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Mutagenesis treatment of Mortierella alpina for PUFA production enhancement for future food development
(Elsevier B.V., 2025-06) Alhattab M; Lebeau J; Singh S; Puri M
Random mutagenesis has been identified as a key tool for improving microbial and fungal strains enabling the development of isolates with improved traits suited for industrial scale metabolite production to enhance the nutritional value of future foods. Presented here, is a random mutagenesis strategy employed to assess the effect of 5-fluorouracil (20-200 µg/ml), alone and in combination with the secondary agents octyl gallate and nocodazole, and diethyl sulfate (0.1 to 1 %) chemical mutagenic agents, on the biomass and lipid production as well as the FAME profile. Interestingly, a correlation was demonstrated between 5-fluorouracil exposure time and the arachidonic acid content, which was also influenced by the concentration used. 5-fluororuracil of 100 µg/ml treatment for 48 h resulted in the highest arachidonic acid (% TFA) content in isolates. Mutant M5F047 isolated with 5-fluororuracil (100 µg/ml) alone, proved to be most superior in terms of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and arachidonic acid production, as compared to the Mortierella alpina wild type strain, with enhancements that doubled that of the parent strain. These improvements are more favorable for industrial scale production of arachidonic acid, a precursor of meaty flavour to improve plant-based meats in future food development.
Common misinterpretations of statistical significance and P-values in dairy research
(Elsevier B.V., 2025-11) Laven R; Yang DA
Careful communication of results is integral to dairy research. However, many published studies contain misinterpretation of the results of statistical analysis, which can lead to conclusions being drawn which are not consistent with the data. Many of these interpretations have arisen because of a focus on P- values rather than on the potential range of effects that are compatible with the study data. This review focuses on 3 misinterpretations: the use of levels of statistical significance to compare results between or within studies, overinterpretation of nonsignificant results, and the use of “trend” to describe results that are “close” to a significance threshold. All of these misinterpretations can be avoided by paying more attention to the range of effects that are compatible with the data. Such a focus will have many benefits—not least, making it clearer when studies have insufficient power to accurately characterize their outcomes. Focusing on compatible effects is not a panacea but will improve statistical inference and provide more thoughtful descriptions of study outcomes.
Oleaginous Microbial Lipids’ Potential in the Prevention and Treatment of Neurological Disorders
(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2024-02-06) Alhattab M; Moorthy LS; Patel D; Franco CMM; Puri M; Zhang T
The products of oleaginous microbes, primarily lipids, have gained tremendous attention for their health benefits in food-based applications as supplements. However, this emerging biotechnology also offers a neuroprotective treatment/management potential for various diseases that are seldom discussed. Essential fatty acids, such as DHA, are known to make up the majority of brain phospholipid membranes and are integral to cognitive function, which forms an important defense against Alzheimer’s disease. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have also been shown to reduce recurrent epilepsy seizures and have been used in brain cancer therapies. The ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 PUFAs is essential in maintaining physiological function. Furthermore, lipids have also been employed as an effective vehicle to deliver drugs for the treatment of diseases. Lipid nanoparticle technology, used in pharmaceuticals and cosmeceuticals, has recently emerged as a biocompatible, biodegradable, low-toxicity, and high-stability means for drug delivery to address the drawbacks associated with traditional medicine delivery methods. This review aims to highlight the dual benefit that lipids offer in maintaining good health for disease prevention and in the treatment of neurological diseases.
Economic viability of yield monitoring systems in potato farming : a comparative study between New Zealand and India : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agribusiness at Massey University, School of Agriculture and Environment, Palmerston North, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2025) Kodali, Praneeth Rayudu
India is one of the largest global producers of potatoes by volume. At the same time, New Zealand, with its significantly smaller land area and farming population, consistently achieves higher yields, better produce quality, and greater per-hectare productivity. This study investigates the economic viability of adopting Yield Monitoring Systems (YMS) in potato farming across both countries to determine whether such precision agriculture technologies can enhance profitability and efficiency in India. The research draws on secondary data from official sources, including Potato New Zealand and the Government of India, covering regional potato yields in Canterbury, Pukekohe, and Manawatu (NZ), and six Indian states. Using economic evaluation metrics—Return on Investment (ROI), Payback Period (PP), and Cost-Benefit Ratio (CBR)—the study compares outcomes across two adoption models: individual farmer-based adoption and service-based adoption via contractors or Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). Findings reveal that while YMS significantly improves farm-level profitability and efficiency in New Zealand due to larger landholdings and advanced mechanisation, direct replication of this model in India is economically unfeasible for smallholder farmers. The high initial investment, lack of economies of scale, post-harvest losses, and limited access to institutional credit act as significant barriers. The study concludes that for YMS to be viable in India, adaptation is essential—either through modular integration of YMS into existing machinery or via collective access through FPOs and Custom Hiring Centres. This comparative analysis offers a pathway for scalable YMS adoption in India, promoting precision agriculture not by direct transfer but through context-specific adaptation, institutional support, and strategic policy reallocation.
Identifying owner management decisions surrounding end-of-life care and euthanasia of geriatric horses in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Agricultural Science, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2025) Anderson, Lily
A geriatric horse is defined by its chronological, functional, or demographic age. Despite advancement on veterinary care and improved husbandry practice, death is inevitable, and geriatric horses will progressively have a decreased quality of life as they age. Regardless of a horses functional or productive benefit to humans, moral and legal responsibilities are placed on the owner to make management and end-of-life decisions in the best interest of the horse’s welfare. Few studies have explored characteristics of New Zealand horse owners, identification of the national geriatric horse population, or factors which influence owner decision making. There is also greater attention needed on the common practice of euthanasia and disposal methods in New Zealand with increasing international legislation and regional restraints. Therefore, this study aimed to describe owner management decisions surrounding end-of-life care and euthanasia of geriatric horses in New Zealand. An online survey collected data from 1,207 respondents. Over half (53%) of owners were based in Auckland, Waikato, and Manawatu-Wanganui. Most respondents identified as female (n=1,178, 98%), and nearly two thirds owned a geriatric horse (60%). Geriatric horses (>15 years) were a median of 17 years old (IQR 16-22) and were visited by their owner twice a day (n=454, 70%). Most respondents had thought about a euthanasia plan for their horse (n=821, 77%), with veterinary administered overdose of barbiturates (n=886, 83%), and burial (n=774, 72%) preferred methods for euthanasia and disposal. On a scale from 0–5 (with 5 most influential) pain and poor prognosis were rated by owners as most influential when making end-of-life decisions for their horse (median score = 5/5, IQR 5–5). This study highlighted that owners are driven by their emotional bond with their horse and are largely dependent on veterinarian support when making end-of-life, euthanasia, and disposal decisions.