Influence of Corn Steep Liquor on Feeding Value of Urea Treated Wheat Straw in Buffaloes Fed at Restricted Diets

Quantification of quercetin from red onion (Allium cepa L.) powder via high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) and its effect on hyperuricemia in male healthy Wistar albino rats

Onions (Allium cepa L.) contain various flavonols, including quercetin, kaempferol, anthocyanin, luteolin, and myricetin. Quercetin in onions is considered the primary bioactive component. To assess the impact of quercetin on hyperuricemia in healthy Wistar albino rats, this study used high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) to identify and measure quercetin in onion powder. Twenty-four 160 ± 10 g, six wistar albino male rats in each group were kept: NC (control sample, no onion powder), OT1, OT2, and OT3, which contained 11.13, 14.84, and 18.61 g/100 g onion powder, respectively. The treatment lasted 28 days, during which the last 7 days were for urine, feces, and blood collection. The results showed a trend of decreasing levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein in rats fed OT1, OT2, and OT3 diets. Improvements were observed in feed, water, and nutrient intake, feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency ratio, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, body weight, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and uric acid levels (p ≤ .05). In contrast, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, serum total protein, neutrophils, and lymphocytes did not change (p ≥ .05). White blood cells, red blood cell count, platelet count, hemoglobin, and monocytes showed an upward trend. Based on our calculations, we determined the optimal human dosage from the most effective amount of onion powder. By taking into account the ratio of human-to-rat surface area, we estimate that the equivalent human dose of onion is 181.04 grams with 204 mg of quercetin. Additionally, when factoring in the dry matter content, the recommended dose of onion is 29.19 grams with 220 mg of quercetin.

Effects of different levels of dried onion powder on nutrient digestibility, biochemical parameters, and nitrogen balance in Wistar albino rats with induced hyperuricemia

Introduction: Onions (Allium cepa L.) are excellent sources of bioactive compounds and phytochemicals such as allicin, quercetin, fisetin, and other sulfurous compounds. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the effects of dried onion powder on growth performance, nitrogen balance, and biochemical parameters in Wistar albino rats with induced hyperuricemia. Methods: A total of 24 rats were randomly divided into four groups, with six in each group: HU (positive control) and HOT1, HOT2, and HOT3 groups, which received a diet containing onion powder at concentrations of 11.13, 14.84, and 18.61 g/100 g, respectively. Hyperuricemia was induced in rats by administering a new formulation intraperitoneally (250 mg/kg potassium oxonate) and orally (40 mg/kg potassium bromate) daily for 14 days. After confirmation of hyperuricemia induction, rats were fed with onion-treated diets with various concentrations of quercetin for 21 days. Results: Significant decreases (p ≤ 0.05) in serum uric acid, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein were observed. An increasing trend (p ≤ 0.05) in the levels of hemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), and platelet count was observed. An improvement in the levels of serum high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum total protein and neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes was observed. A positive progress (p ≤ 0.05) was observed in growth performance and nutrient digestibility. Conclusion: In conclusion, a significantly lower uric acid level was observed in rats fed with HOT2 diet. Based on the ratio of the surface area (human/rat), the best recommended dose of onion for the incidence and prevention of hyperuricemia is 189.95 g, corresponding to the dose of 204 mg/day of quercetin in humans.

Metabolic engineering of oleaginous yeast in the lipogenic phase enhances production of nervonic acid

Insufficient biosynthesis efficiency during the lipogenic phase can be a major obstacle to engineering oleaginous yeasts to overproduce very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). Taking nervonic acid (NA, C24:1) as an example, we overcame the bottleneck to overproduce NA in an engineered Rhodosporidium toruloides by improving the biosynthesis of VLCFAs during the lipogenic phase. First, evaluating the catalytic preferences of three plant-derived ketoacyl-CoA synthases (KCSs) rationally guided reconstructing an efficient NA biosynthetic pathway in R. toruloides. More importantly, a genome-wide transcriptional analysis endowed clues to strengthen the fatty acid elongation (FAE) module and identify/use lipogenic phase-activated promoter, collectively addressing the stagnation of NA accumulation during the lipogenic phase. The best-designed strain exhibited a high NA content (as the major component in total fatty acid [TFA], 46.3%) and produced a titer of 44.2 g/L in a 5 L bioreactor. The strategy developed here provides an engineering framework to establish the microbial process of producing valuable VLCFAs in oleaginous yeasts.

Effect of the Combining Corn Steep Liquor and Urea Pre-treatment on Biodegradation and Hydrolysis of Rice Straw

A novel pre-treatment using corn steep liquor (CSL) and urea was developed to enhance the enzymatic saccharification and degradability of rice straw (RS). We used RS (1) without (Con) or with additives of (2) 5% urea (U), (3) 9% CSL and 2.5% urea (CU), and (4) 9% CSL and 5% urea (C5U). The result showed that the water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) conversion of RS reached 69.32% after C5U pre-treatment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) confirmed that the surface of pre-treated RS exposed more cellulose and hemicellulose due to the disruption of the resistant structure of lignocellulose. Pre-treated RS significantly decreased neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents and increased crude protein (CP) content, microbial colonization, and induction of Carnobacterium and Staphylococcus attachment. Altogether, we concluded that pre-treatment of a combination of CSL and urea has the potential to improve the nutritive value of RS.

