Efficacy of Zn-Aspartate in comparison with ZnSO4 and L-Aspartate in amelioration of drought stress in maize by modulating antioxidant defence; osmolyte accumulation and photosynthetic attributes.

Human population is exceeding beyond the carrying capacity of earth resources and stresses like water shortage faced by the plants is jeopardizing the food security. Current research study was aimed to investigate the potentials of Zn-Aspartate (Zn-Asp), Zn-Sulphate (ZnSO4) and L-Aspartate (L-Asp) to be used as osmolytes and role of various levels of these chemicals in combating drought stress in maize plants in Punjab, Pakistan. Study was performed on two plots corresponding to drought and controlled environments. The lamina of maize plants was sprinkled row wise with various treatments including No spray (NS), water sprinkle (WS), sprinkle with ZnSO4 0.25% and 0.50%, sprinkle with Zn-Asp 0.25% and 0.50% and Foliar sprinkle of L-Asp 0.5% and 1%, respectively. Role of major osmoprotectants and secondary metabolites was analyzed and positive changes were found in total soluble sugars (41.16), flavonoids (5387.74), tocopherol content (9089.18), ascorbic acid (645.27) and anthocyanin (14.84) conc. which assists in mitigating drought menace on maize. Shoot mineral ions (Ca, K, Zn, P, Mg and N) status of water stressed maize plants was also analyzed and it was found that application experimental dose enhanced their availability to crop. Physio-biochemical studies were performed on antioxidants enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), carotenoid content (CC), malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, aspartate and free amino acid contents. The activity of SOD was increased by 28.5% and activity of POD was increased by 33.33% due to foliar applied 0.5% Zn-Asp under drought stress. Photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll A, B and total chlorophyll content) analysis was also carried out in this study. It was found that conc. of different chlorophylls pigments increased (chl-A: 2.24, chl-B: 25.12, total chl: 24.30) which enhanced photosynthetic activity culminating into better growth and yield). The level of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide decreased by 43.9% and 32.8% respectively on treatment with 0.5% Zn-Asp proving the efficacy of the treatment in drought amelioration. Study reveals that Zn-Asp induced modulations are far better than conventional sulphate salts in mitigating water scarce environment. Current study recommends the use of the Zn-Asp to meet the global food and agricultural challenges as compared to ZnSO4 and L-Asp due to its better drought amelioration properties. This research provides valuable informations which can used for future research and practical use in agriculture fields by indigenous and other people to enhance yield of maize to meet the food necessities of country.

Nutritional evaluation and transcriptome analyses of short-time germinated seeds in soybean (Glycine max L. Merri.).

Germination is a common practice for nutrition improvement in many crops. In soybean, the nutrient value and genome-wide gene expression pattern of whole seeds germinated for short-time has not been fully investigated. In this study, protein content (PC), water soluble protein content (WSPC), isoflavone compositions were evaluated at 0 and 36 h after germination (HAG), respectively. The results showed that at 36HAG, PC was slightly decreased (P > 0.05) in ZD41, J58 and JHD, WSPC and free isoflavone (aglycones: daidzein, genistein, and glycitein) were significantly increased (P < 0.05), while total isoflavone content was unchanged. Transcriptomic analysis identified 5240, 6840 and 15,766 DEGs in different time point comparisons, respectively. GO and KEGG analysis showed that photosynthesis process was significantly activated from 18HAG, and alternative splicing might play an important role during germination in a complex manner. Response to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was found to be down regulated significantly from 18 to 36HAG, suggesting that H2O2 might play an important role in germination. Expression pattern analysis showed the synthesis of storage proteins was slowing down, while the genes coding for protein degradation (peptidase and protease) were up regulated as time went by during germination. For genes involved in isoflavone metabolism pathway, UGT (7-O-glucosyltransferase) coding genes were significantly up regulated (40 up-DEGs vs 27 down-DEGs), while MAT (7-O-glucoside-6''-O-malonyltransferase) coding genes were down regulated, which might explain the increase of aglycones after germination. This study provided a universal transcriptomic atlas for whole soybean seeds germination in terms of nutrition and gene regulation mechanism.

