Nutrition Commons^™

Characterization Of The Proteolytic System In Lactococcus Lactis Starter Cultures, Christina Beer

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The proteolytic system of Lactococcus lactis starter cultures influences both flavor and the characteristic body and texture of cheese. The ability to further understand and control how different components of this proteolytic system work together to hydrolyze milk proteins would be of immense importance to the dairy industry.

The goal of this research was to characterize Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis starter bacteria with varying prt operon compositions by proteinase specificity, aminopeptidase and lipase activities, growth, and influence on cheese flavor. By using a cheese slurry system, a statistical model to predict milk protein hydrolysis patterns was developed.

Lactococcus lactis subsp. …

Influence Of Streptococcus Thermophilus Mr-1c Capsular Exopolysaccharide On Cheese Moisture Level, Deborah Low

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study investigated the role of exopolysaccharide (EPS) in cheese moisture retention. Analysis of low-fat Mozzarella cheese made with different combinations of EPS-producing (Streptococcus thermophilus MR-1C and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus MR-lR) and non-EPS-producing (S. thermophilus TA061 and L. helveticus LH100) starters showed significantly higher moisture levels in cheese made with S. thermophilus MR-1C. To determine if the S. thermophilus MR-1C EPS was responsible for increased moisture retention, gene replacement was used to inactivate the epsE gene in this bacterium. Low-fat Mozzarella cheese made with L. helveticus LH100 plus the EPS-negative mutant, S. thermophilus DM1O, had significantly lower …

Expression And Iron Loading Of Recombinant Ferritin Homopolymers, Jia-Hsin Guo

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Ferritin is an iron storage protein consisting of H and L chains to form a 24-subunit heropolymer. Ceruloplamin oxidizes Fe(II) and then loads the iron into ferritin. This research was conducted to determine which ferritin subunit is involved and whether a proposed iron-loading channel is required for iron loading by ceruloplasmin.

Recombinant rat liver H and L chain ferritin homopolymers, designated as rH-Ft and rL-Ft, respectively, were produced using insect cell-baculovirus and Escherichia coli expression systems. The expressed rH-Ft strongly suppressed the growth of the host. The rH-Ft expressed in the E. coli contained approximately 150 iron atoms/ferritin and was …

The Use Of Carnitine And Pyruvate In Weight Management, Karen Phyllis Bergs

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Carnitine has been a naturally occurring compound since the beginning of the century, and was considered to be an essential nutrient for quite some time. Carnitine has many essential roles in the body. Carnitine transports fatty acids into the mitochondria for energy, controls ketogenesis, and modulates the acyl-CoA/free CoA ratio. Studies have postulated that exercise decreases carnitine in the body, therefore leading to a deficiency in athletes. Carnitine has also been used as a weight loss product because of its fatty acid oxidation function. Many nutritional supplement companies have marketed on these functions of carnitine, resulting in a big business. …

Obesity: Environment Vs. Genetics, Kammi Marie Reeder Hansen

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The prevalence of overweight and obese individuals is rising. Between 1980 and 1990 there was an 8% increase in the prevalence of obesity. Obesity is associated with many diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Over $39 billion dollars is spent annually on the illnesses associated with obesity. Our American culture has been blamed for the rise in obesity, yet there are obviously many people living in the American culture that are not obese. Researchers have turned to genetics to explain this phenomenon. This article will examine the many environmental factors that contribute to obesity and …

Herbs: What Is My Choice?, Brooke Dipoma Bouwhuis

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Medicating oneself with herbal remedies has become and increasing popular phenomenon. It is estimated sales of herbal products were $3.2 million in 1997 (8). One third of educated, upper income Americans aged 25-49 years old are using these products each year (8). This paper is a compilation of information regarding the herbal industry. An overview of food and drug regulations as well as reviewing the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health Education Act clarify where industry is at today. A discussion regarding Germany's Commission E and their contribution to the herbal industry as well as reasons why the US is not following …

