Elemental and macromolecular modifications in Triticum aestivum L. plantlets under different cultivation conditions

Nutritional Significance of Wheatgrass: Cultivation Practices and Opportunities for its Processing and Preservation

BACKGROUND

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the nutritional composition and bioactive compounds found in wheatgrass, including chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds, as well as their associated health benefits. The review focuses on various cultivation practices, preservation techniques, and the current utilization of wheatgrass as a whole. Additionally, the potential toxicity of wheatgrass has been discussed. Wheatgrass, a nutrient-rich grass, possesses significant pharmacological and therapeutic qualities. In the present scenario, wheatgrass is available in the form of juice, powder, and tablets, and is incorporated into various food products through different processing treatments.

METHOD

Information and data regarding wheatgrass cultivation practices, processing, and preservation methods were collected from scientific sources, including Google Scholar, ResearchGate, ScienceDirect, fig, Web of Science, and Scopus databases.

RESULT

Wheatgrass is a highly valuable source of diverse nutrient compounds. Various cultivation methods, such as indoor and outdoor techniques using different growing mediums, have been employed for wheatgrass production. Recent methods for wheatgrass preservation have been suggested to enhance the bioactive compounds present in wheatgrass.

CONCLUSION

Numerous studies have demonstrated that the consumption of wheatgrass and wheatgrass- based products can help control diabetes, atherosclerosis, kidney and colon diseases, anemia, and certain types of cancer. The smaller size of wheatgrass allows for easier assimilation of its beneficial compounds. Creating awareness among consumers about the nutritional profile and therapeutic properties of wheatgrass is crucial in order to maximize its market potential.

Effects of Hybrid Polymeric Material Based on Polycaprolactone on the Environment

Polymers are of great interest in areas such as agriculture, medicine and pharmacy, the food and cosmetic industries, and the chemical and construction industries. However, many polymers are nonbiodegradable and are not environmentally friendly. They are highly resistant to degradation and therefore can lead to waste disposal problems. In recent years, the interest in the microbial degradation of polymeric materials has grown due to the desire for less waste pollution in the environment. In this study, the biodegradable polymer that was obtained by the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (CL) using an aminopropyl-polydimethylsiloxane (APDMS) oligomer and the effects of the polymer towards the growth and development of tomato plants (Lypercosium esculentum) were investigated. The obtained product was characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDX) analysis, and the effects of this compound on the evolution of tomato plants (Lypercosium esculentum) were studied. We also studied the biological stability of the product by identifying some of the microorganisms that developed on the surface, given its susceptibility to biodegradation.

Wheat and Barley Grass Juice Addition to a Plant-Based Feed Improved Growth and Flesh Quality of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Simple Summary

Several plant extract additives are being increasingly used in aquaculture for their positive effects on fish growth and immunity. Plant extract additives are called phytogenics. The chemical composition of the additives influences their biological activity. The plant extracts used in this study were wheat grass juice and barley grass juice. Their inclusion in a plant-based diet for common carp improved growth performance and flesh quality. The positive effects of the plant extracts could be attributed to their contents of unsaturated fatty acids, essential amino acids, sugars and organic acids.

Abstract

Phytogenics are plant extract additives used for their bioactive properties. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of plant extracts, wheat grass juice (WGJ) and barley grass juices (BGJ) addition to fish diet on growth and meat quality of common carp. Fish (51 ± 33 g initial weight) were fed for four weeks with three plant-based diets: (1) control feed (Con), (2) control feed supplemented with 2% WGJ (Con+WGJ), and (3) control feed supplemented with 2% BGJ (Con+BGJ). The results showed that the inclusion of the two juices in the plant-based feed stimulated the growth and improved meat quality by lowering the fat and ash content. Feed conversion ratio and condition factor were not affected. There were no significant differences in Fe and Zn contents of meat; however, Cu decreased, while Mn was lower in the Con+WGJ group and higher in the Con+BGJ group compared to Con. A high content of unsaturated fatty acids (FA, oleic acid and linoleic acid) and desirable ratios of saturated/unsaturated FA (0.27–0.29) and Ω6/Ω3 (2.5–2.78) were found in all groups. The juices were characterized in terms of lipid profile and polar compounds by GC-MS technique. The observed positive effects can be attributed to the rich composition of juices that included unsaturated FA, amino acids, sugars and organic compounds.

