The health effects of dietary unsaturated fatty acids

Changes in nutritional quality-related traits of quinoa seeds under different storage conditions

Within the context of climate change and its impact on global food security, seed storage has become key, as it ensures long-term food and next-season seed preservation. Aiming at evaluating quality-related changes in quinoa seeds over storage time, different storage temperatures (–20, 4, 12, 25, and 37°C) and humidity conditions (use of silica gel or not) were studied and different seed nutritional parameters were evaluated at different points during a year of storage. Also, to determine if these variations could be conditioned by the genotype used, two quinoa cultivars were compared. The results proved that quinoa seed quality is highly dependent on the storage temperature but is not consistently affected by the use of silica gel if the seed moisture content (SMC) is kept between 5 and 12%. Furthermore, quality can be maintained and even improved by keeping SMC lower than 12% and storage temperatures low (4°C). Under these conditions (at 4°C in hermetic packaging with or without silica gel), and after 12 months of storage, there was an increase in amino acids like isoleucine, serine, arginine, glycine, and glutamic acid and in seed viability and germination. On the contrary, quinoa seeds stored at 37°C showed an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which was related to a lower antioxidant capacity and a reduction in the contents of essential amino acids like isoleucine, lysine, histidine, and threonine, resulting in a delayed and reduced germination capacity, and, therefore, lower seed quality. Besides, quality-related differences appeared between cultivars highlighting differences linked to the genotype. Overall, this work demonstrates that optimal storage temperatures and SMC can preserve or even improve quinoa seed nutritional quality, which in turn can impact food safety and agriculture.

Lipophilic Compounds and Antibacterial Activity of Opuntia ficus-indica Root Extracts from Algeria

The chemical composition, investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and antibacterial activity of lipophilic extractives of three varieties of Opuntia ficus-indica roots from Algeria are reported in this paper for the first time. The results obtained revealed a total of 55 compounds, including fatty acids, sterols, monoglycerides and long chain aliphatic alcohols that were identified and quantified. β-Sitosterol was found as the major compound of the roots of the three varieties. Furthermore, considerable amounts of essential fatty acids (ω3, ω6, and ω9) such as oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids were also identified. The green variety was the richest among the three studied varieties. The antibacterial activity, evaluated with disc diffusion method, revealed that lipophilic extracts were effective mainly against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (19~23 mm). Gram-negative strains mainly Pseudomonas aeruginosa gave an inhibition zone of 18 mm, which is considered high antibacterial activity. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of the tested bacteria revealed interesting values against the majority of bacteria tested: 75–100 µg mL⁻¹ for Bacillus sp., 250–350 µg/mL for the two Staphylococcus strains, 550–600 µg mL⁻¹ for E. coli, and 750–950 µg mL⁻¹ obtained with Pseudomonas sp. This study allows us to conclude that the lipophilic fractions of cactus roots possess interesting phytochemicals such as steroids, some fatty acids and long chain alcohols that acted as antibiotic-like compounds countering pathogenic strains.

A standardized extract of Ziziphus jujuba Mill protects against adriamycin-induced liver, heart, and brain toxicity: An oxidative stress and biochemical approach

Due to the antioxidant effects of the Ziziphus jujuba Mill (Z. jujuba), we investigated the liver, heart, and brain-protective effects of this herb against toxicity induced by adriamycin (ADR). In this study, Wistar rats were divided into 1) control, 2) ADR and 3, 4, and 5) treated groups orally administrated three doses of Z. jujuba hydroalcoholic extract for 1 month. The liver, heart, and brain were removed for evaluation of the oxidative markers. Blood samples were evaluated to determine the levels of Lactate dehydrogenase, total and direct bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, Aspartate transaminase, and Alanine aminotransferase. Administration of Z. jujuba significantly decreased the biochemical enzymes compared to the ADR. Oxidative condition in treated rats with different doses of Z. jujuba was improved compared to the ADR group. Z. jujuba could decrease the oxidative injury through invigoration of the tissues antioxidant system. The mentioned hepatic and cardiac parameters levels improved during extract administration. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In the first stage, our findings and other supplementary works have shown that administration of jujube extract has prevented the effects of histotoxicity caused by adriamycin, so it seems that in the next stage, the effects of this herbal plant on patients with tissue toxicity caused by adriamycin should be evaluated and if the results are positive in pharmacological studies, it should be used as a complementary drug in the treatment of these patients.

Evaluation of SCD, ACACA and FASN Mutations: Effects on Pork Quality and Other Production Traits in Pigs Selected Based on RNA-Seq Results

Simple Summary

This study aimed to evaluate mutations within three candidate genes (SCD, ACACA, FASN) for their effects on fattening and slaughter characteristics, as well as meat quality traits, including intramuscular fat (IMF) level in pork. They were selected within differentially expressed genes activated in response to variable backfat content obtained using the RNA sequencing method. The RNA-seq analysis identifies mutations/SNPs located in the mRNA and could be a useful tool for prediction of genetic markers in farm animals. The results showed that selection for FASN A allele in Polish Large White pigs could lead to improved meat quality traits such as water exudation and meat colour. However, analysed polymorphisms showed only slight effects on fat metabolism and IMF content.

Abstract

In recent years, pig producers have struggled with the problem of low intramuscular fat levels in pork, which impacts palatability and ultimately meat quality. Reduced levels of intramuscular fat are likely the result of breeding objectives aimed at increasing lean meat content. In this study, three mutations within candidate genes for fat content (SCD, ACACA, and FASN) were selected, based on RNA-seq results and the relationship between polymorphisms in genes related to lipid metabolism, fattening and slaughter characteristics, as well as pork quality, including IMF level, were evaluated to identify selection markers. Moreover, their impact on gene expression was also examined. The PCR–RFLP (polymerase cha- in reaction – restriction fragments length) method was used to establish genotypes and effect sizes of potential genetic markers were estimated using a GLM model. It was identified that a FASN missense variant was positively associated with the expression level of this gene, which suggested its linkage with a mutation having a regulatory function. The association study indicated that the FASN missense variant may play a role in the determination of feed conversion and meat colour. In turn, a mutation in the ACACA gene showed a relationship with IMF content in the Puławska breed where the differences reached as much as 20%. We suggest considering all three mutations in further studies based on different pig populations due to the crucial role of SCD, ACACA, and FASN genes in lipid metabolism.

A Candidate Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in the 3' Untranslated Region of Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase Gene for Fatness Quality and the Gene Expression in Berkshire Pigs

Fatness qualities in pigs measured by the amount of fat deposition and composition of fatty acids (FAs) in pork have considerable effect on current breeding goals. The stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) gene plays a crucial role in the conversion of saturated FAs into monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs), and hence, is among the candidate genes responsible for pig fatness traits. Here, we identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP, c.*2041T>C) in the 3′ untranslated region by direct sequencing focused on coding and regulatory regions of porcine SCD. According to the association analysis using a hundred of Berkshire pigs, the SNP was significantly associated with FA composition (MUFAs and polyunsaturated FAs [PUFAs]), polyunsaturated to saturated (P:S) FA ratio, n-6:n-3 FA ratio, and extent of fat deposition such as intramuscular fat and marbling (p<0.05). In addition, the SNP showed a significant effect on the SCD mRNA expression levels (p = 0.041). Based on our results, we suggest that the SCD c.*2041T>C SNP plays a role in the gene regulation and affects the fatness qualities in Berkshire pigs.