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Nutritional Requirements (nutritional + requirement)
Selected AbstractsThe complexity of formulating diets for zoo animals: a matrixINTERNATIONAL ZOO YEARBOOK, Issue 1 2005S. Crissey The nutrition matrix presented here identifies a variety of factors that need to be considered when formulating diets for wild animals in captivity. The matrix is designed to be adapted so that it can be customized as required. Food consumption, nutritional requirements, health status and management constraints and opportunities are the four main categories to focus on when developing diets. Each of these categories may, in turn, be affected by other factors. (1) Food consumption is affected by the diet offered, client (zoo animal manager, keeper or veterinarian) wishes and animal preferences. (2) Nutritional requirements are defined by known species requirements and National Research Council recommendations, morphology and feeding ecology. Nutritional requirements may also be influenced by season, life-stage, activity, health status, stress and body temperature. (3) Health status can be affected by nutritional deficiencies or toxicities in the diet offered. Certain health conditions may require specific dietary input. (4) Animal-management protocols, such as housing, breeding opportunities and environment, are affected by other animals, food storage and preparation capacity, and feeding regime, which, in turn, can be affected by training, exercise and enrichment. [source] Nutritional requirements of cobia, Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus): a reviewAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 11 2009Thomas W K Fraser Abstract Cobia culture has been rapidly gaining in popularity since the early 1990s; however, the relative success of modified commercial diets in aquaculture has delayed the need for specific research into the nutritional requirements of cobia. Recent work has determined optimum dietary protein and lipid levels in juvenile cobia at 45 and 5,15% dry weight respectively. Maximum growth and feed conversion ratios have been recorded at 27,29 °C in juvenile cobia with an optimum ration level determined at 9% initial body weight per day. There is limited information on amino acid and essential fatty acids (EFA) requirements in cobia. Several studies have explored alternate protein sources in juvenile cobia with relative success observed with meat meal, yeast-based protein and various plant based sources including soybean meal. There is no literature on the vitamin or mineral requirements of cobia or the nutritional requirements of larger fish. Therefore future research should focus on the amino acid, EFA, vitamin and mineral requirements of cobia while the protein, lipid and energy requirements of larger cobia should be addressed. Additional work on feed ingredients, choice and palatability would also aid in maximizing culture production while minimizing costs thereby producing a more sustainable product. [source] EFFECT OF PRETREATMENT ON DRYING TIME AND QUALITY OF CHILLI PEPPERJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 4 2010T.Y. TUNDE-AKINTUNDE ABSTRACT A study was carried out on the effect of various pretreatments and drying methods on drying time and quality of chilli pepper. Chilli peppers were pretreated with different blanching types and concentrations of osmotic sugar solutions (60 and 70°Brix), and were dried afterward. Results indicated that the pretreated peppers dried faster than the untreated ones. The peppers soaked in osmotic solution of 70°Brix had the lowest drying time, which decreased by a variation of 33.3,41.7%, compared with the dried untreated peppers that had the highest drying time. Solar-dried peppers had higher nutritional content than peppers dried from the other methods, while the oven-dried pepper samples had the lowest vitamin A and vitamin C contents. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Drying gives dried samples lower nutritional quality than fresh samples because of physiological changes that takes place. Pretreatments of pepper by steam and by water blanching are common methods, but osmotic dehydration also has a significant effect on the quality of dried foods. The effect of the pretreatments and drying methods on the drying rate and nutritional quality of dried pepper were investigated. Osmotically dehydrated samples had the lowest drying time, while pretreated samples dried faster than untreated samples generally. The nutritional quality of the dried samples, however, varied with the different pretreatment methods. This indicates that pretreatment enhances drying rate and also affects the quality of the final dried product. Dried pepper can thus be pretreated with blanching or dipping in osmotic solutions for products of higher nutritional quality. This will give dried pepper that will meet the nutritional requirement of the consumers better than untreated dried pepper. [source] Estimating Amino Acid Requirement of Brazilian Freshwater Fish from Muscle Amino Acid ProfileJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 6 2009ÁLvaro José De Almeida Bicudo Information on nutritional requirement of some Brazilian farmed fish species, especially essential amino acids (EAA) requirements, is scarce. The estimation of amino acids requirements based on amino acid composition of fish is a fast and reliable alternative. Matrinxa, Brycon amazonicus, and curimbata, Prochilodus lineatus, are two important Brazilian fish with potential for aquaculture. The objective of the present study was to estimate amino acid requirements of these species and analyze similarities among amino acid composition of different fish species by cluster analysis. To estimate amino acid requirement, the following formula was used: amino acid requirement = [(amount of an individual amino acid in fish muscle tissue) × (average totalEAA requirement among channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, and common carp, Cyprinus carpio)]/(average fish muscle totalEAA). Most values found lie within the range of requirements determined for other omnivorous fish species, in exception of leucine requirement estimated for both species, and arginine requirement estimated for matrinxa alone. Rather than writing off the need for regular dose,response assays under the ideal protein concept to determine EAA requirements of curimbata and matrinxa, results set solid base for the study of tropical species dietary amino acids requirements. [source] Effects of supplemental L-methionine on E-64 [trans-epoxysuccinyl-1-leucyl-amido (4-guanido) butane]-induced dysmorphology in rat embryos cultured in vitroCONGENITAL ANOMALIES, Issue 4 2003Kouichi Yoshidome ABSTRACT E-64 [trans-epoxysuccinyl-1-leucylamido (4-guanido) butane] is