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The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the scientific literature concerning the influence of grain physical characteristics on functional value of poultry feed. The review considers the role of grain feed particle size and its shape in ensuring optimal development and functioning of digestive tract and increasing productivity of birds. The results showed that compared to the feeding with smaller particles, the use of coarse feed increased stomach weight in broilers, enhanced enzymatic degradation of feed in digestive tract and improved nutrient bioavailability. The study found that increase in the level of coarse corn in the diet increased the number of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacteria spp. beneficial bacteria in digestive tract. Meanwhile, number of opportunistic pathogenic microorganisms decreased. In birds which were given granular feed we found insufficient development of stomach, mainly due to the lack of mechanical stimulation. We assume that in order to improve stomach function and health of birds, it is necessary to apply a source of dietary fiber to their diet. The results of studies suggest that adding 2-3% of insoluble source of fiber to the routine diets of young chickens based on high-protein soy flour and corn can improve their digestive tract development and growth characteristics.

Chlorella shows a wide spectrum of biological activity, in particular, it exhibits a pronounced antioxidant activity and demonstrates anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antiviral properties. A number of research works have been devoted to studying feed advantages of this unicellular green algae when used in the diets of livestock animals, but the possibility of including different Chlorella species in the diet of primates has not been practically studied. The aim of this work was to assess the possibility of replacing high-protein animal and vegetable feeds with Chlorella , to calculate the digestibility coefficients for the diet nutrients and the effect of algal dry and suspension forms on hematological and serum biochemical parameters in male rhesus monkeys. The data obtained during the experiment indicate that the inclusion of Chlorella in the diet both in the dry form and cell suspension improves nutrient digestibility. Thus, the digestibility of crude protein in the animals receiving algae suspension increased by 4.18% ( p < 0.05), that of crude fat – by 4.70% ( p < 0.01), crude fiber – by 4.14% ( p < 0.05) and crude ash – by 12.32% ( p < 0.001). The digestibility coefficients of crude protein in the primates receiving compound feed supplemented with Chlorella powder were higher by 6.83% ( p < 0.001), those of crude fiber – by 4.78% ( p < 0.05) and crude ash – by 18.93% ( p < 0.001) The hematological study results indicate the absence of side effects from long-term Chlorella consumption by primates. The introduction of dry Chlorella into the diet increased blood glucose levels to the upper limit of the control values, while Chlorella suspension did not produce this effect. Thus, Chlorella can be successfully used as a component of a balanced laboratory diet for primates or as a feed additive.

Iron is a micronutrient critical to fundamental biological processes including respiration and photosynthesis, and it can therefore impact primary and heterotrophic productivity. Yet in oxic environments, iron is highly insoluble, rendering it, in principle, unavailable as a nutrient for biological growth. Life has "solved" this problem via the invention of iron chelates, known as siderophores, that keep iron available for microbial productivity. In this work, we examined the impact of siderophore synthesis on the speciation, mobility, and bioavailability of iron from rock-forming silicate minerals-shedding new light on the mechanisms by which microbes use mineral substrates to support primary productivity, as well as the consequent effects on silicate dissolution. Growth experiments were performed with Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 in an oxic, iron-depleted minimal medium, amended with olivine minerals as the sole source of iron. Experiments included the wild-type strain MR-1, and a siderophore synthesis gene deletion mutant strain (ΔMR-1). Relative to MR-1, ΔMR-1 exhibited a very pronounced growth penalty and an extended lag phase. However, substantial growth of ΔMR-1, comparable to MR-1 growth, was observed when the mutant strain was provided with siderophores in the form of either filtrate from a well-grown MR-1 culture, or commercially available deferoxamine. These observations suggest that siderophores are critical for S. oneidensis to acquire iron from olivine. Growth-limiting concentrations of deferoxamine amendments were observed to be ≤5-10 µM, concentrations significantly lower than previously recorded as necessary to impact mineral dissolution rates. X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy analyses of the incubated olivine surfaces suggest that siderophores deplete mineral surface layers of ferric iron. Combined, these results demonstrate that low micromolar concentrations of siderophores can effectively mobilize iron bound within silicate minerals, supporting very significant biological growth in limiting environments. The specific mechanism would involve siderophores removing a protective layer of nanometer-thick iron oxides, enhancing silicate dissolution and nutrient bioavailability.

Millets are a traditional staple food of the dryland regions of the world and are rich in essential nutrients like protein, fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, and dietary fiber. Also, millets commonly synthesize a range of secondary metabolites to protect themselves against adverse conditions. These factors are collectively termed anti-nutritional factors and the existence of these factors in millets might reduce the accessibility of the nutrients in humans. Some of these factors include protease inhibitors, tannins, non-starch polysaccharides-glucans, phytates, and oxalates each of which might directly or indirectly affect the digestibility of nutrients. Methods like soaking, germination, autoclaving, debranning, and the addition of exogenous enzymes have been used to reduce the anti-nutritional factors and elevate the bioavailability of the nutrients. This review summarizes various methods that have been used to improve nutrient bioavailability, specifically emphasizing the use of enzymes to improve nutrient bioavailability from millets. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

The diverse community of endophyte and rhizobacteria is a critical resource in enhancing plant growth and resistance against abiotic and biotic stress. These microbes include various bacterial communities dominated by Proteobacteria , Bacteroidetes , Actinobacteria and Firmicutes . They inhabit and proliferate in plant tissues forming beneficial associations compared to other microbes residing in the exospheric region. Despite the demonstration of the presence of bacterial endophytes in crops, their role in supporting nutrient bioavailability and acquisition in degraded soils is largely unexplored. In addition, the practical application of these microbial communities in the field has not been demonstrated. A comprehensive understanding of plant-endophyte interactions will help restore degraded soils and plant nutrient acquisition in resource-limiting field environments. Anthropogenic farming practices such as the use of chemical fertilizers to restore degraded soils have proved to be detrimental to soil structure, function and soil biodiversity. Recent studies in soil and root structure suggest that the rhizosphere and endophytic bacterial communities could potentially be used to enhance crop production. Other studies have shown that endophytic microbes play a key role in modulation of metabolism in plants, stimulation of plant growth, and aid in plant adaptation to environmental stress using phytohormone signaling. The use of rhizosphere and endophytic bacteria can significantly reduce the amount of agrochemicals that contribute to environmental pollution. In the context of the changing climatic conditions, some beneficial rhizospheric and endophytic bacterial communities enhance adaptation and resilience, thereby promoting sustainable farming systems. The current review addresses the concepts, challenges, and roles of the bacterial endophytes and rhizobacteria as components of the plant microbiota, and their prospective use in reclamation of degraded soil environments.

