Cytotoxicity, chemical, and nutritional profile evaluation of biomass extracts of the Lemna aequinoctialis (duckweed) aquatic plant.

Lemna aequinoctialis (duckweed) is the smallest and fast-growing aquatic plant species producing protein-rich biomass with high protein nutritional value, phytoremediation capacity, and nutrient removal from wastewater. Duckweed may also be used as a new potential bioreactor for biological products, such as vaccines, antibodies, and pharmaceutical proteins. Based upon the potential importanc of L. aequinoctialis in phytoremediation and as a bioreactor the aim of this study was to (1) characterize the chemical and nutritional profiles of L. aequinoctialis biomass utilizing an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture system (IMTA) and a pond, and (2) investigate the cytotoxic potential of different concentrations of organic extracts and fractions using the MTT bioassay. EDXRF and ICP-MS analyses indicated the presence of trace elements in lower amounts in relation to the biomass of L. aequinoctialis in the lagoon, emphasizing the importance of plant inclusion management to reduce bioaccumulation of these elements. Analysis of mineral profiles, fatty acids, and amino acids indicated a satisfactory nutritional composition for the use of biomass as a bioproduct. Pigment analysis showed a high concentration of carotenoids, especially astaxanthin. After standardizing the controls, the MTT cell viability test was carried out utilizing rat hepatoma cell line (HTC), which are metabolizing cells that were treated with aqueous or ethanolic extracts and the dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol fractions at different concentrations. No apparent cytotoxic potential was observed following treatments, since there was no significant reduction in cell viability. Therefore, this study provides information regarding the biomass of L. aequinoctialis derived from the IMTA system, which might support further research into the application of this species as a bioproduct.

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for monitoring the nutritional composition of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) and frass.

BACKGROUND: The demand for protein obtained from animal sources is growing rapidly, as is the necessity for sustainable animal feeds. The use of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) reared on organic side streams as sustainable animal feed has been receiving attention lately. This study assessed the ability of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) combined with chemometrics to evaluate the nutritional profile of BSFL instars (fifth and sixth) and frass obtained from two different diets, namely soy waste and customised bread-vegetable diet. Partial least squares (PLS) regression with leave one out cross-validation was used to develop models between the NIR spectral data and the reference analytical methods. RESULTS: Calibration models with good [coefficient of determination in calibration (Rcal 2 ): 0.90; ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) value: 3.6] and moderate (Rcal 2 : 0.76; RPD value: 2.1) prediction accuracy was observed for acid detergent fibre (ADF) and total carbon (TC), respectively. However, calibration models with moderate accuracy were observed for the prediction of crude protein (CP) (Rcal 2 : 0.63; RPD value: 1.4), crude fat (CF) (Rcal 2 : 0.70; RPD value: 1.6), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (Rcal 2 : 0.60; RPD value: 1.6), starch (Rcal 2 : 0.52; RPD value: 1.4), and sugars (Rcal 2 : 0.52; RPD value: 1.4) owing to the narrow or uneven distribution of data over the range evaluated. CONCLUSION: The near-infrared (NIR) calibration models showed a good to moderate prediction accuracy for the prediction of ADF and TC content for two different BSFL instars and frass reared on two different diets. However, calibration models developed for predicting CP, CF, starch, sugars and NDF resulted in models with limited prediction accuracy. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

A comprehensive review of the mechanisms on fish stress affecting muscle qualities: Nutrition, physical properties, and flavor.

Fish inevitably face numerous stressors in growth, processing, and circulation. In recent years, stress-related change in fish muscle quality has gradually become a research hotspot. Thus, the understanding of the mechanism regarding the change is constantly deepening. This review introduces the physiological regulation of fish under stress, with particular attention devoted to signal transduction, gene expression, and metabolism, and changes in the physiological characteristics of muscular cells. Then, the influences of various stressors on the nutrition, physical properties, and flavor of the fish muscle are sequentially described. This review emphasizes recent advances in the mechanisms underlying changes in muscle quality, which are believed to be involved mainly in physiological regulation under stress. In addition, studies are also introduced on improving muscle quality by mitigating fish stress.