Effect of heat treatment on the digestion behavior of pea and rice protein dispersions and their blends, studied using the semi-dynamic INFOGEST digestion method.

In the present study, the structuring and breakdown of a 5% protein dispersion prepared with commercial fractions of pea and rice isolates (PPI and RPI, respectively) were monitored by in vitro digestion. These proteins were blended in a 2 : 1 ratio of pea and rice, respectively, as this would deliver a high amino acid score. The effect of heating at 90 °C for 15 min on the digestion behavior was evaluated not only for the blend, but also for the respective protein isolate fractions, using the INFOGEST international consensus, semi-dynamic in vitro gastric model. Digesta were characterized by gel electrophoresis, light scattering, confocal laser scanning microscopy and size exclusion HPLC. Heating increased the solubility of PPI from 15.7% to 26.6% at pH 7.4. RPI showed low solubility (a maximum of 2.6% at pH 2), regardless of the treatment. Confocal microscopy observations evidenced major differences in the aggregates formed during digestion, with larger aggregates for heated PPI. While the unheated pea protein dispersions precipitated near the isoelectric pH, the heated counterpart formed macro-aggregates under the same conditions. In the case of RPI, there were no differences in structuring behaviour between unheated and heat treated reconstituted powder, due to their low solubility. Rice prolamins showed resistance to hydrolysis by pepsin and pancreatic enzymes. In the heated blend, macro-aggregates formed, but with a smaller size compared to heated pea protein alone, suggesting that pea protein aggregation was hindered by the presence of rice proteins. These results demonstrate how the composition of protein isolates can affect their in vitro digestion. However, pre-treatment of plant protein blends, such as heating, can modulate the rate and mechanism of digestion.

Different Protein Sources in the Maternal Diet of the Rat during Gestation and Lactation Affect Milk Composition and Male Offspring Development during Adulthood.

Protein sources in maternal diet are important for mammary gland differentiation and milk protein; however, few studies have examined the metabolic and cellular adaptations of mothers based on protein source diets during pregnancy and lactation, and leptin concentration in offspring. We evaluated metabolic parameters and maternal key organs and milk components in mothers at the end of lactation, who were fed different sources of proteins. In postnatal day 110 and 250, we studied development parameters and leptin in male offspring. Female rats received a Vegetal (V) or Animal (A) diet during pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, male offspring ate V diet until postnatal day 250, which yielded two groups: Vv and Av. Milk dry, protein and fat were analyzed. Maternal metabolic parameters, leptin, and liver, adipose tissue and mammary gland histological analyses were studied. Body weight, food intake and leptin were analyzed in offspring at two ages. Adipose tissue weight and cells size and liver fat, mammary gland apoptosis, weight, milk protein and leptin were higher in A vs V. Maternal liver and milk dry were lower in A vs V. All offspring parameters were higher in Av vs Vv at postnatal day 110; however, at postnatal day 250, leptin was higher in Av vs Vv. Maternal serum and milk leptin had a positive correlation with offspring serum leptin at both ages. Consumption of animal protein-based diets by mothers during developmental periods affects specific maternal organs and changes milk composition during lactation, leading to a hyperleptinemic phenotype in male offsprings.

Neuromodulatory peptides: Orally active anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like peptides derived from dietary plant proteins.

Mental disorders are a severe health problem, and the number of patients is growing worldwide. Increased anxiety and decreased motivation due to excessive mental stress further accelerated the severity of the problem. Enzymatic digestion of food proteins produces bioactive peptides with various physiological functions, some of which exhibit neuromodulatory effects with oral administration. Recently, studies reported that some peptides produced from plant proteins such as soybeans, leaves, and grains exhibit emotional regulatory functions such as strong anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like effects comparable to pharmaceuticals. Conventionally, researchers investigated bioactive peptides by fractionation of protein hydrolysates and structure-activity relationship. As a novel methodology for analyzing bioactive peptides, the information obtained by peptidomics simultaneous analysis of the digested fractions of proteins using mass spectrometry has been effectively utilized. Some small-sized peptides such as dipeptides and tripeptides released food-derived proteins show emotional regulating effects. Moreover, some middle-sized peptides produced after intestinal digestion may exhibit the emotional regulating effect via the vagus nerve, and the importance of the gut-brain axis is also focused. As the central mechanism of emotional regulation, it has been found that these plant-derived peptides regulated monoamine neurotransmitter signaling and hippocampal neurogenesis.

