functional properties and be a non-dairy alternative to bovine milk.

Rumen-protected lysine supplementation improved amino acid balance, nitrogen utilization and altered hindgut microbiota of dairy cows

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) and rumen-protected lysine (RPL) supplementation on lactation performance, amino acid (AA) balance, nitrogen (N) utilization and hindgut microbiota in dairy cows. Treatments were in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, and the main effects were CP concentration (16% vs. 18%) and RPL supplementation (with or without RPL at 40 g/cow per day). Forty cows were randomly allocated to 4 groups: low-CP diet (LP), low-CP diet plus RPL (LPL), high-CP diet (HP), high-CP diet plus RPL (HPL). The experiment was conducted for 8 weeks. Results showed that RPL increased the dry matter intake (P < 0.01), milk protein yield (P = 0.04) and energy corrected milk (P = 0.04), and tended to increase milk fat yield (P = 0.06) and fat corrected milk (P = 0.05). Cows in the HP group tended to have higher milk urea N (P = 0.07). Plasma concentrations of Arg, Ile, Lys, Met, Pro, total essential AA and total nonessential AA were increased by RPL (P < 0.05). The total essential AA, total nonessential AA and most AA (except Ile, Phe, Gly and Pro) were increased in the HP group (P < 0.05). N excretion was increased in the HP group through an increase in urea N excretion (P < 0.01) and an upward trend in plasma urea N (P = 0.07). In addition, RPL tended to increase milk protein N secretion (P = 0.08), milk N (P = 0.07) and microbial protein synthesis (P = 0.06), and decreased plasma urea N (P < 0.001). In the hindgut, the bacterial community were different between the LP and LPL groups (P < 0.01). The probiotic abundances of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and Acinetobacter were increased by RPL (P = 0.03 and 0.03, respectively). The pathogenic abundances of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 (P < 0.001) and Turicibacter (P < 0.01) were decreased by RPL. In conclusion, supplementing RPL with low dietary CP could balance AA supply and increase milk protein yield, resulting in an improvement in N utilization efficiency, and altered the composition of the hindgut microbiota to favor the lactation performance of dairy cows.

Nutritional and Antioxidant Properties of Resistant Starch-Based Flour Blends from Unripe Plantain, Pigeon Pea and Rice-Bran

Aim: The nutrients and antioxidants of blends of native resistant starch, acetylated resistant starch, and flours of unripe plantain, pigeon pea and rice bran were investigated as possible alternatives to functional food products in managing type-2 diabetes.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Food Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Food Science and Technology, and Functional Foods Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. From January, 2022 to January, 2023.&#x0D; Methodology: Native resistant starch was isolated from plantain and was modified via acetylation. Five sample blends of native resistant starch, acetylated resistant starch, and flours of pigeon pea and rice bran were prepared, using Mixture Design Expert 11.0.0 and were coded as follows: PLF – (100% Plantain flour), used as a control sample; PLPRF – plantain flour: pigeon pea flour: rice bran flour (73.08:15.15:11.76); PSPRF – native plantain starch: pigeon pea flour: rice bran flour (73.08:15.15:11.76); AP1SPRF – acetylated plantain starch: pigeon pea flour: rice bran flour (73.08:15.15:11.76); AP2SPRF – acetylated plantain starch: pigeon pea flour: rice bran flour (70.67:18.15:11.18). The proximate compositions, minerals, amino acid profiles, α-amylase and α-glucosidase and in-vitro antioxidant potentials of the samples were compared with the commercial flour product, CRF (100% Cerolina flour: wheat and soybean produced by More Foods Lagos, Nigeria).&#x0D; Results: The results showed that AP2SPR had the lowest moisture content (2.40%), highest ash content (4.63%) and lowest fat content (2.42%). K, Cu, Fe. Na, Zn and P were more relatively abundant in the blends than in PLF. Generally, the chemical compositions of the flour blends improved with the addition of quality protein, which extensively enhanced the mineral contents in terms of Ca, K, Fe, Zn and P. Total essential amino acids were higher in PLF and the flour blends than CRF, ranging from 35.18 (g/100g protein) in CRF to 41.81 (g/100g protein) in PLPRF whereas their total non-essential amino acids showed an opposite trend, ranging from 58.18 (g/100g protein) in PLPRF to 64.84 (g/100g protein) in CRF. Upon acetylation, total essential amino acids improved from 39.84 (g/100g protein) in PSPRF to 41.00 (g/100g protein) in AP1SPRF and 41.32 (g/100g protein) in AP2SPRF. Both AP1SPRF and AP2SPRF were able to reduce Fe2+ to Fe3+, scavenge DPPH, FRAP and ABTS and inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities.&#x0D; Conclusion: The flour blends of AP1SPRF and AP2SPRF studied were a good source of resistant starch and bioactive ingredients that would be useful in a variety of dietary functional food products to manage type-2 diabetes.

