Journal of Nutrition Science Research
Open Access

Nutritional status; under nutrition; Comparative crosssectional; Nutritional history; Growth; Nutrient utilization; Plant based diet; Protein metabolism; Gene expression

Introduction

In 2018, 342 thousand MT (86%) of the 396 thousand MT of aquaculture production in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) came from freshwater rearing systems. The majority (80%) of freshwater fish farming is based on low-production-intensity pond culture, which entails technologies of polyculture of various carp species, with the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) being the most often used farmed organism, accounting for 75-80% of pond farming . The most effective strategy to meet the rising market demand for this species is most likely to maximise output utilising an intense aquaculture system. The availability of high-quality feeds at fair prices is crucial for the success of intensive culture techniques. In the past year, increased carp production has increased pressure for the development of suitable fish diet [1-5].

The most significant and popular protein component for the aquaculture feed industry is still fish meal. However, there are serious concerns over the feedstuff’s long-term availability for use in fish diets in addition to its expensive price. Therefore, a total replacement of fish meal is necessary from an economic and sustainable perspective. According to this scenario, fishmeal and fish oil could be replaced by plant-based proteins in fish feed. High levels of plant proteins in fish feed, however, have been shown to have a negative impact on growth performance and feed utilisation efficiency, primarily because of the anti-nutritional components [6-7]. The elimination of anti-nutritional components from a plant-based diet comes at greater expense, which frequently reduces profit margins and may be unfeasible from an economic standpoint. A promising tactic to encourage sustainable feeding practices in aquaculture in this situation, where the removal of anti-nutritional factors may have limited practical value for commercial fish producers, is to adapt the fish to a plant-based diet rather than changing their diet [8-10].

In this respect, research in vertebrates, including mammals, indicated that dietary events during the early stages of life can permanently alter metabolic status and the capacity to efficiently utilise nutrients during later stages of life. Through the use of nutritional programming during the early life stage of the cultured fish, these kinds of investigations stimulate new ideas for developing strategies to train metabolism for better consumption of a plant-based diet during the growing period. The long-term metabolic effects of early nutritional programming with feeding of a high-carbohydrate diet during the first exogenous feeding were determined by a recent study in zebra fish (Danio rerio) [11]. Due to the nutritional stimulus of high carbohydrate during the first feeding, adult fish fed a high carbohydrate diet showed altered digestion, transport, and metabolism capacity as well as expression of genes associated with carbohydrate catabolism without compromising growth. Similar results were found following early short-term feeding of the same diet to fry in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus my kiss), which showed increased acceptance and utilization of plant-based diet. However, vertebrates exhibit developmental plasticity before the exogenous feeding period, which enables the organism to adjust to the challenging postpartum environment. Fish embryogenesis and the majority of organ development happen before the eggs hatch, and this process is heavily influenced by the nutrition of the bloodstock. Less is known about the long-term effects of broodstock nutrition on the performance of the progeny during the juvenile or adult phases, despite the fact that the relevance of broodstock nutrition for embryonic and larval development has been extensively documented [12].

Therefore, the main goal of the current study was to investigate the effects of a complete switch from a fish-based diet to a plant-based diet on the behaviour of young common carp that were bred from broodstock with a similar nutritional history. With this goal in mind, the current study also sought to determine whether a common carp’s nutritional history had any bearing on its future performance and dietary usage [13].

Discussion

The results of the current study indicated that under-five-year- olds who consumed a diet based on M. stenopetala had a relatively reduced prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight than those who did not. This investigation verified that eating a diet based on M. stenopetala helps to lessen the burden of under nutrition in the study environment [14]. This result was consistent with a study comparing the effects of a moringa powder supplement on children under the age of five in Burkina Faso, which found that groups receiving the supplement experienced faster recovery times-an average stay of 36 days compared to 57 days for those not receiving it-and higher average weight gains (8.9 g/kg/day versus 5.7 g/kg/day in the non-receiving group). The high protein content of M. stenopetala-based diets, which is easily digestible and rich in key amino acids and other essential micronutrients, improved nutritional status among children consuming participation. By meeting children’s protein needs and boosting their immune systems, M. stenopetala leaves’ high quality protein content helped to slow down linear growth retardation [15].

The raw leaves of M. stenopetala contain larger amounts of calcium, crude fibre, and carbs, as well as 9% more crude protein than kale and Swiss chard. With an average of 28 mg of vitamin C and 160 g of beta carotene per 100 g, vitamins are present in levels that are nutritionally relevant. M. stenopetala has a significant impact on the battle against undernutrition in children and the improvement of all forms of malnutrition due to its greater levels of various micro and macronutrient composition [16]. This discovery, coupled with the high protein content of M. olifera’s nutrient-dense leaves, has led to widespread use of the plant by physicians, healers, nutritionists, and community leaders to cure undernutrition and a range of ailments. M. stenopetala’s potential as a protein and energy supplement for people and ruminant cattle was also highlighted by the chemical makeup of its leaves and seeds. Additionally, the nutritional qualities of M. stenopetala can be quite advantageous for feeding both humans and animals [17].

Conclusion

According to the results of the current study, eating a diet based on M. stenopetala was significantly associated with a lower incidence of stunting and wasting in children under the age of five in areas where the plant grows luxuriantly. As a result, careful consideration should be given to the large-scale planting of M. stenopetala trees for future foodbased under nutrition interventions.

Strength and limitation of the study

This is the first comparative community-based study of its kind to evaluate how M. stenopetala consumption affects the burden of undernutrition in children under the age of five. It may be difficult to determine a temporal association between exposures and outcomes because this is a cross-sectional study, but it can still be used as a benchmark for future research.

Acknowledgement

None

Conflict of Interest

None

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