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., This study examined the effect of traditional African vegetable preservation methods on the contribution of vegetables to household needs for micronutrients. The results showed that the traditional methods improve mineral bioavailability but negatively affects the contribution of vegetables to household mironutrient needs due to excessive loss of nutrients.

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a widely grown pulse crop that is a source of protein, starch and micronutrients in both human diets and livestock feeds. There is currently a strong global focus on making agriculture and food production systems more sustainable, and pea has one of the smallest carbon footprints of all crops. Multiple genetic loci have been identified that influence pea seed protein content, but protein composition is also important nutritionally. Studies have previously identified gene families encoding individual seed protein classes, now documented in a reference pea genome assembly. Much is also known about loci affecting starch metabolism in pea, with research especially focusing on improving concentrations of resistant starch, which has a positive effect on maintaining blood glucose homeostasis. Diversity in natural germplasm for micronutrient concentrations and mineral hyperaccumulation mutants have been discovered, with quantitative trait loci on multiple linkage groups identified for seed micronutrient concentrations. Antinutrients, which affect nutrient bioavailability, must also be considered; mutants in which the concentrations of important antinutrients including phytate and trypsin inhibitors are reduced have already been discovered. Current knowledge on the genetics of nutritional traits in pea will greatly assist with crop improvement for specific end uses, and further identification of genes involved will help advance our knowledge of the control of the synthesis of seed compounds., Highlights • There is huge potential to use genetic diversity to modify pea seed composition. • Such modifications can help meet demands for novel plant-based products. • Concentrations of protein, resistant starch and micronutrients can be improved. • Amounts of so-called antinutrients can be reduced. • Genomic resources are accelerating the rate at which changes can be made.

There are dilemmas in the minds of consumers with respect to sugar consumption - they would like to consume sugars for sweetness, but in a healthy (and perhaps guilt free!) way. In a sense, consumers believe that if sugar does not appear as an ingredient on the product label, but is intrinsic in the food (and will appear as a nutrient), it is 'good'. As an ingredient, however, it is viewed as a 'bad chemical' associated with tooth decay and obesity. The reality is that unless processing induced modifications have occurred, the sugar molecule within a plant tissue is the same molecule structure as present in purified sugar. The same calorific value. However, there is an argument that humans eat too refined food and that if sugars were eaten in their natural context (e.g. within a fruit), their presence and concentration would be in harmony (where different nutrients complement and balance the sugar concentration) with the human body. This reflects the process of eating, satiety, presence of other nutrients (including water) and the associated impact of the indigestible components of plant foods on the transit/nutrient bioavailability control and thus benefits through the gut. The authors explore these issues in this article and seek to provide a scientific basis to different sides of the argument - sugar is good or bad depending on how (in which format and how much/how concentrated) it is consumed. More importantly perhaps, how should sugar consumption - an important nutrient - be managed to optimize the benefits but reduce the disadvantages? © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Medicinal plants exhibit colossal impact on poultry industries by improving its performance and productivity. However, some of these plants show adverse influence too by decreasing egg production percentage, egg mass, and microbiota counts. Green tea, nettle, pennyroyal, yarrow, and alfalfa in the form of seed, powder, and extract had vast potentiality to improve immunity, reduce the growth of pathogenic microbes, and improve the viable counts of lactic acid bacteria. Lavender, Alfalfa, and Nettle powder were able to improve egg yolk color. Furthermore, ginger reduced fat content in meat and increased color intensity. Flax seed increased alpha linolenic acid content in tissue, and increased n-3 fatty acid content in breast as well as thigh tissue. Physiological assessment showed that green tea, lavender, nettle, pennyroyal, and yarrow improved poultry immunity. Lavender and nettle improved internal organ traits. Interestingly, the use of flaxseed improved quail egg hatchability. Plants metabolites, particularly carvacrol and thymol showed its pivotal role as natural growth promoters by affecting growth performances, nutrient bioavailability, and immunity of broiler chickens. Additionally, in recent years, micro-encapsulation or nano-encapsulation of plant extracts and its metabolites improved growth performances of broiler chickens, thereby suggested wide utilization of this technique as a potential alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in future. This review sheds a light on beneficial as well as no adverse effects of some of the direct-fed important medicinal plants and its metabolites in poultry nutrition in order to suggest its key role in future poultry enterprise.

The major determinants of malnutrition in Africa are low availability of nutritious foods and inadequate consumption of protein-rich diets. Consumption of nutritious snacks could help to reduce protein-energy malnutrition in children and adults. Biscuits are a ready-to-eat, convenient and cheap snack that is consumed by all age group in many countries. It can be produced from cereal and legume flour blends. A proximate composition such as protein, ash, crude fiber, and fat content of some cereal-legume based biscuit increased with increase in the percentage substitution of legumes flour. Carbohydrate content of biscuits decreased as legume substitution increased. The Ash (total mineral) content of some cereal and legume-based composite biscuits increased as the level of legume flour incorporation increased. The increased in some nutrient composition of the biscuit in cereal and legume blends could be due to the significant quantity of nutrients in legumes. Anti-nutritional factors (ANF) such as tannin and phytic acid affect digestibility and nutrient bioavailability for absorption. Substitution of malted cereal flour with legume flour resulted decreased in the level of both tannin and phytate in the composite biscuits and vice versa. Lower tannin and phytate content observed could be due to degradation of tannin and phytate during malting. Sensory attributes such as color, texture, aroma, taste, and overall acceptability of some cereal and legume-based biscuits were highly rated (in acceptable ranges).

Digestion and health properties of food do not solely rely on the sum of nutrients but are also influenced by food structure. Dairy products present an array of structures due to differences in the origin of milk components and the changes induced by processing. Some dairy structures have been observed to induce specific effects on digestion rates and physiological responses. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Gastric digestion plays a key role in controlling digestion kinetics. The main objective of this review is to expose the relevance of gastric phase as the link between dairy structures and physiological responses. The focus is on human and animal studies, and physiological relevant in vitro digestion models. Data collected showed that the structure of dairy products have a profound impact on rate of nutrient bioavailability, absorption and physiological responses, suggesting gastric digestion as the main driver. Control of gastric digestion can be a tool for delivering specific rates of nutrient digestion. Therefore, the design of food structure targeting specific gastric behavior could be of great interest for particular population needs e.g. rapid nutrient digestion will benefit elderly, and slow nutrient digestion could help to enhance satiety.

