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The human yolk sac (hYS) is essential for embryo nutrient biosynthesis/transport and development. However, there lacks a comprehensive study of hYS nutrient-gene interactions. Here we performed a secondary analysis of hYS transcript profiles (n = 9 samples) to identify nutrient-sensitive hYS genes and regulatory networks, including those that associate with adverse perinatal phenotypes with embryonic origins. Overall, 14.8% highly expressed hYS genes are nutrient-sensitive; the most common nutrient cofactors for hYS genes are metals and B vitamins. Functional analysis of highly expressed hYS genes reveals that nutrient-sensitive hYS genes are more likely to be involved in metabolic functions than hYS genes that are not nutrient-sensitive. Through nutrient-sensitive gene network analysis, we find that four nutrient-sensitive transcription regulators in the hYS (with zinc and/or magnesium cofactors) are predicted to collectively regulate 30.9% of highly expressed hYS genes. Lastly, we identify 117 nutrient-sensitive hYS genes that associate with an adverse perinatal outcome with embryonic origins. Among these, the greatest number of nutrient-sensitive hYS genes are linked to congenital heart defects (n = 54 genes), followed by microcephaly (n = 37). Collectively, our study characterises nutrient-sensitive hYS functions and improves understanding of the ways in which nutrient-gene interactions in the hYS may influence both typical and pathological development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Fungal treatment increased phosphate recovery to 16 % at 10 g/L waste. • Fungal treatment boosted bioavailability of P, Mg, and Fe, but reduced NAC-K. • Heavy metals Pb and Cd didn't affect nutrient bioavailability up to 10 g/L waste. • Fungal treatment enhanced water-extractable P up to 15 g/L waste. • Fungal treatment induced low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs). This study investigates the potential of Talaromyces adpressus TCPF to enhance phosphate recovery and nutrient bioavailability from sewage sludge ash (SSA) and fish meal (FM) through co-fermentation. The fungal treatment was found to significantly increase phosphate recovery, achieving up to 16 % efficiency, especially at a 10 g/L waste concentration. The key mechanism behind this enhancement is the production of low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs), which played a crucial role in solubilizing nutrients while also mitigating the negative effects of heavy metals like lead and cadmium. Spectroscopic analyses confirmed substantial acid-based leaching and biomineralization processes, with over 70 % of phosphorus successfully bioleached from metal-treated waste. These findings underscore the effectiveness of fungal treatments in transforming waste substrates into valuable bio-organic fertilizers. Fungal treatment boosts phosphate recovery, even in the presence of heavy metals, by employing processes such as bioweathering, bioprecipitation, biocorrosion, and bioleaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potato protein concentrate (PPC) is a potential fish meal (FM) substitute. We replaced FM in greater amberjack diets with low-temperature air-dried PPC (LT-PPC) and high-temperature rotary-dried PPC (HT-PPC) to investigate their effects on growth and feed utilization. Four experimental and one control diet was prepared. The control diet comprised FM, wherein the experimental diets were prepared by replacing 20 and 40% of FM in the control diet with LT-PPC (LP20 and LP40) or HT-PPC (LP20 and LP40). Following an 8-week growth trial, the final mean body weight, specific growth rate, and feed intake of HP40 diet-fed fish were significantly lower than those of control diet-fed fish (p < 0.05). However, these parameters in LT-PPC and HP20 diet-fed fish did not differ significantly from those of the control diet-fed fish (p > 0.05). In vitro relative protein digestibility did not differ between LT-PPC (91.1%) and HT-PPC (89.5%) (p > 0.05); however, the digestion speed of LT-PPC was higher (63.8%) than that of HT-PPC (46.8%) (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that LT-PPC and HT-PPC could be used to replace up to 40 and 20% of FM in greater amberjack diets, respectively, without compromising growth performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of sustainable and innovative raw materials to substitute for traditional fishmeal (FM) ingredients is required for the aquaculture sector. Sacha inchi meal (SIM), a by-product of sacha inchi oil, is one of the promising FM replacers. In the present study, four isonitrogenous and isolipidic (approximately 30 and 8%, respectively) diets containing 0, 270, 330, and 415 g/kg of SIM (SIM0, 60, 80, and 100, respectively) were prepared. Four replicate groups of red hybrid tilapia (15.87 ± 0.02 g/fish, 20 fish per replicate, 80 fish per diet) were randomly distributed into 16 glass tanks (100 L each) and manually fed one of the test diets until apparent satiation twice daily for 10 weeks. All fish were used to calculate growth parameters. Dietary SIM replacement increased growth performance and feed conversion ratio (P < 0.001 for most parameters). The SIM80 diet resulted in the highest final weight (56.43 g/fish), weight gain (40.53 g/fish), specific growth rate (1.81%/day), and protein productive value (37.30%). The apparent digestibility coefficient of protein was significantly increased (81.65 ‒ 87.65%) by replacement of FM with SIM (P < 0.001) with a significant negative effect observed in the fish fed SIM100 (78.30%). Hematology, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly decreased in all SIM-supplemented groups (P < 0.05). Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase levels were significantly increased with the highest levels in the SIM100 group (75.20 and 42.61 UL−1, respectively, P < 0.001). Among the histological differences observed in the liver, nuclei shifting and hepatocyte vacuolization were the main abnormalities in the fish fed the SIM80 and SIM100 diets. Intestinal villi height and thickness were increased by the dietary replacement (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that SIM can replace FM by up to 330 g/kg (SIM80) improving growth, digestibility, blood parameters, and histological integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of traditional African preservation methods on the contribution of vegetables to household micronutrient needs (Recommended Dietary Allowance: RDA) has largely remained unquantified. Using Acholi subregion of Uganda as a case area, this study examined using the predominant vegetables consumed in fresh and preserved forms (cowpeas—Vigna unguicullata, okra/lady fingers—Abelmoschus esculentus, Malakwang—Hibscus cannabinus, and eggplants—Solanum melongena), the effect of major traditional vegetable preservation methods (sun drying, boiling and sun drying, and salting and sun drying) on the contents of micronutrients (vitamin A, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus), the levels of antinutritional factors (total polyphenols, oxalate, tannins, and phytate), bioavailability of iron and zinc, and the contribution of vegetables to the cumulative annual household RDA for micronutrients. Laboratory analysis showed that all the preservation methods, except the sun drying method reduced the contents of micronutrients by 20%–82% (p ≤.05). The contents of antinutritional factors reduced by 1%–80% while in vitro bioavailability of iron and zinc increased by 21%–296% (p ≤.05). Nutritional computation revealed that except for calcium, the preservation methods combined, reduced the contribution of the vegetables to cumulative annual RDA for other micronutrients by 28%–60%. These results demonstrate that improvements in bioavailability of essential nutrients (iron and zinc) by traditional preservation methods investigated are associated with significant loss of micronutrients which culminates in significant reduction in the contribution of cultivated vegetables to household RDA for micronutrients. Traditional African preservation methods should be optimized for nutrient retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a 10‐week study, we evaluated the effects of replacing 20%, 40% or 60% of fishmeal (present in control diet at 300 g/kg) on a digestible protein basis with yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae or a yeast mixture of Wickerhamomyces anomalus and S. cerevisiae on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, nutrient retention and intestinal health of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Triplicate tanks with 35 rainbow trout (144.7 ± 25.1 g mean ± SEM) were fed rations of 1.5% of total biomass per tank. Replacement of 60% of fishmeal with yeast mixture resulted in lower specific growth rate of 1.0% versus 1.2%/day for other diets. Apparent digestibility coefficients for crude protein and most amino acids were highest in fish fed fishmeal‐based diet, with similar values for fish fed the diet with 20% replacement with yeast mixture. Diet with 20% replacement with yeast mixture resulted in highest phosphorus digestibility. Replacement of 60% of fishmeal with S. cerevisiae resulted in oedematous mucosal fold tips in the proximal intestine. The results of this study suggest that these yeasts can replace up to 40% of fishmeal under current inclusion levels in diets for rainbow trout without compromising growth performance, nutrient digestibility or intestinal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Modern food technology allows designing products aiming to simulate and replace traditional food. In affluent societies there is a rising tendency to consume foods derived from plants including milk imitations or plant drinks based on cereals, nuts, legumes, oil seeds or other plant families. Herein we review production and composition of such drinks, summarize consumers' motivations to change from milk to plant drinks and highlight nutritional and health implications of consuming plant drinks instead of milk, in particular if non-fortified and if consumed by infants, children, adolescents and the elderly. Results: Whereas the macronutrient concentrations of some plant drinks (soy) may approach in some cases (protein) that of cow's milk, the nutritional quality of most plant drinks, e.g., the biological value of protein and the presence and amount of vitamins and essential minerals with high bioavailability does not. If cow's milk is exchanged for non-fortified and non-supplemented plant drinks consumers may risk deficiencies of calcium, zinc, iodine, vitamins B2, B12, D, A, and indispensable amino acids, particularly in infants and toddlers who traditionally consume significant portions of milk. The vegetable nature, appearance and taste of such plant drinks may be appealing to adult consumers and be chosen for adding variety to the menu. However, in young children fed exclusively such plant drinks severe metabolic disturbances may occur. Conclusion: Parents, dietitians, physicians and consumers should be aware of such potential risks, if non-fortified plant drinks are consumed instead of milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluated the effects of butyric acid supplementation and Saccharomyces boulardii (alone or in combination) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, bone mineralization, and blood hormones of male broiler chickens fed