Project description:Quinoa is widely recognized for its exceptional nutritional properties, particularly its complete protein content. This study, for the first time, investigates the effects of processing methods (boiling and extrusion) and farming conditions (conventional and organic) on the quinoa’s proteomic profile. Following a label-free shotgun proteomics approach, a total of 1,796 proteins were identified and quantified across all quinoa samples. Regarding processing, both boiling and extrusion produced protein extracts with lower total protein content, with the number of identified proteins decreasing from 1,695 in raw quinoa to 957 in processed quinoa. Boiling led to a reduction in protein diversity and expression, while extrusion, which involves high temperatures and pressures, specifically decreased the abundance of high molecular mass proteins. Concerning cultivation practices, organic farming was associated with a broader protein diversity, especially proteins related to translation (28% vs. 5%), while conventional farming showed a higher abundance of catalytic and enzymatic proteins (67% vs. 46%). These findings highlight the distinct proteomic changes induced by different processing methods and farming conditions, offering valuable insights to manage quinoa’s nutritional, bioactive, and functional properties across various production practices.
Project description:This study investigates the impact of stress on muscle physiology and meat quality in broiler chickens by comparing protein expression profiles between organic and conventional farming systems using label-free quantitative (LFQ) proteomics. Muscle samples were analyzed via nanoLC-ESI-MS/MS coupled with comprehensive bioinformatics to identify differences in protein abundance associated with rearing conditions.A total of 7,221 proteins were identified, with 1,645 proteins upregulated and 1,612 downregulated in organic chickens compared to conventional ones. Functional analyses including Gene Ontology (GO) and STRING network analyses revealed that proteins upregulated in organic chickens were predominantly involved in oxygen transport, oxygen binding, and muscle structural organization, indicating enhanced oxygen metabolism and muscle development consistent with improved animal welfare. Conversely, proteins related to ribosomal function and RNA binding were enriched in conventional chickens, suggesting stress-related alterations in protein synthesis. KEGG pathway analysis showed significant enrichment of carbon metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle pathways in organic chickens, while glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and ribosomal pathways were downregulated. Key differentially expressed proteins identified as potential biomarkers distinguishing organic from conventional meat include downregulated PGM1, AMPD1, LDHA, ENO3, and PKLR, and upregulated COL1A1, COL1A2, TTN, TPM2, CA3, MB, HSPB1, ACO2, ACAA2, and TF. These proteins are involved in muscle structure and energy metabolism and may serve as indicators of meat quality linked to stress and welfare conditions. Overall, this proteomic analysis provides novel insights into how stress modulates the muscle proteome in broiler chickens and supports the adoption of welfare-focused organic poultry production practices to improve meat quality.
Project description:Human breast milk contains a diverse community of bacteria but factors that produce variation in the breast milk microbiome are largely unknown. We evaluated if 1) maternal factors including breastfeeding practices modified the diversity and abundance of bacterial communities in breast milk and 2) if subclinical mastitis (SCM), an asymptomatic inflammatory condition occurring during lactation, induced a distinctive microbiota signature.
Project description:Comparison of the transcriptome profiles of a widely commercialized maize MON810 variety and its non-GM near-isogenic counterpart subjected to low N fertilization farming practices