Effect of low-glucosinolate crambe meal in diet on lactational performance, efficiency of nutrient utilization, and hepatic function of crossbred Holstein × Zebu and Jersey cows.

Crambe meal (CM) is a potential dietary protein source for ruminant, but its effects in diets for lactating dairy cows remains unknown. We evaluated the effects of inclusion of the low-glucosinolates (GIs) CM (450 mg GIs/kg DM) in partial total mixed ration (pTMR) on performance, efficiency of nutrient utilization, and hepatic function of crossbred Holstein × Zebu and Jersey cows. Eight crossbred Holstein × Zebu cows and four Jersey cows were blocked by breed and days in milk, and randomly assigned in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design, and distributed in one of four isonitrogenous TMRs (130 g CP/kg DM): 0, 45, 90, and 135 g CM/kg DM pTMR. Crambe meal was included in pTMR replacing soybean meal (SBM) and ground corn grain (GCG). The pTMRs were offered ad libitum between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Cows were kept on pasture of Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça (90.4 g CP/kg DM) between 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. Pasture intake was measured from external and internal fecal excretion marker. Inclusion of CM did not affect (P ≤ 0.05) the DM intakes of pTMR and pasture, apparent total-tract digestibilities of organic matter, CP and NDF, ruminal outflow microbial protein, milk yield, milk composition, urinary N excretion, milk N efficiency, and level of plasm hepatic enzymes. The effects of CM inclusion in pTMR were independent of breed. Low-glucosinolates CM can be incorporated up to 135 g/kg DM in pTMR in replacement of SBM and GCG without affecting performance, efficiency of nutrient utilization, and hepatic function of crossbred Holstein × Zebu and Jersey cows.

Production components of crambe in paraiba semi-arid region with nitrogen fertilization and different spacings / Componentes de produção de crambe no semiárido paraibano com adubação nitrogenada e diferentes espaçamentos

Crambe (Crambe abyssinica H.), a promising species in the production of biodiesel, has low planting cost, high oil content and easy extraction, besides being an alternative for the crop rotation system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilization and line spacing on the production components and yield of the crambe crop under semi-arid conditions. The study was conducted under field conditions in the experimental area of the National Semi-Arid Institute-INSA, located in the city of Campina Grande-PB. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design in 4 x 2 factorial scheme, consisting of four nitrogen doses (30, 60, 90, 120 kg ha-1) with two spacings between planting lines (0.20 and 0.40 meters) with three replications, totaling 24 experimental plots. The evaluated parameters were: number of siliques per plant, dry weight of shoots, number of branches (primary and secondary), primary stem length, number of siliques per stem, mass of 1000 grains and productivity. The data were submitted to analysis of variance, in which the nitrogen doses (quantitative factor) were compared by regression analysis. The different spacings were compared by means of a t-test at the 0.05 probability level by using statistical software SISVAR version 5.2. Nitrogen fertilization at 0.40 m spacing between the planting lines led to the best results for the production components, and the highest productivity was obtained at 0.20 m spacing of with nitrogen fertilization of 120 kg ha-1.

O crambe (Crambeabyssinica H.), espécie promissora na produção de biodiesel, apresenta baixo custo de plantio, elevado teor de óleo e de fácil extração, além de ser alternativa para o sistema de rotação de culturas. Mediante a necessidade de conhecimento para ampliação do cultivo dessa espécie, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da adubação nitrogenada e espaçamento entre linhas no cultivo nos componentes de produção e na produtividade da cultura do crambe em condições semiáridas. O estudo foi conduzido em condições de campo na área experimental pertencente ao Instituto Nacional do Semiárido-INSA, situado no município de Campina Grande-PB. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, no esquema fatorial 4 x 2, sendo constituído de quatro doses de nitrogênio (30; 60; 90; 120 kg ha-1) com dois espaçamentos entre linhas de plantio (0,20 e 0,40 metros) e com três repetições, totalizando 24 parcelas experimentais. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: número de síliquas por planta, massa seca da parte aérea, número de ramificações (primárias e secundárias), comprimento de haste primária, número de silíquas por haste, massa de 1000 grãos e produtividade. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância, em que as doses de nitrogênio (fator quantitativo) foram comparadas por análise de regressão. Os diferentes espaçamentos foram comparados por meio de comparação de médias, pelo teste t, ao nível de 0,05 de probabilidade utilizando-se software estatístico SISVAR versão 5.2. A adubação nitrogenada sob espaçamento de 0,40 m, entre as linhas de plantio, proporcionou os melhores resultados quanto aos componentes de produção, e a maior produtividade foi obtida no espaçamento referente a 0,20 m com a adubação nitrogenada de 120 kg ha-1.

