Novel signature fatty acid profile of the giant manta ray suggests reliance on an uncharacterised mesopelagic food source low in polyunsaturated fatty acids

Early prey intake of a short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus Gray, 1846, Cetacea: Delphinidae) in the Canary Islands

This study reveals early prey eating by a short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus Gray, 1846, Cetacea: Delphinidae) in the Canary Islands. Stomach contents, trophic markers, skin isotopic ratios of nitrogen (δ15N:15N/14N) and carbon (δ13C:13C/12C), and fatty acid profiles of the blubber of a short-finned pilot whale of 213 cm size euthanized in free-ranging conditions were analyzed. A total of 15 species of oegopsid squids, mostly diel vertical mesopelagic migrant species of the families Enoploteuthidae, Ommastrephidae, and Histioteuthidae, as well as mother's milk, were identified in the stomach contents. Asperoteuthis acanthoderma (Lu, 1977, Cephalopoda: Chiroteuthidae) was found as first time in this area, suggesting the possibility of its presence on both sides of the subtropical Atlantic, extending its current known distribution. The δ15N value (11.55‰) was higher than expected based on the size range of squid ingested, but lower than that of adult pilot whales, suggesting that mother's milk intake has a significant effect on these values in calves. Similarly, the δ13C values (-17.99‰) were shifted to those of adult pilot whales rather than the ingested squids, also due to the ingestion of high-fat breast milk. The fatty acid (FA) composition of blubber showed a clear stratification. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) were mainly present in the inner layer, while most relevant ≤C20 monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were more abundant in the outer layer.

Exploring Singapore's consumption of local fish, vegetables and fruits, meat and problematic alcohol use as risk factors of depression and subsyndromal depression in older adults

Background

Depression is a chronic mental disorder that severely impacts the older adult population globally. Nutritional psychiatry is an approach that has gained traction over the years. Exploring locally relevant consumption of common types of fish, vegetables and fruits (V&F), meat and problematic alcohol use (PAU) as risk factors associated with depression and subsyndromal depression (SSD) could reveal modifiable factors that could be targeted in the local older adult population in Singapore.

Methods

Data collected from the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly (WiSE) study, a cross-sectional population-based epidemiological study of Singapore’s older adult population was analysed for the purposes of this study. Two thousand five hundred sixty-five participants were recruited and comprised of Singapore citizens and permanent residents aged ≥60 years. Data on fish, meat, and V&F consumption were collected using the sociodemographic and risk factor questionnaire. The CAGE (Cut, Annoyed, Guilt, and Eye-opener) questionnaire was used to determine PAU. The Geriatric Mental State-Automated Geriatric Examination for Computer Assisted Taxonomy (GMS-AGECAT) was used to obtain participants’ diagnosis of depression or SSD. A multinomial logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between depression and dietary factors.

Results

Consumption of V&F in the last 3 days was less likely to be associated with depression and SSD. Frequent consumption of specific species of fish was associated with depression and SSD. PAU and the frequent consumption of Himantura gerrardi (stingray) were more likely to be associated with SSD. Finally, meat consumption was more likely to be associated with depression and SSD.

Conclusions

The preliminary findings of the study support a need for healthy eating for the older adult population in Singapore. Further directions include a more thorough health and nutrition survey to capture accurate diets among the older adults in Singapore.