Biography:

Jones W Ng’ambi holds a BSc Degree in Animal Sciences (University of Zambia, Zambia); MSc in Animal Nutrition (University of Aberdeen, UK) and PhD in
Animal Nutrition (University of London, UK). He is a Professor of Animal Nutrition at the University of Limpopo, Republic of South Africa. He has lectured at several
universities. He has published extensively and is a Rated Researcher in Republic of South Africa.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Broiler chickens are selected for their better feed conversion ratio and growth rates. However, their
mortality rate is high and carcasses from broiler chickens have high fat contents. Excessive fat is one of the main problems faced
by the broiler chicken industry. There is some evidence that carrot meal supplementation reduces chick mortality and improves
carcass characteristics. However, such evidence is inconclusive.
Purpose: The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of supplementing diets with carrot meal on productivity of Arbor
acre broiler chickens aged 1-21 days.

Materials & Methodology: Two hundred unsexed Arbor acre broiler chickens were randomly assigned to five treatments with
five replicates, each replication having ten birds. A completely randomized design was used in this experiment. The treatments
were 0, 20, 50, 75 or 100 g of carrot meal supplementation per kg DM (dry matter) feed. Quadratic equations were used to
determine levels of carrot meal supplementation for optimal feed intake, metabolisable energy intake and nitrogen retention
of Arbor acre broiler chickens aged 1 to 21 days. Linear equations were used to determine relationships between carrot meal
supplementation and productivity variables.

Findings: Dietary carrot meal supplementation had no effect on growth rate, live weight and feed conversion ratio of unsexed
Arbor acre broiler chickens aged 1to 21 days. Carrot meal supplementation improved metabolisable energy intake and
nitrogen retention of the chickens. Dietary metabolisable energy intake and nitrogen retention of the chickens were optimized
at different carrot meal supplementation levels of 40.5 and 53.57 g/kg DM feed, respectively.

Conclusion & Significance: Carrot meal supplementation had no effect on the performance of unsexed Arbor acre broiler
chickens aged one to 21 days. However, carrot meal supplementation improved metabolisable energy intake and nitrogen
retention. Optimal improvements of these parameters were achieved at different carrot meal supplementation levels. This has
a lot of implications in diet formulations where carrot meal is included.

Biography:

David A Brown is presently a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Animal Production, University of Limpopo, Republic of South Africa. His expertise lies is
in ruminant nutrition. His current research interest includes: i) browsing plant utilization in ruminant. ii) feeding strategies to increase ruminant and non-ruminant production. iii) mitigation of greenhouse gases in ruminants utilizing plant bio-active compounds. He has presented his research findings at several international conferences including Canada, Germany, Ireland, USA and UK.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Goats play important roles in the communal areas of South Africa. However, their productivity is constrained by shortage of good quality feed, especially during the long dry season. Poor nutrition results in low productivity and death in extreme cases. Goats also emit methane (CH4) gas which contributes to loss of dietary gross energy and global warming. There is evidence that tanniniferous feeds in the diets of ruminants, such as Acacia nilotica leaves, may improve goat productivity and decrease CH4 production. However, this evidence is inconclusive.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of tanniniferous Acacia nilotica leaf meal inclusion levels on productivity and CH4 emission in yearling Boer bucks.
Materials & Methodology: Twenty-four yearling Boer bucks with an average live weight of 23±2 kg were allocated, in a completely randomized design, to four dietary treatments containing Acacia nilotica leaf meal inclusion levels of 10, 15, 20 or 30% of the total diet. The goats were fed ad libitum, allowing a 15% refusal of each diet. The experimental lasted for 21 days. Feed intake was measured throughout the study period. Methane emissions were measured using a hand-held CH4 detector. Methane produced was then read as parts per million-metre (ppm-m). The effects of Acacia nilotica leaf meal inclusion levels were subjected to analysis of covariance. Where the covariates showed no significant effect, the data was analyzed with analysis of variance at 5% level of probability with diet as a fixed factor.
Findings: Acacia nilotica leaf meal improved diet crude protein. Additionally, inclusion of Acacia nilotica leaf meal reduced CH4 emission in Boer bucks.
Conclusion & Significance: Acacia nilotica leaf meal had positive impact on animal productivityandentericmethane emissions. Thus, Acacia nilotica leaves have a potential of being a protein feed for ruminants.

