Amino Acid Profile (amino + acid_profile)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Kinds of Amino Acid Profile

  • dietary amino acid profile


  • Selected Abstracts


    Estimating Amino Acid Requirement of Brazilian Freshwater Fish from Muscle Amino Acid Profile

    JOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 6 2009
    ÁLvaro 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 L-Asparaginase on Plasma Amino Acid Profiles and Tumor Burden in Cats with Lymphoma

    JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 4 2007
    A.K. LeBlanc
    Background: L-Asparaginase (Elspara), is an Escherichia coli -derived enzyme that depletes lymphoma cells of asparagine, inhibiting protein synthesis and resulting in cell death. The single agent response rate in cats with lymphoma and impact of L-asparaginase on plasma amino acid concentrations is unknown. Hypotheses: L-Asparaginase significantly reduces plasma asparagine concentrations and has demonstrable efficacy against untreated lymphoma in cats. Animals: Thirteen cats with confirmed lymphoma (LSA) of any anatomic site were given 1 dose 400 IU/kg IM) of L-asparaginase for initial LSA treatment. Methods: Plasma collected at 0, 2, and 7 days after L-asparaginase therapy was assayed for ammonia, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamine, and glutamic acid concentrations. Cats were restaged 7 days later to assess tumor response. Results: Eight cats had T-cell LSA, 4 cats had B-cell LSA, and 1 cat's immunophenotype was unknown. Two complete and 2 partial responses to L-asparaginase were seen. Four cats had stable disease, and 5 cats had progressive disease. Ammonia and aspartic acid concentrations were increased from baseline at 2 and 7 days posttreatment. Asparagine concentrations were decreased from baseline at 2 days but not 7 days posttreatment. Glutamic acid concentrations were increased at day 2 compared to day 7 posttreatment but not compared to baseline. Glutamine concentrations were unchanged. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: L-Asparaginase significantly reduced asparagine concentrations within 2 days of treatment, but this effect was lost within 7 days. The apparent overall response rate of feline LSA to L-asparaginase in this study was 30%. [source]


    Composition and functional properties of raw and electron beam-irradiated Mucuna pruriens seeds

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 8 2008
    Rajeev Bhat
    Summary The proximate, nutritional and functional properties of raw and electron beam-irradiated (0,30 kGy) Mucuna seeds were investigated. Irradiation increased crude protein and crude carbohydrates significantly than crude lipid, crude fibre and energy. Raw seeds were rich in minerals and were not affected by irradiation except for magnesium and phosphorus. Amino acids of raw seeds were comparable to soyabean and FAO/WHO reference pattern and except for 30 kGy, no significant changes were seen in amino acid profile. Raw seeds were rich in unsaturated fatty acids and some of them decreased on irradiation, while linoleic acid steadily elevated (0,14.35 mg g,1 lipid). In vitro protein digestibility was dose dependent and significantly increased up to 15 kGy. Water and oil absorption capacities and foaming capacity significantly increased on irradiation, while protein solubility decreased (15 and 30 kGy) with an improvement of gelation property of seed flour. The cooking time of seeds significantly reduced on irradiation. [source]


    The optimization of the extrusion process when using maize flour with a modified amino acid profile for making tortillas

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 7 2006
    Jorge Milán-Carrillo
    Summary Maize with a modified amino acid profile, i.e. greater amounts of lysine and tryptophan than normal, is known as ,quality protein maize' (QPM). The objective of this work was to find the best combination of extrusion process variables to produce QPM flour for making tortillas. QPM grits were mixed with lime and water and had a moisture content of 28%. The single screw extruder operation conditions were selected from factorial combination of three process variables: extrusion temperature (ET, 70,100 °C), lime concentration (LC, 0.1,0.3% of the maize weight) and screw velocity (SV, 80,250 rpm). Response surface methodology was used as an optimization technique. In vitro protein digestibility (PD); total colour difference (,E) of the flours, and tortilla puffing (TP) were chosen as response variables. A graphical method was used to obtain maximum PD, TP and minimum ,E. The optimum combination of process variables was: ET = 85 °C/LC = 0.21%(w/w)/SV = 240 rpm. Tortillas from QPM flour had similar chemical composition, physicochemical and sensory properties to tortillas from commercial nixtamalized maize flour; however, the former had the highest (P , 0.05) available lysine content and were therefore better nutritionally. [source]


