Sugar Transport, Metabolism and Signaling in Fruit Development of Litchi chinensis Sonn: A Review

Litchi chinensis Sonn. is an important evergreen fruit crop cultivated in the tropical and subtropical regions. The edible portion of litchi fruit is the aril, which contains a high concentration of sucrose, glucose, and fructose. In this study, we review various aspects of sugar transport, metabolism, and signaling during fruit development in litchi. We begin by detailing the sugar transport and accumulation during aril development, and the biosynthesis of quebrachitol as a transportable photosynthate is discussed. We then document sugar metabolism in litchi fruit. We focus on the links between sugar signaling and seed development as well as fruit abscission. Finally, we outline future directions for research on sugar metabolism and signaling to improve fruit yield and quality.

Evaluation of the Antioxidant Activity, Deodorizing Effect, and Antibacterial Activity of ‘Porotan’ Chestnut By-Products and Establishment of a Compound Paper

Chestnuts are widely cultivated for their edible portion (kernel), whereas the non-edible parts are discarded. To enable the utilization of the by-products of processed chestnuts, we separated them into green and brown burs, shells, inner skin, and leaves, and analyzed the bioactive properties of the ground components. We also created a composite paper, comprising the inner skin, and examined its deodorant properties. It was revealed that the inner skin had the highest functionality and showed potent antioxidant, antibacterial, and deodorant properties. Furthermore, when we produced a paper, containing 60% inner skin, and examined its deodorant properties, we found that it was highly effective in deodorizing ammonia and acetic acid gases. These results show that the inner skin of chestnuts is a promising material for developing hygiene and other products.

POTENSI HASIL BEBERAPA AKSESI LAMTORO SEBAGAI SUMBER HIJAUAN MAKANAN TERNAK (HMT)

Lamtoro (Leucaena leucocephala L.) merupakan salah satu pakan berserat yang digunakan untuk memenuhikebutuhan pakan ternak dengan edible portion berupa daun dan batang muda. Setiap daerah memilikikeragaman morfologi serta potensi hasil lamtoro yang berbeda. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahuipotensi beberapa aksesi lamtoro sebagai hijauan makanan ternak berdasarkan keragaan morfologi sertabobot edible portion. Penelitian disusun dalam rancangan acak kelompok (RAK) dengan tiga taraf perlakuanaksesi lamtoro (NTT, Yogyakarta, Serpong) dan delapan ulangan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwaperlakuan aksesi lamtoro berpengaruh nyata terhadap parameter tinggi tanaman, bobot basah dan bobotkering edible portion. Berdasarkan keragaan morfologi tanaman diketahui bahwa aksesi Serpong dapatdigunakan sebagai sumber HMT untuk pemberian pakan dengan bantuan manusia, sedangkan aksesi NTT dan Yogyakarta berpotensi sebagai HMT untuk ternak gembalaan.Kata kunci: aksesi lamtoro, HMT, potensi hasil

High Levels of Tetrodotoxin (TTX) in Trumpet Shell Charonia lampas from the Portuguese Coast

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin, considered an emerging toxin in Europe where recently a safety limit of 44 µg TTX kg−1 was recommended by authorities. In this study, three specimens of the large gastropod trumpet shell Charonia lampas bought in a market in south Portugal were analyzed using a neuroblastoma cell (N2a) based assay and by LC-MS/MS. N2a toxicity was observed in the viscera of two individuals analyzed and LC-MS/MS showed very high concentrations of TTX (42.1 mg kg−1) and 4,9-anhydroTTX (56.3 mg kg−1). A third compound with m/z 318 and structurally related with TTX was observed. In the edible portion, i.e., the muscle, toxin levels were below the EFSA recommended limit. This study shows that trumpet shell marine snails are seafood species that may reach the markets containing low TTX levels in the edible portion but containing very high levels of TTX in non-edible portion raising concerns regarding food safety if a proper evisceration is not carried out by consumers. These results highlight the need for better understanding TTX variability in this gastropod species, which is critical to developing a proper legal framework for resources management ensuring seafood safety, and the introduction of these gastropods in the markets.

