Orientador: Carlos Ducatti / Banca: Ariel Antonio Mendes / Banca: Marcelo Zacharias Moreira / Banca: José Roberto Sartori / Banca: Fabiana Ribeiro Caldara / Resumo:O estudo objetivou rastrear a inclusão de farinha de carne e ossos bovina (FCOB) em dietas de poedeiras comerciais, por meio da análise dos ovos e suas frações (gema e albúmen), pela técnica dos isótopos estáveis do carbono e nitrogênio, assim como avaliar o índice analítico mínimo detectável. Foram utilizadas 240 galinhas poedeiras da linhagem Shaver White de 73 semanas de idade, em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e seis repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de níveis de inclusão (0; 1,5; 3,0; 4,5 e 6,0%) de FCOB na dieta a base de milho e farelo de soja. No 35º dia foram tomados aleatoriamente 24 ovos por tratamento, dos quais 12 serviram para amostragem de gema e albúmen e os outros 12 para ovo (gema + albúmen). Os resultados isotópicos foram submetidos à análise multivariada de variância e a partir das matrizes de erro, com 95% de confiança, foram determinadas elipses para identificar as diferenças entre os tratamentos experimentais (dietas com FCOB) e o grupo controle (0% de FCOB). No ovo e na gema a partir do par isotópico do tratamento com inclusão de 3,0% de FCOB houve diferenciação do par do tratamento controle, no albúmen a diferenciação ocorreu a partir do tratamento com 1,5% de FCOB. Conclui-se que, a técnica dos isótopos estáveis é capaz de rastrear a FCOB, utilizada na alimentação de poedeiras, no produto final, em nível mínimo de inclusão de 1,5% no albúmen e 3,0% no ovo e na gema. / Abstract: The aim of this study was to trace the inclusion of bovine meat and bones meal (BMBM) in diets of laying hens analyzing eggs and theirs fractions (yolk and albumen), by carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotopes, as well as to evaluate the detectable analytical minimal index. Two hundred forty (240) Shaver White laying hens aging 73 weeks never fed with animal origin ingredients were randomly distributed in five treatments and fed with a corn and soybean based diet (control) and four increasing levels (0; 1.5; 3.0; 4.5 and 6.0%) of BMBM. At the 35th day, 24 eggs per treatment were randomly collect, twelve for yolk and albumen sampling and twelve for egg (yolk + albumen) sampling. The isotopic results were analyzed in a multivariate analysis of variance. Through an error matrix (95% confidence) the ellipses were determined to identify the differences among the treatments (diets BMBM inclusion) from the control group (0% BMBM group). It was possible to detect BMBM inclusion through the isotopic pair of yolk and egg at 3.0% of inclusion. In the albumen it was possible to detect the 1.5% BMBM inclusion. In summary, the stable isotopes technique is able to trace BMBM in laying hens feed, in the final product at a minimal level of inclusion of 1.5% in the albumen and 3.0% in the egg and yolk. / Doutor

Este trabalho teve como objetivos principais: avaliar o comportamento alimentar em rações contendo zearalenona e aflatoxina; verificar a capacidade das aves em distinguir uma ração contendo micotoxina de uma ração isenta de contaminação; observar se as aves eram capazes de selecionar uma determinada ração. Foram utilizadas, 80 codornas japonesas (Coturnix coturnix japonica) em pico de postura, num delineamento experimental de quadrado latino (4x4). Os 4 tratamentos utilizados foram: controle (T1); controle + 0,1% adsorvente (T2); 2 mg/kg aflatoxinas + 4 mg/kg zearalenona (T3) e 2mg/kg aflatoxinas + 4 mg/kg zearalenona + 0,1% adsorvente (T4), em 4 posições pré-estabelecidas. Com a finalidade de observar o comportamento das aves os comedouros foram trocados de posição a cada 7 dias. Foi observada redução no consumo de ração (p<0,05) nos tratamentos que continham 2 mg/kg de aflatoxina e zearalenona com e sem adsorvente . As aves mostraram reconhecer a ração contaminada, tendo um maior consumo da ração livre de toxinas / The aim of this experiment was: analise alimentary behavior in diets with zearalenon and aflatoxin; observe poultry abilitys to discern from diets with or with out micotoxins; to understand if quail were able to select a diet. 80 quail layers (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were used in a latin square design (4x4). The treatments were: control (T1); control + 0.1% adsorvent (T2); 2 mg/kg aflatoxin + 4 mg/kg zearalenon (T3) e 2mg/kg aflatoxin + 4 mg/kg zearalenon + 0.1% adsorvent (T4), in 4 different places. To observe animal behavior diets were changed of position every 7 seven days. There were differences (p<0,05) among treatments, with lower intake for diets with 2 mg/kg aflatoxin and zearalenon with or with out adsorvent. This study indicates that layers could recognize the contamined treatments, animal intake for free contamination diets were highest

