Soil-transmitted helminth infections and nutritional indices among Filipino schoolchildren

Background Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are still prevalent among schoolchildren in the Philippines. We evaluated the risk factors associated with STH and the relationship between STH and nutritional indices among schoolchildren aged 9–10 years in Laguna province, the Philippines. Methods We used the baseline data from 40 schools enrolled in a randomised controlled trial of the Magic Glasses Philippines health education package. Data on demographic and socio-economic variables, and STH related knowledge, attitudes and practices, were obtained through a questionnaire. Stool samples were collected and assessed for STH egg presence using the Kato-Katz technique. Haemoglobin levels and height and weight of study participants were also determined. The generalized estimating equations approach was used to construct logistic regression models to assess STH-associated risk factors, and the association between any STH infection and anaemia, child stunting, wasting and being underweight. The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12616000508471). Findings Among 1,689 schoolchildren, the prevalence of any STH was 23%. The prevalence of anaemia, stunting, being underweight and wasting was 13%, 20.2%, 19% and 9.5%, respectively. Age, socio-economic status, rural/urban classification of schools and knowledge of STH were significant risk factors for acquiring a STH infection. Moreover, infections with any STH were significantly associated with stunting (P = <0.001) and being underweight (P = <0.003), but not wasting (P = 0.375) or anaemia (P = 0.462) after controlling for confounding covariates. Conclusion The study findings emphasise the need for sustainable deworming in tandem with other measures such as the provision of health education, improvements in sanitation and hygiene, and nutritional programs in order to control STH infections and improve morbidity outcomes in schoolchildren. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12616000508471).

Nutritional indices and feeding preference of the Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) in several Brassicaceae plants

The quantity and quality of food consumed by insects affect their growth, development; likewise, the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), one of the important pests of Brassicaceae plants. The study aimed to determine feed preferences and the effect of four Brassicaceae, namely cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata), caisin (B. rapa), broccoli (B. oleracea var. italica), and Rorippa indica, on the nutritional indices of P. xylostella larvae. The research methods consisted of insect rearing, nutrition indices test, preference test, and proximate analysis. The results showed that the highest preference was found in R. indica (47.81%), while the other three plant species were not significantly different. Cabbage treatment showed the highest efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) (8.56%), followed by R. indica, caisin, and broccoli. The same thing, cabbage treatment showed the highest efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) (13.02%), followed by caisin, R. indica, and broccoli. Broccoli had the highest approximate digestibility (AD) (89.38%), followed by R. indica, cabbage, and caisin. In general, the results of the nutritional indices showed that cabbage was the most suitable feed for P. xylostella larvae; in addition, with a high feeding preference, R. indica could potentially be used as a trap crop.

Fatty Acid Composition and Volatile Profile of longissimus thoracis et lumborum Muscle from Burguete and Jaca Navarra Foals Fattened with Different Finishing Diets

The present study evaluated the effect of breed, Jaca Navarra (JN) vs. Burguete (BU), and finishing diet, conventional concentrate—diet 1 (D1) vs. silage and organic feed—diet 2 (D2), on the fatty acid composition and volatile profile of longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle from forty-six foals. For this, foals were reared under a semi-extensive system and slaughtered at about 21 months of age. The outcomes showed that breed and finishing regime had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the lipid and volatile profile of foal meat. In particular, JN foals reported higher polyunsaturated fatty acid contents and better nutritional indices in line with the health guidelines; whereas, BU and D1 groups generated higher amounts of total volatile compounds. However, it was the diet to occupy a central role in this study. Indeed, diet 2, due to its “ingredients” and composition, not only ameliorated the lipid profile of foal meat, but also reduced the generation of volatile compounds associated with lipid oxidation and minimized off-flavors. Thus, this diet could give an added value to the aromatic perception of meat and improve its sensorial acceptability.

