Emulsifier Composition of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN) Affects Mechanical and Barrier Properties of SLN‐Protein Composite Films

Protein films can be applied to improve food quality and to reduce packaging waste. To overcome their poor water barrier properties, lipids are often incorporated. The function of incorporated lipid depends on the interface between filler and matrix. This study aimed to tailor the properties of a protein–lipid film by designing the oil/water interface to see if the concept of inactive/active filler is valid. Therefore, we varied the emulsifier stabilizing solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) to promote (via β‐lactoglobulin) or to minimize (via Tween 20) interactions between particle surface and protein. SLN were incorporated into protein films and film properties were determined. Addition of SLN led to significantly decreased water vapor permeability (WVP) of protein films. However, WVP was mainly affected by the emulsifiers and not by the lipid. Protein‐stabilized SLN (BS) replaced a lacking protein in the protein network and therefore did not influence the mechanical properties of the films at ambient temperature. BS‐composite films were temperature sensitive, as lipid and sucrose palmitate melted at temperatures above 40 °C. Tween 20‐stabilized SLN (TS) led to reduced tensile strengths, probably due to perturbative effects of TS and plasticizing effects of Tween 20. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed that TS and Tween 20 increased film mobility. Melting of lipid and emulsifiers, and temperature‐dependent behavior of Tween 20 led to a strong temperature dependence of the film stiffness. By designing the interface, particles can be used to tailor mechanical properties of protein films. Tuned edible films could be used to control mass transfers between foods

Unexpected diversity in socially synchronized rhythms of shorebirds

The behavioural rhythms of organisms are thought to be under strong selection, influenced by the rhythmicity of the environment. Such behavioural rhythms are well studied in isolated individuals under laboratory conditions, but free-living individuals have to temporally synchronize their activities with those of others, including potential mates, competitors, prey and predators. Individuals can temporally segregate their daily activities (for example, prey avoiding predators, subordinates avoiding dominants) or synchronize their activities (for example, group foraging, communal defence, pairs reproducing or caring for offspring). The behavioural rhythms that emerge from such social synchronization and the underlying evolutionary and ecological drivers that shape them remain poorly understood. Here we investigate these rhythms in the context of biparental care, a particularly sensitive phase of social synchronization where pair members potentially compromise their individual rhythms. Using data from 729 nests of 91 populations of 32 biparentally incubating shorebird species, where parents synchronize to achieve continuous coverage of developing eggs, we report remarkable within-and between-species diversity in incubation rhythms. Between species, the median length of one parent's incubation bout varied from 1-19 h, whereas period length-the time in which a parent's probability to incubate cycles once between its highest and lowest value-varied from 6-43 h. The length of incubation bouts was unrelated to variables reflecting energetic demands, but species relying on crypsis (the ability to avoid detection by other animals) had longer incubation bouts than those that are readily visible or who actively protect their nest against predators. Rhythms entrainable to the 24-h light-dark cycle were less prevalent at high latitudes and absent in 18 species. Our results indicate that even under similar environmental conditions and despite 24-h environmental cues, social synchronization can generate far more diverse behavioural rhythms than expected from studies of individuals in captivity. The risk of predation, not the risk of starvation, may be a key factor underlying the diversity in these rhythms.</p

Unexpected diversity in socially synchronized rhythms of shorebirds

The behavioural rhythms of organisms are thought to be under strong selection, influenced by the rhythmicity of the environment1, 2, 3, 4. Such behavioural rhythms are well studied in isolated individuals under laboratory conditions1, 5, but free-living individuals have to temporally synchronize their activities with those of others, including potential mates, competitors, prey and predators6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Individuals can temporally segregate their daily activities (for example, prey avoiding predators, subordinates avoiding dominants) or synchronize their activities (for example, group foraging, communal defence, pairs reproducing or caring for offspring)6, 7, 8, 9, 11. The behavioural rhythms that emerge from such social synchronization and the underlying evolutionary and ecological drivers that shape them remain poorly understood5, 6, 7, 9. Here we investigate these rhythms in the context of biparental care, a particularly sensitive phase of social synchronization12 where pair members potentially compromise their individual rhythms. Using data from 729 nests of 91 populations of 32 biparentally incubating shorebird species, where parents synchronize to achieve continuous coverage of developing eggs, we report remarkable within- and between-species diversity in incubation rhythms. Between species, the median length of one parent’s incubation bout varied from 1–19 h, whereas period length—the time in which a parent’s probability to incubate cycles once between its highest and lowest value—varied from 6–43 h. The length of incubation bouts was unrelated to variables reflecting energetic demands, but species relying on crypsis (the ability to avoid detection by other animals) had longer incubation bouts than those that are readily visible or who actively protect their nest against predators. Rhythms entrainable to the 24-h light–dark cycle were less prevalent at high latitudes and absent in 18 species. Our results indicate that even under similar environmental conditions and despite 24-h environmental cues, social synchronization can generate far more diverse behavioural rhythms than expected from studies of individuals in captivity5, 6, 7, 9. The risk of predation, not the risk of starvation, may be a key factor underlying the diversity in these rhythms