Rosemary: Unrevealing an old aromatic crop as a new source of promising functional food additive-A review.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is one of the most famous spice plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family as a remarkably beautiful horticultural plant and economically agricultural crop. The essential oil of rosemary has been enthusiastically welcome in the whole world for hundreds of years. Now, it is wildly prevailing as a promising functional food additive for human health. More importantly, due to its significant aroma, food, and nutritional value, rosemary also plays an essential role in the food/feed additive and food packaging industries. Modern industrial development and fundamental scientific research have extensively revealed its unique phytochemical constituents with biologically meaningful activities, which closely related to diverse human health functions. In this review, we provide a comprehensively systematic perspective on rosemary by summarizing the structures of various pharmacological and nutritional components, biologically functional activities and their molecular regulatory networks required in food developments, and the recent advances in their applications in the food industry. Finally, the temporary limitations and future research trends regarding the development of rosemary components are also discussed and prospected. Hence, the review covering the fundamental research advances and developing prospects of rosemary is a desirable demand to facilitate their better understanding, and it will also serve as a reference to provide many insights for the future promotion of the research and development of functional foods related to rosemary.

Minor tropical fruits as a potential source of bioactive and functional foods.

Tropical fruits are defined as fruits that are grown in hot and humid regions within the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, covering most of the tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, Africa, Central America, South America, the Caribbean and Oceania. Depending on the cultivation area covered, economic value and popularity these tropical fruits are divided into major and minor tropical fruits. There is an annual increment of 3.8% in terms of commercialization of the tropical fruits. In total 26 minor tropical fruits (Kiwifruit, Lutqua, Carambola, Tree Tomato, Elephant apple, Rambutan, Bay berry, Mangosteen, Bhawa, Loquat, Silver berry, Durian, Persimon, Longan, Passion fruit, Water apple, Pulasan, Indian gooseberry, Guava, Lychee, Annona, Pitaya, Sapodilla, Pepino, Jaboticaba, Jackfruit) have been covered in this work. The nutritional composition, phytochemical composition, health benefits, traditional use of these minor tropical fruits and their role in food fortification have been portrayed.

Comparing meat and meat alternatives: an analysis of nutrient quality in five European countries.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the (macro-)nutritional composition of red meat (RM) and poultry meat (PM) products with the emerging category of meat substitutes. DESIGN: We use information on nutritional values per 100 g to estimate the differences in the nutritional composition between RM, PM, vegan meat substitute (VMS) and non-vegan meat substitute (NVMS) and derive six unique meat product clusters to enhance the comparability. SETTING: Meat markets from five major European countries: France, Germany, UK, Italy and Spain. PARTICIPANTS/DATA: Product innovation data for 19 941 products from Mintel's Global New Product Database from 2010 to 2020. RESULTS: Most of the innovations in the sample are RM products (55 %), followed by poultry (30 %), VMS (11 %) and NVMS (5 %). RM products exhibit a significantly higher energy content in kcal/100 g as well as fat, saturated fat, protein and salt all in g/100 g than the meatless alternatives, while the latter contain significantly more carbohydrates and fibre than either poultry or RM. However, results differ to a certain degree when products are grouped into more homogeneous clusters like sausages, cold cuts and burgers. This indicates that general conclusions regarding the health effects of substituting meat with plant-based alternatives should only be drawn in relation to comparable products. CONCLUSIONS: Meat substitutes, both vegan and non-vegan, are rated as ultra-processed foods. However, compared with RM products, they and also poultry products both can provide a diet that contains fewer nutrients-to-limit, like salt and saturated fats.

Special low protein foods for phenylketonuria in Turkey: An examination of their nutritional composition compared to regular food.

Background: Special low protein foods (SLPF) that are phenylalanine (Phe)-free or have a low Phe content are an integral part of PKU diet therapy. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the nutritional profiles of SLPFs used in Turkey and to compare their contents with equivalent products in the "regular" category, in order to evaluate nutritional and metabolic risks. Methods: Between February and March 2022, the information concerning the nutritional contents of "special low protein products" recommended for PKU and available in Turkey were obtained from the websites of producers/suppliers. Results: A total of 148 SLPFs were identified in Turkey. Compared to regular products, SLPFs were determined to contain less sugar and high carbohydrate content in the Turkish market (p < 0.001). Overall, SLPF products had higher dietary fiber compared to products with regular protein content (p < 0.001). In SLPF subgroups, meat substitutes, rice and pasta, and soup products had significantly less total fat than regular products; low protein bread, sweet snacks, and salted crackers were found to contain less saturated fat (p < 0.05). Moreover, all SLPFs contained significantly more salt than regular products, especially the salt content of subgroups of low protein bread, flour, pasta, and rice was significantly higher than regular products (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Including detailed nutritional information on the Turkish SLPFs' food labels will be effective for patients with PKU to follow themselves on their own.

