Changes in accumulation of seed nitrogen compounds in maize under conditions of sulphur deficiency

Maize ( Zea mays L., hybrid INRA 260) was grown in the greenhouse with mineral nutrition of different sulphate concentrations. Mature seeds from these plants were compared for their free amino acid and protein N forms. For the most S-deficient sample, the Asx (asparagine + aspartic acid) content increased by 30% as compared with control, while methionine and cysteine decreased (by 25 and 30%, respectively), as well as glycine, lysine, histidine, arginine and tryptophan. In seeds lowest in S the non-protein N to total N ratio was 77% higher than in the control. Free asparagine dominated in starved seeds (50 mol % of total free amino acids) and was ten-fold more concentrated than in the control, where proline was the predominant free amino acid. Thus the Asx of non-protein N reached 28% of the total mol Asx of the whole starved seed. Altered S nutrition had virtually no effect on the amino acid composition of the main protein fractions, but it significantly changed their ratios. Zeins, which are poor in S-containing amino acids, showed 25% higher level than in seeds supplied with normal S. As a counterbalance, two glutelin subfractions rich in S-containing amino acids, decreased by 36–71% under limiting S nutrition.
It is concluded that the plant reacts against S deficiency by modifying its N metabolism. Significant accumulation occurred of free asparagine, which is the main form of N transportation. The biosynthesis of seed storage protein occurred through the accumulation of the highest possible protein quantity allowed by the available S-containing amino acids, i.e. proteins low in S-containing amino acids were preferentially synthesized.     

Response of 40-70 kg barrows and gilts to increasing ideal protein concentrations in the diet

In Belgium, crossing a hybrid dam with a Piétrain sire leads to a rather lean and meaty fattening pig type. A digestibility trial and a performance trial were carried out to determine protein needs of this pig type. Six experimental diets with increasing protein content were formulated with 0.65-1.25% apparent ileal digestible lysine. The feeds were formulated to the ideal protein composition, with lysine as the reference amino acid. Standardised and apparent digestible amino acid values of the extreme diets were measured in a digestibility trial with four gilts cannulated at the end of the ileum, with an average initial and final BW of 39.1 kg and 55.3 kg, respectively, using a protein-free feed to estimate the basal endogenous N-losses. A performance trial at 13-18 weeks of age (40-70 kg BW) was performed with barrows and gilts separately at six protein levels, balanced in lysine, threonine, methionine and tryptophan. The experiment consisted of 11 pens (of 5 animals) per treatment and per sex. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) reached maximal performance within the experimental lysine range for both sexes. Based on the ADG-data for barrows and on the ADG- and FCR-data for gilts, a protein level for optimal performance corresponded with a standardised ileal digestible lysine concentration of 0.89% for barrows and of 1.07-1.09% for gilts.     

异育银鲫幼鱼对饲料中赖氨酸的利用及需要量研究

以添加晶体氨基酸的半精制饲料饲喂异育银鲫幼鱼,通过69d的生长实验来确定其赖氨酸需要量。饲料以白鱼粉为主要蛋白源,饲料中的总赖氨酸含量分别为1.82%、2.32%、2.82%、3.32%3、.82%、4.32%和4.82%7个水平。实验在室内循环水养殖系统中进行,每种饲料随机3个重复。实验结果表明,异育银鲫能够利用饲料中的晶体赖氨酸、蛋氨酸。在投喂后3h,其血浆中的游离赖氨酸、蛋氨酸含量最高。当饲料中赖氨酸含量为3.32%时,异育银鲫的终末尾均重、特定生长率和鱼空壳占体重的百分比最高,肝体指数最低。当饲料中赖氨酸含量为3.82%时,异育银鲫的干物质表观消化率显著高于其他组(PPP>0.05)。血红蛋白含量以赖氨酸含量为2.82%的饲料组最高,4.82%组最低;随着饲料中赖氨酸含量的升高,异育银鲫红细胞数下降,血清脲氮含量升高,且血清脲氮含量具有组间显著性差异(P<0.05)。根据折线法,由异育银鲫的特定生长率同饲料中赖氨酸水平的相关性得出其赖氨酸需要量为3.27%,占饲料蛋白的8.52%。       