Involvement of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) and activation of insulin/IGF-like signaling (IIS)-target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling cascade in pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei exposed to acute low-salinity

Acute low-salinity induces multiple stress responses and significantly impact the health of aquatic animals. However, the molecular regulation network and metabolic adaptation of low salinity stress in aquatic organisms remain unclear. The insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) and insulin/IGF-like signaling (IIS)-target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling cascade are evolutionarily conserved regulators known to play crucial roles in response to various stressors. In this study, we used the euryhaline Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) as a model organism to investigate the involvement of IGFBP and IIS-TOR signaling cascade in acute low-salinity response. We found seven LvIGFBPs and evaluated 18s as one of most stable internal reference genes under acute low salinity stress. The expression of LvIGFBP4, LvSIBD1, and LvSIBD2 was significantly increased after 6-hours 5‰ salinity treatment. LvSIBD2 was specifically expressed on the surface of gill branch axis. Acute low-salinity significantly induced the phosphorylation of Akt and S6K in the gill but not in the muscle. We found acute low-salinity increased the levels of total essential amino acids, including leucine and arginine, while decreasing the total non-essential amino acid levels in the gill. Furthermore, glucose and key metabolites in glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) were increased, indicating remodeling of energy metabolism occurred. These results demonstrate the involvement of IGFBP and IIS-TOR signaling cascade in acute low-salinity response and provide new insights into understanding the mechanism of osmoregulation in euryhaline crustacean species.

Utilization of fish protein isolates to supplement oat-based cookies and assessment of end product quality.

Bullseye and Pacu fish processing waste were valorized through its conversion into functional protein isolates, followed by the utilization of recovered proteins to supplement oat-based cookies at different levels (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10g/100g) and baking temperatures (100, 150, 170, 180, 190 ˚C). With different replacement ratios and baking temperatures, the best selection was made at (4 and 6%) and baking temperatures (160 and 170 ˚C) for BPI (Bullseye protein isolate) and PPI (Pacu protein isolate) based cookies, respectively based on sensory and textural characteristics. The developed products were analyzed for its nutritional, physical, textural, and sensory quality. No significant differences were found in the moisture and ash contents of the cookies from different lots, while the protein content was highest for cookies with 6% PPI. The spread ratio was lower reported for the control cookies compared to the fish protein isolate-based counterpart (p < 0.05), and it decreased with increasing thickness of cookies. Significantly higher total essential amino acid values were obtained in cookies supplemented with 6% Pacu protein isolates, whereas 4% Bullseye protein isolate-supplemented cookies were higher in total non-essential amino acid content. The total plate count was higher in control cookies (0.35 ± 0.33cfu/g) compared to fish protein isolate-supplemented cookies. The hardness values were maximum for control group cookies (19.14 ± 0.98 N) compared to protein isolate incorporated cookies (17.22 ± 1.05 N and 16.26 ± 0.9 N). However, the difference among the all-treatment group is not significant (p > 0.05).

