The NORIT project: the incidence of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus L.) emergence activity rhythms on its population assessment

2 pagesThe Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus (L.) is a decapod crustacean inhabiting complex burrow systems in muddy continental shelves and slopes of the Atlantic and Mediterranean Europe. This species is fished intensively in the Mediterranean and isshowing signs of overexploitation. [...]Peer Reviewe

Oily fish increases iron bioavailability of a phytate rich meal in young iron deficient women

Background Iron deficiency is a major health problem worldwide, and is associated with diets of low iron bioavailability. Non-heme iron absorption is modulated by dietary constituents, one of which is the so-called “meat factor”, present in meat, fish (oily and lean) and poultry, which is an important enhancer of iron absorption in humans. Food processing also affects iron bioavailability. Objective To evaluate the effect of consuming sous vide cooked salmon fish on non-heme iron bioavailability from a bean meal, rich in phytate, in iron-deficient women. Design Randomized crossover trial in 21 young women with low iron stores (ferritin < 30 μg/L). Two test meals were extrinsically labelled with stable isotopes of iron (Fe-57 or Fe-58). Iron bioavailability was measured as the incorporation of stable isotopes into erythrocytes 14 d after meals consumption. Results The addition of fish to the bean meal significantly increased (p < 0.001) iron absorption. Serum ferritin concentration and iron absorption were inversely correlated for both the bean meal (R2 = 0.294, p = 0.011) and the fish and bean meal (R2 = 0.401, p = 0.002). Conclusion Sous vide cooked salmon fish increases iron absorption from a high phytate bean meal in humans. © 2008 American College of Nutrition

Effects of consuming diets containing Agave tequilana dietary fibre and jamaica calyces on body weight gain and redox status in hypercholesterolemic rats

Dietary fibre (DF) obtained from Agave tequilana, which is rich in fructans and insoluble DF, and jamaica calyces (Hibiscus sabdariffa), which is rich in DF and phenolic compounds, were assessed as new potential functional ingredients using the hypercholesterolemic animal model. Wistar rats (200-250 g) were divided into 3 groups (n = 8) and fed with cholesterol-rich diets supplemented with cellulose (CC, control), agave DF (ADF) or ADF with jamaica calyces (ADF-JC). After consuming the test diets for 5 weeks, weight gain in the ADF-JC group was significantly lower than in the other groups. The ADF and ADF-JC groups had a reduced concentration of cholesterol transporters in the caecum tissue, although no changes were observed in the plasma lipid profile. Both treatments improved the redox status by reducing the malondialdehyde serum levels and protein oxidative damage, compared to the CC group. DF from A. tequilana alone, or in combination with jamaica calyces, shows promising potential as a bioactive ingredient. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This research was supported by projects CSD2007-00063 (CICYT), RTA2007-00036 (INIA) and CONSOLIDER-INGENIO (CSD 2007-00063).Peer Reviewe