The effects of pH, salinity, age of leaves, post-harvest storage duration, and psyllid infestation on nutritional qualities of giant leucaena fodder

Giant leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala subsp. glabrata) can be managed as a profusely branched bushy plant by repeated harvest of its foliage for use as fodder. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of soil pH and salinity, age of the leaves, post-harvest storage duration, and psyllid infection on the nutritional qualities of leucaena fodder. To determine the effects of soil pH and salinity on fodder quality, giant leucaena K636 plants were grown in large pots containing soils adjusted to different pH and salinity levels. The effects of age of the leaves, post-harvest storage duration and psyllid infection on fodder quality were studied using leucaena samples collected from Waimanalo Research Station. Among five pH levels tested, pH 6.0 was found to produce the highest amounts of protein and structural fibers in the foliage. Mimosine contents were highest at pH 6 and 7 and lowest at pH 5.0. The growth of giant leucaena was retarded and the nutritional quality were adversely affected under salinity conditions. Compared to young leaves, old leaves contained 18.5% less protein, 95% less mimosine, 30% less tannin and 40% more structural fibers. Post-harvest storage duration up to 72 h, at room temperature did not seem to affect protein, tannin and structural fiber contents of the foliage; however, mimosine content was reduced by 25%. These results will help to identify ideal soil pH, age of foliage, and post-harvest storage duration for obtaining high forage yield and nutritional quality for giant leucaena.

Preparation of Whey-Based Banana Beverage and its Quality Evaluation

A value-added functional beverage was formulated utilizing unprocessed whey with excellent nutritional qualities and bland flavors; along with banana juice and the required amount of sugar. Five different formulations were prepared with varying proportions of whey, banana juice, and sugar. Sensory analysis was carried out for all five formulations and based on statistical analysis the one which showed the highest value for body, color, flavor, taste, and overall acceptability was selected for further analysis (85% liquid whey and 15% banana juice). The shelf-life of the final product was observed for 30 days at room temperature (25±5°C) and refrigerated temperature (7±1ºC). A significant variation in body, color, flavor, taste, and overall acceptability were observed by varying the composition of whey and banana juice (p<0.05). The beverage was pasteurized at 82.5°C for 20 min and stored at normal (25±5°C) and refrigerated (7±1°C) for 30 days. The effects of storage time and temperature on physicochemical (TSS, pH, acidity) and microbial (TPC, yeast & mold count) properties were evaluated. Out of five formulations, the one selected via sensory analysis had TSS of 12.4°Bx, total solids 14.21%, 0.302% acidity, pH 5.72, 5.087% reducing sugar, 0.53% protein, 0.56% ash, 0.87% crude fiber, 184.43mg potassium (mg/100gm) and 0.912mg vitamin C in 100 ml. The prepared beverage was stored for 30 days under refrigerated and normal conditions, and changes in TSS, pH and acidity were observed: 12.413.3%, 5.72-5.214, 0.32-0.43%, and 12.4-13.8%, 5.72-4.64, 0.32-0.68% respectively. Overall analysis showed that the beverage prepared with 85% liquid whey and 15% banana juice could be stored for 30 days under refrigerated conditions without the addition of preservatives.

Delving into the Role of Dietary Fiber in Gluten-Free Bread Formulations: Integrating Fundamental Rheological, Technological, Sensory, and Nutritional Aspects

The evidenced relevance of dietary fibers (DF) as functional ingredients shifted the research focus towards their incorporation into gluten-free (GF) bread, aiming to attain the DF contents required for the manifestation of health benefits. Numerous studies addressing the inclusion of DF from diverse sources rendered useful information regarding the role of DF in GF batter’s rheological properties, as well as the end product’s technological and nutritional qualities. The presented comprehensive review aspires to provide insight into the changes in fiber-enriched GF batter’s fundamental rheological properties, and technological, sensory, and nutritional GF bread quality from the insoluble and soluble DF (IDF and SDF) perspective. Different mechanisms for understanding IDF and SDF action on GF batter and bread were discussed. In general, IDF and SDF can enhance, but also diminish, the properties of GF batter and bread, depending on their addition level and the presence of available water in the GF system. However, it was seen that SDF addition provides a more homogenous GF batter structure, leading to bread with higher volumes and softer crumb, compared to IDF. The sensory properties of fiber-enriched GF breads were acceptable in most cases when the inclusion level was up to 7 g/100 g, regardless of the fiber type, enabling the labeling of the bread as a source of fiber.