Identification of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory peptides from vegetable protein sources.

Vegetable proteins are appearing as a sustainable source for human consumption. Food-derived peptides are an important field of research in terms of bioactive molecules. In this study, seven vegetable proteins were enzymatically hydrolysed following an optimised treatment (sequential hydrolysis with subtilisin-trypsin-flavourzyme) to obtain dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory peptides. Hydrolysates were fractionated by size exclusion chromatography and, from the most bioactive fractions (corresponding to Glycine max, Chenopodium quinoa and Lupinus albus proteins); peptides responsible for this bioactivity were identified by mass spectrometry. Peptides with adequate molecular features and based on in silico analysis were proposed as DPP-IV inhibitors from soy (EPAAV) lupine (NPLL), and quinoa (APFTVV). These vegetable protein sources are adequate to obtain protein hydrolysates for functional food.

Quality or Quantity of Proteins in the Diet for CKD Patients: Does "Junk Food" Make a Difference? Lessons from a High-Risk Pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: How to manage patients with severe kidney disease in pregnancy is still a matter of discussion, and deciding if and when to start dialysis is based on the specialist's experience and dialysis availability. The effect of toxic substances usually cleared by the kidney may be more severe and readily evident. The review, and related case, underlines the importance of considering the presence of additives in food in delicate conditions, such as CKD pregnancy. The Case: A 39-year-old indigenous woman from a low-resourced area in Mexico was referred to the obstetric nephrology at 25 gestational weeks because of serum creatinine at 3.6 mg/dL, hypertension on low-dose alpha-methyl-dopa, and nephrotic-range proteinuria. Kidney ultrasounds showed small poorly differentiated kidneys; foetal ultrasounds detected a female foetus, normal for gestational age. The patient's baseline protein intake, which was estimated at 1.2-1.3 g/kg/day, was mostly of animal-origin (>70%) poor-quality food ("junk food"). In the proposed diet, protein intake was only slightly reduced (1.0-1.2 g/kg/day), but the source of proteins was changed (only 30% of animal origin) with attention to food quality. A remarkable decrease in BUN was observed, in concomitance with adequate dietary follow-up, with rapid rise of BUN when the patient switched temporarily back to previous habits. A healthy female baby weighing 2,460 g (11th centile for gestational age) was delivered at 37 gestational weeks. Discussion and Literature Review: While data on patients with chronic kidney disease are scant, the long list of contaminants present in food, especially if of low quality, should lead us to reflect on their potential negative effect on kidney function and make us realize that eating healthy, unprocessed "organic" food should be encouraged, in delicate conditions such as pregnancy and breastfeeding and for young children, in particular when kidney function is failing. The case herein described gave us the opportunity to reflect on the importance of diet quality and on the potential risks linked to food additives, many of which, including phosphates and potassium, are not declared on food labels, while others, including dyes, antioxidants, thickeners, emulsifiers, and preservatives, are qualitatively, but not quantitatively, reported.

Food-dependent set-up of the DiDGI® dynamic in vitro system: Correlation with the porcine model for protein digestion of soya-based food.

The present study compared in vivo protein digestion in a miniature pig model with the dynamic in vitro system DiDGI®, using three digestive compartments (stomach, duodenum, and jejunum + ileum). Two soya-based meals-commercial soya milk and tofu-were studied, each with the same macronutrient content but different macrostructures. Our aim was to first deduce from the in vivo experiments in pigs key digestive parameters such as gastric pH, stomach emptying kinetics, and intestinal transit time, in order to design a relevant set-up for the dynamic in vitro system. Then, we compared digestive samples collected at fixed sampling times from both in vivo and in vitro models regarding different values related to proteolysis. We observed similar evolutions of gastric peptide distribution and duodenal proteolysis between models. Overall, apparent ileal digestibility of nitrogen was similar in vitro and in vivo and the differences between the two meals were conserved between models.

Evaluation of various levels of sweet almond meal as a source of protein on the production variables and immune response of broiler chickens.

