Biochemical and nutritional characteristics of non-conventional protein sources

Some nutritional and antinutritional characteristics of Cucumis sativus L and Lagenaria vulgaris (Molina) Standl seeds ere studied. The mature seed kernels contained 312–318 g kg^?1 crude protein, 9–10 g kg^?1 crude fibre, 444–463 g kg^?1 crude fat, 43–45 g kg^?1 ash and 114–142 g kg^?1 carbohydrates. The biological values of cucumber and bottle gourd proteins ere 74.35 and 74.20 respectively. The essential amino acid profile compared ell ith the FAO/HO scoring pattern except for a deficiency of lysine and isoleucine. Lysine as the first limiting amino acid in both the proteins. The leucine:isoleucine and leucine:lysine ratios did not sho imbalance. Trypsin inhibitor, phytate, lectin and tannin levels ere determined in the defatted decorticated cucurbit seed meals. Heat treatment reduced the trypsin inhibitor and lectin activities in all samples to negligible levels. Levels of phytate and tannins ere found to be similar in all samples.     

Antioxidant activity of extracts from Gevuina avellana and Rosa rubiginosa defatted seeds

Chilean hazelnuts (Gevuina avellana Mol) and mosqueta rose (Rosa aff. Rubiginosa L.) meals were extracted with methanol, ethanol, acidified water, acetone, butanol, diethyl ether and ethyl acetate. Ethanol and methanol extracted the highest amount of soluble substances from both seed meals. The highest concentration of total polyphenols was found in the ethanolic extracts, although that of acetone from R. rubiginosa presented similar values. The antioxidant activity of the extracts evaluated by the β-carotene assay and with as hydrogen radical scavenging ability showed that the activity of the butanol and methanol extracts from G. avellana was comparable to those of synthetic antioxidants butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The 2,2,-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of the G. avellana methanol, ethanol and water extracts was 2–3 times lower than those of BHT and BHA, respectively. The activity of R. rubiginosa extracts ranged from that of BHT for the water extracts to 80% inhibition in respect to control achieved with the ethanol extracts.     

Characterisation of Chilean hazelnut (Gevuina avellana) tissues: light microscopy and cell wall polysaccharides

By applying several differential staining techniques and light microscopy, the structure and composition of Chilean hazelnut (Gevuina avellana) seeds were analysed. The structure of the G avellana seed is very simple, with a thin, heavily lignified seed coat and two voluminous cotyledons. The embryo food reserves are uniformly distributed over the cotyledon cells. The cell wall polysaccharides were recovered from the alcohol‐insoluble residue by mild treatment with warm chlorite solution and sequential extraction with alkali solutions of increasing concentration. FT‐IR spectra in the 1200–850 cm^?1 region were used together with chemometric techniques to distinguish the hemicellulosic and pectic polysaccharides in the extracts. The most abundant extracts were fractionated by graded precipitation in ethanol. A xyloglucan was identified by ¹H and ¹³C NMR as the major hemicellulosic polysaccharide, with a sugar composition of 4Glc:3.5Xyl:1Gal:0.5Fuc. The hazelnut cell walls are composed of equivalent amounts of pectic polysaccharides, xyloglucans and cellulose. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Water‐holding capacity of insoluble fibre decreases free water and elevates digesta viscosity in the rat

BACKGROUND: The relationships between possible physiological properties of insoluble fibre and the viscosity of digesta are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of insoluble fibres with different water‐holding capacity, swelling, oil‐holding capacity and cation exchange capacity on gastric, small intestinal and caecal contents in rats fed a semi‐purified diet containing either no fibre (control), 50 g kg^?1 tossa jute fibre or 50 g kg^?1 shiitake fibre. RESULTS: The water‐holding capacity, swelling, oil‐holding capacity and cation exchange capacity of insoluble fibres of tossa jute were higher than those of shiitake (P < 0.001). The order of the viscosities of digesta was control group < shiitake fibre group < tossa jute fibre group in gastric, small intestinal and caecal contents (P < 0.05). The digesta viscosity at a shear rate of 40 s^?1 was strongly correlated with the free water content of digesta (r = ? 0.89; P < 0.01). The free water content of digesta depended on the water‐holding capacity of insoluble fibres represented as a linear function with negative slope (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The viscosity of digesta depends on the free water content, and this is reduced by fibre that holds water and can swell. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Antioxidant activity and dietary fibre of Prensal Blanc white grape (Vitis vinifera) by‐products

