Effects of Soil Type on Trace Element Absorption and Fruit Quality of Pepper

The inbred “SJ11-3” pepper was cultured in yellow brown soil, paddy soil, fluvo-aquic soil, and pastoral soil, and the factors affecting the absorption of trace elements and fruit quality were analyzed. The results showed that the physicochemical properties of the soils were significantly different, which led to differences in the nutritional quality of pepper fruits. The pH value had a significant effect on the absorption of trace elements in pepper. The increase of pH promoted the absorption of magnesium and molybdenum but inhibited the absorption of zinc, copper, manganese, and iron. The stepwise multivariable regression analysis showed that the amount of molybdenum in soil was the main factor affecting the total amino acid content of pepper. Total nitrogen, zinc, and copper were the main factors that contributed to the soluble sugar content of pepper, and the available potassium was the major determinant of the vitamin C content of pepper. This study provides new insight on the pepper fruit quality grown on different types of soil with varying levels of trace elements.

A novel biosensor based on Blu-ray disc coating film for determination of total amino acid content in tea leaves

The novel biosensor substrate material based on a simple BD coating film displayed preferable merits with high surface activity, low cost, easy making, easy using, and extensive application prospect.

Amino Acid Profiling of the Leaves of Senna Obtusifolia and Biochemical Changes during Fermentation for Production of ''Kawal'', a Traditional Food Condiment

Kawal is made by a natural or uncontrolled fermentation of Senna obtusifolia leaves. It is a food condiment, and appreciated because of its particular flavor. It is also used as a meat or fish substitute. Kawal is an important source of protein in the diet of low-income families. The present work was done to determine the total amino acid content in raw and fermented Senna obtusifolia leaves. The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with The Pico-Tag method was used for the analysis and determination of amino acid profiles. The results obtained showed that the kawal protein is rich in essential amino acids and semi-essential for humans, with different concentrations. Leucine gave a maximum value of 208.56 mg/100 g (DM) and 538,29 mg/100 g (DM); valine showed the value of 173,46 mg/100 g (DM) and 476.25 mg/100 g (DM), for lysine this value is 205.58 mg/100 g (DM) and 456.13 mg/100 g (DM). In the background, we have histidine, threonine, tyrosine, isoleucine and phenylalanine, whose best concentrations are between 157.36 mg/100 g and 397.93 mg/100 g (DM) in fermented leaves. For semi-essential amino acids, the fermented leaves have concentrations of between 121.96 mg/100 g and 1260.92 mg/100 g (DM).

Effects of Irrigation and Nitrogen Application Rates on Protein and Amino Acid Content of Sunflower Seed Kernels

Sunflower seeds are rich in oil and protein. In a two-year field experiment in Hetao district, Inner Mongolia, we evaluated the effects of irrigation and N fertilizer on protein and amino acid content of sunflower seeds (Kang Di T562 variety). Irrigation water and N fertilizer were applied at the bud to blossom stage and at three levels: water at 90, 45, and 0 mm; N fertilizer at 104, 52, and 0 kg hm−2. There were nine treatments with three replicates for a total of 27 plots arranged randomly in blocks. In combination with environmental conditions, water, nitrogen, and the interaction between the two had significant effects on total protein, total amino acids, total ammonia, and key amino acids: glutamic acid, arginine, aspartic acid, glycine, and valine. Application of N fertilizer at the bud stage promoted protein synthesis in seed kernels at the ripening stage. We found a significant positive correlation between N fertilizer and the five main amino acids. With increasing irrigation, total amino acid content and the content of each of the key amino acids individually first increased but then decreased. Overall, a water deficit improved protein content in seed kernels.

Amino Acid Profiling and Chemometric Relations of Black Dwarf Honey and Bee Pollen

This research reports the characterization of bee pollen of Apis andreniformis colonies on the basis of morphology, proximate composition, the amino acid, and nutritive patterns in relation with their honey. The pollen gains of the sampling colonies revealed variations in their structure, symmetry, and sculpture. The exile surfaces of the pollens showed psilate, scabrate, clavate, and echinate types of morphology. Total amino acid content of black dwarf honeybee collected pollen (150 mg/g) was found significantly higher than that of honey (15 mg/g) from the same colony. Threonine, phenylalanine, and leucine were among the highest essential amino acid types found in the analyzed pollen and honey samples. The proline content in both products was found the lowest comparing to other amino acid types. The moisture content of the honey samples were found to exceed the limit as prescribed by Codex Alimentarius Commission (<20%). The ash content of the analyzed samples was mostly within the limits (<0.6%) prescribed by international norms. The fat content of the pollens varied from 5.01 to 5.05%, and the honey showed zero fat content. The carbohydrate content in the honey samples was found to differ significantly from each other with a maximum content (73.16%), and the lowest carbohydrate content was 67.80%. The pollen and honey samples were found to have positive effect on in vitro digestibility of proteins.

