Search Results (896)

Ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus Caldas) is an Andean tuber crop of high nutritional and genetic importance. However, its vegetative propagation promotes the accumulation of pathogens and limits the availability of uniform, high-quality planting material. In this study, an efficient and reproducible in vitro micropropagation protocol was established for an ulluco genotype from the Amazonas region of Peru. Nodal segments were cultured on MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) or kinetin (KIN) at increasing concentrations (0.0–2.0 mg L⁻¹). For rooting, in vitro-derived shoots were transferred to MS medium supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at the same concentration range (0.0–2.0 mg L⁻¹). The explants exhibited a high basal morphogenetic capacity; however, the addition of cytokinins significantly enhanced the response. KIN at 2.0 mg L⁻¹ achieved 100% regeneration, whereas BAP at 0.2 mg L⁻¹ maximized shoot proliferation, producing 2.07 shoots per explant. Shoot elongation was greater with KIN at 1.0 mg L⁻¹, reaching 39.15 mm. In the rooting phase, the response varied depending on the type and concentration of auxin. NAA at 0.1 mg L⁻¹ resulted in 100% rooting and produced the greatest root length (41.93 mm), whereas IBA at 0.1 mg L⁻¹ maximized the number of roots (4.67), although roots were shorter. Rooted plantlets exhibited 100% survival after eight weeks of acclimatization. This protocol provides an effective system for the rapid production of vigorous and uniform clonal plants and represents a useful tool for the propagation, conservation, and future biotechnological improvement of ulluco. Full article

This paper aimed to investigate the impact of dry heat treatment and fractionation on white sorghum grain’s chemical and rheological properties. For this, dry heat treatment was applied to sorghum grains of different granulations, integral (I), large (L > 300 μm), medium (200 μm < M < 250 μm), and small (S < 200 μm), at corresponding temperatures of 144 °C, 132 °C (M), and 121 °C (S). The content of amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, and volatile compounds was determined in sorghum flours, along with the dynamic rheological behavior of sorghum dough. The results indicated that dry heat treatment increased mono and polyunsaturated fatty acid content, and decreased lysine, isoleucine, and glutamic acid contents. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in amino acid and fatty acid profiles were observed between fractions. Generally, Ca and Na increased after dry heat treatment of sorghum grains, while Fe, Zn, and Cu decreased, except in the M particle size sample. The optimal fraction M is distinguished by an increase in Fe, Zn and Cu content compared to the control. Volatile compounds were affected by both fractionation and dry heat treatment, with samples with S particle size possessing a distinct volatile profile. Dry heat treatment produced a stiffer, less deformable dough, maintaining elastic dominance and slightly reducing the peak gelatinization temperature. Particle size reduction led to dough strengthening and an increase in elastic and viscous moduli. The combined use of fractionation and dry heat treatment permits precise control of sorghum’s nutritional and rheological properties. Full article

Objectives: This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of adding walnut (Juglans regia L.) green husk (WGH) on the quality of alfalfa mixed silage, protein degradation, microbial community, and their interrelationships. Methods: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) fresh grass and WGH dried powder were used as raw materials to prepare three mixed silages of alfalfa fresh grass with 80 g/kg (A1), 120 g/kg (A2), and 160 g/kg (A3) of WGH dried powder, respectively, with alfalfa fresh grass silage as the control group (CK). After 60 days of ensilage, samples were taken and analyzed, with three replicates per treatment. Results: WGH treatment significantly improved alfalfa silage fermentation and nutritional quality. It reduced undesirable fermentation products while promoting beneficial lactic acid bacteria and preventing mold growth. Increasing the WGH ratio enhanced dry matter content and digestibility, with only a minor effect on crude protein. These results suggest that WGH is an effective silage additive for improving both fermentation characteristics and feed value. With the increase in the proportion of WGH, the proportions of rapidly degradable protein (PB1) and medium rate degradable protein (PB2) increased linearly, while the proportions of free amino acid nitrogen (FAA-N), peptide nitrogen (Peptide-N), slow degradable protein (PB3) and binding protein (PC) decreased linearly and the protease activity decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Bacterial community analysis showed that the relative abundance of Lactiplantibacillus and Levilactobacillus in the silage increased after WGH was added, while the relative abundance of Acetobacter, Pantoea, Weissella and Serratia decreased. Conclusions: Compared with pure alfalfa silage, the addition of WGH has a positive effect on silage quality, protein degradation and bacterial community structure, and the addition of WGH with 120 g/kg is more suitable. Full article