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 × 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

There is an increasing demand for novel feed products derivable from agroindustrial by-products and underutilized crop plants as an approach to reduce overdependence on the most conventionally used plant protein sources. The fluctuation in demand and supply, high cost of purchasing soybean meal (SBM) and persistent competition between humans and livestock for this commodity has necessitated the search for alternative protein sources. Canola meal (CM), camelina meal (CAM) and lupin (LP) are cost-effective feed resources that have been identified as alternative protein sources for broiler chickens due to their moderate protein content. However, the dietary inclusion of these alternative protein sources is limited to low inclusion levels due to the presence of antinutritional factors (ANFs) which have been found to induce poor performance and decreased nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens. A potential solution is the use of solid-state fermentation (SSF) as a bioprocessing technique to enhance nutrient composition, reduce ANFs, improve nutrient bioavailability and enhance nutrient digestibility of agroindustrial by-products when fed to broiler chickens. There is limited information on the physicochemical, microbiological, and functional properties of solid-state fermented CM, solid-state fermented CAM and solid-state fermented LP prepared from Aspergillus sojae, Aspergillus ficuum and their co-cultures as well as the feeding value of these solid-state fermented products in broiler chickens. Thus, this thesis was focused on the utilization of solid-state fermented CM, CAM, and LP as potential protein sources in the diets of broiler chickens. The effect of SSF on proximate composition, ANF, microbiological properties, functional properties, fibre fractions, in vitro enzyme protein digestion (IVPD), total phenolic contents, protein molecular distribution and colour attributes of lupin flour (LPF) were evaluated in Chapter III. Samples differed in their proximate composition except crude ash and fibre contents. Phytic acid content and IVPD decreased in the fermented LPFs. Also, the fermented LPFs showed decreased water absorption capacity (WAC) but increased swelling capacity (SC). In addition, fermented LPFs demonstrated reduction in colour attributes. In Chapter IV, the nutritional improvement in CM after SSF with Aspergillus sojae, Aspergillus ficuum and their co-cultures as regards physicochemical, microbiological, and functional properties was determined. Samples did not differ in their proximate composition except in soluble carbohydrate (glucose) and starch. Phytic acid content and total glucosinolates were reduced in the fermented CMs. SSF reduced the protein molecular weight and colour attributes of CM but increased WAC, swelling index (SI) and SC. This thesis is the first to document novel findings on CAM as a potential substrate for SSF. The physicochemical, microbiological, and functional properties of CAM (Camelina sativa) fermented in solid-state using food grade Aspergillus fungi were determined in Chapter V. SSF increased the starch contents but reduced the contents of soluble carbohydrate in CAM. Phytic acid content was reduced in the fermented CAMs. SSF reduced the protein molecular weight and colour attributes of CAM. The fermented CAMs had increased bulk density and SC but reduced WAC. In the first feeding trial (Chapter VI), performance and ileal amino acid digestibility in growing male broilers fed diets containing solid-state fermented and enzyme-supplemented CMs were determined. Phytase enzyme (PHY) at 500 FTU/kg and xylanase enzyme (XYL) at 1000 U/kg were added to the respective diets. During the performance trial (1 to 21 days), birds fed SBM and SSFCM diets recorded improved (p

Production of cereal grains has steadily been increased to meet the demand of our increasing world population. Maize is an important multipurpose cereal crop of the world, utilized directly for human food in developing and underdeveloped countries. Whole maize grains provide a wide range of nutrients and bioactive compounds that optimize health. The starchy grain is used for the production of numerous indigenous and industrial foods. Maize on the cob as harvested are generally not consumed directly by humans but subjected to certain processing treatments to impart special characteristics and improve organoleptic properties. Processed grains are often nutritionally superior to unprocessed grains, probably because of enhanced nutrient bioavailability and reduction of antinutrient contents. However, some of these processing treatments could lower the nutrients and bioactive compounds in maize. Kernel nutritional quality and quantity could be improved through exogenous and endogenous fortification. Thus, this chapter discusses the major nutritive and bioactive compounds in maize, fortification and selection of appropriate processing methods to obtain maximum nutritional and health benefits.

A central composite rotatable design (CCRD) coupled to response surface methodology (RSM) was used to investigate the effect of autoclaving conditions on the antinutritional factors, functional properties, digestibility and hardness of hard-do-cook common beans. Results indicated that autoclaving conditions did not change the functional properties (water solubility, water absorption index and oil absorption capacity) of the autoclaved hard-to-cook beans. Nevertheless, the autoclaving process was able to reduce the content of trypsin (59.8%) and α-amylase (42.2%) inhibitors as well as the amount of resistant starch (45.9%), which improves the nutrient bioavailability. In addition, compared to unprocessed hard-to-cook beans, the autoclaved seed presented higher protein and starch digestibility and lower hardness, enhancing the nutritional and textural quality of the seeds. These results evidenced that autoclaving may be an interesting alternative to enable the use of hard-to-cook beans as whole grain or component in food preparations.

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.

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. rhizo...

Soil, inputs, and environmental factors such as weather control plant nutrient availability and nutrient content in food. Drought periods affect nutrient bioavailability. Nutrient transport within the plant and allocation of nutrients within organs of the plant is water dependent and therefore drought susceptible. This study compared Kapchorwa, Uganda and Teso South, Kenya that experienced drought during the second season in 2016. The main research questions were: (i) do droughts have an impact on the nutrient composition of food; (ii) is there a difference in nutrient concentrations in food based on their xylem or phloem mobility? Maize (Zea mays) grain (n = 62) and matooke (Musa acuminata) fruit samples (n = 90) in Kapchorwa, and maize grain (n = 61) and cassava (Manihot esculenta) tuber (n = 64) in Teso South were collected during a normal season (March–July) and drought season (October–December) in 2016. Crop samples were analysed using a pXRF for P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was calculated using TAMSAT database to compare drought intensities. The drought in Kapchorwa (SPI: −1.14 to −0.32) was severer and began 2 months prior to Teso South (SPI: 0.09 to 0.55). Nutrient concentration in Kapchorwa decreased significantly from normal to drought in both crops. In contrast, during the moderate drought in Teso South, nutrient concentrations increased significantly. Lacking nutrient phloem mobility is suggested to play a vital role in mobilisation of micronutrients (Fe, Mn, and Cu) as shown by their decreased concentration under severe drought in the yield. Total nutrients assimilated in crop samples were significantly higher in the normal than the drought for almost all samples. Micronutrients and yields during drought were strongly affected, leading to a double-burden for consumers through affected quantity and quality. Future research considerations should particularly include the focus on potential nutrient increases during mild drought.

Seed coat darkening after a delayed harvest or prolonged storage reduces the commercial value of dry beans and is caused by the oxidation of procyanidin compounds (condensed tannins). Slow-darkening (SD) pinto beans have a recessive gene (Psd), which alters procyanidin production – postponing their darkening over time. Procyanidins are important for the processing and nutrient bioavailability of beans, therefore, this study compared the postharvest cooking times and iron bioavailability of SD pinto varieties to regular-darkening (RD) pinto varieties. The results show SD pinto beans cook 30% faster and provide 2–7 times more bioavailable iron than RD pinto beans. No relationship between iron bioavailability, iron and phytate concentrations were detected among the pinto beans. However, lower procyanidin concentrations were strongly associated with faster cooking times and improved iron bioavailability of SD pinto beans. These findings indicate that the SD trait benefits the cooking quality and iron bioavailability of stored beans.