Orientador: Admar Costa de Oliveira / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-03T16:25:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rios_KarinaRibeiro_M.pdf: 519085 bytes, checksum: 22eba3b1a8c6784f7067751a10db8f1c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2003 / Resumo: O zinco é um mineral que desempenha inúmeras funções biológicas, como catalisador para a atividade de mais de 300 enzimas, constituinte estrutural de muitas proteínas e como regulador na prevenção da formação de radicais livres. Dado a esta multiplicidade funcional, a deficiência de zinco é especialmente crítica em estádios de rápido crescimento e desenvolvimento onde seu requerimento é aumentado, na ingestão alimentar deficiente ou quando ocorre baixa biodisponibilidade do zinco. Com a descoberta da deficiência do mineral em humanos na década de 60 devido ao elevado consumo de ácido fítico por populações do Oriente Médio, os estudiosos acreditavam ser este um fato isolado, até que na década de 90 foi reconhecido como um problema de carência nutricional de ocorrência freqüente em países desenvolvidos. Com vistas a determinar a influência da fonte de zinco da mistura mineral da dieta AIN-93G e de adições de ácido fítico no crescimento e estado nutricional de zinco em ratos Wistar, estudou-se o efeito da suplementação com carbonato de zinco (56 % Zn) e ácido fítico na forma de hexafosfato de mioinositol (IP6), utilizando-se adições crescentes na dieta de caseína. Os resultados mostraram que apesar de o carbonato de zinco (56 % Zn) ter sido removido por 32 dias, não foi observada diferença estatística (p>0,05) para os índices de crescimento (consumo de dieta e ganho de peso) e valor nutritivo da caseína, determinado pelo Quociente de Eficiência da Caseína (PER). A concentração sérica de zinco não diferiu entre os animais do grupo Controle (dieta AIN-93G, 12,2 % de caseína) e os animais do grupo com dieta basal, sem a fonte de zinco da mistura mineral (ZnC03, 56% Zn), sendo a zincemia assegurada pelos 4,2 mg Zn I kg de caseína. Adições crescentes de ZnC03, 56% Zn, até 129,2 mg de zinco I kg de dieta basal durante 8 dias, após a remoção do mineral por 32 dias, resultaram em valores maiores para ganho de peso, porém até o limite de 86,7 mg Zn I kg dieta, correspondendo a um valor máximo de 98,6 gramas de ganho pondera!. A eficiência alimentar apresentou valores maiores a partir de 33,1 mg Zn I kg dieta e a concentração de zinco no soro dos animais, valores maiores para as adições de 65,4 e 129,2 mg Zn/kg dieta. Adições crescentes de ácido fítico à dieta basal, sem o ZnC03, 56 % Zn, da mistura mineral, num período de 32 dias, ocasionaram redução constante nos índices de crescimento (consumo de dieta e ganho de peso), no valor nutritivo da caseína determinado pelo Quociente de Eficiência Líquida da Caseína (NPR) e Quociente de Eficiência da Caseína (PER), no valor nutritivo dietético, determinado pelo Quociente de Conversão Alimentar (QCA) e na concentração sérica de zinco dos ratos. Os valores das digestibilidades (Aparente e Corrigida pela Dieta Aprotéica) não foram comprometidos pelas adições crescentes de fitato. Pelo exposto, pôde ser inferido que o baixo teor de zinco da dieta basal (1,1 mg Zn I kg dieta) praticamente não afetou o crescimento dos ratos, enquanto a influência de adições crescente de ácido fítico teve um efeito de notável redução dos índices determinados, com exceção da digestibilidade da caseína, num período experimental de 32 dias / Abstract: Zinc is a mineral with a variety of biological functions such as catalyzing the activity of more than 300 enzymes, being a structural constituent of many proteins and as a regulator in the prevention of free radical formation. Due to this functional multiplicity, a deficiency of zinc becomes especially critical during rapid growth and development stages where the requirement is even greater, in cases of deficient feeding or in cases of low zinc bioavailability. In the sixties, when deficiency of this mineral was first