Chemical composition of the edible leaves ofPterocarpus mildbraedii

Proximate composition, mineral element content, amino acid profile and the levels of some antinutrients in the edible leaves ofPterocarpus mildbraedii were determined. Moisture content was assayed as 85.12 percent (wet weight). Protein, fat, ash and fibre contents of the leaf (percent dry weight) were 25.84, 5.23, 6.44 and 7.56 respectively. Mineral element analysis showed high levels of calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese and zinc. However, the level of sodium in the vegetable was low. Amino acid profile indicated that the leaf is rich in essential amino acids. The antinutrient levels of hydrogen cyanide and oxalate were low. The paper suggests the need to meet nutrient requirements through an increased use of this cheap but less popular food item with good nutritive potential.     

Chemical composition and nutritional quality ofCleome dolichostyla seeds

Seeds ofCleome dolichostyla were analysed for proximate composition, mineral element contents and amino acid composition, in-vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) and calculated protein efficiency ratio (C-PER). The seeds (dry basis) were rich in oil (32.1%), protein (24.6%) and fiber (17.8%) content. The contents of various mineral elements mg/100 g) were: Ca=1970, P=493, Mg=127, Na=35, K=465, Fe=71.97, Zn=2.25, Cu=0.44 and Mn=1.45. Aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, arginine and histidine were the major amino acids inC. dolichostyla seed protein accounting for half of the total amino acids. Lysine was the most limiting essential amino acid (FAO/WHO, 1973 reference pattern) with a chemical score of 45 for the protein. The IVPD of cleome seed protein was 72.2% and C-PER was 1.08 relative to the IVPD and C-PER values of 90.0% and 2.50 for the Animal Nutrition Research Council casein.     

The Indian laburnum (Cassia fistula L.) fruit: an analysis of its chemical constituents

The edible fruit tissue of Indian laburnum fruit (Cassia fistula L.), a member of the leguminosae family, was analyzed for certain organic compounds and mineral nutrients. Of the nine macro- and micronutrients studied, K was the most highly concentrated such that 100% of the US Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for adults could be met by the consumption of about 100 g of the fresh fruit. Na contents in pulp and seeds are relatively low. Ca content at 827 mg per 100 g of dry matter is one of the highest of any fruits, and could contribute towards the RDA requirement of 800 mg of Ca for adults per day. The fruit is a good source of Fe and Mn, and their concentrations are considerably higher than those found in apple, apricot, peach, pear, and orange. Aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and lysine constituted 15.3, 13.0, and 7.8% of the total amino acids respectively in the pulp. In the seeds the same amino acids constituted, 16.6, 19.5, and 6.6%. The relatively high energy content of the fruit at 18 kJ/g could enhance the daily energy requirement of people in need of adequate caloric intake. The results of the present study demonstrate that the Indian laburnum fruit could be a source of some important nutrients and energy for humans.     

Opaque2基因对糯玉米子粒品质的影响分析

玉米Opaque2(O2)基因突变显著影响子粒胚乳中蛋白体形成、淀粉含量、氨基酸组成等,其中,赖氨酸含量提高使营养品质大幅度提升。通过回交转育的方法构建17份糯玉米o2近等基因系,对子粒表型、种皮厚度、百粒重和粗淀粉含量等性状分析。结果表明,与对照相比,16个近等基因系子粒明显皱缩、胚乳变为粉质,6个近等基因系种皮厚度增加,11个近等基因系百粒重显著降低,12个近等基因系子粒粗淀粉含量显著降低。由此表明,o2基因的导入对糯玉米子粒表型、产量、淀粉含量等主要起负调控作用,影响程度与导入背景密切相关。     

立枯丝核菌RsCAT基因的克隆及在菌核形成中的表达分析

在玉米纹枯病菌Rhizoctonia solani AG-1-IA中克隆CAT基因,利用生物信息学软件推测其理化性质、结构域、二级结构并构建该蛋白的三维模型,分析过氧化氢酶(CAT)在立枯丝核菌菌核形成中的作用。系统进化树分析表明,该蛋白与Laccaria bicolor同源性最高。利用real-time qPCR分析RsCAT在正常情况下和H_2O_2胁迫条件下的表达差异,结果表明,RsCAT在菌核形成过程中表达量持续升高,在第6天时表达量最高然后开始下降。在H_2O_2胁迫条件下,处理组CAT基因的表达量、菌丝生长速率均高于对照组,表明H_2O_2在菌核形成过程中作为一种信号分子促进了CAT基因的表达。初步判断RsCAT参与了玉米纹枯病菌菌核的形成,并且起到清除H_2O_2等自由基的作用。     