Amino acid composition of wheat proteins from different growing areas after long-term storage

The results of the research on the assessment of the biological value of wheat after storage by the composition and ratio of amino acids are presented. It is shown that after 6.5 years of storage in elevator silos, the protein content in wheat met the requirements of the standard for class 3 wheat. The sum of all amino acids was from 11.5 to 13.1 g / 100 g, including essential amino acids — 4.0-4.5g/100g and non-essential — 7.8-8.7 g / 100 g. The proportion of essential amino acids was 33.7-35.3% of the total amino acid content. The calculation of the amino acid score demonstrated that the main amino acid limiting the nutritional value of wheat after storage is lysine with an amino acid score of 45-53%. The essential amino acids threonine, valine, isoleucine, and leucine are also classified as deficient, but with a higher value of the amino acid score, close to the complete protein.

Measuring Protein Content in Food: An Overview of Methods

In order to determine the quantity of protein in food, it is important to have standardized analytical methods. Several methods exist that are used in different food industries to quantify protein content, including the Kjeldahl, Lowry, Bradford and total amino acid content methods. The correct determination of the protein content of foods is important as, often, as is the case with milk, it determines the economic value of the food product and it can impact the economic feasibility of new industries for alternative protein production. This editorial provides an overview of different protein determination methods and describes their advantages and disadvantages.

Global Transcriptomic Analysis of Zebrafish Glucagon Receptor Mutant Reveals Its Regulated Metabolic Network

The glucagon receptor (GCGR) is a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that mediates the activity of glucagon. Disruption of GCGR results in many metabolic alterations, including increased glucose tolerance, decreased adiposity, hypoglycemia, and pancreatic α-cell hyperplasia. To better understand the global transcriptomic changes resulting from GCGR deficiency, we performed whole-organism RNA sequencing analysis in wild type and gcgr-deficient zebrafish. We found that the expression of 1645 genes changes more than two-fold among mutants. Most of these genes are related to metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids. Genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation, amino acid catabolism, and ureagenesis are often downregulated. Among gcrgr-deficient zebrafish, we experimentally confirmed increases in lipid accumulation in the liver and whole-body glucose uptake, as well as a modest decrease in total amino acid content. These results provide new information about the global metabolic network that GCGR signaling regulates in addition to a better understanding of the receptor’s physiological functions.

Effects of Soaking and Fermentation Time on Biogenic Amines Content of Maesil (Prunus Mume) Extract

Maesil extract, a fruit-juice concentrate derived from Prunus mume prepared by fermenting with sugar, is widely used with increasing popularity in Korea. Biogenic amines in maesil extract were extracted with 0.4 M perchloric acid, derivatized with dansyl chloride, and detected using high-performance liquid chromatography. Among 18 home-made maesil extracts collected from different regions, total biogenic amine content varied from 2.53 to 241.73 mg/L. To elucidate the effects of soaking and fermentation time on biogenic amine content in maesil extract, maesil was soaked in brown sugar for 90 days and the liquid obtained was further fermented for 180 days at 15 and 25 °C, respectively. The main biogenic amines extracted were putrescine and spermidine and the total biogenic amine content was higher at 25 °C than at 15 °C. Soaking at 15 and 25 °C increased the total biogenic amines content from 14.14 to 34.98 mg/L and 37.33 to 69.05 mg/L, respectively, whereas a 180 day fermentation decreased the content from 31.66 to 13.59 mg/L and 116.82 to 57.05 mg/L, respectively. Biogenic amine content was correlated with total amino acid content (particularly, arginine content). Based on these results, we have considered that biogenic amine synthesis can be reduced during maesil extract production by controlling temperature and fermentation time.

Chemical Composition and Amino Acid Content in Different Genotypes of Wheat Flour

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the chemical parameters and amino acid content in 10 genotypes of soft Albanian wheat organically grown and collected during the summer seasons of 2014. The thin layer chromatography method was used for the identification the content of amino acids and spectrophotometry was used to determine the concentration of indentified amino acids. The results exhibited high protein content (13.73 % - 17.32 %) and relative high content of total amino acid content (6.3 % - 10.9 %). The most abundant of all amino acids was glutamic acid (in all genotypes) and cysteine (PZA 1, PZA 2, PZA 3, PZA 4, PZA 5, PZA 6, PZA 7, and PZA 10).