Proximate Composition and Nutritional Attributes of Ready-to-Cook Catfish Products

To increase the demand for U.S. farm-raised catfish, five healthy, convenient ready-to-cook products were developed to expand consumers’ options beyond basic fresh or frozen fillets. Five new catfish products were produced, consisting of one hundred samples of each, including three size-types of Panko-breaded fish products (strips, center cuts of regular fillets, and center cuts from Delacata fillets) and two marinated products (sriracha and sesame-ginger). The breaded products were to be prepared by baking for convenience over traditional frying methods, while the marinated products were to be microwaved as healthy and convenient products. The nutrient content of the samples was analyzed, including protein, moisture, fat, fiber, ash, and carbohydrate, as well as minerals, amino acid, and fatty acid constituent content, with associated atherogenic index (AI) and thrombogenic index (TI), showing unique differences between the Panko-breaded and marinated products. In addition, a trend was observed showing an increase in moisture, protein, ash, and carbohydrate percentages, and a decrease in lipid content related to the volume-to-surface-area ratio, having the order of strips < standard fillets < Delacata fillets.

Evaluation of fatty acid profile and naturalness of butter marketed in Bulgaria

The predominant influence on the structural-mechanical characteristics (hardness, brittleness, etc.) and the chemical parameters (acidity, oxidation-reduction potential, etc.) of butter is exerted by its lipid composition. The aim of the study was to establish the fatty acid composition of some Bulgarian brands of butter and those imported from abroad, offered in the trade network of Bulgaria, in connection with their naturalness and health indicators. Five brands of butter produced in Bulgaria and imported from countries in the European Union were tested three times. The content of saturated fatty acids in the studied Bulgarian brands of butter varied from 66.16 to 75.15%, and for brands of butter imported from EU countries they varied in a significantly narrower range - from 67.51 to 72.49%. The amount of short-chain saturated fatty acids is higher for EU-imported butter brands. The data for the identification characteristics of all tested samples from the trade network of the country meet the requirements for naturalness of butter. The atherogenic index of butter varied from 2.56 to 3.26 for the imported brands of butter and from 2.41 to 3.70 for the Bulgarian ones, and the thrombogenic index from 1.49 to 2.36 for the imported brands, and from 1.44 to 2.17 for the Bulgarian ones, respectively.

Short-Term Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) Supplementation and Laying Hen Strain Effects on Eggs’ Lipid Profile and Stability

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of short-term dietary spirulina supplementation (1% and 3%) and the strain of laying hens (White Leghorn: WL and Rhode Island Red: RIR) on color, nutritional value, and stability of yolk. Egg weight was not affected by any of the studied effects. Yolks from 3%-spirulina supplemented hens had higher retinol and lower α-tocopherol content (p = 0.0001) when compared to control. The supplementation with 1%-spirulina markedly decreased luminosity and increased redness (p = 0.0001) and yellowness (p = 0.0103). Short-term spirulina supplementation slightly modified the fatty acid composition of yolk. The C16-desaturase index increased with the algae, whereas other egg quality indices (hypocholesterolemic, thrombombogenic, n-6/n-3) were not modified. Hen strain mainly affected to the lipid profile. The RIR hens accumulated greater yolk retinol with supplementation doses of 3% (p < 0.05), while the WL hardly suffered changes in the accumulation. Also, yolks from RIR hens had lower C16:0 (p = 0.0001), C18:0 (p = 0.0001), saturated (SAT) (p = 0.0001), and thrombogenic index (p = 0.0001), C20:3n-6 (p = 0.0001), n-6/n-3 ratio (p = 0.003), Δ-6+5-desaturase (p = 0.0005), total elongase indices (p = 0.0001) when compared to WL. Moreover, RIR had higher monounsaturated (MUFA), Δ-9-desaturase and hypocholesterolemic indices (p < 0.05) than WL. A different response to spirulina supplementation was observed for C18:1n-9, MUFA, Δ-9-desaturase and thiesterase indices (p < 0.05) according to hen strain. Yolks from RIR had higher MUFA and Δ-9-desaturase indices than WL at 1%-spirulina supplementation, whereas these parameters were less affected in RIR supplemented with 3%. SAT and Δ-9-desaturase were significantly correlated (r = −0.38 and 0.47, respectively) with retinol content according to a linear adjustment (p < 0.05). Lipid oxidation of yolk was slightly modified by the dietary treatment or hen strain. It was detected a relationship between TBARS and α-tocopherol, C22:5n-3 or C22:6n-3 (p < 0.05). L* and a* were also inversely or positively related with yolk retinol content according to a linear response (p < 0.05). The administration of 1% of spirulina in diets of red hens would be an interesting alternative to get healthier eggs from the nutritional point of view, obtaining an adequate color and without modifications in other yolk quality traits.

