Loading...
12 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 12
- The effect of sprouting in lentil (lens culinaris) nutritional and microbiological profilePublication . Santos, Carla S.; Silva, Beatriz; Valente, Luisa M. P.; Gruber, Sabine; Vasconcelos, Marta W.Biological and vegetarian raw food products, in particular based on legume sprouts, are an increasing food trend, due to their improved nutritional value when compared to seeds. Herein, protein and mineral profiles were studied in 12 lentil varieties, with varieties Du Puy, Kleine Schwarze, Rosana, Flora, Große Rote and Kleine Späths II demonstrating the highest protein percentages. After sprouting, protein percentages increased significantly in 10 of the 12 varieties, with the highest increases ranging between 20–23% in Dunkelgrün Marmorierte, Du Puy, Große Rote and Kleine Späths II varieties. While Fe concentration was significantly decreased in three varieties (Samos, Große Rote and Kleine Späths II), Zn and Mn were positively impacted by sprouting (p ≤ 0.05). Magnesium concentration was not affected by sprouting, while Ca and K had percentage increases between 41% and 58%, and 28% and 30%, respectively, in the best performing varieties (Kleine Schwarze, Dunkelgrün Marmorierte, Samos and Rosana). Regardless of the associated nutritional benefits, issues pertaining to sprouts microbiological safety must be ensured. The best results for the disinfection protocols were obtained when combining the seed treatment with SDS reagent followed by an Amukine application on the sprouts, which did not affect germination rates or sprout length. The increasing levels of sprout consumption throughout the world require efficient implementation of safety measures, as well as a knowledge-based selection for the nutritional quality of the seeds.
- Immune responses and gut morphology of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis, Kaup 1858) fed monospecies and multispecies probioticsPublication . Batista, S.; Ramos, M. A.; Cunha, S.; Barros, Rui; Cristóvão, B.; Rema, P.; Pires, M. A.; Valente, L. M. P.; Ozório, R. O. A.The current study aimed to determine the effects of dietary probiotic supplementation on growth, gut morphology and non-specific immune parameters in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) juveniles during a 1-month trial. Fish were fed for 1-month two diets with 1.0 or 4.6 × 106 CFU kg−1) of probiotic A (Bacillus sp., Pediococcus sp., Enterococcus sp. and Lactobacillus sp.) and two diets with 3.5 or 8.6 × 105 CFU kg−1 of probiotic B (Pediococcus acidilactici) and tested against an unsupplemented diet (control). Growth performance, as well as respiratory burst activity, nitric oxide (NO), alternative complement pathway (ACH50), lysozyme and peroxidase activities, was not affected by the dietary treatments. Probiotic supplementation tended to increased growth homogeneity between tanks having diet A1 the best possible alternative to decrease costs associated to size grading. Villous length and number of goblet cells of the anterior intestine did not vary among treatments. Muscle duodenal layer was significantly thicker in fish fed probiotic A compared to probiotic B, when included at the lowest level (A2 versus B2). The current study indicate that the use of the multispecies probiotic at 1.0 × 106 CFU kg−1 might enhance protection against pathogen outbreak and increase nutrient absorption, whereas at the highest concentration could reduced size dispersion among tanks.
- The effect of sex, season and gametogenic cycle on gonad yield, biochemical composition and quality traits of Paracentrotus lividus along the North Atlantic coast of PortugalPublication . Rocha, Filipa; Baião, Luís F.; Moutinho, Sara; Reis, Bruno; Oliveira, Ana; Arenas, Francisco; Maia, Margarida R. G.; Fonseca, Antonio J. M.; Pintado, Manuela; Valente, Luisa M. P.Sea urchin population harvest in the North Atlantic coast of Portugal was characterized in terms of gonad yield, nutritional composition and important market-related traits, over one reproductive cycle (March 2016 to March 2017). Most of the quality attributes showed a seasonal variation strongly dependent on sea urchin sex. Maximum gonad yield (18%) was observed in March 2017. A single spawning event occurred between May and July. Gonads are rich sources of protein (12–18% WW) with low fat content (≤6% WW), that increase during the gametogenic stages of recovery and growing (November-December). Polyunsaturated fatty acids were the dominant class in both sexes (4.2–14.7 mg.g−1 WW), being preferentially accumulated in females. Total gonads carotenoid varied seasonally, with the highest level being observed in males during spawning season. Echinenone was the main pigment present in gonads, showing highest concentrations in males during spawning and gonad recovering. During the growing and early maturation period gonads were more reddish, yellowish and brighter, as well as more firm, irrespectively of the sex. Based on all seasonal changes affecting gonad yield and quality, the period between November and February seems the most suitable to harvest high quality gonads in the Atlantic coast of Portugal.
