Van Drunen Farms (United States)

Coffee contains various bioactive compounds with potential benefits for human health. Coffee has been shown to, and may, display neuroprotective properties, potentially preventing the onset of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Coffee by-products (pulp/husks, silverskin, and spent coffee grounds) exhibit similar phytochemistry and health benefits to coffee. They are also rich in dietary fiber, carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, and caffeine, which vary depending on the beverage processing, roasting, and preparation methods. Coffee and coffee industry by-products are sources of unique functional ingredients that affect gut microbiota. This review aims to summarize the phytochemical and nutritional composition of whole coffee cherries, coffee beans, and coffee by-products as well as their bioavailability, bioactivity, and multifunctionality in supporting human wellness, neuroprotection, and metabolic health. The bioactive compounds of coffee and its by-products suggest their unique applicability as functional food beverages, dietary ingredients, and health supplements.

Dietary polyphenols are garnering attention in the scientific community due to their potential health-beneficial properties and preventative effects against chronic diseases, viz. cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and neurodegenerative diseases. Polyphenols are antioxidants that change microbial composition by suppressing pathogenic bacteria and stimulating beneficial bacteria. The interaction of polyphenols with dietary fibers affects their bioaccessibility in the upper and lower parts of the digestive tract. Dietary fibers, polyphenols, their conjugates, and their metabolites modulate microbiome population and diversity. Consuming polyphenol-rich dietary fibers such as pomegranate, cranberry, berries, and tea improves gut health. A complex relationship exists between polyphenol-rich diets and gut microbiota for functioning in human health. In this review, we provide an overview of the interactions of dietary polyphenols, fibers, and gut microbiota, improving the understanding of the functional properties of dietary polyphenols.

Abstract Replacement females are the future of a farm, and their development can impact production. Currently, replacement gilts are housed in many different environments. Stocking density of replacement females is one factor that varies across production systems. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different stocking densities on replacement gilt reproductive performance. At 10 wk of age, DNA L241 females (n = 824; DNA Genetics, Columbus, NE) were randomly allotted to finishing pens with 3 different stocking densities. Each stocking density consisted of 12 pens of 0.71 m2 (n = 360), 0.93 m2 (n = 264), and 1.25 m2 (n = 204). Heat detection started at 20 wk of age with fence line exposure for 2 wk at 15 minutes per pen. Within pen boar exposure occurred from 22 to 31 wk of age for a minimum of 10 min per pen. Starting at 20 wk of age, females that exhibited red and swollen vulvas or standing estrus were recorded. Body weight, backfat, and loin depth measurements were collected at estrus detection. A blood progesterone assay was performed on all females at 24 wk of age. Further blood progesterone assays were performed at 27, 29 and 31 wk of age on any female for which progesterone was not detected on previous assays. Females were mated on their 2nd estrus if they were at least 136 kg or on their first estrus if they were over 145 kg. Body weight was recorded at the time of mating. For females that cycled by 31 wk, females in the 0.71 m2 treatment cycled significantly earlier than the 0.93 m2 treatment, 147 vs 153 d post-weaning respectively (P < 0.05). No difference was detected in age at mating; however, gilts in the 0.71 m2 treatment were 5.9 kg and 8.2 kg lighter than the 0.93 and 1.25 m2 treatments respectively (P < 0.01). At 31 wk of age 60% of the 0.71 m2, 71% of the 0.93 m2, and 77% of the 1.25 m2 treatments had cycled according to visual heat detection. However, according to the progesterone assay, at 31 wk of age 75% of 0.71 m2, 81% of the 0.93 m2, and 84% of the 1.25 m2 had cycled. The accuracy of visual heat detection compared with progesterone assay were 79.4% for 0.71 m2, 77.3% for 0.93 m2, and 85.8% for 1.25 m2 treatments. Overall, the 1.25 m2 treatment resulted in heavier females at mating, a greater rate of females cycling, and a more accurate detection of females cycling than the 0.71 m2 treatment. Swine producers can improve the percentage of females detected in estrus and mated in the desired period by providing additional rearing space during gilt development.