discovered in humans, due to the high ingestion of phytic acid by Middle Eastern populations, researchers believed this to be an isolated case. However, in the nineties it was recognized as a malnutritional problem, occurring mainly in large countries. With the objective of determining the influence of the zinc source in the mineral mixture of the AIN-93G diet, and of additions of phytic acid on the growth and nutritional state of zinc in Wistar rats, the effect of supplementation with zinc carbonate (56% Zn) was studied, and also the addition of phytic acid in the form of myoinositol hexaphosphate (IP6), adding increasing amounts to the casein diet. The results show that despite the zinc carbonate (56% Zn) having been removed from the diet for 32 days, no significant (p>0.05) difference was observed with respect to the growth indexes (diet consumption and weight gain) or nutritive value of the casein, as determined from the Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER). There was no difference in serum zinc concentration between that of the Control group of animals (AIN-93G diet, 12.2% casein) and that of the animals on the basal diet, without the source of zinc in the mineral mixture (ZnCO3, 56% Zn), zincemia being guaranteed by the 4.2 mg Zn I kg casein. Increasing additions of ZnCO3, 56% Zn, up to 129.2 mg zinc I kg basal diet for 8 days, after removing the mineral for 32 days, resulted in an increased weight gain, although only up to a limit of 86.7 mg Zn I kg diet, corresponding to a maximum pondered weight gain of 98.6 grams. Higher values for food efficiency were shown as from 33.1 mg Zn I kg diet, and higher values for the concentration of zinc in the animal serum were shown with additions of from 65.4 to 129.2 mg Zn I kg diet. Increasing additions of phytic acid to the basal diet containing no ZnCO3, 56% Zn in the mineral mixture, for a period of 32 days, led to constant reductions in the growth indexes (diet consumption and weight gain), in the nutritive value of the casein as determined by the net protein ratio (NPR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER), in the dietary nutrition value as determined by the food conversion ratio (FCR) and in the serum zinc concentration of the rats. The values for digestibility (apparent and corrected according to the aproteic diet) were unaffected by the increasing additions of phytate. From the results, it can be inferred that the low level of zinc in the basal diet (1.1 mg Zn I kg diet) showed practically no influence on the growth of the rats, whereas in an experimental period of 32 days, there was a notable effect in the reduction of the indexes determined, with the exception of that of casein digestibility, with increasing additions of phytic acid / Mestrado / Mestre em Alimentos e Nutrição

Rumen acidosis is a common problem under feedlot conditions where cattle change from a roughage-based to a high concentrate-based diet. It is associated with an imbalance between lactic acid producing and lactic acid utilizing bacteria. Megasphaera eldenii is an important lactic acid utilizing bacteria which can now be produced for commercial use and supplemented for the prevention of lactic acid build up in the rumen and subsequent acidosis. The adaptation period is required in order for numbers of lactate utilizers such as M. elsdenii to increase to levels effective against subsequent build up of lactic acid. The purpose of this trial is to identify the effects of a strain, NCIMB 41125 (MeCH4), of Megasphaera elsdenii on the adaptation period of feedlot cattle on diets formulated for high starch levels. MeCH4 was isolated from the rumen of cattle adapted to high starch diets. By converting lactic acid in the rumen to volatile fatty acids (VFA’s) such as butyrate, M. elsdenii should be able to at least reduce the adaptation phase, if not totally eliminate the need for it without effects on intake patterns, feed conversion rates, health and carcass yield. . If results are positive, this strain of M. eldenii will have great economic implications to all feedlot farmers. There may be one major conclusion to be drawn from this trail and this was the fact that a decrease in adaptation days to reach the high concentrate grower diet had no statistically significant influence on key performance parameters relevant to the feedlot industry However, possibly the most attractive implication of these results is the lower need for roughage and therefore the implications tied in with the buying in and storage thereof. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

