Visualising the nutritional performance landscapes for the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

The black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), has become one of the most economically important insects that can be a sustainable replacement for traditional feed for swine, poultry, and aquaculture. Despite its emerging importance, studies examining the nutritional requirement of BSF have been scarce. Here we used nutritional geometry approach to determine the separate and combined effects of dietary protein and carbohydrate content on multiple life-history traits and body composition linked to fitness in BSF. BSF larvae were reared on one of 32 chemically defined diets that varied in protein-to-carbohydrate ratio (P:C=1:16, 1:8, 1:4, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 4:1, or 8:1) and in protein plus carbohydrate concentration (P+C=60, 120, 180, or 240 g/l). Females developed more slowly into larger adults than males, but two sexes responded to dietary variation in protein and carbohydrate in a similar manner. The topography of the nutritional performance landscapes mapped for all measured traits differed significantly from one another, with the optimal P:C ratio being 1:1.71 for preadult survivorship, 1:1.56 – 1:1.11 for development time, 1:3.36 – 1:3.16 for body weight at adult emergence, and 1:1.83 – 1:1.40 for growth rate. Significant divergence in nutritional optima among these components of fitness indicates that the occurrence of fundamental life-history trade-off can be mediated by macronutrient intake. The index representing the preadult performance of BSF had a nonlinear relationship with dietary protein, with the peak centred at the intermediate P:C ratios of 1:1.43 – 1:1.37. The optimal P:C ratio was 1:2.12 – 1:1.70 for lean body weight and 1:14.14 – 1:10.82 for lipid content. Our results highlight the importance of the balanced composition of dietary protein and carbohydrate for optimising BSF performance and have implications for enhancing the mass production of this beneficial species.

Characterization of nutritional and functional properties of Lima bean flour (Phaseolus Lunatus L.)

Lima beans (Phaseolus Lunatus L.) are underutilized crops with an excellent profile. Processing to flour to enhance the starch and protein content, reducing anti-nutritional components and the same time diversifies their use as ingredients by altering their functional properties. The study aims to characterize nutritional, amino acids, anti-nutritional, pasting and functional properties of Lima bean flour from Indonesia’s cultivated plant. The results showed that the Lima bean flour has a high carbohydrate concentration, moderate protein concentration, and low fat concentration. This flour has a balanced amino acid profile, rich in essential amino acids, highlighting them as a source of good quality protein for the food formulation of protein-enriched. The Lima bean flour contained 10.36 mg/g phytic acid, lower in phenolic content (0.63 mg/g) and concentration of HCN (8.83 mg/kg). The functional properties of the Lima bean flour swelling power, solubility, water absorption capacities, and oil absorption capacities were 6.88 g/g, 18.68%, 1.93 g/g, and 1.56 g/g respectively. Pasting properties of Lima bean flour exhibited peak, breakdown, final, and setback viscosity in 1172 cP, 83 cP, 2377 cP, 1288 cP respectively, and temperature pasting was high in 870C. The study may provide useful information to consumers and food manufacturers that Lima bean flour is significant potential used to enhance the nutritional value of cereal-based foods.

Assessing Suitability of Sentinel-2 Bands for Monitoring of Nutrient Concentration of Pastures with a Range of Species Compositions

The accurate and timely assessment of pasture quantity and quality (i.e., nutritive characteristics) is vital for effective pasture management. Remotely sensed data can be used to predict pasture quantity and quality. This study investigated the ability of Sentinel-2 multispectral bands, convolved from proximal hyperspectral data, in predicting various pasture quality and quantity parameters. Field data (quantitative and spectral) were gathered for experimental plots representing four pasture types—perennial ryegrass monoculture and three mixtures of swards representing increasing species diversity. Spectral reflectance data at the canopy level were used to generate Sentinel-2 bands and calculate normalised difference indices with each possible band pair. The suitability of these indices for prediction of pasture parameters was assessed. Pasture quantity parameters (biomass and Leaf Area Index) had a stronger influence on overall reflectance than the quality parameters. Indices involving the 1610 nm band were optimal for acid detergent fibre, crude protein, organic matter and water-soluble carbohydrate concentration, while being less affected by biomass or LAI. The study emphasises the importance of accounting for the quantity parameters in the spectral data-based models for pasture quality predictions. These explorative findings inform the development of future pasture quantity and quality models, particularly focusing on diverse swards.

Growth of Mutant Synechococcus SP. PCC 7002: Effects of Multi-Parameters and Prediction of Growth Rate

Understanding of the correlative effects of combined variables on the growth rate of the cyanobacteria is fundamental to the exploitation of cyanobacteria as a biological mechanism to produce biofuels. Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are phototrophic microorganisms that offers attractive benefits, among which is a direct conversion of CO2 to a range of valuable products such as carbon-based biofuels. One model of cyanobacteria species is the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002. This paper describes the model developed to investigate the combined impacts of the variables on the growth of the Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002. The variables understudy include the temperature of the media, light intensity, the concentration of NaNO3, and the concentration of the NPK. The data is obtained from a lab scale study in which the Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 underwent mutagenesis procedures. It is hypotheses that certain combination of the variables plays a key role in determining the growth rate of Synechococcus sp. 7002. The growth rate is determined through the measurement of four response variables, carbohydrate concentration, percentage of CO2 uptake, cell dry weight (CDW), and optical density (OD). A multivariate PCA model was developed which unearths the underlying relationship between the variables. Promising results were yield from the proposed model. Distinctive correlations between the variables were clearly described by the PCA model.