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of a sweet almond meal (SAM) as a source of protein on performance and immune responses of broiler chickens. Treatments consisted of different levels of SAM (7%, 14%, 21% and 28% of diet) and control diet that was performed in a completely randomized design in 42 days. Body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) were recorded weekly. Carcass characteristics and blood variables were measured on the 42 day of age. Immune response to sheep red blood cell (SRBC) was assessed at d 35 and d 42 (7 days after each injection). White blood cell count was done at d 28. The results showed that chickens fed 28% of SAM had lowest FI during the experiment. During grower period and also whole period of experiment, BWG was highest in chickens that consumed 7% SAM. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) significantly increased in chickens fed 28% SAM compared to the other treatments during grower period and also whole period of the experiment. The relative weight of thigh and breast significantly decreased and the relative weight of GIT increased by increasing levels of SAM in the diet. The concentration of cholesterol and LDL significantly decreased in chickens that consumed SAM in the diet. However, the highest glucose and HDL concentration were observed in chickens fed 28% SAM in the diet. Treatments did not have a significant effect on the immune response of broilers (primary and secondary SRBC antibody titres, relative weights of spleen and bursa of fabricius and white blood cell count) (p > 0.05). The results of this study show that a diet supplemented with SAM at the level of 14%, due to the improved FCR and decreased blood cholesterol and LDL concentration, can be a good replacement for soybean meal in broiler chicken's nutrition.

Source and Composition in Amino Acid of Dietary Proteins in the Primary Prevention and Treatment of CKD.

Nutrition is a cornerstone in the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD). To limit urea generation and accumulation, a global reduction in protein intake is routinely proposed. However, recent evidence has accumulated on the benefits of plant-based diets and plant-derived proteins without a clear understanding of underlying mechanisms. Particularly the roles of some amino acids (AAs) appear to be either deleterious or beneficial on the progression of CKD and its complications. This review outlines recent data on the role of a low protein intake, the plant nature of proteins, and some specific AAs actions on kidney function and metabolic disorders. We will focus on renal hemodynamics, intestinal microbiota, and the production of uremic toxins. Overall, these mechanistic effects are still poorly understood but deserve special attention to understand why low-protein diets provide clinical benefits and to find potential new therapeutic targets in CKD.

Effect of chromium (VI) toxicity on morpho-physiological characteristics, yield, and yield components of two chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties.

The ever-increasing industrial activities over the decades have generated high toxic metal such as chromium (Cr) that hampers the crop productivity. This study evaluated the effect of Cr on two chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties, Pusa 2085 and Pusa Green 112, in hydroponic and pot-grown conditions. First, growth parameters (seed germination, seedling growth, and biomass production) and physio-biochemical parameters (oxidative stress and the content of antioxidants and proline) were measured to evaluate the performance of both varieties grown hydroponically for 21 days at concentrations of 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 µM Cr in the form of potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7). In both varieties, significantly deleterious effects on germination and seedling growth parameters were observed at 90 and 120 µM, while growth was stimulated at 30 µM Cr. Significant increases in malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide content and electrolyte leakage demonstrated enhanced oxidative injury to seedlings caused by higher concentrations of Cr. Further, increasing concentrations of Cr positively correlated with increased proline content, superoxide dismutase activity, and peroxide content in leaves. There was also an increase in peroxisomal ascorbate peroxidase and catalase in the leaves of both varieties at lower Cr concentrations, whereas a steep decline was recorded at higher Cr concentrations. In the pot experiments conducted over two consecutive years, growth, yield, yield attributes, grain protein, and Cr uptake and accumulation were measured at different Cr concentrations. Pusa Green 112 showed a significant reduction in plant growth, chlorophyll content, grain protein, pod number, and grain yield per plant when compared with Pusa 2085. Overall, our results indicate that Pusa 2085 has a higher Cr tolerance than Pusa Green 112. Therefore, Pusa 2085 could be used to further elucidate the mechanisms of Cr tolerance in plants and in breeding programmes to produce Cr-resistant varieties.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria alleviates drought stress in potato in response to suppressive oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes activities.