    Effects of Fertilizer Phosphorus on Yield Traits of Dekoko (Pisum sativum var. abyssinicum) Under Field Conditions

    JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE, Issue 1 2003
    A. Yemane
    Abstract Cool-season food legumes (CSFLs) are important supplementary protein sources and soil fertility restorers for subsistence farmers in Ethiopia. Yields of CSFLs, however, are limited by low soil fertility, as they are grown in poor soils, often without fertilizer. Dekoko (Pisum sativum var. abyssinicum) is one of the CSFLs cultivated in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. It is highly appreciated by the local people for its taste. This paper reports on the effect of phosphorus (P) on the yield and nutrition value of Dekoko under field conditions, and compares the results with those obtained for Ater (Pisum sativum var. sativum). The experiment was conducted in the 1998 and 1999 growing seasons. Three rates of P equivalent to zero, 30, and 60 kg ha,1 P2O5 were tested. Biomass, leaf area index, branches/plant, pods/m2 and yield responded positively while seeds/pod and seed weight were not significantly affected by P. Tissue P contents in shoots and roots increased with an increase in P application rate, while P in the nodules was not affected. Crude protein (CP) content increased from 24.9 % of dry matter (DM) at P0 to 26.2 % at P2, and from 24.3 % at P0 to 25.2 % at P2, in Dekoko and Ater seeds, respectively, while total sugars decreased with an increase in P application rate. Cysteine in Dekoko and asparagine and threonine in both varieties decreased, while lysine and other amino acids were not significantly affected by P. P improved seed yield and CP content without greatly affecting the amino acid profile of Dekoko, when compared with that of the FAO/WHO (1991, Protein Quality Evaluation. Food and Nutrition, Paper 51. FAO/WHO, Rome) standard pattern of amino acid for children 2,5 years of age. Thus, improving yield through fertilization may help to improve nutritional quality and household food security for subsistence farmers. [source]


    Optimization of the Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Mussel Meat

    JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 1 2010
    Vanessa M. Silva
    ABSTRACT:, Mussel meat was subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis using Protamex. The relationship of temperature (46 to 64 °C), enzyme : substrate ratio (0.48% to 5.52%), and pH (6.7 to 8.3) to the degree of hydrolysis were determined. The surface response methodology showed that the optimum conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis of mussel meat were pH 6.85, temperature 51°C, and enzyme : substrate ratio of 4.5%. Under these conditions a degree of hydrolysis of 26.5% and protein recovery of 65% were obtained. The produced hydrolysate, under optimum condition, was characterized in terms of chemical composition, electrophoretic profile, and amino acid composition. Practical Application: The practical application of mussel meat hydrolysate is its use as flavoring in products such as soups, sauces, and special beverages. In addition, the product is partially digested and has great nutritional value due to its good amino acid profile and thus can be used as a food supplement in special diets. [source]


    Free Amino Acids in Botanicals and Botanical Preparations

    JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 5 2008
    B. Carratù
    ABSTRACT:, Numerous studies were carried out about aminoacidic composition of vegetable proteins, but information about the free amino acid pool and the role of these substances is very incomplete. The aim of this paper was to contribute to the scarce knowledge concerning the composition of free amino acids in botanicals and botanical preparations widely used as food, in dietary supplements, and in pharmaceutical products. This work studied the composition of free amino acids, identified the major components of 19 species of plants, and evaluated the influence of different types of extraction on the amino acid profile. Amino acids were determined using an automatic precolumn derivatization with fluorenylmethyl-chloroformate and reversed-phase liquid chromatography with fluorescence and ultraviolet detection. The amounts of total free amino acids varied widely between plants, from approximately 12 g in 100 g of Echinacea pallida extract to less than 60 mg in the same amount of Coleus forskohlii, Garcinia cambogia, and Glycine max. In 13 plants arginine, asparagine, glutamine, proline, and ,-aminobutyric acid were the free amino acids found in preponderant quantities. The levels of free amino acids above the quantification limit in 36 assayed samples of botanicals, extracts, and supplements are shown. [source]


    Expression of an artificial polypeptide with a repeated tripeptide glutamyl,tryptophanyl,lysine in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

    LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2003
    S.Y. Lee
    Abstract Aims: Artificial genes, which encode 48 or 64 repeats of a tripeptide, glutamyl,tryptophanyl,lysine have been cloned to the yeast expression vector pAM82 containing the PHO5 promoter and expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae AH22. Methods and Results: When the yeast cells harbouring recombinant plasmids pALTG6-2 and pALTG4-4 were derepressed in Burkholder minimal medium (Toh-e, A., Ueda, Y., Kakimoto, S.I. and Oshima, Y. (1973) Journal of Bacteriology113, 727,738) containing low phosphate (0·03 g l,1 KH2PO4 and 1·5 g l,1 KCl), the expression was the highest after 24 h induction and the artificial polypeptides were synthesized to about 10% (pALTG6-2) and 14% (pALTG4-4) of the total cell protein. Conclusions: The artificial polypeptides produced in yeast were made to react with the rabbit antiserum against the polypeptide purified from Escherichia coli and found only in the pellet fraction of cell lysates, indicating the formation of inclusion body. Artificial polypeptide consisting of Glu,Trp,Lys may be useful as partial supplement in food and feeds. Significance and Impact of the Study: The production of single cell enriched with homopolymers of an essential amino acid in yeast might be an important tool of supplementing cereal diets and feed grain rations and could be used as means for improvement of the amino acid profile of single cell protein and production of pharmaceutical peptides. [source]


    Assessment of protein nutritional quality and effects of traditional processes: A comparison between Ethiopian quality protein maize and five Ethiopian adapted normal maize cultivars

    MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH (FORMERLY NAHRUNG/FOOD), Issue 4 2003
    Habtamu Fufa
    Abstract The present study was designed to quantitatively measure and compare the levels and variations of total protein, individual amino acids, and computed protein efficiency ratio (C-PER) in raw and traditionally processed products of one recently released quality protein maize (QPM BH542) with four high-yield maize hybrids, namely flint BH660, semi-dent BH140, Pioneer 30H83, and Pioneer 30G97, as well as one local maize cultivar. The total protein content was variable among the cultivars ranging from 7% for BH660 to 8.6% for Pioneer 30H83, 8.9% for BH140, 9.8% for QPM BH542, 10.1% for local maize cultivar, and 11.8% for Pioneer 30G97, respectively. However, the QPM BH542 maize protein proved to be higher in nutritional quality than common maize proteins because it contained 30% to 82% more lysine, higher levels of arginine, tryptophan, histidine, threonine, cysteine, and valine. As a result, the QPM BH542 amino acid profile gives a good balance of total essential amino acids, limited only in lysine, and has a C-PER ratio of 2.2 compared to 1.14, 1.2, 1.4, 1.66, and 1.67 for Pioneer 30G97, local, BH-140, BH660, and Pioneer 30H83, respectively. The various traditional processes of maize have no significant effect on the protein nutritional quality of the new quality protein maize. Hence, the widely dissemination of it in agricultural cultivation as well as consumption by the general population is recommended. [source]


    Predicting the optimal dietary essential amino acid profile for growth of juvenile yellow perch with whole body amino acid concentrations

    AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 3 2010
    S.D. HART
    Abstract Rapid methods of estimating dietary essential amino acid (EAA) requirements might facilitate increases in aquaculture production, particularly for new or emerging industries. We conducted a 12-week feeding study to test the hypothesis that whole body EAA concentrations and the quantified methionine requirement could be used to predict the remaining dietary EAA requirements for juvenile all-female yellow perch. Six purified diets were developed and fed to triplicate groups of fish for 12 weeks. The diets contained the EAA profile of fishmeal (FM), the profile as predicted by whole body analysis, the quantified methionine requirement and resulting A/E ratios (PRED), PRED + 20% of all EAA (PRED20), PRED + 40% of all EAA (PRED40), PRED + 20% threonine, isoleucine and tryptophan (PRED320), and PRED + 40% threonine, isoleucine and typtophan (PRED340). Mean weight gain and feed consumption were significantly higher in fish fed PRED20 (35.7 ± 3.2 and 55.0 ± 5.3 g, respectively) than in fish fed FSM (25.1 ± 0.4 g wt gain, 41.0 ± 1.9 g cons), PRED (23.4 ± 2.3 g wt gain, 40.1 ± 4.2 g cons) and PRED340 (22.9 ± 3.3 g wt gain, 35.0 ± 3.8 g cons). There was no significant difference in feed efficiency among treatments. We recommend an EAA profile similar to PRED20 for feeding all-female juvenile yellow perch. [source]


    A balanced amino acid diet improves Diplodus sargus larval quality and reduces nitrogen excretion

    AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 5 2009
    M. SAAVEDRA
    Abstract Fish larvae present high amino acid requirements due to their high growth rate. Maximizing this growth rate depends on providing a balanced amino acid diet which can fulfil larval amino acid nutritional needs. In this study, two experimental microencapsulated casein diets were tested: one presenting a balanced amino acid profile and another presenting an unbalanced amino acid profile. A control diet, live feed based, was also tested. Trials were performed with larvae from 1 to 25 days after hatching (DAH). Microencapsulated diets were introduced at 8 DAH in co-feeding with live feed and at 15 DAH larvae were fed the microencapsulated diets alone. Results showed a higher survival for the control group (8.6 ± 1.3% versus 4.2 ± 0.6% and 3.2 ± 1.8%) although dry weight and growth were similar in all treatments. The proportion of deformed larvae as well as the ammonia excretion was lower in the group fed a balanced diet than in the unbalanced or control groups (38.3% deformed larvae in control, 30% in larvae fed unbalanced diet and 20% on balanced diet group). Furthermore, larvae fed the microencapsulated diets presented higher docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid levels. This study demonstrates that dietary amino acid profile may play an important role in larval quality. It also shows that balanced microencapsulated diets may improve some of the performance criteria, such as skeletal deformities, compared to live feeds. [source]


    Dietary effects on insulin and glucagon plasma levels in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

    AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 2 2009
    P. ROJAS
    Abstract The effects of dietary amino acid profile (based on muscle (M) or whole body composition (WB) and the balance between indispensable (IAA) and dispensable amino acids (DAA) in the diet, on plasma levels of insulin and glucagon, were analysed in rainbow trout and gilthead sea bream. Plasma insulin values (baseline and 6 h postfeeding) were higher in trout than in sea bream, but the relative postfeeding increase was more pronounced in sea bream. Within the same dietary amino acid profile, diets with lower IAA/DAA, had a lower effect on the postfeeding secretion of insulin in both species. Circulating levels of glucagon (baseline and postfeeding relative increases) were higher in sea bream. In trout, diets with WB amino acid profile had a greater secretory effect on postfeeding glucagon than did diets with M profile, while gilthead sea bream showed an inverse response to circulating glucagon with respect to diet. Muscle insulin and insulin growth factor-I binding parameters were not affected by the dietary regimen. The postfeeding glucagon response depends on both the dietary AA profile and the fish species, while that of insulin seems to be more uniform, and is affected in a similar way regardless of the species. [source]


    The whole amino acid profile as indicator of the nutritional condition in cultured marine fish larvae

    AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 2 2007
    J.B. CARA
    Abstract The effect of variations in the amount or quality of food provided on the amino acid profile of larvae, was tested in two marine fish species, the Senegal sole (Solea senegalensis) and the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). The objective was to assess whether such nutritionally suboptimum dietary patterns, which simulate situations that may occur in hatcheries, result in variations in the concentration of one or more amino acids that could be used as indicators of nutritional condition of larvae. Restriction in the normal food ration by 60% had no clear effect on the amino acid profile of sea bass, while the concentration of some amino acids (Arg, Ala and Phe) showed significant variations in sole. Feeding on artificial diets, which have shown their inadequacy a priori, resulted also in no significant effect on the profile of sea bass, but in a dramatic modification of the amino acid profile in sole. In addition, changes in the amino acid profiles considered as a whole were evaluated using the cluster analysis instead of paired comparisons between amino acid concentrations in each treatment. The analysis clearly separated profiles of larvae fed restrictedly or inadequately from their controls, irrespective of the species. This demonstrated the potential value of evaluating whole changes in amino acid profile as nutritional indicator. Besides, it was demonstrated that sensitivity of larvae to nutritional changes that may be reflected in the amino acid profile is greatly conditioned by the species and developmental stage. [source]


    Impact of digestible energy levels at three different dietary amino acid levels on growth performance and protein accretion in Atlantic salmon

    AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 3 2010
    Adel El-Mowafi
    Abstract Nine experimental feeds were prepared, having two different digestible energy levels (DE, 19.5 and 21.5 MJ kg,1) and three different amino acid levels (90%, 100% and 110%), and formulated with two alternative strategies (protein and fat vary freely or only protein varies freely). The design was not balanced and thus the 110% amino acid profile was only studied at 19.5 MJ kg,1 DE. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) with a mean body weight of 449±19 g were distributed in 24 tanks and were fed each of the experimental diets for a period of 90 days. The fish were fed three times daily and uneaten feed was collected. Increasing the dietary DE energy from 19.5 to 21.5 MJ kg,1 and the amino acid level from 90% to 100% of the requirement increased the feed intake and growth performance in Atlantic salmon. Increasing the amino acid level from 90% to 100% had a positive effect on the feed intake, growth and protein accretion. Also, the mRNA levels of insulin-like growth factor I in muscle tissues pointed to this positive effect when the amino acid level increased. High probabilities were associated with a negative effect on the feed intake of reducing the amino acid level regardless of the DE level. It is recommended that the balanced amino acid level should not be adjusted by the same percentage rate as dietary energy, and possibly should not be reduced at all in order to maintain optimum performance and profitability. [source]


    Evaluation of pea protein isolate as alternative protein source in diets for juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

    AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 5 2007
    Carsten Schulz
    Abstract To evaluate isolated pea protein as feed ingredient for tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) juveniles, triplicate groups were fed with four isonitrogenous [crude protein: 421.1,427.5 g kg,1 in dry matter (d.m.)] and isoenergetic (gross energy: 20.46,21.06 MJ kg,1 d.m.) diets with varying protein sources for 8 weeks. Fish meal-based protein content of diets was substituted with 0% (diet 100/0=control group), 30% (diet 70/30), 45% (diet 55/45) and 60% (diet 40/60) isolated pea protein. Tilapia juveniles with an initial body weight of 2.23,2.27 g were fed in average at a level of 5% of their body weight per day. Highest individual weight gain (WG: 21.39 g) and specific growth rate (SGR: 4.21% day,1) and best feed conversion ratio (FCR: 0.90) were observed in tilapia fed diet 100/0, followed by fish-fed diet 70/30 (WG: 19.09 g; SGR: 4.03% day,1; FCR: 0.98), diet 55/45 (WG: 16.69 g; SGR: 3.80% day,1; FCR: 1.06) and diet 40/60 (WG: 16.18 g; SGR: 3.74% day,1; FCR: 1.06). Although fish fed diet 100/0 showed the best performance, inclusion of 30% protein derived from pea protein isolate resulted in a growth performance (in terms of WG and SGR) that did not differ significantly from diet 100/0 in contrast to fish fed diet 55/45 and 40/60. Crude ash content in the final body composition of the experimental fish decreased with increasing dietary pea protein content, while crude protein and lipid content remained equal between the groups. Significant decreasing growth performance and body ash incorporation of tilapia at higher inclusion levels seem to be mainly related to the dietary amino acid profile and phytic acid contents. [source]


    Nutritional Effect of Dialysis Therapy

    ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 3 2003
    Tsutomu Sanaka
    Abstract: The prognosis of patients with end-stage renal disease has been improved by the recent remarkable advances in medical and engineering technology. However, there are still many unsolved problems in the clinical field. One of the problems is an intractable malnutrition characterized by clinical manifestations including hypoproteinemia and decrease in muscular volume, which is associated with deterioration in the quality of the patient's life. Malnutrition in hemodialysis patients involves abnormal energy metabolism and aberrant amino acid metabolism. In the most malnourished patients, immunodefense mechanisms and homeostasis are disrupted, greatly influencing the prognosis. Moreover, when the performance of dialyzer used is too high, the dialysis treatment might remove a necessary nutrient for the patient. There is also a possibility that the protein catabolism is accelerated when the biocompatibility is inferior. On the other hand, in malnutri-tion, the circulating level of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) falls while the level of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) is remarkably increased. It has been recognized that IGF-1 and IGFBP-1 are indicators reflecting the initiation of a malnutritional state in patients with chronic renal failure, although there are many indicators such as albumin, prealbumin, and anthropometric measurement for nutritional assessment. We have suggested that r-hGH and IGF-1 improve the malnutritional state by alleviating hypoproteinemia and abnormality of serum amino acid profile in uremic patients on hemodialysis. The serum IGF-1/IGFBP-1 ratio is useful not only as a nutritional parameter but also as a predicting index of responsiveness to r-hGH. It is necessary to examine the problem from various angles to improve malnutrition in the dialysis patient, while considering the above mentioned. [source]


    Separation of twenty underivatized essential amino acids by capillary zone electrophoresis with contactless conductivity detection

    ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 4 2003
    Pavel Coufal
    Abstract Twenty underivatized essential amino acids were separated using capillary zone electrophoresis and consequently detected with contactless conductivity detection (CCD). A simple acidic background electrolyte (BGE) containing 2.3 M acetic acid and 0.1% w/w hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) allowed the electrophoretic separation and sensitive detection of all 20 essential amino acids in their underivatized cationic form. The addition of HEC to the BGE suppressed both, electroosmotic flow and analyte adsorption on the capillary surface resulting in an excellent migration time reproducibility and a very good analyte peak symmetry. Additionally, the HEC addition significantly reduced the noise and long-term fluctuations of the CCD baseline. The optimized electrophoretic separation method together with the CCD was proved to be a powerful technique for determination of amino acid profiles in various natural samples, like beer, yeast, urine, saliva, and herb extracts. [source]


    Influence of dietary amino acid profiles on growth performance and body composition of juvenile grouper Epinephelus coioides

    JOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
    Z. Luo
    Summary A feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary amino acid (AA) profiles on growth performance and body composition of juvenile grouper Epinephelus coioides (initial mean weight: 68.1 ± 1.0 g, mean ± SD). Five diets contained 30% fishmeal, 12% soy protein concentrate and 20% crystalline amino acids (CAAs); the control diet contained 54% fishmeal and 17% soy protein concentrate as intact protein sources. CAAs were added to the five diets to simulate the AA pattern found in white fishmeal protein (WFP), brown fishmeal protein (BFP), hen egg protein (HEP), grouper E. coioides juvenile protein (GJP) and red sea bream egg protein (REP), respectively. The highest WG and SGR were obtained in fish fed the control diet, followed by fish fed the diets with AA profiles of WFP and GJP. Fish fed the diets with AA profiles of BFP, REP and HEP showed relatively poor growth performance. Feed utilization showed a similar trend in growth parameters. Protein content of whole body among these treatments showed no significant differences (P > 0.05), but lipid content of whole body showed the highest value in the control group (P < 0.05). Dietary AA profiles significantly influenced plasma protein, cholesterol, triacylglycerol and glucose concentrations (P < 0.05). Dietary AA profiles significantly influenced the condition factor, hepatosomatic index and intraperitoneal fat ratio (P < 0.05). [source]


    Growth and survival of river catfish Mystus nemurus (Cuvier & Valenciennes) larvae fed isocaloric diets with different protein levels during weaning

    JOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 3 2000
    R. V. Eguia
    Summary The growth of river catfish Mystus nemurus (Cuvier & Valenciennes) larvae fed four isocaloric diets (4200 kcal kg,1) with different protein levels during weaning was determined. Diets containing 45, 50, 55, and 60% protein were formulated by linear programming using amino acid profiles based on that of 2-day-old river catfish larvae. Artificial diets were fed to the larvae beginning at day 5 after being initially fed Artemia nauplii for 4 days. The larvae thrived solely on artificial diets from day 8 to day 16. On the other hand, the control larvae were fed Artemia nauplii from day 1 to day 16. Results of the feeding trial showed that growth and survival of M. nemurus larvae given the diet containing 60% protein were high and comparable to those of the larvae given only live food (control). Larvae fed the 55% protein diet had significantly lower growth and survival than the larvae on the control and 60% diets but significantly higher growth and survival rates than did larvae fed with 45 and 50% protein diets. Carcass moisture and total lipids after 16 days of feeding did not differ significantly (P > 0.05), but body protein increased with increasing dietary protein. Body protein of the control larvae was similar to that of larvae given the 60% protein diet. [source]


    A comparative study of several HPLC methods for determining free amino acid profiles in honey

    JOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 9-10 2005
    José Luis Bernal
    Abstract A study of the viability of three derivatizing reagents for obtaining amino acid profiles in honey through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is presented. A method using diode array detection based on a reaction with diethyl ethoxymethylene malonate (DEMM) and two other methods using fluorescence detection based on derivatization with fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC-Cl) and 6-aminoquinolyl- N -hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate (AQC) have been developed. The three methods yield detection limits close to the ppb level, but vary in relation to other analytical characteristics. The use of methyl chloroformate derivatives allows the profile to be obtained with the greatest sensitivity within a short time frame. On applying such methods to honey samples of diverse botanical origin, we observe that the proline values obtained are always lower than those found using the official spectrophotometric method, thereby underlining the advisability of using HPLC methods to reduce uncertainty in these results. [source]