Background Conventional methods of agricultural pest control and crop fertilisation are unsustainable. To meet growing demand, we must find ecologically responsible means to control disease and promote crop yields. The root-associated microbiome can aid plants with disease suppression, abiotic stress relief, and nutrient bioavailability. The aim of the present work was to profile the community of bacteria, fungi, and archaea associated with the wheat rhizosphere and root endosphere in different conditions. We also aimed to use 13CO2 stable isotope probing (SIP) to identify microbes within the root compartments that were capable of utilising host-derived carbon. Results Metabarcoding revealed that community composition shifted significantly for bacteria, fungi, and archaea across compartments. This shift was most pronounced for bacteria and fungi, while we observed weaker selection on the ammonia oxidising archaea-dominated archaeal community. Across multiple soil types we found that soil inoculum was a significant driver of endosphere community composition, however, several bacterial families were identified as core enriched taxa in all soil conditions. The most abundant of these were Streptomycetaceae and Burkholderiaceae. Moreover, as the plants senesce, both families were reduced in abundance, indicating that input from the living plant was required to maintain their abundance in the endosphere. Stable isotope probing showed that bacterial taxa within the Burkholderiaceae family, among other core enriched taxa such as Pseudomonadaceae, were able to use root exudates, but Streptomycetaceae were not. Conclusions The consistent enrichment of Streptomycetaceae and Burkholderiaceae within the endosphere, and their reduced abundance after developmental senescence, indicated a significant role for these families within the wheat root microbiome. While Streptomycetaceae did not utilise root exudates in the rhizosphere, we provide evidence that Pseudomonadaceae and Burkholderiaceae family taxa are recruited to the wheat root community via root exudates. This deeper understanding crop microbiome formation will enable researchers to characterise these interactions further, and possibly contribute to ecologically responsible methods for yield improvement and biocontrol in the future.

The article is devoted to the current world problem of vegetable protein deficiency, the solution of which can be white lupine. Particular attention is paid to assessing the bioavailability of nutrients from white lupine (Lupinus albus) in the body of non-human primates M. Mulatta. Because primates are phylogenetically closer to humans than other laboratory animals, which is very convenient for modeling and studying the digestibility of nutrients in diets. The purpose of the article is to study the digestibility of nutrients in lupine in the structure of complete feed and its effect on the biochemical parameters of the blood. As a result of the research, it was found that the inclusion of white lupine in the structure of the diet allows to improve the bioavailability of nutrients of complete feed, when included in the structure of the diet of white lupine in an amount of 10%, it made it possible to improve the digestibility of crude protein in relation to the control group by 5.5%, crude fat by 0.99%, crude fiber by 1.84%, BEV by 7.99%, crude ash by 4.67%, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) by 6.99%, and 1.02 %. With the inclusion of 20% white lupine in the structure of the diet, it made it possible to improve the digestibility of crude protein in relation to the control group by 9.28%, crude fat by 6.5%, crude fiber by 5.98%, BEV by 2, 78%, crude ash by 11.28%, and absorption of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) by 9.93% and 8.68%. At the same time, the results of hematological analyzes generally indicate the safety of consuming white lupine for 35 days.

Water deficit limits cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) productivity in drought-prone areas and alters the nutritive quality of the crop. Potassium (K) may mitigate the effects of water deficit and improve the nutritional content of cassava, which would alleviate malnutrition among the human population in the tropics who depend on cassava as a staple food. Pot experiments were conducted under controlled glasshouse conditions to investigate the influence of deficit irrigation and K fertigation on the nutritive and anti-nutritive quality of biofortified cassava during the early growth phase. Treatments initiated at 30 days after planting were three irrigation doses (30, 60, 100% pot capacity) that were split to five K (0.01, 1, 4, 16, and 32 mM) concentrations. Plants were harvested at 90 days after planting, and the starch, energy, carotenoid, crude protein, fiber, minerals, and cyanide concentration of the leaves and roots were determined. Irrigation and K treatments showed significant (P

In order to fully exploit the nutrient density concept, thorough understanding of the biological activity of single nutrients in their interaction with other nutrients and food components from whole foods is important. This review provides a narrative overview of recent insights into nutrient bioavailability from complex foods in humans, highlighting synergistic and antagonistic processes among food components for two different food groups, i.e., dairy, and vegetables and fruits. For dairy, bioavailability of vitamins A, B2, B12 and K, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc and iodine are discussed, whereas bioavailability of pro-vitamin A, folate, vitamin C and K, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron are discussed for vegetables and fruits. Although the bioavailability of some nutrients is fairly well-understood, for other nutrients the scientific understanding of uptake, absorption, and bioavailability in humans is still at a nascent stage. Understanding the absorption and bioavailability of nutrients from whole foods in interaction with food components that influence these processes will help to come to individual diet scores that better reflect absorbable nutrient intake in epidemiologic studies that relate dietary intake to health outcomes. Moreover, such knowledge may help in the design of foods, meals, and diets that aid in the supply of bioavailable nutrients to specific target groups.

Legumes and cereals contain high amounts of macronutrients and micronutrients but also anti-nutritional factors. Major anti-nutritional factors, which are found in edible crops include saponins, tannins, phytic acid, gossypol, lectins, protease inhibitors, amylase inhibitor, and goitrogens. Anti-nutritional factors combine with nutrients and act as the major concern because of reduced nutrient bioavailability. Various other factors like trypsin inhibitors and phytates, which are present mainly in legumes and cereals, reduce the digestibility of proteins and mineral absorption. Anti-nutrients are one of the key factors, which reduce the bioavailability of various components of the cereals and legumes. These factors can cause micronutrient malnutrition and mineral deficiencies. There are various traditional methods and technologies, which can be used to reduce the levels of these anti-nutrient factors. Several processing techniques and methods such as fermentation, germination, debranning, autoclaving, soaking etc. are used to reduce the anti-nutrient contents in foods. By using various methods alone or in combinations, it is possible to reduce the level of anti-nutrients in foods. This review is focused on different types of anti-nutrients, and possible processing methods that can be used to reduce the level of these factors in food products.Graphical abstractA brief overview of beneficial effects of anti-nutrients and reduction strategy.

