Improving the nutritional values of yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor(Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) larvae as an animal feed ingredient: a review

Yellow mealworm larvae(YML;Tenebrio molitor) are considered as a valuable insect species for animal feed due to their high nutritional values and ability to grow under different substrates and rearing conditions. Advances in the understanding of entomophagy and animal nutrition over the past decades have propelled research areas toward testing multiple aspects of YML to exploit them better as animal feed sources. This review aims to summarize various approaches that could be exploited to maximize the nutritional values of YML as an animal feed ingredient. In addition, YML has the potential to be used as an antimicrobial or bioactive agent to improve animal health and immune function in production animals. The dynamics of the nutritional profile of YML can be influenced by multiple factors and should be taken into account when attempting to optimize the nutrient contents of YML as an animal feed ingredient. Specifically, the use of novel land-based and aquatic feeding resources, probiotics, and the exploitation of larval gut microbiomes as novel strategies can assist to maximize the nutritional potential of YML. Selection of relevant feed supplies, optimization of ambient conditions, the introduction of novel genetic selection procedures, and implementation of effective post-harvest processing may be required in the future to commercialize mealworm production. Furthermore, the use of appropriate agricultural practices and technological improvements within the mealworm production sector should be aimed at achieving both economic and environmental sustainability. The issues highlighted in this review could pave the way for future approaches to improve the nutritional value of YML.

Effect of Biostimulants Based on Natural Products on the Growth and Nutritional Value of Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are widely grown in Cameroon and play a key role in the fight against food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty. However, its cultivation encounters problems due to abiotic and biotic stresses, which leads to the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which cause significant damage to the environment and human health due to the presence of synthetics residues in the seeds, pods and in the leaves that are eaten. Promoting the use of natural products is becoming a necessity for organic and eco-responsible agriculture that limits contamination problems and improves people’s purchasing power. This study aims to assess the effect of biostimulants based on natural products on the growth and nutritional value of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Bean seedlings from white variety (MEX-142) and red variety (DOR-701) were treated every seven days in the field from their pre-emergence, emergence and growth to their maturation under a randomized block experimental design. Six treatments and three repetitions with the biostimulants based on natural products and controls were thus performed and the agromorphological parameters were measured. After 120 days, the contents of growth biomarkers and defense-related enzymes were evaluated in leaves, while the contents of macromolecules, minerals and antinutrients were evaluated in seeds. These biostimulants significantly increased (P P < 0.0001) of antinutrients including oxalates, phytates, tannins and saponins in seeds compared to controls (T+ and T−). Treatment with biostimulants, in particular BS4, improves the performance of bean plants in the field as well as the biofortification of seeds regardless of the variety.

Effect of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) on Growth, Mineral Composition, and Nutritional Value of Wheat & Lentil Sprouts

Sprouts are ready-to-eat and are recognized worldwide as functional components of the human diet.Recent advances in innovative agricultural techniques could enable an increase in the production of healthy food.The use of light-emitting diode(LED)in indoor agricultural production could alter the biological feedback loop,increasing the functional benefits of plant foods such as wheat and lentil sprouts and promoting the bioavailability of nutrients.The effects of white(W),red(R),and blue(B)light were investigated on the growth parameters and nutritional value of wheat and lentil sprouts.In the laboratory,seeds were sown under three different LED treat-ments:white,red,and blue light,while normal incandescent light served as a control.Percentage seed germina-tion improved by 18.34%and 12.67%for wheat and 18.34%and 12.67%for lentil sprouts under LED treatments R and B,respectively.An increase in total soluble protein and sugar by 33.4%and 9.23%in wheat and by 31.5%and 5.87%in lentils was observed under the R LED treatment.Vitamin C concentrations in wheat and lentils were significantly increased by R LED compared to all other treatments.Other parameters,including potassium and sodium concentrations,were significantly increased under red and blue light compared to the control;white light,on the other hand,significantly decreased all these parameters.According to the experimental data,red and blue LED light could be beneficial in the production of functional wheat and lentil sprouts with high nutrient concentrations.