a diet including reduced levels of nonphytate phosphorus (NPP). The chickens were allocated to 6 dietary treatments: 1) positive control diet with adequate amounts of NPP (PC; 0.48, 0.43, and 0.39% in the starter, grower, and finisher period, respectively); 2) negative control diet with low amounts of NPP (NC; 0.38, 0.33, and 0.29% in the starter, grower, and finisher period, respectively); 3) NC plus 500 FTU/kg microbial phytase (PHY); 4) NC plus 0.2% butyric acid (BA); 5) NC plus 1 x 108 cfu/kg S. boulardii (SB); 6) NC plus butyric acid and S. boulardii (BA+SB). Each treatment had 5 pen replicates of 25 birds. After 6 wk, the body weight and ADG in birds fed with any of the diets were higher (P < 0.001) than those in birds fed with the NC diet, where the birds fed with the PHY and BA+SB diets had the highest values. However, only the PHY diet improved (P = 0.041) overall F:G. All diets, except the SB diet, resulted in the increased apparent ileal digestibility coefficient (AIDC) of CP, AMEn, and tibia ash content and decreased serum alkaline phosphatase level compared with the NC diet (P < 0.05). Broiler chickens fed with the PHY, SB, and BA+SB diets also had increased AIDC of phosphorus (P = 0.017) than those fed with the NC and PC diets. Feeding PC, PHY, and BA+SB diets increased (P = 0.007) the tibia phosphorus content but decreased (P = 0.033) serum parathyroid hormone concentration. Overall, the present data indicate that the simultaneous inclusion of butyric acid plus S. boulardii in the low-NPP diets was beneficial for improving growth rate and bone mineralization, but not for feed efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytases are important industrial enzymes able to catalyze the release of up to six phosphates from phytate in a stepwise hydrolysis reaction. Phytases are almost exclusively used as a feed supplement. However, phytases are also used in human nutrition, food processing, non-food industrial products, and emerging applications like enzymatic phosphate recovery from renewable resources. Phytate, the main phosphorus storage form in seeds, and its hydrolysis products act as a chelator and reduce protein and mineral bioavailability in intestinal absorption. Full phosphate hydrolysis from the common storage compound phytate remains a challenge. Phytate hydrolysis patterns of tailored phytases and their protein engineering campaigns are discussed. The aim of our review is to give an overview on developed and emerging application areas (animal nutrition, food processing, and environmental resource management) and thereby generate an awareness for the importance of phosphorus stewardship in a circular bioeconomy. Emphasis will be given to processes using organic-bound phosphorus and related recycling strategy of this valuable resource. In detail, the main challenge in designing phytases to completely hydrolyze phosphate from phytate to inositol and the need for engineering campaigns to broaden their industrial use are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancement of manganese (Mn) availability in saline and Mn-deficient soils is very important for plant growth. An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of Pseudomonas sp. rhizobacteria (P0 (control), P1, P2 and P3) and Mn (0 and 10 mg Mn kg−1 soil) on the distribution of Mn in the rhizosphere of pistachio seedlings under salinity stress (0, 1000 and 2000 mg NaCl kg−1 soil). The results showed that salinity decreased the dry weight, Mn uptake and chlorophyll content of the pistachio seedlings. However, inoculation with rhizobacteria increased these parameters in saline conditions. Application of rhizobacteria increased the availability of Mn in the rhizosphere soil. The use of rhizobacteria decreased the residual-Mn form in the rhizosphere. Inoculation with rhizobacteria increased the percent of Mn2+ and MnCl+ species in the soil solution. However, pistachio seedlings inoculation with rhizobacteria increased the contents of Mn available forms in the rhizosphere soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A N-starved algal bioassay showed consistent algal responses to nutrient additions. • Same TDN concentrations of three nutrient sources had different algal responses. • Soil and aquaculture-derived organics were more bioavailable than wastewater ones. • Better nutrient metrics were found to compare algal responses to nutrient sources. Point- and non-point source nutrients are likely to have different ecological impacts in receiving waters, due to differences in the concentration and proportions of nutrient fractions. However, the direct comparison of their ecological impacts in receiving waters has barely been quantified. We undertook algal bioassays with algal communities from river sites and showed that there was a photosynthetic yield (Fv/Fm) response to nutrient enrichment when river nutrient concentrations were relatively low, but not at higher nutrient concentrations. To combat this variability in the photosynthetic state of algae, we developed a standardized algal bioassay (3-day), using a cultured species of algae which was starved of nitrogen, to compare the photosynthetic response to three nitrogen sources: treated wastewater, aquaculture farm discharges, and soil erosion-derived nutrient sources. This study showed that the nutrient parameter that had the highest correlation with algal photosynthetic response was total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), i.e., the sum of dissolved inorganic and organic nitrogen, rather than dissolved inorganic nitrogen alone. This was true across all three nutrient sources (R2 = 0.58–0.78). Additionally, the same concentrations of TDN from soil erosion-derived and aquaculture samples resulted in