Chemical composition of selected edible nut seeds

Commercially important edible nut seeds were analyzed for chemical composition and moisture sorption. Moisture (1.47-9.51%), protein (7.50-21.56%), lipid (42.88-66.71%), ash (1.16-3.28%), total soluble sugars (0.55-3.96%), tannins (0.01-0.88%), and phytate (0.15-0.35%) contents varied considerably. Regardless of the seed type, lipids were mainly composed of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids (>75% of the total lipids). Fatty acid composition analysis indicated that oleic acid (C18:1) was the main constituent of monounsaturated lipids in all seed samples. With the exception of macadamia, linoleic acid (C18:2) was the major polyunsaturated fatty acid. In the case of walnuts, in addition to linoleic acid (59.79%) linolenic acid (C18:3) also significantly contributed toward the total polyunsaturated lipids. Amino acid composition analyses indicated lysine (Brazil nut, cashew nut, hazelnut, pine nut, and walnut), sulfur amino acids methionine and cysteine (almond), tryptophan (macadamia, pecan), and threonine (peanut) to be the first limiting amino acid as compared to human (2-5 year old) amino acid requirements. The amino acid composition of the seeds was characterized by the dominance of hydrophobic (range = 37.16-44.54%) and acidic (27.95-33.17%) amino acids followed by basic (16.16-21.17%) and hydrophilic (8.48-11.74%) amino acids. Trypsin inhibitory activity, hemagglutinating activity, and proteolytic activity were not detected in the nut seed samples analyzed. Sorption isotherms (Aw range = 0.08-0.97) indicated a narrow range for monolayer water content (11-29 mg/g of dry matter). No visible mold growth was evident on any of the samples stored at Aw < 0.53 and 25 degrees C for 6 months.     

Phytochemical and nutrient composition of the freeze-dried amazonian palm berry, Euterpe oleraceae mart. (acai)

Euterpe oleraceae is a large palm tree indigenous to the Amazon River and its tributaries and estuaries in South America. Its fruit, known as acai, is of great economic value to native people. In this study, a standardized freeze-dried acai fruit pulp/skin powder was used for all analyses and tests. Among many findings, anthocyanins (ACNs), proanthocyanidins (PACs), and other flavonoids were found to be the major phytochemicals. Two ACNs, cyandin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside were found to be predominant ACNs; three others were also found as minor ACNs. The total content of ACNs was measured as 3.1919 mg/g dry weight (DW). Polymers were found to be the major PACs. The concentration of total PACs was calculated as 12.89 mg/g DW. Other flavonoids, namely, homoorientin, orientin, isovitexin, scoparin, and taxifolin deoxyhexose, along with several unknown flavonoids, were also detected. Resveratrol was found but at a very low concentration. In addition, components including fatty acids, amino acids, sterols, minerals, and other nutrients were analyzed and quantified. Total polyunsaturated fatty acid, total monounsaturated fatty acid, and total saturated fatty acids contributed to 11.1%, 60.2%, and 28.7% of total fatty acid. Oleic acid (53.9%) and palmitic acid (26.7%) were found to be the two dominant fatty acids. Nineteen amino acids were found; the total amino acid content was determined to be 7.59% of total weight. The total sterols accounted for 0.048% by weight of powder. The three sterols B-sitosterol, campesterol, and sigmasterol were identified. A complete nutrient analysis is also presented. Microbiological analysis was also performed.     

Content and bioavailability of organic forms of nitrogen in the O horizon of a podzol