Fish roe is consumed in different forms, e.g., caviar. The large and firm spherical roe from giant sea catfish (GSC, Arius thalassinus), which have a high price, are popular in some countries, like Thailand. However, the information on their nutrition and properties is scarce. Roe of different sizes from GSC, including medium (GSC-M), large (GSC-L), and extra-large (GSC-XL) sizes, were rich in protein (29.52–32.70%), fat (4.07–5.65%), and essential amino acids, particularly leucine and lysine. Vitelline was the major protein in GSC roe. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, were abundant, although GSC-M showed lower PUFA content (21.91%) than GSC-L and GSC-XL (25.56–25.94%). No significant differences in texture property were found between sizes, despite the microstructural and histological differences. Larger voids and strands were found with augmenting size, while GSC-L showed greater membrane thickness (133.55 µm). FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of peptide and ester bonds associated with proteins and triacylglycerols, respectively. GSC-L had the highest cholesterol content (651.2 mg/100 g), whereas GSC-M showed the highest α-tocopherol level (1.64 mg/kg). Phosphorus was the dominant mineral (3473–3894 mg/kg), followed by calcium and other minerals. Hence, the roe from GSC, regardless of size, possess high nutritive value and could be used as a wholesome marine food or functional ingredient. Full article

Background/Objectives: Collagen hydrolysates are widely used as nutritional ingredients for skin and joint health; however, growing evidence indicates that collagen may also exert beneficial effects on cardiometabolic pathways. Short peptides have been shown to modulate angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV), key regulators of blood pressure and glucose homeostasis. This study aimed to assess the dual ACE- and DPP-IV inhibitory and GLP-1 stimulation activities, respectively of a tripeptide-enriched formulation (CH). The study was performed using a benchmark collagen hydrolysate (BCH) as reference. Methods: ACE and DPP-IV inhibitory activities were evaluated using in vitro enzymatic assays. Cellular compatibility and in situ DPP-IV inhibition were assessed in Caco-2 intestinal cells, while glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion was measured in STC-1 enteroendocrine cells. The degree of hydrolysis was determined by OPA assay, and nanoLC–HRMS was used to characterize and compare the proteomic profiles of the samples. Results: Both hydrolysates exhibited dose-dependent ACE and DPP-IV inhibition; however, CH showed significantly higher inhibitory activity at comparable concentrations. CH also reduced cellular DPP-IV activity in Caco-2 cells and stimulated GLP-1 secretion in STC-1 cells, whereas BCH showed limited or non-significant cellular effects. Peptidomic analysis revealed an enrichment of short- and medium-length peptides in CH, while BCH contained a higher proportion of long peptides (>2000 Da). Consistently, CH exhibited a 1.7-fold higher degree of hydrolysis than BCH. Conclusions: The tripeptide-enriched collagen hydrolysate demonstrated superior enzymatic and cellular bioactivity compared with the benchmark formulation, supporting its potential as a multifunctional bioactive ingredient for health applications. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable protein alternatives has increased interest in underutilized plant biomasses with high nutritional potential. This study investigated the conversion efficiency of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and duckweed (Lemna minor L.) proteins through multienzyme hydrolysis, with the aim of evaluating how carbohydrate–protein matrix interactions influence enzymatic accessibility and apparent protein digestibility. Three biotechnological hydrolysis schemes were applied, involving combinations of α-amylase, amyloglucosidase, protease, pepsin, pancreatin, and bile salts, including an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion simulation. The first hydrolysis scheme demonstrated that starch-rich matrices formed a viscous medium that reduced protease mobility and limited protein cleavage. Improved substrate accessibility was achieved when plant material was pre-treated with amylolytic and proteolytic enzymes, which resulted in a noticeably higher release of free amino acids. Amino acid profiling revealed that this enzymatic sequence was the most effective for disrupting carbohydrate-associated protein fractions in both species. In vitro digestion assays indicated higher apparent protein conversion for duckweed compared to alfalfa under standardized laboratory conditions. Overall, the results confirm that appropriate multienzyme strategies can enhance amino acid liberation from complex plant matrices and highlight duckweed biomass as a promising candidate for sustainable protein valorization. Full article