Growth, development and nutritional indices of tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (F) raised on bell pepper plants grown under elevated CO2 and temperature conditions

The experiment was conducted at experimental farm situated at 30◦5’N latitude and about 77◦11’E longitudes, an elevation of 1260 m above mean sea level of Department of Environmental Science, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh during 2014 and 2015, to study the effect of elevated CO2 (eCO2) and elevated temperature (eT) on growth, development and nutritional indices of Spodopteralitura on bell pepper plant. Feeding trials with foliage feeding insect S. litura was conducted using foliage of bell pepper plants grown under four concentrations of CO2 and temperature, viz. three Open Top Chambers, (T1: OTC eCO2 550±10 ppm; T2: OTC with elevated temperature 1°C higher and eCO2 550±10 ppm; T3: OTC with ambient temperature and CO2 and T4: natural ambient air and temperature in open. Biochemical analysis of foliage revealed that plants grown under elevated CO2 had lower nitrogen. The larvae fed on eCO2 as well as eCO2 and temperature foliage exhibited greater consumption compared to the larvae fed on foliage under ambient CO2. Larval duration also increased by two days. The eCO2 and eCO2 and temperature foliage was more digestible with higher values of approximate digestibility. The relative consumption rate increased whereas the efficiency parameters, viz. efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI), efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD), and relative growth rate (RGR) decreased in eCO2 and eCO2 and temperature. The consumption and weight gain of the larvae were negatively and significantly influenced by leaf nitrogen.

Toxicity of Bioactive Molecule Andrographolide against Spodoptera litura Fab and Its Binding Potential with Detoxifying Enzyme Cytochrome P450

Spodoptera litura Fab. is a polyphagous pest causing damage to many agriculture crops leading to yield loss. Recurrent usage of synthetic pesticides to control this pest has resulted in resistance development. Plant-derived diterpenoid compound andrographolide was isolated from the leaves of Andrographis paniculata. It was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy and quantified by HPLC. Nutritional indices and digestive enzymatic profile were evaluated. Third, fourth and fifth instar larvae were treated with different concentrations of andrographolide. At 3, 6 and 9 ppm-treated concentrations the larvae showed decreased RGR, RCR, ECI, ECD values with adverse increase in AD. The digestive enzymes were significantly inhibited when compared with control. Conspicuously, andrographolide showed pronounced mortality of S. litura by inhibition of enzyme secretion and intake of food. The binding ability of andrographolide with CYTP450 showed high affinity with low binding energy. Andrographolide has the potential to be exploited as a biocontrol agent against S. litura as an eco-friendly pesticide.

Fish products developed from ground rainbow trout and tilapia fillet mixtures: Physico-chemical, microbiological and toxicological analyses

ABSTRACT Constant fishing industry innovations in response to consumer demands for novel, balanced healthy products exhibiting high nutritional value, as well as easy to prepare and ready to consume, have led to the emergence of new technologies. Among them, the development of products based on ground beef and fish mixtures are noteworthy. In this context, the purpose of this study was to develop products from different ground rainbow trout and tilapia fillet ratios, in the form of meatballs and nuggets, determining their proximate composition and physico-chemical, microbiological and toxicological characteristics. The average dry matter percentage of the developed products was 29.20±2.30%, while mineral content was 1.45±0.55%, lipid pulp content, 3.70±0.30% and crude pulp protein, 16.60±2.04%. Total psychotropic counts remained below 102 CFU/g, for standard counting on aerobic microorganism plates. Histamine and sulfur-based compounds were not detected in any of the prepared samples. The purpose of the work proposal was to develop foods and technologies that can serve as standards, allowing for simple handling products that apply ground meat mixtures from different fish species to maintain adequate nutritional indices after processing.

Effects of Intensive and Semi-Intensive Production on Sheep Milk Chemical Composition, Physicochemical Characteristics, Fatty Acid Profile, and Nutritional Indices

Dairy sheep farming is a vital sector of the agricultural economy in Greece. Information on the effect of the farming system on sheep milk characteristics is critical for producing dairy products with improved nutritional value according to the current guidelines for healthy food consumption. This study aimed to investigate the basic composition, physicochemical characteristics, fatty acid composition, and nutritional indices of milk produced in intensive and semi-intensive sheep farms. Bulk tank milk samples from 20 intensive and 20 semi-intensive sheep farms were examined. Sheep in the intensive farms were kept indoors and were fed with roughage, silage, and concentrates. Sheep in the semi-intensive farms were kept indoors during the night and were moved to the pastures during the day. Sheep were fed with roughage, silage, and concentrates in combination with grazing. Milk composition and somatic cell count were determined with automatic analyzers. The physicochemical characteristics were determined with standard laboratory methods. The fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas chromatography. The farming system did not affect milk chemical composition and physicochemical characteristics. However, milk fatty acid composition and nutritional value were significantly improved in milk from farms using the semi-intensive production system, and this favorable effect was attributed to the inclusion of pasture in sheep diet.