    Evaluation of alternative cereal sources in dog diets: effect on nutrient utilisation and hindgut fermentation characteristics

    JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 13 2009
    Kumar B Kore
    Abstract BACKGROUND: Rice is one of the most commonly used cereal grains in pet foods. However, other cereals such as pearl millet, sorghum and maize have good amino acid profiles and could be used as alternatives to rice in the diet of dogs, thus sparing rice for human consumption. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional worth of these cereals for pet dogs. RESULTS: Eight adult Spitz dogs (age ,10 months, average body weight 6.14 ± 0.58 kg) were used in a 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design to compare the effects of dietary inclusion of four cereals, namely rice, maize, pearl millet and sorghum, on digestibility and hindgut fermentation characteristics. The digestibility of dry matter (DM) was significantly (P < 0.01) reduced when rice was replaced by the alternative cereals. Additionally, the digestibilities of protein, fat and total dietary fibre decreased (P < 0.01) in dogs fed the pearl millet-based diet. The DM voided in faeces increased (P < 0.05) when rice was replaced by the alternative cereals. Faecal ammonia concentration was higher (P < 0.05) on the rice-based diet, while faecal lactate concentration was reduced (P < 0.01) on the pearl millet- and sorghum-based diets. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that maize, pearl millet and sorghum are not as effectively utilised as rice as cereal source in the diet of dogs. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Effects of etomidate on free intracellular amino acid concentrations in polymorphonuclear leucocytes in vitro

    ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 4 2000
    J. Mühling
    Background: Previous studies have shown the inhibitory effects of etomidate on polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) function. No reports exist, however, regarding free intracellular amino acid metabolism, although physiological cell metabolism and basic cell functions rely upon a balanced intracellular amino acid content and the cell membrane-mediated separation of cellular amino acids from the extracellular plasma amino acid pool. Thus, in the current study, we evaluated the effects of etomidate on free intracellular amino acid metabolism in PMN. Methods: With ethics committee approval, blood was withdrawn from 35 healthy volunteers and incubated (1 h) either with 0 ,g/ml, 0.0156 ,g/ml, 0.0625 ,g/ml or 0.5 ,g/ml of etomidate as well as with its additives (propylene glycol and Lipofundin MCT® 10%). The PMN were separated using standardized Percoll® -gradient and centrifugation procedure before deep-freezing and lyophilization techniques were employed. All PMN samples were dissolved in methanol/H2O, and the concentrations of free intracellular amino acids were monitored using both novel advanced PMN-separation and high-performance liquid chromatography techniques. Results: Etomidate influenced important free amino acid profiles in PMN in a dose-dependent manner, indicating complex changes of cellular amino acid turnover. Neither propylene glycol nor Lipofundin MCT® 10% changed free amino acid concentrations in PMN. Conclusions: For the first time, the effects of etomidate on free intracellular amino acid metabolism in PMN have been investigated. Our results draw attention to the biochemical pathways which may be involved in etomidate-induced alterations in PMN function and cellular immunocompetence. [source]


    Measurement of xylem sap amino acid concentrations in conjunction with whole tree transpiration estimates spring N remobilization by cherry (Prunus avium L.) trees

    PLANT CELL & ENVIRONMENT, Issue 12 2002
    G. GRASSI
    Abstract Prunus avium trees were grown in sand culture for one vegetative season with contrasting N supplies, in order to precondition their N storage capacities. During the spring of the second year a constant amount of 15N was supplied to all the trees, and the recovery of unlabelled N in the new biomass production was used as a direct measure of N remobilization. Destructive harvests were taken during spring to determine the pattern of N remobilization and uptake. Measurements of both xylem sap amino acid profiles and whole tree transpiration rates were taken, to determine whether specific amino acids are translocated as a consequence of N remobilization and if remobilization can be quantified by calculating the flux of these amino acids in the xylem. Whereas remobilization started immediately after bud burst, N derived from uptake by root appeared in the leaves only 3 weeks later. The tree internal N status affected both the amount of N remobilization and its dynamics. The concentration of xylem sap amino acids peaked shortly after bud burst, concurrently with the period of fastest remobilization. Few amino acids and amides (Gln, Asn and Asp) were responsible for most of N translocated through the xylem; however, their relative concentration varied over spring, demonstrating that the transport of remobilized N occurred mainly with Gln whereas transport of N taken up from roots occurred mainly with Asn. Coupling measurements of amino acid N in the xylem sap with transpiration values was well correlated with the recovery of unlabelled N in the new biomass production. These results are discussed in relation to the possibility of measuring the spring remobilization of N in field-grown trees by calculating the flux of N translocation in the xylem. [source]


