Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences Scholarly Works
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- ItemOpen AccessAvian influenza virus circulation and immunity in a wild urban duck population prior to and during a highly pathogenic H5N1 outbreak(BMC, 2024-11-22) Wight, Jordan; Rahman, Ishraq; Wallace, Hannah L.; Cunningham, Joshua T.; Roul, Sheena; Robertson, Gregory J.; Russell, Rodney S.; Xu, Wanhong; Zhmendak, Dmytro; Alkie, Tamiru N.; Berhane, Yohannes; Hargan, Kathryn E.; Lang, Andrew S.Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses were first detected in St. John’s, Canada in late 2021. To investigate the patterns of avian influenza virus (AIV) infection and immune responses subsequent to the arrival of H5N1, we sampled the wild urban duck population in this area for a period of 16 months after the start of the outbreak and compared these findings to those from archived samples. Antibody seroprevalence was relatively stable before the outbreak (2011–2014) at 27.6% and 3.9% for anti-AIV (i.e., NP) and H5-specific antibodies, respectively. During the winter of 2022, AIV-NP and H5-specific antibody seroprevalence both reached 100%, signifying a population-wide infection event, which was observed again in late February 2023 following a second H5N1 incursion from Eurasia. As expected, population-level immunity waned over time, with ducks seropositive for anti-AIV-NP antibodies for approximately twice as long as for H5-specific antibodies, with the population seronegative to the latter after approximately six months. We observed a clear relationship of increasing antibody levels with decreasing viral RNA loads that allowed for interpretation of the course of infection and immune response in infected individuals and applied these findings to two cases of resampled ducks to infer infection history. Our study highlights the value of applying both AIV surveillance and seroprevalence monitoring to provide a better understanding of AIV dynamics in wild populations, which may be crucial following the global dissemination of clade 2.3.4.4b H5Nx subtypes to assess the threats they pose to both wild and domestic animals, and to humans.
- ItemOpen AccessMicrobial enzymes and major applications in the food industry: a concise review(BMC, 2024-10-06) Kumar, Anu; Dhiman, Sunny; Krishan, Bhanu; Samtiya, Mrinal; Kumari, Ankita; Pathak, Nishit; Kumari, Archana; Aluko, Rotimi E.; Dhewa, TejpalAbstract The use of enzymes in the production of food products is an ancient practice. Microbes provide several enzymes that are involved in improving the taste, texture, as well as aroma of food items, offering several benefits to the food industry. Subsequently, the ease of availability of these microbial enzymes has increased their utilization in the food industry. This cost-effectiveness and ease of commercial-scale production make enzymes ideal tools for various industrial uses. Microbial enzymes are utilized in processing food products such as those associated with the brewery, dairy and bakery industries. In addition, the nutritional value, color, aroma and texture of food products can be improved by using microbial enzymes. With the progress in technology, several novel enzymes in various applications of the food and beverages industry have been developed and demand is constantly increasing. The present review provides a comparative narrative of the applications of some of the predominating enzymes, such as phytases, lipases, lactases, pectinases, and laccases, commonly used as processing aids in the food industry. Graphical Abstract
- ItemOpen AccessExploring metabolic syndrome and dietary quality in Iranian adults: a cross-sectional study(BMC, 2024-10-23) Namkhah, Zahra; Irankhah, Kiyavash; Sarviha, Sina; Sobhani, Seyyed R.Abstract Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors affecting a quarter of the global population, with diet playing a significant role in its progression. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of the Dietary Diabetes Risk Reduction Score (DDRRS) and the Macronutrient Quality Index (MQI) scoring systems in assessing the diet-related risk of metabolic syndrome. Methods In this cross-sectional study, data from 7431 individuals aged between 30 and 70 years, obtained from the Mashhad Cohort Study, were utilized to evaluate the risk factors of metabolic syndrome. A valid semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess participants’ dietary intake. The MQI was calculated based on carbohydrate, fat, and healthy protein components, while the DDRRS was also computed. Anthropometric measurements and blood samples were taken to determine the presence of metabolic syndrome. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between MQI and DDRRS with metabolic syndrome and its components. Results According to the crude model, we observed lower odds of MetS in the highest quartile of DDRRS and MQI compared to the lowest quartile (P-trend < 0.001). This trend persisted in the fully adjusted models, revealing odds ratios of 0.399 (95% CI: 0.319-0.500) and 0.597 (95% CI: 0.476–0.749) for DDRRS and MQI, respectively. After controlling for all potential confounders, we observed lower odds of central obesity in the highest quartile of MQI (OR: 0.818, 95% CI: 0.676–0.989, P-trend = 0.027). Furthermore, we found that the odds of high triglyceride levels were lower in the highest quartile of DDRRS compared to the lowest quartile (OR: 0.633, 95% CI: 0.521, 0.770, P-trend < 0.001). Conclusion In conclusion, our study indicates that greater adherence to both DDRRS and MQI is linked to a decreased risk of metabolic syndrome and its components. These findings hold significant implications for public health and the development of personalized nutrition strategies.
