Nutraceutical

Despite being more popular for biofuel, microalgae have gained a lot of attention as a source of biomolecules and biomass for feed purposes. Algae farming can be established using land as well as sea and strategies can be designed in order to gain the products of specific interest in the optimal way. A general overview of the contributions of Algae to meet the requirements of nutrients in animal/aquaculture feed is presented in this study. In addition to its applications in animal/aquaculture feed, algae can produce a number of biomolecules including astaxanthin, lutein, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, phycobiliprotein, Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs), beta-1,3-glucan, and pharmaceutical and nutraceutical compounds which have been reviewed with respect to their commercial importance and current status. The review is further extended to highlight the adequate utilization of value added products in the feeds for livestock, poultry and aquaculture (with emphasis in shrimp farming).

Structured interviews were used to collect ethnomyocological information in Rakai district southern Uganda, west of Lake Victoria. Edible mushrooms were then locally identified and collected for laboratory analyses of chemical composition and antibacterial activities. Volvariella speciosa and Podabrella microcarpa were used in traditional medicinal practice with the latter having an important cultural significance in respect to traditional ceremonies. Analysis of demographic data showed that there was a direct proportional relation between age of interviewed respondents and the number of mushrooms they reported knowledge about. Nutritional assays showed that indigenous edible mushrooms of Rakai had higher amounts of carbohydrates than other macronutrients tested, while agar well assays revealed antibacterial effects of four methanol mushroom extracts against all test bacteria. The lowest microbial inhibitory concentration of 15.625mg/ml was in Volvariella speciosa. The most suscepti...

The authors examined the combined effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), creatine (C), and whey protein (P) supplementation during strength training. Sixty-nine participants (52 men, 17 women; M +/- SD age 22.5 +/-2.5 yr) were randomly assigned (double-blind) to 1 of 3 groups: CCP (6 g/d CLA + 9 g/d C + 36 g/d P; n = 22), CP (C + P + placebo oil; n = 25), or P (P + placebo oil; n = 22) during 5 wk of strength training (4-5 sets, 6-12 repetitions, 6 d/wk). Measurements were taken for body composition (air-displacement plethysmography), muscle thickness (ultrasound) of the flexors and extensors of the elbow and knee, 1-repetition-maximum (1-RM) strength (leg press and bench press), urinary markers of bone resorption (N-telopeptides, NTx), myofibrillar protein catabolism (3-methylhistidine; 3-MH), oxidative stress (8-isoprostanes), and kidney function (microalbumin) before and after training. Contrast analyses indicated that the CCP group had a greater increase in bench-press (16.2...

Genomic instability can initiate cancer, augment progression, and influence the overall prognosis of the affected patient. Genomic instability arises from many different pathways, such as telomere damage, centrosome amplification, epigenetic modifications, and DNA damage from endogenous and exogenous sources, and can be perpetuating, or limiting, through the induction of mutations or aneuploidy, both enabling and catastrophic. Many cancer treatments induce DNA damage to impair cell division on a global scale but it is accepted that personalized treatments, those that are tailored to the particular patient and type of cancer, must also be developed. In this review, we detail the mechanisms from which genomic instability arises and can lead to cancer, as well as treatments and measures that prevent genomic instability or take advantage of the cellular defects caused by genomic instability. In particular, we identify and discuss five priority targets against genomic instability: (1) pr...

Genomic instability can initiate cancer, augment progression, and influence the overall prognosis of the affected patient. Genomic instability arises from many different pathways, such as telomere damage, centrosome amplification, epigenetic modifications, and DNA damage from endogenous and exogenous sources, and can be perpetuating, or limiting, through the induction of mutations or aneuploidy, both enabling and catastrophic. Many cancer treatments induce DNA damage to impair cell division on a global scale but it is accepted that personalized treatments, those that are tailored to the particular patient and type of cancer, must also be developed. In this review, we detail the mechanisms from which genomic instability arises and can lead to cancer, as well as treatments and measures that prevent genomic instability or take advantage of the cellular defects caused by genomic instability. In particular, we identify and discuss five priority targets against genomic instability: (1) pr...

The prebiotic effect of three concentrations of thirteen crude plant extracts: eight aqueous extracts (rosemary, dill, garlic, ginger, flaxseeds, thyme, oat, and moringa leaves); and five Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) extracts (rosemary, dill, garlic, ginger and flaxseeds) on ten different probiotic LAB was studied. Some strains (Lactobacillus brevis KP653, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis KP645, and Lactobacillus acidophilus CHA2) were sensitive to the plant extracts, and relative decline in the growth was noticed. While, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii KT615, Bifidobacterium longum 141B, Lactobacillus plantarum KP623, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus YASH2, Lactobacillus johnsonii A1, Lactobacillus casei YA1, and Streptocccus thermophilus T11 were positively influenced with the presence of some extracts. Sixteen synbiotic yoghurt trials were prepared, which produced well-formed set-yoghurt style, similar or close to the control in appearance. Total acceptability scores ranged between 76 and 98%. The highest value was recorded for the control, followed by yoghurt containing rosemary, dill, flaxseeds, thyme, oat, and moringa. While the lowest overall score was recorded for yoghurt containing garlic.

We have shown that the ability to produce trehalose is widespread within the genus Propionibacterium. Eighteen strains isolated from dairy sources were screened for trehalose synthesis; the effect of environmental conditions on trehalose production was evaluated in Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii NIZO B365, a strain that accumulated high amounts of this disaccharide. Lactose was the best carbohydrate source for trehalose production, whereas lactate, the substrate that led to the highest specific growth rate, was a poor precursor. Trehalose was consumed after exhaustion of the carbon source in the medium, suggesting its role as a reserve compound. The production of trehalose was not affected by lowering the growth temperature from 30 to 20 °C. On the other hand, the maximum trehalose accumulation increased from about 200 to 400 mg of trehalose/g of cell protein upon decreasing the pH from 7.0 to 4.7, by increasing the concentration of NaCl to 2% (w/v), or during growth under aerobic conditions (50% air saturation, 24 μM O2, pH 7.0). In the absence of NaCl, trehalose accumulated concomitantly with growth, but an increase in salinity triggered a high trehalose production already in the early exponential growth phase. The data provide evidence for a dual function of trehalose as a reserve compound and as a stress-response metabolite. Moreover, P. freudenreichii ssp. shermanii NIZO B365 was able to produce high levels of trehalose in skim milk, which is promising for the implementation of fermented dairy products.