teratogenic, inducing a spectrum of malformations in vivo and producing similar effects in vitro. Numerous studies support the concept that E-64-induced malformations result from embryonic nutritional deficiency, without affecting the maternal nutritional status. This has provided a useful model with which to investigate the nutritional requirements of the early embryo, as well as the role of various nutrients in the etiology of congenital defects. In the current investigation, we examined effects of L-methionine on E-64-induced embryotoxicity in vitro. For these experiments, we cultured rat embryos 9.5 days postconception (p.c.) for 48 hours with E-64 and/or L-methionine. We found that the addition of L-methionine to E-64-exposed cultures reduced optic abnormality and increased embryo protein. These results suggest that embryopathy largely results from a deficiency of L-methionine although E-64 limits the supply of all amino acids to the embryo. Furthermore, although endocytosis and degradation of proteins by the visceral yolk sac (VYS) supply most amino acids to the embryo, free amino acids may be compensatory when this source is reduced. These results support those of previous investigations that suggest L-methionine is a limiting nutrient for embryonic development. [source] The role of banned substance residue analysis in the control of dietary supplement contaminationDRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS, Issue 9 2010Dr Catherine MG Judkins Abstract The potential for contaminated dietary supplements to result in a failed doping test remains a concern for athletes, trainers, and sporting authorities despite improvements to regulatory guidelines. Previous surveys of readily available supplements confirm that many are contaminated with steroids and stimulants prohibited for use in elite sport. Suggested responses to this issue include the complete avoidance of all supplements. Many athletes, however, use nutritional supplements to achieve effective training and also to ensure that daily nutritional requirements are met (e.g. recommended levels of vitamins and minerals). This ensures that the use of supplements is and will remain the norm for a range of sports. As a result, an alternative approach of rigorous testing of materials destined for use by elite athletes has been introduced in several countries. While the testing of final product for banned substances may help mitigate the problem, it will not help to remove the underlying issue of contamination. In this article we describe an alternative approach that uses appropriate quality assurance procedures backed up by testing to remove sources of contamination. The decrease in the incidence of contamination amongst supplement companies adopting such a system is explained, and contrasted with the relatively high incidences of contamination found in products that are not part of a quality system. These findings are of key importance to both supplement manufacturers and those involved in advising athletes about supplement use. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Food consumption patterns, dietary quality and health status of expectant mothers: case studies in suburban and rural communities in GhanaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 1 2002Christina A. Nti Abstract The study was conducted to determine the food consumption patterns, dietary quality and health status of expectant women and also to assess their level of awareness of nutritional requirements during pregnancy. Food beliefs, taboos and superstitions held by the women were also investigated. Using the purposive sampling technique, 30 pregnant women attending the Maternal and Child Health Clinic at Dodowa (rural) and University Hospital, Legon (suburban), were selected for the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on the respondents' nutritional knowledge, beliefs, taboos and superstitions and health status. A food frequency questionnaire and the 24-h dietary recall method were used to obtain information on food consumption patterns and dietary quality. The study revealed that, although the majority of the respondents (83.3%) had some knowledge of nutrition, not all were applying it in their feeding practices because of financial constraints. With regard to consumption patterns, most of the women (83.3%) were having three meals a day, while the rest either ate twice a day or anytime they were hungry. Seventy-three per cent of the respondents also increased their food intake during pregnancy. Foods eaten were based mainly on starchy roots and tubers, cereals and vegetables. Legumes, oilseeds and fruits were often lacking in the main meals of respondents. Although animal products were consumed daily, the quantities taken were very small to provide for adequate protein, especially in the rural area. Various types of food were avoided by some of the expectant mothers for reasons such as nausea, loss of appetite, taboos and superstition. With regard to dietary quality, respondents from the rural area had diets of poorer quality in terms of nutrient intake compared with those from the suburban area. In both communities, iron contents of diets were quite low. Forty-seven per cent of the women interviewed were anaemic, with a higher prevalence of anaemia being observed in the rural community. Common ailments reported by the women were dizziness, headache, waist pains and malaria. Based on the results of the study, it was recommended that nutrition education for pregnant women should be stepped up at antenatal clinics especially in rural areas. [source] Enhancement of the conjugated linoleic acid and vitamin A and E contents in goat milk through green fodder feedingINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DAIRY TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2009AMRISH TYAGI Twelve lactating crossbred goats (Sanan × Beetal) in early lactation were divided into two groups of six each. Group I was fed on fresh berseem fodder (Trifolium alexandrinum), whereas group II was fed on berseem fodder and concentrate mixture in 1 : 1 ratio to fulfil their nutritional requirements as per National Research Council (1981). Feed intake and milk yield were recorded daily, and milk samples were collected on 0, 30, 45 and 60 days of experimental feeding for the estimation of fat, vaccenic acid, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), vitamins A and E, and total antioxidant activity. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of dietary treatments on daily as well as total milk yield and milk fat, solids-not-fat and total solids, although average total CLA (mg/g fat) content in milk during the trial was higher(P < 0.01) in group I (18.92) in comparison to group II (10.94). Vitamin A content averaged 0.46 and 0.27 µg/mL and vitamin E, 1.20 and 1.38 µg/mL in milk of groups I and II, respectively, were higher in the berseem-fed group (P < 0.01) and total antioxidant activity of milk was also higher (P < 0.01) in group I than in group II. [source] The complexity of formulating diets for zoo animals: a matrixINTERNATIONAL ZOO YEARBOOK, Issue 1 2005S. Crissey The nutrition matrix presented here identifies a variety of factors that need to be considered when formulating diets for wild animals in captivity. The matrix is designed to be adapted so that it can be customized as required. Food consumption, nutritional requirements, health status and management constraints and opportunities are the four main categories to focus on when developing diets. Each of these categories may, in turn, be affected by other factors. (1) Food consumption is affected by the diet offered, client (zoo animal manager, keeper or veterinarian) wishes and animal preferences. (2) Nutritional requirements are defined by known species requirements and National Research Council recommendations, morphology and feeding ecology. Nutritional requirements may also be influenced by season, life-stage, activity, health status, stress and body temperature. (3) Health status can be affected by nutritional deficiencies or toxicities in the diet offered. Certain health conditions may require specific dietary input. (4) Animal-management protocols, such as housing, breeding opportunities and environment, are affected by other animals, food storage and preparation capacity, and feeding regime, which, in turn, can be affected by training, exercise and enrichment. [source] Economic Impacts of Technology, Population Growth And Soil Erosion At Watershed Level: The Case Of the Ginchi in EthiopiaJOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 3 2004B.N. Okumu A dynamic bio-economic model is used to show that, without technological and policy intervention, soil loss levels, income and nutrition could not be substantially or sustainably improved in a highland area of Ethiopia. Although cash incomes could rise by more than 40% over a twelve-year planning period, average per ha soil losses could be as high as 31 tonnes per ha. With the adoption of an integrated package of new technologies, however, results show the possibility of an average two-and-a-half-fold increase in cash incomes and a 28% decline in aggregate erosion levels even with a population growth rate of 2.3%. Moreover, a minimum daily calorie intake of 2000 per adult equivalent could be met from on-farm production with no significant increases in erosion. However, higher rates of growth in nutritional requirements and population introduce significant strains on the watershed system. From a policy perspective, there is a need for a more secure land tenure policy than currently prevailing to facilitate uptake of the new technology package, and a shift from the current livestock management strategy to one that encourages livestock keeping as a commercial enterprise. It would also imply a shift to a more site-specific approach to land management. [source] The impact of nutrient density in terms of energy and/or protein on live performance, metabolism and carcass composition of female and male broiler chickens of two commercial broiler strainsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 4 2010E. Delezie Summary The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of diet composition on performance, slaughter yield and plasma metabolites, as different modern broiler strains show different responses to feed intake. Broilers of two commercial strains and of both sexes received one of three diets being different in energy and/or protein level [control diet, low energy/low protein diet (LM/LP) and low protein diet (LP)]. Low energy/low protein diet chickens were characterized by significantly lower body weights and feed intake compared with their LP and control counterparts. Broilers of the Cobb strain or broilers that were fed the control diet were most efficient in converting energy to body weight. No significant differences in plasma metabolites were detected due to diet composition or genotype. The diet with the lower energy and crude protein levels reached the lowest slaughter yield but the highest drumstick and wing percentages. The lowest mortality percentages were observed for broilers fed the LM/LP diet, and Cobb birds appeared to be more sensitive for metabolic disorders resulting in death. It is obvious from this study that different genotypes respond differently to changes in diet composition and therefore have adjusted nutritional requirements. [source] The importance of honeydew as food for larvae of Chrysoperla carnea in the presence of aphidsJOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 1 2008P. A. M. Hogervorst Abstract Larvae of the common green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea are predacious and feed on a wide range of small, soft-bodied arthropods. In addition to their feeding on prey arthropods to cover their nutritional requirements for growth and development, the consumption of non-prey foods such as honeydew has been reported. It is commonly believed that these food supplements are primarily exploited by the larvae when prey is scarce or of low nutritional quality. Here, we assess whether C. carnea larvae also use honeydew when high-quality aphid prey are readily available. In a choice experiment, the feeding behaviour of C. carnea larvae was observed in the presence of both aphids and honeydew. The larvae were starved, aphid-fed, or honeydew-fed prior to the experiment. The time spent feeding on honeydew compared with feeding on aphids was highest for starved larvae and lowest for honeydew-fed larvae. Among the three treatments, the aphid-fed larvae spent the most time resting and the least time searching. In an additional experiment food intake was assessed in terms of weight change when larvae were provided with an ad libitum supply of either aphids or honeydew. Larvae yielded a significant lower relative weight increase on honeydew compared with aphids. The reduced weight increase on honeydew was compensated when larvae were subsequently provided with aphids, but not when honeydew was provided again. This study showed that (i) prior honeydew feeding reduces overall aphid consumption, and (ii) larvae do consume honeydew even after they have been given ad libitum access to aphids. The fact that larvae of C. carnea still use honeydew as a food source in the presence of suitable prey underlines the importance of carbohydrates as foods. [source] Early versus late enteral nutritional support in adults with burn injury: a systematic reviewJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 2 2007J. Wasiak Abstract Background Burn injury increases the body's metabolic demands, and therefore nutritional