With the ever-increasing world population, an extra 1.5 billion mouths need to be fed by 2050 with continuously dwindling arable land. Hence, it is imperative that extra food come from the marginal lands that are expected to be unsuitable for growing major staple crops under the adverse climate change scenario. Crop diversity provides right alternatives for marginal environments to improve food, feed, and nutritional security. Well-adapted and climate-resilient crops will be the best fit for such a scenario to produce seed and biomass. The minor millets are known for their high nutritional profile and better resilience for several abiotic stresses that make them the suitable crops for arid and salt-affected soils and poor-quality waters. Finger millet (Eleucine coracana) and foxtail millet (Setaria italica), also considered as orphan crops, are highly tolerant grass crop species that grow well in marginal and degraded lands of Africa and Asia with better nutritional profile. Another category of grains, called pseudo-cereals, is considered as rich foods because of their protein quality and content, high mineral content, and healthy and balance food quality. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), amaranth (Amaranthus sp.), and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) fall under this category. Nevertheless, both minor millets and pseudo-cereals are morphologically different, although similar for micronutrient bioavailability, and their grains are gluten-free. The cultivation of these millets can make dry lands productive and ensure future food as well as nutritional security. Although the natural nutrient profile of these crop plant species is remarkably good, little development has occurred in advances in molecular genetics and breeding efforts to improve the bioavailability of nutrients. Recent advances in NGS have enabled the genome and transcriptome sequencing of these millets and pseudo-cereals for the faster development of molecular markers and application in molecular breeding. Genomic information on finger millet (1,196 Mb with 85,243 genes); S. italica, a model small millet (well-annotated draft genome of 420 Mb with 38,801 protein-coding genes); amaranth (466 Mb genome and 23,059 protein-coding genes); buckwheat (genome size of 1.12 Gb with 35,816 annotated genes); and quinoa (genome size of 1.5 Gb containing 54,438 protein-coding genes) could pave the way for the genetic improvement of these grains. These genomic resources are an important first step toward genetic improvement of these crops. This review highlights the current advances and available resources on genomics to improve nutrient bioavailability in these five suitable crops for the sustained healthy livelihood.

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.

It has long been recognized that plant invasions may alter carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles, but the direction and magnitude of such alterations have been rarely quantified. In this study, we quantified the effects caused by the invasion of a noxious exotic plant, Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Crassulaceae), on C and N mineralization and enzymatic and microbial activities in the soil of a semiarid locality in Venezuela. We compared soil parameters associated with these processes (C and N mineralization time and the cumulative values, fluorescein diacetate hydrolytic activity, and activities of dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, glucosaminidase, and urease) between invaded and adjacent non-invaded sites. In addition, correlations among these parameters and the soil physical-chemical properties were also examined to determine if a positive feedback exists between nutrient availability and K. daigremontiana invasion. Overall, our results showed that C mineralization and transformation of organic compounds to NH4+ were favored at sites colonized by K. daigremontiana. With this species, we found the highest cumulative amounts of NH4+-N and C and the lowest mineralization time. These results could be explained by higher activities of urease and glucosaminidase in soils under the influence of K. daigremontiana. In addition, higher amounts of organic matter and moisture content in invaded soils might favor C and N mineralization. In conclusion, invasion of Neotropical semiarid zones by K. daigremontiana may influence the chemical and biological properties of the soils covered by this species, increasing nutrient bioavailability, which, in time, can facilitate the invasion process.

Some nematophagous fungi control nematodes and are also able to compensate the damage they cause in plant roots. However, the effects of these fungi on plant growth promotion are still underexplored. Here, we evaluated if some nematophagus fungi (Pochonia chlamydosporia and Duddingtonia flagrans) may increase nutrient bioavailability and promote plant growth. A growth chamber assay and a greenhouse study (both without nematodes) were carried out to assess the effects of the fungi on growth and phosphorus uptake by tomato plants. The use of P. chlamydosporia and D. flagrans substantially increased growth and the uptake of nutrients by tomato plants (mainly phosphorus – up to 70% in the best treatments). We conclude that P. chlamydosporia and D. flagrans are potentially useful not just for nematode control but also for promoting plant growth and for increasing nutrient use efficiency.

Plant beneficial rhizospheric microorganisms (PBRMs) are rhizospheric microbes that are able to colonize rhizosphere and to improve plant growth, development and nutrient use efficiency (NUE) by means of a wide variety of mechanisms like organic matter mineralization, biological control against soil-borne pathogens, biological nitrogen (N) fixation, potassium (K), phosphorous (P) and zinc (Zn) solubilization and root growth promotion. Improved grain production to meet the food demand of an increasing population has been highly dependent on chemical fertilizer input based on the traditionally assumed notion of ‘high input, high output’, which results in overuse of fertilizers but ignores the biological potential of roots or rhizosphere for efficient mobilization and acquisition of soil nutrients. A very interesting feature of PBRMs is their ability of enhancing nutrient bioavailability or NUE by ∼ 20-40% with various nutrients. Although chemical fertilization is a quick method, it is not recommendable economically and environmentally, especially if overused. Several PBRMs species have been characterized as biological N-fixer, P, K-solubilizing microorganisms while other species have been shown to increase the solubility of micronutrients, like those that produce siderophores for iron (Fe) chelation. The enhanced amount of soluble macro- and micronutrients in the close proximity of the soil-root interface has indeed a positive effect on plant nutrition. There is a growing body of evidence that demonstrates the potential of various microbes to enhance plant productivity and yield in cropping systems. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena, the signals involved as well as the potential applications in a sustainable agriculture approach, and the biotechnological aspects for possible rhizosphere engineering are still matters of discussion.

Background: The interest in stable natural colorants for food applications continues to grow. A red pigment extracted from the leaf sheaths of a sorghum variety (Sorghum bicolor) with a high content of apigeninidin is widely used as a biocolorant in processed foods in West Africa. This study compared the colour and anthocyanin composition from traditional extraction methods to determine options for improvement and use of the red biocolorant from dye sorghum in the food sector.; Results: Sorghum biocolorant was commonly applied in fermented and heated foods. Traditional extraction methods predominantly differed in two aspects, namely the use of an alkaline rock salt (locally known as kanwu) and the temperature of the extraction water. Cool extraction using the alkaline ingredient was more efficient than hot alkaline and hot aqueous extractions in extracting anthocyanins. The apigeninidin content was three times higher in the cool and hot alkaline extracts than in the aqueous extract.; Conclusion: Cool and hot alkaline extractions at pH 8-9 were the most efficient methods for extracting apigeninidin from dye sorghum leaf sheaths. Broader use of the sorghum biocolorant in foods requires further research on its effects on nutrient bioavailability and antioxidant activity. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Entomopathogenic mitosporic ascomycetes Beauveria, Metarhizium and Isaria sp. are commonly used for pest control but can also serve other, lesser known functions such as increasing nutrient bioavailability or promote plant growth. The objective of this work was to identify the doses of entomopathogenic fungi (EF) to be applied to soil in order to modify iron (Fe) uptake by plants and promote their growth. We used an in vitro assay to assess the ability of Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium brunneum and Isaria farinosa to mobilize Fe from nine Fe oxides differing in composition, particle size and crystallinity, including ferrihydrite, hematite, goethite and magnetite. We also conducted an in vivo assay by applying five different doses (viz., 0, 5 × 102, 5 × 104, 5 × 106 and 5 × 108 conidia ml−1) of a conidial suspension of M. brunneum to the surface of a calcareous soil, which induced Fe chlorosis and a non–calcareous soil which did not induce chlorosis to explore the ability of the fungus on improving Fe nutrition and plant growth of sorghum and sunflower plants. In the in vitro assay, all three EF increased Fe availability differently depending on particle size and crystallinity, and I. farinosa and B. bassiana increased the pH of the culture medium, whereas M. brunneum did not produce a great effect. In the in vivo assay, the highest dose (5 × 108 conidia ml−1) of M. brunneum alleviated Fe chlorosis symptoms of sorghum plants grown in the calcareous soil, and the two highest doses (5 × 106 and 5 × 108 conidia ml−1) increased plant height and inflorescence production of sunflower grown in both soils. The observed benefits of EF on plant growth and nutrition provide support for more sustainable and cost–effective use of these biocontrol agents.