Biography:

Raluca Maria Pop pursued PhD in Biotechnology (2011) and a master’s Degree in Food quality management (2010). Since 2012 she is currently working as a
Researcher in the Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology Department at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Cluj Napoca, Romania (Italy). Her research expertise focuses on the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of different drugs and plant extracts. During her research activity, she used different advanced techniques like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GS-MS), UV-VIS spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) to characterize and identify different drugs
and plant authenticity biomarkers.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Food authenticity involves a complex and comprehensive approach to food characterization at the
molecular level. Quality control assessment is an important step in assuring food authenticity. Thus, exhaustive characterization
of food matrices is required. Complex and advanced technologies are used for bioactive compound analysis. Generally, two different approaches, selective (S) - using specific and advanced techniques like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GSMS)
and, non-selective (NS) - UV-VIS (ultraviolet-visible) spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) have been used so far in authenticity evaluation. Sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) represents a valuable source of important bioactive compounds for human health and nutrition, such as fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, phenolics, carotenoids. Carotenoids and phenolic compounds received much interest being associated with lower risk of cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and eye disease, cancer or diabetes. Also, they are considered good biomarkers for quality and authenticity evaluation.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the composition of main phenolic and carotenoids compounds and to identify the specific quality and authenticity biomarkers.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: HPLC-PAD (High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Pulsed amperometric detector), GC–MS (Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy) and UHPLC–PAD–ESI- MS (Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography – Pulsed amperometric detector - Electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy) techniques were used for
carotenoids characterization. UHPLC/PDA–ESI/MS (Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic-photodiode array- Electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy) was used for phenolic compounds analysis. (NS): UV-Vis and FT-IR have been used for both carotenoids and phenolic compounds analysis.
Findings: Regarding carotenoids, berries had zeaxanthin di-palmitate and β carotene as major compounds, while leaves had lutein, β-carotene, violaxanthin and neoxanthin. Regarding phenolic compounds, berries and leaves had isorhamnetin (I) glycosides in different ratios as major compounds. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) the carotenoid and the phenolic
compounds biomarkers were identified for both berries and leaves. (NS): The specific bands for samples discrimination were also identified. Food authenticity involves a complex and comprehensive approach to food characterization at the molecular level. Quality control assessment is an important step in assuring food authenticity. Thus, exhaustive characterization
of food matrices is required. Complex and advanced technologies are used for bioactive compound analysis. Generally, two different approaches, selective (S) - using specific and advanced techniques like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GSMS)
and, non-selective (NS) - UV-VIS (ultraviolet-visible) spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) have been used so far in authenticity evaluation. Sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) represents a valuable source of important bioactive compounds for human health and nutrition, such as fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, phenolics, carotenoids. Carotenoids and phenolic compounds received much interest being associated with lower risk of cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and eye disease, cancer or diabetes. Also, they are considered good biomarkers for quality and authenticity evaluation.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the composition of main phenolic and carotenoids compounds and to identify the specific quality and authenticity biomarkers.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: HPLC-PAD (High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Pulsed amperometric detector), GC–MS (Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy) and UHPLC–PAD–ESI- MS (Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography – Pulsed amperometric detector - Electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy) techniques were used for carotenoids characterization. UHPLC/PDA–ESI/MS (Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic-photodiode array- Electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy) was used for phenolic compounds analysis. (NS): UV-Vis and FT-IR have been used for both carotenoids and phenolic compounds analysis.
Findings: Regarding carotenoids, berries had zeaxanthin di-palmitate and β carotene as major compounds, while leaves had lutein, β-carotene, violaxanthin and neoxanthin. Regarding phenolic compounds, berries and leaves had isorhamnetin (I) glycosides in different ratios as major compounds. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) the carotenoid and the phenolic
compounds biomarkers were identified for both berries and leaves. (NS): The specific bands for samples discrimination were
also identified.