Characterization of Collagen from Sakhalin Taimen Skin as Useful Biomass

Research background. Animal collagen has been widely utilized in foods, cosmetics, and biomedical fields. The non-edible portion, such as fish skins and bones, are generated during cooking processes. Most of them are currently discarded as wastes, although the nutritional values of the skins and bones are high. It needs to utilize the non-edible portion for the reduction of environmental impact, as it may be one of source of environmental pollution. Experimental approach. Collagen was prepared from Sakhalin taimen skins as wastes generated during cooking processes. Next, the color, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, ultraviolet absorption, subunit composition, amino acid composition, denaturation temperature, and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis were conducted to explore the properties of the collagen. Lastly, it tried to improve the functional properties of the collagen using chemical modification technique for future applications. Results and conclusions. Cold acetone treatment made it possible to easily remove the fats and pigments from skins. The odorless and pure-white collagen was obtained with high-yield. The α3 chain did not exist in the collagen. Sakhalin taimen skin collagen had rich α-helix and low β-sheet structures. Succinylation caused the secondary structural changes of the collagen molecule. Moreover, succinylation made it possible not only to increase the viscosity of collagen solution and but also to improve the solubility of collagen in the physiological conditions around pH=6. Novelty and scientific contribution. This finding was the first report on the absence of the α3 chain in Salmonid fish skin collagens. The succinylated collagen from Sakhalin taimen skins as useful biomass has potential to utilize in foods, cosmetics, and its related industries.

Investigating the contents of Heavy Metals in Edible Portion of Leafy Vegetables Grown Within Lagos State University, Ojo Campus

Introduction: Edible plants are the major source of diet, and their contamination with toxic metals mayresult in catastrophic health hazards. This study was conducted to analyse the heavy metal levels in Amanranthus viridis, Celosia argentea, and Ocimum gratissimum grown in selected farmlands around Lagos State University using Atomic Absorption Spectrometers (AAS). Methods: Dry ashing method was used to destroy the organic matter to determine the content of the heavy metals. The level of the following heavy metals (Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe) and Chromium (Cr).) were determined in the soil and edible portion of the vegetables. Results: The results showed that the mean concentration of heavy metals dry weight are: Cu(0.072± 0.014 mg/kg), Fe (0.761± 0.140 mg/kg) Pb(0.006± 0.001mg/kg) and Cr(0.008± 0.002 mg/kg) for Amaranthus viridis,0.004± 0.002mg/kg- Pb, 0.113± 0.158mg/kg- Fe, 0.032± 0.003mg/kg- Cu in Celocia argentea, 0.025± 0.004 mg/kg- Pb, 0.111±0.002 mg/kg Fe in Ocimum gratissimum were recorded in Sport center (site A). The value of heavy metal contamination obtained from School gate (site B) ranged from 0.072± 0.006 mg/kg- Pb to 0.742± 0.066 mg/kg- Fe in Amaranthus viridis, 0.007± 0.0 mg/kg- Pb to 0.450± 0.111 mg/kg- Fe in Celosia argentea, 0.030± 0.005mg/kg- Fe to 0.051± 0.044 mg/kg- Pb in Ocimum gratissimum. The value of heavy metal contamination obtained from PPL (site C) ranged from 0.037± 0.004 mg/kg -Cu to 0.559± 0.080 mg/kg- Fe in Amaranthus viridis, 0.011± 0.001 mg/kg Cr to 0.474± 0.151 mg/kg Fe in Celosia argentea, 0.007± 0.008 mg/kg Pb to 0.048± 0.017mg/kg Fe in Ocimum gratissimum. Conclusion:The levels of heavy metals determined in the analyzed Vegetable samples were found to be below the permissible limits set by WHO; hence they are safe for human consumption.