The aim of this study was to determine whether a rapid release N source can be substituted with a slow release N source without having any negative effects on intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation and microbial protein synthesis, if sheep are fed a poor quality roughage. Five rumen cannulated wethers were used in the trial in a 5x5 latin square design. Cannulated wethers were assigned to different treatments after each experimental period. The treatments studied had different proportions of urea to OptigenrII, with the same inclusion level of starch and a mineral premix between treatments. The five different treatments were: 100% urea; 75% urea:25% OptigenrII; 50% urea:50% OptigenrII; 25% urea:75% OptigenrII and 100% OptigenrII. Significant differences (P<0.05) between the 25% urea:75% OptigenrII and the other treatments in terms of intake suggested that a combination of urea and OptigenrII might be the preferred supplementation due to a significantly higher dry matter intake (DMI), organic matter intake (OMI), neutral detergent fibre intake (NDF intake) and digestible organic matter intake (DOMI). The intake variables of 100% urea and 100% OptigenrII did not differ (p>0.05). No differences (P>0.05) were recorded for dry matter digestibility (DMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility between treatments. However, the 100% OptigenrII treatment had a significant (P<0.05) lower apparent nitrogen digestibility, which might be the result of a slower rumen NH3-N release and higher nitrogen excretion than the other treatments. No differences were observed for pH and VFA between different treatments. The rumen NH3-N concentration of the 100% OptigenrII treatment was significantly (P<0.05) lower than the 100% urea treatment at 2 and 4 hours after infusion. The effective degradability of both DM and NDF did not differ (P>0.05) between treatments. Neither were there differences between treatments for total microbial crude nitrogen (MCN) production. Based on biological evaluation, it could be suggested that urea might be substituted with OptigenrII in supplements. From an economical point of view, urea might still be the preferred NPN source, as urea is cheaper than OptigenrII in terms of R/kg nitrogen. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

The purpose of this study was to develop a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate the weight reduction advice in popular women's magazines. An apparent proliferation of articles on weight reducation in the mass media and women's magazines have been critized as faddist by some professionals. Regardless of this concern, a standardized method of evaluating any diet remains noexistent. To achieve the purpose the study was conducted in three parts: a Field Test, a Validity Study and a Reliability Study. An Article Evaluation form, which listed the negative characteristics of a faddist weight reduction article was constructed as the instrument. The characteristics were developed by reviewing various critiques of popular weight reduction regimens in the literature and selecting negative items from those critiques. The Article Evaluation was evaluated by requiring experts to rate the importance of each characteristic. Both forms were revised based on the results of the Field Test. The Validity Study was conducted by selecting 30 experts, at random, from a list of all experts who had authored or co-authored an article published in the 1979 issues in one of three professional journals in the nutrition field, and having them complete a revised Instrument Evaluation form. The Reliability Study consisted of having three local dietitians with Master of Science degrees rate the same eight articles from popular women's magazines using the revised Article Evaluation form. The data was analyzed using the Friedman Two-way Analysis of Varience (ANOVA). The results of the Validity Study indicated that all thirteen characteristics were either somewhat or very important. Based on this, it was concluded that the instrument was valid. The results of the Reliability Study indicated that, except for one characteristic,,there was no statistically significant difference at the .10 level (df=2) in the evaluations of the raters, therefore it was concluded that the instrument was reliable.

