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Objective: The effects of low-temperature-resistant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and chemical additives on the quality and biogenic amine production of oat (Avena sativa L.) silage stored at low temperature were investigated. Methods: The Lactobacillus plantarum strain Y28, isolated from oat silage, demonstrated robust growth at low temperature. Fresh and wilted oat forages were treated with no additives (Con), L. plantarum inoculant (Y28), propionic acid (PA), formic acid (FA) and sodium benzoate (SB). Silages were opened after 30 or 60 days of storage, and their quality and biogenic amine production were evaluated. Results: After fermentation, putrescine, cadaverine and tyramine were present at the highest levels in oat silage stored at low temperature, constituting approximately about 90% of the total biogenic amines measured. Five other amines, tryptamine, phenethylamine, histamine, spermidine and spermine were mostly detected at concentrations below 30 mg/kg. The concentrations of tryptamine, phenethylamine, putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, tyramine, spermidine and total biogenic amines, but not spermine, were higher in fresh oat silages compared to wilted oat silages after 30 or 60 days of fermentation. The Y28 inoculant improved the fermentation quality of oat silage at low temperature by lowering the pH and ammonia nitrogen content while increasing lactate content. Oat silage treated with Y28, PA, FA and SB showed lower concentrations of putrescine, cadaverine, tyramine and total biogenic amines than the control in both fresh and wilted oat silage after 30 or 60 days of fermentation. Conclusion: Among these treatments, FA was the most effective at suppressing the formation of tyramine, cadaverine and putrescine in oat silage stored at low temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important characteristics of successful plant defence is the ability to rapidly identify potential threats in the surrounding environment. Plants rely on the perception of microbe-derived molecular pattern chemicals for this recognition, which initiates a number of induced defence reactions that ultimately increase plant resistance. The metabolome acts as a metabolic fingerprint of the biochemical activities of a biological system under particular conditions, and therefore provides a functional readout of the cellular mechanisms involved. Untargeted metabolomics was applied to decipher the biochemical processes related to defence responses of oat plants inoculated with pathovars of Pseudomonas syringae (pathogenic and non-pathogenic on oat) and thereby identify signatory markers that are involved in host or nonhost defence responses. The strains were P. syringae pv. coronafaciens (Ps-c), P. syringae pv. tabaci, P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000 and the hrcC mutant of DC3000. At the seedling growth stage, metabolic alterations in the Dunnart oat cultivar (tolerant to Ps-c) in response to inoculation with the respective P. syringae pathovars were examined following perception and response assays. Following inoculation, plants were monitored for symptom development and harvested at 2-, 4- and 6 d.p.i. Methanolic leaf extracts were analysed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) connected to high-definition mass spectrometry. Chemometric modelling and multivariate statistical analysis indicated time-related metabolic reconfigurations that point to host and nonhost interactions in response to bacterial inoculation/infection. Metabolic profiles derived from further multivariate data analyses revealed a range of metabolite classes involved in the respective defence responses, including fatty acids, amino acids, phenolic acids and phenolic amides, flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids. The findings in this study allowed the elucidation of metabolic changes involved in oat defence responses to a range of pathovars of P. syringae and ultimately contribute to a more comprehensive view of the oat plant metabolism under biotic stress during host vs nonhost interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expired, non-edible forms of oats which are considered as trash have the potential to enable biodiesel production at larger scale without competing for any requirements. The process of producing biodiesel has been examined step-by-step, begining with the conversion of oat lipids to FAME. Using DME in a batch reactor, the SCE (super critical carbon dioxide extraction) method was used to extract lipids from oats. The fatty acid profile shows the abundance of C18 compounds from lipid extraction. Catalyst used for the biodiesel production was ZnO–Al2O3; in which varied loadings of copper was carried out. Utilizing XRD, FTIR, N2 sorption, TPD, and SEM examination, the catalyst was characterized. A catalyst with an alcohol ratio of 2:10, a flow rate of 4 ml per hour, 300 mg of oats, and 15% of copper-loaded catalyst was found to be the most effective combination for converting lipids into biodiesel while also exhibiting high selectivity and yield. GCMS spectrum indicates the abundance of C18 fractions at 22.34 min with peak area of 53.69%. The kinetic study such as Arrhenius plot for pure biodiesel and biodiesel blend shows that pure biodiesel at constant temperature shows rate maximum. Engine analysis characteristics such as brake power, torque, BTE, CO, and NO emission data demonstrated the performance of pure biodiesel that was obtained in good yield from oat lipid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to respond to local stimuli individually and propagate information among colony members has allowed social organisms to generate collective responses. Leaf‐cutting ants are an excellent model to study this because, apart from exchanging information among groups assigned to different tasks (foragers, gardeners, and midden workers—ants working in refuse dumps), they also do so with their symbiotic fungus.Here, we tested the role of refuse dumps as an information centre influencing the foraging decisions of Acromyrmex lobicornis under field conditions. To simulate the presence of discarded resources, oat flakes were added to the refuse dumps of treated colonies, while the refuse dumps of controls remained untreated. After 24 h and for 6 weeks, we offered new clean oat flakes on the foraging trails simultaneously with cornflakes, another palatable resource that was never experienced by the ants on the dump.Although the oat flakes were suitable for the ants and harmless to the fungus, the acceptance index—a ratio of oat flakes foraged to total oat and cornflakes offered—decreased by 55% 24 h after the ants interacted with oat flakes in the refuse dump. After 6 weeks, the acceptance index recovered to levels that did not differ from initial values.Therefore, ants might use waste to obtain information about the suitability of resources found in foraging trails. We explore potential mechanisms underlying the transmission of information from refuse dumps to foraging trails, shedding light on the intricate dynamics of collective decision‐making in social insect colonies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biscuits are characterized by their popular sweet taste, but they have a poor nutritional profile due to their high sugar and saturated fat content, along with low fibre levels. Their sweetness primarily comes from sucrose, which not only determines the flavour but also performs several technological functions, making it difficult to replace in pastry products. Commercial sweeteners and soluble fibres designed for pastry products are available. Therefore, it is necessary to test the feasibility of using these ingredients in biscuit formulations and assess their impact on biscuit quality. Concurrently, the correlation analysis of dough rheological parameters, structure, and instrumental texture parameters with sensory characteristics will help identify which parameters are strongly correlated and can be used to predict biscuit quality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dough rheological properties, structure, texture, and sensory characteristics of biscuits in which sucrose was replaced by the commercial sweeteners Tagatesse, maltitol, and erythritol–stevia, with the addition of soluble fibres Nutriose® FB (wheat fibre) and PromOat 35 (oat fibre). At the same time, a correlation analysis was conducted between dough rheological parameters (stickiness, work of adhesion, dough strength) and biscuit quality parameters, such as water activity, water content, colour, texture (pore area, pore shape, pore elongation), and instrumental texture properties (hardness, brittleness, number of acoustic emission (AE) events, AE event energy), with sensory discrimination evaluated through a consumer test. The use of wheat and oat fibres in combination with sucrose resulted in biscuits with lower apparent density, increased porosity, and weaker texture (fracturability, hardness, number of AE events), yet they had better sensory properties compared to biscuits containing sucrose alone. Replacing sucrose with sweeteners combined with fibres led to a deterioration in the sensory quality of the biscuits and a significant change in the dough's rheological properties. Regardless of the type of sweetener, biscuits with wheat fibre were rated better than those with oat fibre. Of the tested sweeteners, only maltitol combined with wheat fibre resulted in a sensory quality similar to that of sucrose biscuits. Correlation analysis of all measured biscuit quality parameters showed that only the number of AE events had a strong positive correlation with all tested sensory attributes. Porosity was only correlated with sensory crispness, and fracturability was correlated with sweetness, taste, and overall acceptability. Therefore, it appears that the number of AE events recorded at the time of breaking may be a reliable parameter for predicting biscuit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) has been extensively studied for its therapeutic and culinary applications, owing to its sulfur-containing bioactive compounds, including allicin and its derivatives. This study identified garlic varieties with high allicin content from different regions of Korea. It explores the synthesis of allithiamine, a lipid-soluble derivative of thiamine with enhanced bioavailability, by combining garlic with various grains. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed significant regional variations in the allicin content, with Jeju garlic exhibiting the highest levels (1.04 mg/g). Among the grains tested, Avena sativa showed the most effective interaction with garlic, yielding the highest allithiamine levels (14.93 mg/g). These findings underscore the importance of grain matrix properties in optimizing the synthesis of allithiamine. This study provides valuable insights into the development of functional foods that leverage the bioactive compounds in garlic to enhance metabolic health and thiamine bioavailability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a non‐communicable complex disease that is the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. According to a novel viewpoint, the brain plays a significant role in the central regulation of satiety and energy homeostasis. Because of its rich nutritional profile and versatile uses, oat (Avena sativa) is one of the most popular functional foods recommended by many nutritionists. The anti‐obesity effect of oat was hypothesized, focusing on the brain as the target organ. In the current study, the interplay between brain biomarkers, obesity, and its related complications was evaluated in diet‐induced obese rats for 25 weeks, in which 60 adult male white albino Wistar rats were divided into three control and seven treatment groups given oat extracts in a dose‐dependent manner. RESULTS: Oat significantly improved obesity‐related metabolic complications. In terms of brain function, oat significantly increased dopaminergic signaling, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor levels, vaspin, irisin, and uncoupling protein‐1 brain levels, while decreasing the expression of agouti‐related peptide and neuropeptide Y (P‐value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The current study proposes oat supplementation as a new conceptual framework with numerous implications for hedonic and homeostatic mechanisms that control satiety. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the hypotheses that broilers and pigs have distinct starch digestion capacities and that different cereals could trigger diet–species interactions. Ten replicates of two broilers (14 d old) or one pig (50 d old) each were distributed into a 3 × 2 randomised factorial design with three pelleted diets (maize, barley or oat-based) and the two species. Nutritional composition was equal for both species. Diets were fed for 10 d, and then the pancreas and organs from the stomach region and small intestine were collected with contents. It was observed that both species were similarly efficient at digesting starch but differed in some digestive aspects. Broilers had higher ileal digestibility coefficients (P < 0·001) of DM (0·69) and crude protein (0·75) than pigs (0·66 and 0·67), presented a higher volume of particles < 0·1 mm in duodenal digesta (P < 0·001) and had a lower gizzard pH (3·68) than pig stomach (4·48; P < 0·05). Conversely, pigs had lower ileal viscosity (1·44 v. 2·77 cP; P < 0·05) and higher pancreatic lipase activity (27 v. 5·9 U/g of pancreas; P < 0·05) compared with broilers. In the jejunum, oat led to higher starch digestibility (0·96; P < 0·05) than maize and barley regardless of species. In the ileum, starch digestibility was higher for broilers fed oats (0·99) than broilers fed barley (0·94; P < 0·05), establishing that oats provided, in general, a superior starch availability. The results imply that starch utilisation capacity is more related to its dietary source than to the species to which it is fed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oat milk production is increasing due to consumer demand for nutritious dairy alternatives. Oat pulp is an insoluble residue and the main by-product of oat milk production. Approximately 0.2–0.45 kg of oat pulp is generated from every 1 kg of oat milk, and an estimated 228 kilotons is produced annually on a global scale, which is projected to increase to 500 kilotons by 2030. Oat pulp is rich in protein, dietary fibre, β-glucan, lipids, and bioactive compounds, but rapidly degrades due to microbial activity, and this byproduct is currently discarded to landfills with an associated negative impact on the environment. To promote the valorisation of oat pulp, it is important to understand the nutritional profile, oat milk processing, and its current applications. This review outlines and discusses oat milk production, nutrition, functionality, and food applications of oat pulp, and then proposes research trends for the valorisation of oat pulp, including fractionation into protein, dietary fibre, starch, and bioactive-rich fractions with potential use for various purposes. Cost-effective utilization of oat pulp and similar by-products is vital in tackling both environmental issues and the escalating need for sustainable food production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hexaploid oat (Avena sativa L.) is a commercially important cereal crop due to its soluble dietary fiber β-glucan, a hemicellulose known to prevent cardio-vascular diseases. To maximize health benefits associated with the consumption of oat-based food products, breeding efforts have aimed at increasing the β-glucan content in oat groats. However, progress has been limited. To accelerate oat breeding efforts, we leveraged existing breeding datasets (1,230 breeding lines from South Dakota State University oat breeding program grown in multiple environments between 2015 and 2022) to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to increase our understanding of the genetic control of beta-glucan content in oats and to compare strategies to implement genomic selection (GS) to increase genetic gain for β-glucan content in oat. Results: Large variation for β-glucan content was observed with values ranging between 3.02 and 7.24%. An independent GWAS was performed for each breeding panel in each environment and identified 22 loci distributed over fourteen oat chromosomes significantly associated with β-glucan content. Comparison based on physical position showed that 12 out of 22 loci coincided with previously identified β-glucan QTLs, and three loci are in the vicinity of cellulose synthesis genes, Cellulose synthase-like (Csl). To perform a GWAS analysis across all breeding datasets, the β-glucan content of each breeding line was predicted for each of the 26 environments. The overall GWAS identified 73 loci, of which 15 coincided with loci identified for individual environments and 37 coincided with previously reported β-glucan QTLs not identified when performing the GWAS in single years. In addition, 21 novel loci were identified that were not reported in the previous studies. The proposed approach increased our ability to detect significantly associated markers. The comparison of multiple GS scenarios indicated that using a specific set of markers as a fixed effect in GS models did not increase the prediction accuracy. However, the use of multi-environment data in the training population resulted in an increase in prediction accuracy (0.61–0.72) as compared to single-year (0.28–0.48) data. The use of USDA-SoyWheOatBar-3 K genotyping array data resulted in a similar level of prediction accuracy as did genotyping-by-sequencing data. Conclusion: This study identified and confirmed the location of multiple loci associated with β-glucan content. The proposed genomic strategies significantly increase both our ability to detect significant markers in GWAS and the accuracy of genomic predictions. The findings of this study can be useful to accelerate the genetic improvement of β-glucan content and other traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document discusses the process of ensiling, which is a method for preserving feed, particularly focusing on silage preparation, processing, and efficient utilization. Various studies explore different aspects of ensilage, such as the use of different crops, additives, and techniques to improve fermentation quality and microbial communities. The research aims to enhance the understanding of ensilage practices and contribute to advancements in animal feed production. The studies highlight the importance of utilizing resources effectively to address challenges in the agricultural industry. [Extracted from the article]