Stem and pomace of a white grape (Vitis vinifera) variety, Prensal Blanc, were studied for the first time: general composition and dietary fibre components together with the total soluble polyphenol content and antioxidant activity. Both by‐products present high contents of total dietary fibre (TDF), 790 g kg^?1 d.m. (stem) and 716 g kg^?1 d.m. (pomace). Values of the soluble dietary fibres in relation to TDF differed: 5% (stem) and 14.4% (pomace). Similar values of Klason lignin were found: 229 g kg^?1 (stem) and 278 g kg^?1 (pomace), however, the pomace exhibited more than twice the content of the condensed tannins (168 g kg^?1) with regard to the stem (79 g kg^?1). Notable were the high resistant protein contents of both by‐products. Stem and pomace showed appreciable amounts of total soluble polyphenols (87 g kg^?1 against 35 g kg^?1 respectively). The free radical scavenging capacity of the former by‐products was determined using the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) method, obtaining EC₅₀ values of 0.79 g d.m. g^?1 DPPH (stem) and 1.32 g d.m. g^?1 DPPH (pomace). These data shows that both vinification by‐products from the Prensal Blanc variety are a good source of dietary fibre and have antioxidant properties.     

Chemical characterisation of Tylosema fassoglensis (Kotschy) Torre & Hillc oilseed

Tylosema fassoglensis seeds contain high levels of lipids (240–300 g kg^?1) and proteins (446 g kg^?1 dry weight). Major fatty acids contained in the oil are linoleic (36–42% of the total fatty acids) oleic (32–35%) and palmitic (11.5–15.7%) acids. The proteins are characteristic with their high levels of lysine, proline and tyrosine. Due to their very low content, both methionine and cystine appear to be the limiting amino acids. Tylosema fassoglensis defatted meal contains substantial amounts of trypsin inhibitors and phytates 295 TUI mg^?1 and 35 g kg^?1 dry weight, respectively.     

Protein quality and energy density of green peas as influenced by seed size and time of harvest

Green peas (Pisum sativum L) were harvested at three different time points—3 days apart—and subsequently sorted into four fractions according to seed size (diameter > 10.2 mm; 10.2–8.75 mm; 8.75–8.2 mm and 8.2–6.0 mm). Three varieties from two years were investigated. The study comprised a total of 31 green pea samples. The average protein content of the samples was 276 g kg^?1 DM with relatively low variation (SE = 5.7). Protein content was highest in the smallest seeds. The average energy content was 18.6 MJ kg^?1DM. Dietary fibre content was 226 g kg^?1 DM, the major part (77%) as insoluble fibre. Seeds of early harvest and seeds with the smallest diameter had the lowest fibre (IDF and TDF) content and at the same time the highest energy digestibility. The average energy digestibility was 83.2%. Protein digestibility was relatively high (average 92.1%), while biological value (BV) and net protein utilisation (NPU) were moderate to low (60.6% and 55.8% respectively) due to low contents of the essential amino acids (g per 16 g N), especially tryptophan, methionine + cystine and lysine. Contents of lysine, tryptophan and methionine + cystine were more than 20% higher in the smallest seeds compared to the larger seeds. Similar differences were observed in seeds of late harvest as compared with seeds of early harvest. Correlation coefficients revealed a strong positive correlation between lysine, tryptophan and methionine + cystine content and the biological value of green pea protein. The three varieties investigated showed no differences in the chemical parameters although small differences in BV and NPU were observed.     