Implications of vitamin D for flesh quality of grass carp(Ctenopharyngodon idella):antioxidant ability,nutritional value,sensory quality,and myofiber characteristics

Background Muscle represents a unique and complex system with many components and comprises the major edible part of animals.Vitamin D is a critical nutrient for animals and is known to enhance calcium absorption and immune response.In recent years,dietary vitamin D supplementation in livestock has received increased attention due to biological responses including improving shear force in mammalian meat.However,the vitamin D acquisition and myofiber development processes in fish differ from those in mammals,and the effect of vitamin D on fish flesh quality is poorly understood.Here,the influence of dietary vitamin D on fillet quality,antioxidant ability,and myofiber development was examined in grass carp(Ctenopharyngodon idella).Methods A total of 540 healthy grass carp,with an initial average body weight of 257.24±0.63 g,were allotted in 6 experimental groups with 3 replicates each,and respectively fed corresponding diets with 15.2,364.3,782.5,1,167.9,1,573.8,and 1,980.1 IU/kg vitamin D for 70 d.Results Supplementation with 1,167.9 IU/kg vitamin D significantly improved nutritional value and sensory quality of fillets,enhancing crude protein,free amino acid,lipid,and collagen contents;maintaining an ideal pH;and reduc-ing lactate content,shear force,and cooking loss relative to respective values in the control(15.2 IU/kg)group.Average myofiber diameter and the frequency of myofibers>50μm in diameter increased under supplementation with 782.5–1,167.9 IU/kg vitamin D.Levels of oxidative damage biomarkers decreased,and the expression of antioxi-dant enzymes and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 signaling molecules was upregulated in the 1,167.9 IU/kg vitamin D treatment compared to respective values in the control group.Furthermore,vitamin D supplementation activated cell differentiation by enhancing the expression of myogenic regulatory factors and myocyte enhancer factors compared to that in the control group.In addition,supplementation with 1,167.9 IU/kg vitamin D improved protein deposition associated with protein synthesis molecule(target of rapamycin)signaling and vitamin D receptor paralogs,along with inhibition of protein degradation(forkhead box protein 1)signaling.Conclusions Overall,the results demonstrated that vitamin D strengthened antioxidant ability and myofiber devel-opment,thereby enhancing nutritional value and sensory quality of fish flesh.These findings suggest that dietary vitamin D supplementation is conducive to the production of nutrient-rich,high quality aquaculture products.

Evaluation of the Nutritional Value and Acute Toxicity of the Seeds of the Fruit of Annona muricata L. (Sursop) Consumed in Kinshasa

In this paper, the author aimed to determine the nutritional value of soursop (Annona muricata L. fruit) consumed in Kinshasa as well as the study of the acute toxicity of its seeds. The fruit of Annona muricata L. was sampled according to the ISO 7002 standard for agricultural and food products. The selected fruits were ripe, without physical damage. The usual analytical methods allowed the determination of the nutritional value of the fruit pulp of Annona muricata L. The water content was measured by the method of loss of mass on drying. The total amount of ash was determined by incineration in the oven at 550°C. The mineral elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP0). The determination of acute toxicity was carried out on 25 female mice of the NMRI SUISSE species according to OECD 425 guidelines. For 100 grams of fresh material from the fruit pulp, we noted a very high water content of 84% ± 6%. We also note a particularly high amount of carbohydrates with a rate of 12.2% ± 2%. Protein and lipid content were relatively low at 1% ± 0.01% and 0.7% ± 0.3% respectively. The dietary fiber content was 0.8% ± 0.2%. An energy value of 49.3 Kcal per 100 grams of pulp was determined. The LD 50 obtained was 3320 mg/kg, indicating slight toxicity of soursop seeds. The results of this study show that the white pulp of the fruit of Annona muricata L. consumed in Kinshasa is rich in carbohydrates when we compare it to others biomolecules. It also contains dietary fiber and mineral salts making soursop an excellent constituent of a weight loss diet with a low energy intake.