requirements. Provision of an adequate supply of nutrients is believed to lower the incidence of metabolic abnormalities, thus reducing septic morbidity, and improving survival rates. Enteral nutrition support is the best feeding method in a patient who is unable to achieve an adequate oral intake, but optimal timing of its introduction after burn injury (i.e. early versus late) needs to be established. The purpose of this review is to examine evidence for the effectiveness and safety of early versus late enteral nutrition support in adults with burn injury. Methods An examination of randomized and controlled clinical trials using various medical databases such as The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2006), MEDLINE (from 1950), CINHAL (from 1982) and EMBASE (from 1980). Results The trial evidence about the benefit of early enteral nutritional support on standardized clinical outcomes such as length of hospital stay and mortality remained inconclusive. Similarly, the question of whether early enteral feeding influenced or decreased metabolic rate, reduced septic and other complications remained uncertain. Conclusions Promising results suggest early enteral nutrition support may blunt the hypermetabolic response to thermal injury, but it is insufficient to provide clear guidelines for practice. Further research incorporating larger sample sizes and rigorous methodology that utilizes valid and reliable outcome measures is essential. [source] The role of nutrients in modulating diseaseJOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, Issue 6 2008D. L. Chan The role of nutrition in the management of diseases has often centred on correcting apparent nutrient deficiencies or meeting estimated nutritional requirements of patients. Nutrition has traditionally been considered a supportive measure akin to fluid therapy and rarely it has been considered a primary means of ameliorating diseases. Recently, however, further understanding of the underlying mechanisms of various disease processes and how certain nutrients possess pharmacological properties have fuelled an interest in exploring how nutritional therapies themselves could modify the behaviour of various conditions. Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and certain amino acids such as arginine and glutamine have all been demonstrated to have at least the potential to modulate diseases. Developments in the area of critical care nutrition have been particularly exciting as nutritional therapies utilising a combination of approaches have been shown to positively impact outcome beyond simply proving substrate for synthesis and energy. Application of certain nutrients for the modulation of diseases in veterinary patients is still in early stages, but apparent successes have already been demonstrated, and future studies are warranted to establish optimal approaches. This review describes the rationale of many of these approaches and discusses findings both in human beings and in animals, which may guide future therapy. [source] Evaluation of Experimental and Practical Diets for Walleye Stizostedion vitreumJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 3 2002Anant S. Bharadwaj Culture of walleye Sfizostedion vitreum is one of the largest components of public sector aquaculture in the eastern U.S. and there is increasing interest in private sector culture. However, the nutritional requirements of walleye are unknown and experimental diets for use in quantifying nutritional requirements have not been identified. We formulated four experimental and four practical diets and fed those to triplicate groups of walleye with an initial weight of 13 g per fish. The experimental diets contained either casein (CAS), casein + gelatin (CG), casein + arginine (CA), or casein + gelatin + crystalline amino acids (CGAA) as sources of amino acids. The practical diets were formulated to mimic salmon grower (SG) and trout grower (TG) diets, a fish meal-free diet for trout (TFMF), and a walleye grower (WG) diet. Fish were fed twice daily to satiation for 9 wk. Feed consumption, percent weight gain, specific growth rates, feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, and protein retention efficiency were not significantly different among fish fed CGAA, SG, and TG, but those values were significantly higher than in fish fed other diets. Weight gain of fish fed CGAA was approximately 80% of that in fish fed SG and 91% of that in fish fed TG. Protein retention efficiency of fish fed CGAA was approximately 69% and 81% of that observed for fish fed SG, and TG, respectively. In general, the carcasses of fish fed diets CGAA, SG and TG had significantly lower moisture and ash concentrations, and higher lipid levels than fish fed other diets. There were no significant differences in carcass protein concentration, muscle proximate composition, or liver lipid concentration among treatments. Livers from fish fed all diets were characterized by microvesicular degeneration and glycogen accumulation in hepatocytes. Results from the study indicate that CGAA can be used as a basal experimental diet in future nutritional research with juvenile walleye and confirms the benefits of trout and salmon grower diets. Fish meal-free diets formulated around the requirements for rainbow trout were consumed at approximately 80% of the values in fish fed TG and SG, but weight gain was approximately 20% of that in fish fed TG and SG. It appears the nutritional requirements for walleye are different than those of rainbow trout. [source] Nutrition and HIV/AIDS in infants and children in South Africa: implications for food-based dietary guidelinesMATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION, Issue 4 2007Michael K. Hendricks Abstract The implications for food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) that are being developed in South Africa are reviewed in relation to HIV-exposed and -infected children. The nutritional consequences of HIV infection and nutritional requirements along with programmes and guidelines to address undernutrition and micronutrient deficiency in these children are also investigated. Based on studies for HIV-infected children in South Africa, more than 50% are underweight and stunted, while more than 60% have multiple micronutrient deficiencies. Nutritional problems in these children are currently addressed through the Prevention-of-Mother-to-Child Transmission Programme (PMTCT), the Integrated Nutrition Programme and Guidelines for the Management of HIV-infected Children which include antiretroviral (ARV) therapy in South Africa. Evaluations relating to the implementation of these programmes and guidelines have not been conducted nationally, although certain studies show that coverage of the PMTCT and the ARV therapy programmes was