Applicability of NIR spectroscopy to determine oil and other physicochemical parameters in Rosa mosqueta and Chilean hazelnut

Due to the increasing interest in certain components, specially the oil, from non-conventional seeds as Rosa mosqueta (Rosa rubiginosa) and Chilean hazelnut (Gevuina avellana), quick determinations of oil and other parameters were carried out by using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Moisture, oil, fiber (as acid detergent fiber) and protein from solid samples of the seeds as mentioned, along with those of soybean (Glycine max), already analyzed by NIR and for serving as control for the variability of the method, were studied. Sample interactions to NIR radiations were processed using the multivariate regression algorithm Partial Least Squared (PLS) to build a calibration model. Standard error of cross-validation (SECV) was used to estimate the prediction error. Moisture of Rosa mosqueta, Chilean hazelnut presscake and soybean meal (in the ranges 10–15, 10–15, 8–10%, respectively), acid detergent fiber (60–68, 12–16, 10–15%, respectively), oil (1–4, 14–20, 5–13%, respectively) and protein (1–5, 8–15, 27–45%, respectively) were previously determined by wet analysis using standard methods, so creating a library. The possibility to analyze parameters from very different oilseeds with an acceptable uncertainty was also established. Standard errors of cross-validation were between 1.25 and 2.99%, being the oil content the best predicted parameter.     

Effect of Twin-Screw Extrusion on the Functional Properties of Soya Fibre

Dietary fibre from soya residues (by-products of soya bean curd production) before and after twin-screw extrusion were fractionated into water insoluble, 5 g kg⁻¹ ammonium oxalate insoluble, 40 g kg⁻¹ KOH insoluble and 240 g kg⁻¹ KOH insoluble fractions. The porous property, swelling ability in water, water holding capacity and glucose retardation capacity of each fraction were evaluated. Results showed that extrusion decreased the pore sizes and there were no significant differences between glucose retardation capacity of non-extruded and extruded fibres. The 240 g kg⁻¹ KOH extract of fibre might play a unique role in the functional properties of fibre.     

Broad bean and pea by‐products as sources of fibre‐rich ingredients: potential antioxidant activity measured in vitro

BACKGROUND By‐products generated during the processing of plant food can be considered a promising source of dietary fibre as a functional compound. The dietary fibre composition, soluble sugars and antioxidant activity of the extractable polyphenols of pea and broad bean by‐products have been analysed in this study. RESULTS: Total dietary fibre using AOAC methods plus hydrolysis (broad bean pod: 337.3 g kg^?1; pea pod: 472.6 g kg^?1) is higher (P < 0.05) in both by‐products than with the Englyst method (broad bean pod: 309.7 g kg^?1; pea pod: 434.6 g kg^?1). The main monomers are uronic acids, glucose, arabinose and galactose in broad bean pods. However, pea pods are very rich in glucose and xylose. The soluble sugars analysed by high‐performance liquid chromatography in both by‐products have glucose as the most important component, followed by sucrose and fructose. The ferric reducing antioxidant power (broad bean pod: 406.4 µmol Trolox equivalents g^?1; pea pod: 25.9 µmol Trolox equivalents g^?1) and scavenging effect on 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical (EC₅₀ of broad bean pod: 0.4 mg mL^?1; EC₅₀ of pea pod: 16.0 mg mL^?1) were also measured. CONCLUSIONS: Broad bean and pea by‐products are very rich in dietary fibre, particularly insoluble dietary fibre and their extractable polyphenols demonstrate antioxidant activity. Therefore they might be regarded as functional ingredients. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

The ratios of degradation characteristics of forages in the rumen of dairy cows: effect of variety and stage of maturity