The Impact of Ammoniation Treatment on the Chemical Composition and In Vitro Digestibility of Rice Straw in Chinese Holsteins

Simple Summary

Rice straw has many essential uses as a byproduct of agriculture. As a feed source, due to low digestibility, low crude protein and minerals contents, the pretreatment of rice straw is required before use in ruminant feeding. To enhance the nutritive value of rice straw, different methods are practiced. Among them, treatment with ammoniation might be effective regarding the rice straw intake, enhancement of straw digestibility and crude protein levels, which are essential for enhancing the productive ability of dairy cattle. In the current study, we experimentally proved the efficiency of ammoniation treatment to enhance the different feed value parameters (dry matter digestibility, neutral detergent fiber, crude protein, gas production, acetic acid, butyric acid, and total volatile fatty acid) of rice straw.

Abstract

The current study was conducted to explore the ammoniation treatment effects on the chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of rice straw in Chinese Holsteins. For this purpose, rice straw was stored in polyethylene bags (35 × 25 cm, 350 g per bag) including (i) no additives (RS); (ii) 5% urea (5U, dry matter (DM) basis); (iii) 9% corn steep liquor + 5% urea (9C5U, DM basis); (iv) 9C2.5U; and (v) 9C2.5U + 3% molasses (9C2.5U3M, DM basis). The air-dry matter of the mixture was kept at the same level at 55% for all treatments. Fifteen bags (5 treatments × 3 repeats) were prepared and stored at ambient temperature (25 ± 3 °C). The chemical composition and in vitro digestibility were measured at day 60 after storage. Our analysis revealed that all the four ammoniation treatments improved the in vitro DM and neutral detergent fiber (IVNDFD) digestibility. In addition, all the four ammoniation treatments significantly (P < 0.001) increased the levels of crude protein (CP), gas production (GP), acetic acid (AA), butyric acid (BA) and total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) contents of the rice straw and decreased the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of the rice straw compared to the control. Within four treated groups, the 9C5U treatment was most effective. Finally, we concluded that ammoniation treatments increased the nutritive value of rice straw. In addition the 9C5U treatment could be an effective ammoniation treatment for the better utilization of rice straw.

Impact of different omega-3 fatty acid sources on lipid, hormonal, blood glucose, weight gain and histopathological damages profile in PCOS rat model

BACKGROUND

Omega-3 fatty acids (Ω-3 PUFAs) may help to improve health status in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) by reducing numerous metabolic disorders (insulin sensitivity, hyperinsulinemia, lipid profile, obesity and inflammation). To evaluate the current objective, 16 weeks (6 weeks of adjustment period followed by 10 weeks of collection period) research trial was planned to check the impact of different sources of Ω-3 PUFAs (synthetic Ω-3, flaxseed and fish oil) on nutrient digestibility, weight gain, productive (lipid profile, glucose and insulin), reproductive profile (progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen, luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin) and histological study of ovarian tissues in Wistar female rats.

METHODS

Forty-five rats of 130 ± 10 g weight were divided into 5 groups, each having 9 rats: NC (negative control without PCOS), PC (positive control with PCOS), SO (synthetic omega-3 containing ALA, EPA and DHA), FO (flaxseed oil) and F (fish oil) fed at 300 mg/kg/orally/daily of these sources were added in the basal diets while PC and NC received only the basal diet. Food and water were offered ad libitum. PCOS was induced in the rats fed of PC, SO, FO and F diets group by single intramuscular injection of estradiol-valerate (4 mg/rat/IM). Body weight and blood glucose was recorded weekly. At 16th week of trial, blood samples were collected for lipid and hormonal analysis. Ovarian tissues were removed for pathological evaluation. Digestibility was measured by total collection method.

RESULTS

Cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins were reduced in SO, FO and F groups when compared with rats of PC group. However, increasing trend of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was found in same groups. The highest HDL (36.83 ± 0.72 mg/dL) was observed in rats fed F diet. In case of a hormonal profile, testosterone, LH and insulin levels showed a significant reduction after treatments. Blood glucose results showed significantly reducing trend in all the rats fed with Ω-3 PUFAs sources than PC from 5 to 10th week of trial. However, similar trend was noticed in rat's body weight at the end of 6th week. In ovarian morphology, different stages of follicles were observed in groups fed SO, FO and F diets. Nutrient digestibility in PCOS induced rats was remained non-significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The three sources of Ω-3 PUFAs had effective role in improving lipid and hormonal profile, reducing blood glucose, weight gain and histopathological damages in PCOS rats. However, fish oil source might be an innovative approach to cure PCOS via reducing the weight and metabolic anomalies due to EPA and DHA.

A novel multi-enzyme preparation produced from Aspergillus niger using biodegradable waste: a possible option to combat heterogeneous biofilms

Extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) produced by the microorganisms provides protection and stability to them when they are encased within biofilms. Heterogeneous polysaccharides form a major constituent of the EPS and are crucial for the formation and integrity of the biofilms/slime. Thus, breakdown of polysaccharides might help in dispersion of biofilms from abiotic surfaces. In the present study we isolated a fungus, Aspergillus niger APS, capable of concurrently producing a cocktail of carbohydrases and optimized the conditions for higher yields of all the enzymes by one variable at a time (OVAT) approach. The optimization studies resulted in 1.5 to 12 fold augmentation in the enzyme yields using biodegradable waste. Further, keeping in view the heterogeneous nature of polysaccharides in biofilm matrix, the in-house produced enzyme cocktail was used for the dispersal of biofilms formed by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Treatment with enzyme preparation caused 90.23 ± 4.0, 82.64 ± 5.0 and 76.32 ± 5.0% reduction of the biofilms formed by these organisms respectively which was also evidenced by Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealing the loss of biofilm architecture. Interestingly, the enzyme cocktail could also remove viscous slime formed under natural conditions in the kitchen drainage pipe (KDP). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on biotreatment of abiotic surfaces for removal of biofilms/slime formed under natural conditions. The study thus indicates the prospects of using multiple carbohydrases as an anti-biofouling agent on abiotic surfaces like equipments as well as implants/prostheses and pipelines.