low. FBDGs for infants and young children could complement and strengthen the implementation of these programmes and guidelines. However, FBDGs must be in line with national and international guidelines and address key nutritional issues in these infants and young children. These issues and various recommendations are discussed in detail in this review. [source] Major nutritional issues in the management of Parkinson's disease,MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 13 2009Michela Barichella MD Abstract As with other neurodegenerative diseases, neurologic and nutritional elements may interact affecting each other in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the long-term effects of such interactions on prognosis and outcome have not been given much attention and are poorly addressed by current research. Factors contributing to the clinical conditions of patients with PD are not only the basic features of PD, progression of disease, and the therapeutic approach but also fiber and nutrient intakes (in terms of both energy and protein content), fluid and micronutrient balance, and pharmaconutrient interactions (protein and levodopa). During the course of PD nutritional requirements frequently change. Accordingly, both body weight gain and loss may occur and, despite controversy, it seems that both changes in energy expenditure and food intake contribute. Nonmotor symptoms play a significant role and dysphagia may be responsible for the impairment of nutritional status and fluid balance. Constipation, gastroparesis, and gastro-oesophageal reflux significantly affect quality of life. Finally, any micronutrient deficiencies should be taken into account. Nutritional assessments should be performed routinely. Optimization of pharmacologic treatment for both motor and nonmotor symptoms is essential, but nutritional interventions and counseling could and should also be planned with regard to nutritional balance designed to prevent weight loss or gain; optimization of levodopa pharmacokinetics and avoidance of interaction with proteins; improvement in gastrointestinal dysfunction (e.g., dysphagia and constipation); prevention and treatment of nutritional deficiencies (micronutrients or vitamins). A balanced Mediterranean-like dietary regimen should be recommended before the introduction of levodopa; afterward, patients with advanced disease may benefit considerably from protein redistribution and low-protein regimens. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society [source] Trends in affordability of the Illawarra Healthy Food Basket 2000,2007NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 1 2009Peter WILLIAMS Abstract Aims:, The Illawarra Healthy Food Basket was developed as one measure to monitor the affordability of healthy eating in Australia. It consists of 57 items selected to meet the nutritional requirements of a reference family of five. The basket was first costed in the Illawarra region of Australia in 2000 and again in 2001 and 2003. The present study aimed to repeat the costing of the basket in 2005 and 2007 and to assess the trends in affordability since 2000. Methods:, Costing was carried out in the same five suburbs as previous surveys, using a large supermarket, greengrocer and butcher from each. Comparison data included: welfare entitlements obtained from Centrelink, average weekly earnings and the consumer price index for food. Main outcome measures:, The average weekly cost of the Illawarra Healthy Food Basket in 2005 and 2007, and trends in the costs compared with changes in average weekly earning and welfare benefits for the reference family. Results:, The total cost of the Illawarra Healthy Food Basket in 2007 was $242.49, an increase of 20.4% since 2000, with the greatest increases in the prices of vegetables (55.7%) and fruit (46.7%). Fruits, vegetables and meat were cheaper at independent grocers and butchers than in supermarkets. The percentage of average weekly earning or welfare payments required to purchase the Illawarra Healthy Food Basket remained stable at slightly below 30%. Conclusion:, These results indicate that the affordability of healthy eating has remained relatively constant from 2000 to 2007, but the significant increases in fruit and vegetable prices might be making healthy food choices more difficult. [source] Twin Pregnancies: Eating for Three?NUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 9 2005Maternal Nutrition Update The incidence of multifetal pregnancies has increased, mainly because of assisted reproduction treatments. This trend is reflected in increased maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. While the optimum maternal nutrition and weight gain patterns for singleton pregnancies is well documented, there is a paucity of information for twin pregnancies. Although it is assumed that optimum nutritional requirements and weight gains would be greater for twin than for singleton gestations, research is needed to establish the optima. This article is a collation of available recommendations for maternal nutrition and weight gain patterns in twin pregnancies. [source] Basal metabolic rate in the Yakut (Sakha) of SiberiaAMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2005J. Josh Snodgrass Human indigenous circumpolar populations have elevated basal metabolic rates (BMRs) relative to predicted values; this metabolic elevation has been postulated to be a physiological adaptation to chronic and severe cold stress. The present study examines BMR in the Yakut, an indigenous high-latitude population from the Sakha Republic of Russia to determine (1) whether the Yakut show evidence of an elevated BMR, (2) if the Yakut display evidence of age-related changes in BMR, and (3) whether lifestyle differences influence BMR. BMR was measured during the late summer in 75 women and 50 men (ages 18,56 years) from the Siberian village of Berdygestiakh. Measured BMR (± SEM) of the entire sample was significantly elevated (+6.5%) compared to predictions based on body mass (6,623.7 ± 94.9 vs. 6,218.2 ± 84.7 kJ/day; P < 0.001). Additionally, measured BMR for the entire sample was significantly higher than predictions based on fat-free mass (+20.8%) and surface area (+8.9%). Males and females both showed significant elevations relative to all three standards. The elevated BMR of the Yakut does not appear to be attributable to extreme levels of protein, since the Yakut consume a mixed diet with a substantial proportion of carbohydrates. No significant age-related changes in BMR were found when controlled for body composition. No significant relationship was found between lifestyle variables and BMR, suggesting the possibility of a genetic or developmental mechanism. This study provides additional evidence of metabolic elevation in indigenous circumpolar groups and has important implications for estimating the nutritional requirements of these populations. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 17:155,172, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Food preferences of wild mountain gorillasAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 10 2008Jessica Ganas Abstract Determining the nutritional and phenolic basis of food preference is important for understanding the nutritional requirements of animals. Preference is a measure of which foods would be consumed by an animal if there was no variation in availability among food items. From September 2004 to August 2005, we measured the food preferences of four wild mountain gorilla groups that consume foliage and fruit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, to determine what nutrients and phenols are preferred and/or avoided. To do so, we asked the following questions: (1) Which plant species do the gorillas prefer? (2) Considering the different plant parts consumed of these preferred species, what nutrients and/or phenols characterize them? (3) Do the nutritional and phenolic characteristics of preferred foods differ among gorilla groups? We found that although some species were preferred and others were not, of those species found in common among the different group home ranges, the same ones were generally preferred by all groups. Second, all groups preferred leaves with relatively high protein content and relatively low fiber content. Third, three out of four groups preferred leaves with relatively high sugar amounts. Fourth, all groups preferred pith with relatively high sugar content. Finally, of the two groups tested, we found that the preferred fruits of one group had relatively high condensed tannin and fiber/sugar contents, whereas the other group's preferred fruits were not characterized by any particular nutrient/phenol. Overall, there were no differences among gorilla groups in nutritional and phenolic preferences. Our results indicate that protein and sugar are important in the diets of gorillas, and that the gorillas fulfil these nutritional requirements through a combination of different plant parts, shedding new light on how gorillas balance their diets in a variable environment. Am. J. Primatol. 70:927,938, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The effect of feral cats on the population viability of black-vented shearwaters (Puffinus opisthomelas) on Natividad Island, MexicoANIMAL CONSERVATION, Issue 3 2002Bradford S. Keitt Insular breeding seabirds are likely to be particularly vulnerable to introduced mammalian predators because they often lack behavioural, morphological and life-history defenses against predation. We studied the life-history of the black-vented shearwater (Puffinus opisthomelas) on Natividad Island, Baja California Sur, Mexico, to examine its vulnerability to introduced feral cats. Using an allometric equation, we estimated that feral cats consumed 328 g of food day -1 to satisfy their nutritional requirements. We used stable isotope analysis of cat scat to estimate that 90% of the cats' diet was composed of shearwaters. Using data from our focal species and from the closely related manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus), we created a demographic model to evaluate the effects of cat population size on the annual growth rate (,) of the shearwater. The annual growth rate for black-vented shearwaters was estimated to be 1.006 in the absence of cat predation. With predation, we estimated that annual growth rate declined approximately 5% for every 20 cats in a population of 150,000 birds. Persistence times of bird colonies decreased both with an increase in the size of the feral cat population and with a decrease in the size of the initial bird population. [source] A comparison of two faecal collection methods for protein and amino acid digestibility coefficients of menhaden fish meal and two grades of poultry by-product meals for market-size sunshine bass (Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis)AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 1 2010S.D. RAWLES Abstract Apparent digestibility and availability coefficients for protein and amino acids in menhaden fish meal (MEN), pet-food grade (PBM-pet,) and feed-grade poultry by-product meal (PBM-feed) were determined for market-size (500 g) sunshine bass in two consecutive trials using passive netting (1.6 mm mesh) followed by manual stripping of faeces. A reference diet resembling a commercial feed was formulated to meet or exceed all known nutritional requirements of hybrid striped bass. Test diets were formulated to contain a 70 : 30 mixture of reference diet to test ingredient with chromic oxide (1%) serving as the inert marker. Diets were extruded under commercial conditions and the reference diet was fed for two weeks in order to acclimate fish to experimental conditions. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate tanks containing 30 fish each. Fish were fed their respective diet twice daily to apparent satiation for two weeks, with faecal collections being conducted on the 7th and 14th day, in each trial. ADC values determined in the net method were highly variable and generally lower than ADCs obtained by stripping. Consistently lower and highly variable chromium concentrations were found in the net method faecal samples and suggest that marker loss relative to nutrient content, or dilution of marker with non-faecal matter, on the net collectors influenced results in that trial. In contrast, the standard errors of ADCs determined in the strip method were less than 5 percentage points in most cases. Protein digestibility ranged from a low of 51% (PBM-feed) to a high of 87% (PBM-pet) in the net method, and from a low of 80% (PBM-feed) to a high of 99% (MEN) in the strip method. With the exception of Lys, no differences in amino acid availabilities among diets were found in the net method. In the strip method, protein digestibility and amino acid availabilities in MEN were generally greater than those found in PBM-pet or PBM-feed, whereas ADCs were not significantly different between the two poultry by-products. Based on the conditions of the present study, net collection of faecal matter can not be recommended for determining the digestibility of nutrients in feed ingredients for market-size sunshine bass. Digestibility coefficients obtained by the strip method for feed and petfood grades poultry by-product were higher than those previously reported and will be facilitate more efficient and economical diet formulations for larger sunshine bass. [source] Effects of varying dietary fatty acid profile on growth performance, fatty acid, body and tissue composition of juvenile pike perch (Sander lucioperca)AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 