Nutrient, amino acids, phytochemical and antioxidant activities of common Nigeria indigenous soups

Indigenous vegetables have gained attention due to their dietary fibre, mineral, amino acids, phytochemicals, and antioxidant activities. Bitter leaf (BL); Efinrin leaf (EF); Koro owu or cotton seed leaf (KO); Marugbo leaf (MA); Ewedu leaf (EW) and Ira leaf (IR) are common Nigeria indigenous vegetables. These vegetables were processed into soup and analysed for proximate, mineral, amino acids, phytochemicals, and antioxidant activities. The crude fibre content of the vegetable ranged from 2.70 g/100 g in BL to 8.63 g/100 g in MA. It was observed that MA soup had the highest calcium content (42.89 mg/100 g) while the phytochemicals (mg/g) - tannin, phytate, oxalate, total phenol and total flavonoids values ranged as follows: 0.80–7.30; 2.00–32.76; 0.63–5.77; 1.06–9.12 and 0.61–19.50 respectively. The branch chain amino acid content ranged from 10.75 in MA to 14.67 in BL, total non-essential amino acids (35.32 in BL – 57.97 g/100 g in KO) and total essential amino acid (25.70 in MA – 32.34 g/100 g in KO) respectively. The DPPH ranged between 32.32 – 97.24%. Hence, consumption of these processed Nigerian indigenous vegetables soups may be beneficial in prevention and treatment of diet related diseases.

Changes in Protein Metabolism Indicators in Dairy Cows with Naturally Occurring Mycotoxicosis before and after Administration of a Mycotoxin Deactivator

The aim of the study was to evaluate selected indicators of protein metabolism in cows fed with fodder contaminated with mycotoxins after application of a mycotoxin deactivator product (MDP). Experimental group (Exp.)—10 cows, fed total mixed ration (TMR) containing: 0.769 mg/kg-deoxynivalenol and 0.032 mg/kg-zearalenone TMR DM. Control group (Con.)—10 cows fed TMR without mycotoxins. In the exp. cows, the mycotoxin deactivator product (MDP) Mycofix Plus was used in the form of an additive to TMR in the amount of 10 g/head/day for 90 days. Blood was taken in Exp. group three times, before MDP administration, and on days 30 and 90 of its use. In the con. group, blood was collected once. All cows were assessed for free amino acids, total protein, albumin, globulin, and urea. Cows with mycotoxicosis (before MDP administration) showed low total protein, albumin, total-essential (TEAA) and total-non-essential amino acids (TNEAA) compared to after MDP administration (p &lt; 0.01). Compared to the control group, TNEAA values were lower and TEAA higher on all study dates (p &lt; 0.001). The results of our research showed the negative impact of mycotoxins on the parameters of protein metabolism in cows, and the use of MDP improved the processes of protein metabolism and improved the overall health of cows.

Effects of Cultivation Methods on the Nutritional Content, Active Component Content, and Antioxidant Activity of Fruiting Bodies of Sanghuangporus baumii (Agaricomycetes).

To provide a scientific reference for improving the sawdust cultivation of Sanghuangporus baumii, comparative studies were conducted on the contents of nutritional components and active components and the antioxidant activity of the fruiting bodies of S. baumii cultivated with sawdust and cut logs. The results indicate that, first, cultivation methods had little effect on the contents of crude fat and the measured 16 kinds of amino acids [including total essential amino acids (EAA), total nonessential amino acids (NEAA), EAA/NEAA, and EAA/total amino acid (TAA)], but had a great influence on the contents of crude protein, crude fiber and TAA. These results suggest that the nutritional content under sawdust cultivation was significantly higher than that under cut-log cultivation. Second, the cultivation methods had little effect on the content of triterpenoids but had a great effect on the contents of polysaccharides, total flavonoids and total phenols, which showed that cut-log cultivation was significantly higher than sawdust cultivation. Third, the cultivation methods had a great effect on the antioxidant activities (ABTS and FRAP), which showed that cut-log cultivation was significantly higher than sawdust cultivation. The contents of polysaccharides, total flavonoids, and total phenols and the ABTS and FRAP activities using sawdust cultivation were lower than those using cut-log cultivation, which may be related to the mushroom strains, cultivation medium formula and cultivation technology. The results provide a solid basis for the improvement and promotion of new cultivation technologies for S. baumii.