Phytoremediation capacity, growth and physiological responses of Crambe abyssinica Hochst on soil contaminated with Cd and Pb.

The search for vegetal species regarding effectiveness in the phytoremediation of soils is of great importance, mainly in function of the great environmental problems, such as soil contamination with heavy metals, the necessity of producing more food, among others that mankind face today. This work aimed (i) to evaluate phytoremediation capacity of Crambe abyssinica Hochst and its growth in soil artificially contaminated with Cd and Pb, and (ii) to evaluate the possible impacts of crambe cultivation in contaminated soil conditions, in order to evaluate, to test, and to question the Brazilian CONAMA 420, providing important information that can be useful for governmental and environmental purposes. Two simultaneous experiments were developed, one for each metal. The soils were contaminated with salts of CdCl2 and PbCl2H2O in five doses based on the investigation values (IV) of CONAMA Resolution 420, resulting in 0; 1.5; 3; 9 and 30 mg kg-1 for Cd and 33; 90; 180; 540 and 1800 mg kg-1 for Pb. Gaseous exchange, development, nutritional composition and production of plant components, as well as phytoavailability of metals, were evaluated. The contamination with metals reduced photosynthesis, increased breathing as well as leading to a negative effect on the mineral nutrition and productivity in general; Plants cultivated in soil with Cd presented higher phytoavailability when compared to those cultivated in the Pb conditions, being found metals in all parts of the crambe plants from 1.5 mg kg- 1 of Cd in the soil; and Pb was retained only in roots, not being translocated in the plant. Cd showed higher phytoavailability, being found in all parts of the plant and Pb was retained only in the roots. Cd showed a higher phytoavailability when compared to Pb, also being found in all parts of crambe plants from dose 1.5 mg kg-1 of Cd in soil, which is an environmental problem, since in these concentrations the cultivation of crops is allowed by Brazilian legislation CONAMA 420.

Chemical change during storage of crambe cultivated with application of plant growth regulators / Alterações químicas durante o armazenamento de crambe cultivado com aplicação de reguladores vegetais

This study aimed to characterize the chemical composition of crambe grains produced with plant growth regulators in the 2014 and 2015 harvests and stored for 180 days. During crambe cultivation, two foliar sprayings were carried out with the following treatments: 1) control treatment with distilled water; 2) indole-3-acetic acid 100 mg L-1 (IAA); 3) 3-gibberellic acid P.A. 100 mg L-1 (GA3); 4) Stimulate®. After harvesting, the grains were analyzed initially and after 180 days of uncontrolled storage. We checked water content, lipids in hot extraction (HE), lipids in cold extraction (CE), proteins, acidity and antioxidant activity. The Tukey test was used to compare the averages (p<0.05) and the parameters were grouped using a multivariate clustering technique presented in dendogram. The CE and HE lipid contents were reduced after storage, whereas the protein content and antioxidant activity of the grains were not altered by storage. However, the grains that received IAA application showed an increase in the CE lipid content and their preservation after storage. GA3 application, on the other hand, reduced the protein content. Lipid contents remained constant at the end of storage, and the acidity was reduced due to the application of GA3 and Stimulate® plant growth regulators. The 180-day storage changed crambe quality and regulators can assist in preserving grain quality during storage. The CE and HE lipid content and the grain acidity were good indicators for evaluating effects.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi caracterizar a composição química dos grãos de crambe produzidos com reguladores vegetais nas safras de 2014 e 2015 e armazenados por 180 dias. Durante o cultivo do crambe, realizaram-se duas pulverizações foliares seguindo os tratamentos: 1) tratamento controle com água destilada; 2) ácido indol-3-acético 100 mg L-1 (AIA); 3) ácido 3-giberélico P.A. 100 mg L-1 (GA3); 4) Stimulate®. Após colhidos, os grãos foram analisados inicialmente e após 180 dias de armazenamento não controlado. Aferiu-se o teor de água, lipídeos em extração a quente (EQ), lipídeos em extração a frio (EF), proteínas, acidez e atividade antioxidante. As médias foram comparadas pelo teste Tukey (p<0,05) e os parâmetros agrupados pela técnica multivariada de agrupamento apresentado em dendograma. Os teores de lipídeos EF e EQ reduziram com o armazenamento enquanto que o teor de proteína e a atividade antioxidante dos grãos não foram alterados por esse fator. A aplicação de IAA destacou-se pelo aumento no teor de lipídeos EF e conservação desse após o armazenamento. A aplicação de GA3 reduziu o teor de proteínas. Os teores de lipídeos se mantiveram constante no final do armazenamento e houve redução no teor de acidez em decorrência da aplicação dos reguladores vegetais GA3 e Stimulate®. O armazenamento de 180 dias altera a qualidade de crambe e os reguladores podem auxiliar na preservação da qualidade dos grãos durante o armazenamento. O teor de lipídeos EF, EQ e a acidez dos grãos mostraram-se bons indicadores para avaliação dos efeitos.

