Search Results (12)

Fish by-products can be converted into high-value-added products like fish protein hydrolysates (FPHs), which have high nutritional value and are rich in bioactive peptides with health benefits. This study aims to characterise FPHs derived from salmon heads (HPSs) and Cape hake trimmings (HPHs) using Alcalase for enzymatic hydrolysis and Subcritical Water Hydrolysis (SWH) as an alternative method. All hydrolysates demonstrated high protein content (70.4–88.7%), with the degree of hydrolysis (DH) ranging from 10.7 to 36.4%. The peptide profile of FPHs indicated the breakdown of proteins into small peptides. HPSs showed higher levels of glycine and proline, while HPHs had higher concentrations of glutamic acid, leucine, threonine, and phenylalanine. Similar elemental profiles were observed in both HPHs and HPSs, and the levels of Cd, Pb, and Hg were well below the legislated limits. Hydrolysates do not have a negative effect on cell metabolism and contribute to cell growth. HPSs and HPHs exhibited high 2,2′–azino-bis(3 ethylbenzthiazoline-6)-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, Cu²⁺ and Fe²⁺ chelating activities, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, with HPHs generally displaying higher activities. The α-amylase inhibition of both FPHs was relatively low. These results indicate that HPHs are a promising natural source of nutritional compounds and bioactive peptides, making them potential candidates for use as an ingredient in new food products or nutraceuticals. SWH at 250 °C is a viable alternative to enzymatic methods for producing FPHs from salmon heads with high antioxidant and chelating properties. Full article

Plant glycine-rich RNA-binding proteins (GRPs) play crucial roles in the response to environmental stresses. However, the functions of AtGRP7 in plants under heavy metal stress remain unclear. In the present study, in Arabidopsis, the transcript level of AtGRP7 was markedly increased by Ni but was decreased by Pb. AtGRP7-overexpressing plants improved Ni tolerance, whereas the knockout mutant (grp7) was more susceptible than the wild type to Ni. In addition, grp7 showed greatly enhanced Pb tolerance, whereas overexpression lines showed high Pb sensitivity. Ni accumulation was reduced in overexpression lines but increased in grp7, whereas Pb accumulation in grp7 was lower than that in overexpression lines. Ni induced glutathione synthase genes GS1 and GS2 in overexpression lines, whereas Pb increased metallothionein genes MT4a and MT4b and phytochelatin synthase genes PCS1 and PCS2 in grp7. Furthermore, Ni increased CuSOD1 and GR1 in grp7, whereas Pb significantly induced FeSOD1 and FeSOD2 in overexpression lines. The mRNA stability of GS2 and PCS1 was directly regulated by AtGRP7 under Ni and Pb, respectively. Collectively, these results indicate that AtGRP7 plays a crucial role in Ni and Pb tolerance by reducing Ni and Pb accumulation and the direct or indirect post-transcriptional regulation of genes related to heavy metal chelators and antioxidant enzymes. Full article

The study aimed to determine the effect of replacing 75% of inorganic calcium, iron, zinc, and copper salts with organic forms (glycine chelates of these elements) with or without the addition of l-carnitine on some reproductive traits and the blood lipid and mineral profile, as well as mineral and fatty acid profile of pheasant egg yolk. The study was performed on three groups of pheasant hens using glycine chelates with calcitriol (group II) or analogical treatment with the addition of l-carnitine at the level of 100 mg/kg of feed (group III) instead of Ca, Fe, Cu, and Zn salts (control). The replacement of inorganic forms with glycinates contributed to an increase in the number of laid eggs with a concomitant lower share of rejected eggs. The supplementation of organic forms of minerals improved mineral absorption and bioavailability in blood serum as well as in the egg yolk of experimental groups. Egg yolk fat was characterized by a higher proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids and a favorable ratio of PUFA ω-3/ω-6. The proposed nutritional supplementation of the pheasant’s diet might be a good strategy for increasing the nutritional reserves of poultry and improving their reproduction. Full article

Micronutrient iron (Fe) deficiency poses a widespread agricultural challenge with global implications. Fe deficiency affects plant growth and immune function, leading to reduced yields and contributing to the global “hidden hunger.” While conventional Fe-based fertilizers are available, their efficacy is limited under certain conditions. Most recently, nanofertilizers have been shown as promising alternatives to conventional fertilizers. In this study, three nanohematite/nanoferrihydrite preparations (NHs) with different coatings were applied through the roots and shoots to Fe-deficient cucumber plants. To enhance Fe mobilization to leaves during foliar treatment, the plants were pre-treated with various acids (citric acid, ascorbic acid, and glycine) at a concentration of 0.5 mM. Multiple physiological parameters were examined, revealing that both root and foliar treatments resulted in improved chlorophyll content, biomass, photosynthetic parameters, and reduced ferric chelate reductase activity. The plants also significantly accumulated Fe in their developing leaves and its distribution after NHs treatment, detected by X-ray fluorescence mapping, implied long-distance mobilization in their veins. These findings suggest that the applied NHs effectively mitigated Fe deficiency in cucumber plants through both modes of application, highlighting their potential as nanofertilizers on a larger scale. Full article

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of Fe glycine chelate supplementation on the chemical composition and nutritional quality of breast meat from broiler chicken. The following parameters were assessed: fat content, cholesterol content, fatty acid profile, atherogenic index (AI), thrombogenic index (TI), and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic (H/H) fatty acid ratio. The 42-day experiment involved 200 broiler chickens assigned into four dietary groups: the control receiving Fe sulfate in the dose of 40 mg/kg of feed and three experimental groups of chickens supplemented with 40 mg (Fe-Gly40), 20 mg (Fe-Gly20), or 10 mg (Fe-Gly10) of Fe glycine chelate per 1 kg of diet. The results showed no negative effect of the application of Fe glycine chelate on the chemical composition and nutritional quality of breast muscle. Therefore, the advisability of the application of Fe glycine chelates in the nutrition of broiler chickens should be revised. Full article

Colloidal matrices of native and oxidized pectin were developed to improve iron bioavailability through the digestive tract. Ferrous bisglycinate (Gly-Fe), obtained by precipitation of glycine chelation to Fe²⁺, was mixed with native and peroxide-oxidized citrus pectin, and subsequently lyophilized. Controls included matrices with iron and glycine without chelation. The resulting samples were characterized through FTIR, SEM, and TGA/DSC before and after in vitro digestion, which was performed in simulated salivary, gastric, and intestinal fluids. During these digestions, swelling capacity and iron release were assessed. All matrix formulations were porous, and while pectin oxidation did not alter architecture, it changed their properties, increasing thermal stability, likely due to greater number of interaction possibilities through carbonyl groups generated during oxidation. This also resulted in lower swelling capacity, with greater stability observed when using the chelated complex. Higher swelling was found in gastric and intestinal fluids. Pectin oxidation also increased retention of the chelated form, contrary to what was observed with unchelated iron. Thus, there is an important effect of pectin oxidation combined with iron in the form of ferrous biglyscinate on matrix stability and iron release through the digestive tract. These matrices could potentially improve iron bioavailability, diminishing organoleptic changes in fortified iron foods. Full article

The relativistic effects of the values of the shielding constants of ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ⁵⁷Fe, ⁵⁹Co, ⁶¹Ni, ¹⁰⁵Pd, and ¹⁹⁵Pt nuclei were studied at the four-component relativistic level and were compared to the results of non-relativistic calculations perfomed on a series of biologically important Fe(II), Co(III), Ni, Pd, and Pt glycinates. The accuracy factors affecting the calculation of the chemical shifts of the title heavy nuclei were analyzed. First of all, the advantages and limitations of the different levels of theory used to take into account the electron correlation effects (namely HF, DFT, MP2, and CCSD) at the geometry optimization stage were thoroughly scrutinized. Among the employed DFT functionals, the behavior of 11 dedicated functionals of different types and hierarchies were analyzed. The contribution of the exact-exchange admixture was established both in the geometrical search and during the calculation of the shielding constants, which was exemplified with the PBE family of functionals. The main result of the performed study was that relativistic effects were of major importance to the theoretical calculations of the shielding constants and chemical shifts of the chelate complexes of the transition metals of the 8–10 groups. Thus, the relativistic effects of the values of the shielding constants of those metals, as well as those of the light nuclei located in the α-position to the latter, were found to reach as much as 35 ppm for nitrogen and up to an enormous 4300 ppm for platinum. Full article

This work is focused on the synthesis of leucyl-glycine-functionalized γ-Fe₂O₃ magnetic nanoparticles coated by polydioxanone (γ-Fe₂O₃-CA-Leu-Gly-PDX) as a polyethersulphone (PES) membrane for biotechnological applications. The physicochemical characteristics were investigated by FT-IR, SEM, XRD, a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and ICP-OES. The present investigation also centered on the several biological activities of γ-Fe₂O₃-CA-Leu-Gly-PDX. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and metal chelating activity was studied for evaluation of its antioxidant activity potential. It exhibited 100% DPPH radical scavenging and 93.33% metal chelating activity. With applicability to antimicrobial photodynamic therapy, DNA cleavage and antimicrobial activity, the cell viability of γ-Fe₂O₃-CA-Leu-Gly-PDX was investigated in detail. The γ-Fe₂O₃-CA-Leu-Gly-PDX demonstrated the significant biofilm inhibition activity as being 81.54% and 86.34% for P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, respectively. Moreover, a novel polyethersulphone nanocomposite membrane incorporated with γ-Fe₂O₃-CA-Leu-Gly-PDX was prepared. The performance of the γ-Fe₂O₃-CA-Leu-Gly-PDX-blended polyethersulphone (PES) membrane was investigated by measuring the antifouling and E. coli rejection. The nanocomposite membranes demonstrated remarkable antifouling properties in contrast with the pristine PES when BSA (bovine serum albumin) and E. coli were filtrated. A complete rejection was obtained by the composite membrane. After an application of the membrane study, the modified polyethersulphone (PES) membrane blended with γ-Fe₂O₃-CA-Leu-Gly-PDX removed 100% of the E. coli. Full article

Elevated CO₂ (eCO₂) has been reported to cause mineral losses in several important food crops such as soybean (Glycine max L.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). In addition, more than 30% of the world’s arable land is calcareous, leading to iron (Fe) deficiency chlorosis and lower Fe levels in plant tissues. We hypothesize that there will be combinatorial effects of eCO₂ and Fe deficiency on the mineral dynamics of these crops at a morphological, biochemical and physiological level. To test this hypothesis, plants were grown hydroponically under Fe sufficiency (20 μM Fe-EDDHA) or deficiency (0 μM Fe-EDDHA) at ambient CO₂ (aCO₂, 400 ppm) or eCO₂ (800 ppm). Plants of both species exposed to eCO₂ and Fe deficiency showed the lowest biomass accumulation and the lowest root: shoot ratio. Soybean at eCO₂ had significantly higher chlorophyll levels (81%, p < 0.0001) and common bean had significantly higher photosynthetic rates (60%, p < 0.05) but only under Fe sufficiency. In addition, eCO₂ increased ferric chelate reductase acivity (FCR) in Fe-sufficient soybean by 4-fold (p < 0.1) and in Fe-deficient common bean plants by 10-fold (p < 0.0001). In common bean, an interactive effect of both environmental factors was observed, resulting in the lowest root Fe levels. The lowering of Fe accumulation in both crops under eCO₂ may be linked to the low root citrate accumulation in these plants when grown with unrestricted Fe supply. No changes were observed for malate in soybean, but in common bean, shoot levels were significantly lower under Fe deficiency (77%, p < 0.05) and Fe sufficiency (98%, p < 0.001). These results suggest that the mechanisms involved in reduced Fe accumulation caused by eCO₂ and Fe deficiency may not be independent, and an interaction of these factors may lead to further reduced Fe levels. Full article