Gilts have a lower capacity for voluntary feed intake and body reserves than multiparous sows, which limits their ability to cope with the needs of gestation and lactation. In this study, a nutritional supplement was formulated to support gilts during the peripartum period. Both control (C, n = 64) and treatment (T, n = 63) groups received standard commercial diets. Group T received 300gr of supplement per gilt and day for the last 35 days of gestation until the fifth day of lactation. This supplement contained calcium (Ca; 4.1%), sodium (Na; 4.0%), lysine (Lys; 1.96%), methionine (Met; 1.32%), vitamin B₁₂ (0.3 mg/kg), choline chloride (600 mg/kg), betaine (475 mg/kg), and L-carnitine (500 mg/kg). Supplementation significantly reduced (p < 0.050) stillbirth rate, neonatal diarrhea, postpartum hypophagia, and both β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and creatinine (CREA) concentrations (effect sizes: 0.240–0.993). Also, supplementation significantly increased (p < 0.050) piglet weight at birth and at 15 days of lactation and maternal backfat thickness at 26 days of lactation (effect sizes: 0.491–0.719). The concentrations of BHBA and CREA showed significant and negative associations with several productive parameters (p < 0.05); the strength of the associations was low–medium. Targeted peripartum supplementation represents a feasible nutritional strategy for commercial herds characterized by large litter sizes and limited voluntary feed intake capacity. Full article

Over the years, poultry supply chains have prioritized highly productive genetic lines to meet consumer demand, often at the expense of meat quality, animal welfare, and animal health. Recently, however, industry trends have shifted toward a greater awareness of welfare, reduced farming intensity, and improved product quality. In response, the European Chicken Commitment (ECC) has advocated for the use of slower-growing genotypes, even within conventional production systems. This study aimed to evaluate the meat quality of two ECC-approved chicken genotypes with differing growth rates—slow-growing (SG: 30–40 g/day, Kabir) and medium-growing (MG: 40–50 g/day, Ranger Gold) in comparison with a fast-growing strain (FG: >65 g/day, Ross 308). A total of 300 chickens were assigned to two experimental conditions: a control group (C), with spontaneous activity, and a treatment group (M), subjected to induced moderate kinetic activity. The results demonstrated that genotype influenced the meat quality of chickens raised indoors more significantly than kinetic activity. Comparisons revealed that SG and MG chickens exhibited superior meat quality, particularly regarding protein content, oxidative status, and a more suitable fatty acid profile. Overall, our findings support the adoption of ECC-approved genotypes in indoor systems to simultaneously improve animal welfare and enhance the nutritional and technological quality of poultry meat. Full article

Dietary lipids not only enhance the flavor and nutritional value of food, but more importantly, they offer essential fatty acids and energy for metabolism. The importance of lipid unsaturation has gained increasing attention; however, the impact of the alky chain length on biofunction of dietary lipids remains unclear. This article discusses the effects of the alkyl chain length on the biological function of lipids, focusing on physical and chemical properties, digestion and absorption, and nutritional functions. Firstly, with the increase in the chain length, the melting point of the crystal increases, the symmetry increases, and the hypersensitivity induction decreases. Secondly, the alkyl chain length affects the contact between lipid droplets and lipase, as well as the fatty acids release rate. Finally, medium-chain and short-chain lipids can partially reverse the effect of long-chain lipids. Understanding the effect of the alkyl chain length on the biofunction of dietary lipids can provide valuable insights for designing nutritious diet. Full article

Water and nitrogen (N) are the most critical limiting factors for sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf) growth under drip irrigation in arid oases of southern Xinjiang, yet the quantitative interaction mechanism governing yield–quality–efficiency trade-offs remains unclear. This study employed a quadratic orthogonal regression design to generate 11 water–nitrogen treatment combinations (irrigation: 1800–4200 m³·ha⁻¹; nitrogen: 240–720 kg·ha⁻¹). Agronomic traits, dry matter yield, nutritional quality, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) were measured through field experiments in 2023–2024, and quadratic models were fitted to identify optimal water–nitrogen bundles maximizing multi-objective performance. Irrigation volume was the dominant factor controlling the plant height, SPAD index, and stem–leaf ratio, whereas stem diameter depended on the water × N interaction (p < 0.01). The “medium-water × moderate-nitrogen” regime (3000 m³·ha⁻¹ + 480 kg·ha⁻¹) maximized dry matter yield (~28 t·ha⁻¹), NUE (~44%) and forage quality (Relative Feed Value > 135, crude protein ≥ 8.8%). This climate-adaptive precision strategy reduces water use by 30% and nitrogen by 20% while increasing yield by 15% and quality by 15%, providing a sustainable production framework for arid and semi-arid regions of Xinjiang. Full article