In situ digestive characteristics of neutral detergent fibre (NDF), non‐fibre carbohydrates (NFC) and crude protein (CP) in alfalfa and timothy were determined in the rumen of dairy cows. Two varieties of alfalfa (Pioneer and Beaver) and timothy (Climax and Joliotte) were grown in western Canada and cut at three maturity stages (alfalfa: 1 = early bud, 2 = late bud, 3 = early bloom; timothy: 1 = joint, 2 = pre – bloom head, 3 = full head). Measured ruminal degradation characteristics were soluble fraction (NFC, CP), undegradable fraction (NDF, CP), lag time (NDF) and rate of degradation of the insoluble but degradable fraction (NDF, NFC, CP). All measured characteristics showed large differences between the two forage species (alfalfa vs timothy) and to a lesser extent between the maturity stages and varieties. Mean total rumen available NDF (248.6 vs 282.5 g kg^?1 dry matter (DM)), NFC (200.5 vs 106.1 g kg^?1 DM) and CP (139.7 vs 44.5 g kg^?1 DM) differed (p < 0.01) between alfalfa and timothy. Based on the measured characteristics, degradation ratios were calculated between total rumen available N and carbohydrates (FN/FCHO), soluble N and carbohydrates (SN/SCHO) and rumen available insoluble N and carbohydrates (EN/ECHO). The ratios showed large differences between the two forages species and to a lesser extent between the varieties and stages of maturity. Alfalfa species had significantly higher (p < 0.01) ratios of FN/FCHO (49.8 vs 18.3 g kg^?1), SN/SCHO (115.0 vs 36.1 g kg^?1) and EN/ECHO (28.3 vs 12.0 g kg^?1) than timothy. These results indicate that alfalfa varieties exhibited a superior rumen fermentation ratio (optimum FN/FCHO = 25–33 g N kg^?1 carbohydrates). The results also suggest a potential N loss in alfalfa and N shortage in timothy. Comparing the two varieties of alfalfa, no differences (p > 0.05) were found in the ratios of FN/FCHO and EN/ECHO, but a significant difference (p < 0.05) was found in SN/SCHO (132.3 vs 97.6 g kg^?1). However, comparing the two varieties of timothy, there were significant differences (p < 0.01) in FN/FCHO (23.8 vs 12.8 g kg^?1) and EN/ECHO (15.3 vs 8.7 g kg^?1) ratios but not in SN/SCHO ratio (p > 0.05), indicating large differences between legume and grass. As plant maturity advanced from stage 1 to stage 3, there were no significant changes in all ratios in alfalfa and timothy except the EN/ECHO ratio in timothy (14.3, 13.4 and 8.3 g kg^?1 at stages 1, 2 and 3 respectively). It was concluded that the degradation characteristic ratios were dependent on species, variety and/or stage of maturity. Such ratios could be used to optimise a dairy diet composition with regard to rumen fermentation. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Ileal digestibility of defatted soybean,lupin and chickpea seed meals in cannulated Iberian pigs: II. Fatty acids and carbohydrates

Five castrated male Iberian pigs (100 ± 2 kg mean live body weight) fitted with T‐shaped ileal cannulas were used to determine ileal digestibility of legume seed meals. The diets were based on defatted soybean (256 g kg^?1), lupin (451 g kg^?1) or chickpea (731 g kg^?1) seed meals and contained similar amounts of digestible energy (14.2–15.1 kJ g^?1) and protein (107 g kg^?1). Only myristic acid (C14:0) ileal apparent digestibility was higher (p < 0.05) in lupin than in chickpea meal. Ileal apparent digestibility of unsaturated fatty acids (FA) (710–920 g kg^?1) was higher (p < 0.05) than that of saturated (480–710 g kg^?1) FA for both seed meals. Ileal digestibility of chickpea starch was 850 g kg^?1. Ileal digestibility of oligosaccharides (sucrose, raffinose, stachyose, verbascose and ciceritol) in lupin (820 g kg^?1) and chickpea (690 g kg^?1) was higher (p < 0.05) than that of defatted soybean (510 g kg^?1). However, total amounts of oligosaccharides digested were higher (p < 0.05) for lupin and chickpea meals (29.6 and 24.6 g kg^?1 feed respectively) than for soybean (15.2 g kg^?1 feed). Among individual non‐starch polysaccharide (NSP) sugars, ileal digestibility values for rhamnose and xylose in lupins were higher (p < 0.05) than those for soybean or chickpea. Ileal digestibility of lupin meal NSP (650 g kg^?1) was higher (p < 0.05) than those of soybean (560 g kg^?1) or chickpea (430 g kg^?1). Up to the terminal ileum, higher (p < 0.05) amounts of lupin total NSP (94.1 g kg^?1) than for soybean (24.3 g kg^?1) or chickpea (27.1 g kg^?1) were digested. Lactate, acetate and isobutyrate concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in ileal contents of pigs fed lupin and chickpea seed meals compared with soybean‐fed animals. It is concluded that higher lactate and short chain fatty acids concentrations in ileal contents of pigs fed lupin or chickpea seed meals compared with soybean are likely to be the result of higher total amounts of lupin NSP and/or lupin and chickpea oligosaccharides digested up to the terminal ileum. This might have a protective effect on Iberian pig's intestinal physiology. Both lupin and chickpea meals are likely to constitute a valuable alternative to defatted soybean in Iberian pig feeding. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Monitoring of seed composition of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus‐indica L) fruits during maturation period

