Amino Acids on Mango Yield and Fruit Quality at Submedio Sao Francisco Region, Brazil

Farmers of the Submedio Sao Francisco Region (Brazil) have been spraying amino acids on mango trees with the objective of increasing panicle length and improving fruit retention and quality. This study, done in two experiments, tested the effect of amino acids sprayings at concentrations of 0.0%; 0.02%; 0.04% and 0.06%, on mango plants, 'Tommy Atkins', on the budding phase (panicles with 5 cm), fruit set and fruit growth (5 cm diameter). They were carried out from June to October in 2003, that is the natural period for harvest in the region, and from January to May, in 2004. There were no statistical differences in the first experiment among treatments regarding panicle length and fruit production, probably due to an appropriate management of nutrition, water and plant growth regulators, besides climatic conditions, mainly temperature and solar radiation. In the second experiment, significant increments in the panicle length of 13.37%, 11.70% and 21.4% were observed with amino acids concentrations, compared to the control. Increasing amino acids doses also enhanced the number of fruits per plant, thirty days before the harvest, in 16.17%, 45.32% and 37.38%, respectively, compared to the control, but there were no significant statistical differences. Characteristics of fruit quality during storage, as weight loss, total soluble solids, total titratable acidity and pulp firmness were not significantly affected by amino acids spraying. Changes on those variables were registered as a consequence of fruit ripening. Amino acids sprays lightly delayed the evolution of skin luminosity and Hue of pulp, but the differences could not be visually identified. The concentrations of amino acids were not efficient for improving the natural concentrations of these substances in the leaves, which could be the reason for the non significant effects on the variables analyzed.

Effects of intrauterine malnutrition on brain free amino acids of young rats, after nutritional recovery during lactation period

The effect of protein-calorie malnutrition during gestation on the brain amino acids of rat pups was studied following nutritional recovery during lactation. The brain amino acids of rat pups born to dam rats malnourished during gestation were studied after these rat pups received proper nutrition during lactation. Pregnant rats were fed a 1% protein diet with total caloric intake restricted to half that of controls. After birth, the offspring of rats fed on deficient diets were nurtured up to the 28th day postpartum by foster mothers receiving adequate diets. At this time, the offspring were killed. The control group consisted of offspring from pregnant rats fed a diet with adequate protein (21%) and calories during the entire gestation and lactation period. Quantitation of brain amino acids in the pups at 28 days postpartum showed lower concentrations of essential and nonessential amino acids in the rats malnourished during gestation. Concentrations of histidine, glycine, and α-aminobutyric acids were all reduced. These findings demonstrate that the brains of rat pups malnourished during gestation show persistent decreases in specific brain amino acids after adequate postpartum nutrition.

Plasma levels of transthyretin and retinol-binding protein in child-a cirrhotic patients in relation to protein-calorie status and plasma amino acids, zinc, vitamin a and plasma thyroid hormones

Transthyretin and retinal-binding protein are sensitive markers of acute protein-calorie malnutrition both for early diagnosis and dietary evaluation. A preliminary study showed that retinal-binding protein is the most sensitive marker of protein-calorie malnutrition in cirrhotic patients, even those with the mild form of the disease (Child A). However, in addition to being affected by protein-calorie malnutrition, the levels of these short half-life-liver-produced proteins are also influenced by other factors of a nutritional (zinc, tryptophan, vitamin A, etc) and non-nutritional (sex, aging, hormones, renal and liver functions and inflammatory activity) nature. These interactions were investigated in 11 adult male patients (49.9 ± 9.2 years of age) with alcoholic cirrhosis (Child-Pugh grade A) and with normal renal function. Both transthyretin and retinol binding protein were reduced below normal levels in 55% of the patients, in close agreement with their plasma levels of retinal. In 67% of the patients (4/6), the reduced levels of transthyretin and retinal-binding protein were caused by altered liver function and in 50% (3/6) they were caused by protein-calorie malnutrition. Thus, the present data, taken as a whole, indicate that reduced transthyretin and retinal-binding protein levels in mild cirrhosis of the liver are mainly due to liver failure and/or vitamin A status rather than representing an isolated protein-calorie malnutrition indicator.

Spectroscopic study of the interaction of Nd3+ with amino acids: Phenomenological 4f-4f intensity parameters

We have studied the bevahior of the phenomenological 4f-4f intensity parameters in compounds of the Nd ion with glycine, L-aspartic acid, L-glutamic acid, L-histidine, DL-malic acid and Aspartame™ in aqueous solution, as a function of the pK values and partial charges on the oxygens of the carboxylate groups of these molecules. The results are discussed and qualitatively interpreted in terms of the forced electric dipole and dynamic coupling mechanisms of the 4f-4f intensities, thus indicating that the forced electric dipole mechanism is dominant.

