Changes in Fatty Acids Profile, Health Indices, and Physical Characteristics of Organic Eggs from Laying Hens at the Beginning of the First and Second Laying Cycles

The present study compared the fatty acid profile and some physical parameters of eggs from hens reared according to the organic system at the beginning of the first and second laying cycle. A total of 1080 eggs were analysed at the beginning of the first (from the 28th to 30th week of age) and the second (from the 78th to 80th week of age) laying cycle. It was found that the hen ages influenced the egg weight, egg surface area, yolk proportion, and eggshell colour. Albumen and eggshell proportion, albumen, yolk index, Haugh unit score, and eggshell strength were lower in eggs from older hens compared with those produced from younger layers. Monounsaturated fatty acids were found in higher amounts than saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids in egg yolks of eggs from layers only at the beginning of the second laying cycle. The PUFAn-6/n-3 ratio, saturation, atherogenic, and thrombogenic indices were significantly lower in the egg yolks from older hens compared to younger layers. These findings (regarding the eggs from the older ones) prove that it is practical to utilize them in the organic farming system during a period of two years.

Dried distiller´s grains plus solubles supplementation improves low-quality tropical grass utilization on beef steers

ABSTRACT: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of corn dried distiller´s grains (DDGS) supplementation on feed intake, total tract digestibility, and ruminal fermentation of beef steers fed low-quality Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus, cv. Gatton panic). Twelve Braford crossbred steers were housed in individual pens (n = 4 steers/treatment), provided with three levels of DDGS supplement: 0%, 0.6%, or 1.2% BW. Steers were blocked by live weight and randomly assigned to treatments within the block. Corn DDGS supplementation increased total OM intake (21.55, 40.23, and 56.69 g/kg BW0.75) and tract OM digestibility (46.33, 49.03, and 72.39 % DM). Total tract digestible OM, CP, NDF and EE intake also increase in response to DDGS supplementation. Forage OM intake decreased when supplementation level reached 1.2 % BW. Also, ruminal pH decreased with DDGS supplementation level (6.88, 6.47, and 6.27). No differences were observed in total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration; however, the molar proportion of acetate decreased (77.98, 73.90, and 67.29 % Total VFA) as well as acetate: propionate ratio (4.38, 3.48, and 2.74). On the contrary, propionate proportions increased (18.32, 21.86, and 24.81 % Total VFA). Levels of ammonia and lactate were within suggested values for optimal fermentation and bacterial growth. Low-quality grass supplementation with corn DDGS increased total OM intake and digestibility. Also, DDGS inclusion favorably altered volatile fatty acids profile by reducing the acetate to propionate ratio regarding forage-only diets.

Aquaculture and agriculture-by products as sustainable sources of omega-3 fatty acids in the food industry

The valorization of by-products is currently a matter of great concern to improve the sustainability of the food industry. High quality by-products derived from the food chain are omega-3 fatty acids, being fish the main source of docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. The search for economic and sustainable sources following the standards of circular economy had led to search for strategies that put in value new resources to obtain different omega-3 fatty acids, which could be further employed in the development of new industrial products without producing more wastes and economic losses. In this sense, seeds and vegetables, fruits and crustaceans by products can be an alternative. This review encompasses all these aspects on omega-3 fatty acids profile from marine and agri-food by-products together with their extraction and purification technologies are reported. These comprise conventional techniques like extraction with solvents, cold press, and wet pressing and, more recently proposed ones like, supercritical fluids fractionation and purification by chromatographic methods. The information collected indicates a trend to combine different conventional and emerging technologies to improve product yields and purity. This paper also addresses encapsulation strategies for their integration in novel foods to achieve maximum consumer acceptance and to ensure their effectiveness.

Triacyl Glycerols from Yeast-Catalyzed Batch and Fed-Batch Bioconversion of Hydrolyzed Lignocellulose from Cardoon Stalks

The lipogenic ability of the yeast Solicoccozyma terricola DBVPG 5870 grown on hydrolyzed lignocellulose obtained from cardoon stalks was evaluated. Data on cell biomass, lipid production, and fatty acid profiles of triacylglycerols obtained in batch and fed-batch experiments were carried out at the laboratory scale in a 5L fermenter, and at two different temperatures (20 and 25 °C) were reported. The higher production of total intracellular lipids (13.81 g/L) was found in the fed-batch experiments carried out at 20 °C. S. terricola exhibited the ability to produce high amounts of triacylglycerol (TAGs) with a characteristic fatty acids profile close to that of palm oil. The TAGs obtained from S. terricola grown on pre-treated lignocellulose could be proposed as a supplementary source of oleochemicals. Indeed, due to the rising prices of fossil fuels and because of the environmental-related issues linked to their employment, the use of TAGs produced by S. terricola grown on lignocellulose could represent a promising option as a supplementary oleochemical, especially for biodiesel production.