It is often thought that the most important source of nitrogen for plants and microorganisms comes from amino acids and amino sugars when they are hydrolysed in acid conditions. We did a microcosm experiment to test the hypothesis. In the experiment spruce seedlings (Picea abies L. Karst) were grown for 145 days in soil taken from a podzol Oa horizon under a long-term nitrogen fertilization experiment (control and N-treated soil). Net changes in different pools of organic N were determined using standard fractionation (acid hydrolysis and pyrophosphate extraction). During the experiment the amino acid and amino sugar pools decreased significantly (14% and 15% for the control and 10% and 17% for the N treatment), whereas no significant change was observed in the non-amino acid plus non-amino sugar fraction. On a per organic C basis there was even a significant increase in the non-amino acid plus non-amino sugar fraction of 11% for the control and 8% for the N treatment. Pyrophosphate extractions suggest that amino acids or amino sugars associated with the humin fraction were more accessible to microbes and plants than those associated with the humic acid, fulvic acid and hydrophilic substances. The long-term N fertilization (about 73 kg N ha⁻¹ was added annually as NH₄NO₃ during a 24-year period) resulted in an enrichment of all major fractions of organic N, i.e. amino acids, amino sugars and non-amino acids plus non-amino sugars. This enrichment was largely the result of small increases in all of the amino acids rather than large increases in just a few.     

Water-deficit impact on fatty acid and essential oil composition and antioxidant activities of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) aerial parts

This study is designed to examine the effect of water deficit on growth, fatty acid and essential oil composition, and antioxidant activities of Cuminum cyminum aerial part extracts. Plants were treated with different levels of water deficit: control (C), moderate water deficit (MWD), and severe water deficit (SWD). Plant growth (height, fresh and dry matter weights) as well as yield components were significantly increased under moderate water deficit and conversely reduced at severe level. Total fatty acid content decreased significantly with severity of constraint. Drought reduced considerably the proportions of major fatty acids and the unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio. The essential oil yield was 0.14% (based on the dry weight); it increased by 2.21-fold at MWD but decreased by 42.8% under SWD in comparison to the control. Drought results in the modification of the essential oil chemotype from 1-phenyl-1-butanol to 1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol. Antioxidant activities of the acetone extracts were determined by two complementary test systems, namely, DPPH and β-carotene/linoleic acid. The highest activity was exhibited by moderately stressed plants and was reduced significantly under SWD. In control plants, the total phenolic amount was 10.23 mg GAE/g DW, which increased by 1.5-fold under MWD and decreased by 42% under SWD.     

Nutritional composition of Sanchi (Panax notoginseng) seed and its potential for industrial use

Sanchi (Panax notoginseng) root has been widely used as traditional herb to stanch blood, disperse gore and reduce pain in China for centuries. However, the nutritional information about its seed was unknown. Sanchi seeds obtained from Yunnan Province were analyzed for their nutritional composition, fatty acid, amino acid profile and sugar contents. Sanchi seeds were abundant in fats (46.35 %) and proteins (23.90 %). Notably, seven fatty acid compositions were determined and abundant in unsaturated fatty acid (99.56 %), containing 95.71 % oleic acid. Sanchi seed proteins were rich in glutenin, globulin and albumin (28.63, 27.83 and 26.81 %, respectively). Sanchi seed contain 17 kinds of amino acids, of which nine were essential amino acids, accounting for 41.30 %. These nutritional compositions indicate that Sanchi seed has the potentiality to be exploited as human edible oil, industrial use, new medicine or healthcare products for diabetes patients due to low sugar content.     

Enhancing alpha-tocopherol and linoleic acid in ewe's milk by feeding emulsified sunflower oil and DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate in a chemically treated protein matrix

Chemically treated dietary supplements (CTDS) were prepared with defatted soy flour, sunflower oil, dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (TA), and 2,3-butanedione (a generally recognized as safe chemical), and the effects on alpha-tocopherol (VE) concentration and fatty acid profile in ewe's milk were estimated. Ewes fed control diet (CD) had the lowest levels of milk VE (0.66 microg/mL) and serum VE (1.59 microg/mL). Feeding ewes the CD plus 500 IU of TA increased milk and serum VE by 30 and 70%, respectively, compared to ewes fed the CD. The CTDS-fed ewes showed further increased milk and serum VE levels by 40 and 32%, respectively, over those in ewes fed the CD plus 500 IU of TA. Feeding ewes CTDS did not affect milk fat content (3.13%) but altered the fatty acid composition by decreasing the levels of hypercholesteremic fatty acids, while increasing the content of linoleic acid (8.5%). Inclusion of CTDS in ruminant diets might produce nutritionally enhanced milk products.     