Effect of Nano-Selenium on Nutritional Quality of Cowpea and Response of ABCC Transporter Family.

It is an important way for healthy Selenium (Se) supplement to transform exogenous Se into organic Se through crops. In the present study, Vigna unguiculata was selected as a test material and sprayed with biological nano selenium (SeNPs) and Na2SeO3, and its nutrient composition, antioxidant capacity, total Se and organic Se content were determined, respectively. Further, the response of ABC transporter family members in cowpea to different exogenous Se treatments was analyzed by transcriptome sequencing combined with different Se forms. The results show that the soluble protein content of cowpea increased after twice Se treatment. SeNPs treatment increased the content of cellulose in cowpea pods. Na2SeO3 treatment increased the content of vitamin C (Vc) in cowpea pods. Se treatments could significantly increase the activities of Peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and catalase (CAT) in cowpea pods and effectively maintain the activity of Superoxide dismutase (SOD). SeNPs can reduce the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in pods. After Se treatment, cowpea pods showed a dose-effect relationship on the absorption and accumulation of total Se, and Na2SeO3 treatment had a better effect on the increase of total Se content in cowpea pods. After treatment with SeNPs and Na2SeO3, the Se species detected in cowpea pods was mainly SeMet, followed by MeSeCys. Inorganic Se can only be detected in the high concentration treatment group. Analysis of transcriptome data of cowpea treated with Se showed that ABC transporters could play an active role in response to Se stress and Se absorption, among which ABCB, ABCC and ABCG subfamilies played a major role in Se absorption and transportation in cowpea. Further analysis by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) showed that the content of organic Se in cowpea treated with high concentration of SeNPs was significantly and positively correlated with the expression level of three transporters ABCC11, ABCC13 and ABCC10, which means that the ABCC subfamily may be more involved in the transmembrane transport of organic Se in cells.

Utilization of Yeast Extract as a Flavor Enhancer and Masking Agent in Sodium-Reduced Marinated Shrimp.

Deepwater pink shrimp (Parapenaus longirostris) has a significantly high catch yield and is a highly important food source for human nutrition in terms of its nutritional value. The reduction of salt content in seafood products while preserving taste poses a significant challenge. The aim of this study is to reduce the NaCl ratio used in the shrimp marination process by substituting it with KCl and masking the resulting bitterness from KCl using natural flavor enhancers, such as yeast extracts. The marinated shrimp were prepared using 50% KCl instead of 50% NaCl. In order to mask the bitter taste caused by KCl and enhance the flavor, two different types of yeast extracts obtained from Saccharomyces cerevisiae were utilized in the formulation. Nutritional composition, Na and K contents, amino acid composition, color measurement, bacteriological quality, pH changes, and sensory evaluations were conducted to assess the impact of salt reduction and yeast extracts on the sensory, chemical, and physical attributes of the products. L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, L-aspartic acid, L-leucine, L-valine, and L-lysine were found to be higher in samples with Levex Terra yeast extract. Despite a 50% reduction in NaCl content, the addition of yeast extract led to an increase in the umami taste due to the elevation of amino acids present. Yeast extracts can offer a promising solution for enhancing the sensory qualities of seafood products with reduced salt content by conducting more detailed sensory development examinations.

Minor millets: a review on nutritional composition, starch extraction/modification, product formulation, and health benefits.

Minor millet grains are the abode of healthy constituents of human concern that contribute to healthy longevity. Additionally, they are excellent in nutritional value including macronutrients namely, protein (7-13%), carbohydrates (60-70%), fat (1.5-5%), fiber (2-7%) and for micronutrients as well namely; iron, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, etc. All these beneficial traits along with the availability of bioactive constituents (polyphenols and antioxidants) prove them to be therapeutic in action and also uplift the immunity among users. Employed isolation tactics for starch also govern yield characteristics and is usually preferred by way of wet method. Minor millets are abundant in starch (50-70%) thus application broadness is another attribute which could be addressed in vivid food segments. In case, native starches somehow possess least application credentials in food and non-food sectors thus modification is the only alternative to eliminate shortcomings. As in trend, modification using physical, chemical, and enzymatic ways have a wide impact on the properties of millet starch. The present review summarizes the nutritional, bioactive and therapeutic potential of minor millets, along with ways of starch modification and product development through millet involvement. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Rice Bran and Its Potential To Complement the Nutritional Needs of Children and Elderly.