Green coffee derived supplements and infusions as a source of polyamines and free amino acids

This work reports on monoamines (MA), diamines (DA) and polyamines (PA) as well as free amino acids (fAA) in nutritional supplements and infusions derived from green coffee beans. Samples were investigated using a ultra-high performance liquid chromatography UV/FLR method, which was validated regarding specificity, linearity, range, precision, accuracy and limits of detection and quantification. Nutritional supplements based on green coffee beans showed large amounts of total amines ranging from 1090 to 2593 mg/kg, with exceptional high levels of spermidine up to 724 mg/kg, and a content of fAA from 4004 to 12,389 mg/kg. Infusions brewed from green coffee beans showed much lower contents of amines (14–17 mg/L) and fAA (78–100 mg/L). However, if the customary edible portion was considered, infusions from green coffee were a mainly better source for MA and PA as well for fAA, compared to nutritional supplements. Tryptamine and tyramine were predominant as MA putrescine as DA, and spermidine as PA, respectively. Graphic abstract

Zinc biofortification as an innovative technology to alleviate the zinc deficiency in human health: a review

Paddy-wheat crop rotation is responsible for declining soil health, underground water table, arising new micronutrient deficiencies, new weed flora, and resistance to herbicides, declining both land and water productivity and is claimed to be capital and energy-intensive, more particularly in emerging countries. This is further aggravated when micronutrients are deficient, particularly zinc (Zn), which plays an important role in human health, especially in developing countries. Zn biofortification is a technique in which the inherent Zn status of the edible portion of plants is improved by simply spraying a Zn solution onto the crop or through a soil application at a predetermined stage and a proper dose. The concentration of Zn within a wheat grain is genotype-dependent and interacts with the environment, inducing variation in a grain’s concentration of micronutrients. Grain quality parameters are positively correlated with a higher dose of nitrogen in the late reproductive stage. Broadcasting of ZnSO4·7H2O at 62.5 kg ha−1 and foliar application of Zn chelates such as Zn–HEDP (C) at 2 g L−1, Zn–HEDP (L) at 3 g L−1, or a 0.4–0.5% ZnSO4 solution during grain development stage enhanced the growth, productivity, and micronutrients concentration in the edible portion of the plant which further improves the quality of wheat grains and ultimately improves human health in the region. Given the central importance to Zn in cereal-based nutrition, zinc biofortification appears as an innovative technology to alleviate the zinc deficiency in human health, especially on the Indian subcontinent, by applying Zn either as a foliar or soil application.

CHEMICAL AND SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF CARP MEAT (Osphronemus goramy) FROM DIFFERENT SIZES

This research aims to evaluate and compare of proximate composition, amino acid and fatty acid of carp (Osphronemus goramy) from different sizes: small (400-500 gr), medium (600 – 800 g), and large (900-1100 g). 27 samples of carp were obtained from a cage in Gurami village, Kampar. The edible portion, processing waste, water holding capacity, sensory quality, proximate, amino acid and fatty acid were evaluated. The result showed that appearance, odor, edible portion, processing waste were not different between fish sizes. The highest taste and texture were found in large size carp (8.5 and 8.1), then followed by medium (8.3 and 7.9), and small (7.6 and 7.8), respectively. The highest water holding capacity was found in medium size carp (32.4%) then large (28.3%) and small (26.0%). The result of proximate analysis of the highest water and ash content were found in small size carp (75.55% and 1.05%), then followed by medium (74.20% and 0.90%) and large (7.69% and 0.88%). The protein content of large size carp (20.88%) was higher than medium (18.70%) and small (18.36%). The fat content of large size carp (2.70%) was higher than medium (2.40%) and small (2.29%). The highest amino acid was found in large size carp (69.25%) followed by medium (56.38%) and small (49.86%). The highest fatty acid was found in large size carp (99.55%) followed by small (97.63%) and medium (97.20%).

Draft Genome Sequence of the Histamine-Producing Bacterium Enterobacter kobei Strain 42-12

Bacterially produced histamine in food can be a cause of food poisoning. The whole-genome sequence is described for one histamine-producing Enterobacter kobei 42-12 isolate from the edible portion of salted, dried fish.