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.

The production of poultry products with minimal negative impact on the world's environment is critical to sustainability of one of our most important sources of high quality animal protein. With respect to poultry nutrition, maximizing nutrient bioavailability of the diets and formulating those diets to precisely meet the bird's growth requirements at any given time is perhaps one of the most important aspects of environmental, social and economic sustainability. This chapter explores the evolution of the National Research Council's Nutrient Requirements of Poultry through the most recent 1994 edition. Today's modern breeds of production poultry are genetically much different than they were half a century ago and their diets have changed correspondently. During the 1940's we fed just a few different diets to poultry, primarily a grower diet and a layer diet with similar concentrations of dietary protein and energy. Today we feed both broilers and laying hens many different diets throughout their respective production periods in an attempt to be as precise as possible at meeting the optimal nutrient requirements for growth and reproduction without overfeeding and negatively affecting the environment. The availability of crystalline amino acids, growth promoters, probiotics, prebiotics, effective exogenous enzyme products, and new ideas on formulating diets with optimal amounts and proportions of proteinogenic amino acids have all contributed to the goal of sustainable poultry production with minimum environmental impact.

The soil harbors an incredibly high biodiversity, composed by many macro- and microorganisms, where bacteria are the most abundant and diverse ones. These tiny organisms are major players in nutrient cycling and are responsible for the maintenance of soil fertility and plant productivity by direct and indirect interactions. They are able to biologically fix nitrogen, produce phytohormones, increase nutrient bioavailability, protect from pathogens, and modulate plant responses to stress among many other functions. However, they are structured in very complex communities and controlled by many different factors and their responses to land use and management in forestry systems are still in the very beginning of our understanding. In this chapter, we present briefly the role of the bacterial community in forestry ecosystems, and how it responds to intercropping of Eucalyptus and Acacia. We show that there is a strong indication that the consortium of Eucalyptus with legume trees can integrate the soil bacterial community, increasing microbial activity and system stability with direct benefits to soil biogeochemistry. We also show that the bacterial biodiversity associated with trees can be explored in a biotechnological way, representing a green technology to optimize plant growth improving the sustainability of wood production.

Aerosol acidity plays an important role by affecting aerosol formation, concentration, human health, and nutrient bioavailability. This study used thermodynamic model (ISORROPIA-II) and measurement data in Atlanta, GA, USA from 2009 to 2013. Aerosol pH in this research domain kept low (average 2.61) and did not change much over the past decade with the SO2 emissions reduction. But the trend still shows significant seasonal patterns (high in the winter and low in the summer) and spatial variation (higher in urban and lower in rural area). Model performance were evaluated by comparing estimated and observed NH3 gas phase partitioning. Also based on the source apportionment results for the same domain, multiple-linear-regression models were developed to show the source impacts on fine particle pH. With strong correlations (average R2 = 0.52), in most cases, models indicate vehicles have the largest positive impact on pH and ammonia bisulfate contribute most negative impact on pH, even though specific results are different for different seasons and locations.

The aim of this research was to improve nutritive value of fishmeal-based feed by lactobacilli in order to achieve satisfactory nutrient availability needed to support fish development. Feed was solid-state treated at a laboratory scale with the combination of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei BGHN14 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus BGT10 in different experimental settings, which included the variation of strain ratio, total lactobacilli concentration, percentage of moisture and duration of incubation. Short peptides, soluble proteins, phospho-, neutral and unsaturated lipids were quantified. Differences among treated and control feeds were evaluated by Student t-test, while Gaussian process regression (GPR) modeling was employed to simulate the incubation process and define the optimal treatment combination in the context of overall feed nutritional profile. Treatment duration was shown to be the critical determinant of final outcome, either as single factor or via interaction with strain ratio. Optimal nutrient balance was achieved with 12 h incubation period, 260% moisture, 75:25 and 50:50 BGHN14:BGT10 ratios and 200 mg of lactobacilli per g of dry feed. This study should serve as the basis for large-scale tests which would simulate on-farm production of both fishmeal-based and unconventional, lower cost aquafeed with added value.

Organic fish farming is postulated as a more environmentally friendly activity than conventional activities. However, environmental sustainability as regards waste output has not been addressed. In this respect, the most important environmental problems associated with fish farming are those related with the discharge of particulate wastes. In this study, total nitrogen, carbon and phosphorus digestibility was estimated in a wide size range of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fed a commercially available conventional diet and an organic feed, as a previous step to assessing particulate waste output. Neither fish size nor feed nutrient content was seen to influence nutrient digestibility in either species. The organic diet provided higher carbon but lower nitrogen and phosphorus digestibility than conventional feed in both species. Simulations under real ongrowing conditions resulted in lower values for nitrogen and higher values for carbon particulate wastes when conventional feed was supplied to both species. Particulate phosphorus wastes were 2.6- to 3.4-fold higher for fish fed the organic diet. Restrictions concerning NO the raw materials used for organic diet formulation and differences in nutrient bioavailability between the diets seemed to be the underlying reason for the differences found. This research was funded by the Spanish Institute of Agro-Forestry Research (INIA; Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness; Project RTA2011-00088-00-00). The study was also partially sponsored by the Sub-Programme of Researcher Formation of the Spanish Institute of Agro-Forestry Research (FPI-INIA).