Edible Insects versus Meat—Nutritional Comparison: Knowledge of Their Composition Is the Key to Good Health

Recently, attention has been drawn to the fact that increasing the consumption of edible insects may positively impact the state of the natural environment and reduce the problem of malnutrition in large parts of society. Indeed, insects are seen as an alternative to traditional meat products, primarily meat. This article aimed to compare the nutritional value of edible insects and meat. Based on tables of composition and nutritional value and on the licensed computer program Diet 6D, data on the nutritional value of 10 commonly consumed meat types were compiled. Based on a literature review, data on the nutritional value of seven commercially available edible insect species were collected and collated. There was a comparison of 100 g of edible insects with 100 g of meat (fresh weight). In addition, the atherogenic index thrombogenic index, the hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio, and the nutritional quality index were calculated. It was found that both meat and insects are rich in nutrients, including those considered essential for the proper development and functioning of the human body. At the same time, it has been shown that the content of individual nutrients in both insects and meat varies significantly.

Fatty Acid-Related Health Lipid Index of Raw and Fried Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Fish Muscle

Fried food consumption is popular in most parts of the world including Ethiopia. Among many fried products available in Ethiopia, fried fish is most commonly consumed in Hawassa Town due to the easy access to the fish from the lake. Recently, there is growing concern among fryers to recycle the oil while frying fish. However, there is limited evidence about the frying effect on the fatty-acid-related health lipid index of fried fish. Thus, the study was aimed to determine the fatty acid profile and the fatty-acid-related health lipid of raw and fried fish. Raw and fried fish were taken from the Hawassa open fish market. Fatty acid profiles were analyzed using a gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer (GCMS), and the health lipid index was determined by calculation using the recommended formula. JMP pro 13 version software was used for data analysis. Our result showed that raw fish had a high amount of essential fatty acid, nutritive value index, hypocholesterolemic ratio, and peroxidizability index. In contrary to this, the fried fish had a high amount of trans-fatty acids, nonessential fatty acids, atherogenic index, and thrombogenic index. In conclusion, the fried fish loses its fatty-acid-related nutritional quality in uncontrolled frying conditions. Therefore, frying needs to be controlled, as it risks human health otherwise.

Polar lipidomic profile shows Chlorococcum amblystomatis as a promising source of value-added lipids

There is a growing trend to explore microalgae as an alternative resource for the food, feed, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and fuel industry. Moreover, the polar lipidome of microalgae is interesting because of the reports of bioactive polar lipids which could foster new applications for microalgae. In this work, we identified for the first time the Chlorococcum amblystomatis lipidome using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-high resolution electrospray ionization- tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC–HR–ESI–MS/MS). The Chlorococcum amblystomatis strain had a lipid content of 20.77% and the fatty acid profile, determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, has shown that this microalga contains high amounts of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The lipidome identified included 245 molecular ions and 350 lipid species comprising 15 different classes of glycolipids (6), phospholipids (7) and betaine lipids (2). Of these, 157 lipid species and the main lipid species of each class were esterified with omega-3 PUFAs. The lipid extract has shown antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory potential. Lipid extracts also had low values of atherogenic (0.54) and thrombogenic index (0.27). In conclusion, the lipid extracts of Chlorococcum amblystomatis have been found to be a source of lipids rich in omega-3 PUFAs for of great value for the food, feed, cosmetic, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

Age of Laying Hens Significantly Influences the Content of Nutritionally Vital Lipophilic Compounds in Eggs

This study aimed to comparatively analyze the carotenoids, tocopherols, fatty acids, and sterols (e.g., cholesterol) in the eggs of laying hens of early (24 weeks), intermediate (42 weeks), and late age (74 weeks), utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), and GC–mass spectrometry (MS). The results revealed the significantly (p < 0.05) highest content of nutritionally vital compounds (per g of egg yolk, fresh weight), which included (all-E-)-lutein (21.8 µg), (all-E-)-zeaxanthin (13.4 µg), α-tocopherol (76.5 µg), oleic acid (C18:1n9c; 83.3 mg), α-linolenic acid (C18:3n3; 0.68 mg), γ-linolenic acid (C18:3n6; 0.47 mg), arachidonic acid (C20:4n6; 8.11 mg), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6n3; 2.06 mg), and total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs; 94.7 mg) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs; 2.74 mg) in the eggs of early-age laying hens compared to intermediate and late-age. Surprisingly, cholesterol was not significantly different in the eggs obtained from the different age groups. In contrast, the fat quality indices, including the lowest atherogenic index (AI) and thrombogenic index (TI) values and high hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic (h/H) fatty acid ratio, indicated the health-beneficial potential associated with fat intake from the eggs of intermediate and late-age laying hens. Overall, the results of the present investigation suggest that eggs from early-age laying hens can be recommended for a higher intake of antioxidant carotenoids and tocopherols, while the eggs from intermediate and late-age hens can be recommended for the intake of good quality fats.