Comparison of the Chemical Composition and Nutritional Value of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amaranthus cruentus</Emphasis> Flour and Its Protein Concentrate

Plants constitute an alternative source of proteins in the human diet, with advantages over animal proteins because of their low content of saturated fats and absence of cholesterol. Within the framework of a wider research project on the role of Amaranthus cruentus (Ac) in lipid metabolism, in this work the chemical composition and biological value of the Ac flour and its protein concentrate were compared. Proximate chemical composition, amino acid and fatty acid profiles, some antinutrient factors, and biological values were determined for Ac seed flour and its protein concentrate obtained by extraction at pH 11 and precipitation at pH 4.5. The flour protein content was 16.6 g% while that of the concentrate was 52.56 g%. The content of the soluble dietary fiber with a hypolipemic function was notably higher in the protein concentrate (12.90 g%) than in the seed flour (4.29 g%). The protein concentrate also exhibited a higher content of insoluble dietary fiber. The Ac flour and the concentrate contain 75.44 and 56.95% unsaturated fatty acids, respectively. Squalene, which affects the biosynthesis of cholesterol, was detected both in the flour and the concentrate oils, with a higher content in the concentrate (9.53%) as compared to the flour (6.23%). Comparison of the amino acid composition with the FAO pattern protein indicated that the concentrate does not have limiting amino acids, while the flour has leucine, threonine, and valine. The content of lysine was high in both the flour and the concentrate, making these products particularly useful as a complement for cereal flour, which is deficient in this amino acid. The biological quality analysis demonstrated an improvement in the quality of the concentrate. The presence of saponins, phytic acid, and trypsin inhibitors in the concentrate, which favor the metabolism of lipids, suggests that consumption of the concentrate might reduce the risk of heart disease.     

Chemical Composition and Starch Digestibility of Different Gluten-free Breads

The increasing demand for gluten-free products has favoured the design of numerous gluten-free bakery products which intended to mimic the quality characteristics of wheat bakery products. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional pattern of gluten-free breads representative of the Spanish market for this type of products. The protein, fat and mineral content of the gluten-free breads showed great variation, ranging from 0.90 to 15.5 g/100 g, 2.00 to 26.1 g/100 g and 1.10 to 5.43 g/100 g, respectively. Gluten-free breads had very low contribution to the recommended daily protein intake, with a high contribution to the carbohydrate dietary reference intake. Dietary fiber content also showed great variation varying from 1.30 to 7.20 g/100 g. In vitro enzymatic hydrolysis of starch showed that the most predominant fraction was the rapidly digestible starch that varied from 75.6 to 92.5 g/100 g. Overall, gluten-free breads showed great variation in the nutrient composition, being starchy based foods low in proteins and high in fat content, with high glycaemic index.     

Chemical analysis and nutritional assessment of the less known pulses,Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal andVigna vexillata (L.) A. Rich.

The seeds ofVigna aconitifolia andVigna vexillata were analysed for proximate composition, minerals, seed protein fractions, amino acids, fatty acids, and antinutritional factors. Both the pulses were found to be rich sources of proteins and minerals like Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Mn.Vigna aconitifolia seeds exhibited fairly high levels of crude lipid. The most limiting essential amino acids in both the pulses were the sulphur-amino acids, cystine, and methionine. Threonine inV. aconitifolia and phenylalanine and tyrosine inV. vexillata occurred in higher quantities when compared with WHO/FAO requirement pattern. Oleic acid and palmitic acid inV. aconitifolia and linoleic acid and palmitic acid inV. vexillata lipids were found to be the predominant fatty acids. The tannin content of both the pulses was negligible compared with the domesticated legumes. The other antinutritional factors like total free phenols, L-DOPA and haemagglutinating activity were also analysed/assayed.     