Prickly pear fruit seeds were subjected to a range of chemical analyses during their 15 week maturation period. Seeds contained on average 71.5 g kg^?1 dry matter, 61.9 g kg^?1 crude oil, 9.4 g kg^?1 protein, 507.4 g kg^?1 crude fibre, 12.3 g kg^?1 ash and 409.0 g kg^?1 carbohydrate. The fatty acid composition of prickly pear seed oil consisted of 1.3–1.9 g kg^?1 myristic (14:0), 132.1–156.0 g kg^?1 palmitic (16:0), 14.4–18.5 g kg^?1 palmitoleic (16:1), 33.1–47.9 g kg^?1 stearic (18:0), 210.5–256.0 g kg^?1 oleic (18:1), 522.5–577.6 g kg^?1 linoleic (18:2), 2.9–9.7 g kg^?1 linolenic (18:3), 4.2–6.6 g kg^?1 arachidic (20:0) and 2.1–3.0 g kg^?1 behenic (22:0) acids, which is comparable with that of corn oil. No statistical difference in seed weight ratio was determined during the maturation period, whereas changes in the saturated fatty acids of the seed oil were observed. From this study it can be concluded that the seeds of prickly pear are suitable as animal feed. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Analysis of the testaless seeds of chrysophyllum albidum: Nutritional aspects

The testaless seeds of Chrysophyllum albidum G Don from Nigeria were analysed and found to contain saponins with a foaming index < 100, 71 g kg^?1 crude fibre, 109 g kg^?1 total ash, 316 g kg^?1 carbohydrates, 364 g kg^?1 proteins and 52 g kg^?1 fixed oil on dry weight basis. They were also found to have appreciable amounts of K, Ca, P and Mg. Further analysis of the carbohydrates showed the presence of starch and the reducing sugars arabinose, galactose, glucose and mannose. The profile of amino acids showed the seeds to be rich in the essential amino acids lysine, threonine, leucine, isoleucine and phenylalanine. The fatty acids of fixed oil include 16–3% palmitic acid, 5–9% stearic acid, 41–3% oleic acid, 30–9% linoleic acid and 1–6% arachidic acid.     

Chemical composition of the potential new oilseed crops Barbarea vulgaris,Barbarea verna and Lepidium campestre

Barbarea vulgaris, Barbarea verna and Lepidium campestre were selected as potential new oilseed crops. To evaluate the nutritional and technological quality of the seeds, the chemical composition was studied. The major constituents found were dietary fibre, crude fat and crude protein. Barbarea contained about 350 g kg⁻¹ dietary fibre, 295 g kg ⁻¹ crude fat and 170 g kg⁻¹ crude protein, while Lepidium contained about 400 g kg⁻¹ dietary fibre, 200 g kg⁻¹ crude fat and 190 g kg⁻¹ protein. The amino acid composition was found to be suitable for human consumption when comparison with the amino acid pattern for high quality protein was made. Fatty acid composition was dominated by erucic acid in B vulgaris (28%) and B verna (50%) and by linolenic acid in L campestre (34%). Insoluble dietary fibres were dominated by Klason lignin in both Barbarea and Lepidium. Uronic acid and glucose residues were also found in large amounts. Soluble dietary fibres were dominated by uronic acid, arabinose and galactose residues. The major glucosinolates found were glucobarbarin in B vulgaris (108 μmol g⁻¹), gluconasturtiin in B verna (106 μmol g⁻¹) and sinalbin in L campestre (110 μmol g⁻¹). No cyanogens were found in any of the seeds. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of seed treatments on the chemical composition of two amaranth species: oil,sugars, fibres,minerals and vitamins