Influence of Sorbent Type on Drying Efficiency, Production Costs and Nutritional Values of Mango By-Products Feeds for Livestock

The aim of the study was to determine the best food absorbents between wheat, rice and maize bran and palm kernel cake, from a technical and economic point of view, in order to make a better recommandation for their use in the production process of food based on mango by-products (peels, peels + pulp). To this end, series of 18 kg of fresh feed were prepared and spread out in a stall for sun-drying using a randomized Fisher system. Preparations were made using either mango peels (75%) + absorbent (25%) or pulp + mango peels (67%) + sorbent (33%). The results show that mango Peel feed loses more water (WL) with lover production yields (PY), higher mango incorporation rates into dry feed (MRI), longer drying times (UDT) and lower production costs (CPkgPD) than mango peel + pulp. The average DM, MAT, ADF and NDF fiber contents were almost equal to those of mango peels + pulp feed. The average Crude Fiber (CF) (25.13%) and DEp (2839 kcal/kgDM) contents were higher for mango skin feed than for mango skin + pulp feed, at 8.59% and 2536 for MAT and DEp respectively. Mango peels + wheat bran (PSB25) and whole mango (MESB33) feeds recorded the highest and almost equal levels of TCP, NDF and MM. Production costs per kg of feed dry mater (CPkgDM) for feed produced at 25% were on average 33% higher than for whole mango (WM) feed. Excluding mango raw material, palm kernel meal (PK), rice bran (RB), maize bran (MB) and wheat bran (WB) can be ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in terms of cumulative performance of production parameters. Producers can then choose the type of sorbent they wish to use according to this ranking and the local availability of the sorbent. These feeds can be used for both ruminants and monogastrics, but are better suited to ruminant feeding due to their high fiber content.

Short-Term Effect of Grazing Exclusion and Uncontrolled Grazing on Species Abundance, Dry Matter Yield and Nutritive Value in an Invaded Area by Euryops floribundus in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Grazing exclusion (GE) is the most effective rangeland restoration technique which facilitates species diversity and forage quality. This study aimed at assessing short-term impact of GE and continuously grazed rangeland on relative frequency, dry matter yield and nutritive value of dominant grasses in an area invaded by Euryops floribundus. A plot of 2.5 ha was measured and the boundaries demarcated using tape measure and steal pins, the plot was further divided into two subplots of 1ha each which were 5 m apart. One subplot was fenced and protected from grazing livestock, while one subplot was grazed continuously and not fenced. Three parallel belt transects of 100 m × 2 m with 3 m apart were laid out in both subplots. Woody plants occurring within the transects were identified and recorded to determine density. In each subplot, a 0.25 m2 quadrant measuring was thrown randomly to take detailed records on plant species, relative frequency of species and herbage biomass. Four dominant species at the two sites were harvested to determine the nutritive value. Results indicate that grazing exclusion (GE) facilitates grass species diversity, subsequently sixteen and thirteen grasses species were recorded in the GE and uncontrolled grazed (UG) sites, respectively. Eragrostis chloromelas (21.7%), and Themeda triandra (13.2%) had high relative frequencies in the GE site. Highest biomass production was recorded in the GE site (1400 kg·ha-1) compared to UG site (1102 kg·ha-1). Crude protein content was relatively lower at UG site (5.4% - 5.8%) as compared to GE site (7.2% - 7.8%). It was concluded that, GE showed a positive impact on a relative frequency (%), dry matter yield and crude protein content. UG creates a conducive environment for Euryops recruitment. Further studies are required to examine the impact of GE in long-term trial setup.

The Nutritional Value and Research Status of Oats

Oats is a kind of food which has all sorts of nutrition.This paper mainly discussed nutritional ingredients and function of health protection of oats,simply introduced the use of it's functional ingredients,for developing natural resources rationally and efficiently.Oats are very nourishing.The oats may reduce the cholesterol of the body and to reduce the blood glucose because of its rich protein,fat,soluble diet fiber and saponin.It was very significance to study the improving of the food flavor,utilizing all the parts of the oats,and processing the functional foods.

Solid-state fermentation of corn-soybean meal mixed feed with Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium for degrading antinutritional factors and enhancing nutritional value