Effects of season and processing on oil content and fatty acids of baltic herring (Clupea harengus membras)

Fatty acid composition, oil content, free fatty acid content, and peroxide value of Baltic herring (Clupea harengus membras) and two processed products (fried fillets and fish burgers) were investigated. The highest oil content of the fillets was found in autumn (10%), at the time when the free fatty acids had their minimum (1.4%). The main fatty acids were oleic (18-23%), palmitic (17%), palmitoleic (8-12%), and docosahexaeneoic (8-10%) acids. The proportion of saturated fatty acids was a constant 23% all year around, whereas mono- and polyunsaturated acids varied from 34 to 39% and 33 to 37%, respectively. During processing the oil content doubled and the fatty acid composition changed to the pattern of the rapeseed oil used for frying. Oleic acid was a major fatty acid in the products comprising over 40% of the total fatty acids. The proportion of n-3 acids decreased during processing but the total amount of polyunsaturated acids remained fairly constant.     

Composition of transgenic soybean seeds with higher γ-linolenic acid content is equivalent to that of conventional control

γ-Linolenic acid (GLA) has been used as a general nutraceutical for pharmacologic applications, particularly in the treatment of skin conditions such as eczema. Four transgenic soybean lines that produce GLA at high yields (4.21% of total fatty acids, up to 1002-fold) were generated through the stable insertion of the Delta-6-fatty acid desaturase gene isolated from Borago officinalis into the genome of a conventional soybean cultivar. As part of the safety assessment of genetically engineered crops, the transgenic soybean seeds were compared with their parental soybean seeds (nontransgenic) by applying the principle of substantial equivalence. Compositional analyses were conducted by measuring the fatty acids, proximate analysis (moisture, crude protein, crude fat, carbohydrates, TDF, and ash contents), amino acids, lectins, and trypsin inhibitor activity. The present results showed that the specific transgenic cultivar studied was similar to the conventional control.     

Effects of resistant potato starch on odor emission from feces in Swine production units

Odor emission from swine facilities is determined by microbial breakdown of amino acids or carbohydrates in the pig colon. It was the aim to influence apoptosis and thus amino acid availability for odor formation by feeding resistant starch (300 g kg(-1) feed) over the whole fattening period to 40 pigs. Concentrations of 12 key components (indoles, volatile fatty acids, methanethiol) were measured in feces and headspace over the slurry duct and compared to 40 normally fed controls in a separate compartment. Concentrations of substances resulting from amino acids were reduced in feces by 70% (indoles) and 8% (branched chain fatty acids) and in the headspace by 72% and 20%. Resistant starch only led to minor increases of straight chain fatty acid concentration. Maximal reduction occurred for 3-methyl-1H-indole (skatole) which is the main determinant of malodor so that the results point to promising strategies for reducing pig odor emission.     

分层破胚剥皮玉米不同部位营养成分富集特征

为明确玉米籽粒营养成分的分布差异及不同部位富集特征,应用快速缓苏、微量着水半湿法分层破胚剥皮技术,结合靶向代谢组学方法,对郑单958玉米不同部位的营养成分及基础代谢物质进行分析与比较。结果表明玉米籽粒不同部位的淀粉、脂肪、矿物元素和膳食纤维等营养物质含量存在显著差异（P<0.05）。该研究中的玉米内皮层可能主要由种皮、糊粉层及部分外胚乳构成,该部位营养成分的种类及含量均较为丰富,其中水溶性膳食纤维含量显著高于其他部位（P<0.05）,可作为玉米水溶性膳食纤维的提取分离来源。K、P和Mg元素是玉米中含量最高的矿物元素,主要存在于胚芽中,Fe、Zn、Mn和Cu元素在胚芽和玉米皮层中均有较多分布,精制加工会导致这些矿物元素的损失。玉米胚芽中水解氨基酸种类较其他部位丰富且含量较高（P<0.05）,甜味氨基酸占总游离氨基酸含量的24.49%,高于玉米皮层部位、显著高于胚乳部位。研究结果为玉米营养健康食品的创制、玉米精深加工及相关专用装备的研发提供参考。     