a significantly higher algal photosynthetic response, compared to the treated wastewater. This indicates that TDN from soils and aquaculture farms was significantly more bioavailable to the cultured algae than treated wastewater. When a range of parameters were correlated with algal responses, organic and inorganic nutrients, and organic carbon were the parameters that had the highest explanatory power for soil erosion-derived and aquaculture samples (R2 = 0.75–0.87). The importance of organic compounds in these equations points to the potential of microbial transformation of organic nutrients into more bioavailable forms during the 3-day bioassay. This highlights the need to understand the relationship between algal and microbial communities in natural systems for nutrient source impact assessment. This study provides an improved understanding and metrics for comparing the algal growth response to different nutrient sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of anti‐nutritional constituents in plants is an important factor that negatively affects bioavailability of nutrients and effectiveness of plant‐based foods in complementary feeding in rural areas in developing countries. However, proven methods that improve bioavailability of nutrients and tailored for application in processing complementary foods among rural communities are largely lacking. This study examined the efficacy of a traditional malting technology practiced by the Acholi ethnic community of northern Uganda to improve protein digestibility and bioavailability of iron and zinc from millet–sesame–soy composite containing 200, 300, and 550 kcal meant for complementary feeding of children aged 6–8, 9–12, and 13–23 years old, respectively. The technology involves washing and soaking of ingredients for 12 hr; malting ingredients individually for 48 hr with water changed after every 6 hr; and sun‐drying malted ingredients for 72 hr. Results showed that the level of anti‐nutritional factors significantly reduced (p ≤ 0.05) in all the composite formulae except the content of total phenolics in 200, tannins in 300 and 550 kcal, composite formula, respectively. In vitro protein digestibility significantly improved (p ≤ 0.05) in all the composite formulae except in the 200 kcal formula. Iron bioavailability significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) in all the composite formulae except in the 550 kcal energy category. Improvement in zinc bioavailability was only observed in the 300 kcal formula. However, there were significant reductions (p ≤ 0.05) in the level of caregiver preferences for sensory properties and overall acceptability of the composites. These results demonstrate that the traditional malting technology has potential to improve nutrient bioavailability in plant‐based foods but requires improvement in order to increase its efficacy and mitigate negative effects on sensory appeal. This study demonstrated that the traditional malting technology practiced by an ethnic community in Northern Uganda has potential to improve bioavailability of iron, protein and zinc from locally formulated complementary food formulae. However, improvement in nutrient bioavailability is associated with negative sensory appeal for the products [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unravelling the fate of food in the gastrointestinal tract is essential to better understand the health effects of food and fight against diet-related pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases and type-2 diabetes, and enable the design of food of high nutritional and sensory qualities to provide humans with a healthy diet. Research to date has mostly considered foods according to their composition. However, the role of the food matrix, i.e. the microstructure-level organization of nutrients and their interactions, in the digestive process was recently demonstrated. This paper summarizes the work done by different groups at the INRA to understand and model food digestion. Integration of the knowledge acquired will serve the development of a reverse engineering approach to design new foods purpose- adapted to meeting the nutritional needs of specific populations like infants or the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar typically consists of both carbon and mineral fractions, and the carbon fraction has been generally considered to determine its properties and applications. Recently, an increasing body of research has demonstrated that mineral components inherent in biochar, such as alkali or alkaline earth metals in the form of carbonates, phosphates, or oxides, could also influence the properties and thus the applications. The review articles published thus far have mainly focused on multiple environmental and agronomic applications of biochar, including carbon sequestration, soil improvement, environmental remediation, etc. This review aims to highlight the indispensable role of the mineral fraction of biochar in these different applications, especially in environmental applications. Specifically, it provides a critical review of current research findings related to the mineral composition of biochar and the effect of the mineral fraction on the physicochemical properties, contaminant sorption, carbon retention and stability, and nutrient bioavailability of biochar. Furthermore, the role of minerals in the emerging applications of biochar, as a precursor for fuel cells, supercapacitors, and photoactive components, is also summarized. Overall, inherent minerals should be fully considered while determining the most appropriate application for any given biochar. A thorough understanding of the role of biochar-bound minerals in different applications will also allow the design