- Apparent digestibility coefficients of processed agro-food by-products in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juvenilesPublication . Campos, I.; Matos, E.; Aragão, C.; Pintado, M.; Valente, L. M. P.Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of processed agro-food by-products were assessed in European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax). Each experimental diet was obtained by replacing 300 g/kg of a commercial-based diet used as reference (REF) with a test ingredient: wheat germ (GERM), okara meal (OKA), poultry by-product meal (POULT), steam hydrolysed (FeHY) and enzyme-treated feather meal (FeENZ), beta-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) and peptide fractions >3,000 Da obtained from brewer’s yeast (YeastP) and fish by-products (FishP). Dry matter ADC was highest in β-Lg (95%) and lowest in OKA (40%). Protein ADCs were high in β-Lg, FishP, GERM and POULT (>93%); intermediate in FeHY and FeENZ (85%–88%); and moderate in OKA and YeastP (70%–78%). The essential amino acids’ ADC mean was above 91% in POULT, β-Lg, GERM and FishP, 84%–89% in FeHY and FeENZ and 73%–76% in YeastP and OKA. Energy ADC was highest in POULT and β-Lg (89%–95%) and lowest in YeastP and OKA (61%–64%). Lipid ADC was highest for POULT and GERM (100%). Phosphorus ADC was lowest in GERM (19%) and highest in β-Lg (88%). FeHY, FeENZ, POULT, GERM, FishP and β-Lg are highlighted as protein sources for European seabass.
- Use of technological processing of seaweed and microalgae as strategy to improve their apparent digestibility coefficients in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juvenilesPublication . Batista, Sónia; Pintado, Manuela; Marques, Alexandra; Abreu, Helena; Silva, Joana L; Jessen, Flemming; Valente, Luísa M.P.Algae are natural sources of nutrients, but the presence of anti-nutritional factors often compromises nutrient apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) in several fish species. In this study, physical-mechanical and enzymatic technological processing was applie to two seaweeds (Gracilaria gracilis and Ulva rigida) and three microalgae (Nannochloropsis oceanica, Chlorella vulgaris, and Tetraselmis sp.) in order to evaluate its effectiveness in improving nutrient ADC values in diets for European seabass. A practical commercial-based diet was used as reference (REF) and experimental diets were prepared by replacing 30% of REF diet with each test alga used either intact or after processing. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and fast performance liquid chromatography (FPLC) analyses revealed that enzymatic processing was more effective than the physical one in changing the protein and peptides composition, increasing the amount of low-molecular-weight compounds in seaweeds and N. oceanica microalgae. Protein digestibility was significantly affected by algae species and in the case of the microalgae by the technological process. Gracilaria gracilis is better digested than U. rigida and physical processing enhanced protein and energy ADC values. Nannochloropsis oceanica and C. vulgaris are better digested than Tetraselmis sp.; the highest protein and energy ADCs were observed in diets containing enzymatically processed N. oceanica (NAN-ENZ) and physically processed C. vulgaris (CHLO-PHY), followed by the diet with physically processed Tetraselmis sp. (TETR-PHY). Results clearly showed that it is possible to increase nutrient accessibility and digestibility of algae by fish, by selecting the most adequate method to disrupt the cell wall. Moreover, the physical-mechanical and enzymatic technological processes used in this study are scalable to the industrial level.