Biography:

Carmen Ghantous is a registered dietitian who founded Carmen’s Diet Clinic in 2013. She offers nutrition and wellness counselling to individuals and corporations. He a specialist in weight management, diabetes, cholesterol, triglycerides treatments, athletes, children, pregnant, breastfeeding women and elderly people nutrition.In addition to Carmen’s aforementioned qualifications, Carmen’s owe three clinics located in different regions in Beirut and she is the health analyst for Unilever Lebanon, Acuvue , Sohnele and Braun products.To help teen achieve improved health, weight loss and overall well-being, Carmen has implemented also a nutrition therapy program for high school students ( St Joseph School) during 2015-2016 and scheduled seminars at Ecole Secondaire des Filles de La Charite -Achrafieh ,College Saint Famille-Fanar , and the Lebanese American University (LAU) Beirut. Carmen is graduated from the Holy Spirit University in Nutrition and Food Studies and completed her dietetic residency at the Lebanese Hospital Geitawi Lebanon. Carmen’s involvement with her patients is not limited to schedule clinic appointments; she also plans regular free nutrition seminars and collaborates with a personal trainer and psychologist to give her patients a comprehensive approach to health living. Carmen has been quoted on MTV at The Doctors show, on AL Jadeed TV with Chef Richard, Radio One Lebanon with Gavin Ford, Light FM with Tanguy Focon & Lebnen El Hor station (every Wednesday until today) . She has also written articles in AL NAHAR Newsletters and AL NASHRA OnlineNews. Carmen’s has participated also in all the international events that took place in Biel (like INSHAPE exhibition 2015, RAMADANIYAT exhibition 2015-2016 and BEIRUT COOKING FESTIVAL 2016 ..

Abstract:

National Diabetes Month is observed every November so individuals, health care professionals, organizations, and communities across the country should bring attention and awareness to diabetes and its impact on millions of people.
Diet & Diabetes: This theme highlights the importance of managing diabetes to prevent diabetes- related health problems such as heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, vision loss, and amputation. The theme also serves as a reminder to people who may be struggling with the demands of managing diabetes that they can fight these undesirable troubles by the diet. This presentation
is prepared as community awareness campaign for managing diabetes for a longer, healthier life and it will includes why diet is important (fast facts on diabetes and objective), healthy eating (meal plan and dietary advices for diabetes), control the quantity of fats and carbohydrates, importance of weight management and physical activity, and we will finalize by 10 tips for
a fit life and body.

Biography:

Paloma Collado is a professor of psychobiology at the National University of Distance Education (UNED) in Spain. She obtained her PhD in psychobiology in 1990. Her research has been focused since the beginning of her career in the field of physiological psychology, and for the last fifteen years, on the mechanisms involved in the development of the cerebral circuits that control food intake in rodents. Particularly, this research has focused on the vulnerability of brain circuits that regulate energy homeostasis to under- and over -nutrition, and also on the factors that could modulate the adverse effects that an inadequate nutrition produces during development. She has developed this research as principal Investigator of different grants in collaboration with researchers from the University of Cambridge, the University of Turin and the Department of Endocrinology at the University Hospital Niño Jesus. Her research has been published in international peer-reviewed journals.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Adequate nutrition during the early stages of life is crucial for proper development of the neurohormonal systems that control food intake. Numerous investigations have shown that both under- and over-nutrition produce alterations in the functioning of the systems that regulate energy metabolism, and some of these alterations have been shown to be different in male and female rats. In the past decade it has been shown that leptin acts as a trophic factor during development in the programming of hypothalamic circuits that control energy metabolism. Our hypothesis is that estradiol, which shares with leptin the pathway to regulate food intake, could modulate the alterations produced by under- or over-nutrition during the early postnatal stage.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Male and female Wistar rats were submitted to a high fat (HFD) (34.9% fat), low protein (LP) (8%) or a control diet from gestational day 6. From postnatal (P) 6 to P13, both control and HFD/LP groups were administered a s.c. injection of vehicle or estradiol benzoate (0.4 mg/kg). Body weight, food intake and subcutaneous, visceral, and brown fat pads were measured. Hypothalamic neuropeptide content was analyzed by RT-PCR and plasma estradiol levels were measured by ELISA.

Findings: Changes in several physiological and neuroendocrinological parameters due to malnutrition and overnutrition were differentially detected in male and female rats, with more significant physiological changes found in males and neuroendocrinological changes found in females.

Conclusion&Significance:Our results confirm that estradiol during development modulates the alterations produced by malnutrition and might suggest a possible role of estradiol in the programming of the circuits that regulate energy metabolism. In addition, they confirm the importance f studying males and females in order to disentangle the mechanisms underlying food intake to prevent the onset of feeding disorders.