Protein content and amino acid composition in seed of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The aim of this study was determination of protein content and amino acid composition in seeds of bread wheat, with particular focus of evaluation essential amino acids (EAAs). For analysis used flour samples of grained seed of 10 wheat variety, which selected in different breeding center (in Novi Sad and Kragujevac, Serbia). Kjeldahl method was used for determination of nitrogen (N) contents which value multiplied with coefficient 5.7 for computing protein content (protein contents = 5.7 x % N contents). Amino acids analyses of wheat samples were performed by ion exchange chromatography, followed by the ninhydrin colour reaction and photometric detection at 570 nm and 440 nm (for proline). The results showed that the mean protein content for wheat varied from the lowest value 10.24% in Ljubicevka to the highest 14.21% in Fortuna variety. The mean contents (g 100 g-l protein) of nonessential amino acids (NEAAs) were aspartic acid 5.42%, serine 4.23%, glutamic acid 18.51%, proline 12.18%, glycine 4.17%, alanine 3.64%, tyrosine 2.52%, arginine 5.02%, while mean contents of essential amino acids (EAAs) were threonine 2.86%, valine 4.52%, methionine 1.28%, isoleucine 3.87%, leucine 5.87%, phenylalanine 4.62%, histidine 2.46%, lysine 2.91%. The wheat variety contained relatively high concentration of the most deficient EAAs. The variety Ljubicevka contained relatively high concentration of the most deficient EAAs (threonine, valine, leucine, lysine,). The highest value (29.31 g 100 g-l protein) of total essential amino acids (TEAA), 59.79 g 100 g-l protein of total nonessential amino acids (TNEAA) as well as the highest value (90.35 g 100 g-l protein) of total amino acids (TAA). Obtained results provide variability of wheat variety on the base of amino acid contents and indicate reliable variety for selecting desirable parents in breeding program for improving nutrient quality.

AMINO ACIDS PROFILE AND BENEFICIAL METALS COMPOSITION OF SOME SELECTEDSPECIES OF SEAFOOD FROM SOMBREIRORIVER IN IDAMA, RIVERS STATE.

Seafood has been used widely as a vital source of animal protein and other beneficial metals.This study was designed to profile the amino acid and beneficial metal contents of Whelk (Buccinum undatum), Crab (Callinectes sapidus), Periwinkle (Littorina littorea), and Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) from Sombreiro River in Idama of Rivers State. Crude protein, amino acids, and metal contents of the seafood were determined using standard methods. Also, the leucine/isoleucine/valine, sodium/potassium, sodium/magnesium, and potassium/sodium ratios were determined. Data were statistically analysed with ANOVA. Results for the total proteins showed that Crab had the highest crude protein content of 25.17 ± 0.01 % while Whelk and Periwinkle had the lowest total crude contents respectively. All four shellfishes contained 9 essential amino acids required by most biological systems and 9 non-essential amino acids. Histidine, lysine, methionine, and phenylalanine were the most abundant nutritionally essential amino acids while glutamic and aspartic acids were the most abundant non-essential amino acids. It was revealed that Oyster had the highest percentage of total essential amino acids and Whelk had the highest percentage of total non-essential amino acids. The leucine/isoleucine/valine ratios showed that Periwinkle and Crab had a ratio of 1.0:1.0:1.0 each while Whelk and Oyster had 2.0:2.0:1.0 and 4.0:3.0:1.0. Also, potassium and magnesium were the most abundant metals. All the metals analysed and the mineral ratios calculated were below the internationally acceptable limits. These results, therefore, revealed that the seafood analysed was of high nutritive values which might be useful in clinical nutrition and counselling.&#x0D;

Effect of Mulberry Leaf TMR on Growth Performance, Meat Quality and Expression of Meat Quality Master Genes (ADSL, H-FABP) in Crossbred Black Goats.