Maize is a staple human food eaten by more than a billion people around the world in a variety of whole and processed products. Different processing methods result in changes to the nutritional profile of maize products, which can greatly affect the micronutrient intake of populations dependent on this crop for a large proportion of their caloric needs. This review summarizes the effects of different processing methods on the resulting micronutrient and phytochemical contents of maize. The majority of B vitamins are lost during storage and milling; further loss occurs with soaking and cooking, but fermentation and nixtamalization (soaking in alkaline solution) can increase bioavailability of riboflavin and niacin. Carotenoids, found mainly in the kernel endosperm, increase in concentration after degermination, while other vitamins and minerals, found mainly in the germ, are reduced. Mineral bioavailability can be improved by processing methods that reduce phytic acid, such as soaking, fermenting, cooking, and nixtamalization. Losses of micronutrients during processing can be mitigated by changes in methods of processing, in addition to encouraging consumption of whole-grain maize products over degermed, refined products. In some cases, such as niacin, processing is actually necessary for nutrient bioavailability. Due to the high variability in the baseline nutrient contents among maize varieties, combined with additional variability in processing effects, the most accurate data on nutrient content will be obtained through analysis of specific maize products and consideration of in vivo bioavailability.

Entomopathogenic fungi are known for their insecticidal properties but possess other, lesser known attributes as plant growth promoters and nutrient bioavailability improvers. In this work, their effect on iron availability and ability to alleviate iron chlorosis symptoms were examined. Three strains of common entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana, Isaria farinosa and Metarhizium brunneum) were studied in an in an in vitro experiment involving three iron oxides of different nature. Then, lupin, sorghum, wheat and sunflower pot-grown on three calcareous soils with a low iron availability and one non-calcareous sandy soil with a high iron availability, were studied. Metarhizium brunneum was applied to the soil surface to compare with untreated soils. Metarhizium brunneum EAMb 01/58-Su was the most efficient strain in dissolving iron from iron oxides in the in vitro experiment; also, it increased leaf chlorophyll content in sorghum and wheat, plant height in wheat, and flower production in sunflower grown on two of the three calcareous soils. However, the fungus decreased dry weight in wheat and sunflower production in plants grown on the sandy soil. No effect on lupin plants —the most sensitive to iron chlorosis— was observed. M. brunneum alleviated iron chlorosis symptoms in sorghum, wheat and sunflower grown on calcareous soils but had a negative effect on two of the four plant species grown on the sandy soil. These encouraging results with calcareous soils suggest giving priority to this soil dwelling pest control strategy in such conditions to take advantage of this new added value.

Thin porridge from cereals and starchy tubers is a common complementary food in Sub Saharan Africa. It may be high in antinutrients, low in energy, and nutrient density hence inadequate in providing infants' high energy and nutrients requirements per unit body weight. Consequently, undernourishment levels among children under 5 years are high. Therefore, there is need to avail nutrient‐dense complementary foods especially for children in low‐resource settings. The study was aimed at developing a nutrient‐dense complementary food from amaranth and sorghum grains. Amaranth grain, a pseudocereal, though rarely used as a complementary food in Kenya has a higher nutritional quality than other staples. Plant‐based foods are known to have high levels of antinutrients. Steeping and germination were used to reduce the levels of antinutrients and enhance the bioavailability of minerals in the grains. Various steeped and germinated amaranth and sorghum grains formulations were made to find the ratio with the highest nutrient content and lowest antinutrient levels. The 90% amaranth‐sorghum grains formulation had significantly (F = 32.133, P

The thymol is an herbal food additive used to improve performance indices, feed utilization, immune system, and preventing from infectious diseases. Feeding animal, fish and poultry with diets supplemented with medicinal plants containing effective compounds and natural antioxidants in thymol demonstrated valuable potential of thymol to enhance the productive and reproductive performances, nutrient bioavailability, immunity and general health of livestock as well as lowering the problems of different animal diseases, side effects of chemical drugs, syntactic materials and cancer. These properties may be attributed to thymol’s capability to work as antispasmodic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, anticancer and anti-inflammatory agent by suppressing harmful compounds/free radicals from interacting with cellular biological compounds, ability to alter the gut microbiota, and increasing digestion, absorption and metabolism of nutrients. This review illustrates the multiple beneficial appli...

Earthworms are recognized to affect soil nutrient cycling with important consequences for plant growth. Nutrient bioavailability is often limited in calcareous soils. Exactly how earthworms can impact availability of nutrients in higher plants grown on calcareous soils still remains an open question. The objectives of this study were to investigate in pot experiments complex nutrient dynamics of interactions between non-calcareous soil and earthworms with special emphasis on the availability of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and nitrogen (N) to plants (Cucumis sativus L. and Zea mays L.) subjected to calcium carbonate (CaCO3) excess. A combination approach was performed including analysis of nutrient mobility in casts/soil, micronutrient movement via xylem of plants and plant elemental analysis. Addition of CaCO3 (5% DW) significantly lowered the concentrations of Zn and Mn in xylem sap and/or shoot (by 1.8–5.7 times) of both cucumber and maize in comparison with plants that had not received CaCO3. Bioavailability of Fe, however, was not affected by CaCO3 treatment. Beneficial effects of earthworms— endogeic Aporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny) and anecic Lumbricus terrrestris L., for plant nutrient acquisition include an increased mobility of all micronutrients (by 1.3–4.0 times) and N (by 1.5–27 times) in casts or soil either with or without CaCO3 treatment. However, these earthworm species were generally not of major importance in improving Zn and Mn translocation from roots to shoot in cucumber and maize, which was strongly impaired in CaCO3 applied soil. The results clearly demonstrated that earthworm capabilities to alleviate plant Zn and Mn deficiencies induced by CaCO3 applications are limited.

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.

GH (growth hormone) secretion/action is modulated by alterations in energy homeostasis, such as malnutrition and obesity. Recent data have uncovered the mechanism by which hypothalamic neurons sense nutrient bioavailability, with a relevant contribution of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) and mTOR (mammalian Target of Rapamycin), as sensors of cellular energy status. However, whether central AMPK-mediated lipid signaling and mTOR participate in the regulation of pituitary GH secretion remains unexplored. We provide herein evidence for the involvement of hypothalamic AMPK signaling, but not hypothalamic lipid metabolism or CPT-1 (carnitine palmitoyltransferase I) activity, in the regulation of GH stimulatory responses to the two major elicitors of GH release in vivo, namely GHRH (growth hormone&ndash, releasing hormone) and ghrelin. This effect appeared to be GH-specific, as blocking of hypothalamic AMPK failed to influence GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone)-induced LH (luteinizing hormone) secretion. Additionally, central mTOR inactivation did not alter GH responses to GHRH or ghrelin, nor this blockade affected LH responses to GnRH in vivo. In sum, we document here for the first time the indispensable and specific role of preserved central AMPK, but not mTOR, signaling, through a non-canonical lipid signaling pathway, for proper GH responses to GHRH and ghrelin in vivo.