or selection of the most suitable biochar for specific applications based on the consideration of feedstock composition, production parameters, and post-treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 9-year manipulative experiment with nitrogen (N) and water addition, simulating increasing N deposition and changing precipitation regime, was conducted to investigate the bioavailability of trace elements, iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in soil, and their uptake by plants under the two environmental change factors in a semi-arid grassland of Inner Mongolia. We measured concentrations of trace elements in soil and in foliage of five common herbaceous species including 3 forbs and 2 grasses. In addition, bioaccumulation factors (BAF, the ratio of the chemical concentration in the organism and the chemical concentration in the growth substrate) and foliar Fe:Mn ratio in each plant was calculated. Our results showed that soil available Fe, Mn and Cu concentrations increased under N addition and were negatively correlated with both soil pH and cation exchange capacity. Water addition partly counteracted the positive effects of N addition on available trace element concentrations in the soil. Foliar Mn, Cu and Zn concentrations increased but Fe concentration decreased with N addition, resulting in foliar elemental imbalances among Fe and other selected trace elements. Water addition alleviated the effect of N addition. Forbs are more likely to suffer from Mn toxicity and Fe deficiency than grass species, indicating more sensitivity to changing elemental bioavailability in soil. Our results suggested that soil acidification due to N deposition may accelerate trace element cycling and lead to elemental imbalance in soil-plant systems of semi-arid grasslands and these impacts of N deposition on semi-arid grasslands were affected by water addition. These findings indicate an important role for soil trace elements in maintaining ecosystem functions associated with atmospheric N deposition and changing precipitation regimes in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research reveals the extended effect of iron and zinc biofortification in recently introduced cowpea cultivars, considering several nutritional factors. Results showed that the manganese concentration in biofortified cultivars was higher than in common beans, and bioaccessibility was ca. 51.6% higher. Also, the magnesium content was higher, reaching > 50% bioaccessibility and > 21% dialyzability. The availability of minerals in cooked biofortified cultivars significantly increased, and the evaluated cowpea cultivars presented high lipid contents and energy values. Moreover, we found unknown synergistic correlations between copper and magnesium, and between manganese and the lipid content. This antagonistic correlation of copper and manganese with zinc may explain their limited contents in the biofortified cowpea beans. PCA analysis discriminated cowpea and common bean cultivars and indicated the prevalence of the effects of biofortification. Overall, the new biofortified cowpea cultivars presented a nutritional quality compatible with the demands of the human diet. [Display omitted] • Biofortification targeting Fe and Zn also enriched other mineral nutrients in cowpea. • Bioaccessible Mn in biofortified cowpeas was ca. 50% higher than in common beans. • Cowpea seeds also have Mg available for absorption in the human GI tract. • We reveal synergistic correlations for bean, e.g. , Cu – Mg and Mn – lipid. • PCA analysis showed that biofortification promotes differentiation of beans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene silencing with RNA interference (RNAi) technology may be capable of modifying internal structure at a molecular level. This structural modification could affect biofunctions in terms of biodegradation, biochemical metabolism, and bioactive compound availability. The objectives of this study were to (1) Detect gene silencing-induced changes in carbohydrate molecular structure in an alfalfa forage (Medicago sativa spp. sativa: alfalfa) with down-regulation of genes that encode transcription factors TT8 and HB12; (2) Determine gene silencing-induced changes in nutrient bioutilization and bioavailability in the alfalfa forage (Medicago sativa); and (3) Quantify the correlation between gene silencing-induced molecular structure changes and the nutrient bioutilization and bioavailability in animals of ruminants. The experimental treatments included: T1 = Non-transgenic and no-gene silenced alfalfa forage (code "NT"); T2 = HB12-RNAi forage with HB12 gene down regulation (code "HB12"); T3 = TT8-RNAi forage with TT8 gene down regulation (code "TT8"). The HB12 and TT8 gene silencing-induced molecular structure changes were determined by non-invasive and non-destructive advanced molecular spectroscopy in a middle infrared radiation region that focused on structural, non-structural and total carbohydrate compounds. The nutrient bioutilization and bioavailability of the modified forage were determined using NRC-2001 system in terms of total digestive nutrient (TDN), truly digestible fiber (tdNDF), non-fiber carbohydrate (tdNDF), fatty acid (tdFA), crude protein (tdCP) and bioenergy profiles (digestible energy, metabolizable energy, net energy) for ruminants. The carbohydrate subfractions were evaluated using the updated CNCPS 6.0 system. The results showed that gene silencing significantly affected tdNFC (42.3 (NT) vs. 38.7 (HB12) vs. 37.4% Dry Matter (TT8); p = 0.016) and tdCP (20.8 (NT) vs. 19.4 (HB12) vs. 22.3% DM (TT8); p = 0.009). The gene-silencing also affected carbohydrate CA4 (7.4 (NT) vs. 4.2 (HB12) and 4.4% carbohydrate (CHO) (TT8), p = 0.063) and CB1 