Physical and physiological changes of Crambe abyssinicaHochst seed during maturation

Determination of seed-maturation indicators enables the identification of the idealmoment for harvest to achieve the best production and conservation potential. Our objective here was to evaluate some physical and physiological changes of crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst) seeds as possible indicators of seed maturation. Crambe floweringwas monitored in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Plants were tagged, and 13, 22, 26, and 28 days after the initiation of flowering, the seeds were collected and following physical attributes evaluated: length, diameter, total mass, dry matter and water content. Physiological quality of the seeds was assessed using the germination test, by registering the percentage of normal seedlings and dormant seeds, immediately after each harvest, and again after six months of storage. The water-absorption curveswere characterized as a function the seed-development stages. All physical attributes were observed to increase because of the accumulation of reserve substances during seed development, except for water content, which gradually decreased from 72.2% at the start of development to 29.5% at maturity. At 28 days after anthesis the germination percentage of crambe seeds at physiological maturity was only 17%, indicating that they became dormant while maturing. However, seed germination rate was 89% after six months of storage, indicating that dormancy was almost fully overcome after this period.

Phytochemical screening and toxicity of Crambe abyssinica Hochst extracts on Solanum lycopersicum L., Euphorbia heterophylla L., Bidens pilosa L. and Glycine max (L. ) Merril / Screening fitoquímico e toxicidade de extratos de crambe abyssinica Hochst sobre Solanum lycopersicum L., Euphorbia heterophylla L., Bidens pilosa L. E Glycine max (L.) Merril

This study aimed to identify the main groups of secondary compounds from Crambe abyssinica and evaluate the bioactivity of the hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts on the seed germination and seedling development of tomato, wild poinsettia, hairy beggartick and soybean. The phytochemical screening considered the presence or absence of total saponins, triterpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins, tannins, phenols and alkaloids. In the seeds it was evaluated: germination percentage, germination velocity index, average germination time, index of allelopathic effects, shoot and root length and seedlings dry matter. In the phytochemical screening it was observed that each solvent extracted different compounds. Flavonoids were found only in the ethyl acetate extract and saponin only in the methanol extract. A high allelopathic effect of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of crambe on the bio-indicator species tomato was observed. The hexane and ethyl acetate extracts also showed inhibitory effect on the weed hairy beggartick and did not present negative effects on soybean. There is the possibility of isolating the bio-active compounds of crambe and use them as a bio-herbicide to the alternative control of the weed hairy beggartick.

Este trabalho objetivouidentificar grupos de compostos do metabolismo secundário de Crambe abyssinica e avaliar a bioatividade dos extratos hexânico, acetato etílico e metanólico 1% sobre a germinação de sementes e o crescimento de plântulas de tomate, leiteiro, picão-preto e soja. O screeningfitoquímico considerou a presença ou ausência de saponinas totais, triterpenóides, esteroides, flavonoides, cumarinas, taninos, fenóis e alcaloides. Nas sementes avaliou-se a porcentagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, tempo médio de germinação, índice de resposta do efeito alelopático, comprimento de parte aérea e raiz e massa seca das plântulas.No screening fitoquímico observou-se que cada solvente extraiu compostos diferentes. Flavonóides foram encontrados somente no extrato acetato etílico e saponina apenas no extrato metanólico. Verificou-se elevado efeito alelopático dos extratos hexânico, acetato de etila e metanólico de crambe sobre a espécie bio-indicadora tomate. Os extratos hexânico e acetato etílico também apresentaram efeito inibitório sobre a planta invasora picão-preto e não tiveram efeitos negativos sobre a soja. Existe a possibilidade de isolamento de compostos bioativos de crambe para utilização como possível bio-herbicida para controle alternativo da planta invasora picão-preto.