Maintenance of plant physiological functions under drought stress is normally considered a positive feature as it indicates sustained plant health and growth. This study was conducted to investigate whether plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) Bacillus subtilis HAS31 has potential to maintain potato growth and yield under drought stress. We analyzed trends of chlorophyll concentration, photosynthesis process, relative water content, osmolytes, antioxidants enzymes and oxidative stress, relative growth rate, tuber and aboveground biomass production in two potato varieties, Santae (drought-tolerant) and PRI-Red (drought-sensitive). Plants of both genotypes were treated with 100 g of HAS31 inoculant at 10 days after germination and exposed to different soil relative water contents (SRWC), including 80 ± 5% (well watered), 60 ± 5% (moderate stress) and 40 ± 5% SRWC (severe stress) for 7 days at tuber initiation stage (30 days after germination). The drought stress reduced plant relative growth rate, biomass production, leaf area, number of leaves and tubers, tuber weight, and final yield. The drought-stressed plants showed decline in chlorophyll contents, membrane stability, leaf relative water contents and photosynthetic rate. Under drought stress, enzymatic activity of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), contents of total soluble sugars, soluble proteins and proline increased. The application of PGPR reduced the impact of drought and maintained higher growth and physio-chemical traits of the plants. The plants with PGPR application showed higher relative growth rate, dry matter production, leaf area, number of tubers, tuber weight and yield as compared to plants without PGPR. The PGPR-HAS31 treated plants maintained higher photosynthetic process, contents of chlorophyll, soluble proteins, total soluble sugars, and enzymatic activities of CAT, POD and SOD as compared to plants without PGPR. The results of the study suggest that plant growth regulators have ability to sustain growth and yield of potato under drought stress by maintaining physiological functions of the plants.

Activity-based protein profiling of rice (Oryza sativa L.) bran serine hydrolases.

Rice bran is an underutilized agricultural by-product with economic importance. The unique phytochemicals and fatty acid compositions of bran have been targeted for nutraceutical development. The endogenous lipases and hydrolases are responsible for the rapid deterioration of rice bran. Hence, we attempted to provide the first comprehensive profiling of active serine hydrolases (SHs) present in rice bran proteome by activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) strategy. The active site-directed fluorophosphonate probe (rhodamine and biotin-conjugated) was used for the detection and identification of active SHs. ABPP revealed 55 uncharacterized active-SHs and are representing five different known enzyme families. Based on motif and domain analyses, one of the uncharacterized and miss annotated SHs (Os12Ssp, storage protein) was selected for biochemical characterization by overexpressing in yeast. The purified recombinant protein authenticated the serine protease activity in time and protein-dependent studies. Os12Ssp exhibited the maximum activity at a pH between 7.0 and 8.0. The protease activity was inhibited by the covalent serine protease inhibitor, which suggests that the ABPP approach is indeed reliable than the sequence-based annotations. Collectively, the comprehensive knowledge generated from this study would be useful in expanding the current understanding of rice bran SHs and paves the way for better utilization/stabilization of rice bran.

Plant protein diet-induced hypoimmunity by affecting the spiral valve intestinal microbiota and bile acid enterohepatic circulation in Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii).

An 8-week growth trial was conducted to study enterohepatic recirculation of bile acid metabolism and the intestinal microbiota of Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) fed with three diets, including 540 g/kg, 270 g/kg or 0 g/kg fishmeal, which was correspondingly replaced by a plant protein blend (named P0, P50 and P100, respectively). The diets were designed to be isonitrogenous, isoenergetic and essential nutrients balanced. With rising levels of dietary plant protein, disruption of the spiral valve intestinal microbiota and more morbidity with liver disease were observed in the P100 group, although there were no haematological abnormalities observed. An obvious bile acids enterohepatic circulation disorder was found with phenotypes of increased liver bile acids compensatory synthesis, and reduced expression of bile acid receptors (FXR and TGR5), which induced BA accumulative toxicity. Accompanied by increased oxidative stress, it further induced hepatic lesions and hypoimmunity, which were non-negligible reasons for the high mortality and low utilization ability of plant protein by Amur sturgeon.

Hydrolysis of plant proteins at the molecular and supra-molecular scales during in vitro digestion.