Comparison on nutritional properties of wild and cultured brown trout and Atlantic salmon

Brown trout is a fish species that both is caught and is cultured. This study has presented a comparison on proximate composition, fatty acids profile and lipid quality of wild- and cultured brown trout, and Atlantic salmon. Crude protein and crude oil of Atlantic salmon were found highest than wild and cultured brown trout and significantly differences (P<0.05). Although there is no significantly difference (P<0.05) between cultured brown trout and Atlantic salmon on eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), there are significantly differences (P<0.05) between three fish samples on linoleic acid, linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) values. Cultured brown trout has given lowest oleic acid (C18:1n9c) value and ƩMUFAs (Mono unsaturated fatty acids) with 28.05% and 35.43%. Atherogenic index and thrombogenic index of all groups were found low values. Although the highest value h/H was found in Atlantic salmon, the highest value of FLQ (Flesh lipid quality) was found in cultured brown trout.

Effect of muscle anatomical location on fatty acid composition of beaver (Castor fiber) females

Ten beaver (Castor fiber) females were used in the experiment. The samples were excised from a different anatomical location of each beaver carcass used in the study: m. longissimus dorsi (LD), m. triceps brachii (shoulder), m. biceps femoris (thigh). Thigh muscles were characterized by the highest percentage of free fat followed by longissimus muscle and shoulder. The total proportions of saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA), including many individual fatty acids, were affected by the muscle anatomical location. The fattiest thigh had the most favourable and highest PUFA/SFA, hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic (h/H) and lowest n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios, and the lowest thrombogenic index. Despite the fact that the leanest m. triceps brachii had the highest proportions of total polyunsaturated fatty acids, the n-6/n-3PUFA ratio was the lowest compared with the muscles from other anatomical locations and showed lower atherogenic index compared with a more fatty longissimus muscle.

Effect of dietary phyto-humic preparations on lipids indices of commercial laying hen eggs

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of three different phyto-humic feed preparations on the basic qualitative characteristics of eggs, i.e. total cholesterol content and fatty acid profile of the yolk. The study was carried out on 80 Lohmann Brown (LB) laying hens in an experimental facility with a floor maintenance system on a straw bedding (5 layers/m2). A control group (K) and three experimental ones (A, B, C), with 20 birds in each (in separate pens), were created. The birds were placed in the 16th week of life, while the experimental preparations were introduced in the 22nd week of life and were administered for 43 weeks (constant 3% addition to the feed mixture).The following preparations were applied: humic-peat (H-t) in group A, humic-herbal (H-z) in group B, and humic-lucerne (H-1) in group C. The eggs for the study were collected three times, 30 eggs from each group in the following periods: 1st series – 31st week of life (peak of laying period); 2nd series – 54th week of life (later phase of laying period) and 3rd series – 65th week of life (final phase of laying period). Six samples (mean of 5 well-mixed yolks) from each group in three laying periods (360 eggs were used in total) were prepared for laboratory analyzes (lipids examination). Laboratory analyzes were performed using a chromatograph – Finnigan Focus PolarisQ manufactured by Thermo Electron with capillary columns: HP-88 by Agilent J&W (fatty acids) and Rtx-1MS by Restek (cholesterol). The applied phytohumic preparations – but only those with a share of dried lucerne or herbs – significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced total cholesterol content, especially in group C (10.88 mg/g yolk) compared to group K (11.94 mg/g yolk). All preparations positively influenced the fatty acids profile of yolk; there was a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in the concentration of n-3 PUFAs (max 2.84% in the group B), the n-6/n-3 ratio decreased significantly (most beneficial 8.33 in group B), and lipids quality improved: atherogenic index (AI) decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) in group A (0.32) and thrombogenic index (TI) was a significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower in all experimental groups (0.83 – 0.84) compared to group K (0.36 and 0.87 respectively). Dietary phyto-humic preparations increased the nutritional and dietary value of hen eggs.