Competition between humic substances and α-amino acids by metal species

The aim of the present work was to carry out experimental comparison between humic substances (HS) and representative α-amino acids (methionine, methionine sulfoxide and cysteine hydrochloride) in relation to the complexation of biologically active trace elements (Al, Cu, Pb, Mn, Zn, Cd and Ni). A mobile time-controlled tangential-flow UF technique was applied to differentiate between HS-metal and α-aminoacids-metal complexes. Metal determinations were conventionally carried out using a ICP-OES. The results showed that HS may be considered as a selective complexing agents with higher metal bonding capability in relation to Al, Cu and Pb, the fact that may be clinically important.

Different criteria for feed formulation based on digestible amino acids for broilers

An experiment was carried out to evaluate different criteria in feed formulation based on digestible amino acids for broilers during the grower phase. Diets were formulated according to the recommendations for digestible methionine, methionine + cysteine, lysine, and threonine. A total number of six hundred Cobb 500 male day-old chicks were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, with three formulation criteria supplying the recommendations established by Baker & Chung (1992), Degussa (1997), and Rostagno et al. (2000), with 4 replicates of 50 birds each. No significant differences were observed for weight gain and feed intake. However, feed conversion ratio improved when birds were fed the diets containing the profiles recommended by Baker & Chung (1992) and Degussa (1997). No difference was observed in terms of leg, wings, back, and head yields. Broilers fed with the profile of Baker & Chung (1992) presented worst breast yield, whereas those fed the Degussa (1997) standard had better carcass yield.

Free Amino Acids in Pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus, Eggs and Larvae

Free amino acids (FAA) are used principally as substrate in protein synthesis and the source of energy in aerobic catabolism. In marine fish, embryo and larvae FAA are used to maintain body fluid osmolality during fish early development. However, there is essentially no information about FAA concentrations in early ontogeny of freshwater neotropical species in comparison to marine fishes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the FAA concentrations in pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus, eggs and larvae. Broodstock fish were induced to spawn and ovulated females were stripped of their eggs and immediately sampled for analysis. Larvae were sampled right after hatching (HL) and after the completion of the yolk-sac absorption (YSA). The wet weight of the HL and YSA larvae amounted to 0.5±0.1mg and 1.1±0.3mg, respectively. HL larvae showed higher levels of most of the indispensable amino acids (IAA) in comparison to eggs and YSA larvae. Exceptions were observed with His and Trp that showed higher or similar levels, respectively, in YSA larvae. The FAA Orn, Tau, Glu, Gln, Gly, and Tyr increased concentrations in both larval stages while that of Tau was found in higher concentration in all analyzed stages. Also, the concentrations of Asn, Ala, Pro, Ser, and Asp were higher in HL larvae. Both larval stages displayed a rise in total free IAA/total free DAA (dispensable amino acids) ratio. The authors conclude that the highest level of FAA in HL pacu larvae is indicative of active proteolysis of yolk reserves and a probable catabolism regulation of some FAA through spare-effect. In addition, Tau is one of the major FAA occurring during pacu ontogeny and may be performing regulation on body fluid osmolality regulation. © Copyright by the World Aquaculture Society 2013.

Transport of amino acids from milk whey by Caco-2 cell monolayer after hydrolytic action of gastrointestinal enzymes

The bioavailability of amino adds from milk whey protein hydrolysates was evaluated using diffusion of the substances through semi-permeable membranes (dialyzability) and transport by Caco-2 cell cultures. The hydrolysates with low degree of hydrolysis (LDH) and high degree of hydrolysis (HDH) were obtained after 120 min of reaction time at 50 degrees C after the initial addition of pepsin, followed by the addition of trypsin, chymotrypsin and carboxypeptidase-A. The proteins and hydrolysates were further subjected to in vitro digestion with pepsin plus pancreatin. HPLC was used to determine the concentrations of dialyzable amino adds (48.4% of the non-hydrolyzed proteins, 63.2% of the LDH sample and 58.3% of the HDH sample), demonstrating the greater dialyzability of the hydrolysates. The LDH and HDH whey protein hydrolysates prepared with pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin and carboxypeptidase-A showed only 14.7% and 20.8% of dialyzable small peptides and amino acids, respectively. The efficiency of absorption was demonstrated by the preferential transport of Ile, Lou and Arg through a layer of cells. In the LDH hydrolysate, Tyr was also transported. Prior high- and low-degree hydrolysis of the whey provided transport by 5.7% and 6.6%, respectively, in comparison with 23% for non-hydrolyzed proteins, considering the total amount of these amino adds that was applied to the cells. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reading model to estimate optimum economic intakes of amino acids for poultry

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Metabolomics method to comprehensively analyze amino acids in different domains

Amino acids play essential roles in both metabolism and the proteome. Many studies have profiled free amino acids (FAAs) or proteins; however, few have connected the measurement of FAA with individual amino acids in the proteome. In this study, we developed a metabolomics method to comprehensively analyze amino acids in different domains, using two examples of different sample types and disease models. We first examined the responses of FAAs and insoluble-proteome amino acids (IPAAs) to the Myc oncogene in Tet21N human neuroblastoma cells. The metabolic and proteomic amino acid profiles were quite different, even under the same Myc condition, and their combination provided a better understanding of the biological status. In addition, amino acids were measured in 3 domains (FAAs, free and soluble-proteome amino acids (FSPAAs), and IPAAs) to study changes in serum amino acid profiles related to colon cancer. A penalized logistic regression model based on the amino acids from the three domains had better sensitivity and specificity than that from each individual domain. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to perform a combined analysis of amino acids in different domains, and indicates the useful biological information available from a metabolomics analysis of the protein pellet. This study lays the foundation for further quantitative tracking of the distribution of amino acids in different domains, with opportunities for better diagnosis and mechanistic studies of various diseases.