Syndrome X: A Review Of The Cluster Of Abnormalities, Diagnosis, And Treatment, Kathryn Lundgren Gurney

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Syndrome X is a cluster of abnormalities including insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, upper-body obesity, increased levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, decreased levels of tissue plasminogen activator, and hyperuricemia. The combined effect of these abnormalities greatly increases risk for Type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease. Individuals at risk for Syndrome X are those with any of the abnormalities (not necessarily all) or with a family history of diabetes, hypertension, or early-onset coronary artery disease. Treatment of Syndrome X should be early and aggressive, starting with lifestyle changes. Exercise, proper diet, and weight loss all improve insulin resistance and thereby …

Antioxidants And Alcohol In The Progression Of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Laura Lynne Prestwich

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Wasting syndrome in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) appears to play a role in decline of immune function. Along with poor appetite, HIV infected individuals seem to have a tendency to be heavy alcohol drinkers which may be immunosuppressive and cause malnutrition. Altered macronutrient metabolism visibly contributes to wasting; however, micronutrient deficiencies also appear to play a role. Micronutrient deficiency has also been known to decrease immune function. As part of their role as antioxidants, P-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium may be helpful in altering cell production and response to cytokines and other secretions. This may decrease viral replication …

Vegetarianism, Kimberly A. Folkman

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Although vegetarian eating has been around throughout recorded history, in recent years, interest in this eating style has gone up dramatically. As the number of individuals adopting vegetarian dietary practices increases, healthcare professionals are called upon to provide guidance and advice. It is the position of The American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, are nutritionally adequate, and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Both vegetarian and nonvegetarian eating patterns can be healthful-or detrimental to your health. Studies indicate that vegetarians often have lower morbidity and mortality rates from several chronic degenerative …

Protein-Based Diets: Fact Or Fiction?, Melanie Douglass

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Protein-based diets are once again popular among the those vulnerable to quick weight loss schemes. Advocates for these diets claim quick, permanent weight loss, disease prevention, improved physical performance, and even enhanced mental productivity. It is claimed that a diet high in carbohydrate contributes to hyperinsulinemia, fat storage, and "bad" eicosanoid production among other things. However, the detrimental effect of a low carbohydrate, high protein diet is rarely discussed. Subjects who follow protein-based diets are prone to a state of ketosis, which causes them to lose an unhealthy amount of nutrients and water. In general the protein-based diets are a …

Targeting Minority Groups In Community Nutrition, Trisha Sisson Brimhall

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

A community nutritionist takes on the immense task of "improving the nutrition, and ... health of individuals and groups within communities" (1). These objectives are generally met by private sector sponsors such as health care facilities, work-site wellness programs and food banks. If the arena of public health is included, then the dietitian's scope is enlarged to include federally-funded agencies designed to improve public health and disease prevention (1). Skills required of these community dietitians not only include clinical knowledge and assessment skills, but marketing, education, and research competencies. The challenges of community nutrition range from counseling an individual on …

The Maternal Diet Can Prevent Neural Tube Defects, Shannon Michelle Gardner

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Maternal diet and nutritional status have a direct impact on pregnancy course and outcome. Nutrition is critical to the development of the human embryo and fetus. Each year in the United States, approximately 4000 pregnancies are affected by neural tube defects (NTD). The most important finding in recent years has been the relationship between maternal folic acid status and NTDs. Other studies have found an association between zinc deficiency and an increased risk for having an NTD-affected pregnancy. Furthermore, some of the latest research has linked maternal obesity with the development of NTDs. The cumulative data from several studies have …

The Beneficial Effects Of Supplemental Vitamins C And E In Diabetic Subjects, Jessica Rupp Gibbons

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Few reviews have been written related to the benefits of supplementing vitamin C and E in diabetic individuals. Excessive protein glycosylation is seen in persons with diabetes, and vitamin E and C have been shown to be beneficial in decreasing the glycosylation of proteins. In addition, vitamins E and Care potent antioxidants and actively reduce oxidation, triglycerides, and free fatty acid levels in diabetics. Diabetics may benefit from supplementing vitamins E and C.

