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The experiment aimed to investigate the impact of replacing soybean meal with castor meal as a feed on the growth and development, as well as the influence on intestinal microorganisms of Hermetia illucens larvae. The Hermetia illucens larvae were divided into three groups: Soybean meal group (SM group), 50% soybean meal and 50% castor meal group (SCM group), and castor meal group (CM group), with three replicates for each group. Parameters such as larval survival, body weight, and body length were measured, and changes in crude protein and crude fat content in larvae and larval frass, as well as the intestinal bacterial community of larvae, were analyzed. The experiment lasted for 12 days. The results showed that the crude protein and crude fat content in the larval frass of the CM group were significantly lower than those in the other two groups (P<0.05). 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that castor meal had no significant impact on the major types, abundance, and diversity of intestinal bacteria in the larvae (P>0.05). The Hermetia illucens larvae in the CM group exhibited faster growth, with significantly higher crude protein and crude fat content compared to the SM group (P<0.05), while the mortality rate showed no significant difference (P>0.05). The study suggests that replacing soybean meal with castor meal as a feed is more beneficial for the growth of Hermetia illucens larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing fishmeal (FM) with castormeal (CM) on the growth performance, immune response, antioxidant and digestive enzyme activities, intestinal morphology, and expression of inflammatory-related genes in juvenile hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × E. lanceolatus ♂). Six iso-nitrogenous (50% crude protein) and iso-lipidic (10% crude lipid) diets were formulated; namely, a reference diet (FM) containing 50% FM and five experimental diets (4% (CM4), 8% (CM8), 12% (CM12), 16% (CM16), and 20% (CM20)) in which FM protein was substituted with CM at varying levels to feed fish (initial weight: 9.12 ± 0.01 g) for 8 weeks. The results showed that the final weight, weight gain rate, and specific growth rate were highest in the FM, CM4, and CM8 groups, whereas the feed conversion ratio, hepatosomatic and viscerosomatic indexes were significantly enhanced in the CM4 group in comparison to the others. The CM4 and CM12 groups were observed to show the highest intestinal length index values compared to the other groups, with the CM20 revealing the worst growth performance. The serum total protein content first increased (P < 0.05) in the CM4 group and decreased (P < 0.05) afterward. Nonetheless, a decreasing significant (P < 0.05) cholesterol and triglyceride contents were witnessed with the increasing replacement of FM with CM. Compared to the control group, a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the activities of serum and liver immunoglobulin-M, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity, and complement-3 (except serum activity for CM12 group); liver lysozyme; intestinal amylase, and lipase, was witnessed in the CM groups. However, the serum lysozyme activity was highest (P < 0.05) in the CM4 group and lowest in the CM20 group. While the least serum malondialdehyde contents were observed in the CM4 group, that of the liver malondialdehyde was least witnessed in the FM, CM4, CM8, CM12, and CM16 groups as compared to the CM20. The intestinal histological examination revealed a significantly decreasing trend for villi height and villi width with increasing replacement levels. However, the muscle thickness, crypt depth, and type II mucus cells first increased upto 4% replacement level and later decreased. The increasing of dietary replacement levels significantly up-regulated pro-inflammatory (il-1β , tnf-α , myd88 , ifn-γ , tlr-22 , and il-12p40) and down-regulated anti-inflammatory (il-10 , tgf-β , mhc-iiβ) and anti-bacterial peptide (epinecidin and hepcidin) mRNA levels in the intestine. The mRNA levels of il-6 was up-regulated firstly upto 4 and 8% replacement levels, and later down-regulated with increasing replacement. These results suggested that, although higher dietary CM replacement enhances the immune, antioxidant and digestive enzymes, it aggravates intestinal inflammation. Replacing 4 and 8% of FM with CM could enhance the growth performance of fish. • The effects of Castormeal (CM) on immune responses and gut health of hybrid grouper was evaluated. • Results suggest 4% and 8% replacement of fishmeal (FM) with CM could help to improve the growth performance. • Higher replacement of CM enhances immune response and antioxidant enzyme activities. • Higher replacement of FM with CM induces enteritis in hybrid grouper fish. • Replacement of FM with CM causes significant effects on the expression of inflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial peptide genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensification of aquaculture to help kerb global food security issues has led to the quest for more economical new protein-rich ingredients for the feed-based aquaculture since fishmeal (FM, the ingredient with the finest protein and lipid profile) is losing its acceptability due to high cost and demand. Although very high in protein, castor meal (CM), a by-product after oil-extraction, is disposed-off due to the high presence of toxins. Concurrently, the agro-industrial wastes’ consistent production and disposal are of utmost concern; however, having better nutritional profiles of these wastes can lead to their adoption. This study was conducted to identify potential biomarkers of CM-induced enteritis in juvenile hybrid-grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus♂) using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) alongside their growth and distal intestinal (DI) health evaluation. A total of 360 fish (initial weight = 9.13 ± 0.01g) were randomly assigned into three groups, namely, fish-meal (FM) (control), 4% CM (CM4), and 20% CM (CM20). After the 56-days feeding-trial, the DI tissues of FM, CM4, and CM20 groups were collected for metabolomics analysis. Principal components analysis and partial least-squares discriminant-analysis (PLS-DA, used to differentiate the CM20 and CM4, from the FM group with satisfactory explanation and predictive ability) were used to analyze the UPLC-MS data. The results revealed a significant improvement in the growth, DI immune responses and digestive enzyme activities, and DI histological examinations in the CM4 group than the others. Nonetheless, CM20 replacement caused DI physiological damage and enteritis in grouper as shown by AB-PAS staining and scanning electron microscopy examinations, respectively. The most influential metabolites in DI contents identified as the potential biomarkers in the positive and negative modes using the metabolomics UPLC-MS profiles were 28 which included five organoheterocyclic compounds, seven lipids, and lipid-like molecules, seven organic oxygen compounds, two benzenoids, five organic acids and derivatives, one phenylpropanoids and polyketides, and one from nucleosides, nucleotides, and analogues superclass. The present study identified a broad array of DI tissue metabolites that differed between FM and CM diets, which provides a valuable reference for further managing fish intestinal health issues. A replacement level of 4% is recommended based on the growth and immunity of fish.

In Taiwan, castor meal (CM) is often used by farmers as an organic fertilizer for the supplement of plant nutrition. It can rapidly increase nitrogen availability for crops. However, the excessive application of CM will affect the ecosystem. This study was conducted to evaluate the optimum concentration of CM that can be used as a fertilizer for balancing crop production and soil ecosystem health (by considering earthworms). Pak choi was selected for the experiment. A randomized block design with three replications was used, with treatments consisting of five concentrations of CM (namely 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg/0.1 ha) and fermented livestock compost 800 kg/0.1 ha, represented as CM25, CM50, CM100, CM150, CM200, and LC800, respectively. The results revealed that soil properties, leaf nutrient concentration, and plant traits, namely plant diameter, plant height, and fresh and dry root and shoot matter, improved with the increasing concentrations of CM, and CM100–CM200, and led to the highest production of pak choi which was equivalent to that with LC800. However, the weight of earthworms decreased as CM concentrations increased. The weight of earthworms was similar between CM25, CM50, CM100, and LC800. In conclusion, given the characteristics of high nitrogen as a fertilizer, the optimal dose of CM was 100–150 kg/0.1 ha for obtaining a balance between crop production and ecosystem safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, γ-alumina and zeolite ZSM-5 were used as catalysts to examine their effects on the pyrolysis of castor meal. The operation conditions for the pyrolysis were a pyrolytic temperature of 400 °C, residence time of 120 min, heating rate of 20 °C/min, and nitrogen flow rate of 200 mL/min. With the addition of catalysts, significant variations in pyrolytic products was observed, and the presence of γ-alumina and zeolite ZSM-5 slightly reduced the pyrolytic oil yield. However, the thermal analysis results demonstrate that the catalysts changed the pyrolysis mode and enhanced the hydrogenation/deoxygenation reaction and removed oxygen as CO, CO 2 , and H 2 O. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and viscosity analysis were also performed. With the addition of catalysts, the pyrolytic oil consisted of lighter compounds. The viscosity of the pyrolytic oil decreased significantly, and its viscosity index and calorific value increased. Therefore, catalytic pyrolysis can improve the quality of pyrolytic oil, and adding γ-alumina decreases the pyrolysis temperature from 339 °C to 284 °C. In addition, for the deoxygenating ability, the effect of γ-alumina will be greater than that of zeolite ZSM-5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orchid fertilization is fundamental for a satisfactory plant growth and development for commercial orchid production as well as in collections. Mineral and/or organic sources can be used for fertilization. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the use of organic and/or mineral fertilizers on the nutrition and growth of orchid (Laelia purpurata 'werkhanserii' x L. lobata 'Jeni') seedlings in greenhouse. The following fertilizers were tested: an NPK fertilizer + micronutrients; a Ca source in the form of calcium nitrate; two organic fertilizers, one prepared with a mixture of bone meal, castor meal and ash, and a similar commercial fertilizer. The organic fertilizers were distributed on the surface of the pots every two months and the minerals were applied weekly to the substrate in 25 mL aliquots of a solution containing 1 g L-1 of the respective fertilizer. The plant response to the application of mineral together with organic fertilizer was better, with higher dry matter production than by the isolated application of each fertilizer (organic or mineral). The treatments with calcium nitrate + NPK fertilizer did not differ significantly from the use of NPK fertilizer, probably due to the S deficiency detected in a mineral analysis of the tissues. Commercial organic fertilizer had a very elevated B level, leading to toxicity symptoms, reduced growth and necrotized tips of the older leaves in all fertilized treatments.A fertilização de orquídeas é fundamental para crescimento e desenvolvimento satisfatórios tanto em orquidários comerciais quanto em coleções. Essa fertilização pode ser realizada com fontes minerais e, ou, orgânicas. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito do uso de fertilizantes orgânicos e, ou, minerais sobre a nutrição e crescimento de mudas de orquídeas (Laelia purpurata 'werkhanserii' x L. lobata 'Jeni') em casa de vegetação. Foram utilizados: um fertilizante mineral NPK + micronutrientes; uma fonte de Ca na forma de nitrato de cálcio; e dois fertilizantes orgânicos, um preparado com a mistura de farinha de ossos, torta de mamona e cinzas e outro semelhante a esse último adquirido no comércio (comercial). Os fertilizantes orgânicos foram distribuídos sobre a superfície dos vasos a cada dois meses, e os minerais foram aplicados semanalmente no substrato em alíquotas de 25 mL de uma solução contendo 1 g L-1 do respectivo fertilizante. Os resultados demonstraram melhores respostas para uso do fertilizante mineral juntamente com o fertilizante orgânico, apresentando maior produção de matéria seca das plantas em relação ao uso isolado de cada fertilizante (orgânico ou mineral). Os tratamentos que receberam nitrato de cálcio adicionalmente ao fertilizante NPK não apresentaram diferenças significativas em comparação ao uso do fertilizante NPK, provavelmente por deficiência de S, evidenciada na análise mineral dos tecidos. O fertilizante orgânico comercial mostrou teor muito elevado de B, refletindo em sintomas de toxidez, crescimento reduzido e extremidades de folhas mais velhas necrosadas, em todos os tratamentos que receberam esse fertilizante.

Castor beans are one of the world's top ten oil crops, with approximately 50% castor oil and 50% castor meal being obtained after a two-stage pressing process (cold and hot pressing). Nevertheless, castor meal still contains a significant amount of residual oil, due to the mechanical limitations of current pressing technology, and this can be further extracted from by means of thermal pyrolysis. In the study, the Taguchi method is performed to optimize the thermal pyrolysis of castor meal in order to maximize the yield of pyrolytic oil. The effects of different parameters on castor meal pyrolysis are investigated, namely the pyrolytic temperature, residence time, heating rate and nitrogen flow rate. The pyrolysis control factors were selected and categorized into three levels. Based on the Taguchi design concept, an L 9 orthogonal array was chosen for the experiments. The results show that the maximum yield of 19.61% (g-pyrolytic oil/g-castor meal) pyrolytic oil is obtained when the castor meal is subjected to a pyrolytic temperature of 400 °C, residence time of 120 min, heating rate of 20 °C/min, and the nitrogen flow rate of 200 mL/min. The effective sequence of different parameters on castor meal pyrolysis is the nitrogen flow rate, pyrolytic temperature, residence time and heating rate, respectively. The results of the experiment confirm that there were some differences between the theoretical and experimental yields because of certain assumptions in the Taguchi method and the non-uniformity of castor meal. As to the external energy input for castor meal pyrolysis, a preliminary assessment of electric power consumption was 3.27 kW-hr for the treatment of 1 kg castor meal at 400 °C for a period of 60 