Malnutrition is a major health problem especially in many developing nations. Ironically, communities that suffer from undernourishment especially in rural areas often have plenty of nutritious wild foods. However, stigma against such foods, limited seasonal availability, limited or no diversification of such foods can be hindrance to the consumption and all-year accessibility of these foods. This project has developed and demonstrated simple, affordable processes to potentially produce dried soups containing mopane worms, an edible insect common in arid and semi-arid southern African countries. The manufacturing of these pre-mixes requires relatively simple, easy to use equipment to process the raw materials. The enhanced protein content and possibly quality of the developed products can be beneficial especially to people who have less access to meat products. This piece has demonstrated the enhancement of nutrition by making “scary-looking” worms become part of our meals without seeing its presence. The potential use of the developed products depends on pending consumer sensory tests, nutrient bioavailability and technology transfer uptake and ultimately its commercialisation by Small and Medium Enterprises.

Rigid cell walls of microalgae lower the digestibility and nutrient bioavailability in carnivorous fish. Extrusion is a thermo-mechanical process and a scalable technology that may break cell walls and improves nutrient utilization. It can be hypothesized that certain feed additives may further improve microalgae nutrient digestibility and feed utilization by fish. The aim of the current study was to investigate i) the effect of incorporation of 10% pre-extruded Nannochloropsis oceanica on nutrient digestibility, growth and feed utilization of Atlantic salmon post smolts, and ii) the ability of feed additives in improving the feed utilization. Four low fish meal feeds were formulated; a control without the microalga N. oceanica (CO), a feed containing 10% of the pre-extruded microalga (NC), and two feeds containing 10% of the pre-extruded microalga and supplemented with either 0.06% Digestarom® (ND) or 1% ZEOFeed (NZ). Fish (initial average weight of 227.3 ± 3.4 g) in 5 replicate tanks of each of the study groups were fed one of the experimental feeds for 68 days. The apparent digestibility of dry matter in the NC and NZ groups were significantly higher compared to the control group (CO). The digestibility of lipid was significantly lower, and digestibility of ash was higher in the alga-fed groups (NC, ND and NZ) compared to the control group (CO). The incorporation of 10% pre-extruded N. oceanica in plant-based commercial-like feeds did not affect the growth, feed utilization and whole body proximate composition of salmon. No effects of the feed additives were observed on growth, feed utilization and histomorphology of distal intestine of salmon, but cell proliferation (PCNA) was higher for fish fed the alga alone as well as the alga-ZEOfeed combination. There were no differences in polyunsaturated fatty acids in whole body of fish fed the different feeds. It is noteworthy that whole-body EPA + DHA levels of fish fed the algae feeds were maintained at the same levels as fish fed the control feed that contained 50% more fish meal and 10% more fish oil. Unit Licence Agreement

Aquaculture is an important sector of world food production for which the source of protein for commercial diets is a huge bottleneck. Vegetable proteins are cheaper, but are accompanied by antinutritional compounds like phytate. Phytases are enzymes produced in microorganisms capable of degrading phytate. The addition of purified phytases to commercial feed improves the nutrient bioavailability of vegetable matter. However, the production and purification of phytases has a high cost. An alternative is to genetically manipulate a probiotic bacterium to produce and secrete phytase directly into the host's digestive tract. In the present study, a strain of Bacillus subtilis was engineered to produce and secrete a fungal phytase. The fish fed with a high vegetable content supplemented with transgenic probiotic showed an improvement in the parameters analysed. These results were corroborated with the expression of genes related to peptide transport (slc15a1b and slc15a2), appetite (ghrl), somatic growth (igf1, myod and myog) and bone metabolism (bglap). All the analysed genes were strongly induced in the group of fish treated with the transgenic probiotic, corroborating with the results observed for the parameters. This study shows, for the first time, that a transgenic probiotic expressing recombinant phytase is able to minimize the antinutritional effects of the high content of vegetal matter included in the fish diet. The results presented herein open the possibility of transgenic probiotics being used as bioreactors for the production of molecules capable of interfering in other physiological systems in fish.

Urbanization, emergence, and prominence of diseases and ailments have led to conscious and deliberate consumption of health beneficial foods. Whole grain (WG) cereals are one type of food with an array of nutritionally important and healthy constituents, including carotenoids, inulin, β-glucan, lignans, vitamin E-related compounds, tocols, phytosterols, and phenolic compounds, which are beneficial for human consumption. They not only provide nutrition, but also confer health promoting effects in food, such as anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial, and antioxidant properties. Fermentation is a viable processing technique to transform whole grains in edible foods since it is an affordable, less complicated technique, which not only transforms whole grains but also increases nutrient bioavailability and positively alters the levels of health-promoting components (particularly antioxidants) in derived whole grain products. This review addresses the impact of fermentation on phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities with most available studies indicating an increase in these health beneficial constituents. Such increases are mostly due to breakdown of the cereal cell wall and subsequent activities of enzymes that lead to the liberation of bound phenolic compounds, which increase antioxidant activities. In addition to the improvement of these valuable constituents, increasing the consumption of fermented whole grain cereals would be vital for the world’s ever-growing population. Concerted efforts and adequate strategic synergy between concerned stakeholders (researchers, food industry, and government/policy makers) are still required in this regard to encourage consumption and dispel negative presumptions about whole grain foods.

Protein sources are the second most important component in poultry diets. Due to the fluctuation in price of soybean meal (SBM) and persistent increase in feed prices, nutritionists have been exploring alternative protein sources. Replacement of SBM with alternative protein sources in poultry diets could reduce human-livestock competition for soybean and support the production of more animal protein. However, the use of alternative protein sources is limited to low inclusion due to the presence of anti-nutritional factors (ANF) such as glucosinolates (rapeseed meal), gossypol (cottonseed meal), non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) in lupin flour, high fibre (palm kernel cake), total phenolic contents and phytic acid (canola meal) known to impair animal performance, nutrient digestibility and feed utilization. As a processing technique, solid-state fermentation (SSF) has been researched for a long time in the food industry. An important objective of SSF is the production of enzymes, organic acids and other metabolites of economic importance. In recent times, SSF has been employed to enhance nutrient bioavailability, inhibit gut pathogenic bacteria and reduce ANF in plant protein sources resulting in improved nutrient digestibility, thereby improving performance and gut health of broiler chickens. Unlike pigs, there is still a dearth of information on feeding solid-state fermented feed ingredients to broiler chickens. This review aims to describe the nutritional value of the solid-state fermented products of rapeseed meal, canola meal, cottonseed meal, palm kernel cake and lupin flour on performance and intestinal health of broiler chickens. Keywords: Anti-nutritional factor, Broiler chicken, Nutritional value, Protein source, Solid-state fermentation