The use ofEscherichia coli mutants to measure the bioavailability of essential amino acids in foods

The -galactosidase-based assay for lysine developed by Tuffnell & Payne was used to measure the bioavailabilities of cyst(e)ine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan in pronase digests of 17 foods. The digests were assayed by estimating the -galactosidase synthesis responses of fiveEscherichia coli mutants, each requiring one of the respective amino acids for protein synthesis. Deletion mutants were used whenever possible in order to ensure strain stability. Single digests of each food were assayed with 3 or 4 separate cultures of each mutant and the results were compared with those from the corresponding chemical assay. Omitting the anomalously low values for one food, the rank correlation coefficients of the bio- and chemo-assay values were 0.61 (cysteine), 0.91 (lysine), 0.95 (methionine), 0.64 (threonine) and 0.85 (tryptophan). Mean (± S.D.) relative amino acid bioavailabilities (casein = 100%) for the 17 foods were: cysteine, 53±23; lysine, 90±10; methionine, 95±18; threonine, 89±13; and tryptophan, 89±25. The cysteine mutant appeared to give unusually low bioavailability values except for the milk products. These amino acid mutants afford a rapid method for assaying the bioavailabilities of at least four of the five amino acids studied.     

Mineral composition of non-conventional leafy vegetables

Six non-conventional leafy vegetables consumed largely by the rural populace of Nigeria were analyzed for mineral composition. Mineral contents appeared to be dependent on the type of vegetables. Amaranthus spinosus and Adansonia digitata leaves contained the highest level of iron (38.4 mg/100 g and 30.6 mg/100 g dw, respectively). These values are low compared to those for common Nigerian vegetables but higher than those for other food sources. All the vegetables contained high levels of calcium compared to common vegetables, thus they could be a rich source of this mineral. Microelement content of the leaves varied appreciably. Zinc content was highest in Moringa oleifera, Adansonia digitata and Cassia tora leaves (25.5 mg/100 g, 22.4 mg/100 g and 20.9 mg/100 g dw, respectively) while the manganese content was comparatively higher in Colocasia esculenta. The concentrations of the mineral elements in the vegetables per serving portion are presented and these values indicate that the local vegetables could be valuable and important contributors in the diets of the rural and urban people of Nigeria. The mean daily intake of P, Mg, Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn were lower than their recommended dietary allowances (RDAs). However, the manganese daily intake was found not to differ significantly ( p = 0.05) from the RDA value.     

Chemical composition and nutrient digestibility of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) fed to growing pigs

Pearl millet grown at two different locations in the U.S.A., pearl millet A (PMA) and pearl millet B (PMB), were analyzed for chemical composition and nutrient content and compared to corn. The two samples of pearl millet and corn were incorporated into diets and fed to 24 growing pigs in a metabolism trial to determine nitrogen and mineral balance and digestibilities of energy, fat and amino acids. Pearl millet (PMA and PMB) was found to be richer in crude protein, gross energy, ether extract, acid detergent fiber, amino acid profile and mineral content than corn. However, digestibilities of dry matter (corn, 86·8%; PMA, 80·5%; PMB, 82·0%) and energy (corn, 85·3%; PMA, 78·8%; PMB, 80·5%) were higher (P<0·05) for corn than either of the pearl millet samples. Fat digestibility was much higher in pearl millet than corn. Although nitrogen intake and absorption were higher (P<0·05) for pearl millet, the digestibility of nitrogen was similar for pearl millet and corn. Net protein utilization was lower (P<0·05) in pearl millet when compared to corn (corn, 44·8%; PMA, 34·6%; PMB, 39·9%). Digestibilities of the essential amino acids, arginine, threonine, valine, isoleucine and lysine were higher in pearl millet than corn. Phosphorus retention, expressed as a percentage of intake and absorption, was higher in corn than pearl millet. Calcium intake and absorption were similar for pearl millet and corn. Intake and absorption of magnesium and managanese were also similar in pearl millet and corn. Zinc and copper retention, when expressed as a percentage of intake, were higher in corn, but absorption for both minerals was similar in corn and pearl millet. Pearl millet was found to supersede corn in nutrient content and amino acid digestibility.     