The digestion of plant protein is highly dependent on multiple factors, with two of the most important being the protein source and the food matrix. The present study investigated the effects of these two factors on the digestion of seitan (a wheat-based food), tofu, soya juice, and a homemade emulsion of soy oil and water that was stabilised with pea protein. The four plant matrices and their respective protein isolates/concentrates (wheat gluten, soya protein, pea protein) were subjected to in vitro static digestion following the INFOGEST consensus protocol. We monitored the release of α-amino groups during digestion. We found that food matrix had a strong influence on protein digestion: soya juice was more hydrolysed than fresh tofu (51.1% versus 33.1%; P = 0.0087), but fresh tofu was more hydrolysed than soya protein isolate (33.1% versus 17.9%; P < 0.0001). Likewise, the pea-protein emulsion was better hydrolysed than the pea-protein isolate (P = 0.0033). Differences were also detected between the two solid foods investigated here: a higher degree of hydrolysis was found for tofu compared to seitan (33.1% versus 11.8%), which was perhaps a function of the presence of numerous dense protein aggregates in the latter but not the former. Furthermore, freeze-drying more than doubled the final degree of hydrolysis of seitan (P < 0.0001), but had no effect on tofu (P = 1.0000). Confocal microscopy revealed that protein networks in freeze-dried seitan were strongly altered with respect to the fresh product; instead, protein networks in freeze-dried and fresh tofu were largely similar. Finally, we found that the protease:protein ratio had a strong effect on the kinetics of proteolysis: a 3.7-fold increase in the concentration of the soya protein isolate with respect to that of the soya juice decreased the final degree of hydrolysis from 50.3 to 17.9% (P = 0.0988).

Functional properties and structural changes of rice proteins with anthocyanins complexation.

This study investigated the functional properties and structural changes associated with the complexation of rice protein (RP) with anthocyanins (ACN). Furthermore, fractions (i.e., albumin, globulin, prolamin and glutelin) isolated from RP complexed with anthocyanins were examined. The interactions with ACN altered the structure of RP, leading to an increase in the ß-sheet and spectral shift of the amide Ⅱ band. Additionally, fluorescence spectroscopy suggested that the hydrophobic and hydrogen bonds were the dominant forces in the formation of RP-ACN complexes. It was interesting to find that the RP-ACN particles exhibited the best functional properties at pH 3, likely due to the specific conformational changes upon interaction. In addition, the combination of RP and ACN increased the antioxidant ability of RP. Overall, this research suggested that RP-ACN particles at pH 3 can be designed to form and stabilize mesostructures such as foams and emulsion, which can lead to health benefits.

Anabolic Properties of Mixed Wheat-Legume Pasta Products in Old Rats: Impact on Whole-Body Protein Retention and Skeletal Muscle Protein Synthesis.

The mechanisms that are responsible for sarcopenia are numerous, but the altered muscle protein anabolic response to food intake that appears with advancing age plays an important role. Dietary protein quality needs to be optimized to counter this phenomenon. Blending different plant proteins is expected to compensate for the lower anabolic capacity of plant-based when compared to animal-based protein sources. The objective of this work was to evaluate the nutritional value of pasta products that were made from a mix of wheat semolina and faba bean, lentil, or split pea flour, and to assess their effect on protein metabolism as compared to dietary milk proteins in old rats. Forty-three old rats have consumed for six weeks isoproteic and isocaloric diets containing wheat pasta enriched with 62% to 79% legume protein (depending on the type) or milk proteins, i.e., casein or soluble milk proteins (SMP). The protein digestibility of casein and SMP was 5% to 14% higher than legume-enriched pasta. The net protein utilization and skeletal muscle protein synthesis rate were equivalent either in rats fed legume-enriched pasta diets or those fed casein diet, but lower than in rats fed SMP diet. After legume-enriched pasta intake, muscle mass, and protein accretion were in the same range as in the casein and SMP groups. Mixed wheat-legume pasta could be a nutritional strategy for enhancing the protein content and improving the protein quality, i.e., amino acid profile, of this staple food that is more adequate for maintaining muscle mass, especially for older individuals.