Compositional characteristics and antioxidant properties of fresh and processed sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa)

The antioxidant activity of fresh and rehydrated sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa) samples with/without internal organs was evaluated for the first time. In addition, their proximate, amino acid, and fatty acid compositions were examined. Rehydrated sea cucumber samples in distilled water were prepared from oven-dried products. All samples contained 83-90% moisture, but showed a significant difference among groups in their protein and lipid contents. Glutamic acid was the predominant amino acid in sea cucumber, followed by glycine and aspartic acid. Essential amino acids such as leucine and lysine were also present at high levels. The trend for free amino acid was different from that of total amino acids and varied among groups. Lipids in sea cucumber were dominated by eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n-3), ranging from 43.2 to 56.7% of the total fatty acids. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3) was present at a much lower concentration of 2.0-5.8%. All sea cucumber samples exhibited radical scavenging property against 2,2'-azobis(2-aminopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, with rehydrated samples, especially those with internal organs, possessing higher antioxidant activity than their fresh counterparts. No correlation existed between radical scavenging capacity and total phenolics content, suggesting that other components, in addition to phenolic compounds, contribute to the antioxidant activity of sea cucumber.     

Amino acid composition of soil organic matter

This study investigated the amino acid composition of soil organic matter extracted from ten surface soils in addition to surface soils from two long-term cropping systems [continuous corn (CCCC), corn-soybean-corn-soybean (CSCS), and corn-oats-meadow-meadow (COMM)] at two sites in Iowa: the Clarion-Webster Research Center (CWRC) and the Galva-Primghar Research Center (GPRC). Results showed that, with the exception of asparagine pluse aspartic acid and glutamine plus glutamic acid, the other 13 amino acids studied, expressed as perecentages of total amino acids extracted, were generally very uniform among the soils. The total amino acids extracted from the ten soils were significantly correlated with organic carbon (C) ( and clay content (, but not with total nitrogen (N), pH, or sand content. Expressed as percentages or organic C and N in soils, the amounts extracted ranged from 10.9% to 32.4% and from 12.0% to 27.4%, respectively. The amino acid N identified, expressed as percentages of organic N extracted, ranged from 32% to 50% and the C/N ratios of the extracted organic matter ranged from 10.1 to 14.9. The type of rotation did not significantly affect the total amino acid content of the soils from the same N treatment, but it did affect the total amino acid content of soils from the control plots. The total amino acids measured under the different crop rotations at the CWRC site were in the order: COMM>CCCC>CSCS. The order for the GPRC site was: CSCS>COMM>CCCC. The amino acid N identified, expressed as percentages of organic N extracted from soils at the CWRC site, ranged from 33.1% to 50% and for the GPRC site ranged from 26.5% to 51.4%. The C/N ratios of the organic matter extracted ranged from 10.4 to 14.1 and from 6.5 to 14.3 for the soils from CWRC and GPRC sites, respectively. Received: 26 May 1997     

Fatty acids including trans content of commercial bakery products manufactured in Spain.

Fifteen samples of the most common industrial bakery products sold in Spain were analyzed for their fatty acid composition. Saturated fatty acids occurred in the largest proportions in all samples (mean = 52.8%), followed by monounsaturated (mean = 23.5%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (mean = 17.2%). A small percentage of trans fatty acids, which were found in all samples, showed a mean value of 5.7%. According to their fatty acid composition, that is, their saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acid contents, the statistical analysis (discriminant analysis) showed three groups of samples, suggesting that the fat incorporated in these samples was obtained from different sources.     