Anatomical and Physiological responses of Citrus megaloxycarpa Lush.: A Cryptic Species of North-East India.

In the historical mysteries and present pandemic situation, the use of citrus fruits makes it rise high among other fruits. Citrus has a significant role in dietary and medicinal purposes from time immemorial and widely acknowledged for its therapeutic properties. Citrus megaloxycarpa Lush. is an unspecified sibling of the citrus family. The present work highlights the use of the cryptic species of North-East India with its efficient biochemical, antimicrobial, anticancerous properties activity. The aim of this study was to characterize analyzed various biochemical, antioxidant, anticancerous parameters. The peel and pulp extract of ripening large citrus sample indicated as P(L1) and Pu(L2) respectively and unripe small peel and pulp extracts was indicated as P(S1) and Pu(S2) respectively. The extract of the Pu(L2) has the highest total soluble protein whereas the extract of P(L1) demonstrated high in carbohydrate concentration. On quantifying the free amino acid value, the extract of P(L2) showed higher in quantification. The total DPPH scavenging activity was compared for the extracts, where the extract of Pu(L2) exhibit high IC50 value. The present work concluded the use of Citrus megaloxycarpa Lush. peel and pulp extracts to be an efficient therapeutic drug.

An Overview on the Factors Affecting Water-soluble Carbohydrates Concentration during Ensiling of Silage

Water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) concentration during the ensiling process is influenced by both controllable and uncontrollable factors such as temperature, moisture level, fertilizers, additives nutrients, and time of ensiling of silage. The WSC contents may vary among the different fodder and forage species. The ensiling temperature has a limiting impact on water-soluble carbohydrates and their concentration decrease with increasing temperature. Crops should be harvested at optimum moisture and dry matter level to reach the required concentration of water-soluble carbohydrates to produce organic acids. Water-soluble carbohydrate concentration decreased with the crop's maturity due to the accumulation of carbohydrates in the grains. The evening cut has more concentration of WSC than that of the morning cut due to the photosynthesis process. The contents of WSC can be increased by using different kinds of additives during the ensiling process. Ensiling time has not much influence on the water-soluble carbohydrates. To understand these factors, we have a detailed review of the factors affecting the WSC of silage.

Effects of ibuprofen and tetracyline on extracellular polymer production

Extracellular polymer substances (EPS) comprised of proteins, carbohydrates, and other biomolecules, are important for microbiological communities. The EPS provides benefits to wastewater treatment communities (WWTC) such as antibiotic resistance, and community structure. Therefore EPS can be viewed as a valuable health marker of WWTC and therefore it is important to determine effects of contaminants entering wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) on EPS. WWTC were exposed to the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) Ibuprofen at 16 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL, and the antibiotic tetracycline at 50 ng/mL to determine how EPS and growth were affected. EPS was analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Bradford protein analysis, and Anthrone carbohydrate analysis. It was determined that EPS content was lower at both Ibuprofen concentrations, enhanced with tetracycline, and comparable to control when both were present. Changes could not be linked to protein or carbohydrate concentration. Growth inhibition occurred in the presence of both drugs but not each individually, suggesting that Ibuprofen may increase tetracycline sensitivity through EPS inhibition.

Effects of ibuprofen and tetracyline on extracellular polymer production

Extracellular polymer substances (EPS) comprised of proteins, carbohydrates, and other biomolecules, are important for microbiological communities. The EPS provides benefits to wastewater treatment communities (WWTC) such as antibiotic resistance, and community structure. Therefore EPS can be viewed as a valuable health marker of WWTC and therefore it is important to determine effects of contaminants entering wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) on EPS. WWTC were exposed to the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) Ibuprofen at 16 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL, and the antibiotic tetracycline at 50 ng/mL to determine how EPS and growth were affected. EPS was analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Bradford protein analysis, and Anthrone carbohydrate analysis. It was determined that EPS content was lower at both Ibuprofen concentrations, enhanced with tetracycline, and comparable to control when both were present. Changes could not be linked to protein or carbohydrate concentration. Growth inhibition occurred in the presence of both drugs but not each individually, suggesting that Ibuprofen may increase tetracycline sensitivity through EPS inhibition.

A Search of the Efficient S-Hetarylsuccinate Landscape Design Plant Growth Stimulators

The 4-thioquinolinic succinate derivatives with potential growth-stimulating activity has been investigated. The monitoring of carbohydrate concentration has confirmed its stimulation of the metabolism in saffron and sugarbeet. This lets us conclude that it may be an excellent growth stimulator.