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Effective Microorganism (EM) is widely employed as a growth promoter in agricultural practices. The aging of oat seeds not only directly impairs agricultural production but also exerts adverse effects on biodiversity. The mechanism through which EM influence the germination of aging seeds remains unclear. In this experiment, the EM bacterial solution underwent pretreatment, which included the original-solution treatment (OrT), supernatant treatment (SuT), and sterile treatment (StT). Aging of oat seeds was induced using the pretreated EM bacterial solution. In this study, the EM bacterial solution facilitated the enhancement of the germination rate, germination index, and vitality index of aged seeds, with SuT demonstrating the most pronounced effects. Specifically, SuT resulted in a significant increase in APX and POD activities, while significantly reducing the malondialdehyde content. In addition, metabolic profiling highlighted the significance of 5-phosphoribosylamine in the purine metabolic pathway. Particularly in the SuT, the upregulation of 5-phosphoribosylamine facilitated the synthesis of (R)-Allantoin, consequently augmenting antioxidant enzyme activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION The relationship between oat grain composition and physical attributes as influenced by oat genotype and Canadian growing environments was investigated. Thirty Canadian oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes, grown in three Canadian growing locations (Brandon, Manitoba; Portage la Prairie, Manitoba; and Lacombe, Alberta) over 2 consecutive years (2020–2021), were analyzed.Analysis of variance showed that the protein, total starch, and amylose content were significantly affected by genotype, environment, and their interaction. A principal component analysis bi‐plot illustrated that protein and total starch had an inverse relationship and were more affected by growing year, whereas amylose content had a negligible influence. The majority of genotypes were stable across environments but some genotypes, like CDC Morrison, were more influenced by different environments. Correlation analysis suggested that drought‐like conditions early in the growing season generated oat genotypes that favored the accumulation of protein, β‐glucan, and oil.The results provide detailed information regarding the relationship between important oat chemical and physical traits and different growing environments, which can assist breeders to improve characteristics to obtain high‐quality oat grains and thus high‐quality end products. © 2025 His Majesty the King in Right of Canada and The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oats are susceptible to contamination by Fusarium mycotoxins, including deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), and T-2/HT-2 toxins, posing food safety risks. This study analyses the variation in levels of 14 mycotoxins in 200 individual oat kernels from two DON-contaminated batch samples (mean = 3498 µg/kg) using LC-MS/MS. The samples also contained deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (DON-3G), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON), 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON), and ZEN. Contamination levels varied notably among individual kernels, with DON detected in 70% of them, followed by DON-3G (24.5%) and 3-ADON (20.5%). Importantly, 8% of kernels exceeded the EU legal limit for DON (1750 µg/kg), and some occasionally surpassed limits for ZEN and T-2/HT-2. Correlation analyses revealed strong associations between DON and its derivatives but weaker correlations with other toxins. Mycotoxin ratios varied widely, indicating that although they often co-occur, their concentrations differ between kernels. Contamination did not significantly impact kernel weight, though a slight trend toward lower weights in contaminated kernels was noted. Additionally, sampling statistics showed that as the percentage of selected kernels increased, the probability of batch sample rejection for DON contamination rose significantly. The study highlights the heterogeneity of mycotoxin contamination in oat batches, emphasising the importance of accurate detection and regulatory compliance to ensure safer oat-based products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The full potential of glauconite-based nanocomposites as micronutrient fertilizers remains underexplored, particularly their interaction with Zn, Cu, and B. Despite the promising applications, the mechanisms of nutrient sorption and their effects on plant growth require further investigation, especially concerning structural changes and nutrient delivery efficiency. This study investigates the modification of glauconite with Zn, Cu, and B solutions to create multifunctional nanocomposites with enhanced properties. It was established that the activation process preserves the primary globular–lamellar morphology of glauconite while introducing structural changes. Nanocomposites were synthesized using chemical activation and characterized using XRD, SEM-EDS, TEM, FTIR, and BET analyses. Agrochemical tests evaluated their effects on oat growth under controlled conditions. Nanocomposites with zinc sulfate exhibited an increase in specific surface area and mesoporosity, enhancing sorption capacity and facilitating the formation of inner-sphere complexes on the mineral's basal surface. Modification with copper led to the formation of secondary phases, such as sulfates, on the surfaces of microflakes and globules while preserving the crystalline structure with inner-sphere coordination of Cu2+. Boron-modified nanocomposites were characterized by localized restructuring, pore channeling, and an increase in mesopore diameter, along with the formation of outer-sphere complexes relative to the basal surface of glauconite. Thermogravimetric and calorimetric analyses with mass spectrometry revealed specific endothermic and exothermic effects, particularly in Zn-modified samples, confirming changes in dehydration energetics. Agricultural tests on oats (Avena sativa) demonstrated the effectiveness of Cu- and B-modified nanocomposites in improving plant growth parameters, including a 7% increase in plant height and a 6.4% increase in dry weight. Zn-modified nanocomposites showed high germination rates (up to 100%) at low dosages but require optimization to avoid phytotoxicity at higher concentrations. The findings highlight the potential of adapting nanocomposites for targeted nutrient release. Additionally, glauconite nanocomposites have potential applications in restoring degraded soils, treating polluted runoff, and developing slow-release agrochemical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality assessment of processed food products in terms of minor and trace elements is important as certain elements can cause serious health problems if consumed in excessive amount. A total of 20 elements including three toxic elements (Al, Br, Pb) in different varieties of ready to eat noodles, dry soup mixes, oats and cornflakes were determined by utilizing INAA, External PIGE and EDXRF methods. Estimated Average Daily Intake of minor and trace elements like Al, Ca, Co, Fe, K, Mn and Pb in the samples are found to be more than permissible oral reference dose of some particular nutrients compared to literature values of World Health Organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. We conducted sensitivity analysis (SA) of the French National Institute of Agricultural Research (Institut national de la recherche agronomique; INRA) 2018 feeding system for ruminants applied to dairy cows. We evaluated which dietary input variables contribute most to changes in each output variable, considering the potential interactions presence among input variables. We applied a quantitative analysis (one-at-a-time analysis, OAT; i.e., local SA) and a relative comparative analysis (global SA; GSA) through variance-based SA considering potential interactions and nonmonotonicity. The 5 likely influential dietary input variables were selected: CP, gross energy (GE), OM apparent digestibility (OMd), effective degradability of nitrogen assuming a passage rate of 6%/h, and true intestinal digestibility of nitrogen. The sensitivity of 5 selected animal responses (output variables) to input variables was analyzed: DMI, milk protein yield (MPY), energy in methane (ECH4), nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE), and the ratio between urine and total N excretion (UN/TN). Six diets for dairy cattle, reflecting the diversity of diets commonly used in practice, were formulated to meet 95% of the potential milk production (37.5 kg/d) of a multiparous dairy cow at wk 14 of lactation. For each diet, the 5 input variables were randomly sampled around