    Amino acid composition of Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.) and the prediction of dietary requirements for essential amino acids

    AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 4 2007
    R. GURURE
    Abstract Embryo somatic tissues, non-somatic yolk-sac materials, and whole, individual fingerlings (age 0+) of Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), as well as a commercial trout diet, were analysed for a wide spectrum of amino acids. Analytical material consisted of prefeeding swim-up fry that were separated into discrete yolk sac and somatic embryo tissue samples. Amino acid concentrations in fry somatic tissue and whole fingerlings were generally very similar to each other, but were lower than those measured in yolk materials. Higher correlations were observed between the majority of specific amino acid concentrations in the trout diet when compared with fingerling data (r2 = 0.91) and fry somatic tissue data (r2 = 0.89), than when correlated with fry yolk sac material (r2 = 0.76). These results indicate that the essential amino acid profiles of fry somatic tissue and whole fingerlings are closer to that of a commercial feed than they are to the endogenous profiles found in the embryonic yolk sac material itself. The dietary ratios of individual essential amino acids were also compared with the total essential amino acid concentrations (A/E ratios) in whole fingerling tissues, and these ratios could be used to accurately estimate the apparent essential amino acid requirements of Arctic charr. The rationale for using carcass amino acid composition data to estimate the dietary essential amino acid requirements of Arctic charr is discussed. [source]


    The whole amino acid profile as indicator of the nutritional condition in cultured marine fish larvae

    AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 2 2007
    J.B. CARA
    Abstract The effect of variations in the amount or quality of food provided on the amino acid profile of larvae, was tested in two marine fish species, the Senegal sole (Solea senegalensis) and the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). The objective was to assess whether such nutritionally suboptimum dietary patterns, which simulate situations that may occur in hatcheries, result in variations in the concentration of one or more amino acids that could be used as indicators of nutritional condition of larvae. Restriction in the normal food ration by 60% had no clear effect on the amino acid profile of sea bass, while the concentration of some amino acids (Arg, Ala and Phe) showed significant variations in sole. Feeding on artificial diets, which have shown their inadequacy a priori, resulted also in no significant effect on the profile of sea bass, but in a dramatic modification of the amino acid profile in sole. In addition, changes in the amino acid profiles considered as a whole were evaluated using the cluster analysis instead of paired comparisons between amino acid concentrations in each treatment. The analysis clearly separated profiles of larvae fed restrictedly or inadequately from their controls, irrespective of the species. This demonstrated the potential value of evaluating whole changes in amino acid profile as nutritional indicator. Besides, it was demonstrated that sensitivity of larvae to nutritional changes that may be reflected in the amino acid profile is greatly conditioned by the species and developmental stage. [source]


    Determination of microbial community structures of shrimp floc cultures by biomarkers and analysis of floc amino acid profiles

    AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 2 2008
    Zhi Yong Ju
    Abstract Simple, rapid and reliable methods are required to monitor the microbial community change in aquatic pond for better animal performance. Four floc (suspended organic matter) samples were collected from outdoor raceways and tanks used for culturing Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Twenty-two chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoid pigments were separated, identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography,ultraviolet/Vis-mass spectrometry in the freeze-dried floc samples. Algal community composition (diatoms, chlorophytes, cyanobacteria, dinoflagellates and cryptophytes) was determined by measuring concentrations of the respective taxonomic biomarkers (carotenoid fucoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, peridinin and alloxanthin) as independent variables and Chl a as the dependent variable using a multiple regression model. This analysis found that the phytoplankton community of the floc samples from two groups of shrimp tanks (32 g L,1 -salinity) were diatom-dominated (81.7% and 84.4%); and two floc samples from shrimp raceways (5 and 18 g L,1 -salinity) were chlorophyte-dominated (75.4% and 82.3%). Assessment of total algal and bacterial biomass by quantification of Chl a and muramic acid, respectively, indicated that the 18 g L,1 -salinity raceway sample was bacteria-dominated, whereas the other three floc samples were algae-dominated. Sample protein quality was evaluated by its essential amino acid (AA) score and index. Arginine and lysine were found to be the two most limiting AAs for all floc samples. [source]