Effect of captive rearing on meat and haemolymph nutritional characteristics of snail (Archachatina marginata swainson)

An experiment was conducted to investigate and compare the impact of treatment, which is the source of snail (wild and captive reared) on the proximate and mineral composition (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe and Mn) of the meat and haemolymph of African land snails (Archachatina marginata). Ninety (90) adult snails (250.00 + 0.5g) were randomly distributed into two (2) treatments, each of three replicates, (15 snails per replicate), in a Complete Randomized Design. Samples of meat and haemolymph collected using standard procedures were subsequently analyzed for their nutritional qualities, using standard chemical analytical procedures. All data collected were statistically analyzed using ANOVA, while significant variation were separated with Duncan Multiple Range Test of the same package. The proximate composition of the meat revealed higher (P>0.05) DM (26.00%), Ether extract (2.17%) and NFE (3.57%) in SC, while there was a non-significant variation (P<0.05) in most proximate factors for haemolymph, except NFE (4.27%), which was higher (P>0.05) in SW. The mineral profiling of the meat revealed elevated (PP>0.05) levels of Fee (22.30mg/kg) and Mn (4.79mg/kg) of SC, the haemolymph recorded improved levels (P>0.05) for all mineral elements in SC. In conclusion, the captive rearing of snail had improved impact on thenutritional qualities of SC.

Obtaining of a Milk Drink with Mushrooms and Bioactive Compounds

Fermented dairy products are a rich source of nutrients. Buttermilk is part of fermented dairy products and is highly valued by consumers due to its sensory and nutritional qualities. The study aims to capitalize on buttermilk by adding mushroom powder and volatile oil of dill and caraway encapsulated in sodium alginate. The research was performed over for 20 days using sensory and physicochemical analysis methods. The samples analyzed were plain buttermilk, buttermilk with encapsulated dill volatile oil, buttermilk with encapsulated caraway volatile oil, buttermilk with added mushroom powder, buttermilk with added mushroom powder and encapsulated dill volatile oil and buttermilk with the addition of mushroom powder and encapsulated caraway volatile oil. The results of the physicochemical analyzes were statistically processed using the Minitab program. The addition of mushroom powder in buttermilk has positively influenced its sensory characteristics, and the results obtained from physicochemical analyzes were superior to plain buttermilk. The addition of volatile oil of dill and caraway has positively influenced both the sensory and physical-chemical characteristics of buttermilk.

Valorization of Macroalgae through Fermentation for Aquafeed Production: A Review

The increased development of aquaculture has resulted in increased demand for high-protein aquafeed. An increased demand for high-protein aquafeed means an increase in exploitation of unsustainable protein sources such as fishmeal for aquafeed production. Thus, alternative protein sources such as fermented macroalgae is explored. Fermented macroalgae had been tested as aquaculture diets in some studies, but with limited coverage in relation to aquaculture. Therefore, this review provides a new perspective regarding their nutritional qualities as aquaculture diets, and their impacts on growth performances of aquaculture animals.

Low Acrylamide Flatbreads Prepared from Colored Rice Flours and Relationship to Asparagine and Proximate Content of Flours and Flatbreads

Acrylamide is a potentially toxic compound present in many plant-based foods, such as coffee, breads, and potato fries, which is reported to have carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and antifertility properties in vivo, suggesting the need to keep the acrylamide content of widely consumed food as low as possible. As pigmented rice contains bioactive phenolic and flavonoid compounds, the objective of this study was to potentially enhance the beneficial properties of flatbreads by evaluating the acrylamide content and proximate composition of 12 novel flatbreads prepared from the following commercial pigmented rice seeds: Black Japonica, Chinese Black, French Camargue, Himalayan Red, Long Grain Brown, Purple Sticky, Short Grain Brown, Wehani, Wild, Indian Brown Basmati, Organic Brown Jasmine, and Organic Jade Pearl. Although acrylamide levels ranged from 4.9 µg/kg in Long Grain Brown to 50.8 µg/kg in Chinese Black, the absolute values were all low (though statistically significantly differences existed among varieties). Acrylamide content did not correlate with its precursor asparagine. The variations in protein, carbohydrate, fat, ash, dry matter, and water content determined by proximate analysis, and the reported health benefits of colored rice cultivars used to prepare the flatbreads, might also be useful for relating composition to nutritional qualities and health properties, facilitating their use as nutritional and health-promoting functional foods.