the INRA 2018 feed table values (reference point), and the animal responses around this reference situation were calculated using the rationing software INRAtion V5. In OAT, the sensitivity of animal responses was quantified by calculating the normalized tangent value at the reference point, and in GSA, the Sobol indices were calculated for relative influence of each input and their interaction. The influence of the 5 key input variables on the 5 main animal responses predicted from the INRA feeding system was consistent across both SA approaches. With the 6 diets, GE and OMd appeared as the main contributors to changes in DMI, MPY, ECH4, and NUE. Crude protein was the main contributor to changes in UN/TN and another major contributor to changes in NUE. When considering OAT, the sensitivity of outputs showed differences depending on diet, more particularly for DMI and MPY. With grass hay–based diets (GH), DMI was less sensitive and MPY was more sensitive to variations in input variables than other diets. When considering GSA, interactions between input variables were also noticeable for DMI and MPY; the interactions were high with the GH diets for DMI, and with fresh ryegrass and grass silage diets for MPY. On the other hand, for MPY, the non-GH diets were less sensitive to variations in input variables, and the interaction between inputs was higher than with GH diets. Our results support the hypothesis that MPY, unlike DMI, is more responsive to energy-related factors at a high true intestinal digestible protein (PDI) to net energy for lactation (UFL) ratio (e.g., GH diets >117 g PDI/UFL), than at a lower PDI/UFL ratio. Hence, hybridizing the SA methods can help to interpret the system and facilitate a more precise evaluation thereof, especially GSA, which is amenable to nonmonotonic models such as those characterizing complex feeding systems integrating multiple nutritional and animal factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multifaceted metabolic condition, mainly defined by elevated blood glucose levels. A feature of type 2 DM includes insulin resistance (IR), which involves impairments within the insulin signaling pathways. Avenanthramides (AVNs) are phenolic alkaloids found in Avena sativa L. The major AVNs are AVN A, AVN B, and AVN C. They have been reported to offer benefits in preventing inflammation, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. However, the effects of AVNs on the liver glucose metabolism pathways remain unknown. This study examined the effects and underlying mechanisms through which AVNs alleviate IR induced by free fatty acid (FFA) in HepG2 cells. The results indicated that FFA treatment significantly decreased glucose consumption by 34.54% compared to the control. However, treatments with AVN A, B, and C at 100 μM increased glucose uptake by 57.93%, 58.28%, and 53.10%, respectively, compared to FFA treatment alone. This effect occurs through the increased expression of glucose transporter 4. Furthermore, AVNs significantly enhanced the glycogen content. AVNs induced increased phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (Akt). AVNs treatment decreased the levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase in HepG2 cells. This effect was attributed to AMP-activated protein kinase activation and inhibition of forkhead box protein O1. Collectively, these results suggest that AVNs regulate glucose metabolism by activating the IRS-1/PI3K/Akt pathway, which is related to glycogen synthesis, and by inhibiting key molecules that promote gluconeogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Saline–alkali stress is a major factor limiting the growth of oats. Sugar is the primary carbon and energy source in plants which regulates plant development and growth by regulating enzyme activity and gene expression. Sucrose, glucose, and fructose are ubiquitous plant-soluble sugars that act as signalling molecules in the transcriptional regulation of various metabolic and defence-related genes. Methods: In this study, soluble sugars, fructose, sucrose, and starch contents were measured, and transcriptomics was used to determine the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in saline-sensitive and saline-tolerant oats after 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. DEGs annotated to carbohydrates were selected using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Results: DEGs involved in carbohydrate metabolism were mainly enriched in the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and pentose phosphate pathways, fructose and mannose metabolism, and starch and sucrose metabolism. GAPDH, SUPI, SUS2, ATP-PEK, HXK6, FBA4, TBA4, TKT, ISA3, PPDK1, and BAM2 were significantly expressed, and a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction verified the transcriptome sequencing results. Conclusions: In this study, oats with different salinity tolerances were used to determine sugar contents under four salinity stress durations, and transcriptome sequencing was used to explore the regulatory mechanism of sugars and provide a reference for elucidating the sugar signalling regulatory mechanism under abiotic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sourdough fermentation of bran can overcome the technological problems encountered in bread making but favors the activity of endogenous β-glucanase leading to a degradation of β-glucans. This study investigated the effects of high-intensity ultrasound (US) pretreatment of oat bran (OB) and barley bran (BB) on its β-glucans content, properties, and preservation in processing, as well as on the acidification kinetics of bran sourdough fermentation and on its application in flatbread. To reduce β-glucanase activity, OB and BB (15% water suspensions) were US-pretreated prior to sourdough fermentation. The acidification kinetics, the microbial viable cell count, and the total titratable acidity (TTA) of the sourdough were determined. The total β-glucans content of bran, sourdough, and bread, as well as water solubility and the molecular weight (Mw) of untreated and US-pretreated bran, were investigated. The physical properties of control wheat and composite flatbreads were compared. The US-pretreatment increased the acidification rate (30%) and TTA (51%) of OB sourdough, however, decreased the acidification rate of BB (18%). After the US-pretreatment of OB and BB, the total (11.5–12.3%) and water-soluble β-glucans (31–40%) increased while their Mw decreased (7–21.7%). In sourdough and flatbread prepared with US-pretreated OB/BB, 93–95% and 90–98% of β-glucans were retained, respectively, compared to 64–72% and 82–92% in control samples. The US-pretreatment and/or sourdough fermentation of OB and BB resulted in flatbreads of higher specific volume (8–22%) and cohesiveness (11–20%) while reduced hardness (40–55%) and chewiness (51–73%) compared to their control bread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an important cereal and feed crop, oat has significant economic value and is widely cultivated throughout the world. However, leaf diseases have become a crucial factor limiting the increase in oat grain yield and the optimization of its nutritional quality. Among these, the bacterial leaf blight disease (LBD) caused by Pantoea agglomerans has been an emerging and prevalent oat disease in Northwest China in recent years and has become a major challenge for oat cultivation in this region. This study was designed to investigate the effects of LBD on grain yield and nutritional quality of two common oat varieties, i.e., Avena nuda "Baiyan 2" (B2) and A. sativa "Baiyan 7" (B7), in greenhouses. The results showed that after infection causing LBD, the growth, grain yield and nutritional indexes (except the fiber content) of B2 and B7 were significantly reduced (p < 0.05), with grains per spike, thousand grain weight, protein, and β-glucan reduced by 14.2%, 5.5%, 12.9% and 21.5%, respectively. In contrast, the average fiber content of the infected oats increased by 8.4%. In addition, both with and without infection, the grain yield of B7 was higher than that of B2, while the nutritional quality of B2 seeds was superior to that of B7 seeds. This study provides a scientific basis for LBD control and the variety selection of oat, promoting the sustainable development of the oat industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive annual forage cultivation via diversified sowing can increase resource-use efficiency and meet the food requirements of the growing population. However, increasing cultivation time could increase energy demands and production costs with accompanying environmental hazards, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A 2-year field experiment including three cropping systems (forage oat monoculture [O], forage oat–common vetch mixed-cropping [O/V], and common vetch monoculture [V]) and two sowing dates (spring and summer) was conducted to comprehensively assess productivity performance, energy utilization, and ecological efficiency under a cereal–legume mixed system over two sowing seasons in Northwestern China. The average system dry matter yield and economic benefit in the mixed system increased by 70.9% and 