Multivariate characterization of the fatty acid profile of spanish cookies and bakery products

The fatty acid compositions of 39 brands of cookies and bakery products were analyzed with special attention to the their trans-fatty acid content. The average contents (percent w/w of the total fatty acids detected) for the different nutritional fractions were as follows: saturated fatty acids (SFA), 49.43% (SD = 17.04); monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), 32.87% (SD = 10.94); polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), 12.48% (SD = 11.29); and trans-fatty acids (TFA), 5.20% (SD = 9.30), the mean fat content being 22.7% (SD = 7.4). C18:1t was the predominant trans isomer found in all of the analyzed samples (mean = 4.04, SD = 8.46). Factor analysis performed on the fatty acid profile allowed a meaningful classification of the samples according to the main source of fat employed in their elaboration. Four factors that explained 75% of the total variance were retained. According to the results obtained, the fat used to elaborate the samples was mainly composed of vegetable and animal fat, and only in a few samples were partially hydrogenated vegetable oils used as the main source of fat.     

Assessment of oil content and fatty acid composition variability in two economically important Hibiscus species

The Hibiscus genus encompasses more than 300 species, but kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) and roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) are the two most economically important species within the genus. Seeds from these two Hibiscus species contain a relatively high amount of oil with two unusual fatty acids: dihydrosterculic and vernolic acids. The fatty acid composition in the oil can directly affect oil quality and its utilization. However, the variability in oil content and fatty acid composition for these two species is unclear. For these two species, 329 available accessions were acquired from the USDA germplasm collection. Their oil content and fatty acid composition were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chromatography (GC), respectively. Using NMR and GC analyses, we found that Hibiscus seeds on average contained 18% oil and seed oil was composed of six major fatty acids (each >1%) and seven minor fatty acids (each <1%). Hibiscus cannabinus seeds contained significantly higher amounts of oil (18.14%), palmitic (20.75%), oleic (28.91%), vernolic acids (VA, 4.16%), and significantly lower amounts of stearic (3.96%), linoleic (39.49%), and dihydrosterculic acids (DHSA, 1.08%) than H. sabdariffa seeds (17.35%, 18.52%, 25.16%, 3.52%, 4.31%, 44.72%, and 1.57%, respectively). For edible oils, a higher oleic/linoleic (O/L) ratio and lower level of DHSA are preferred, and for industrial oils a high level of VA is preferred. Our results indicate that seeds from H. cannabinus may be of higher quality than H. sabdariffa seeds for these reasons. Significant variability in oil content and major fatty acids was also detected within both species. The variability in oil content and fatty acid composition revealed from this study will be useful for exploring seed utilization and developing new cultivars in these Hibiscus species.     

亚东黑耳的氨基酸特征分析及蛋白质品质评价

亚东黑耳(Exidia sp.)是一种尚未实现人工栽培的珍稀食用菌,为发掘和利用其营养价值,在现行国际氨基酸模式谱的基础上,以氨基酸评分(AAS)、美国国家科学院医学研究所(IOM)模式评分、化学评分(CS)、氨基酸比值系数(RC)、氨基酸比值系数分(SRC)和必需氨基酸指数(EAAI)等多个参数为指标,系统地分析了亚东黑耳的氨基酸特征和蛋白质品质。结果表明,亚东黑耳中含有18种常见氨基酸,包括全部8种必需氨基酸;其粗蛋白含量与粮食作物接近,蛋白质中必需氨基酸含量充足(473.4 mg·g^-1 pro),其中亮氨酸含量较高(67.73 mg·g^-1 pro)。参数评估表明,亚东黑耳蛋白质中的必需氨基酸比例相对合理(RC值0.74～1.66,EAAI值129.11),基本符合国际推行的氨基酸平衡模式谱(AAS值均高于98.75%,IOM模式评分均高于100%),是相对优质的蛋白质,但其平衡性和含量均逊色于鸡蛋蛋白(CS值70.93%～128.30%)。本研究结果为进一步开发野生菌资源提供了科学基础。     

Antioxidant and cyclooxygenase activities of fatty acids found in food

Several commercially available C-8 to C-24 saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (1-29) were assayed for cyclooxygenase-I (COX-I) and cyclooxygenase-II (COX-II) inhibitory and antioxidant activities. Among the saturated fatty acids tested at 60 microg mL(-1), there was an increase in antioxidant activity with increasing chain length from octanoic acid to myristic acid (C-8-C-14) and a decrease thereafter. All unsaturated fatty acids tested at 60 microg mL(-1) showed good antioxidant activity except for undecylenic acid (12), cis-5-dodecenoic acid (13), and nervonic acid (29). The highest inhibitory activities among the saturated fatty acids tested on cyclooxygenase enzymes COX-I and COX-II were observed for decanoic acid to lauric acid (3-5) at 100 microg mL(-1). Similarly, among the unsaturated fatty acids tested, the highest activities were observed for cis-8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid (25) and cis-13,16-docosadienoic acid (27) at 100 microg mL(-1).     