Development of Industrial Oil Crop Crambe abyssinica for Wax Ester Production through Metabolic Engineering and Cross Breeding.

As an important industrial feedstock, wax esters (WEs) have been used as lubricants in a number of technical processes. There is however currently no large-scale biological source for WE production and alteration in metabolic pathways of plant oils for producing WEs could be attractive to the commercial markets. Here, we present the breeding results of long-term studies on successful development of new crambe lines producing WEs through genetic engineering and cross breeding. The transgenic crambe lines producing WEs at over 25% of the total seed oil were first generated by introduction of the jojoba WE biosynthetic genes ScFAR and ScWS. Further improvement of the lines aiming at improving oxidative stability of WEs was achieved through introducing the CaFAD2-RNAi gene into these lines by crossing. The hybrid lines possessed similar agronomic traits to the wild type and a stable level of WEs over several generations, suggesting a high potential of crambe as an industrial crop for WE production.

Foliar application of plant growth regulators changes the physiological quality of crambe seeds

The application of plant growth regulators can manipulate the development of cultivated plants, and their physiological effects may be reflected in the physiological quality of the seeds. This study evaluated the effects of plant growth regulators (PGR) on the physiological quality of crambe seeds produced in the 2014 and 2015 harvests. During crop development, we applied two foliar sprayings of the following treatments: 1) control treatment with distilled water; 2) indole-3-acetic acid 100 mg L-1 (IAA); 3) 3-gibberellic acid P.A. 100 mg L-1 (GA3); 4) commercial PGR Stimulate® 6 mL L-1. The seeds were harvested and evaluated for water content, germination percentage and germination speed index (GSI), electrical conductivity and concentrations of leached Ca, Mg and K ions. Means were compared by Tukey ́s and Dunnett tests (p<0.05). Applying Stimulate® increased the germination percentage and the germination speed index, while IAA application showed an opposite effect, increasing the electrical conductivity of crambe seeds. Calcium leaching decreased with IAA application, and all regulators reduced K leaching. We therefore infer that the application of plant growth regulators influences the physiological quality of crambe seeds.

Sunflower protein concentrate and crambe protein concentrate in diets for silver catfish Rhamdia quelen (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824): use as sustainable ingredients.

The objective of this study was to evaluate growth and metabolic parameters of silver catfish fed with protein concentrates of sunflower meal (SMPC) and crambe meal (CrMPC). The study evaluated two levels of substitution, where 25 or 50% of animal protein was replaced with plant-based protein. A total of 300 silver catfish (14 ± 0.26 g) were used in five treatments and three replications, in fifteen 280-liter experimental units. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and the means of the control diet was compared to the remaining treatments by Dunnett's test at 5% significance level. At the end of the trial, no differences were observed for the variables final weight and daily weight gain. However, minor feed conversion was observed in the groups Control and SMPC-25%. Metabolic parameters were analyzed in the plasma and liver, where no significant differences were found for any of the blood parameters analyzed. In the analyzed liver parameters (ammonia, protein, amino acids and ALAT), the liver protein content was lower in fish consuming SMPC-50%, CrMPC-50% and 25% CrMPC diets. The amino acids content was higher in fish receiving the SMPC-25% diet. It can be concluded that sunflower meal protein concentrate is better utilized by fish and more efficient metabolically than crambe meal. This study demonstrated that a newly developed protein concentrate SMPC and CrMPC can effectively replace 25% and 50% the animal protein in a diet free of FM.

Spectroscopic Methods in the Evaluation of Modified Vegetable Base Oils from Crambe abyssinica.

Raw vegetable oil from Crambe abyssinica was subjected to oxidative treatment to enhance its viscosity. The oxidation processes were carried out in the presence of N-hydroxyphthalimide with or without supercritical CO2 as a solvent. Four spectroscopic techniques (Raman, UV-VIS, FT-IR, NMR) were applied to assess the chemical changes taking place during the oxidation. Raman and NMR spectroscopy proved best in the assessment of the chemical transformations leading to increased viscosity of the modified vegetable oil.

Nitric oxide mitigates the effect of water deficit in Crambe abyssinica.