- Seasonal effect in nutritional quality and safety of the wild sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus harvested in the European Atlantic shoresPublication . Rocha, Filipa; Rocha, A. Cristina; Baião, Luís F.; Gadelha, Juliana; Camacho, Carolina; Carvalho, M. Luísa; Arenas, Francisco; Oliveira, Ana; Maia, Margarida R. G.; Cabrita, Ana R.; Pintado, Manuela; Nunes, M. Leonor; Almeida, C. Marisa R.; Valente, Luisa M. P.Paracentrotus lividus gonads are gastronomic delicacies widely appreciated in Europe. Two commercially exploited populations of sea urchins were characterized, for the first time, in terms of gonad quality (market-related traits such as colour, texture and nutritional value) and safety (contaminants levels) to define the best season for harvesting this valuable resource. Spawning occurred between spring-summer, yet gonad index peaked only in one population during winter. In both populations, the strongest yellow colouration and highest gonad firmness, protein, lipid, polyunsaturated fatty acids and carotenoid contents as well as the lowest contents of mineral were registered in fall. Inorganic and organic contaminants levels were, in general, similar among sites and seasons, being found at trace levels in seawater and gonads, with low risk for consumers. For these populations, high-quality gonads can be harvested during fall, despite being safe for human consumption all year round.
- Impact of thermal treatment and hydrolysis by Alcalase and Cynara cardunculus enzymes on the functional and nutritional value of OkaraPublication . Voss, Glenise B.; Osorio, Hugo; Valente, Luís M. P.; Pintado, Manuela E.Enzymatic hydrolysis of dried okara (autoclaved and non-autoclaved) with Alcalase (AL) and Cynara cardunculus extract (CY) was studied, assessing the impact of heat treatment and hydrolysis on potential antioxidant and antihypertensive activities of final hydrolysates. This study showed that the thermal treatment (sterilization at 121 °C, 1 atm and 15 min) facilitated the enzymatic access to substrate and increased the degree of hydrolysis (DH), especially for AL (37.9%) when compared to CY (3.6%). The antioxidant activity of dried Okara (either autoclaved or not) when hydrolysed with AL was higher (4.2 mg Trolox/mL) than that observed for CY. Additionally, the potential ACE-inhibitory activity was high for samples hydrolysed with both enzymes, however the highest ACE inhibition was also found for AL (IC50 = 9.97 µg/mL). This study allowed the identification of new peptide sequences in dried okara hydrolysed with both enzymes, and some sequences that can explain their bioactivities. The results indicate that dried okara hydrolysates can either be used as functional ingredient or as food supplement for blood pressure lowering or antioxidant applications in the future.
- Processed by‐products from soy beverage (Okara) as sustainable ingredients for nile tilapia (o. niloticus) juveniles: effects on nutrient utilization and muscle qualityPublication . Voss, Glenise B.; Sousa, Vera; Rema, Paulo; Pintado, Manuela E.; Valente, Luísa M. P.The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of differently processed okara meals were assessed in Nile tilapia diets: dried okara not autoclaved (FOK), dried okara autoclaved (AOK), okara hydrolyzed with Alcalase (ALOK) or Cynara cardunculus proteases (CYOK), and hydrolyzed okara fermented with lactic bacteria: Lactobacillus rhamnosus R11 (CYR11OK) or Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Bb12 (CYB12OK). Okara processing significantly affected nutrient digestibility: dry matter ADC was highest in CYR11OK (80%) and lowest in FOK (40%). The lowest protein digestibility was observed in CYR11OK (72%), and the highest in AOK (97%) and CYOK (91%), evidencing the effectiveness of the autoclave and the use of C. Cardunculus proteases to increase okara protein bioavailability. The inclusion of up to 20% of AOK or CYOK did not affect fish growth, nutrient utilization, or whole body composition of Nile tilapia. The flesh quality (color, pH, water activity, cohesiveness, elasticity and resilience) was not affected by the dietary incorporation of AOK or CYOK. Fish fed with AOK diets stand out for their high density of muscle fibers, particularly in AOK20, which can explain their high muscle firmness and may result in further hypertrophic growth. Altogether, results suggest that hydrolyzed or autoclaved okara are valuable ingredients for Nile tilapia diets.