Background: Corn and soybean meal(SBM) are two of the most common feed ingredients used in pig feeds.However, a variety of antinutritional factors(ANFs) present in corn and SBM can interfere with the bioavailability of nutrients and have negative health effects on the pigs. In the present study, two-stage fermentation using Bacillus subtilis followed by Enterococcus faecium was carried out to degrade ANFs and improve the nutritional quality of corn and SBM mixed feed. Furthermore, the microbial composition and in vitro nutrient digestibility of inoculated mixed feed were determined and compared those of the uninoculated controls.Results: During the fermentation process, B. subtilis and lactic acid bacteria(LAB) were the main dominant bacteria in the solid-state fermented inoculated feed, and fermentation produced a large amount of lactic acid(170 mmo L/kg),which resulted in a lower pH(5.0 vs. 6.4) than the fermented uninoculated feed. The amounts of soybean antigenic proteins(β-conglycinin and glycinin) in mixed feed were significantly decreased after first-stage fermentation with B. subtilis. Inoculated mixed feed following two-stage fermentation contained greater concentratioin of crude protein(CP), ash and total phosphorus(P) compared to uninoculated feed, whereas the concentrations of neutral detergent fiber(NDF), hemicellulose and phytate P in fermendted inoculated feed declined(P < 0.05) by 38%, 53%, and 46%,respectively. Notably, the content of trichloroacetic acid soluble protein(TCA-SP), particularly that of small peptides and free amino acids(AA), increased 6.5 fold following two-stage fermentation. There was no difference in the total AA content between fermented inoculated and uninoculated feed. However, aromatic AAs(Phe and Tyr) and Lys in inoculated feed increased, and some polar AAs, including Arg, Asp, and Glu, decreased compared with the uninoculated feed. In vitro dry matter and CP digestibility of inoculated feed improved(P < 0.05) compared with the uninoculated feed.Conclusions: Our results suggest that two-stage fermentation using B. subtilis followed by E. faecium is an effective approach to improve the quality of corn-soybean meal mixed feed.

Solid state fermentation of rapeseed cake with Aspergillus niger for degrading glucosinolates and upgrading nutritional value

Background： Rapeseed cake is a good source of protein for animal feed but its utilization is limited due to the presence of anti-nutritional substances, such as glucosinolates （GIs）, phytic acid, tannins etc. In the present study, a solid state fermentation （SSF） using Aspergillus niger was carried out with the purpose of degrading glucosinolates and improving the nutritional quality of rapeseed cake （RSC）. The effects of medium composition and incubation conditions on the GIs content in fermented rapeseed cake （FRSC） were investigated, and chemical composition and amino acid in vitro digestibility of RSC substrate fermented under optimal conditions were determined. Results： After 72 h of incubation at 34℃, a 76.89% decrease in GIs of RSC was obtained in solid medium containing 70% RSC, 30% wheat bran at optimal moisture content 60% （w/w）. Compared to unfermented RSC, trichloroacetic acid soluble protein （TCA-SP）, crude protein and ether extract contents of the FRSC were increased （P〈 0.05） 103.71, 23.02 and 23.54%, respectively. As expected, the contents of NDF and phytic acid declined （P〈 0.05） by 9.12 and 44.60%, respectively. Total amino acids （TAA） and essential amino acids （EAA） contents as well as AA in vitro digestibility of FRSC were improved significantly （P 〈 0.05）. Moreover, the enzyme activity of endoglucanase, xylanase, acid protease and phytase were increased （P 〈 0.05） during SSF. Conclusions： Our results indicate that the solid state fermentation offers an effective approach to improving the quality of proteins sources such as rapeseed cake.

Effect of selected fungi on the reduction of gossypol levels and nutritional value during solid substrate fermentation of cottonseed meal

The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of six individual strains of fungi on the reduction of gossypol levels and nutritional value during solid substrate fen＇aentation of cottonseed meal （CSM）. Six groups of disinfected CSM substrate were incubated for 48 h after inoculation with either of the fungi C. capsuligena ZD- 1, C. tropicalis ZD-3, S. cerevisae ZD-5, A. terricola ZD-6, A. oryzae ZD-7, or A. niger ZD-8. One not inoculated group （substrate） was used as a control. Levels of initial and final free gossypol （FG）, crude protein （CP）, amino acids （AA） and in vitro digestibility were assayed. The experiment was done in triplicate. The experimental results indicated that microbial fermentation could greatly decrease （P〈0.05） FG levels in CSM. The detoxification efficiency differed between the species of microorganisms applied. From the perspective of reducing CSM potential toxicity, C. tropicalis ZD-3 was most successful followed by S. cerevisae ZD-5 and A. niger ZD-8. They could reduce FG levels of CSM to 29.8, 63.07 and 81.50 mg/kg based on DM （dry matter）, respectively, and their detoxification rates were 94.57%, 88.51% and 85.16%, respectively. If crude protein, amino acids content and their in vitro digestibility were also taken into account, Aniger ZD-8 may be the best choice. The CP content of CSM substrate fermented by C. tropicalis ZD-3 and A. niger ZD-8 were improved by 10.76% and 22.24%; the TAA （total amino acids） contents were increased by 7.06% and 11.46%, and the EAA （essential amino acids） were raised by 7.77% and 12.64%, respectively. Especially, the levels of methionine, lysine and threonine were improved greatly （P〈0.05）. The in vitro CP digestibility of CSM fermented by C. tropicalis ZD-3 and A. niger ZD-8 was improved by 13.42% and 18.22%, the TAA were increased by 17.75% and 22.88%, and the EAA by 16.61% and 21.01%, respectively. In addition, the in vitro digestibility of methionine, lysine and threonine was also improved greatly （P〈0.05）.

