scholarly journals Broad Protein Spectrum in Stored Pollen of Three Stingless Bees from the Chaco Dry Forest in South America (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini) and Its Ecological Implications

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Favio Gerardo Vossler

Protein content of pollen stored by three meliponine species was variable from 9.78% (less than half the value considered as optimal to brood development inApis mellifera) in typeCapparis tweediana-C. speciosato more than 26% in typeMaytenus vitis-idaeaand someProsopissamples. This pollen of low protein value was occasionally foraged (only six out of 75 masses analyzed ofG. argentina, but none in 86 masses ofT. fiebrigior in ten ofM. orbignyi). However, it is likely that amino acid deficiencies of certain pollens are compensated by randomly foraging on a broad spectrum of pollen plants. The large amounts of pollen stored in their nests might also be important in compensating these deficiencies. The only sample studied forM. orbignyishowed a protein value greater than the one required forA. melliferaand was dominated by typesAcacia praecoxandProsopis. As this species also prefersSolanumand other protein-rich pollen, more samples would need to be analyzed to establish whether protein requirements are high for thisMeliponaspecies. Pollen showing the highest protein content (>26%) belonged to highly nectariferous plants well represented in meliponine andApishoney such asProsopis,Maytenus, andZiziphus.

The Auk ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 1080-1088 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory S. Pryor ◽  
Douglas J. Levey ◽  
Ellen S. Dierenfeld ◽  
C. Bosque

AbstractFor those few bird species that are exclusively frugivorous, the low protein content of fruits is likely a major nutritional constraint. Physiological mechanisms that allow strict frugivory remain enigmatic, but reduced protein requirements may suffice. We investigated protein requirements of Pesquet's Parrot (Psittrichas fulgidus), a highly specialized, obligate frugivore. Three isocaloric, fruit-based diets of varying protein content (6.1, 3.3, and 2.6% dry mass crude protein) were used in feeding trials lasting three to five days per diet. A minimum dietary protein requirement of 3.2% dry mass was estimated from balance trials. Endogenous nitrogen losses were 0.05 gN kg−0.75 day−1 and nitrogen equilibrium occurred at 0.32 gN kg−0.75 day−1. Those values are extremely low compared to those of granivorous and omnivorous bird species, but higher than those of nectarivorous species. In terms of nitrogen losses and requirements, Pesquet's Parrot most closely parallels the highly frugivorous Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum). Thus, reduced protein requirements appear to play an important physiological role in ability of highly frugivorous birds to subsist on fruit diets.


1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 719-725
Author(s):  
R. D. WEISENBURGER ◽  
G. W. MATHISON

Thirty-six pregnant beef cows, mainly crossbreds and from 2 to 10 yr of age, were individually fed straw-based diets containing pelleted, ground and chopped barley straw and three levels of protein in a 3 × 3 factorial experiment. The mean weight gain during the last 84 days of the feeding period in which diets containing 86% straw were fed was 0.28 kg/day/cow. Protein content of the diet significantly affected weight gain (P < 0.05) which increased from 0.18 to 0.37 kg daily when the crude protein content increased from 5.7 to 6.6% (dry matter basis). Cows gained weight more rapidly (P < 0.05) on the pelleted diets although feed intakes were more variable. There were no significant differences in daily feed intakes between diets, the mean being 9.9 kg. Type of diet did not significantly affect calf birth weight or plasma non-esterified fatty acid levels. Low plasma urea nitrogen levels in cows given the low protein diets indicated a protein deficiency.


1914 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 334-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert A. Epstein

A comparison of the results obtained in the analysis of the different effusions shows that they vary, (1) according to location, and (2) according to the disease in which they are produced. Thus the subcutaneous effusions are totally different in their composition from the abdominal or pleuritic fluids; and again the abdominal fluid of nephritic origin is different from those of cardiac or other origin. The cutaneous effusions are characterized by a very low protein content and a small amount of incoagulable nitrogen. Of the protein present in these fluids, the globulin constitutes the greater portion. In the mixed cardionephritic fluids the ratio of globulin to albumin is lower than that in normal blood serum; but when compared with the blood sera of cardionephritic cases there appears to be a certain parallelism. The chloride content of these fluids is considerably above that found in normal blood serum, but is comparable with those of corresponding cases. The effusions occurring in serous cavities differ from the cutaneous ones by their higher protein content. The highest values are attained in the pleural fluids, in which the protein present is almost the same as that in normal blood serum. The incoagulable nitrogen in these fluids is uniformly low. The chlorides vary in amount according to the nature of the case. In the effusions of inflammatory origin the values are lower than those found in the blood. In the pleural fluids of other than inflammatory origin the chloride content is either the same or higher than that of blood serum. The globulin-albumin ratio in all of these fluids except one (table III, fluid 61) is higher than that of normal blood serum. Otherwise the highest value is presented by a pleural fluid from a case of nephritis (table III, fluid 205) and the lowest by an empyema fluid (table III, fluid 30). The latter case is of especial interest because of the theory, first propounded by Schmidt, that the leucocytes in the purulent fluid are largely responsible for high globulin content. The abdominal fluids in general are less rich in protein than the pleural effusions. Those of cardiac origin give the highest protein values, but the globulin-albumin ratios are lower than in the pleural fluids or in the blood sera of corresponding cases. Only in two fluids does the globulin reach a percentage of 62 and 52.2. In both these cases the chloride content is also high. The incoagulable nitrogen in all of them is rather low. In one fluid of purely nephritic origin the protein content is low and all of it is globulin. This is suggestive, when compared with the values obtained in the analysis of the blood sera from nephritic cases. The results obtained in the analysis of abdominal fluids from cardionephritic cases approach very closely those obtained in purely cardiac cases.