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensification of aquaculture to help kerb global food security issues has led to the quest for more economical new protein-rich ingredients for the feed-based aquaculture since fishmeal (FM, the ingredient with the finest protein and lipid profile) is losing its acceptability due to high cost and demand. Although very high in protein, castor meal (CM), a by-product after oil-extraction, is disposed-off due to the high presence of toxins. Concurrently, the agro-industrial wastes' consistent production and disposal are of utmost concern; however, having better nutritional profiles of these wastes can lead to their adoption. This study was conducted to identify potential biomarkers of CM-induced enteritis in juvenile hybrid-grouper ( Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂) using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) alongside their growth and distal intestinal (DI) health evaluation. A total of 360 fish (initial weight = 9.13 ± 0.01g) were randomly assigned into three groups, namely, fish-meal (FM) (control), 4% CM (CM4), and 20% CM (CM20). After the 56-days feeding-trial, the DI tissues of FM, CM4, and CM20 groups were collected for metabolomics analysis. Principal components analysis and partial least-squares discriminant-analysis (PLS-DA, used to differentiate the CM20 and CM4, from the FM group with satisfactory explanation and predictive ability) were used to analyze the UPLC-MS data. The results revealed a significant improvement in the growth, DI immune responses and digestive enzyme activities, and DI histological examinations in the CM4 group than the others. Nonetheless, CM20 replacement caused DI physiological damage and enteritis in grouper as shown by AB-PAS staining and scanning electron microscopy examinations, respectively. The most influential metabolites in DI contents identified as the potential biomarkers in the positive and negative modes using the metabolomics UPLC-MS profiles were 28 which included five organoheterocyclic compounds, seven lipids, and lipid-like molecules, seven organic oxygen compounds, two benzenoids, five organic acids and derivatives, one phenylpropanoids and polyketides, and one from nucleosides, nucleotides, and analogues superclass. The present study identified a broad array of DI tissue metabolites that differed between FM and CM diets, which provides a valuable reference for further managing fish intestinal health issues. A replacement level of 4% is recommended based on the growth and immunity of fish., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Amoah, Dong, Tan, Zhang, Chi, Yang, Liu, Yan, Yang and Zhang.)

The main objective of this work was to optimize lipase production, in terms of hydrolytic and esterification activities, by Penicillium brevicompactum and Penicillium verrucosum in solid state fermentation using agroindustrial residues as raw material. Maxima hydrolytic activities of 48.6 and 87.7 U/g were achieved when P. brevicompactum was cultured in babassu cake and castor meal, respectively. Higher esterification activities (around 244 U/g) were achieved when P. brevicompactum was used as microorganism and babassu cake as raw material. Different experimental conditions led to these promising values, clearly showing that no correlation can be attributed between hydrolytic and esterification activities. In spite of the several applications of lipases which are capable of catalyze synthesis reactions, only few works in this subject are presented in the literature, especially when low cost raw materials are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A novel extraction technique was employed to remove toxins in castor meal. • The detoxification process was optimized by response surface method. • Three toxins were simultaneously and effectively removed. • The removal rate of hemagglutinin and ricin reached 99.84 % and 99.00 %. • The treated castor meal was nontoxic verified by an acute toxicity test. Castor (Ricinus communis L.) meal, a by-product of castor oil production, is a high-quality protein source. Unfortunately, the toxic substance limits its application. Herein, a novel continuous phase transition extraction (CPTE) technology at pilot scale was explored for castor meal detoxification. The detoxification conditions were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) as: treatment time of 3 h, extraction pressure of 0.16 MPa and temperature of 84.8°C. And the removal rate of allergens, hemagglutinin, and ricin reached 79.2 %, 99.8 % and 99.0 %, respectively. The protein content of castor meal increased from 38.4% to 39.0%. The nontoxicity nature of the treated caster meal was verified via an acute toxicity tests where the mean lethal dose was >5000 mg/kg body weight. Overall, CPTE offers a novel and efficient tool for castor meal detoxification, with the superiority of non-nutrient loss, it improved the application value of castor meal and reduced the risk of environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]