A Comparison Of Iron Absorption In Adults And Infants Consuming Identical Infant Formulas, Richard F. Hurrell, Lena Davidsson, Manju B. Reddy, Peter Kastenmayer, James D. Cook

Manju B. Reddy

Fe absorption was estimated in adults and infants from the erythrocyte incorporation of Fe isotopes added to infant formula. Fe absorption was measured in adults using radioisotopes, and in infants with a stable-isotope technique. In adults, the geometric mean Fe absorption from a ready-to-feed soya formula with its native phytic acid content was 2.4%. This increased to 6.0 % (P < 0.05) after almost complete dephytinization. In infants, mean Fe absorption values were 3.9 and 8.7% respectively from the same products (P(O.05). In adults, mean Fe absorption from a spray-dried soya formula containing 110 mg ascorbic acid was 4.1 %, increasing to 5.3 % (P < 0.05) when ascorbic acid was doubled to 220 mgfl. In infants, mean Fe absorption values were 5.7 and 9.5 % (P < 0.05) from the same products. Mean Fe absorption from a milk-based formula was 6.5 % in adults compared with 6.7 % in infants. All meals in the adult and infant studies were fed using an identical meal size of 217 g. Increasing the meal size threefold in adults did not change fractional Fe absorption. Mean Fe absorption values for each meal were lower in adults than in infants, but the relative inhibitory effect of phytic acid and the enhancing effect of ascorbic acid were similar. We conclude that Fe absorption studies in adults can be used to assess the influence of enhancers and inhibitors of Fe absorption in infant formulas fed to infants. Further studies, however, are required to extend these findings to weaning foods and complete meals.

1997 Wild Blueberry Progress Reports, Darrell W. Donahue, Alfred A. Bushway, Mary Ellen Camire, Keith Moore, Rodney J. Bushway, Brian Perkins, Frank A. Drummond, Connie S. Stubbs, Judith A. Collins, Paul Cappiello, John M. Smagula, Scott Dunham, Walter Litten, David E. Yarborough, Timothy M. Hess, John Jemison

Wild Blueberry Research Reports

The 1997 edition of the Wild Blueberry Progress Reports was prepared for the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine and the Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include:

1. Investigation of processing damage of IQF blueberries

2. Use of sorter rejects and wild blueberry puree to prevent warmed over flavor in processed beef patties

3. Factors affecting the quality of IQF wild blueberries

4. Determination of pesticide residue levels in fresh and processed wild blueberries

5. Pollination ecology of wild blueberries in Maine

6. Control tactics for wild blueberry pest insects …

Growth And Reproductive Performance Of Small Ruminants Under Integrated Livestock Oil Palm Production System, Ahmad Salihin Hj Baba, Azillah A., Mukherjee T. K., Abdullah R. B.

Ahmad Salihin Hj Baba

The effects of supplementation with mixed fodder or concentrate were investigated on the performance of a) growth of male lambs;md kids grazing extensively under oil palm trees and b) reproduction of ewes and goats stall-fed with native herbage. Supplemented kids and lambs had higher average daily weight gain than controls but the effect was only significant for those which received concentrate (p < 0.05). Final body weight was only significantly different from controls for lambs supplemented with concentrate (p < 0.05). The ages at puberty, first mating, first conception and first kidding of supplemented goats were about 110 days earlier than those for controls (p < 0.05 or better). Supplemented goats had first mating and conceived at lower body weights (p < 0.01) than those in control groups. Different feeding regimes had no effects (p > 0.05) on the reproductive performance of ewes apart fi om highest body weight of first lambing in animals supplemented with concentrate (p < 0.05). Native herbage available under oil palm trees of 5 years old was sufficient for growth …