This study was conducted to examine the effect of a mulberry leaf total mixed ration (TMR) diet on growth performance, apparent digestibility, meat quality and the expression of related meat-quality genes (ADSL, H-FABP) in crossbred black goats. Forty-four Guizhou crossbred black goats (Nubian black goat ♂ × Guizhou black goat ♀), weighing 33.43 ± 0.55 kg, were chosen. The goats were randomly divided into four groups, with 11 test replicates in each group. Group I was the control group and fed with the traditional feeding method of roughage and concentrate supplement without adding mulberry leaf. Group II was fed with a 40% mulberry leaf pellet TMR diet. Group III was fed with a freshly processed 40% mulberry leaf TMR diet. Group IV was fed with a 40% mulberry leaf fermented total mixed rations (FTMR) diet. The results showed that the average daily gain (ADG) of group II was significantly higher than that of group I and III (p &lt; 0.05). The apparent digestibility of group II of ether extract (EE) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was significantly higher than that of group I (p &lt; 0.05), and the apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) was significantly higher than that of group I (p &lt; 0.01). Compared with group I, meat in group II had lower meat color lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) values (p &lt; 0.01) in the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum. The shear force of group II was significantly lower than that of group I (p &lt; 0.05). The total fatty acids (TFA) of group II was significantly higher than that of groups I and III (p &lt; 0.05), but the total saturated fatty acids (SFA) of group II was significantly lower that than of group I (p &lt; 0.01). Subsequently, the Unsaturated fatty acids (USFA), Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of group II were significantly higher than those in group I (p &lt; 0.01). The contents of total amino acids (TAA), total essential amino acids (EAA), total non-essential amino acids (NEAA) and total of major fresh-tasting amino acids (DAA) of groups II, III and IV were significantly higher than those of group I (p &lt; 0.05), as well as the contents of IMP (p &lt; 0.01). The expression of the H-FABP gene in the arm triceps of group II was significantly higher than that of groups I, III and IV (p &lt; 0.05). The expression of the ADSL gene in the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum and biceps femoris of group II was significantly higher than that of group I (p &lt; 0.05). Collectively, the results of the current study indicated that the mulberry leaf TMR diet improved the growth performance, apparent digestibility and expression of related meat-quality master genes (ADSL, H-FABP) in crossbred black goats, which promoted the deposition of intramuscular fat (IMF) and inosinic acid (IMP) and improved the composition of fatty acids and amino acids in the muscles.

Fish Meal Replacement by Mixed Plant Protein in the Diets for Juvenile Yellow Catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco: Effects on Growth Performance and Health Status.

Increasing dietary replacement levels of fish meal by alternative plant proteins are of value for aquaculture. Here, a 10-week feeding experiment was undertaken to explore the effects of fish meal replacement by mixed plant protein (at a 2 : 3 ratio of cottonseed meal to rapeseed meal) on growth performance, oxidative and inflammatory responses, and mTOR pathway of yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Yellow catfish (2.38 ± 0.1 g, mean ± SEM) were randomly divided into 15 indoors fiberglass tanks, 30 fish each tank, and fed five isonitrogenous (44% crude protein) and isolipidic (9% crude fat) diets with fish meal replaced by mixed plant protein at 0% (the control), 10% (RM10), 20% (RM20), 30% (RM30), and 40% (RM40), respectively. Among five groups, fish fed the control, and RM10 diets tended to have higher growth performance, higher protein content, and lower lipid content in livers. Dietary mixed plant protein substitute increased hepatic free gossypol content and damaged liver histology and reduced the serum total essential amino acids, total nonessential amino acids, and total amino acid contents. Yellow catfish fed the control, and RM10 diets tended to have higher antioxidant capacity. Dietary mixed plant protein replacement tended to promote proinflammatory responses and inhibited mTOR pathway. Based on the second regression analysis of SGR against mixed plant protein substitutes, the optimal replacement level of fish meal by mixed plant protein was 8.7%.