- Impact of different thermal treatments and storage conditions on the stability of soybean byproduct (okara)Publication . Voss, G.B.; Rodríguez-Alcalá, L. M.; Valente, L.M.P.; Pintado, M.M.Okara is the byproduct obtained from tofu or soymilk production process. It has a rich nutritional composition, especially in fibers, proteins and lipids. Stabilization processes are required to assure its efficient and safe use, because there are few studies on okara. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition (protein, fiber, lipids, ash and isoflavones), microbiological stability, antioxidant capacity and antinutritional factors in fresh okara stored at 4 and − 18 °C and dried okara (80 °C/5 h and 200 °C/1 h) stored at room temperature for 15 days. Okara showed a rich nutritional composition— ca. 35% of fiber, 30% of protein and 11% of lipids. The okara’s lipid profile showed high and valuable level of PUFA (ca. 56%) followed by MUFA (ca. 21%) and SFA (ca. 23%). The Fresh okara showed the highest antioxidant activity and total phenols, however for isoflavones (genistin, genistein, daidzin, daidzein) the dried okara at 200 °C exhibited higher content compared to dried okara at 80 °C and fresh okara. Okara samples submitted to thermal treatment showed a decrease in antinutritional factors in relation with fresh okara, whereas the treatment of dried okara at 200 °C was the most efficient inducing a decrease of ca. 6 times. In conclusion, the nutritional richness of this byproduct suggests okara as a valuable nutritional ingredient for further inclusion in food and feed, but considering the limited studies carried out to date, further studies are warranted to better stabilize okara.
- Effect of protein and lipid levels in diets for adult sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816)Publication . Baião, Luís F.; Rocha, Filipa; Costa, Mónica; Sá, Tiago; Oliveira, Ana; Maia, Margarida R.G.; Fonseca, Antonio J. M.; Pintado, Manuela; Valente, Luisa M. P.Paracentrotus lividus gonads are considered a prized seafood delicacy due to its organoleptic features. The increasing market demand for sea urchin depleted several wild stocks, thus aquaculture can play an important role in supplying high-quality animals. Nevertheless, the success of this activity largely depends on the development of nutritionally balanced diets capable of producing excellent gonads. In this study, four extruded diets formulated with low or high protein (30 and 50% dry matter (DM), LP and HP, respectively) and lipid (6 and 11% DM, LL and HL, respectively) levels were fed to wild-caught individuals (4.5 cm diameter) for 15 weeks. Twelve homogeneous groups of 15 individuals were randomly distributed by mesh cages (45 urchins/m(2)) within 250 L tanks in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) at 18 degrees C and a 12 L:12 D photoperiod regime. Sea urchins fed the LP/LL diet were compared to wild specimens with similar maturation stage. All experimental diets were well accepted by sea urchins and resulted in similar final body weight (42-43 g). No significant differences were observed in specific growth rate or protein efficiency ratio among diets. The HP diets led to a decrease of dry matter and energy intake resulting in the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR). Weight gain, whole body composition and nutrient gain remained similar among dietary treatments. The gonad somatic index (GSI) varied between sex but was similar among dietary treatments (19-23%) and was higher than values observed in wild specimens (6-7%). Females had significantly higher total concentration of carotenoids than males, irrespectively of the dietary treatments. Dietary treatments and sex did not affect gonad texture (firmness and resilience) or colour parameters (brightness, redness, yellowness, chroma or hue angle), but affected gonad composition. Total carotenoid content in gonads was not affected by diets and resulted in lower values compared to wild specimens. These had higher levels of echinenone, beta-cryptoxantin and beta-carotene and showed higher redness and firmness values when compared to the LP/LL diet, irrespectively of the sex. Gonad lipid content and n-3 PUFA were higher in female than in male, whilst protein content showed an opposite trend, suggesting some sex related differences in the metabolic use of nutrients. This study clearly shows that it is possible to enhance sea urchin gonad yield in relation to wild animals in a RAS at 18 degrees C. All diets were effective in promoting gonad growth, but the diet with the lowest protein (30% DM) and lowest lipid (6% DM) level resulted in the highest gonad yield in both sexes.