Efficacy of Aflatoxin B1 and Fumonisin B1 Adsorption by Maize, Wheat, and Oat Bran

Mycotoxins, especially aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FMB1), are common contaminants in cereal-based foods. Instances of contamination are predicted to increase due to the current challenges induced by climate change. Despite the health benefits of whole grains, the presence of mycotoxins in bran remains a concern. Nonetheless, previous research indicates that wheat bran can adsorb mutagens. Therefore, this study investigated the capacity of maize, wheat, and oat brans to adsorb AFB1 and FMB1 under varying in vitro conditions, including pH, binding time, temperature, particle size, and the amount of bran utilized. Maize bran demonstrated a high AFB1 adsorption capacity (>78%) compared to wheat and oat brans. However, FMB1 was not adsorbed by the brans, possibly due to its hydrophilic nature. Lower temperature (≤25 °C) enhanced AFB1 adsorption efficacy in wheat and oat bran, while for maize bran, the highest adsorption occurred at 37 °C. A linear model following Henry’s law best explained AFB1 adsorption by the brans. Further studies identified the pericarp layer of bran as the primary site of AFB1 adsorption, with the initial liquid volume being a critical factor. The study concludes that bran could potentially act as an effective bioadsorbent. Further research is essential to confirm the adsorption efficacy and the bioavailability of AFB1 through in vivo experiments

Assessment of waste generated from fresh Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus in Accra, Ghana

Abstract Aquaculture is a key component of Ghana's food system strategies, promoting sustainable animal protein production. Aquaculture complements traditional marine capture fisheries to close the gap between demand and supply. However, about one third of fish produced globally have been reported to go to waste yearly. Among the various cultured fish, the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus is a predominant species. This study aimed to estimate the extent of Nile tilapia wastage by consumers in Ghana. A web‐based cross‐sectional consumer survey was designed to assess the parts of the tilapia consumers generally classified as edible or inedible, taking into account the three primary tilapia preparation methods. The study utilised a semi‐structured online questionnaire, gathering responses from 246 participants. The parts of Nile tilapia investigated included the flesh, fins, offal, head, scales, bones, and gill flaps/opercula. The analysis of consumed and wasted parts of Nile tilapias by weight showed that, on average, the flesh made up the majority of the fish at 55.26%, followed by the head at 26.46%, offal at 8.51%, scales at 3.10%, fins at 2.93%, bones at 2.76%, and operculum at 0.98%, which was the smallest component. The study concluded that approximately 30%–45% of waste is generated from Nile tilapia in the Ghanaian supply chain. Tilapia was widely consumed by all groups, with an average liking score of 7.69 ± 1.95 on a 10‐point hedonic scale. A significant association was found between gender and consumption patterns with females showing a higher degree of liking. There was a strong association between the method of preparation and consumption patterns; the fried parts were classified as more edible compared to those that were boiled or grilled. To reduce waste in the aquaculture industry, tilapia and other fishes could be processed in a way that various edible and inedible parts are sold separately

Treatment of fish processing plant wastewater using dissolved air flotation and pilot-scale biochar column filtration

Abstract Wastewaters from fish processing cause a high organic load for municipal wastewater treatment and can interfere with treatment operations due to their high oil and grease content. In the present study, a modular dissolved air flotation (DAF) unit was used to remove oil, grease and other suspended solids from fish processing plant wastewater. After DAF treatment, the residual particles and nutrients were adsorbed onto a mixture of hemp and spruce biochar in a pilot-scale column filtration system. The proposed integrated treatment process aims to improve the quality of the fish processing wastewater, facilitate water reuse, and recover the dissolved nutrients in a reusable form. The DAF treatment removed nearly all the oil and grease from the wastewater. Also, chemical oxygen demand, turbidity and phosphorus concentration clearly decreased during the DAF process. The biochar filtration further clarified the DAF-treated wastewater and partly adsorbed the residual nutrients. Furthermore, in the spent biochar mixture, the nitrogen and phosphorus content increased significantly (N to 9.1–10.5 mg/g, P to 0.32–1.38 mg/g), which indicates the improved properties of the biochar as a possible soil conditioner