Seasonal variation in the gonad weight and biochemical composition of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus from the Golf of Tunis (Tunisia) were studied between September 2003 and August 2004. The highest gonad indices occurred in March (16.71%). The spawning period occurred between April and July and resulted in a fall in gonad indices to low level (7.12 ± 0.12%). Protein constituted the main component of the gonad, and lipid and carbohydrate were found at appreciable amounts. Consistent with the gonad cycle, sea urchin biochemical components showed clear seasonal variation with a significant decrease during the spawning period. The polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) group was found at high level (40% of the total fatty acids). Of the PUFA group, eicosapentaenoic (C20:5 n − 3) and eicosatetraenoic (C20:4 n − 3) were the most abundant gonadal lipids. The level of PUFA was significantly affected by temperature variation showing an increase during the cold months and a decrease in the hot months.
During this study different concentrations of magnesium chloride (MgCl2) were tested on adult wild‐caught sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus) immediately after their collection in the field in order to assess whether MgCl2 can act as an anaesthetic during their transport and prevent unplanned spawning. Such accidental spawning is a stress response associated with transport of this species. The mortality and gonadal indices were recorded after a 1‐h submersion in different strength solutions of MgCl2 (5, 20, 40, 80 and 100 mmol L−1 MgCl2), followed by 5 h of dry transport under two different temperatures (19 and 25 °C). The effective concentration of MgCl2 was defined as one that does not induce mortality and gonad mass loss following sea urchin transport and laboratory conditioning. Treatment of sea urchins with 5 mmol L−1 MgCl2 prevented mortality and unplanned spawning; however, elevated concentrations of magnesium (40, 80 and 100 mM) were toxic to sea urchins, inducing a massive mortality and gonad mass decrease during the acclimatization period, essentially when sea urchins were transported under an elevated temperature (25 °C). It is concluded that MgCl2 is a suitable non‐toxic anaesthetic, easily available for adult sea urchins (P. lividus) when it is used at its optimal anaesthetizing concentration.
Pomegranate fruit is widely used in food and processing industries due to its excellent nutritional and health value. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to produce pomegranate molasses by different methods and jam from pomegranate fruit arils, and measure the main quality characteristics of these products. Also, to study the effect of these products on general antioxidative status and some immune parameters in healthy young rats.It was found that pomegranate molasses produced by rotary with sugar and pomegranate jam achieved the highest scores for overall acceptability compared with other samples. Total soluble solids of pomegranate molasses produced by rotary with sugar were higher than the other pomegranate molasses as a result of sugar addition. Meanwhile, pomegranate molasses produced by heating method showed the lowest values for all color indices compared with other products as a result of severe heat treatment. Pomegranate molasses contained higher levels of Fe, Zn and Ca than juice. Pomegranate molasses produced by rotary without sugar contained the highest polyphenols (18.93 ± 0.63 mg/100g) and total flavonoids (44.71 ± 3.54 mg/100g) levels with the highest antioxidant activity.Feeding healthy young rats on different pomegranate products caused significant reduction in liver marker enzymes AST and ALT activities but significant increase in glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx) in serum of rats relative to the control. The highest elevation in GPx activity was achieved by feeding group rat on pomegranate molasses produced by rotary without sugar at 11.75%. Also, feeding rats on different pomegranate products caused significant increase in the levels of serum iron, IgM and IgG levels. From the present results it could be concluded that, pomegranate molasses produced by rotary methods achieved the highest quality characteristics compared with other pomegranate products. Pomegranate products could be used in many foods and products to improve general antioxidative status and immune functions due to its many bioactive compounds.
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