Chemical composition and nutritional potential of the tribal pulse (Bauhinia malabarica Roxb)

Proximate and mineral composition, seed protein fractions, amino acid composition, fatty acid profiles and antinutritional factors were analysed for the seeds of the tribal pulse,Bauhinia malabarica. The seeds contained higher amount of crude lipid when compared with most of the domesticated pulses. The seeds were rich in minerals like Ca, Mg and Fe. Glutelins (45%) constituted the major seed protein fraction followed by globulins which accounted for about 34%. Cystine and methionine were found to be the limiting essential amino acids; whereas tyrosine and phenylalanine content were fairly high when compared with WHO requirement pattern. The unsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid and linoleic acid, were predominant in seed lipids. Presence of antinutritional substances like total free phenols, tannins, L-DOPA and haemagglutinating activity also were analysed/assayed.     

玉米高赖氨酸含量基因型离体筛选方法与应用

设不同浓度赖氨酸(L)加苏氨酸(T)的培养基, 将opaqure-2等32个玉米自交系种子的胚接种在培养基上发芽, 同时测定种子中游离氨基酸和总氨基酸含量, 检测胚生长对L+T的抗性与种子中赖氨酸含量关系, 筛选鉴定玉米种子中高赖氨酸含量的有效方法。结果表明, opaqure-2对L+T有较强抗性, 子粒中有较高含量游离赖氨酸;普通玉米自交系抗L+T能力较弱, 种子中游离氨基酸含量较低;在旅大红骨类群中检测到对L+T有较强抗性的基因型, 子粒中有较高含量的赖氨酸和其他氨基酸。玉米中存在典型的天冬族氨基酸生物合成的反馈抑制代谢途径, 试管L+T胁迫方法可用于筛选和鉴定玉米高赖氨酸基因型。     

Nutritional assessment of yam (Dioscorea alata) tubers

The nutrient and antinutrient components of tubers from seven cultivars ofDioscorea alata were determined. The average crude protein content ofD. alata tubers was 7.4%. Starch (75.6–84.3%) was the predominant fraction of the tuber dry matter. Significant differences in crude protein and starch contents were observed among cultivars. Vitamin C content of the yam tubers ranged from 13.0 to 24.7 mg/100 g fresh weight. The results showed yams to be reasonably good sources of minerals. Phytic acid contents of the yams were low, with values ranging from 58.6 to 198.0 mg/100 g dry matter. Total oxalate levels in yam tubers were found to be in the range of 486–781 mg/100 g dry matter, but may not constitute a nutritional concern since 50–75% of the oxalates were in the water-soluble form. The overall results are suggestive of the nutritional superiority of yams compared to other tropical root crops.     

不同N源对虎奶菇菌核产量与各类氨基酸含量的影响

运用灰色系统理论,探讨了不同氮源对虎奶菇菌核产量及其各类氨基酸总量的影响,并进行灰色关联的综合评判。结果表明:以麦皮为氮源的处理对虎奶菇菌核产量和品质的关联度最大,影响也最明显,添加不同氮源的处理对虎奶菇菌核及各类氨基酸含量的关联度大小顺序为:麦皮处理>牛粪处理>硫酸铵处理>尿素处理。     

Chemical composition of two semi-aquatic plants for food use

The seasonal variation in the nutrient composition ofEnhydra fluctuans andMarsilea quadrifolia, two edible semi-aquatic plants, was studied in order to promote their consumption as green leafy vegetables. Both plants had a high crude protein content throughout all harvesting seasons.Enhydra fluctuans had a low ash content and was a good source of -carotene (3.7 to 4.2 mg/100 g on a fresh weight basis).Marsilea quadrifolia exhibited wide fluctuations between seasons and was not very promising in nutrient composition when compared to other commonly used green leafy vegetables.     