Rice bran is an agro-industrial by-product of low added value that can be used to complement human nutritional needs. In this work, the profile of minerals, fatty acids and amino acids in brown rice bran was determined, aiming to evaluate its potential to complement the nutritional needs of different age groups, according to recommendations of regulatory agencies. The brown rice bran was supplied by a rice processing industry located in the south of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Minerals were quantified using an emission spectrometer; the fatty acid profile was determined by gas chromatography and the amino acids were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence (HPLC-FL). The main minerals were phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) (2,933, 1,029, 211 and 56 mg / 100 g of rice bran). Saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in rice bran were 22.4, 36.2 and 34.5% of lipid content, respectively. The polar, neutral and charged amino acids represented 8.8, 9.3 and 12.8% of the protein content, respectively. The composition of this co-product of rice supply chain is a good alternative to the new demand on plant-based food supplying the recommended daily intake (RDI) of national and international food polices.

Nutritional Composition and Bioactive Compounds of Quelites Consumed by Indigenous Communities in the Municipality of Juquila Vijanos, Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, Mexico.

The indigenous communities of Mexico have a long tradition of consuming quelites. In this research, eight species of quelites that are traditionally consumed by indigenous communities of the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, Mexico, were characterized: Eryngium foetidum L., Galinsoga parviflora Cav., Calceolaria mexicana Benth., Andinocleome magnifica (Briq.) Iltis & Cochrane, Cleoserrata speciosa (Raf.) H.H. Iltis, Phytolacca icosandra L., Cestrum nocturnum L. and Solanum nigrescens M.Martens & Galeotti. The ethnobotanical information of these species was recorded and the proximate composition, mineral content, and total phenolic and flavonoid content were determined. The antioxidant capacity of the samples was also investigated using ABTS (2,2'-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), DPPH (2,2-di(4-tert-octylphenyl)-1-picrylhydrazyl), and ORAC (oxygen radical absorption capacity) methods. Quelites are available in the dry and rainy season. Quelites were found to have low energy contents while being good sources of fiber, of which A. magnifica possessed the highest concentration (8.61 ± 0.35 g/100 g fresh weight FW). Quelites were also found to provide essential minerals, with the primary contributions being potassium (4097.35 ± 12.28 mg/100 g FW) in C. mexicana, calcium (2418.63 ± 22.91 mg/100 g FW) in S. nigrescens, magnesium (1021.83 ± 10.58 mg/100 g FW) in E. foetidum, among others. C. speciosa and C. mexicana exhibited the highest concentration of phenols and flavonoids, which were found to be associated with higher antioxidant capacity. The quelites analyzed in this study are a potential source of accessible, nutritious, and healthy food, and can potentially help improve food security and health.

Nutritional and antioxidant profile of the Physalis fruit grown in three Andean regions of Peru.

Background: Physalis peruviana L. fruit contains nutritional and bioactive compounds of immense importance to public health and represents a potential ingredient for the development of functional foods and beverages. Objective: This study aimed to determine the chemical and nutritional composition as well as the antioxidant capacity of the P. peruviana L. fruit grown in Peru in three areas of the Central Andean region. Material and methods: Proximal and physicochemical analyses and estimation of mineral content, vitamin C, total carotenoids, total polyphenols, and antioxidant capacity (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] and 2, 2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) [ABTS] assays) were performed using standardized methods. Results: The fruits were collected from three regions of the Peruvian Andes (Ancash, Cajamarca, and Cusco). The results showed that the content of potassium (306.54-327.60 mg/100 g) and iron (12.93-14.47 mg/kg) was prominent. The Physalis fruit had high levels of vitamin C (47.20-52.20 mg/100 g), total polyphenols (68.17-83.40 mg equivalents of gallic acid/100 g), and carotenoids (1.12-1.73 mg ß-carotene/100 g). Higher values for antioxidant capacity were obtained with the ABTS method (896-1003.33 µmol Trolox/100 g) than with the DPPH method (290-309 µmol Trolox/100 g). Conclusions: This study confirms that the P. peruviana fruit has properties that could provide important health benefits and that it could be used for the development of functional foods and food supplement.

Influence of foam mat drying on the nutritional and technological potential of fruits - a review.

