Lipids stored subcutaneously serve as the main energy source for long-distance bird migration. The 2 major inputs of such lipids are dietary fats and de novo synthesis of fatty acids from acetyl-CoA derived from non-lipid sources, including ingested carbohydrates. Remarkably, relatively little is known about the specific roles of dietary fats and carbohydrates in fat-deposition processes of migratory passerines. We report the results of a large-scale field experiment complemented by a captivity experiment, aimed at testing the effects of the availability of simple carbohydrates and water on fuel deposition rates of autumn-migrating passerines in the northern Negev of Israel. We found that in the main study site, Ein Rimon, where birds mostly consume fat-rich Atlantic pistachio (Pistacia atlantica) fruits, access to both water and sucrose solution resulted in faster body mass gain. Similar patterns were evident among captive Eurasian Blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla) subjected to the same nutritional conditions. Furthermore, supplementation with sucrose solution caused a significant reduction in the consumption of fruits by Eurasian Blackcaps, indicating that their preference for the fat-rich Atlantic pistachio fruits decreased when simple carbohydrates were available. Our results show that availability of simple carbohydrates can significantly accelerate fuel deposition rates in autumn-migrating passerines. We suggest that simple carbohydrates, dissolved in a solution (e.g., nectar), can be assimilated and absorbed faster than other food types and are therefore beneficial during the first days of stopover, when digestive capacity is reduced as a result of migration flight.

Given the need to satisfy the demand for fish consumption, canned native fish has emerged as a market alternative, but it is necessary to determine the nutritional aspects of this product. The aim of this study was to characterise the lipid profile and evaluate the nutritional quality of matrinxã preserved in vegetable oil and compare these results with freshwater sardines obtained from the same type of processing and canning. Matrinxã species had higher protein content than sardines, but sardines had higher levels of moisture, lipids and total minerals. The predominant fatty acid in the canned fish samples was linoleic acid, followed by oleic acid and palmitic acid. In terms of nutritional quality, matrinxã showed higher indices of atherogenicity and thrombogenicity and lower values of the following ratios: hypocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic fatty acids; polyunsaturated/saturated and omega 6/omega 3 ratio in relation to sardines. In view of the results, it can be affirmed that Matrinxã, from a nutritional point of view, presents itself as a good alternative for the canned fish industry.

En la región nordeste de Brasil, debido a la elevada salinidad de los acuíferos, existe la necesidad de utilizar procesos de desalación. Sin embargo, estos procesos generan residuos con alta concentración salina, con significativo impacto ambiental. El objetivo de este trabajo fue el cultivo de Arthrospira platensis en tres medios de cultivo diferentes: medio de Paoletti, medio de agua salinizada y medio de agua de desecho obtenida en el proceso de desalación de acuíferos. Las microalgas fueron cultivadas en laboratorio, con condiciones controladas, en fotobiorreactores de 4 L, a 30 +/- 1 grado C y periodos de 12 horas de claridad/oscuridad con iluminación de 140 micromol/m cuadrado/s e inyección constante de aire (0,5 L/L/min). Fue verificado el efecto de los diferentes medios en la concentración celular, productividad, contenido total de lípidos y perfil de ácidos grasos. La mayor concentración celular, así como la productividad máxima fueron encontradas en el medio de agua de desecho de desalación, 4,954 (+/- 0,554) g/L y 0,225 (+/- 0,042) g/L/día respectivamente. En relación a los lípidos totales, se encontraron valores de 4,54% en el medio de agua de desecho de desalación y 4,69% en el medio de agua salinizada. En cuanto a los ácidos grasos, se obtuvieron altos índices de ácidos grasos saturados con ambos tratamientos. Con relación al ácido gamma-linolénico, se encontró en un 13,09% en el medio de agua de desecho de desalación y en un 11,95% en el medio de agua salinizada. | The need for a desalination processes in northeastern Brazil is due to the salinity of its water sources. However, these processes produce residues with high saline concentrations and a significant environmental impact. These wastewaters can be used for Arthrospira platensis cultivation. This work aimed to cultivate Arthrospira platensis in three different media: Paoletti Synthetic Medium (PSM), Salinated Water Medium (SWM) and Desalinator Wastewater Medium (DWWM). Microalgae were cultivated under controlled conditions, in 4 L photobioreactors, 30 +/- 1 deg C, 12 hours of light/dark photoperiod provided by fluorescent lamps at a light intensity of 140 micromol/square m/s and constant bubbling of air (0.5 L/L/min). The effect of different media on cell concentration, productivity, total content of lipids and fatty acids profile was verified. Higher cell concentration, as well as higher productivity was observed in DWWM: 4.954 (+/- 0.554) g/L and 0.225 (+/- 0.042) g/L/day, respectively. Concerning total lipids, the contents of 4.54% and 4.69% were observed in DWWM and SWM, respectively. High levels of saturated fatty acids were observed in both treatments. Concerning gamma-linolenic acid, the contents of 13.09% (DWWM) and 11.95% (SWM) were found.