The purpose of this study is to determine the nicotinic acid values of the food consumed and the urinary and fecal excretions of young college women on self-selected diets.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Agriculture)) --University of Limpopo, 2015 / The ability to utilise dietary components differs between fish species. Digestive enzymes may be used to determine the efficiency of the digestive process. In this study, the activities of the digestive enzymes in Tilapia rendalli, Oreochromis mossambicus and Clarias gariepinus were explored. Protease, amylase, lipase and cellulase activities were measured in different parts of the digestive tract of the three fish species. The pH dynamics along the digestive tract were monitored. In all fish species, the presence of food led to a reduction in stomach pH. pH values of 1.54, 1.58 and 2.01 were recorded 12 hours after feeding in Oreochromis mossambicus, Tilapia rendalli and Clarias gariepinus respectively. Protease and amylase activities were significantly higher (P<0.05, ANOVA) in the tilapias than in Clarias gariepinus. The tilapias may be pre-adapted to produce more protease and amylase to digest plant material which is more difficult to digest compared to animal matter. In all species amylase activity was significantly higher in the proximal intestine than in the other parts of the digestive tract (P<0.05, ANOVA). The highest proteolytic activity was recorded in the distal intestines. This is because of the alkaline pH recorded in the proximal and distal intestines which favours for amylase and protease activity respectively. Lipase activities were not significantly different (P>0.05) in all species. Marginal cellulase activities were recorded in all species. It is inferred here that phylogeny and not diet may be the main factor influencing enzyme activities as all fish were fed a similar diet. Two locally available plant diets, kikuyu grass and moringa leaves, were tested as protein sources in the diet of a macrophagous fish, Tilapia rendalli (11.5±1 g). Nine diets (30% CP: 20 MJ/kg) were formulated by substituting fishmeal for kikuyu leaf meal (KLM) and moringa leaf meal (MLM). A control diet contained 10% fishmeal and no leaf meal. Fishmeal was replaced at 25, 50, 75 and 100% by KLM in diets: KLM 25, KLM 50, KLM 75 and KLM 100; then by MLM in diets MLM 25, MLM 50, MLM 75 and MLM 100. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of fish for 60 days. The best growth (SGR, TGC) was in the control group. There was no significant (P>0.05) decrease in SGR and TGC when KLM replaced up to 50% fishmeal. There was a significant (P<0.05) decrease when MLM replaced >25% fishmeal. Kikuyu diets had no effect on villi height. A trend towards shorter villi was evident with increasing MLM. Digestive enzyme activities also decreased with increasing KLM and MLM vii levels in the diet. Hepatocyte degradation was higher in fish fed moringa-based diets. Anti-nutrients (polyphenols, tannins, saponins and phytate) in moringa may have contributed to the poor growth, irritation of the enterocytes and hepatotoxic effects. These results show that replacing up to 25% fishmeal with KLM is effective in reducing the costs without negatively affecting the growth performance or health of Tilapia rendalli. Adding MLM, even at the lowest level (25%) was expensive and resulted in compromised growth and health. The efficacy of KLM and MLM was also tested as alternative protein sources for Oreochromis mossambicus (12.5±1 g) a microphagous herbivore. The same diets used for Tilapia rendalli were fed to triplicate groups of twenty fish for 60 days. Linear regressions of feed intake, SGR, PER and protein ADC with increasing levels of leaf meal were significant (P<0.05). Superior growth performance, protein ADC and feed utilisation were also recorded in fish fed KLM-based diets than those fed MLM diets. When compared to Tilapia rendalli, Oreochromis mossambicus had superior growth performance and feed utilisation when fed the control diets and the lowest level of KLM. This was attributed to phylogeny. Protease, amylase and lipase decreased with increasing leaf meal levels and were higher in the intestine of fish fed KLMbased diets than those fed MLM-based diets. Fish fed MLM-based diets had higher number of goblet cells in the enterocytes, higher hepatocyte degradation and poor haematological parameters than those fed KLM diets. These adverse alterations were more pronounced in Oreochromis mossambicus compared to those observed in Tilapia rendalli feeding of the same diets. Cost benefit analysis also indicated that substitution fishmeal with KLM is a cheaper protein source in Oreochromis mossambicus diets. Kikuyu leaf meal may be used to replace up to 25% fishmeal without compromising the growth performance and health of Oreochromis mossambicus. Reduced growth and poor health was evident even at the lowest inclusion level of MLM. The effects of replacing fishmeal with KLM and MLM in the diets of a predatory omnivore, Clarias gariepinus were also investigated. The same KLM and MLMbased diets used in the previous experiments were used. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of Clarias gariepinus (30.5±2 g) and fed to apparent satiation for 60 days. Significantly higher (P<0.05) growth performance, feed and viii protein utilisation was observed in Clarias gariepinus fed KLM diets compared to those fed MLM. Protein digestibility was higher in Clarias gariepinus fed the control diet than in both tilapias. However, in the treatment diets protein ADC was lower in Clarias gariepinus than in the tilapias. A decrease in the activity of digestive enzymes was also observed with increasing leaf meal level in the diet. This was attributed to the natural feeding habits and digestive adaptations of the different fish species. No histological alterations were found in liver of fish fed the control diet. Increased hepatocyte degradation was seen in fish fed higher levels of KLM and MLM in the diet. The enterocytes showed a significant increase in the number of goblet cells with increasing levels of MLM. Villi height decreased significantly (P<0.05) when MLM replaced >75 fishmeal. The damage to the hepatocytes and enterocytes as well as the poor health condition shown by haematological parameters was more pronounced in Clarias gariepinus than in the tilapias. This suggests that the predatory fish is not equipped to utilise high levels of leaf meals in its diet. The results of this study indicate that KLM can replace up to 25% fishmeal and that adding MLM resulted in reduced performance. Higher profit index and lower incidence cost was observed KLM diets than in MLM diets. Anti-nutrients in the leaf meals were the main factors leading to reduced feed intake and poor growth in fish fed the plant-based diet. Therefore, a subsequent study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of exogenous enzyme supplementation to reduce the negative effects of anti-nutrients and improve fish growth. A commercial multi-enzyme Natuzyme50® was supplemented at a rate of 0 (control), 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.00 g/kg DM feed in the best performing diet (KLM 25). These diets were tested in Oreochromis mossambicus. Natuzyme50® supplementation led to improved growth performance. Fish fed the diet containing 0.50 g/kg had the best growth performance and protein ADC and highest levels of digestive enzyme activities. At higher (>0.50 g/kg) enzyme supplementation levels, growth performance decreased. The improved growth performance with enzyme supplementation was attributed to the presence of enzymes such as cellulase and xylanase in the cocktail that are not naturally produced by fish. In addition, the activities of endogenous enzymes were enhanced. The optimal Natuzyme50® dietary level for optimal growth performance in Oreochromis mossambicus was 0.62 g/kg DM feed.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterised by prolonged hyperglycaemia,especially postprandial, in association with the consumption of diets that promote obesity. While different types of the disease have been identified, Type II diabetes also known as insulin dependent diabetes is most prevalent. Treatment for patients with this disease is usually a combination of exercise, low caloric diet and specific medical intervention through the use of allopathic medicines or surgery. While the number of treatment option is large, unfortunately, treatment is usually associated with complication such as drug adverse reactions and failure to halt disease progression. As a result new therapies are required. Herbal medicines such as those derived from the Ficus species, which have been used traditionally in the treatment of diabetes, may serve as new source of drug therapies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of selected South African Ficus species for their potential ability to manage Type II diabetes using in vitro and in vivo screening models. Dried and ground leaves of ten Ficus species were extracted separately with acetone, chloroform and hexane for determination of its phytochemical constituents. Since acetone extracted more variety of compounds, the extracts was used for determination of total polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, cytotoxicity, glucose uptake in primary cell cultures and established cell lines, and insulin release in pancreatic cell lines. The most active extract (F. lutea) was subjected to solvent-solvent fractionation and the six fraction subsequently evaluated by the same assays. The most active fraction (ethyl acetate) was hereafter subjected to fractionation for the isolation of bioactive compound(s) or direct evaluation in a mouse obesity model. The acetone extract of F. lutea had the highest polyphenolic content (56.85 ± 1.82 mg GAE/g dry weight), the strongest antioxidant activity (4.80 ± 0.90 TEAC) and the highest α-amylase inhibitory activity with an EC50 value of 9.42 ± 2.01 μg/ml. Although the extract of F. lutea had the highest sucrase (64.31 ± 3.57%) inhibitory activity at concentration of 0.5 mg/ml, the ECβ of F. sycomorus (217 ± 69 μg/ml) was the best followed by F. lutea (289 ± 111μg/ml). Based on the correlation coefficient between polyphenol and alpha amylase inhibition (0.80) and alpha glucosidase (sucrase) inhibition (0.84), and the partial non-competitive manner by which the acetone extract of F. lutea inhibited the α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, the polyphenols appear to be in part responsible for the evident activity. All ten Ficus species were less toxic than doxorubicin (positive control) but contained compounds that are generally relatively more toxic to the Vero kidney cells than to the C3A liver cells. The extract of F. craterostoma was the least toxic to the C3A and Vero cells, while the LCβ for the extract of F. lutea extract were relatively non-toxic to the Vero cells (214.8 ± 5.0 μg/ml) and more toxic (126.0 ± 6.8 μg/ml) to the C3A cell line. In the glucose uptake assays using primary rat abdominal muscle or epididymal fat cells, F. lutea acetone extracts (200 μg/ml) induced greater glucose uptake of 10.8 ± 1.8% for muscle and of 32.0 ± 8.4% for fat respectively, in comparison to the DMSO control wells.A similar response was seen with the established C2C12 muscle and H-4-II-E liver cell lines, where F. lutea in a dose related manner increased glucose uptake and at the highest concentration (500 μg/ml) increase glucose uptake by 14.9 ± 2.3% and 19.3 ± 0.6% respectively. In contrast no result was quantifiable in the established 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes cell line, most likely due to a flaw in the methodology. The concurrent insulin addition, (1 and 10 μM) also potentiated the glucose utilisation in the F. lutea treated C2C12 and H-4-II-E cells. On addition of extracts to the RIN-m5F pancreatic β-cells, the extract of F. lutea stimulated a dose related increase in insulin release with insulin secretion of 120.8 ± 11.1% at the highest concentration (500 μg/ml) and concurrent dose related decrease in cell viability in comparison to the untreated control. As a result it would appear that F. lutea acetone extracts have a dual mechanism behind its ability to reduce glucose concentrations. The extract of Ficus lutea, was further subjected to solvent-solvent fractionation in hexane, chloroform, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water due to its superior response. The ethyl acetate fraction had the highest polyphenolic content (100.5 ± 1.6 mg GEA/g dried extract) and the highest sucrase inhibitory activity (126.8 ±30.6 μg/ml), while the n-butanol fraction had the highest α-amylase inhibitory activity (26.5 ± 1.3 μg/ml). Nonetheless the inhibition of the α-amylase enzyme activity by the various fractions was in all cases lower than that for the crude extract. In the cytotoxic assay using Vero monkey kidney and C3A liver cell line, the hexane fraction was the least toxic while the ethyl acetate fraction was relatively non-toxic, it had the lowest LDβ against the Vero cells (LDβ = 126.9 ± 1.5 μg/ml). In the glucose uptake assays, the ethyl acetate fraction stimulated the greatest glucose uptake into the C2C12 muscle and H-4-II-E liver cells in dose responsive manner, with no added benefits being achieved through the concurrent addition of insulin. The ethyl acetate fraction also enhanced insulin secretion in RIN-m5F pancreatic β-cells, albeit to a lower extent than the crude extract with dose related decrease in cell viability. With the ethyl acetate fraction being the most active fraction with moderately toxicity, further isolation was attempted. Five compounds were isolated, namely lupeol, stigmasterol, α-amyrin acetate, epicatechin and epiafzelechin, with all of the compounds except epiafzelechin previously known to possess antidiabetic activity. The ethyl-acetate fraction was also evaluated for its weight reducing potential in obese mouse model. Unfortunately no in vivo activity was discernible. In conclusion, this study is the first to report on the in vitro antidiabetic activity of the extract of F. lutea.. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Paraclinical Sciences / unrestricted

<p>Sarcopenia is the age-associated loss of muscle mass and strength. Studies have shown that combining resistance training with high protein intake increases muscle mass and strength in older adults. Women are at higher risk than men of sarcopenia. Thus, it is essential to find interventions to lessen women’s risk of losing muscle mass with aging. However, limited studies combine a specific higher-protein diet and a resistance training program in older women to determine skeletal muscle responses. This study aimed to assess the impact of a 12-week resistance training program with a high protein lean beef diet on skeletal muscle mass, strength, and quality in older women compared to a normal protein diet or a high protein diet composed of a lesser amount of beef. </p> <p>The study included three diets; a USDA recommended protein diet (0.8 g/kg/day), a high protein lean beef diet (1.4 g/kg/day), and a high protein diet composed of lesser beef (1.4 g/kg/day). Sixteen subjects were included in the study. The resistance training program consisted of leg extension, leg press, leg curl, chest press, and seated row. Muscle strength was determined by one-repetition maximum assessment at weeks one, six, and twelve. In addition, subjects underwent an MRI pre- and post-intervention to assess quadriceps volume and intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT). Muscle quality was defined as the leg extension one-repetition maximum over the quadriceps volume. </p> <p>Muscle strength, muscle quality, and quadriceps volume increased with training in all three diet groups (P<0.05, main effect of time). No difference in muscle strength, quality, or quadriceps volume was found between the diet groups. IMAT decreased in all diet groups (P<0.05, main effect of time), but no differences were seen between the diet groups. These findings suggest that the 12-weeks of resistance training increased skeletal muscle strength, quality, and mass, independent of the normal protein or high protein diet and the source of protein in the diet.</p>