132.6%, respectively, compared to those of the monoculture system. The application of a mixed-cropping system increased energy efficiency and the ecoefficiency index (EEI) by 61.4% and 132.3%, respectively, with a decline in GHG emission intensity (GHGI) by 49.9%. Spring sowing increased average forage productivity and economic benefit by 9.3% and 18.6%, respectively, with a 23.0% decline in GHGI compared with that engendered by summer sowing. However, there was no correlation between the mixed-cropping system and single sowing date, and the average dry matter yield, economic benefit, and GHGI of the mixed-cropping system were 7.8 t ha−1, 1478.4 USD ha−1, and 0.3 kg CO2e kg−1, respectively. Furthermore, compared with the monoculture system, the combination of spring and summer seasons under the mixed-cropping system could increase the average annual system forage productivity, economic benefit, and EEI by 37.0%, 49.9%, and 53.1%, respectively, while reducing GHGI by 48.4%. This study demonstrates that the mixed forage oat and common vetch during spring and summer was the sustainable cropping system that achieved high system productivity, good economic returns, high energy utilization, and low environmental risk in Northwestern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Powdery mildew, caused by the biotrophic fungus Blumeria graminis DC. f. sp. avenae, is a widespread disease of oats, especially in the temperate regions of Western and Central Europe, and the use of resistant varieties is the most sustainable way to ensure stable yields. Therefore, the identification of robust and effective resistance to powdery mildew is of great interest for oat breedinpg. In contrast to race‐specific resistance genes, adult plant resistance (APR) is generally considered to be more durable. The oat variety ‘Firth’, as well as related varieties such as ‘Husky’ or ‘Flämingstip’, contains an unknown APR gene, which was previously located on chromosome 1D using DArT markers. The aim of this study was to confirm and refine the chromosomal location of this resistance gene, tentatively named Pm13. To this end, two independent experiments were carried out using different genetic material under natural infection conditions in the field: genome‐wide association mapping (GWAS) in a diverse set of 250 oat lines grown in 10 environments and QTL mapping in a HuskyxAVE1284 biparental population grown in three environments. Both approaches identified a QTL for powdery mildew resistance on the distal end of chromosome 1D in the hexaploid Sang oat genome. The locus explained up to 15% of the phenotypic variance in GWAS and 64% of the phenotypic variance in QTL mapping. Comparison of field data with results from laboratory leaf segment tests confirmed that Pm13 does indeed confer APR. The sequence information of the identified linked markers may allow the development of molecular markers useful for early selection of oat lines with high levels of APR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum (Al) may be beneficial to crops, but in excess becomes detrimental to the germination and initial development of seedlings. The main determining indicators are the type of crop and exposure duration. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of Al and of UV-C light on the germination and initial growth of white oats. Seeds were sown on germitest paper in a solution of 100, 200, 300, 400, or 500 mg/L of aluminum chloride and kept in a germination chamber at 20°C for a 12-hr photoperiod. Germination and seedling growth parameters were determined after 5 and 10 days. The seeds were also exposed to two doses of UV-C (0.85 and 3.42 kJ m−2) under aluminum chloride stress (200 mg/L). Data demonstrated that treatment with aluminum chloride significantly decrease in germination at 200 mg/L and total seedling length at 100 mg/L. Exposure of seeds to UV-C light under excess Al (200 mg/L) did not show a significant effect on germination and growth compared to control (non-irradiated). Results indicated that exposure to high concentration of Al in the medium adversely altered germination and initial growth of white oat seedlings. Although UV-C light alone was not detrimental to the germination process, treatment with UV-C light also failed to mitigate the toxic effects of Al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological remediation of agricultural soils contaminated with oil is complicated by the presence of residual amounts of chemical plant protection products, in particular, herbicides, which, like oil, negatively affect the soil microbiome and plants. In this work, we studied five strains of bacteria of the genera Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter, which exhibited a high degree of oil biodegradation (72–96%). All strains showed resistance to herbicides based on 2,4-D, imazethapyr and tribenuron-methyl, the ability to fix nitrogen, phosphate mobilization, and production of indole-3-acetic acid. The presence of pollutants affected the growth-stimulating properties of bacteria in different ways. The most promising strain P. citronellolis N2 was used alone and together with oat and lupine plants for soil remediation of oil, including herbicide-treated oil-contaminated soil. Combined contamination was more toxic to plants and soil microorganisms. Bacterization stimulated the formation of chlorophyll and suppressed the synthesis of abscisic acid and malonic dialdehyde in plant tissues. The combined use of bacteria and oat plants most effectively reduced the content of hydrocarbons in the soil (including in the presence of herbicides). The results obtained can be used to develop new methods for bioremediation of soils with polychemical pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The key role of enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation in the sensory quality of set yogurt made from whole oats was demonstrated. The optimal process was established by the orthogonal and response surface methodology based on the acidity, textural, and rheological properties. The results indicated that the enzymatic hydrolysis appropriately consisted of liquefaction with 12 U/mL α-amylase at 70 °C and pH 6.5 for 60 min, followed by saccharification with 400 U/mL α-1,4-glucan glucohydrolase at 60 °C and pH 4.5 for 60 min. The Streptococcus thermophilus ST15 and Lactobacillus bulgaricus 20249 strains were the most efficacious strains, with a 0.1% inoculation for the fermentation at 42 °C for 16 h. So, a soft semisolid oat yogurt formed with an 8% solid–liquid ratio, which exhibited an acidity of 73.17 °T, a cohesiveness ratio of 0.51, and a maximum apparent viscosity of 1902.67 Pa·s. The coagulated texture of the oat yogurt was closely associated with the exopolysaccharide (EPS) yield up to 304.99 mg/L. These findings supported the optimal processing of oat yogurt, especially its correlation with the high capacity of EPS production by strains. It is an innovative and feasible way to improve the properties of set-type oat yogurt, especially the utilization of the whole oat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oats (Avena sativa L.) are an important cereal crop with diverse applications in both food and forage. Oat β-glucan has gained attention for its beneficial biological activities, such as reducing cardiovascular risk, preventing diabetes, and enhancing intestinal health. Despite its potential, more comprehensive research is required to explore its preparation, modification, bioactivities, and applications. This review highlights recent advancements in the determination and preparation of oat β-glucan, explores its biological activities and mechanisms, and examines the impact of food processing techniques on its properties. This review is intended to provide a theoretical foundation and reference for the development and application of oat β-glucan in the functional food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the beneficial components of oats is oil that is rich in fatty acids and has excellent health and technological potential. During thermal processing, the oil is prone to chemical changes, both beneficial and adverse. One such processing method is roasting, which involves heating the product uniformly at a temperature below its melting point. The primary objective is to evaluate and report with statistical models how the chemical changes that occur during the roasting of whole oat grains affect the properties and quality of the oil found in the oat grains. To achieve this goal, a pressure differential scanning calorimeter, infrared spectroscopy calorimetric bomb, and gas chromatography were used. Using chemometric methods, the spectral data were combined with calorimetric data, automatic titration data, and chromatographic data. The discriminant and reference models of high statistical significance were calibrated and validated to rapidly and robustly evaluate the properties of oat oil and the changes that occurred due to the roasting process. It has been shown that roasting oat grains increases the oxidative stability of the oil contained in grains. The acid and peroxide values of oil extracted from roasted oat grains are lower than those determined for oil from fresh oat grains. The