fractions (5.3 (NT) vs. 2.0 (HB12) and 2.6% CHO (TT8), p = 0.006). The correlation study showed that the structural CHO functional group peak area intensity at ca. 1315 cm-1 was significantly correlated to the TDN1x (r = 0.83, p = 0.042) and the tdNFC (r = 0.83, p = 0.042), the structural CHO functional group height intensity at ca. 1370 cm-1 was significantly correlated to the tdNDF (r = 0.87, p = 0.025). The A_Non-stCHO to A_StCHO ratio and A_Non-stCHO to A_CHO ratio were significantly correlated to the tdFA (r = 0.83-0.91, p < 0.05). As to carbohydrate fractions, both CA4 and CB1 correlated with carbohydrate spectral intensity of the H_1415 and the H_1315 (p = 0.039; p = 0.059, respectively), CB3 tended to correlate with the H_1150, H_1100 and H_1025 (p < 0.10). In conclusion, RNAi-mediated silencing of HB12 and TT8 modified not only inherent CHO molecular structure but also the biofunctions. The CHO molecular structure changes induced by RNAi gene silencing were associated with biofunctions in terms of the carbohydrate subfractions and nutrient digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A vegan diet can meet nutritional requirements if it is well planned. In this sense, vegans should be advised to choose alternatives to animal products and to select the appropriate respective serving size of them. The nutritional value of traditional plant foods portions is well known, however, the vegetarian market offers other products whose chemical composition is less known, as they are not widely consumed by the population. It is necessary to know both, the nutrient content of portions of these foods, and bioavailability of these nutrients in plant food diets. Objectives: This work aims to refine the available information about the nutritional contribution to the diet of a healthy adult of the main common vegan foods portions. In addition, some points about bioavailability of the most relevant nutrients are discussed, and alternatives proposed to improve nutrient utilization. Methods: Composition data of common vegan foods per 100 g were searched from food composition database, and serving size nutrient composition was calculated. Nutritional data were compared to European dietary reference values for nutrient intakes for adult population, and bioavailability of the most important nutrients was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive agricultural practices and cultivation of exhaustive crops has deteriorated soil fertility and its quality in agroecosystems. According to an estimate, such practices will convert 30% of the total world cultivated soil into degraded land by 2020. Soil structure and fertility loss are one of the main causes of soil degradation. They are also considered as a major threat to crop production and food security for future generations. Implementing safe and environmental friendly technology would be viable solution for achieving sustainable restoration of degraded soils. Bacterial and fungal inocula have a potential to reinstate the fertility of degraded land through various processes. These microorganisms increase the nutrient bioavailability through nitrogen fixation and mobilization of key nutrients (phosphorus, potassium and iron) to the crop plants while remediate soil structure by improving its aggregation and stability. Success rate of such inocula under field conditions depends on their antagonistic or synergistic interaction with indigenous microbes or their inoculation with organic fertilizers. Co-inoculation of bacteria and fungi with or without organic fertilizer are more beneficial for reinstating the soil fertility and organic matter content than single inoculum. Such factors are of great importance when considering bacteria and fungi inocula for restoration of degraded soils. The overview of presented mechanisms and interactions will help agriculturists in planning sustainable management strategy for reinstating the fertility of degraded soil and assist them in reducing the negative impact of artificial fertilizers on our environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health of the majority of South Africa's population is seriously threatened by hunger and micronutrient deficiency, with impaired immune response a real threat, which the current SARSCoV-2 virus pandemic has highlighted. Traditional household food-processing techniques can, amongst other advantages, increase nutrient bioavailability in affordable staple foods and hence provide a way, in part, to alleviate malnutrition for food-insecure communities. In this way, immune defence and pathogen resilience of the food insecure could be enhanced so that they can better survive both COVID-19 and future threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extracellular β-glucosidase (BGL) from Fusarium oxysporum was purified to homogeneity by a single chromatography step on a gel filtration column. The optimum activity of BGL on cellobiose was observed at pH 5.0 and 60 °C. Under the same conditions, the Km and Vmax values for p-nitrophenyl β- d-glucopyranoside and cellobiose were 2.53 mM, 268 U mg protein −1 and 20.3 mM, 193 U mg protein −1, respectively. The F. oxysporum BGL enzyme was highly stable at acidic pH ( t1/2 = 470 min at pH 3). A commercial BGL Novo188 (Novozymes) and F. oxysporum BGL were compared in their ability to supplement Celluclast 1.5 L (Novozymes). In comparison with the commercial Novo188 (267 mg g substrate −1), F. oxysporum BGL supplementation released more reducing sugars (330 mg g substrate −1) from cellulose under simulated gastric conditions. These properties make F. oxysporum BGL a good candidate as a new commercial BGL to improve the nutrient bioavailability of animal feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Farmed cod contained more linoleic acid and less docosahexaenoic acid than wild. [•] Protein content was higher in farmed cod. [•] Only minor difference in amino acid profile were found between wild and farmed cod. [•] These properties are maintained during cooking. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