Abstract The use of nurse sows is one strategy producers use to manage increasing litter sizes. The impact of nurse sows on nursery finish performance is not well understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate differences in nursery performance given two different farrowing room management systems. Crossbred sows (n = 618) were allotted to farrowing rooms based on farrowing date (DNA L241, DNA Genetics, Columbus, NE). One treatment (NoNurse) had 0% nurse sows and the second (Nurse) had 7% nurse sows allocated per room. All pigs (n = 9,109) were individually identified and weighed at birth. Within 24 hours post farrowing, cross-fostering was allowed for both treatments. Pig movements were limited for sows with 13 to 15 live born pigs, which maximized sows rearing her own pigs. If cross-fostering occurred, pigs were moved within treatment to maximize functional teats. In both treatments, fall-behind pigs, those that were lagging in body weight gain compared with their peers, were identified, and weighed. Litter mates of the fall-behind pigs were also weighed. Fall-behind pigs were left in their original crates for the NoNurse treatment and were moved to a nurse sow for the Nurse treatment. Pigs were weaned and weaning weights were collected at approximately 21.5 days of age. At weaning, (n = 7,928) pigs were placed in commercial nurseries where mortality date and reason were recorded. Nursery mortality was not significantly different between NoNurse and Nurse treatments, with 2.34 % versus 2.64 % mortality, respectively (P = 0.48). Nursery mortality was also not significantly different for the fall-behind pigs and their litter mates in the Nurse (P = 0.80) or NoNurse treatments (P = 0.84). At approximately 10 weeks of age, a subset (n = 2,169) of pigs were placed in a research finishing barn and body weights were collected. Body weights at 10 weeks of age were 1.51 kg (P < 0.05) and 1.66 kg (P < 0.05) less for fall-behind pigs in comparison with their litter mates for the NoNurse and Nurse treatments, respectively. Body weights at 10 weeks of age for fall-behind pigs in the NoNurse treatment were 1.55 kg (P < 0.05) less than fall-behind pigs in the Nurse treatment. Management decisions can impact nursery finish performance, in this study it was observed that not utilizing nurse sows could negatively impact nursery growth, particularly for fall-behind pigs.

Calcium fructoborate (CFB) has been shown to reduce overall joint discomfort on the Western Ontario and McMaster University Arthritis Index (WOMAC) and the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ). No study has addressed the impact of CFB on the subscales of these measures, nor on individual questions. Here, we re-examined data from a previously peer reviewed and published 90-day, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study on CFB to determine whether there were subscale or individual questions differences. In the original study participants were randomized into three groups: 1) placebo, 2) a morning dose of 216mg of CFB and evening dose of placebo (CFB1), or 3) a morning and evening dose of 108mg of CFB (CFB2). Our new analyses indicated that by day 30, both CFB groups were distinguishable from placebo on the WOMAC Pain and WOMAC Activities of Daily Living subscales. Furthermore, they were distinguishable from the WOMAC Stiffness subscale by days 60 and 90 (CFB1, CFB2, respectively). Importantly, analyses of individual WOMAC questions revealed differences in at little as 14 days. For the McGill pain subscale, differences emerged by day 7 and 14 between placebo and CFB1/CFB2 groups, respectively, while the affective dimension was different from CFB groups by day 60. For the miscellaneous dimension, placebo was differentiable by day 60 and 90 (CFB1/CFB2, respectively). These data provide greater visibility into CFB’s joint health benefits and suggest that CFB’s effects support real improvements in practical aspects of daily physical activity.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible correlation between the bioactivity and the phytochemical profile of four betalain-rich extracts from Portulaca grandiflora Hook. The HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis indicated the presence of 19 betaxanthins and two betacyanins. The highest concentrations of betaxanthins (982 mg/100 g DE) and betacyanins (650 mg/100 g DE) were noticed in orange and purple flowers extracts, respectively. The HPLC-DAD-ESI-HRMS/MS analyses revealed the presence of a total of 71 compounds. Fifteen new betaxanthins and fifty other metabolites were identified for the first time. The antioxidant activity of the studied flower extracts increased in the sequence of yellow < orange < purple < red (0.066–0.176 mM TE/g DE). Betalains showed less effect on the antioxidant activity of extracts than other metabolites did. Extracts from yellow and orange flowers were more active against Gram-positive bacteria (MIC = 4–16 mg/L), whereas extracts from red and purple flowers were slightly more active against Gram-negative bacteria (MIC = 16–32 mg/L). All the extracts showed the same activity against yeasts (MIC = 32 mg/L). Betaxanthins were active against Gram-positive bacteria, whereas betacyanins were active against Gram-negative bacteria. Remaining metabolites also exhibited antimicrobial activities. The cytotoxicity assessment showed that the P. grandiflora extracts were non-toxic to normal VERO cells. No significant antiviral activity towards Human Herpesvirus type 1 was observed (62 µg/mL). Among the tested varieties, the purple one showed anticancer selectivity towards colon carcinoma cells (RKO).