Cuajilote (Parmentiera aculeata (Kunth) Seem.): A Potential Fruit for Ruminant Feed

Objective: to review previous researches about the use of the fruits of the cuajilote tree (Parmentiera aculeata) as ovine feed. Design/Methodology/Approach: this research was conducted, using all the available sources: science articles, conference reports, and books. Results: P. aculeata (cuajilote) is generally used to provide shade, and as live fence, wood or firewood. However, it can also be used as forage. Both the foliage and the fruit have excellent nutritional qualities; additionally, the fruits are available during the dry season and free grazing cattle avidly eat them. Nevertheless, the nutritional value and the ruminal availability of this fruit’s dry matter—during various ripeness stages— are unknown; it is also said to have medicinal properties. Study Limitations and Implications: the cuajilote fruit was used in in vitro tests to remove protozoa from the ruminal fluid of bovines (defanuation); therefore, there are few in vitro researches about the use of cuajilote in a wholemeal diet as animal feed and about its maximum inclusion tolerance in ruminants. Findings/Conclusions: as a result of its nutritional and medicinal benefits, the cuajilote fruit shows great potential as livestock feed. Additionally, it is available all year round, particularly during the dry season, when production expenses increase as a result of the lack of other food sources.

Comparison of Nutritional and Anti-Nutritional Qualities of Grewia forbesii Hav. Ex Mast and Grewia bicolor Juss Fruits from Kitapilimwa Forest Reserve in Iringa District

The Grewia forbesii and Grewia bicolor fruits were collected from Kitapilimwa Forest Reserve and were analysed for proximate, nutrients and anti-nutrients compositions. Results showed low moisture contents in G. forbesii and G. bicolor amounting to 14.14 and 13.98 percent, respectively. Crude fibre percent was slightly higher in G. bicolor (33.15%) than G. forbesii (31.95%). Lipid content was slightly higher in G. bicolor (1.37%) compared to G. forbesii (1.28%). The crude protein content of G. forbesii (7.44%) was slightly higher than G. bicolor (7.00%). Total carbohydrate content of G. forbesii (68.9%) was higher than that of G. bicolor (70%). Mineral analysis indicated substantial amounts of potassium 898 mg/100 g in G. forbesii and 879 mg/100 g in G. bicolor. Calcium content was high in G. forbesii and G. bicolor amounting to 453 mg/100 g and 582 mg/100 g, respectively. Iron was high in both species (20.73–24.45 mg/100 g). Manganese, copper and zinc were substantially low. The results revealed low levels of tannin (< 1.7%) and phylates (< 0.3%). The presence of substantial amounts of nutrients and low anti-nutrients revealed that the studied species may be potential sources of nutritional food. Keywords: Proximate analysis, mineral nutrients, anti-nutritional qualities, Grewia species, Kitapilimwa Forest Reserve

Dual-Purpose Water Buffalo Production Systems in Tropical Latin America: Bases for a Sustainable Model

Tropical regions of Latin America have been incorporated into development in recent decades, with extensive cattle ranching as one of the main economic activities but without adequate planning, drastically degrading the ecosystem. In recent years, buffalo production has been incorporated into the region, with possibilities for development in profitable and sustainable models. To study this option in depth, a broad bibliographic review was carried out focusing on the ecological characteristics of tropical zones and the physiological and productive characteristics of buffaloes. We also investigated the structure and functioning of dual-purpose systems that have worked in cattle and that can be optimized with this alternative animal species. The possibility of taking sustainable advantage of abundant forage resources in the region was detected through intensive grazing models, as well as agrosilvopastoral systems, due to the gregarious qualities of buffaloes and responding to their thermoregulation needs. In this way, the productive and regenerative capacities of the dual-purpose system could be increased, as well as the quality of meat and milk, which could be marketed as differentiated products, taking advantage of their outstanding nutritional qualities. Integral management of the dual-purpose system is proposed, retaking the bases of the original model of family characters, diversified and with low investments and risks, which with specific innovations can be an effective development option for producers in the region.