The demand for plant-based proteins has increased remarkably over the last decade. Expanding the availability and variety of plant-based protein options has shown positive potential. This study aimed to investigate the qualitative and quantitative changes in amino acids of yellow and red quinoa seeds (YQ and RQ) during a 9-day germination period. The results showed that the germination process led to an increase in the total amino acids by 7.43% and 14.36% in the YQ and RQ, respectively. Both varieties exhibited significant (p < 0.05) increases in non-essential and essential amino acids, including lysine, phenylalanine, threonine, and tyrosine. The content of non-essential amino acids nearly reached the standard values found in chicken eggs. These results were likely attributed to the impact of the germination process in increasing enzymes activity and decreasing anti-nutrient content (e.g., saponins). A linear relationship between increased seeds’ hydration and decreased saponins content was observed, indicating the effect of water absorption in changing the chemical composition of the plant. Both sprouts showed positive germination progression; however, the sprouted RQ showed a higher germination rate than the YQ (57.67% vs. 43.33%, respectively). Overall, this study demonstrates that germination is a promising technique for enhancing the nutritional value of quinoa seeds, delivering sprouted quinoa seeds as a highly recommended source of high-protein grains with notable functional properties.

Background: Loquat fruit is consumed for its flavorful taste and a rich array of health-promoting compounds like phenolics, flavonoids, and carotenoids. This study aimed at the biochemical characterization of fresh juice from the Moroccan Mkarkeb variety of loquat and evaluating its effects on lipid homeostasis and liver steatosis in hyperlipidemic mice. Methods: The biochemical characterization followed AOAC methods. In vivo study involved hyperlipidemic mice fed a high-fat, high-fructose diet for 6 weeks and treated with loquat juice at 3.5 and 7 mL kg⁻¹ or fenofibrate at 4 mg·kg⁻¹. The concentrations of lipids in plasma, liver, adipose tissue, feces, and bile and blood glucose levels were quantified. Liver steatosis was visually examined and confirmed histologically, and liver injury markers (AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, and TB) were measured. Liver oxidative stress was assessed by measuring MDA content and antioxidative enzyme activities. Results: Our findings indicate that fresh loquat juice is poor in fat and protein and contains moderate sugars with a low energy value (40.82 ± 0.25 kcal/100 g). It is also rich in minerals, vitamin C, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and carotenoids. The juice effectively restored lipid metabolism by enhancing reverse cholesterol transport and lowering LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and the atherogenic index. The studied juice decreases blood glucose and prevents weight gain and lipid accumulation in the liver and adipose tissue. The juice prevents lipotoxicity-induced liver injury, corrects toxicity markers, and improves the liver’s morphological and histological structures. It also reduces oxidative stress by lowering MDA and activating SOD and catalase. Conclusions: The juice holds high nutritional and medicinal value, potentially preventing lipid disorders and cardiovascular issues.

The present study aimed to better understand the nature of currently circulating GPV strains and their pathological impact on the immune system during natural outbreaks among different duck breeds in Egypt. For this purpose, 99 ducks (25 flocks) of different breeds, aged 14-75 days, were clinically examined, and 75 tissue pooled samples of immune organs (thymus, bursa, and spleen) were submitted for virus detection and identification. Clinical and postmortem findings were suggestive of GPV infection. Concerning immune organs, Atrophy in thymus (60.6%), bursa (45.5%), and spleen (38.3%) was the most common gross lesion. Microscopically, the negative impact of the virus on the immune organs was exhibited by a necrotic thymic cortex with Hassall's corpuscle disintegration, the disappearance of normal bursal histological morphology accompanied by atrophied follicles and lymphocytic depletion, and apoptosis of B-lymphocytes in lymphoid follicles of the spleen. Furthermore, immunohistochemical examination revealed positive signals of the parvovirus detected in thymic lymphocytes in the cortex, bursa-dependent lymphoid follicle of the medulla, and diffuse positive expression of viral antigens in the spleen. GPV was detected in Pekin and Muscovy ducks using polymerase chain reaction, with the highest percentage detected in bursa (76%). Next generation sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the detected virus was a variant of GPV, globally named Novel GPV (NGPV), and closely related to Chinese NGPV isolates. To our knowledge, the current study is pioneering to address the immunopathological impact of NGPV among naturally infected ducks confirmed with full genome sequencing and immunohistochemical identification worldwide.

Kiwi fruit (Actinidia deliciosa) and star anise (Illicium verum) are the richest sources of minerals and vitamins. Fractionation of phenolic compounds by HPLC for kiwi fruit showed that the main compounds in the methanol extract were syringic acid, chrysin, and quercetin. Star anise had the highest concentrations of syringic acid, quercetin, and gallic acid, respectively. Mice in biological experiments were divided into six groups. Group I was the negative control, while Group II was the positive control, and they were both injected with EAC. Group III was injected with EAC and the chemical drug cisplatin. Groups IV, V, and VI mice were injected with EAC separately and treated with kiwifruit juice, star anise, and a mixture of kiwifruit juice and star anise. The results showed that cell viability was best in kiwi fruit, followed by the mixture and star anise. In contrast, the treatment with cisplatin as chemotherapy for EAC resulted in lower cell viability compared to the different juices. Mice in Groups IV, V, and VI, as well as those treated with cisplatin, were observed to have an increased expansion of myeloid cells (CD11b+LY6G+). The results from flow cytometry indicated enhanced levels of CD69 and CD62L, in addition to CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the various experimental mice groups. It can be concluded that kiwi fruit and star anise have high nutritional value and the highest concentrations of phenolic compounds. These characteristics contribute to a high activity of natural antioxidants and medicinal properties.