D-CODER is a fertilizer with a new slow-release mechanism consisting of an organomineral matrix that releases the nutrients only in the presence of growing plants. Pot and field experiments were carried out to study the release pattern of N from D-CODER. The experiments included grown and bare soil plots. The fertilizer treatments were DCODER, ammonium nitrate (ANpreplant), and the control. A fourth treatment was added to the cultivated plots, consisting of splitting the ammonium nitrate application of 25% at preplant and 75% as top-dressing (ANsplit). In the bare soil pots, 35 days after the fertilizer application (DAFA), NO3-N concentrations in the extracts of anion exchange membranes incubated in the soil for ANpreplant, D-CODER, and the control treatments were 118.5, 82.5 and 34.5 mg L-1, respectively, suggesting that part of N from D-CODER had not yet been released. In the pots cultivated with ryegrass, 209 DAFA, N recoveries for D-CODER, ANpreplant, and control treatments were 0.94, 0.86 and 0.20 g pot-1, respectively, suggesting that in the presence of the growing plants the release of N from DCODER had not been restricted. Furthermore, soil NO3-N levels in the bare soil plots of the field experiment were significantly higher in D-CODER (38.1 and 6.8 mg kg-1 on November and March) in comparison to ANpreplant (26.3 and 5.1 mg kg-1 on Nov. and March) treatments, suggesting that N from D-CODER was better protected from leaching. In the absence of growing plants, D-CODER provided some protection of N at least until 65 DAFA. In cultivated soils, it seemed less effective, particularly if the risk of nitrate leaching persisted for a long period of time. In these situations, a split application of N was a better strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amendment of agricultural soils with municipal sewage sludge (SS) or biosolids may provide a valuable source of plant nutrients and organic matter. Utilization of SS in cultivation of oil- and biofuel-producing crops such as canola (Barassica napus) has not been adequately studied. The aim of this study was to compare the influence of biosolid application rates on biomass production of canola and on soil properties and nutrient availability measured both by conventional methods and a new technique involving plant root simulators (PRS probes). For this purpose, a greenhouse pot experiment was established in a Typic Xerfluvent (5 kg) from central Greece amended with various rates of SS [0 Mg ha−1(C) 20 Mg ha−1(SS1), 50 Mg ha−1(SS2), and 100 Mg ha−1(SS3)] and cultivated with canola. After a 2-month planting period, the whole plants and soils were removed from the pots. One kg of the soils was selected for analyses, and the rest of the soil was cultivated again for 2 more months with the same crop. Bioavailability of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) was measured using the conventional methods (Olsen and ammonium acetate method respectively) as well as by PRS probes. Results showed that application of SS significantly increased canola biomass only in the treatment SS1 compared to the control in the first planting period. However, in the second period, SS application significantly increased canola biomass in the treatments SS2 and SS3 compared to the control and SS1. Soil pH decreased significantly from 7.9 in the control treatment to 6.9 in the treatment SS3. Furthermore, soil organic matter, nitrate nitrogen, and hot water–extractable boron were significantly increased with increasing SS application rate. Olsen P increased significantly with SS application in both planting periods but its increase was greater in the second planting period compared to the first one. Phosphorus-supplyrate (PSR) as assessed by the PRS probes increased significantly with SS application rate in both planting periods but it decreased significantly in the second planting period as compared to the first one. Plant tissue concentration P showed a trend similar to P supply rate (PSR). A strong relationship was recorded between PSR and Olsen P while plant tissues P concentration was strongly correlated with PSR and Olsen P (R20.93*** and 0.87*** respectively), indicating that probe method estimates better bioavailability of P to the grown plants compared to the Olsen method. Application of SS decreased significantly available K and potassium-supply rate (KSR) compared to the control, especially in the second planting period. Potassium-supplying rate decreased significantly in the second period compared to the first one. No relationships were recorded among KSR, ammonium acetate K, and plant tissue K concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The salmon farming industry has been criticised for being a net consumer of marine resources, in the form of fishmeals (FMs) and fish oils (FOs) used in feeds. Despite the efforts made to replace FM and FO with alternatives, such as vegetable proteins and oils, the balance is still generally negative, with calculated fish in–fish out (FIFO) values often being over 4. This paper reports on a FM and FO replacement study, with maximum 20 and minimum 10% FM inclusion in high-energy, extruded salmon feeds, and in which 50% of the feed oil was of vegetable origin (rapeseed). Further, half of the dietary FO was oil reclaimed from fish processing waste (herring offal silage oil), the other half being pristine FO (blend of herring and anchoveta oils). Growth