Crambe abyssinica is widely cultivated in the off-season in the Midwest region of Brazil with great potential for biodeisel production. Low precipitation is characteristic of this region, which can drastically affect the productivity of C. abyssinica. Signaling molecules, such as nitric oxide (NO), can potentially alleviate the effects of water stress on plants. Here we test whether nitric oxide, applied by donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP), can alleviate the occurrence of water deficit damages in Crambe plants and maintain physiological and biochemical processes. Crambe plants were sprayed with three doses of SNP (0, 75, and 150 µM) and were submitted to two water levels (100% and 50% of the maximum water holding capacity). After 32 and 136 h, leaves were analyzed to evaluate the concentration of NO, water relations, gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence, chloroplastidic pigments, proline, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anions, and the antioxidant enzymes activity. Application of SNP allowed the maintenance of gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and activities of antioxidant enzymes in plants exposed to water deficit, as well as increased the concentration of NO, proline, chloroplastidic pigments and osmotic potential. The application of SNP also decreased the concentration of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species in plants submitted to water deficit. Thus, the application of SNP prevented the occurrence of symptoms of water deficit in Crambe plants, maintaining the physiological and biochemical responses at reference levels, even under stress conditions.

The Crambe abyssinica plastome: Brassicaceae phylogenomic analysis, evolution of RNA editing sites, hotspot and microsatellite characterization of the tribe Brassiceae.

Crambe abyssinica is an important oilseed crop that accumulates high levels of erucic acid, which is being recognized as a potential oil platform for several industrial purposes. It belongs to the family Brassicaceae, assigned within the tribe Brassiceae. Both family and tribe have been the subject of several phylogenetic studies, but the relationship between some lineages and genera remains unclear. Here, we report the complete sequencing and characterization of the C. abyssinica plastome. Plastome structure, gene order, and gene content of C. abyssinica are similar to other species of the family Brassicaceae. The only exception is the rps16 gene, which is absent in many genera within the family Brassicaceae, but seems to be functional in the tribe Brassiceae, including C. abyssinica. However, the analysis of gene divergence shows that the rps16 is the most divergent gene in C. abyssinica and within the tribe Brassiceae. In addition, species of the tribe Brassiceae also show similar SSR loci distribution, with some regions containing a high number of SSRs, which are located mainly at the single copy regions. Six hotspots of nucleotide divergence among Brassiceae species were located in the single copy regions by sliding window analysis. Brassicaceae phylogenomic analysis, based on the complete plastomes of 72 taxa, resulted in a well-supported and well-resolved tree. The genus Crambe is positioned within the Brassiceae clade together with the genera Brassica, Raphanus, Sinapis, Cakile, Orychophragmus and Sinalliaria. Moreover, we report several losses and gains of RNA editing sites that occurred in plastomes of Brassiceae species during evolution.

Structuration of lipid bases with fully hydrogenated crambe oil and sorbitan monostearate for obtaining zero-trans/low sat fats.

Several studies have shown that excessive intake of trans and saturated fatty acids is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In this context, the food industry has sought alternatives for the development of healthy lipid bases, with higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids, adapting to current legislation. The incorporation of structuring agents into liquid oils has proven to be a potential alternative for obtaining semi-plastic lipid bases with reduced levels of saturated fatty acids. Thus, the objective of this study was to produce zero trans fat bases with lower saturated fatty acids levels. Palm oil (PO) was used as a zero trans-lipid base reference because of its technological functionality. Blends containing different proportions of high oleic sunflower oil (HOSO) and PO were prepared as follows: control 100: 0; 80:20; 60:40; 40:60; 20:80; and 100: 0 PO: HOSO (w/w%), respectively. Then, 3% of fully hydrogenated crambe oil (FHCO) and 3% sorbitan monostearate (SMS) were added to the blends as structuring agents, forming the structured (S) blends. The addition of HOSO to the PO decreased the saturated fatty acids by up to 30.6%, with consequent increase of unsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid. The joint action of the SMS and the FCHO allowed for obtaining structured blends with plastic and spreadability characteristics, as well as modifications throughout the crystallization process of the original blends.

Sorghum silage supplemented with crambe meal improves dry matter intake and milk production in crossbred Holstein cows.