In this study, quality characteristics of broccoli, kale, and spinach dried with hot air drying (AD), freeze drying (FD) and Refractance Window drying (RWD) were investigated, including phenolics, flavonoids, vitamins, glucosinolates, color, Tg and microstructure. Broccoli, kale and spinach samples dried using RWD had the highest total phenolics content (8.50, 18.77 and 12.40 mg/g, respectively). The highest retention of flavonoids was found in FD broccoli (8.98 mg/g), RWD kale (19.51 mg/g), and RWD spinach (9.31 mg/g). The FD-samples had the highest glucosinolates, followed by RWD. The FD and RWD samples also showed less color changes compared to the AD samples, which had darker color indicating chlorophyll degradation. Tg was in the range of 55–60 °C for all RWD, AD and FD vegetable samples, apart from AD broccoli which showed a slightly higher Tg. Among the 3 drying methods, the AD vegetables had a rough surface while that of the FD and RWD samples were relatively smooth. Overall, this study concludes that the quality retention in the dried vegetables is product and drying method specific and, therefore, selection of the best drying method for a product needs to be done considering both, the quality retention and energy consumption.

Abstract Antioxidant supplementation has been shown to decrease post exercise oxidative stress but can lead to decreased post-exercise muscle protein synthesis. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of the supplementation with a control feed with low antioxidant content (CONT) to a high antioxidant feed (AO), versus a high antioxidant and branched chain amino acid feed (BCAO) on post-exercise protein synthesis and oxidative stress. Our hypothesis is that supplementing AO with BCAO will reduce oxidative stress without hindering muscle protein synthesis. Eighteen mixed breed conditioned polo horses were assigned to one of the three treatments. All horses consumed CONT for 30 days and were then submitted to a lactate threshold test (LT). One hour after this and all LT, each group was assigned and given their treatments. LT were done at 15 and 30 days of supplementation. Blood was collected before, two and four hours after LT, and analyzed for oxidative stress based on glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde concentrations by ELISA. Muscle biopsies were taken before and 4 hours after LT and analyzed for the expression of protein synthesis by RT-PCR. Results were analyzed in a mixed model by ANOVA and compared by LSM. A reduction of oxidative stress was found over time (P &amp;lt; 0.050) with no treatment effect (P &amp;gt;0.50). An upregulation of protein synthesis after exercise was found for muscle primers CD36, CPT1, DK4, MyF5, and Myogenin (P &amp;lt; 0.050). There was a treatment by time effect for MyoD (P = 0.027), where AO was upregulated the most after exercise compared to BCAO and CONT. DK4 had a treatment by time effect trend (P = 0.073), where AO and BCAO were upregulated and CONT was unchanged after exercise. This study demonstrated post exercise muscle synthesis with no advantage of AO plus BCAO compared to AO.