An evaluation of the effect of Bacillus cells and Bacillus spores in association with cowpea granules as starter cultures for the fermentation of African oil bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla Bentham) to `ugba'

Studies on the improvement of the traditional production of `ugba',a protein-rich fermented African oil bean seed product, were undertaken,by developing starter cultures of Bacillus subtilis cells andspores in association with cowpea granules. The viability of the cellsin association remained stable at 94.5% for 6 months at 30 <sup>°</sup>C and for up to 10 months at 4 <sup>°</sup>C while the viability of the sporesin association remained stable at ca. 96% for up to 10 months at both4 and 30 <sup>°</sup>C. The starter cultures resulted in high increases inprotease activity from ca 2.8 mg N/min to about 51.6 ± 0.4 mg N/minin 48 h and a corresponding increase in amino-nitrogen content of ca2.0 ± 0.2 mg N 100 g dry matter (DM) to ca 18.5 ± 0.3 mg N/100g (DM) during the same period. Changes in the protease activity of thenatural process were gradual and increased from 3.0 mg N/min to 38.0 ±0.8 mg N/min after 5 days of fermentation. The maximum amino nitrogencontent of `ugba' produced by the starter cultures (18.5 ± 0.3 mgN/100 g DM) after 2 days was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than themaximum amino nitrogen content (12.5 ± 0.8 mg N/100 g DM), of `ugba'obtained by the natural process. `Ugba' produced by the starter cultureswere well accepted and compared favorably with the natural product.     

Dietary Onion Intake as Part of a Typical High Fat Diet Improves Indices of Cardiovascular Health Using The Mixed Sex Pig Model

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential health benefits of onions consumed at two levels of intake, using the pig model. The dietary fat content was set at a level typical of a “western” diet (25% w/w). Fifteen female and fifteen male pigs (Large White × Landrace) were allocated to one of three dietary treatments in a randomised block design. Treatments consisted of control diet (no onion) and onion supplementation at either 8.6 or 21.4 g of onion/MJ DE fed for six weeks. Onion consumption reduced plasma triglyceride levels by 15% (P=0.030) regardless of sex and onion dose. Total plasma cholesterol and cholesterol fractions were unaffected by onion supplementation (P > 0.050). The bioactivity of onion was evident in haematocrit measures, where red blood cell and haemoglobin were significantly reduced in a dose dependant manner (P < 0.001 and P=0.011, respectively), while other cell counts, with exception of segmented neutrophils (−18%, P=0.012), were largely unaffected. Serum oxidative status was improved (P=0.007) in pigs consuming onions. These data demonstrate that consumption of onions can have positive health effects in both male and female pigs consuming a high fat diet.     

Nutritional evaluation of spent grains from sorghum malts and maize grit

Potential use of the high protein by-product of beer production from 77% sorghum malt and 23% maize grit was investigated. Red sorghum spent grains (RSSG) and white sorghum spent grains (WSSG) contained 23.4 and 19.3% crude protein (CP), 54 and 43% dietary fiber (NDF), 1.44 and 0.78% ash, 4.5 and 3.2% hexane extract and tannin content of 7.5 and 1.0 mg/g catechin equivalent respectively. Magnesium was the most abundant mineral in both RSSG and WSSG — 185 and 140 mg/kg, respectively. Calcium, zinc, iron and copper were generally low. Both samples contained cadmium 1.12 (WSSG), 1.19 (RSSG) and lead at 1.38 mg/kg. Lysine was the limiting amino acid (chemical score 0.55) in both samples. Other essential amino acids were adequate or surplus. Stearic acid was the predominant fatty acid with varying levels of lauric, myristic, palmitic, and oleic acids in both samples. Feed intake and weight gain were highest in rats fed 26.3% WSSG (contributing 50% of the diet protein) but protein efficiency ratio (PER) and net protein retention (NPR) were highest in diets where spent grains contributed just 25% of the diet protein. True digestibility of diets decreased as dietary fiber content increased such that animals on diets containing 100% spent grain protein (above 20% NDF) lost weight.     

Chemical characterization of high-yielding varieties of cashew (Anacardium occidentale)

Cashew apples and kernels from sixteen high-yielding varieties were chemically characterized. Protein, starch, amino acids and sodium contents in cashew kernels did not vary significantly among the high-yielding varieties. Reducing sugar content in the kernel was negligible compared to total sugar. Ascorbic acid, amino acid, phenol and tannin contents in cashew apple showed a significant variation among high-yielding varieties. Non-reducing sugar content in cashew apples was negligible. Varieties M 6/1, Bla 256-1, M 10/4 and M 44/3 appeared to be better for apple juice extraction because of their low tannin content. No varietal difference was noticed with respect to qualitative composition of sugars, organic acids and phenols.CPCRI Contribution No. 459