1954 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. E. Moon

1. Examination of the composition of hay grown in the east of Scotland during the 4-year period 1948–51 has confirmed earlier work indicating the low protein content of this material. In addition, the digestibility of the protein was found to be low, particularly in the case of the seeds-hays, most of which contained insufficient digestible protein to balance the starch equivalent in meeting the maintenance requirements of cattle.2. In nutritive value the seeds -hays were markedly inferior to samples from England and Wales examined by other workers, but very similar to mature ryegrass hay grown in Northern Ireland. The meadow hays examined were of similar starch equivalent but somewhat richer in protein, and this was associated with a higher digestibility of the protein; in consequence the ratio between digestible protein and starch equivalent was more nearly balanced for the maintenance feeding of cattle.3. Applications of sodium nitrate or ‘Nitrochalk’ about 10–20 days before mowing produced very variable responses in the unusually dry season of 1949, but in other years significant increases in protein content were almost invariably obtained. Low protein seeds-hays of the type commonly found in the Lothians were more responsive to this fertilizer treatment than timothy meadow hay, and while increases in protein content of 20–30% were commonly obtained, when relatively heavy dressings of fertilizer (3 cwt. or more per acre) were used, increases in the region of 50% were sometimes recorded. In most years treatment about 10 days before mowing was fully effective in improving the protein content of the hay. Earlier treatment may be preferable in a very dry season, but in more normal years this may increase the yield of the hay and so diminish the effect on protein percentage.


2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 633-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Palle V. Rasmussen ◽  
Christian F. Børsting

The effect of different and shifting dietary protein levels on hair growth and the resulting pelt quality in mink was studied. Two groups of pastel female mink were fed either 59% (high protein, HP) or 40% (low protein, LP) of metabolisable energy (ME) from protein during pregnancy and lactation. Shortly after weaning, kits from females fed the LP diet were put on a new LP diet (21% protein of ME). Kits from females fed HP were randomly distributed to four experimental groups fed a new HP diet (34% protein of ME) and three of these groups were shifted to diets with 21% protein at different times during June until September. Skin biopsies were taken at 4, 6, 23 and, 29 wk of age. Histological techniques and computer-assisted light microscopy were used to determine the ratio of activity (ROA) of underfur and guard hairs, respectively, defined as the number of growing hairs as a percentage of the total number of hairs. The hair fibre length and thickness were determined by morphometric methods and correlated with fur properties of dried pelts judged by sensory methods. It was documented that 40% of ME from protein during pregnancy and lactation was sufficient for mink kits to express their genetic capacity to produce hair follicles. In males, a reduced protein level from the age of 15 wk or 22 wk until pelting disturbed moulting, indicated by a low ROA of underfur hairs at 23 wk, and consequently reduced the growth and development of the winter coat. A constantly low protein level from conception until the age of 29 wk did not disturb moulting, but led to a reduction of primeness and especially of the underfur length and fibre thickness of the winter coat. A low protein level from the age of 9 wk only reduced the thickness of the underfur fibres. Hair growth, final fur volume, and general quality of the winter coat of males were influenced negatively and to the same degree in all groups fed the LP diet in part of the growth period. The number of underfur hairs per area (hair density) of the winter coat was not influenced by the dietary treatment meaning that the protein content of 21% of ME in the LP diet was high enough for the mink to express its genetic capacity to develop hair follicles. However, this low protein content led to a reduction of hair fibre length and hair fibre thickness of the underfur. Overall, this study demonstrated that hair growth and hair properties in pelts are very dependent on the dietary protein supply in the period from 22 wk of age until pelting, irrespective of the supply in the preceding periods. Key words: Fur properties, hair fibres, nutrition, pelage, protein requirement


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 482
Author(s):  
Ama Frempomaa Oduro ◽  
Firibu Kwesi Saalia ◽  
Maame Yaakwaah Blay Adjei