The consumption of fruits and vegetables is strongly encouraged in the nutritional recommendations presented in national and international guidelines, which strongly advise the intake of these elements as part of a healthy diet. However, this type of food matrix has a low post-harvest durability, making it necessary to apply techniques that extend its shelf life. Among the methods that can be applied, drying acts as a unitary operation of wide use, presenting low operational cost, ease of handling and wide variation of procedural techniques. However, it still remains a methodology seen as "critical" in the food sector, especially when the maximum focus of efforts is to obtain a material of high quality, nutritional and sensorial. In this context, foam layer drying has gained recognition as an effective and low-cost technique, where foam porosity and higher surface area-volume ratio provide high heat and mass transfer rates, reducing process time and improving the physical-chemical quality of the final product. We provide information capable of elucidating that drying requires a large amount of energy for the operation, and that many studies are still needed in order to optimize the process and guarantee the economic, nutritional and functional viability of the final product.

Health effects of yogurt consumption during paediatric age: a narrative review.

Yogurt is a fermented milk product characterised by a peculiar nutritional composition with live and viable cultures of bacteria. Few studies have analysed the benefits of yogurt consumption on health outcomes during paediatric age. Recent epidemiological studies evaluating the nutritional impact of yogurt have demonstrated its significant contribution to nutrients intakes among children. Thus, consuming yogurt is a strategy to achieve recommended nutrient intake and healthier dietary choices, with potential impact on obesity and cardiometabolic outcome in children. Yogurt's effects on paediatric infectious diseases, gastrointestinal diseases and atopic-related disorders are ascribed to the specific probiotic strain administered. Interestingly, the benefits of yogurt consumption are most likely due to effects mediated through the gut microbiota and the enhancement of innate and adaptive immune responses. Therefore, supplementing standard yogurt cultures with probiotic strains could be useful to promote health at different paediatric ages, although more evidence is needed regarding the strain-related effects and their interplay within the paediatric immune system.

Thermochemical Characterization of Eight Seaweed Species and Evaluation of Their Potential Use as an Alternative for Biofuel Production and Source of Bioactive Compounds.

Algae are underexplored resources in Western countries and novel approaches are needed to boost their industrial exploitation. In this work, eight edible seaweeds were subjected to their valorization in terms of nutritional characterization, thermochemical properties, and bioactive profile. Our results suggest that seaweeds present a rich nutritional profile, in which carbohydrates are present in high proportions, followed by a moderate protein composition and a valuable content of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The thermochemical characterization of seaweeds showed that some macroalgae present a low ash content and high volatile matter and carbon fixation rates, being promising sources for alternative biofuel production. The bioactive profile of seaweeds was obtained from their phenolic and carotenoid content, together with the evaluation of their associated bioactivities. Among all the species analyzed, Porphyra purpurea presented a balanced composition in terms of carbohydrates and proteins and the best thermochemical profile. This species also showed moderate anti-inflammatory activity. Additionally, Himanthalia elongata extracts showed the highest contents of total phenolics and a moderate carotenoid content, which led to the highest rates of antioxidant activity. Overall, these results suggest that seaweeds can be used as food or functional ingredient to increase the nutritional quality of food formulations.

Fire does not transform shrublands of Echinospartum horridum (Vahl) Rothm. into grasslands in the Pyrenees: Development of community structure and nutritive value after single prescribed burns.

Prescribed fire has been extensively used in recent years to control woody encroachment into mountain and other grassland-dominated landscapes. In the Aragon Pyrenees, prescribed burns have been mainly used to remove the native thorny shrub Echinospartum horridum (Vahl) Rothm., whose populations are spreading to the detriment of grasslands. To study the effectiveness of the burning of E. horridum to preserve grasslands for livestock grazing, the vegetation of six sites burned 0.5, 2, 3, 6, 15 and 35 years ago was sampled and compared with that of nearby unburned shrubland (control) and grassland (reference). In addition, the nutritional quality of E. horridum was examined and compared to that of the reference grassland to evaluate to what extent shrub growth can be controlled by herbivores after burning. Initial shrub cover recovered as early as 15 years after fire, with E. horridum being dominant. Plant diversity was greatest at intermediate number of years after fire. Initial floristic composition and life-form spectrum were restored 15-35 years after burning. Echinospartum horridum exhibited early lignification that restricts its availability as a palatable forage for the first two years after burning and makes it unlikely to be consumed thereafter, highlighting the difficulty in controlling the expansion of this species by livestock herbivory. The analysis of the nutrient levels suggested an increased shortage of limiting elements, such as phosphorus or sulfur, in the mid-term after burning due to substantial nutrient losses and exports during and after the burn. Our results question the suitability and sustainability of a single prescribed burn as management tool alone to control the expansion of E. horridum and call for caution in its application for fighting shrub encroachment in the Central Pyrenees.