The gut microbiota plays a critical role in hindgut health and nutrient utilization in monogastric animals. Alfalfa fiber meal (AFM) was rich in essential vitamins and minerals as a valuable nutritional supplement. In this study, an in vitro fermentation model was established using fecal microbiota from pregnant sows as the inoculum to evaluate the effects of different supplementation levels of alfalfa fiber powder (AFM) on fermentation metabolites and microbial community composition, with particular attention to interactions between the microbiota and metabolites. Fecal inocula from healthy sows were fermented with AFM at three inclusion levels: low (LAFM: 50 mg), medium (MAFM: 100 mg), and high (HAFM: 200 mg). Fermentation samples were collected at 8, 12, 24, and 36 h for analysis of gas production and short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) concentrations. Microbial community composition was characterized at 36 h, followed by correlation analysis between dominant genera and fermentation parameters. The results showed that total gas and hydrogen production increased significantly with both AFM level and time, while hydrogen sulfide decreased across all treatments. Methane production rose in the early stages and remained elevated only in the high-AFM group. AFM supplementation promoted the production of total and individual short-chain fatty acids in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Microbial analysis revealed reduced Fusobacterium and increased Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, and Collinsella, with high AFM further enriching Prevotella and Megasphaera. Positive correlations were observed between SCFA production and Collinsella, Prevotella, and Olsenella, whereas hydrogen sulfide correlated negatively with Prevotella and Sharpea. AFM effectively improved gut microbial composition and fermentation efficiency, with 100 mg identified as a more balanced level of fermentation additive supplementation for pregnant sows under in vitro conditions. Full article

To maximize protein production from insects, it is essential to understand their nutritional requirements, production characteristics, and the chemical properties of the resulting feed, along with how these factors depend on the insects’ diets. This research involved the use of nine different insect diets, all based on wheat bran. Corn and soybean meal were included to enhance the energy and protein content. The weight gain of larvae was significantly affected by the level of protein in their feed; however, the energy level did not have a significant impact on the weight gain measured in grams per day per tray. This gain ranged from 0.57 g/day per tray for insects fed low-energy, low-protein diets to 0.71 g/day per tray for those fed high-protein, medium-energy diets. Feed conversion ranged from 1.83 to 2.34 and was significantly influenced by energy and protein levels. The chemical composition of reared insects showed significant differences, particularly in fat content. The fat content ranged from 38.5% with a low-protein diet to just 26.9% with a high-protein diet. In contrast to fat content, the variability in protein content was smaller, ranging from 44.8% in a low-protein, high-energy diet to 51.9% in a high-protein, high-energy diet. Full article

This study evaluated whether body size could serve as a quality and traceability marker for cage-reared butter catfish (Ompok bimaculatus) from the Pak Phanang Basin, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, in support of Geographical Indication (GI) certification. Fish were classified into three commercial size grades—small (12–15 fish/kg), medium (6–10 fish/kg), and large (3–5 fish/kg)—corresponding to fish harvested after 6, 8, and 12 months of rearing, respectively, with mean body weight and total length of 75 ± 7 g and 19.8 ± 1.1 cm (small), 120 ± 9 g and 25.8 ± 2.1 cm (medium), and 260 ± 10 g and 32.2 ± 2.8 cm (large). Dorsal muscle samples were comparatively analyzed to assess size-related differences in physicochemical properties, nutritional composition, and microbiological quality. Proximate analysis showed that moisture, lipid, ash, and total energy contents increased significantly with fish size (p < 0.05), whereas protein and carbohydrate contents did not differ significantly among size groups (p > 0.05). Small fish exhibited slightly higher muscle pH (7.02 ± 0.18) than medium and large fish (6.65 ± 0.11 to 6.66 ± 0.25) (p < 0.05). Flesh color was characterized by a pale whitish to slightly yellow appearance with high lightness (L*; p < 0.05), while redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) did not differ significantly among size groups (p > 0.05). Mineral composition varied with size, with large fish containing significantly higher levels of calcium and magnesium (p < 0.05). Amino acid profiling identified 17 amino acids, including eight essential amino acids (EAA) and nine non-essential amino acids (NEAA), with EAA being more abundant in large fish—particularly leucine and lysine—indicating improved protein quality, while NEAA were dominated by glutamic and aspartic acids across all size groups. Fatty acid analysis revealed higher proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and greater unsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid (UFA/SFA) ratios (1.7–1.8) in medium and large fish. Microbiological assessment showed a decrease in total viable counts with increasing fish size, while Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella spp. were not detected in any size group, as these microorganisms are commonly used as key hygiene and food-safety indicators in fish products (E. coli for fecal/handling hygiene, S. aureus for human-handling contamination, and Salmonella spp. as a major foodborne pathogen). Overall, body size was associated with consistent variations in physicochemical characteristics, nutritional composition, and microbial quality of Pak Phanang Basin butter catfish. These findings provide baseline compositional and safety markers that can support product specification development and GI documentation. Full article

