Flaxseeds: Nutritional Potential and Bioactive Compounds

The objective of this work was to study the nutritional and bioactive composition of commercially available flaxseeds with the aim to develop new alternatives for their use as functional and nutraceutical food ingredient. The samples of flaxseed contained 20.86% protein, 31.16% fat, 29.07% crude fiber and 3.75% ash. Essential amino acids represented 34% of total protein. The amino acids profile showed that glutamic acid was the most abundant (3.87 g 100 g-1), followed by arginine (1.93 g 100 g-1) and aspartic acid (1.52 g 100 g-1). Fatty acids analysis indicated that alpha-linolenic acid represents the major fatty acid (54.51% of the total fatty acids). The ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids was 8.67 while the n-3/n-6 PUFA ratio was 3.2. Total phenolics showed average contents of 295.92 mg GAE 100 g-1, of which flavonoids accounted for 25.85 mg QE 100 g-1. The results confirmed that, in addition to being one of the richest sources of alpha-linolenic acid, flaxseed is an essential source of high quality protein, soluble fiber and potent natural antioxidants

Adapting quality inspection to the European standards for the determination of the polyunsaturated fatty acids from animal products

One of the big problems of chemical analysis is to ensure its quality and to increase the confidence in the analytical results yielded by a chemical or instrumental analysis. The new internal norms for animal products quality (ANSVSA order 51/2005 regarding the performance of the analytical methods of analysis and data interpretation), aligned to EU requirements, required a unique system of inspection. These requirements stipulate the obligation of the laboratories inspecting animal products to validate each assay method, adapted to the particular type of sample. We therefore aimed to validate the chromatographic method of determining the linoleic acid from meat products. The parameters determined for the validation of this method were in agreement with SR EN ISO/CEI 17025:2005 and refer to: accuracy, reproducibility, sensitivity, precision, limit of detection and limit of quantification. For validation we only used reference materials and certified standards of analytical purity. We also calculated the incertitude for the validated method. The control diagrams obtained during two months show that the 0.01176 reproducibility of the equipment was higher than the repeatability (r) of 0.0079; 95.60% tracing and ±0.69 µg/g incertitude for linoleic acid determination. The results prove that the method operates within the admitted limits. The validated method is adequate for linoleic acid determination in animal products

Effects of moderate (5%) levels of linseed in layer diets

SUMMARY The study evaluated the potential of a diet formulation for layers, with a moderate level (5%) of linseeds, to produce omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (alpha linolenic acid -alpha LNA and docosahexaenoic acid -DHA). The experiment was conducted on 108 Lohmann Brown layers (35-42 weeks of age) assigned to three groups. The diets for experimentals groups (E1 and E2) differed from the control (C) diet by the inclusion of 5% linseed or 20.2% full fat soy. The diets for group C and E1 contained 27 ppm vitamin E, while the diet for group E2 contained 250 ppm vitamin E. Feed intake, forage quality preservation in time, egg production, egg weight and egg components weight have been monitored throughout the experiment. Eighteen eggs per group were collected randomly (weeks of age 35, 37, 39 and 42) and average samples of egg yolk were formed (3 eggs/sample). The samples were assayed for the gross chemical composition, pH (determined one week after the harvesting of eggs which were kept in a refrigerator at 4 0 C), fatty acids profile and vitamin E concentration. The 5% dietary linseeds treatment produced eggs enriched in alpha LNA and DHA without affecting layer performance. The determinations performed on week of age 37 show that both alpha LNA and DHA were in significantly higher concentrations (p≤0.05) in the eggs from the linseed treated groups than in the eggs from group C. The 250 ppm vitamin E in the diet for group E2 preserved the quality of the feed and increased vitamin E concentration in the egg yolk. The eggs from group E2 were used in a clinical study conducted at the Parhon National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest. The volunteers which consumed 6 eggs per week for six weeks had significantly lower serum triglycerides levels (p≤0.002) in the end of the survey than at the beginning of it

Nutritional and bioactive compounds in dried tomato processing waste

This research investigated the nutritional and antioxidant composition of tomato processing waste with the aim to enable the development of new alternatives for the recycling of this by-product. The samples of dried tomato waste were found to contain 176.2 g/kg protein, 21.9 g/kg fat, 524.4 g/kg crude fiber and 42.1 g/kg ash. The essential amino acids represented 34.2% of total protein, the most abundant being leucine, followed by lysine and isoleucine. Unsaturated fatty acids represent 77.04% of the total fatty acids, linoleic being the major one. The results confirmed that dried tomato wastes contain considerable amounts of lycopene (510.6 mg/kg) and β-carotene (95.6 mg/kg) and exhibited good antioxidant properties. Total phenolics showed average contents of 1229.5 mg GAE/kg, of which flavonoids accounted for 415.3 mg QE/kg. Ellagic and chlorogenic acids were the most abundant phenolic acids while among flavonoids only rutin and myricetin were quantified