We studied the feed intake and milk production of Holstein × Zebu crossbred cows fed sorghum silage diets and concentrates, with and without the addition of crambe meal. Using a change-over design for a total of 120 days, eight cows were fed two diets (concentrates + silages with and without crambe meal) in four 30-day periods, with four replications (animals). The crambe meal diet increased (P < 0.05) the dry matter intake (DMI), crude protein intake (CPI), and non-fibrous carbohydrates intake (NFCI) as well as milk production (4.3%). No difference was noted (P > 0.05) for the milk composition between the treatments. Crambe meal as an additive in sorghum silage (100 g/kg in natural matter) showed a great potential for introduction in dairy farming as it substantially increases CP intake, does not reduce food intake, raises animal productivity, and does not affect milk composition.

Thermal decomposition, chemical composition, in vitro digestibility and gas production and in situ degradability of oilseed residues from the biofuel industry.

Thermal analysis could rapidly and easily predict nutritional value of ruminant feeds. The hypothesis is that crambe meal (CM) has a quality similar to that of soybean meal (SM), and the objective of this study was to determine the nutritional characteristics of CM and compare them to those of SM. CM had greater concentrations of phytic acid (26.3 vs. 16.0 g/kg) and phenol compounds (615 vs. 393 mg gallic acid (GAE)/kg) than SM. In vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility was lower for CM than SM (752 vs. 975 g/kg DM). Cumulative in vitro gas production at 48 h of incubation (14.1 vs. 19.4 mL/100 mg substrate DM), and energy release (4.5 vs. 5.7 kJ/g substrate DM) were lower for CM than SM. CM had a higher concentration of low digestible fiber, hence degradability of DM was lower and the proportion of indigestible fraction was greater for CM than SM. High concentrations of indigestible compounds were likely responsible for lower gas production of CM compared to SM. These results suggest CM quality is lower than that of SM and that thermal analysis is a useful tool to precisely determine the nutritive value of oilseed residues.

Production and characterization of structured lipids with antiobesity potential and as a source of essential fatty acids.

The objective of this work was to produce structured lipids (SLs) from olive oil (O), soybean oil (S), and fully hydrogenated crambe oil - FHCO (C) mixtures by enzymatic interesterification, comparing Lipozyme TL IM and Rhizopus sp. performances as catalysts, and to evaluate their physical and chemical modifications. Among other blends (OC 90:10 w/w and SC 90:10 w/w), OSC (45:45:10, w/w), presented the most nutritionally interesting amounts of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as behenic acid. Interesterification caused an increase in crystallization time and a decrease in the solid fat content in all blends. The fatty acid redistribution in the TAGs caused a change in thermal behavior, leading to a decrease in the onset and end temperatures during crystallization, which indicates that new TAGs were formed. Regarding regiospecificity, Lipozyme TL IM lipase acted randomly, while Rhizopus sp. lipase was specific for the sn-1,3 position. Therefore, it was possible to synthesize SLs presenting different physical and chemical properties, compared to the original OSC blend, containing behenic acid at the sn-1,3 position and unsaturated fatty acids at the sn-2 position, by enzymatic interesterification catalyzed either by Lipozyme TL IM or by Rhizopus sp. lipases.

Crambe (Crambe abyssinica) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) protein concentrates: production methods and nutritional properties for use in fish feed.

The purpose of this study was to develop and improve protein concentration techniques for two industrial by-products with the potential for use in fish feed. In particular, we chemically characterized crambe meal and sunflower meal and their protein concentrates. Three different protein concentration methods were tested: isoelectric pH (pHi), acid pH and alkaline pH. For crambe and sunflower meals extraction using the pHi method was most efficient in terms of protein yield and crude protein content in the concentrates; this method also increased lysine and methionine content in the concentrates. The water holding capacity of the sunflower protein concentrate was greater than that of the crambe protein concentrate. The crambe protein concentrate had a foam-formation capacity of 15%, which stabilized at 6% after 90 minutes. The protein concentration method also reduced total phenolic content by approximately 50% in the concentrates compared with the meals. Therefore, we conclude that protein concentration using the pHi method is the most efficient technique for crambe and sunflower meals, and the use of this technique can decrease total phenolic compounds while improving meal quality for fish feeding.

Film Extrusion of Crambe abyssinica/Wheat Gluten Blends.