Changes in the free amino acid composition with maturity of the noble cultivar of Vitis rotundifolia Michx. grape

The changes in amino acid composition that occur with maturity of the Noble cultivar of the Vitis rotundifolia Michx. (muscadine) grape were determined by HPLC. Eighteen amino acids were identified. Histidine was the most prominent amino acid followed by alanine. The concentrations of most of the major amino acids (alanine, glycine, histidine, valine, isoleucine, aspartic acid, and serine) were highest at verasion. Glutamine and threonine contents dropped sharply after fruit set, while those of arginine and proline increased gradually with maturity and ripening. Tyrosine content increased gradually with maturity and ripening following a slight drop after fruit set. In ripe grapes, seeds contained most of the amino acids in mature grapes (50%) followed by the pulp (23%), the juice (15%), and the skin (11%). Alanine, histidine, and arginine were the principal amino acids identified in the juice. Alanine, histidine, arginine, valine, glutamine, aspartic acid, proline, serine, and threonine accounted for about 90% of the amino acids in the pulp. In seeds, alanine, proline, asparagine, and histidine accounted for over 55% of the amino acids, while alanine and histidine were found to be the predominant free amino acids in the skin. The profile indicates some differences in the changes in amino acid composition with berry maturity and relative amounts of amino acids present in muscadine compared to those in nonmuscadine grape species.     

Permanganate oxidation of methylated fulvic and humic acids in chloroform

Methylated fulvic and humic acids were oxidized by permanganate in chloroform in the presence of a cyclic polyether, 18-crown-6. The total amount of oxidation products identified was 6.5% for fulvic acid and 6.7% for humic acid. About 46% of the oxidation products found from both fractions were dicarboxylic acids (15 compounds), the rest were benzenecarboxylic acids and their methoxyl derivatives (15 compounds). Alkanes and fatty acids were also found.Nonandioic acid and 3,4-dimethoxy-benzenecarboxylic acid are found in almost equal amounts. Each accounts for 1.3% of the starting material, and together they represent 40% of the oxidation products. 3,4-Dimethoxy-benzoic acid and 4-methoxy-benzoic acid are believed to result from the oxidation of terminal groups in the humic polymer.Proton resonance spectra show that about 25% of the aliphatic protons are part of methylene chains. The most prominent chain lengths consist of 6–8 methylene groups as shown by the dicarboxylic acids formed by oxidation.     

Dietary lipid source modulates in vivo fatty acid metabolism in the freshwater fish, Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii)

The aim of the present investigation was to quantify the fate of C18 and long chain polyunsaturated dietary fatty acids in the freshwater fish, Murray cod, using the in vivo, whole-body fatty acid balance method. Juvenile Murray cod were fed one of five iso-nitrogenous, iso-energetic, semipurified experimental diets in which the dietary fish oil (FO) was replaced (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) with a blended vegetable oil (VO), specifically formulated to match the major fatty acid classes [saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and n-6 PUFA] of cod liver oil (FO). However, the PUFA fraction of the VO was dominated by C18 fatty acids, while C20/22 fatty acids were prevalent in the FO PUFA fraction. Generally, there was a clear reflection of the dietary fatty acid composition across each of the five treatments in the carcass, fillet, and liver. Lipid metabolism was affected by the modification of the dietary lipid source. The desaturation and elongation of C18 PUFAs increased with vegetable oil substitution, supported by the occurrence of longer and higher desaturated homologous fatty acids. However, increased elongase and desaturase activity is unlikely to fulfill the gap observed in fatty acid composition resulting from decreased highly unsaturated fatty acids intake.