The effects of seed treatments, including cooking, popping, germination and flour air classification on several components of Amaranthus caudatus and A. cruentus seeds, including oil, sugars, fibre, minerals and vitamins were studied. The lipid, crude and dietary fibre, ash, and sugar contents were 71, 43, 140, 30 and 18 g kg^?1 in raw A. caudatus and 85, 39, 134, 40 and 22 g kg^?1 in raw A. cruentus seeds, respectively. Sucrose was the dominant sugar in the raw and thermal treated seeds of both species, while glucose and galactose were the dominant ones in the high protein and the germinated seed flours. Phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium were the dominant minerals in the raw seeds of both species. Air classification increased the content of minerals by more than 35% while thermal treatments did not affect their content and germination increased the calcium and zinc contents. The ascorbic acid contents were 0.030 and 0.023 g kg^?1 sample in raw A. caudatus and A. cruentus seeds, respectively. All the treatments reduced the ascorbic acid content, with a high effect for the air classification and the germinated seeds dried at 90 °C. The levels of vitamin B complex, including niacin, niacinamide, pyridoxine and riboflavin were increased in the high protein flour fraction (protein contents of these fractions of A. caudatus and A. cruentus were 263.9 g kg^?1 and 246.6 g kg^?1, respectively) and decreased in the thermal treated flours. Germination mostly increased the amounts of those vitamins while drying reduced their amounts. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characterisation of the leaf meals,protein concentrates and residues from some tropical leguminous plants

Leaf meals (LMs) from freshly harvested leaves of butterfly pea (Centrosema pubescens), devil bean (Mucuna pruriens), flamboyant flower (Delonix regia), Bauhinia tomentosa, coast wattle (Acacia auriculiformis), quick stick (Glyricidia sepium) and ipil‐ipil (Leucaena leucocephala) were analysed for their nutrient and anti‐nutritional content. Then, leaf protein concentrates (LPCs) were produced from the leaves by fractionation and characterised along with the fibrous residues. On average, the LM contained 181 g kg^?1 dry matter (DM) CP (range: 100–280 g kg^?1 DM), 139 g kg^?1 DM crude fibre (range: 77–230 g kg^?1 DM) and 133 g kg^?1 DM ether extract (range: 86–165 g kg^?1 DM) while the gross energy averaged 17.0 MJ kg^?1. On average, leaf protein fractionation enhanced the CP, ether extract and the gross energy in the LPC by 39.5%, 33.5% and 22.0%, respectively, while the crude fibre of the LMs was reduced by 41%, on average, in the LPCs. Fractionation reduced the mineral content of the leaves generally. The mean phytin content varied from 0.36 g kg^?1 in LPCs to 0.86 g kg^?1 in leaf meal, while the mean phytin‐P content varied from 0.10 g kg^?1 in LPCs to 0.24 g kg^?1 in leaf meal. The total phenol levels in the LMs were reduced by 33.7% in the LPCs, on average. These results suggest that, while the LPCs from these plants could be used as protein supplements in non‐ruminant feeds in regions where there is an acute shortage of plant protein, the LMs or LPC fibrous residues could be fed to ruminant animals. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of defatted dried roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seed powder on lipid profiles of hypercholesterolemia rats