This study aimed to compare the effect of Zn, Cu and Fe glycine chelates on the proximate composition, cholesterol levels, fatty-acid profile and dietary value of the thigh meat of broiler chickens. The experiment involved three hundred and fifty Ross 308 chickens divided into seven groups. The chickens were administered Zn, Cu and Fe glycine chelates in an amount corresponding to 50% of the requirement or 25% of the requirement for 42 days. It was found that the use of Zn, Cu and Fe glycine chelates did affect the fatty acid profile and dietary value of meat. A positive impact was most frequently (p < 0.05) noted in chickens receiving Zn chelate in an amount covering 50% of the requirement: the lowest levels of SFA and atherogenic and thrombogenic indices, the highest content of PUFA n−3 and PUFA/SFA ratios and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic indices. Positive effects were more often recorded for chickens receiving Zn in an amount corresponding to 50% of the requirement. The results did not show that the use of Cu and Fe glycine chelates can reduce the dietary value of thigh meat in broiler chickens since, generally, the outcomes were not worse than those in the control group. It should be highlighted that due to ambiguous results, it is impossible to determine a dose of Cu and Fe glycine chelate which would be more efficient for broiler chickens. However, chickens receiving chelates in amounts corresponding to 25% of the requirement showed far better results. Full article

The study investigated the effect of dietary zinc glycine chelate and potato fibre on the absorption and utilisation of Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn; the activity of Zn-containing enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD; alkaline phosphatase, ALP); and zinc transporter concentrations (metalothionein1, MT1; zinc transporter1, ZnT1) in tissues, with a special emphasis on the small intestine. Twenty-four barrows (Danbred × Duroc) were randomly allotted to four diets (supplemented with 10 g/kg of crude fibre and 120 mg Zn/kg) that consisted of cellulose and either zinc sulphate (C) or zinc glycinate (ZnGly), or contained potato fibre supplemented with ZnSO₄ (PF) or ZnGly (PF + ZnGly). Feeding PF can influence the Zn absorption in the small intestine due to reduced zinc transporters MT1 and ZnT1 in the jejunum. The activity of antioxidant enzyme SOD and liver ZnT1, and duodenal iron concentrations were increased in the PF treatments. Dietary ZnGly did not significantly influence the Zn distribution, but it may alter the absorption of Fe and Mn. Given the elevated content of thiol groups and the Zn/Cu ratio in plasma, as well as the altered SOD activity and MT content in the tissues, we can conclude that feeding PF and ZnGly can influence the mineral and antioxidant status of growing piglets. However, further research is needed in order to elucidate the effect of both dietary sources on the transport systems of other minerals in enterocytes. Full article

This study analyzed the effects of partial replacing of Ca, Fe, Zn, and Cu salts with glycine chelates on the measures of bones health in 16-week-old captive-reared male pheasants, allocated to one of the three experimental groups supplemented with Ca, Fe, Zn, and Cu in forms of inorganic salts (the control group) or groups receiving from the ninth week 25% and 50% of supplemented elements as glycine chelates. At the end of rearing birds receiving chelates were heavier (p < 0.001) and their tibia showed an increase of numerous mechanical parameters: yield and ultimate force (p = 0.028, p < 0.001, respectively), stiffness (p = 0.007), Young modulus (p < 0.001), compared to the control animals. The bones of birds receiving chelates in 50% were also heavier (p < 0.001) and longer (p = 0.014), with thinner cortical bone in midshaft (p = 0.027) and thicker proximal trabeculae (p < 0.001) compared to the control. While both doses of chelates increased mineral density in midshaft (p = 0.040), bone content of Cu and Zn decreased (p = 0.025, p < 0.001, respectively). The content of immature collagen in cancellous bone and articular cartilage increased in groups receiving chelates (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, glycine chelates probably enhanced development of the skeletal system in male pheasants as bones were denser and more resistant to mechanical damage. Full article