6 2005C. SCHULZ Abstract Pike perch (Sander lucioperca) has been identified as specie destined to diverse European inland aquaculture, but knowledge on the nutritional requirements is weak. Therefore, we investigated the effect of varying dietary fatty acid (FA) profile by partial replacement of fish oil (FO) with vegetable oils on growth, FA and body composition of juvenile pike perch. An extruded basal diet containing 59 g kg,1 crude lipids (FO) was added with 60 g kg,1 FO, 60 g kg,1 linseed oil (LO) or 60 g kg,1 soybean oil (SO). The resulting dietary FA composition differed mainly in the triglyceride fraction and was characterized by highest amounts of linolenic acid (18:3 n-3) in the LO diet and linoleic acid in the SO diet. Diet enriched with FO contained highest contents of highly unsaturated FA 20:5 n-3 (eicosapentaenic acid) and 22:6 n-3 (docosahexaenic acid). Pike perch were held in a recirculation system and each feeding group (in triplicate) was fed with experimental diets at a daily rate of 35 g kg,1 of biomass for 57 days by automatic feeders. Weight gain and specific growth rate of experimental feeding groups ranged between 18.47 and 19.58 g and 1.37,1.45% day,1 and was not affected by the dietary composition indicating that FO can be replaced by vegetable oils without negative impact on growth performance. In contrast to the whole body and muscle composition, liver tissue was affected by the varying diets. Liver tissues of fish fed diets enriched with vegetable oils showed significantly increased lipid contents of 162 (LO) and 147 (SO) g kg,1 and indicate decreased lipid utilization compared with fish fed FO diet (liver lipid content 112 g kg,1). Nevertheless, hepatosomatic index of pike perch was not influenced by dietary lipid composition. The FA profile of pike perch was generally determined by the dietary FAs. [source] Towards an inert diet for first-feeding gilthead seabream Sparus aurata L. larvaeAQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 3 2000Yúfera The development of an inert food to replace live prey during the early stages of marine fish larvae requires research in different fields and therefore a precise work strategy. Our research on this subject has been carried out in successive steps using the gilthead seabream Sparus aurata. The first step was the design of a food particle that would be well accepted and ingested by free-swimming marine larval fish during the first developmental stages. We chose microencapsulation by polymerization of the dietary protein as the most appropriate method for making the particles; different types of microcapsules were made using a basic diet containing only the major dietary components. In the second step, our aim was to keep the larvae alive in a routine rearing system in 300-L tanks, using exclusively this kind of food, long enough to detect any changes in growth, survival, or anatomical and histological status of the larvae, in order to verify whether the technological changes were positive. The third step focused on diet formulation and searching for clues to inefficient assimilation and growth. The use of ,in vitro' digestibility techniques allowed us to detect the inhibitory effect of some diet ingredients on larval proteases and to determine more suitable sources of protein. We now have a microcapsule able to efficiently support growth and development of S. aurata larvae, at least during the first 2 weeks of life, although the larvae still need to feed on rotifers during the first 2,4 days of exogenous feeding. This microcapsule will make it possible to make advances in determining the specific nutritional requirements of larval fish. [source] Nutritional requirements of cobia, Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus): a reviewAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 11 2009Thomas W K Fraser Abstract Cobia culture has been rapidly gaining in popularity since the early 1990s; however, the relative success of modified commercial diets in aquaculture has delayed the need for specific research into the nutritional requirements of cobia. Recent work has determined optimum dietary protein and lipid levels in juvenile cobia at 45 and 5,15% dry weight respectively. Maximum growth and feed conversion ratios have been recorded at 27,29 °C in juvenile cobia with an optimum ration level determined at 9% initial body weight per day. There is limited information on amino acid and essential fatty acids (EFA) requirements in cobia. Several studies have explored alternate protein sources in juvenile cobia with relative success observed with meat meal, yeast-based protein and various plant based sources including soybean meal. There is no literature on the vitamin or mineral requirements of cobia or the nutritional requirements of larger fish. Therefore future research should focus on the amino acid, EFA, vitamin and mineral requirements of cobia while the protein, lipid and energy requirements of larger cobia should be addressed. Additional work on feed ingredients, choice and palatability would also aid in maximizing culture production while minimizing costs thereby producing a more sustainable product. [source] Digestive enzyme activity at different developmental stages of blackspot seabream, Pagellus bogaraveo (Brunnich 1768)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 4 2008Laura Ribeiro Abstract Blackspot seabream, Pagellus bogaraveo (Brunnich), has been identified as a potential species to diversify European aquaculture production. Although rearing aspects have been widely investigated, little information exists on the nutritional requirements for this species. The aim of this study was to build up information on the activity of digestive enzymes at certain developmental stages of blackspot seabream in order to understand the nutritional needs of larvae and post larvae. Fish larvae were reared from hatching to 55 days after hatching (dah), and the feeding plan consisted in rotifers (5,35 dah), Artemia naupli (30,35 dah) metanaupli (35,45) and Gemma microdiet (45,55 dah). At 7, 11, 21, 45 and 55 days after hatching (dah), pooled samples of fish larvae were collected for analysis of trypsin, amylase, lipase, alkaline phosphatase and leucine,alanine peptidase activity. Up to 21 dah, the whole larvae body was used for enzymatic analysis, whereas in older larvae only the dissected abdominal cavity was used. Blackspot seabream body dry weight growth was exponential, increasing from 60 ,g at 5 dah to 30±9.7 mg at 55 dah. Amylase specific activity decreased significantly during development, exhibiting at 11 dah (0.6 U mg,1 protein) an average value 2.7 times lower than at 7 dah, and remaining stable between 45 and 55 dah (0.7 U mg protein,1). Trypsin specific activity remained constant until 21 dah (between 38 and 44 mU mg protein,1), which could be related to the larvae feeding regime. At later stages of development, lipase-specific activity exhibited a significant increase (P<0.05), being three times higher at 55 dah (8 U mg protein,1) than at 45 dah. The total activity of the studied digestive enzymes increased significantly during larval development (until 21 dah), whereas afterwards only lipase and leucine,alanine peptidase increased significantly between 45 and 55 dah. The pattern of digestive enzymes activity was related to organogenesis and the type of food used at different developmental stages. [source] Influence of insoluble dietary cellulose on digestive enzyme activity, feed digestibility and survival in the red claw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 1 2006Ana Pavasovic Abstract Red claw (Cherax quadricarinatus) is a freshwater crayfish species with recognized potential for aquaculture. To better understand the digestive processes and nutritional requirements of red claw, we have examined the effects of dietary cellulose on (1) digestive enzyme activity and diet digestibility and (2) survival rate, feed conversion ratio and growth performance. In the first study, a reference diet (RF) and test diets consisting of 70% RF and 30%,-cellulose or Fuller's earth were prepared. Analysis of digestive enzyme profiles revealed that amylase and cellulase activities in midgut gland (MG) extracts were highest in the red claw fed on a diet containing 30% Fuller's earth and lowest in those fed on a diet containing 30%,-cellulose. Supplementation of the RF diet with either 30%,-cellulose or Fuller's earth significantly reduced apparent dry mater (ADMD) and apparent protein digestibilities (APD). In the second study, a feeding trial was conducted using diets supplemented with different levels of ,-cellulose. A major finding was that dietary cellulose levels above 12% were correlated with significant reductions in survival rate, specific growth rate and feeding efficiency. Based on these findings, we suggest that although cellulase enzymes are present in the red claw digestive system there are no apparent nutritive benefits obtained by including insoluble cellulose in diets for this species. [source] Sustained Growth of Explants from Mediterranean Sponge Crambe crambe Cultured In Vitro with Enriched RPMI 1640BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 3 2006F. Garcia Camacho Marine sponges are potential sources of many unique metabolites, including cytotoxic and anticancer compounds. Natural sponge populations are insufficient or inaccessible for producing commercial quantities of metabolites of interest. It is commonly accepted that tissue (fragments, explants, and primmorphs) and in vitro cell cultivation show great potential. However, there is little knowledge of the nutritional requirements of marine sponges to carry out efficient and sustained in vitro culture and progress has been slow. In marine invertebrate fila many unsuccessful attempts have been made with in vitro cultures using typical commercial animal cell media based on sources of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) (e.g., DMEM, RPMI, M199, L-15, etc.). One of the reasons for this failure is the use of hardly identifiable growth promoters, based on terrestrial animal sera. An alternative is the use of extracts from marine animals, since they may contain nutrients necessary for growth. In this work we have cultivated in vitro explants of the encrusting marine sponge Crambe crambe. It is one of the most abundant sponges on the Mediterranean coastline and also possesses an array of potentially active metabolites (crambines and crambescidins). Initially a new approach was developed in order to show consumption of DOC by explants. Thus, different initial DOC concentrations (300, 400, 700 and 1200 mg DOC L,1) were assayed. Consumption was evident in all four assays and was more marked in the first 6 h. The DOC assimilation data were adjusted to an empirical model widely used for uptake kinetics of organic dissolved compounds in marine invertebrates. Second, a protocol was established to cultivate explants in vitro. Different medium formulations based on RPMI 1640 commercial medium enriched with amino acids and inorganic salts to emulate seawater salinity were assayed. The enrichment of this medium with an Octopusaqueous extract in the proportions of 10% and 20% (v/v) resulted in an evident sustained long-term growth of C. crambe explants. This growth enhancement produced high metabolic activity in the explants, as is confirmed by the high ammonium and lactate content in the medium a few days after its renewal and by the consumption of glucose. The lactate accumulation increased with the size and age of explants. Prior to these experiments, we successfully developed a robust new alternative method, based on digital image treatment, for accurate determination of the explant apparent volume as growth measure. [source] Kinetic Modeling of the Autotrophic Growth of Pavlova lutheri: Study of the Combined Influence of Light and TemperatureBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 4 2003Ana P. Carvalho The optimization and control of biochemical processes require the previous establishment of mathematical models that can describe the effect of process variables on their actual kinetics. Environmental temperature is a modulating factor to which the algal cells respond continuously by adjusting their rates of cellular reactions, their nutritional requirements, and, consequently, their biomass composition. Light intensity is an exhaustible resource, indispensable to autotrophic organisms. The effects of light intensity and temperature on growth of the microalga Pavlova lutheri, which have hardly been considered to date in a simultaneous fashion, were experimentally assessed using a factorial experimental design; in this way, the effects of each variable independently and their interactions could be quantified, using maximum biomass (Xmax) or maximum specific growth rate (,max) as objective functions. The preliminary results produced indicated that light intensity plays a more important role on ,max than temperature; in the case of Xmax, both temperature and, to a lesser extent, light intensity do apparently play a role. The highest values of Xmax were associated with low temperatures and high light intensities; a similar behavior could be observed for ,max concerning light intensity, although the dependency on temperature did not seem to be as important. A more complex mechanistic model was then postulated, incorporating light and temperature as input variables, which was successfully fitted to the experimental data generated during batch cultivation of P. lutheri. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||