Biochemical Composition and Nutritional Value of Different Shell Color Strains of Pacific Oyster Crassostrea gigas

The shell color of Pacific oyster(Crassostrea gigas) is a desirable trait; but the nutritional studies on C. gigas with different shell colors have not been conducted. Through successive selective breeding, five shell color strains of black(B), purple(P), orange(O), golden(G) and white(W) C. gigas have been developed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and nutritional value of five shell color strains and one commercial population with a common color. The biochemical composition including moisture, total protein, glycogen, ash, total fat, fatty acids(FA), amino acids and minerals was detected. The results indicated that the protein(50.76%–56.57%) was the major component. The content of glycogen showed a significant difference between orange shell and golden shell strains, as well as between commercial population and golden shell strain. In addition, all shell color strains contained a large amount of essential amino acids(12.20–14.15 g(100 g)^(-1)), of them leucine(2.81–3.29 g(100 g)^(-1)) and lysine(2.79–3.28 g(100 g)^(-1)) were predominant. The oysters were rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids(42.26%–45.24% of total fatty acid) with high levels of DHA(18.53%–21.16% of total fatty acid) and EPA(17.23%–18.68% of total fatty acid). Significant differences of mineral contents(Mg, Zn, Fe and Cu) were identified among the six populations. These results indicated that C. gigas with different shell colors presented rich nutritional value with high protein, glycogen, essential amino acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The biochemical composition obtained in this study is useful for selective breeding of C. gigas with different shell colors.

Low Light During Grain Filling Stage Deteriorates Rice Cooking Quality, but not Nutritional Value

To investigate the effect of low light （LL, 50% natural light） during grain filling （GF） stage on rice transamination, amino acid （AA） accumulation, nutritional value, and cooking quality in three different rice genotypes, transaminase activities and AA levels in grains during GF stage and the traits that significantly affected rice quality （physical appearance, cooking quality, and nutritional value） were analyzed. LL did not disturb transamination in rice grains during GF stage, as minimal impact was found on alanine and aspartate transaminase activities. Nevertheless, most AAs in caryopses, including lysine and threonine, increased in response to LL, except for sulfur-containing AAs. These results suggest that AA metabolism and accumulation in rice grains were rarely suppressed by LL during GF stage. Rice nutritional ingredients at harvest, such as major protein components including glutelin and most important essential amino acids （EAAs） including lysine and threonine, increased significantly in response to LL, whereas most protein and EAA ratios were rarely affected. However, LL markedly affected physical appearance of rice grains by reducing brown rice rate, milled rice rate, and 1000-grain weight and increasing the chalkiness rate. In addition, cooking qualities decreased in response to LL, while breakdown values and amylose levels decreased and setback values increased. We concluded that LL during GF stage decreased the cooking quality of rice, but could potentially improve the nutritional value of rice.

Utilization of Amaranth Flour in Preparation of High Nutritional Value Bakery Products