Oil Characterization and Seeds Composition of Sicana odorifera, an Ancestral Cucurbita from Paraguay

Sicana odorifera seeds, from an ancestral Cucurbita growing in Paraguay, possess important biowaste after fruit pulp use. However, there are reports that its infusions can reduce and cure the symptoms of viral diseases such as hepatitis, denoting its medicinal properties. The recovery of nutrients and bioactive molecules from its bio-residues has potential uses in the industrial sector with high added value as functional food ingredients. In S. odorifera species, although it is not a fruit for mass consumption, it is precisely the lack of a market for its biowaste that has limited its integral use. Based on this, the centesimal composition, oil characterization, and fatty acids profile of the kurugua seeds from two accessions (atropurpurea (black) and reddish) were studied. Kurugua seeds have been subjected to a cold extraction with a hydraulic press from dried whole seeds, and ISO and AOCS standard methods were used for analytical determinations. The major components in the centesimal composition of kurugua seeds were lipids, dietary fiber, and proteins. The oils presented iodine, saponification, and refractive indices characteristic of preferentially polyunsaturated oils. The major component in the fatty acid profile was linolenic acid, an important essential fatty acid in the diet. Although the characteristics of kurugua oil, demonstrate its potential application in the food industry as a polyunsaturated oil, source of essential fatty acids, future studies on stability and sensory analysis for food applications are suggested, with great possibilities for the food safety framework.

Camelina Meal and Chromium Picolinate Effects on Broiler Thigh Meat Nutritional Properties

The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of trivalent chromium and camelina meal on proximate composition, mineral content and fatty acids profile of broiler chicken thigh meat. An experiment with 2 x 3 factorial arrangement was performed on 240 Ross 308 broiler chicken aged 14 days. Six dietary treatments were elaborated as follows: 0 and 3% inclusion rate of Camelina meal and 0, 200 and 400 μg/kg chromium picolinate (CrPic). Supplementation of broiler diets with 3% Camelina meal led to significantly (P<0.05) increased crude fat concentrations in thigh samples compared to control group or with single chromium supplemented groups. In thigh samples, Zn and Fe concentrations increased under CrPic influence and fatty acids profile was influenced by Camelina meal presence in the diets. In Camelina meal supplemented groups, were registered significantly increased omega 3 fatty acids concentrations compared to control group or single chromium supplemented groups. The results of the present study found that Camelina meal and chromium picolinate supplements in broilers diets improved the nutritional properties of thigh meat, especially essential minerals content and fatty acids profile.

FASN, SCD1 and ANXA9 gene polymorphism as genetic predictors of the fatty acid profile of sheep milk

In this study, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ANXA9 (annexin 9), FASN (fatty acid synthase) and SCD1 (stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1) genes were analyzed as factors influencing fatty acid profiles in milk from Zošľachtená valaška sheep. SNP in selected genes was identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP). The long-chain fatty acids profile in sheep milk was identified by gas chromatography. Statistical analysis of the SCD1/Cfr13I polymorphism showed that the milk of the homozygous AA animals was characterized by a lower (P < 0.05) share of C4:0, C6:0, C8:0, C10:0, C12:0, C14:0 in comparison to the homozygous CC sheep. The milk of heterozygous sheep was characterized by a higher (P < 0.05) proportion of C13:0 acid compared to the milk of sheep with the homozygous AA type. A higher (P < 0.05) level of saturated fatty acids (SFA) was found in the milk of CC genotype sheep compared to the AA genotype. Our results lead to the conclusion that the greatest changes were observed for the SCD1/Cfr13I polymorphism and the least significant ones for FASN/AciI. Moreover, it is the first evidence that milk from sheep with SCD1/Cfr13I polymorphism and the homozygous AA genotype showed the most desirable fatty acids profile.