Limitations of plant-based dairy alternatives as sustainable foods are their relatively low protein content and low sensory appeal. In this study, we used a consumer-led product development approach to improve the sensory appeal of existing prototypes of 3-blend dairy alternatives produced from melon seeds, peanuts and coconut. We used Relative Preference Mapping (RPM) and consumer acceptance testing using the 9-point hedonic scale to respectively identify innovative flavours and deduce the effect of ingredient components on consumer sensory appeal. Mixture design was used as the formulation tool to obtain optimized prototypes of the 3-blend dairy alternatives. Proximate analysis of the new prototypes, instrumental color assessment and consumer testing provided a basis to select a sustainable 3-blend dairy alternative. This prototype had a relatively high protein content (2.16%), was considered innovative by target consumers and also had a moderate liking score (6.55 ± 1.88) on the 9-point hedonic scale. Prototypes with higher protein content had low sensory appeal and were not considered innovative. Other prototypes with innovative sensory appeal had low protein content. By combining different plant raw materials and utilizing different sensory testing methods, we were able to design sustainable plant-based dairy alternatives which can be further optimized.


Medicina ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ieva Antanavičiūtė ◽  
Paulius Gibieža ◽  
Rytis Prekeris ◽  
Vytenis Skeberdis

Faithful cell division is crucial for successful proliferation, differentiation, and development of cells, tissue homeostasis, and preservation of genomic integrity. Cytokinesis is a terminal stage of cell division, leaving two genetically identical daughter cells connected by an intercellular bridge (ICB) containing the midbody (MB), a large protein-rich organelle, in the middle. Cell division may result in asymmetric or symmetric abscission of the ICB. In the first case, the ICB is severed on the one side of the MB, and the MB is inherited by the opposite daughter cell. In the second case, the MB is cut from both sides, expelled into the extracellular space, and later it can be engulfed by surrounding cells. Cells with lower autophagic activity, such as stem cells and cancer stem cells, are inclined to accumulate MBs. Inherited MBs affect cell polarity, modulate intra- and intercellular communication, enhance pluripotency of stem cells, and increase tumorigenic potential of cancer cells. In this review, we briefly summarize the latest knowledge on MB formation, inheritance, degradation, and function, and in addition, present and discuss our recent findings on the electrical and chemical communication of cells connected through the MB-containing ICB.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (03) ◽  
pp. 289-292
Author(s):  
Pranesh ◽  
S. Ramesh

AbstractProtein energy malnutrition (PEM) is prevalent in south-east Asian countries including India. Breeding and introduction of grain protein-rich varieties of legumes such as dolichos bean is considered as cost-effective approach to combat PEM. Exploitation of genetic variability within germplasm accessions (GAs) and/or breeding populations is the short-term strategy for identification and delivery of protein-rich dolichos bean cultivars to cater to the immediate needs of the farmers and target population. A set of 118 dolichos bean genotypes consisting of 96 GAs and 20 advanced breeding lines (ABLs) and two released varieties (RVs) was field evaluated in augmented deign for dry grain yield per plant and their grain protein contents were estimated. The grain protein content among the genotypes ranged from 18.82 to 24.5% with a mean of 21.73%. The magnitude of estimates of absolute range, standardized range, and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) for grain protein content was higher among GAs than those among ABLs + RVs. However, average grain protein contents of GAs were comparable to those of ABLs + RVs. Nearly 50% of the genotypes (mostly GAs) had significantly higher grain protein content than those of RVs, HA 3 and HA 4. The grain protein contents of the genotypes were poorly correlated with grain yield per plant. These results are discussed in relation to strategies to breed grain protein-rich dolichos bean cultivars.


1963 ◽  
Vol 117 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel E. Kaplan ◽  
James H. Jandl

Studies were undertaken in man and in the rat comparing the effects of rheumatoid factors and immune antiglobulins on red cells sensitized with incomplete antibodies. The interaction of immune antiglobulins with sensitized red cells produced (a) agglutination in vitro and (b) an accelerated sequestration of the sensitized cells in vivo. In contrast, rheumatoid macroglobulins, although capable of agglutinating Rh-sensitized red cells in vitro, did not modify their destruction in vivo. The failure of rheumatoid factors to function as antiglobulins in vivo appears to reflect their non-reactivity with sensitized cells in whole serum. It is suggested: (a) that the native (7S) gamma globulins of plasma competitively inhibit rheumatoid factors from reacting with fixed antibody in the blood stream; (b) that if these macroglobulins do indeed have pathogenetic activity, this may be limited to body fluids of low protein content.


1963 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Elliott

1. A preliminary study of the protein requirements of young steers of two breeds of African cattle has been described. These requirements were assessed by studying body weight changes of groups of animals fed for 140 days on rations varying in protein content.2. There were only small differences between the breeds in their voluntary food intake while appetite seemed to be linearly related to protein content.3. The two breeds were equally efficient in food and protein utilization.4. Live-weight gain improved significantly as the protein content of the ration increased from 6 to 10%, but a further increase to 14% produced only a small subsequent improvement in growth.5. Maintenance of weight was estimated to occur at a digestible protein intake of only 48% of that recommended by Brody (1945), while the required digestible protein for one pound daily gain was in agreement with the National Research Council (1950) standard.


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