Amaranth has become an unconventional crop that interesting of scientists and researchers due to its unique nutritional properties, in addition to bear the water lack and be suitable for all types of soil. The objective of this study was to utilize amaranth flour in preparation of high nutritional value bakery products, crackers and tortilla produced by using amaranth flour instead of corn flour (w/w) by 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% levels substitution. The prepared products were evaluated for its chemical composition, minerals content, amino acids composition, fatty acid composition, color analysis, biological active compounds analysis and sensory evaluation. Results showed that substitution with amaranth flour increased protein, fat, ash and fiber. As for minerals and amino acid, it indicated that the formula No. 3 (25% corn flour/75% amaranth flour) in crackers and the formula No. 2 (50% corn flour/50% amaranth flour) in tortilla contained higher amount of minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, copper and phosphorus, and of the essential amino acids such as Leucine, Lysine and valine. On the other hand the formula No. 3 in crackers had the highest unsaturated fatty acids content and lowest of total saturated fatty acids content. While the formula No. 2 in tortilla had the highest saturated fatty acids content and lowest of unsaturated fatty acids content. The results also showed that the incorporation of amaranth flour in the preparation of the crackers and tortilla led to significantly decreased yellowness and lightness compared with control. Also, results indicated that crackers and tortilla which prepared with amaranth flour exhibited higher antioxidant activity than control formulas. Concerning sensory evaluation of crackers, results showed significant decrease in appearance, color and overall acceptability while, tortilla had significant decrease in general appearance, color and total score at all formulas. Based on the results obtained here, amaranth is a rich source of bioactive compounds and due to its nutritional benefits, it can be used in the development and enhancement of functional foods.

Changes of Nutritional Value of Three Marine Dry Fishes (<i>Johnius dussumieri</i>, <i>Harpodon nehereus</i>and <i>Lepturacanthus savala</i>) during Storage

Dry fish is the low cost dietary protein source in Bangladesh. Sometimes dry fishes are kept for a longer period that is the key factor of the deterioration of nutritional value of dry fishes, as they absorb moisture from the surrounding air. The general purpose of this study is to determine the proximate composition of three available marine dry fishes (Harpodon nehereus, Johnius dussumieri and Lepturacanthus savala) and to investigate the changes of nutritional value of these selected dry fishes with the increasing of storing period. The result of this study shows that the mean percentage of moisture content increased at a significant level with the increasing of storing period. For 2 years storing period the moisture content is increased by 12.77%, 11.89% and 6.69% for the three dry fishes (Harpodon nehereus, Johnius dussumieri and Lepturacanthus savala respectively). The result of this study also shows that the mean percentage of protein (6.35, 7.93 and 4.68), lipid (1.92, 0.67 and 1.13), and carbohydrate (1.70, 1.81 and 0.66) of three dry fishes (Harpodon nehereus, Johnius dussumieri and Lepturacanthus savala respectively) decreased greatly for 2 years storing period. The findings of this study showed that nutritional value of dry fishes deteriorate with the increasing of storage period.

Impact of Pesticides Contamination on Nutritional Values of Marinefishery from Karachi Coast of Arabian Sea

The present study explores the chemical and economic aspects of pesticide contamination of marinefishery in relation to nutritional values Marine Pollution of pesticides poses signify can tricks to the environment and non-target organisms ranging from beneficial marine micro organisms, to insects, seaweeds, fish, and mangroves at Karachi Coast. Fish typically contains good quality nutrition, particularly oily fish has maximum commercial values but contamination of fishery is the major problem caused by pesticides and PCBs pollution resulting in serious health hazards. A number of fish and shell fish samples were analyzed for determination of pesticides contamination due to marine environment pollution. It was found that most pesticides pose risk to humans, fishery or the environment because they are designed to kill or adversely affect living organisms. Quantitative analysis of pesticides and PCBs was performed using GC equipped with ECD and the FPD for organophosphorus and GC-MS. The arithmetic mean concentrations of each pesticide were calculated and statistical evaluation was done. Relationship of protein and pesticides level has been determined to determine impact of pesticide on protein content of each type of fish. There is a considerable difference found in the pesticides contents of each type of fishery, which reveals that environmental pollution status that attributes towards pesticides distribution.

Chemical Composition and Nutritive Value of Agro-Industrial By-Products in Ruminant Nutrition

This study was carried out to determine the chemical composition and in situ degradability of agro-industrial by-products found in Eritrea. Three categories of by-products were evaluated and were the milling industry (wheat bran;WB, short;WS, and middling;WM), brewery (brewers’ dry grain;BDG, hops;BDH, and yeast;BDY) and sesame cakes (sesame cake machine extracted;SCM and manually extracted;SCT). The dry matter (DM) varied between 88.46% in BDY to 92.39% in SCT. The lowest (P < 0.05) crude protein (CP) content was recorded in WM at 10.11% while the highest was from the BDY at 48.20%. The metabolisable energy (ME) value of the agro-industrial by-products ranged from 8.72 to 11.18 MJ per kg DM with the BDH recording the lowest value (P The sesame cakes (SCM and SCT) recorded higher values of 11.17 and 11.18 MJ per kg DM respectively. The SCT recorded the highest ash content at 10.93% followed by BDY at 10.16% with the least being obtained from WM at 2.48%. The ether extract and acid detergent lignin contents were generally low in all cases for all the by-products. Generally, the results indicated that there was no clear pattern in terms of nutrients content amongst the by-products. The in situ DM, organic matter (OM) and CP degradability differed amongst and within the sesame cakes, milling and brewery by-products. The wide variation in chemical composition, DM, OM, CP degradability, and ME obtained from this study offer farmers huge flexibility in formulating rations according to the productive performance of target animals.

