Non-Targeted Metabolomics of White Rhinoceros Colostrum and Its Changes During Early Lactation by H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Background/objectives: Dynamic changes in components from colostrum to mature milk occur in any mammal. However, the time it takes to reach the mature milk stage differs between taxa and species, as do the final concentrations of all the components. The white rhinoceros belongs to the family Perissodactyla, of which the milk and milk metabolome of the domesticated Equidae have been studied to some detail.

First Insights into the Fecal Metabolome of Healthy, Free-Roaming Giraffes (): An Untargeted GCxGC/TOF-MS Metabolomics Study.

Background/objectives: This study provides the first insights to the fecal metabolome of the giraffe (). By using untargeted metabolomics via gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC/TOF-MS), this study primarily aims to provide results of the impact that external stimuli, such as supplemental feeding (SF) practices, seasonal variation and sex, might have on the fecal metabolome composition of healthy, free-roaming giraffes.

Methods: Untargeted GCxGC/TOF-MS analysis was applied to the feces collected from thirteen giraffes (six males and seven females) from six different locations within the central Free State Province of South Africa over a period of two years.

Cactus Pear Mucilage ( spp.) as a Novel Functional Biopolymer: Mucilage Extraction, Rheology and Biofilm Development.

The investigation of novel, natural polymers has gained considerably more exposure for their desirable, often specific, functional properties. Multiple researchers have explored these biopolymers to determine their potential to address many food processing, packaging and environmental concerns. Mucilage from the cactus pear () is one such biopolymer that has been identified as possessing a functional potential that can be used in an attempt to enhance food properties and reduce the usage of non-biodegradable, petroleum-based packaging in the food industry.

Effect of pH on the Mechanical Properties of Single-Biopolymer Mucilage (), Pectin and Alginate Films: Development and Mechanical Characterisation.

Pectin and alginate are well-established biopolymers used in natural film development. Single-polymer mucilage films were developed from freeze-dried native mucilage powder of two cultivars, 'Algerian' and 'Morado', and the films' mechanical properties were compared to single-polymer pectin and alginate films developed from commercially available pectin and alginate powders. The casting method prepared films forming solutions at 2.

Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of Calcium-Treated Cactus Pear Mucilage ( spp.), Pectin and Alginate Single-Biopolymer Films.

Pectin and alginate satisfy multiple functional requirements in the food industry, especially relating to natural packaging formulation. The continuous need for economic and environmental benefits has promoted sourcing and investigating alternative biomaterials, such as cactus pear mucilage from the cladodes of spp., as natural packaging alternatives.

Genotype by Environment Interaction in Grain Iron and Zinc Concentration and Yield of Maize Hybrids under Low Nitrogen and Optimal Conditions.

Maize is the staple food crop for millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiency is a significant health risk that mainly affects low-income populations who rely solely on maize-based diets. This problem can be alleviated by developing micronutrient-rich maize grain.

Evaluation of BAYESIL for automated annotation of H NMR data using limited sample volumes: application to African elephant serum.

Introduction: Technological advancements enabled the analyses of limited sample volumes on H NMR. Manual spectral profiling of the data is, however, complex, and timely.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of BAYESIL for automated identification and quantification of H NMR spectra of limited volume samples.

Heterosis and combining ability of iron, zinc and their bioavailability in maize inbred lines under low nitrogen and optimal environments.

Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) nutrient enrichment of staple crops through biofortification can contribute to alleviating micronutrient deficiency in sub-Saharan Africa. A line × tester mating design was used to determine the general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA) and heterosis for grain yield, iron, Zn and phytic concentration of six lines crossed with three testers. Lines and testers were selected for high, intermediate and low mineral content.

African Elephant Milk Short Saccharide and Metabolite Composition and Their Changes over Lactation.

Elephant milk composition is unique, as are its changes over lactation. Presented here is the milk non-dedicated metabolite composition of three African elephants. Their lactation times are overlapping and span day one to thirty months.

Bioactive Betalain Extracts from Cactus Pear Fruit Pulp, Beetroot Tubers, and Amaranth Leaves.

Natural food items and the additional benefits they provide have received considerable attention in recent years. Betalains are nutritious pigments which have valuable biological properties, e.g.

Milk composition of white rhinoceros over lactation and comparison with other Perissodactyla.

The proximate composition of milk from fifteen free-ranging white rhinoceroses at different lactation stages is reported with detailed analysis of fatty acid composition and minerals. Lactose is the main component at 7.93 ± 0.

Milk Composition of Free-Ranging Impala () and Tsessebe (), and Comparison with Other African Bovidae.

The major nutrient and fatty acid composition of the milk of impala and tsessebe is reported and compared with other Bovidae and species. The proximate composition of impala milk was 5.56 ± 1.

The Dynamic Changes of African Elephant Milk Composition over Lactation.

The combined data of milk composition of 14 African elephants over 25 months of lactation are presented. The milk density was constant during lactation. The total protein content increased with progressing lactation, with caseins as the predominant protein fraction.

Comparative genomics of casein genes.

This research paper addresses the hypothesis that comparative genomics can give a new insight into the functionality of casein genes with respect to the casein micelle. Comparative genomics is a rapidly emerging field in computational biology whereby two or more genomes are compared in order to obtain a global view on genomes as well as assigning previously unknown functions for genes. Casein genes are among the most rapidly evolving mammalian genes, with the gene products mainly grouped into four types (αs1-, αs2-, β- and κ-casein).

Acceleration of yoghurt fermentation time by yeast extract and partial characterisation of the active components.

Water soluble autolysate of yeast, usually utilised for microbial growth support, was used as additive in yoghurt fermentation. The yeast extract (YE) resulted in a decrease of fermentation time by 21% to reach a pH of 4·6. However, the YE resulted in unacceptable flavour and taste.

The effect of variety and location on cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit quality.

Little is known about the performance of South African cactus pear varieties in different agro-ecological regions. Effects of locality on internal quality parameters of available cactus pear varieties were examined. With only one exception, no significant differences among the mean replication values for the different parameters between the different locations were observed.

Comparison of the lipid properties of captive, healthy wild, and pansteatitis-affected wild Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus).

The results presented describe and compare the fatty acid composition and melting properties of captive, healthy wild, and pansteatitis-affected wild crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus). Differences in fatty acid composition between intramuscular and adipose fat is noted in captive crocodiles, and the latter differs from wild crocodiles as a result of different diets. Adipose fat of healthy wild crocodiles differs minimally from diseased ones, respectively with 37.