In vitro Evaluation and in vivo Digestibility of Physically, Chemically and Biologically Treated Jatropha Meal.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Protein considered the second main nutrient in diet formulation for all types of animals after energy. Present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different treatments on the nutritive value of Jatropha meal (JM) by in vitro and in vivo trials as protein source in sheep diet. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, gas production and phorbol esters (PE) were recorded for physically, chemically and biologically treated Jatropha meal. In vivo digestibility was measured by using 24 Barki rams randomly assigned into 4 nutritional groups (6 animals/treatment) as follow: 1) control ration and in 2, 3 and 4 groups cotton seed meal replaced with 30, 45 and 60% heated Jatropha meal (HJM). RESULTS: The various treatments raised DM (Dry matter), CP (Crude protein), NFE (Nitrogen free extract) and ash, whereas reduced OM (Organic matter), CF (Crude fiber) and EE (Ether extract) content in JM, the results of in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) have a significant height (p<0.01) for physical followed by the chemical and biological treatments. Otherwise high significant results (p<0.01) for gas production for different treatments was observed. The different treatments decreased the concentration of PE in JM than untreated. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that all treatments especially heat enhanced chemical composition, IVDMD of JM and gas production. Feeding values were better with the ratio 30 and 45%.

Nano-Zinc Oxide and Arbuscular mycorrhiza Effects on Physiological and Biochemical Aspects of Wheat Cultivars under Saline Conditions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Saline soils are restrictive factors to agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions, plant growth and productivity. Thus, it was important to consider how, nano-zinc oxide or bulk zinc oxide alleviates the oxidative salt stress in the presence of Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi by two wheat cultivars (Sids 13 and Sakha 94). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A field experiment was carried out during two winter successive seasons to study the beneficial role of nano-zinc oxide or bulk zinc oxide with different concentrations (5 and 10 mg L-1) in enhancing growth, some biochemical and physiological of two wheat cultivars under saline soil. RESULTS: Soaking both wheat cultivars with nano-zinc oxide or bulk zinc oxide in the presence of AM improved growth parameters. All treatments increased significantly photosynthetic pigments, IAA, phenols contents, organic antioxidant enzyme activities and significant decrease in lipid peroxidation. some changes are observed in protein patterns, so several proteins were disappear, but others were selectively improved and synthesis of the new groups of protein was formed, some of these responses were observed through the effect of nano-zinc oxide or bulk zinc oxide and AM. CONCLUSION: Nano-ZnO (10 mg L-1) in the presence of AM was the most effective treatments on both cultivars. Results showed superiority of Sakha 94 cultivar in most growth parameters and biochemical aspects than Sids 13 cultivar.

Plasma Metabolomics Profiles are Associated with the Amount and Source of Protein Intake: A Metabolomics Approach within the PREDIMED Study.

SCOPE: The plasma metabolomics profiles of protein intake have been rarely investigated. The aim is to identify the distinct plasma metabolomics profiles associated with overall intakes of protein as well as with intakes from animal and plant protein sources. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional analysis using data from 1833 participants at high risk of cardiovascular disease is conducted. Associations between 385 identified metabolites and the intake of total, animal protein (AP), and plant protein (PP), and plant-to-animal ratio (PR) are assessed using elastic net continuous regression analyses. A double 10-cross-validation (CV) procedure is used and Pearson correlations coefficients between multi-metabolite weighted models and reported protein intake in each pair of training-validation datasets are calculated. A wide set of metabolites is consistently associated with each protein source evaluated. These metabolites mainly consisted of amino acids and their derivatives, acylcarnitines, different organic acids, and lipid species. Few metabolites overlapped among protein sources (i.e., C14:0 SM, C20:4 carnitine, GABA, and allantoin) but none of them toward the same direction. Regarding AP and PP approaches, C20:4 carnitine and dimethylglycine are positively associated with PP but negatively associated with AP. However, allantoin, C14:0 SM, C38:7 PE plasmalogen, GABA, metronidazole, and trigonelline (N-methylnicotinate) behave contrarily. Ten-CV Pearson correlation coefficients between self-reported protein intake and plasma metabolomics profiles range from 0.21 for PR to 0.32 for total protein. CONCLUSIONS: Different sets of metabolites are associated with total, animal, and plant protein intake. Further studies are needed to assess the contribution of these metabolites in protein biomarkers' discovery and prediction of cardiometabolic alterations.