Background: Fatty acid oxidation disorders (FAOD) are rare inborn errors of metabolism that impair mitochondrial β-oxidation and energy production. Management includes fasting avoidance for all FAOD types. Patients with long-chain FAOD are advised to restrict long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) to 10% of total energy intake and supplement medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). The impact of such dietary modification on fat-soluble vitamin status has not yet been studied. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, serum concentrations of vitamins A, 25(OH)D, E, and β-carotene were measured in 36 FAOD patients and 36 healthy controls matched for age and sex. Vitamins A, E, and β-carotene were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography and vitamin 25(OH)D through an immunoassay. FAOD patients were further divided into fat-modified (LCT-restricted) and standard-fat diet subgroups based on dietary management. Results: FAOD patients had significantly higher vitamin A concentrations than controls (p < 0.05), while there was no difference in vitamins 25(OH)D, E, and β-carotene. Within the FAOD cohort, the fat-modified group had higher levels of vitamins A and 25(OH)D but lower levels of vitamin E and β-carotene than the standard-fat group (all p < 0.05). Vitamin 25(OH)D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) was more frequent in the standard-fat group (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Fat-modified diets influence fat-soluble vitamin status in FAOD, emphasising the importance of ongoing monitoring and tailored supplementation. Future work should focus on optimising nutritional management, including modifications to formula composition, and on addressing the currently limited evidence on nutritional status and vitamin deficiencies in patients with FAOD. Full article

Foods for special medical purposes play a critical role in clinical nutritional support, especially oil-in-water emulsions characterized as having high energy density, which could provide efficient energy for patients with insufficient intake or those requiring fluid restriction. The included oil types are the critical determinants of emulsion stability, which, in turn, governs digestive behavior, absorption efficiency, and ultimate bioavailability of the delivered nutrients. However, such emulsions face stability challenges during storage and application. In the present study, high-energy-density fat emulsions formulated with six typical oils, which contained 50% oil content, were prepared and systematically analyzed in terms of their particle size, zeta potential, microstructure, centrifugal stability, multiple light scattering, and rheological properties. The results indicated that oils with medium-chain fatty acids, due to their compact molecular structure and low viscosity, facilitated the formation of finer droplets and promoted the orderly arrangement of phospholipids at the interface of the emulsion system, leading to the formation of a dense, elastic interfacial layer and a gel network structure. Its marked shear-thinning characteristic and lowest frequency dependence contributed to desirable processing and storage stabilities. In contrast, long-chain triacylglycerols, especially those enriched with monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids, tended to form rigid but insufficiently elastic interfacial layers, which were unfavorable for resisting coalescence and phase separation induced by external forces. Highly unsaturated oils, on the contrary, exhibited medium levels for emulsion stability. Further analysis of the relationship between the physicochemical properties of oils and the characteristics of emulsions revealed that fatty acid species in the oil phase were the key determinants of emulsification behavior. It was therefore speculated that oils rich in medium-chain fatty acids with a moderate degree of unsaturation, especially including selected ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids, could improve emulsion stability and fatty acid balance synchronously. This study provides a theoretical basis and technical support for the formulation design and stability control of high-energy-density fat emulsions. Full article