Chemical composition and nutritional value of some dominant plant species on dry Mediterranean grasslands (Croatia)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become of major interest worldwide, it is estimated that more than 20% of the general population suffer from liver steatosis. NAFLD is highly associated with metabolic risk factors like type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity and dyslipidemia, the patients diagnosed with NAFLD should adopt a high fiber low calorie diet, with reduced saturated fat and carbohydrates content, leading to weight loss and improvement of metabolic profile. Our study is aiming to shape the profile of the patient interested in being informed related to food quality and chemical composition and to evaluate the aspects on the food products label which are important for the customer. Between June 2017 and December 2017, 83 patients diagnosed with NASH were included in the study, representing the study group, while 33 subjects, without metabolic syndrome or digestive diseases, selected from patient list belonging to two general practitioners, constituted the control group. Related to the interest of being informed about the chemical composition and nutritional value of the products bought, the study showed a low interest for the provided information on nutritional value. lack of confidence in the provided information and complexity of the information are understandable, the high number of subject reasoning through lack of immediate clinical benefit is surprising. Among the healthy population the willingness to pay attention to this aspect is extremely low.

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An innovative approach to creating a database of the chemical composition and nutritional value of food

IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science ◽

10.1088/1755-1315/613/1/012075 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 613 ◽

pp. 012075

Author(s):

A M Marhunova ◽

Z V Lovkis ◽

S A Kondratenko ◽

T V Voblikova

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Nutritional Value ◽

Innovative Approach

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Photosynthetic parameters of a sedge-grass marsh as a big-leaf: effect of plant species composition

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-82382-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Markéta Mejdová ◽

Jiří Dušek ◽

Lenka Foltýnová ◽

Lenka Macálková ◽

Hana Čížková

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Plant Species ◽

Photosynthetic Parameters ◽

Acorus Calamus ◽

Dominant Plant Species ◽

Local Plant ◽

Rate Of Photosynthesis ◽

Carex Acuta ◽

Leaf P

AbstractThe study estimates the parameters of the photosynthesis–irradiance relationship (PN/I) of a sedge-grass marsh (Czech Republic, Europe), represented as an active “green” surface—a hypothetical “big-leaf”. Photosynthetic parameters of the “big-leaf” are based on in situ measurements of the leaf PN/I curves of the dominant plant species. The non-rectangular hyperbola was selected as the best model for fitting the PN/I relationships. The plant species had different parameters of this relationship. The highest light-saturated rate of photosynthesis (Asat) was recorded for Glyceria maxima and Acorus calamus followed by Carex acuta and Phalaris arundinacea. The lowest Asat was recorded for Calamagrostis canescens. The parameters of the PN/I relationship were calculated also for different growth periods. The highest Asat was calculated for the spring period followed by the summer and autumn periods. The effect of the species composition of the local plant community on the photosynthetic parameters of the “big-leaf” was addressed by introducing both real (recorded) and hypothetical species compositions corresponding to “wet” and “dry” hydrological conditions. We can conclude that the species composition (or diversity) is essential for reaching a high Asat of the “big-leaf ”representing the sedge-grass marsh in different growth periods.

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Temporal Variations in Chemical Composition, In Vitro Digestibility, and Metabolizable Energy of Plant Species Browsed by Goats in Southern Mediterranean Forest Rangeland

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11051441 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 1441

Author(s):

Youssef Chebli ◽

Samira El Otmani ◽

Mouad Chentouf ◽

Jean-Luc Hornick ◽

Jean-François Cabaraux

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Plant Species ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Condensed Tannin ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Mediterranean Forest ◽

In Vitro Digestibility ◽

Large Variability ◽

Southern Mediterranean

Forest rangelands contribute largely to goat diets in the Mediterranean area. Information about browsed plant quality is essential for adequate feeding management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the temporal changes in chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of the main plant species selected by goats in the Southern Mediterranean forest rangeland during two consecutive years; these were very contrasted (dry and wet). The browsed species were composed of herbaceous, eleven shrubs, and four tree species. Overall, large variability in chemical composition, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and metabolizable energy (ME) was observed among species, grazing season (spring, summer, and autumn), and years within each species. Crude protein (CP) content varied from 60 to 240 g/kg dry matter (DM). The fiber fractions, except for Quercus suber, increased significantly by advancing maturity. Due to the water stress, the lignin level presented a higher value during the spring of the dry year. Condensed tannin (CT) content varied from 2 to 184 g/kg DM. CP, IVOMD, and ME showed a negative correlation with lignin and CT. Based on the results presented herein, it is concluded that the nutritive value of the browsed plant species was highest in the spring and lowest during the summer and autumn of both studied years. With a good grazing management strategy, the selected plant species by goats could guarantee high-quality feeding resources throughout the year.

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