Crambe abyssinica is a plant with potential for use in industrial (non-food) plant oil production. The side stream from this oil production is a high-protein crambe meal that has limited value, as it is not fit for food or feed use. However, it contains proteins that could potentially make it a suitable raw material for higher-value products. The purpose of this study was to find methods of making this side stream into extruded films, showing that products with a higher value can be produced. The study mainly considered the development of material compositions and methods of preparing and extruding the material. Wheat gluten was added as a supportive protein matrix material, together with glycerol as a plasticizer and urea as a denaturant. The extrudate was evaluated with respect to mechanical (tensile testing) and oxygen barrier properties, and the extrudate structure was revealed visually and by scanning electron microscopy. A denser, more homogeneous material had a lower oxygen transmission rate, higher strength, and higher extensibility. The most homogeneous films were made at an extruder die temperature of 125-130 °C. It is shown here that a film can be extruded with promising mechanical and oxygen barrier properties, the latter especially after a final compression molding step.

The crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst) byproducts, can be used as a source of non-degradable protein in the rumen? / Coprodutos de crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst) podem ser utilizados como fonte de proteina não degrádavel no rúmen?

To evaluated the chemical composition and ruminal degradability of crambe byproducts (meal and crushed) and proteic supplements formulated with crushed crambe (0; 2.5; 5; 10 and 15%); five crossbred steers with average weight of 485±14 kg, were used. All the animal were kept in individual paddocks of 0.25 ha on Urochloa brizantha (syn. Brachiaria brizantha). It was observed a greater soluble fraction, higher effective degradability at 5%/h and higher degradation rate "c" and, consequent, lower indigestible fraction for crambe crushed ground in the sieve of 3 mm. The effective degradability at 5%/h was lower for the crambe crushed (55.42) in relation to the meal (48.80). The diet with 5% of inclusion of crambe showed higher effective degradability for dry matter (54.86%) and lower fraction "I" (30.64%) associated with higher fractions "c" and "b". Crambe ground in sieves of 1 and 3 mm mesh presented the highest degradability. Crushed crambe showed higher ruminal degradation than crambe meal; the crambe byproducts possibility can be use as a source of non-degradable protein in the rumen.

Para se avaliar a composição química, degradabilidade ruminal, o tempo da colonização da torta e do farelo de crambe e de suplementos protéico compostos de torta de crambe (0; 2,5; 5,0; 10 e 15%); foram utilizados cinco novilhos mestiços, com peso médio de 485 ± 14 kg. Todos os animais foram mantidos em piquetes individuais de 0,25 ha em pastagens de Urochloa brizantha (syn. Brachiaria brizantha). Observou-se uma fração solúvel maior, maior degradabilidade efetiva para a taxa de passagem de 5% / h e maior taxa de degradação "c" e, consequentemente, menor fração indigerível para a torta de crambe moído na peneira de 3 mm. A degradabilidade efetiva a 5% / h foi menor para a torta de crambe (55,42) em relação ao farelo (48,80). A dieta com adição de 5% de torta de crambe apresentou maior degradabilidade efetiva da matéria seca (54,86%) e menor fração "I" (30,64%), associada com as frações mais elevadas "c" e "b". A torta de Crambe moída em peneiras de 1 e 3 mm de diâmetro apresentaram os maiores valores de degradabilidade. A torta de apresenta maior degradação ruminal que o farelo de crambe. Os coprodutos de crambe possivelmente podem ser usados como fonte de proteína não degradada no rúmen.

Metabolic engineering of fatty alcohol production in transgenic hairy roots of Crambe abyssinica.

Biotechnological production of fatty alcohols, important raw materials in the chemical industry, has been receiving considerable attention in recent years. Fatty alcohols are formed by the reduction of fatty acyl-CoAs or fatty acyl-ACPs catalyzed by a fatty acyl reductase (FAR). In this study, we introduced genes encoding FARs from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtFAR5) and Simmondsia chinensis (ScFAR) into Crambe abyssinica hairy roots via Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation. The efficiency of the transformation ranged between 30 and 45%. The fatty alcohols were only detected in the transgenic hairy root lines expressing ScFAR gene. In all tested lines stearyl alcohol (18:0-OH), arachidyl alcohol (20:0-OH), and behenyl alcohol (22:0-OH) were produced. The content of 18:0-OH varied from 1 to 3% of total fatty acids and fatty alcohols, while the amount of either 20:0-OH and 22:0-OH did not exceed 2%. The transgenic hairy root lines produced from 0.98 to 2.59 nmol of fatty alcohols per mg of dry weight. Very low activity of ScFAR was detected in the microsomal fractions isolated from the selected hairy root lines. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the fatty alcohol production in the hairy root cultures. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1275-1282. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.