Using grapeseed meal as natural antioxidant in slow-growing Hubbard broiler diets enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids

El propósito del estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la harina de semilla de uva, adicionada a la dieta de pollos de engorda Hubbard de crecimiento lento alta en ácidos grasos poliinsaturados (AGPI) por la harina de linaza de la dieta. El ensayo de alimentación de 7 semanas utilizó 80 polluelos (14 d), asignados a dos grupos: control (C) y E, con 4 repeticiones de 10 polluelos/grupo. La dieta basal fue similar para ambos grupos durante ambas etapas de alimentación. La dieta para el grupo E se complementó con 3 % de harina de semilla de uva. Se sacrificaron seis pollos de cada grupo al final del ensayo de alimentación, y se recogieron muestras de sangre, carne de pechuga y pierna. El colesterol sérico fue significativamente menor en el grupo E (110.85 mg/dL) que en el grupo C (146.82 mg/dl). La concentración de AGPI fue significativamente mayor en el grupo E que en el grupo C, tanto en la pechuga (31.34 %, en comparación con el 27.73 % de ésteres metílicos totales de ácidos grasos - EMAG) como en la pierna (32.44 %, en comparación con el 30.06 % de EMAG totales). La concentración de colesterol fue significativamente menor en el grupo E (42.52 mg) que en el grupo C (60.91 mg/100 g de muestra fresca) en la pierna. Después de 7 días de refrigeración, el valor de peróxido fue significativamente menor en el grupo E (8.11 meq) que en el grupo C (8.79 meq/kg de grasa) en la carne de pechuga, mientras que la acidez de la grasa fue significativamente menor en el grupo E (40.82 mg de KOH) que en el grupo C (43.99 mg de KOH/g de grasa) en la pierna. El 3 % de harina de semilla de uva de la dieta, utilizada como antioxidante natural, en las dietas de pollos de engorda enriquecidas con AGPI, tuvo efectos positivos en los parámetros sanguíneos y la calidad de la carne.The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of the grapeseed meal, added to slow-growing Hubbard broilers diet high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) due to the dietary flaxseed meal. The 7-wk feeding trial used 80 broiler chicks (14 d), assigned to two groups: control (C) and E, with 4 replicates of 10 chicks/group. The basal diet was similar for both groups during both feeding stages. The diet for group E was supplemented with 3% grapeseed meal. Six broilers from each group were slaughtered in the end of the feeding trial, and blood, breast and leg meat samples were collected. Serum cholesterol was significantly lower in group E (110.85 mg/dL), than in group C (146.82 mg/dL). The PUFA concentration was significantly higher in group E, than in group C, both in the breast (31.34 %, compared to 27.73 % total fatty acid methyl ester - FAME) and in the leg (32.44 %, compared to 30.06 % total FAME). The cholesterol concentration was significantly lower in group E (42.52 mg), than in group C (60.91 mg/100 g fresh sample) in the leg. After 7 d of refrigeration, the peroxide value was significantly lower in group E (8.11 meq), than in group C (8.79 meq/kg fat) in the breast meat, while fat acidity was significantly lower in group E (40.82 mg KOH), than in group C (43.99 mg KOH / g fat) in the leg. The dietary 3 % grapeseed meal, used as natural antioxidant, in PUFA-enriched broiler diets, had positive effects on the blood parameters and meat quality

Effects of Dietary Mixture Enriched in Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Probiotic on Performance, Biochemical Response, Breast Meat Fatty Acids, and Lipid Indices in Broiler Chickens