Study of the Nutritional Value and Hygienic Quality of Local Infant Flours from Chad, with the Aim of Their Use for Improved Infant Flours Preparation

This study aims to develop infant flours fortified with iron and vitamin A, taken from local products such as powder from dried Moringa oleifera leaves and pulps of Parkia biglobosa to improve the nutritional status of children aged 6 to 24 months. Chemical analyses show that, for 100 g of local flours destined for children, there are adequate protein levels (between 7.00 ± 0.44 and 12.69 ± 0.44 g) and fat content (between 7.52 ± 0.35 and 16.26 ± 0.84 g), but that there are low levels of b-carotene and certain micronutrients Zn (0.67 ± 0.01 to 2.51 ± 0.19 mg), Fe (7.11 ± 0.90 to 12.70 ± 0.56 mg), Ca (0.67 ± 0.01 to 2.51 ± 0.19 mg), Mg (6.79 ± 0.19 to 24.99 ± 1.75 mg). Analyses of minerals and vitamins showed that Moringa oleifera leaf-powder (per 100 g) is rich in calcium (1443.90 ± 11.03 mg), magnesium (176.72 ± 0.73 mg), iron (53.75 ± 5.07 mg), zinc (17.58 ± 0.89 mg) and b-carotene (624.40 ± 0.41 μg ER). 100 g of Parkia biglobosa’s pulps is rich in magnesium (73.00 ± 1.14 mg), iron (14.82 ± 2.49 mg), zinc (7.79 ± 0.44 mg) and vitamin C (75.29 ± 0.00 mg). In conclusion, we believe that these two ingredients can be effectively used to fortify local infant flours in vitamin A and iron and contribute to eradicating malnutrition due to micronutrients deficiencies.

Nutritional Value of Lippia nodiflora( L. ) Greene as Feed

To analyze the nutritional value as feed,the aerial stem and leaves of Lippia nodiflora( L.) Greene and Phyla nodiflora( L.) Greene were sampled to measure the nutritional indices. The nutritional indices were also compared with common forage grass,and the development value of L. nodiflora as feed was analyzed. Compared with P. nodiflora,L. nodiflora had obvious fast-growing and high-yield abilities. The contents of crude fat,crude fiber,crude ash,lysine,vitamin C,Ca,and Fe in L. nodiflora were obviously higher than that in P. nodiflora,but the content of crude protein and total P in L. nodiflora were significantly lower than that in P. nodiflora. Compared with common forage feed ryegrass,alfalfa,millet straw and corn straw,L. nodiflora had higher contents of crude fat and crude ash and lower contents of crude fiber and crude protein. Therefore,L. nodiflora had higher development value as feed.

Nutritional Value of Date Fruits and Potential Use in Nutritional Bars for Athletes

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the oldest primary staple crops in Southwest Asia and North Africa. Date palms are also grown in Australia, Mexico, South America, Southern Africa, and the United States, especially in Southern California, Arizona, and Texas. Date fruit is a high nutritional value food that is rich in carbohydrates, dietary fibers, proteins, minerals and vitamin B complex such as thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic (B5), pyridoxine (B6), and folate (B9). Carbohydrates comprise 70% of date fruit mainly as fructose and glucose. Minerals in date fruits are calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, copper, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, sulfur, cobalt, fluorine, and manganese. Date fruits are highly nourishing and may thus confer numerous potential health benefits. In recent years, a huge interest in the abundant health promoting properties of date fruits has led to the need to develop new food products using dates as a source of nutrients. Thus, the aim of this paper is to review the nutritional value of date fruits in the context of the potential use of dates in nutrition bars for athletes.