Comparative study of the cathodic cleavage of N-tosyl- and N-nosyl-protected amino acids

The electrochemical behaviour of alanine and phenylalanine protected by the toluenesulphonyl (tosyl) and nitrobenzesulphonyl (nosyl) groups was examined in dimethyl formamide. The N-tosyl-protected amino acids are reduced in one cathodic step (-2.4 V/SCE) leading to cleavage of the SN bond after a two-electron transfer process. The N-nosyl-protected amino acids are reduced in three cathodic steps. Cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential electrolysis of N-nosyl amino acids have been used to probe the mechanism of these reductions in an aprotic medium and lead to cleavage of the SN bond in good yields ( > 60%) at -1.10 V/SCE. The comparative study of these compounds is used to comment on the applicability of the electrochemical method of removing protecting groups from amino acids. © 1993.

Oxidation of amino acids by chlorpromazine cation radical and co-catalysis by chlorpromazine

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Plasma glutathione of HIV+ patients responded positively and differently to dietary supplementation with cysteine or glutamine

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Níveis de proteína bruta e de aminoácidos sulfurados totais sobre o desempenho, a qualidade dos ovos e a excreção de nitrogênio de poedeiras de ovos marrons

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de maximizar a produção e a qualidade dos ovos e minimizar a excreção de nitrogênio nas excretas de poedeiras no final do primeiro ciclo de produção, por meio do fornecimento de aporte adequado de proteína bruta (PB) e aminoácidos sulfurados totais (AAST) na dieta. Foram utilizadas 432 poedeiras Isa Brown, com 52 semanas de idade, distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 x 3 (PB e AAST) e nove tratamentos (14 e 0,57; 14 e 0,64; 14 e 0,71; 15,5 e 0,57; 15,5 e 0,64; 15,5 e 0,71; 17 e 0,57; 17 e 0,64; 17 e 0,71 % de PB e AAST, respectivamente), com seis repetições de oito aves cada. A duração do experimento foi de 140 dias. Foram avaliadas as características de desempenho, qualidade dos ovos e excreção de nitrogênio nas excretas. A única característica de desempenho influenciada pelos tratamentos foi o peso dos ovos, que apresentou os maiores valores para as combinações de 15,5 e 0,71; 17 e 0,71; 15,5 e 0,64; 14 e 0,71 e 17 e 0,64% de PB e AAST, respectivamente. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas para consumo de ração, porcentagem de postura e de ovos quebrados, massa de ovos, conversão alimentar por dúzia e por massa de ovos e mortalidade. Para os parâmetros de qualidade dos ovos, foram observadas diferenças significativas apenas para as porcentagens de gema e de albúmem. A excreção de nitrogênio foi maior nas aves alimentadas com as rações contendo 17% de PB. Pode-se sugerir que a ração contendo 14% de PB e 0,57% de AAST pode ser utilizada, sem prejuízos no desempenho e na qualidade dos ovos, e ainda contribui para a redução da excreção de nitrogênio no ambiente e do custo da ração.

Níveis de aminoácidos sulfurados totais para poedeiras semi-pesadas após a muda forçada

Cento e sessenta e duas poedeiras semipesadas anteriormente submetidas à muda forçada foram distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com três tratamentos e nove repetições de seis aves para cada. Os tratamentos consistiram no fornecimento de rações contendo 0,45, 0,60 e 0,75% de aminoácidos sulfurados totais (AAST) durante 30 dias após o término da muda forçada (fase de pós-muda). Após os 30 dias, cada um dos tratamentos adotados na fase de pós-muda foi desmembrado nos mesmos níveis de AAST, compondo, portanto, um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso em esquema fatorial 3x3 (3 níveis de AAST da fase pós-muda - 0,45; 0,60 e 0,75% x 3 níveis de AAST na fase de produção - 0,45; 0,60 e 0,75%), sendo os tratamentos nesta fase compostos de três repetições de seis aves cada. Na fase de pós-muda, o menor nível de AAST determinou menores valores para consumo de ração (P< 0,01), consumo de AAST (P< 0,01) e peso corporal (P< 0,01). Na fase de produção do segundo ciclo produtivo, o único parâmetro afetado (P<0,05) pelo nível de AAST utilizado na fase de pós-muda foi o peso do ovo, sendo o menor valor obtido com o nível de 0,45%. O nível de 0,45% de AAST utilizado na fase de produção não atendeu às exigências da aves, determinando pior desempenho produtivo (P<0,01). O nível de 0,60% de AAST foi suficiente para a fase de pós-muda e para o segundo ciclo de produção.