composition of fatty acids was not statistically significantly affected by the roasting process of oat grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, the environment, and gut microbiota. The incidence of IBD is increasing globally. Previous studies have shown that interactions between diet and gut microbiota influence the pathogenesis and treatment of IBD. Proper dietary nutrition including oat and oat bran regulates chronic inflammation, which is essential for individual health, and is one of the essential factors in reducing inflammation in the body and keeping the immune system functioning properly, which plays a role in the prevention and treatment of diseases. However, the mechanism of action of whether oat and oat bran will alleviate chronic inflammation by modulating intestinal flora and metabolites remains unknown. Methods: Therefore, in this study, we have used a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) chronic colitis to analyze the composition of intestinal microbiota, short-chain fatty acid content, and the expression of the relevant genes. Results: The results showed that diets supplemented with oat and oat bran improved intestinal barrier parameters, decreased the levels of inflammatory factors, modulated the composition of intestinal microbiota, and increased the content of short-chain fatty acids. Conclusions: This study provides strong evidence that dietary interventions with oats or oat bran may have potential applications in clinical nutrition and dietary interventions for chronic IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we employed DFT calculations to elucidate the mechanism of NO generation from nitrite via PPh3-induced oxygen atom transfer (OAT) in the unsymmetrical β-diketiminato copper(II), LCuIIONO. We discovered that the OAT process involves the cooperation of two PPh3 ligands and follows the mechanism distinct from that of the symmetrical β-diketiminato analogue. The ΔG‡ value, calculated to be 34.8 kcal mol−1, closely matches experimental data. The finding is further supported by analyzing the OAT product yields with varying equivalents of PPh3. The penta-coordinated species 5a, with PPh3 occupying the axial site, forms in the final stage of the OAT process. The isomerization of 5a and the decoordination of the hemilabile pyridyl arm synergistically reduce Cu(II) to Cu(I), facilitating NO release from the Cu(I) centre. These computational results provide valuable insights for the ligand design for PPh3-induced OAT reactions to produce NO in Cu(II) nitrite systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A repeatable and reliable reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) experiment depends upon proper reference genes (RGs) selection. This study aims to examine the expression stability of nine candidate RGs for the Avena sativa – Blumeria graminis experimental setup. B. graminis causes powdery mildew - the most devastating and economically important fungal disease of crops worldwide. RGs were evaluated in Pm3 and Pm4 oat differential lines and the susceptible cultivar Fuchs during compatible and incompatible interactions with different pathotypes of Blumeria graminis f. sp. avenae in six-time points post inoculation. The identification of genes exhibiting high expression stability was done by four algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and deltaCt). The results indicated that regardless of the analysed group, two most stable RGs are required for data normalization. The most sufficient RGs combination was HNR (heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein 27 C) + EIF4A (eukaryotic initiation factor 4 A‑3). ARF (ADP‑ribosylation factor) could also be pondered as demonstrating high expression stability. These genes can be considered universal candidates for RT-qPCR normalization to study interaction with B. graminis as well as Puccinia coronata and Puccinia graminis, as confirmed by our previous research. The worst candidate for data standardisation was TUA (α- tubulin). To our best knowledge, this is the first report regarding RGs' selection in this pathosystem. Identified RGs are proper normalisation candidates for gene expression studies in the A. sativa infected by B. graminis as well as other related pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exceptional reactivity observed in non‐heme iron enzymes can be attributed to their capability to access high‐valent iron oxygen species in their active site. Numerous inorganic model complexes have been reported to date, providing insights into the intricate structural and spectroscopic features of many iron‐containing enzymes and advancing our understanding of their enzymatic reaction pathways. While the reactivities of synthetic iron complexes have been evaluated using various oxidants, the investigation into the formation of reactive intermediates has primarily focused on acetonitrile. However, water, which serves as the medium in biological systems, has been less frequently employed in these studies. Motivated by this, we conducted a comprehensive study on the generation of key reactive species using various oxidants with a model complex, [(BnTPEN)Fe(II)(OTf)]+ (1) (where BnTPEN=N‐benzyl‐N,N,N‐tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐1,2‐diaminoethane) in water, which yielded important findings. In water, a quantitative yield of Fe(IV)=O species was achieved with the oxidant NaIO4. Additionally, we observed an equilibrium between side‐on Fe(III)−OO and Fe(III)−OOH, with the latter eventually converting to Fe(IV)=O. The insights gained from this study are likely to be relevant in the chemistry of other Fe(II) complexes with polypyridyl pentadentate ligands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the silage characteristics of oat lines developed through a rigorous 10-year selection process. During this period, 100 plants with high biomass yield were meticulously chosen from oat lines obtained from the Louisiana State University gene bank. Researchers designed experiments using an incomplete randomized block format across two growing seasons: 2014–2015 and 2015–2016. Oat plants were carefully harvested at the milk stage, chopped into pieces using a specialized plant chopper, and ensiled in plastic vacuum bags for subsequent analysis. The samples were then stored at room temperature for a period of 60 days. The comprehensive analysis conducted over this two-year research period revealed significant variations in the silage yields of the genotypes, ranging from 5.71 to 24.42 t ha−1. Moreover, notable variations were observed in the content of crude ash (ranging from 3.952 to 9.380%), ADF (ranging from 27.899 to 40.782%), NDF (ranging from 40.688 to 63.999%), crude protein (ranging from 6.673 to 11.470%), dry matter (ranging from 14.954 to 41.817%), pH levels (ranging from 3.812 to 5.668), in vitro gas production (ranging from 49.793 to 67.847 ml), methane production (ranging from 15.036 to 18.442 ml), as well as concentrations of acetic acid (ranging from 0.000 to 0.144%), lactic acid (ranging from 1.974 to 2.599%), butyric acid (ranging from 0.000 to 0.064%), and propionic acid (ranging from 0.000 to 0.306%). The study clearly indicated that many oat lines showed promising silage properties. Consequently, it is inferred that the utilization of high-yield lines in silage production holds considerable potential in providing a valuable feed source for livestock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of the study of the effect of fluoride on the morphometric and physiological parameters of higher plants. The test culture was the seeds of oat Avena sativa L. Phytotesting was carried out according to standard methods in eluate and contact versions. Four different levels (0.09, 0.9, 9 and 90 mgF/L) of NaF solution for eluate phytotesting and five levels (10, 100, 500, 1000 and 2000 mgF⸱kg−1 dry soil) for contact phytotesting were applied. The decrease in root length, plant height and biomass at the maximum pollution level (90 mgF/L and 2000 mgF⸱kg−1 dry soil, respectively) relative to the control was 35.5, 23.86 and 62.47%, respectively. Statistical data processing was conducted. In addition, using a portable mini-spectrometer for leaves CI-710S, indices characterizing changes in chlorophyll content in plants were determined: Chlorophyll Content Index, Green Chlorophyll Index, Red-Edge Chlorophyll Index, Leaf Chlorophyll Index, Soil–Plant Analysis Development. The decrease in CCI, CI Green, CI Red, LCI, and SPAD indices at the maximum pollution level (2000 mgF⸱kg−1 dry soil) relative to the control was 86.2, 42.0, 57.9, 32.8 and 70.4%, respectively. Correlation analysis using the Pearson coefficient made it possible to establish a significant relationship between individual morphometric and physiological indicators. It was found that high levels of soil fluoride contamination cause significant changes in the morphometric and physiological parameters of Avena sativa L. The results of the study may have implications for agriculture or environmental protection in areas exposed to fluoride. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Grazing forage oats (Avena sativa) is perceived as a risk to perinatal lamb survival and grazing oats only during the lambing period has reduced lamb survival. Aims: This study assessed whether perinatal lamb mortality differed for ewes grazing a legume-based pasture throughout the lambing period compared with those grazing oat forage during lambing. Methods: A randomised design used two replicates each of two litter sizes (singles or twins) in two forage treatments. Mature Merino ewes were used (n = 424; 53 per group) and all groups grazed legume-based pasture from 6 weeks prior to the start of the lambing period. Control ewes remained on legume pastures, whereas Oat groups were moved to forage oats 9–11 days before lambing. A calcium, magnesium and sodium loose lick supplement was offered to all groups. Key results: Ewe mortality was 1.2%, mainly in twin-bearing ewes and similar among treatments. Lamb birthweights were similar; however liveweight at marking was greater for lambs that were born on the legume pastures than for those born on the oats (13.1 ± 0.19 and 12.5 ± 0.18 kg; P = 0.041). Lamb survival did not differ (P = 0.192) between ewes grazing oats (87.3 ± 3.4%) and those grazing legume pasture (78.1 ± 3.4%), and resulted in 1.28 versus 1.14 (P = 0.143) lambs marked/ewe. Lamb survival was similar (P = 0.102) for singles (89.2 ± 3.2%) and twin lambs (76.2 ± 3.2%). Loss in condition score during the lambing period was reduced (P < 0.001) by grazing oats (−0.2 ± 0.06) compared with legume pasture (−0.6 ± 0.06). Conclusions: Lamb survival was not reduced by grazing oats rather than legume pasture during the lambing period, although further replication is needed, given the large numerical difference. Any difference in survival between oats and a legume-based pasture when ewes are offered a calcium, magnesium and sodium supplement may depend on the capacity of forage to meet the energy requirements of ewes, although taller oats potentially provide shelter from wind chill. Implications: Grazing forage oats during the lambing period has variable effects on lamb survival associated with the relative ability of alternative pasture to provide adequate nutrition, with positive impacts possible. Grazing of cereal forage by lambing ewes has reduced lamb survival compared with grazing legume pastures. This study compared moving ewes from a legume pasture to oats for lambing and found no reduction in survival in the Oats group compared with continued grazing of legumes. Producers may safely graze lambing ewes on oats when supplemented with calcium, magnesium and salt, and differences in lamb survival with forage type may be associated with the capacity to meet the energy requirements of ewes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are recognized as a major public health concern worldwide. These disorders involve persistent digestive symptoms indicative of digestive tract dysfunction. Materials and Methods: A survey examining the utilisation of probiotics and medicinal plants as supplementary treatments was conducted on 160 patients with GI disorders at healthcare institutions in Saïda from March to April 2023 using questionnaires that had been previously adapted and tested for reliability with Cronbach's alpha test. Raw data collected through the questionnaires were transferred to a database and analysed using SPSS software. Results: Overall, 49.38% of participants possessed knowledge of or actively utilised probiotics; such awareness was strongly associated with the participants' educational attainment (p = 0.029). The noteworthy probiotic supplements were Biocharbon (36.09%), Lactocil (15.38%), Smebiocta (13.61%), Ultrabiotic Adult (12.43%), Effidigest (12.43%), and Ultralevure (7.69%). During crisis, individuals tended to consume natural goods rich in probiotics, including yoghurt (13.26%) and fermented milk (8.60%), as well as foods rich in prebiotic fibre, including vegetables (18.99%), fruits (13.26%), wheat (9.67%), bran (7.52%), rye (6.81%), and oat flakes (6.45%). Additionally, 77.56% of patients used medicinal plants during crises, with Mentha spicata (12.2%), Thymus vulgaris (11.3%), Pimpinella anisum (8.5%), Cuminum cyminum (8.0%), Punica granatum (7.8%), Trachyspermum ammi (7.5%), and Senna acutifolia (7.0%) being the more commonly favoured options in phytotherapy. The main focus of these herbs was to alleviate bloating (57%), constipation (30.12%), and diarrhoea (12.87%) (p < 0.001). The most frequently utilised plant parts were leaves (47.30%), seeds (25.21%), and bark (13.21%). Most patients (82.91%) favoured infusion as their preferred consumption method, and approximately 85.43% believed in phytotherapy's ability to extend symptomatic relief. Conclusion: The understanding of probiotics is still in its infancy, whereas phytotherapy is more widely accepted by patients. Nonetheless, patients are open to the exploration of natural alternatives to conventional medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Puccinia coronata var avenae f. sp. avenae (Pca), the causal fungus of crown rust of oats, is a significant threat to oat production in the eastern prairie region (Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan; EPR), Ontario and Quebec (eastern Canada; EC), in Canada. Development of oat lines with effective resistance to Pca has been a priority for oat breeding programmes in Canada, and helped mitigate reductions in oat yield and quality. This requires knowledge of the virulence characteristics of the Pca population in Canada. Our objectives were to determine the incidence and severity of Pca in Canada, the presence and frequency of virulence and races in Pca populations and compare the traditional extensive sampling method (few isolates per field from many fields) to an intensive sampling method (many isolates per field from a few fields) for obtaining genetically diverse collections. The incidence and severity of crown rust of oat in Canada was lower in 2016 to 2020 than has been reported in previous years. Virulence to all the 24 Pc genes studied was observed over the 5 years in EC and the EPR. The most effective genes were Pc94, Pc98 and Pc101 in EC and Pc50, Pc96, Pc97 and Pc98 in the EPR. Approximately 81% of 424 races identified were of unique virulence phenotypes over the 5 years, indicating a highly variable Pca population in Canada. Races JTQG-91 and GTQG-91 were the most common races identified. Collections of Pca obtained using the extensive sampling method were observed to be more genetically diverse than collections obtained using the intensive sampling method in 2018 and 2020, but not in 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Genistein is a naturally occurring flavonoid with a rich spectrum of biological activities, including plant-herbivore interactions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of exogenous application of genistein on aphid behavior during probing in plant tissues. (2) Methods: Vicia faba, Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis, and Avena sativa were treated transepidermally with a 0.1% ethanolic solution of genistein, and the probing behavior of generalist aphid species Aphis fabae, Myzus persicae, and Rhopalosiphum padi was monitored on their respective treated and untreated host plants using electropenetrography (=electrical penetration graph technique, EPG); (3) Results: Genistein did not deter aphid probing activities in non-phloem tissues. In A. fabae and R. padi, a trend towards reduction and in M. persicae a trend towards increase in phloem sap ingestion occurred on genistein-treated plants, but these trends were not statistically significant. (4) Conclusions: Genistein is not a deterrent chemical against generalist aphid species studied; therefore, it is not recommended for practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the current study prepare yogurt enriched with roasted barley and oat flour in different treatments. The manual cleaning of oats and barley was carried out and placed in a traditional sand roaster with an iron pan at 280 ± 5°C for 20 seconds. Roasted barley and oat flours were used in different concentrations of 1:0; 3:0; 5:0; 0:1; 0:3; 0:5; 0.5:0.5; 1.5:1.5; and 2.5:2.5 g/100 g, respectively. The prepared yogurt was stored for 28 days at 4°C, and analyzed during the 7-day intervals. The results showed that roasted barley and oat flours contained higher concentrations of proteins (13.72 & 16.61%) and fibers (16.86 & 3.54%), which aided in the improvement of the properties of yogurt. The pH of the prepared yogurt was decreased (4.5 to 4.2), and titratable acidity was increased (0.61 to 0.70%) non-significantly in all treatments. The syneresis rate was decreased (25 to 19%) with increased concentrations of roasted barley and oats during storage. The microbial analysis of the fortified yogurt decreased the total plate count and total yeast count. Concludingly, roasted barley and oats improved the solid contents along with proteins, fats, and fiber contents of the prepared yogurts, improving the nutritional value of yogurt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oats are among the most valued cereal commodities in the food market and are considered an exceptional grain. This study aimed focuses on assessing the impact of starter cultures, including lactic acid bacteria (i.e. Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus), Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb-12, and Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii PS-4, on selected quality parameters of yogurt-type fermented oat drinks. These drinks were produced by aqueous extraction of commercial oat flakes in drinking water. Acidification curves were determined during fermentation, and the oat drinks were subsequently stored at 6°C for 35 days. Throughout the study, acidity (measured by pH values), populations of lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria, and propionibacteria, as well as texture attributes (hardness and adhesiveness), water-holding capacity, and selected carbohydrate content were examined at the end of fermentation and every 7 days during storage. Results indicated that the addition of bifidobacteria and/or propionic acid bacteria in oat drink cultures expedited and improved the acidification process, resulting in a drink with a lower pH. Furthermore, the incorporation of propionic acid bacteria enhanced the water-holding capacity of the drink. Although the fermentation process had no significant impact on the texture of the oat drinks, the introduction of bifidobacteria reduced the adhesiveness of the final product. Carbohydrate content in the oat drinks diminished during fermentation, with sucrose experiencing the most substantial reduction. In conclusion, the study suggests that supplementing oat drink cultures with bifidobacteria and/or propionic acid bacteria proves to be an effective strategy for enhancing both the quality and shelf life of the final product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf spot disease has become a significant limitation in oat production. 24-epibrassinolide (EBR), a highly active brassinosteroid, plays a significant role in enhancing plant immunity against various diseases by modulating physiological and molecular responses. However, the exact mechanisms by which exogenous EBR regulates plant defense to leaf spot disease are still largely unknown. In this study, we applied various concentrations of EBR (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 mg·L−1) to the leaves of oat plants that were inoculated with the Drechslera avenae pathogen. The application of 1 mg·L−1 EBR significantly decreased disease index and increased chlorophyll content under pathogen inoculation while also enhancing antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT, and APX) activity and reducing pathogen-induced O2•− production rate and MDA content. Moreover, the enzymes associated with phenylpropanoid metabolism, such as PAL, C4H, and 4CL, were significantly activated by exogenous EBR. Our transcriptomic analyses further revealed that the combination of exogenous EBR and pathogen inoculation upregulated genes involved in signal transduction (BR, ABA, and MAPK), antioxidant enzyme defense systems, and phenylpropanoid and lignin-specific pathways, such as BAS1, APX, GPX, PAL, C4H, 4CL, CCR1, and CAD. Together, these findings reveal that exogenous BR application can improve resistance to Drechslera avenae-induced leaf spot disease in oats by regulating antioxidant defense systems and phenylpropanoid metabolism, which may have the potential to control leaf spot disease in oat production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of avenins as biochemical markers successfully complements the use of molecular markers in oat breeding. Currently, the genes controlling the synthesis of oat prolamins are insufficiently studied. The purpose of the work was to study the genetic variation of avenin components in populations of F2 common oat hybrids and to describe new allelic variants of component blocks. The avenins component of F2 grain in 19 hybrid oat populations was studied using the native electrophoresis method. Cultivars with new combinations of avenin components were used as parental genotypes to produce hybrids. The protein separation was conducted in vertical plates of 13.2% polyacrylamide gel. The number of avenin components in the spectra of cultivars varied from 8 to 12. The observed ratio of the grain number that compose the phenotypic classes for allele pairs at each of the loci corresponded to the theoretically expected one for codominant monohybrid inheritance. Our results confirm the assumption that avenin synthesis is controlled by three independent gene clusters located on three chromosomes. In the course of the studies, hybrid combinations were not identified in the spectra of which avenin components were manifested that were absent in both parents. The prolamin component blocks in oat are formed by 2–5 components, are characterized by high stability, and are inherited unchanged. Fifteen new allelic variants of blocks of components of the avenin electrophoretic spectrum have been identified: six for the Avn A locus, six for the Avn B locus, and three for the Avn C locus. This expands the possibilities of using prolamins as biochemical markers of economically valuable oat traits and certification of new cultivars and valuable breeding lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of Auchenorrhyncha species composition in Greek olive orchards is crucial due to the potential threat of Xylella fastidiosa invading the region. Recent studies have begun exploring agricultural landscapes, particularly olive and citrus orchards. From 2016 to 2022, biodiversity surveys were conducted in thirteen olive orchards across three regions of Greece: Peloponnese, Sterea Ellada, and the Northeast Aegean. Malaise traps were installed in each orchard and monitored monthly, supplemented by sweep net sampling in two orchards to capture less mobile species and assess their association with host plants. A total of 14,771 specimens were collected, representing 125 species predominantly feeding on weeds. The dominant species were the Typhlocybinae Hebata decipiens and Zyginidia pullula, while Euscelis lineolata was the most common Deltocephalinae. Aphrophoridae, including Philaenus spumarius and Neophilaenus campestris, were more effectively collected with sweep nets, primarily from Avena sterilis L. This study offers a detailed overview of the Auchenorrhyncha fauna in Greek olive orchards, providing essential insights for developing strategies to prevent the invasion of Xylella fastidiosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Omega-3 in pasture-fed beef and lamb is related to its availability in the forage species grazed. The variation in omega-3 content of several forages has been examined in the USA and UK, but not in south-eastern Australia across different stages of maturity. Aims: This study aimed to determine the change in omega-3, at different stages of plant development, in four species of forage commonly grazed by ruminants in south-eastern Australia. Methods: Four species, oats (Avena sativa L. cv. Eurabbie), annual ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv. Rambo), phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L. cv HoldfastGT) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterrraneum L. cv. Coolamon) were grown in a replicated pot trial and harvested at seven stages of maturity corresponding to early vegetative, late vegetative, stem elongation, boot, anthesis, soft dough and ripening for oats, phalaris and ryegrass, or relative to day of flowering in clover. Proximate analysis and the concentration of fatty acids including C18:3n-3 and C18:2n-6 as well as the ratio of n-6:n-3 was determined. Key results: The mean (±s.e.) proportion of C18:3n-3 was highest in clover (50.6 ± 0.8), and higher in ryegrass (45.1 ± 0.5) and phalaris (44.0 ± 0.6) compared with oats (39.4 ± 0.5). Omega-3 proportion decreased with increasing maturity for oats (13.9 ± 0.86 vs 64.3 ± 0.68), ryegrass (17.3 ± 0.86 vs 68.2 ± 0.65) and phalaris (21.6 ± 1.63 vs 65.1 ± 0.79) but not to the same extent for sub clover (41.5 ± 1.38 vs 57.4 ± 0.79). The proportion of omega-3 was positively correlated with crude protein content. Conclusions: Omega-3 levels decreased in forages during development and was positively related to crude protein content, which is likely associated with total leaf chloroplasts. Although crude protein content remained higher for clover compared with other species, this did not translate to a higher proportion of omega-3 for any crude protein level. Implications: Grazing forages at earlier stages of maturity and maximising the amount of crude protein available for growth will increase the amount of omega-3 in plant material. The availability of this omega-3 for incorporation into meat and milk should be examined. Omega-3 levels in pasture-fed beef and lamb are related to its availability in the forage plants grazed by livestock. We measured how omega-3 levels changed at different stages of plant development in four species of forages in south-eastern Australia. Omega-3 was richest in clover and least abundant in oats, diminishing as plants matured. Grazing forages at earlier developmental stages and maximising the amount of crude protein available for growth will increase the amount of omega-3 in plant material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]