and feed utilisation were assessed in a 9month trial, during which fish weight increased from ca. 1.2kg to ca. 4.6kg. There were no significant differences between feed treatments with respect to growth, feed utilisation and mortality, and replacement of FM with vegetable proteins did not compromise the bioavailability of feed nutrients. Salmon given the feed with the highest level of fishmeal replacement (FM10) had a net production of fillet protein relative to feed input in the form of protein derived from FM, indicating that FM supply is not a major factor that would impose serious limits on the quantity and efficiency of production. The inclusion of FO as 50% of the feed oils ensured that the salmon fillets contained levels of n-3 highly-unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFAs) that would be considered adequate from a consumer perspective (at least 1.5g n-3 HUFAs per 100g fillet) and the ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids (ca. 0.65) was also favourable from a human health point of view. There was net consumption of marine fish resources when assessed as FIFO calculated on the basis of the amounts of fish required to produce all FOs (FIFO 3.03–3.59) and on fish needed to produce pristine FOs included in the feeds (FIFO 1.53–1.83). Calculations based upon nutrient ratios gave positive outcomes, and salmon in all treatments deposited more fillet fat than the amount of pristine FO consumed. It is concluded that supplies of FOs impose greater limitations on the formulation of salmon feeds than do supplies of FMs. The results of the study also indicate that increased use of fish processing by-products has the potential to reduce some of the predicted short-fall in FOs resulting from reductions in the amounts of small, pelagic marine fish species rendered directly for the production of FMs and FOs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The change in phosphorus and nitrogen content in a common geophyte spring species, Allium ursinum, is studied in alluvial forests in relation to three flooding histories related to river regulation: (1) annually flooded, (2) unflooded for 30 years, and (3) unflooded for 200 years. Flood suppression leads to a reduction of available P soil content as well as decreasing the biomass and the amount of phosphorus in plants, but has no significant effect on N plant content. Plant N:P ratio increases with the suppression of floods and is primarily driven by soil N:P ratios, in turn markedly linked to the total nitrogen in the soil. We highlighted a lower nutrient accumulation in leaves during plant growth in unflooded forests. Overall, our results suggest that P was the main limiting factor in unflooded forests while nitrogen was the main limiting factor in annually flooded forests. Flood suppression strongly affects the morphology and nutrient uptake by Allium ursinum and thus nutrient cycling in riverine forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The addition of milk and milk-based products to the diets of individuals subsisting on plant-based diets was reported to have positive effects on nutritional status and functional outcomes such as growth, morbidity, and cognition. We examined the effect of the addition of milk or yogurt on the bioavailability of zinc and iron from a plant-based rural diet. The subjects were 48 Mexican women (30.9 +/- 5.7 y) who habitually consumed a plant-based diet. The women were assigned to 1 of 3 groups: 1) the typical rural Mexican diet, 2) that diet with milk added, or 3) that diet with yogurt for 13 d. Zinc absorption was measured after extrinsically labeling meals with (67)Zn and an i.v. dose of (70)Zn; iron absorption was measured by extrinsically labeling meals with (58)Fe and a reference oral dose of (57)Fe. Including milk and yogurt in the diet increased zinc absorption by 50 and 68%, respectively (P < 0.05). The 3 groups did not differ in the percentage iron absorption. The total amount of zinc absorbed was increased (P < 0.05) by 70% when milk was added to the meal and 78% when yogurt was added. The total amount of iron absorbed did not differ among the groups. The addition of milk and yogurt to a plant-based diet high in phytate increases zinc bioavailability without affecting iron bioavailability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geophagia, the intentional and repeated ingestion of soil material, is a complex eating behaviour with incomprehensible aetiology. It is generally assumed that geophagia may help supplement mineral nutrients and thus should not be dissuaded, particularly in subsistence communities. This is largely based on the assumption that a large proportion of mineral nutrients in geophagic materials is potentially available for absorption in the body. We tested this hypothesis on five soils collected from geophagia-prevalent communities by using an in vitro soil ingestion simulation test that is broadly similar to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.The results show that, despite the soils being rich in mineral nutrients, soil ingestion, inadvertent or through geophagia can potentially reduce the absorption of already bioavailable nutrients, particularly micronutrients such as Fe, Cu and Zn. These in vitro findings, while disagreeing with the commonly held view of geophagia as a source of nutrient supplementation, are consistent with micronutrient deficiency problems observed in clinical nutrition studies conducted amongst geophagic populations. The work also showed that, in some cases, the ingested soils may become a source of Ca, Mg and Mn, although it is not clear why other similar soils should not release any of these mineral nutrients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]