This study evaluated the effects of a dietary mixture based on extruded linseed and pea (ELP; 20:80 w/w) and probiotics (L. acidophilus) on the performance, biochemical responses, breast muscle fatty acids (FA) profile, and lipid indices in broiler chickens. A total of 480 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers were assigned into four groups in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two levels of ELP (0% and 30%) at the expense of soybean meal, corn, and vegetable oil and two levels of probiotic (0 and 20 g ton−1 feed). There were no effects of ELP diet or probiotic supplementation on performance and carcass traits. Feeding the ELP diet increased plasma total protein, urea nitrogen (PUN), and creatinine (Cre) levels with no changes in the PUN/Cre ratio. A probiotic addition lowered the total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and the TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios. The ELP diet improved the breast muscle FA profile by lowering total saturated FA (SFA) and increasing total polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), omega-3 (n-3), unsaturated FA (UFA), PUFA/SFA, and UFA/SFA ratios. Probiotics increased total PUFA, omega-6 (n-6) and decreased the n-6/n-3 ratio, total UFA, and UFA/SFA ratio. Dietary treatment interaction exhibited a synergistic effect for total PUFA and an antagonistic effect for n-3 PUFA and n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in breast muscle. Probiotics reduced some lipid indices (PUFA/SFA ratio, desirable FA and nutritive value index) only when ELP0 was fed. In conclusion, based on these results, using ELP30 alone in broiler diets is recommended to improve meat’s nutritional value for consumers

Bioproductive parameters and fatty acids profile of the meat from broilers treated with flax meal and grape seeds meal

The 3-week feeding trial was conducted on 120, Cobb 500 chicks (14 days) assigned to two groups (C, E). Compared to C diet formulation (corn, wheat, soybean meal and flax meal as basic ingredients), E diet formulation also included 3% grape seeds meal as natural antioxidant. The feed intake and the gains were not significantly (P>0.05) different between groups. Six broilers/group were slaughtered in the end of the trial and 6 samples of breast and thigh meat/group were formed and assayed for the feeding value. The proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was significantly (P≤0.05) higher in group E than in group C, both for the chicken breast: 32.6±0.87g (E) vs 29.29±0.96 g/100 g total fatty acids (C), and in the thigh: 37.68±2.07g (E) vs 29.58±1.16 g/100g total fatty acids (C). The content of alfa linolenic acid (ALA) was significantly (P≤0.05) higher also in group E, both in the breast meat: 0.99±0.02g (E) vs 0.89±0.34g/100g total fatty acids (C), and in the thigh meat: 1.20±0.07g (E) vs 0.90±0.0g/100g total fatty acids (C). The omega-3 PUFA content was the highest in the breast meat sample, 2.19±0.07g/100g total fatty acids (E), with no significant (P>0.05) differences between groups

Determining the feeding value of some food industry by-products

Food industry by-products can be used in dairy cows feeding on condition they have suitable feeding value. A complex physical-chemical study was conducted on seven plant by-products (wheat germs meal, sunflower meal, flaxseed meal, pumpkin meal, nuts meal, rosehip meal and grape meal) to determine their feeding value. These by-products have variable protein contents: between 10.86% in rosehip meal and 39.34% in the flaxseed meal), and different contents of amino acids, lysine particularly: 2.09% (wheat germs meal); 1.72% (pumpkin meal) and 1.04% (sunflower meal). The highest concentration of linolenic acid was determined in the flaxseed meal (68.57 g/100 g total fatty acids), which also had the highest level of digestible energy (18.16 MJ/kg) and the highest amount of intestinally digestible protein allowed by the energy content (118 g IDPE/ kg DM). The flaxseed meal also had the highest amount of milk feed units (1.45 FUmilk/kg DM) and of meat feed units (1.48 FUmeat/kg DM) among all studied by-products. The results of these analyses show that the surveyed by-products can be used to feed ruminant animals

Production parameters, carcass development and blood parameters of the broiler chick fed diets which include rapeseed, flax, grape and buckthorn meals

A feeding trial was performed on 75, day-old ROSS 308 chicks assigned to 3 groups (C, E1 and E2) to test new feeding solutions for broilers using oil industry by-products. In the starter phase (0-10 days), all chicks received a conventional compound feed. In the other two stages (growing, finishing), compared to the conventional diet given to the C group, the diet formulations of the experimental groups included different proportions, depending on the phase of development, rapeseeds meal and grape pomace (E1) and flaxseeds meal and buckthorn meal (E2). The compound feed for group E2 had significantly (P≤0.05) higher ω-3 PUFA concentrations than groups C and E1. Six blood samples/group were collected in the end of the feeding trial, used for biochemical and haematological determinations. Six chicks/group were slaughtered on day 42, to measure carcass and internal organs development. The feed intake and gains were monitored throughout the experimental period (10-42 days). At 42 days, E2 broiler chicks had significantly (P≤0.05) lower body weight than C broiler chicks. Serum glycaemia, cholesterol and trygliceride concentrations were significantly (P≤0.05) lower in E2 chicks than in C chicks, by 17.94 %, 25.70 % and 42.05%, respectively