A Comprehensive Review with Updated Future Perspectives on the Ethnomedicinal and Pharmacological Aspects of Moringa oleifera.

Moringa oleifera is an ancient remedy plant, known as the miraculous plant due to its many prominent uses and significant health benefits. It is a nutrient-rich plant, with exceptional bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols that possess several medicinal properties. Many significant studies have been carried out to evaluate the ethnomedicinal and pharmacological properties of M. oleifera in various applications. Therefore, this comprehensive review compiles and summarizes important findings from recent studies on the potential properties of different parts of M. oleifera. The pharmacological properties of M. oleifera have been studied for various potential biological properties, such as cardio-protective, anti-oxidative, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-diabetic and anti-carcinogenic effects. Therefore, the potential of this plant is even more anticipated. This review also highlights the safety and toxicity effects of M. oleifera treatment at various doses, including in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials from human studies.

Nutritional, Physicochemical and Structural Parameters of Mauritia flexuosa Fruits and By-Products for Biotechnological Exploration of Sustainable Goods.

Research background: Commercialization of Mauritia flexuosa (buriti) fruits in Brazil is at an early stage. Herein, we evaluate the nutritional value of pulp, peel and endocarp samples from buriti fruits, perform macroscopic and microscopic evaluations and analyze their physicochemical properties. Experimental approach: Size and mass, pH, sugar and protein contents, soluble/insoluble fiber, total titratable acidity and energy value of the samples were analyzed. Mineral profiling was performed by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, and fatty acids and phytosterols were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Samples were also submitted to differential scanning calorimetry coupled to a thermal analyzer, and microstructure, morphology, surface and viscosity were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) with copper radiation. Rheological behavior was also studied. Results and conclusions: Lyophilized pulp had higher nutritional content of minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and energy than in natura pulp. Lyophilized pulp and its by-products showed suitable yields (>17.31%) and low a w, and potassium, manganese and monounsaturated fatty acid contents. Peels showed elevated amounts of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols (ß-sitosterol and stigmasterol), and endothermic behavior. The reductions of calcium, magnesium and manganese ranging from 18.5 to 22.7% were observed following the lyophilization. Drying processes generated semi-crystalline powders. Both peels and endocarp contained higher amounts of insoluble fiber and lower contents of sugars. Similar results were obtained by microscopic morphological analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and XRD analysis. Pulp and endocarp exhibited pseudoplastic non-Newtonian behavior, and flow behavior index values were lower than 1, while peels presented dilatant behaviour. Thus, physicochemical and nutritional characterization of pulp and by-products, such as peels and endocarp, are essential to support scientific research and exploration of new sustainable products. Novelty and scientific contribution: Processing and conservation techniques, like lyophilization, maintain the good quality of nutritional contents and bioactive compounds of buriti whole fruits, and can be used to extend their shelf life, preserve alimentary characteristics and provide wider purposes and availability. Such parameters may generate income and food security for local and regional communities.

Comparison of biochemical composition of commercial sea cucumbers, Apostichopus japonicus and Parastichopus californicus, under the same culture conditions.

BACKGROUND: Apostichopus japonicus and Parastichopus californicus are two of the most important and profitable commercial sea cucumbers along the North Pacific coast. This study compared the body wall production rate (BWPR), proximate composition, amino acid, fatty acid, trace element and vitamin composition, and nonspecific immune enzyme activities of A. japonicus and P. californicus cultured in an artificial pond. RESULTS: The BWPR, crude fat and ash content in the body walls of A. japonicus and P. californicus showed remarkable differences (P < 0.05). For the 18 amino acids tested, differences in the contents of 15 were significant (P < 0.05) between the two species, except for threonine, methionine and histidine, and their first limiting amino acids were both methionine+cysteine. There were seven saturated and ten unsaturated fatty acids in their body walls, and except for 18:1 and 20:1, the content differences of the other 15 fatty acids were all significant (P < 0.05). Furthermore, between the two sea cucumbers, differences in the content of seven trace elements (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Ni, Se) and six vitamins (B1, B3, B5, B9, C, E) were significant (P < 0.05). The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) also showed distinct differences (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There are greater differences in the biochemical compositions and contents between A. japonicus and P. californicus, each with its own unique quality advantages. A. japonicus and P. californicus have high nutritional value, which are both the superior sea cucumbers. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.