- ItemOpen AccessQuality and safety of cheese shipped to the United Arab Emirates(BMC, 2024-08-06) Osaili, Tareq M.; Bani Odeh, Wael A.; Mohd, Khalid A.; Shahdad, Mohamed K.; Bin Meskin, Fatma S. B.; Garimella, Vaidehi; Bahir, Wedad S.; Obaid, Reyad S.; Holley, Richard; Darra, Nada E.During an examination of 3299 cheeses imported into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 2017 to 2021 for compliance with regulations regarding moisture and fat content, microbial quality, acidity, the presence of quinoline (a non-permitted colorant), sorbic acid, and the presence of rust discoloration, it was found that 91% of cheeses were compliant with UAE legislation. However, 9% were in violation of one or more of the mandated quality parameters, suggesting that adulteration had occurred. Within product categories the greatest level of non-conformity at 13% was noted for processed cheese, primarily due to violations caused by high moisture and low-fat content. This is important because moisture levels in processed cheese can influence its texture and shelf life. The microbial assessment of cheese showed that 85.7% of semi-hard and 77.5% of soft cheeses had non-compliant levels of E. coli. It was notable that 21.8% of non-compliant products originated from Turkey. Cheeses from Germany had the lowest level of non-conformity at 0.6%. This study illustrates the need for border scrutiny to include physicochemical examinations of cheese samples. The current initiative aims to promote the need for equity in global trade and to prevent the marketing of adulterated food items. [Graphical abstract included in article]
- ItemOpen AccessInteraction between orange juice and < 1 kDa leaf peptides: effect on the antioxidant and antidiabetic related enzyme inhibitory activities(BMC, 2024-07-04) Famuwagun, Akinsola A.; Gbadamosi, Saka O.; Taiwo, Kehinde A.; Oyedele, Durodoluwa J.; Adebooye, Odunayo C.; Aluko, Rotimi E.Designing a good vehicle for functional ingredients is the major focus of this study. Small molecular weight peptides (< 1 kDa) extracted from amaranth leaf protein (ALP), eggplant leaf protein (ELP) and fluted pumpkin leaf protein (FLP) were incorporated into freshly prepared orange juice at an effective and inhibitory concentrations of the peptides. The rate of degradation of ascorbic acid was more in the control juice (140.06 to 18.43 mg/mL) when compared with juice containing peptides at both storage conditions (140.08 to 32.32 mg/mL). However, the rate of ascorbic acid reduction during storage (refrigerated and ambient) was least in the juice containing peptide, isolated from ELP when compared with the juice samples that contained peptides isolated from ALP and FLP. After the eighth week of storage, juice that contained FLP peptide had greater amounts of residual total phenolic content (370.53 & 432.33 µg GAE/100 mL), juice that contained ALP peptide retained better ability to scavenge DPPH radicals (52.32 & 66.84%) while juice sample that contained ELP retained more metal chelating activities (44.82 and 51.03%). The results of antidiabetic property showed that juice containing peptide isolated from ALP contained greater amounts of α-amylase inhibitory activity (41.50 and 46.89%) while greater amounts of α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were retained in juice that contained peptide isolated from FLP. The results concluded that orange juice may be considered a veritable vehicle for functional ingredients for improved health. [Graphical abstract included in article]