闽产李果实氨基酸组成及其营养分析

为了弄清不同闽产李（Prunus salicina）果实氨基酸含量、组成及营养价值,采用氨基酸自动分析仪 对不同李果实样品中各种氨基酸的含量进行检测,并对其组成进行比较分析。结果表明,李果实含有18种蛋白质氨基酸和3种非蛋白质氨基酸。田黄李的牛磺酸含量与蛋白质氨基酸含量均最高分别为26.54 mg/100 g和496.14 mg/100 g;皇后李的鸟氨酸、药用氨基酸、酸味氨基酸含量以及特殊功效蛋白质氨基酸的比重均最高分别为0.36 mg/100 g、364.67 mg/100 g、298.28 mg/100 g和73.45%;早熟胭脂李的γ-氨基丁酸含量最高为7.98 mg/100 g;大胭脂李的支链氨基酸含量最高为46.77 mg/100 g。李果实中氨基酸种类齐全、含量存在一定的差异,可根据不同的开发利用目标选择合适的品种。     

Protein synthesis in the perfused rat liver

1. When the rat livers are perfused under the conditions of these experiments with rat blood diluted with saline, the livers remain capable of removing colloidal chromic phosphate normally for 4 hours or more; that is, the reticuloendothelial system continues to function normally. 2. Good rates of bile flow continue, generally for 4 hours. 3. The livers incorporate radioactivity from the amino acids methionine, lysine, and histidine at rapid rates for 1 or 2 hours. Thereafter the rates fall. 4. The specific activity of the free lysine and histidine in the perfusate falls rapidly during the experiments (to 25 or 35 per cent of its original value at 10 minutes). 5. The fall in rate of incorporation of radioactivity is attributable to the fall in amino acid specific activity. 6. Addition of a complete amino acid mixture to the perfusate does not appear to have any stimulatory effect on incorporation of radioactivity from labelled amino acids. 7. With lysine, on the assumption that incorporation is due to new protein formation, there is a rate of synthesis equivalent to 230 mg. of plasma protein per 100 gm. of rat per day. This result is in agreement with turnover data obtained from rats in vivo. 8. The results emphasize once again the importance of precursor specific activity in the interpretation of metabolic experiments with labelled amino acids.     

Feeding preferences and the nutritional value of tropical algae for the abalone Haliotis asinina

Understanding the feeding preferences of abalone (high-value marine herbivores) is integral to new species development in aquaculture because of the expected link between preference and performance. Performance relates directly to the nutritional value of algae--or any feedstock--which in turn is driven by the amino acid content and profile, and specifically the content of the limiting essential amino acids. However, the relationship between feeding preferences, consumption and amino acid content of algae have rarely been simultaneously investigated for abalone, and never for the emerging target species Haliotis asinina. Here we found that the tropical H. asinina had strong and consistent preferences for the red alga Hypnea pannosa and the green alga Ulva flexuosa, but no overarching relationship between protein content (sum of amino acids) and preference existed. For example, preferred Hypnea and Ulva had distinctly different protein contents (12.64 vs. 2.99 g 100 g(-1)) and the protein-rich Asparagopsis taxiformis (>15 g 100 g(-1) of dry weight) was one of the least preferred algae. The limiting amino acid in all algae was methionine, followed by histidine or lysine. Furthermore we demonstrated that preferences can largely be removed using carrageenan as a binder for dried alga, most likely acting as a feeding attractant or stimulant. The apparent decoupling between feeding preference and algal nutritive values may be due to a trade off between nutritive values and grazing deterrence associated with physical and chemical properties.     

Lactational and metabolic effects in cows of lysine and methionine added to a ration deficient according to the I.N.R.A. method

The effects of adding lysine and/or methionine to a ration of calculated deficiency in these amino acids of 10% and 20%, respectively, were studied in 24 Brown Swiss cows. The mixed rations (27% grass silage, 19% maize silage, 5% hay and 49% concentrate on DM basis) contained 14.5% CP on average. Lysine supply was selectively elevated by adding fish meal in exchange for other concentrate ingredients. Methionine was supplied in a rumen‐protected form. Milk protein content was elevated whereas fat amount decreased by adding both amino acids. Lactose content increased without additional lysine from fish meal. Live weight, milk yield, milk fat content and protein amount remained unaffected by any variation of amino acids supply. Also nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance were not changed by the treatments. Blood plasma concentrations confirmed the assumed variation in metabolic lysine and, less clear, methionine supply. Effects on plasma concentrations of other amino acids were relatively small. Most plasma hormones and enzymes, and metabolites in plasma, urine and milk did not respond to the variation in amino acid supply. Lysine addition via fish meal increased aspartate amino transferase and decreased urinary allantoin concentration. Additional methionine elevated plasma ornithine. Overall lysine and methionine appear to have been only marginally deficient in the unsupplemented ration fed for 3 weeks despite the deficiency of 10% to 20% as calculated by the I.N.R.A. method.     

Effect of sound and Lenzites-decayed wood on the amino acid composition of Reticulitermes flavipes

In hydrolysates of the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, the most abundant protein amino acids (μmoles) were glycine, alanine, and glutamic acid; the least abundant were methionine and histidine. Sawdust from both sound and Lenzites trabea-decayed sapwood blocks of sugar maple, loblolly pine, and slash pine was force-fed to termites. A diet of decayed rather than sound wood had little effect on protein amino acid composition of the termites; glycine content varied the most. In contrast, diet affected the free amino acid composition. Except for glutamic acid, the major protein amino acids of the termites were not the predominant free amino acids. Tyrosine and histidine were relatively more abundant as free than as protein amino acids. Greatest differences in protein amino acid compositions of sound and decayed wood were in contents of glycine, leucine, lysine, and arginine.     

Protein content and amino acids composition of bee-pollens from major floral sources in Al-Ahsa,eastern Saudi Arabia

Protein content and amino acids composition of bee-pollens from major pollen floral sources in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia were determined to investigate the nutritive value of pollen protein relative to requirements of honeybees and adult humans. The major pollen sources were alfalfa, date palm, rape, summer squash, and sunflower. Bee-pollens from alfalfa and date palm showed high content of crude protein and amino acid concentrations. Bee-pollen from sunflower had low content of those components. Eighteen amino acids were found in bee-pollens from the five major floral sources. The highest concentrations of individual amino acids valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine and proline were obtained from alfalfa bee-pollen; lysine, arginine, cysteine, tryptophan and tyrosine from date palm; methionine, histidine, glycine and alanine from summer squash; threonine, serine and glutamic acid from sunflower; and aspartic acid from rape bee-pollen. The amino acid composition obtained from sunflower bee-pollen showed the lowest concentrations of the essential amino acids: isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine. Apart from methionine, arginine and isoleucine, the essential amino acids of bee-pollen from alfalfa, date palm, summer squash and rape exceeded the honeybees’ requirements. Methionine was the limiting amino acid in bee-pollens from the five selected sources. Concentrations of essential amino acids in the tested bee-pollens were variable and significantly correlated to their botanical origin of pollen. Bee-pollens from alfalfa, date palm and summer squash was found to be rich source of protein and amino acids for bees and for humans.     

苦豆子游离氨基酸的成份测定

本文分析和鉴定了苦豆子中游离氨基酸的成份,测定出１６种游离氨基酸,总量为１６４．５２μｇ／１００ｍｇ,其中谷氨酸含量最高为４７．６８μｇ／１００ｍｇ,蛋氨酸含量最低为０．２０μｇ／１００ｍｇ,人体必须氨基酸有７种,占游离氨基酸总量的１７．３３％。     

Suppression of phaseolin and lectin in seeds of common bean,Phaseolus vulgaris L.: increased accumulation of 54 kDa polypeptides is not associated with higher seed methionine concentrations

Suppression of phaseolin and lectin accumulation in common bean resulted in higher concentrations of bean seed polypeptides with apparent molecular weights of 54 kDa and from 70 to 84 kDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Polypeptides of 54 and 56 kDa segregated as products of different alleles. Genes for the 54/56 kDa bands and phaseolin were estimated to be 26.2±3.7 map units apart. The 54 kDa band phenotype manifested by SDS-PAGE consisted of from one to three polypeptides of 54 kDa MW on 2D gels, and the 56 kDa phenotype consisted of one polypeptide of 56 kDa plus two minor polypeptides of 54-54.5 kDa molecular weight. The pK_I of these polypeptides was approximately 5.25. The methionine content of the 54 kDa polypeptides of the cultivar Great Northern Star was 1.6±0.1 g/100 g protein, which was not statistically different from the value (1.5±0.1%) obtained for phaseolin isolated by the same procedure. F₂ seeds deficient for phaseolin and lectin contained as much total N per g as wild-type seeds and were not shrunken, but contained 50% more free amino acids. F₂ seeds from two of the three populations contained from 8 to 13% less methionine per mg total N.     

Suppression of phaseolin and lectin in seeds of common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L.: increased accumulation of 54 kDa polypeptides is not associated with higher seed methionine concentrations

Suppression of phaseolin and lectin accumulation in common bean resulted in higher concentrations of bean seed polypeptides with apparent molecular weights of 54 kDa and from 70 to 84 kDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Polypeptides of 54 and 56 kDa segregated as products of different alleles. Genes for the 54/56 kDa bands and phaseolin were estimated to be 26.2±3.7 map units apart. The 54 kDa band phenotype manifested by SDS-PAGE consisted of from one to three polypeptides of 54 kDa MW on 2D gels, and the 56 kDa phenotype consisted of one polypeptide of 56 kDa plus two minor polypeptides of 54-54.5 kDa molecular weight. The pK_I of these polypeptides was approximately 5.25. The methionine content of the 54 kDa polypeptides of the cultivar Great Northern Star was 1.6±0.1 g/100 g protein, which was not statistically different from the value (1.5±0.1%) obtained for phaseolin isolated by the same procedure. F₂ seeds deficient for phaseolin and lectin contained as much total N per g as wild-type seeds and were not shrunken, but contained 50% more free amino acids. F₂ seeds from two of the three populations contained from 8 to 13% less methionine per mg total N.     

Effect of dietary protein levels on the amount of blood free amino acids in lambs]

Growing lambs were fed increasing amounts of nitrogenous matter (12 to 20 per 100 on dry matter basis). Free amino acid and urea levels were measured in blood of 37 kg lambs. When crude protein content of diets exceeded 16 per 100, the catabolism of several essential amino acids increased. Methionine, lysine and histidine seemed to be limiting for growing lambs.     

The effects of amino acids on albumin synthesis by the isolated perfused rat liver

Albumin synthesis was measured in the isolated perfused rat liver by using the livers of both well-fed and starved rats. Starvation markedly decreased albumin synthesis. The livers from starved rats were unable to increase synthesis rates after the addition to the perfusates of single amino acids or the addition of both glucagon and tryptophan. Arginine, asparagine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, threonine, tryptophan and valine, added together to ten times their normal peripheral blood concentrations, restored synthesis rates to normal. The plasma aminogram (i.e. the relative concentrations, of amino acids) was altered by depriving rats of protein for 48h. The use of blood from the deprived rats as perfusate, instead of normal blood, decreased albumin synthesis rates significantly by livers obtained from well-fed rats. The addition of single amino acids, including the non-metabolizable amino acid, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, to the above mixture increased albumin synthesis rates to normal values. It is concluded that amino acids play an important role in the control of albumin synthesis and that more than one mechanism is probably involved.     

119种植物种子蛋氨酸含量分析

豆科植物蛋白中含硫氨基酸尤其是蛋氨酸含量低,影响其蛋白质的营养价值。为开发出更高甲硫氨酸含量蛋白质基因资源,采用酸水解法,对我国亚热带常见的119种森林植物种子的蛋氨酸含量进行了测定。结果表明:93%以上植物种子的蛋氨酸含量较低,只有八仙花、榕叶冬青、山苍子、锌树、龙葵、栾树、商陆和盐肤木的蛋氨酸含量在10.00mg/g以上,其中盐肤木的蛋氨酸含量为119种植物中最高,达36.89mg/g,可以作为进一步开发的新型高蛋氨酸蛋白基因资源。     

Amino Acid Profile of Escaped Feed Protein After Rumen Incubation and Their Intestinal Digestibility

The crude protein content and amino acid profile of seven feedstuffs (linseed meal, maize gluten meal, rapeseed meal, rapeseed meal protected, soybean meal, fullfat soybean extruded and sunflower meal) were determined before and after ruminal incubation for 16h in three bulls with large rumen cannulas. The intestinal disappearance of amino acids was measured using mobile bag technique. Ruminal incubation affected amino acid profile of all experimental feedstuffs. Crude protein degradation varied from 29.3% for maize gluten meal to 86.4% for rapeseed meal. A tendency towards increased disappearance was observed for glutamic acid, histidine, lysine and proline and decreased disappearance for branched-chain amino acids. The intestinal crude protein digestibility was higher than >80%, except rapeseed meal (66.4%) and sunflower meal (77.8%). The least digestible individual amino acids were methionine and isoleucine in rapeseed meal, histidine and methionine in rapeseed meal protected and arginine in sunflower meal. In general, the lowest amino acid digestibilities were found in feedstuffs with the highest fibre content. The feedstuffs show that they have different potential for supplying of limiting amino acids. Of particular value are the feedstuffs with low crude protein degradability in the rumen and high intestinal digestibility of amino acids.     

72份青稞氨基酸组成与营养价值评价

为了解青稞氨基酸的组成及营养品质,本研究测定了72份青稞材料籽粒的17种氨基酸(色氨酸除外)含量,通过对供试青稞材料氨基酸含量进行聚类分析,并比较育成品种与地方品种的氨基酸组成差异,对青稞的氨基酸进行了营养价值评价。结果表明,青稞氨基酸总含量平均为87.454 mg/g DW,变幅为47.8~178.7 mg/g DW,其中必需氨基酸含量占37.15%,谷氨酸的含量最高且变异大,蛋氨酸含量最低,赖氨酸含量变异小,91.67%的青稞材料的第一限制性氨基酸为赖氨酸。青稞氨基酸的贴近度为0.903,与世界粮农组织(FAO)、世界卫生组织(WHO)、联合国大学(UNU)提出的模式蛋白质的必需氨基酸组成较接近,氨基酸比值系数分SRC(73.14)较高。非必需氨基酸占青稞总氨基酸含量的62.85%,其中鲜味和甜味氨基酸含量分别为26.58 mg/g DW和21.85 mg/g DW,分别占总氨基酸含量的30.04%和24.43%。不同青稞材料的氨基酸含量和营养价值有很大的差异,地方品种各氨基酸含量均高于育成品种。供试材料中有4份青稞的氨基酸营养价值及风味氨基酸含量均较高。研究结果可为优质氨基酸组成的青稞选育及青稞加工提供指导。     

Digestibility of fractionated green biomass as protein source for monogastric animals

Globally, there is an increased demand for sustainable protein sources for animal feed. Grass and forage legumes have the yield potential to become such alternatives, but the protein needs to be separated from the fibres. Red clover, white clover, lucerne and perennial ryegrass were fractionated into a green juice and a fibrous pulp in a screw-press and protein was subsequently precipitated. The nitrogen (N) and amino acid composition of the produced fractions was analysed and the digestibility of dry matter (DM) and N was evaluated using a rat digestibility trial. The aim was to determine the effect of fractionation on composition and digestibility in order to evaluate the four plants as potential protein sources for monogastrics. Protein concentrates with CP concentrations of 240 to 388 g/kg DM and fibrous pulps with CP concentrations of 111 to 216 g/kg DM were produced. The sum of all analysed amino acids was highest in the protein concentrates corresponding to a low concentration of non-protein nitrogen ranging from 4.9% to 10.4%. Only small variations were seen in the amino acid compositions of the different plants and fractions. The concentration of the essential lysine and methionine in the protein concentrate ranged from 6.27 to 6.67 g/16 g N and 1.54 to 2.09 g/16 g N for lysine and methionine, respectively. For all plants species, total tract digestibility of DM and standardised N digestibility was significantly higher in the protein concentrates (60.8% to 76.5% and 75.4% to 85.0% for DM and N, respectively) compared to pulp (21.2% to 43.4% and 52.1% to 72.5% for DM and N, respectively). Digestibility of lucerne protein concentrate (76.5% and 85.0% for DM and N, respectively) was higher than of the unprocessed plant (39.6% and 74.9% for DM and N, respectively), whereas for red and white clover no difference was found. The amino acids methionine and cysteine were limiting for pigs and broilers in all fractions regardless of plant origin, and low scores were also found for lysine. The study demonstrated great potential of using green plants as a protein source for monogastrics because of high protein content, balanced amino acid composition and high digestibility of DM and N. The effects of processing and protein precipitation were pronounced in lucerne where significantly improved digestibility was observed in the protein concentrate. The results from the study provide valuable and enhanced knowledge to the production of alternative and sustainable protein sources for monogastric feed.     

Selection and characterization of L-ethionine resistant mutants of Trichosporon cutaneum

Trichosporon cutaneum R57 and its L-ethionine resistant mutant NZ94 strain were investigated. The amino acid analyses of cell content of both strains were carried out. The pool of free methionine in the mutant strain is enhanced 16.5 times. The total amount of sulphur-containing amino acids in the mutant cells was significantly increased from 36.8 in the wild strain to 113.4 mg/g protein in the mutant strain. In the process of mutant strain cultivation there was found a high excretion of free methionine (259 microg/ml) in the medium. It was shown that the amino acid content of both wild and mutant strains would be helpful for formulating of new improved animal nutritional diets.     

Effect of diet composition and lysine supply on growth and body composition in juvenile turbot (Psetta maxima)

A 10-week feeding trial was conducted to study the effect of feeding level and dietary lysine concentration on growth, protein and lysine retention, and body composition in juvenile turbot. Maintenance requirement for lysine and the efficiency of lysine utilisation were determined as well. Two experimental diets were formulated based on fishmeal or wheat gluten as main protein sources, containing 6.4 g (Diet A, control) and 4.5 g lysine per 100 g CP (Diet B), respectively. Diets were fed once daily at six feeding levels (per day 0.3%, 0.6%, 0.9%, 1.2%, and 1.5% of body weight [BW] and ad libitum) to a total of 432 fish of 48 g initial BW. No differences in the growth parameters were observed between diets at the same feeding level, except a lower feed to gain ratio (p < 0.05) at the highest feeding level at Diet B. Whole-body composition was not affected by diet, whereas muscle protein concentration was significantly lower for fish fed Diet B. Amino acid concentration in whole-body protein was affected by dietary treatment and fish fed Diet B showed lower concentrations of all essential amino acids. In fish muscle protein, lysine, methionine, leucine, isoleucine, and valine concentrations were significantly lower in Diet B. Efficiency of lysine utilisation for growth (k_lys) was determined by linear regression analysis and amounted for 0.69 for Diet B. The maintenance lysine requirement defined at zero lysine retention was 6.5 mg · kg^?0.8 · d^?1. Lysine intakes at zero protein retention were 13.0 mg and 12.9 mg · kg^?0.8 · d^?1 for Diet A and B, respectively. Growth and nutrient retention were similar for both diets and, therefore, a lysine deficiency in Diet B did not occur. In conclusion, a proportion of 330 g wheat gluten per kg feed did not influence growth performance and maintenance requirement for lysine in juvenile turbot. However, the effect of diet composition on the amino acid profile of body protein might be relevant for the derivation of the amino acid requirement from protein retention.