Assessment of the Fertilization Capacity of the Aquaculture Sediment for Wheat Grass as Sustainable Alternative Use

Periodic removal of sediment from aquaculture ponds is practiced to maintain their productivity and animal welfare. The recovery of sediment as a plant fertilizer could alleviate the costs of sediment removal. The objective of this study was to test the effects of a dried sediment, extracted from an aquaculture pond used for common carp cultivation, on the growth and physiology of potted wheat grass and the quality of the juice obtained from wheat grass. The results showed that sediment application did not produce significant morphological changes, although the values for plant height (16.94-19.22 cm), leaf area (19.67-139.21 mm2), and biomass (3.39-4.26 g/plant) were higher in sediment-grown plants. However, at a physiological level, the effect was negative, decreasing photosynthesis (0.82-1.66 μmol CO2 m2s-1), fluorescence ΦPSII (0.737-0.782), and chlorophyll content (1.40-1.83 CCI). The juice yield was reduced in the sediment treatments (46-58 g/100 g), while the quality was improved by increasing the content of phenols (2.55-3.39 µg/mL gallic acid equivalent), flavonoids (1.41-1.85 µg/mL quercetin equivalent), and antioxidant activity (47.99-62.7% inhibition of; 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). The positive results obtained in this study can be attributed to the moderate nutrient content of the sediment and a negligible concentration of heavy metals.

Evaluation of Diet Supplementation with Wheat Grass Juice on Growth Performance, Body Composition and Blood Biochemical Profile of Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Wheat grass juice (WGJ) is an extract of young wheat plantlets (Triticum aetivum L.) used worldwide for its health related properties. In this study, the following feeds containing WGJ were tested on common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.): Control (C), WGJ1% (V1), WGJ2% (V2) and WGJ4% (V3) w/w. Fish with an average initial weight of 102 g/individual were grown in a recirculating aquaculture system. The results showed that WGJ had stimulatory effects on growth performance. Accordingly, final body weight increased by 11% at V1, 39% at V2 and 23% at V3, while other indices (feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, relative growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, and condition factor) were unaffected. Body composition analyses revealed a significant decrease in fat content at V2 and a significant increase in collagen and ash at the same variant, while the protein content was unmodified. Regarding the blood profile, significant increases in the content of albumin, globulin, total protein, and calcium were recorded in the variants with WGJ. The positive results of WGJ on carp can be attributed to its biochemical composition, which is rich in chlorophyll (4.71 mg mL^-1), total phenols (164 µg mL^-1 gallic acid equivalents), and high antioxidant activity (67% inhibition of DPPH 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). The results suggest WGJ can be used as a promising feed additive for common carp.

Effect of growing conditions on proximate, mineral, amino acid, phenolic composition and antioxidant properties of wheatgrass from different wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties

Wheatgrass juice powder (WJP) from four wheat varieties grown using soil, coco-peat with nutrient solution (CNS) and water (soaked (8 h), germinated (36 h) and harvested on 10th day) were examined for proximate composition, mineral, amino acid, phenolic (free and bound) composition and antioxidant properties. The yield, ash and protein contents of WJP ranged between 4.88-7.87%, 5.18-15.93% and 38.75-50.17%, respectively. The total phenolic, flavonoid, chlorophyll content (TCC) and antioxidant activity varied from 12.02 to 17.44 mg GAE/g, 4.38-10.10 mg QE/g, 3.01-5.63 mg/g, and 13.54-17.33 μmol TE/g, respectively. HD-3086 grown using soil exhibited highest antioxidant properties, TCC and Mg content. WJP of C-306 grown using CNS had abundant essential amino acids (AAs). Phenolic acids (ferulic, syringic and sinapic acids) and flavonoids (catechin, rutin, vitexin and isovitexin) and minerals (K, P, Ca, Mg, Na and Fe) were predominant in WJP. The AAs and free phenolics were more in CNS and soil grown WJP, respectively.