BACKGROUND: In vivo investigations were made of the effect of defatted dried roselle seed powder (DRS) on the lipid profiles of rats with induced hypercholesterolemia. The two‐batch sample consisted of 23 and 20 Sprague‐Dawley male rats randomly divided into four groups and fed with four different diets. The first batch of rats was fed with normal, hypercholesterol, hypercholesterol + 10 g kg^?1 (w/w) DRS and hypercholesterol + 20 g kg^?1 (w/w) DRS diets. The second batch of rats was fed with normal, hypercholesterol, hypercholesterol + 50 g kg^?1 (w/w) DRS and hypercholesterol + 150 g kg^?1 (w/w) DRS diets. Treatments were given for a total of 5 weeks. RESULTS: Results indicated that the addition of 10 g kg^?1 and 20 g kg^?1 of DRS did not significantly lower the plasma total cholesterol (TC) levels. In contrast, 50 g kg^?1 and 150g kg^?1 DRS significantly lowered (P < 0.05) the TC and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels. CONCLUSION: The addition of 50 g kg^?1 and 150 g kg^?1 DRS showed potential hypocholesterolemic effects. Furthermore, these findings indicated that protein, lipid and dietary fibre were high in the seed powder. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Unexploited Acacia cyanophylla seeds: potential food sources of ω6 fatty acids and antioxidants?

BACKGROUND: In order to investigate new sources of dietary phytochemicals, recent studies have focused on underexploited seeds. In this study the total lipid contents, fatty acid profiles and levels of soluble proteins, minerals and antioxidants in seeds from 12 Acacia cyanophylla ecotypes commonly grown in Tunisia were determined. RESULTS: Total lipids averaged 101.7 g kg^?1 on a dry weight basis. Linoleic (61.11–65.45% of total fatty acid content), oleic (19.67–22.85%) and palmitic (9.18–9.98%) acids were the principal fatty acids. Smaller proportions of stearic (1.49–1.82%), vaccenic (1.13–2.05%) and palmitoleic (0.34–0.58%) acids were also quantified. Proteins (by Kjeldahl assay) averaged 107.2 g kg^?1 on a dry weight basis. Total phenolics averaged 1.91 g gallic acid equivalent kg^?1 dry weight (DW) and total flavonoids averaged 0.40 g rutin equivalent kg^?1 DW. The free radical‐scavenging activity determined by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl assay averaged 0.59 mmol L^?1 Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), while that determined by 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) assay averaged 0.28 mmol L^?1 TEAC. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study confirm the presence of ω6 fatty acids at high levels in A. cyanophylla seeds. These metabolites could be used as such and/or extracted for the formulation of supplements and/or ingredients to provide a ratio close to the ideal for the ω3/ω6 balance. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dietary fibre level and enzyme inclusion affect nutrient digestibility and excreta characteristics in grower pigs

An experiment was conducted with 12 grower pigs to determine the effects of (1) manipulating dietary neutral detergent fibre (NDF) level and (2) dietary inclusion of fibre‐degrading enzymes on nutrient digestibility and excreta characteristics in pigs. Four diets were formulated to contain three levels of NDF: 1, 66 g kg^?1 NDF (low fibre); 2, 121 g kg^?1 NDF (moderate fibre); 3, 222 g kg^?1 NDF (high fibre); 4, diet 3 plus 2.0 g kg^?1 enzyme. Increasing levels of dietary NDF linearly decreased dry matter and energy digestibilities (r² = 0.99, P < 0.05). Lowering dietary NDF from 222 to 121 g kg^?1 improved nitrogen digestibility by 13% (P < 0.01). Faecal production was decreased by 9% for each 1% decrease in dietary NDF content (r² = 0.99, P < 0.05). Inclusion of fibre‐degrading enzymes in the high‐fibre diet improved dry matter and energy digestibilities by 2 and 3% respectively, and reduced faecal production by 10% (P < 0.01). Faecal and manure (faeces plus urine) pH values from pigs fed the high‐fibre diet and the high‐fibre plus enzyme diet were lower than those from pigs fed the other experimental diets (P < 0.05). In conclusion, lowering the dietary NDF level or inclusion of fibre‐degrading enzymes in high‐fibre diets may offer relatively practical and easy methods for reducing waste production in pigs. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry