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Meat consumption and consumer attitudes – A Norwegian perspective
Norway has lower meat consumption than other North European countries. Meat is acknowledged as important for food security in Norway, as Norway's agricultural possibilities are best suited for free-ranging and self-foraging animals. Meat has a strong position in the Norwegian diet, particularly as a centrepiece for special occasions. Good taste, product variety, and affordable price make meat a convenient choice. Norwegian consumers are not worried about animal welfare in local production, nor highly driven by environmental motives for reducing their consumption. Meat analogues have a very small market share, and taste and processing level do not make it a primary replacement for meat reducers. Still, Norwegian consumers' attitudes towards meat have become more diverse in later years. More consumer segments display meat-reducing behaviours citing both health and sustainability reasons. Females are particularly interested in reducing meat consumption, young age and urban lifestyle are other characteristics of meat reducing segments.publishedVersio
Importation of roughage to Norway - Implications for plant and animal health, zoonoses, and biodiversity. Opinion of the scientific committee of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Enviroment
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The use of tunicate (Ciona intestinalis) as a sustainable protein source in fish feed – Effects on the extrusion process, physical pellet quality and microstructure
The aim of this research was to study the effect of the replacement of fishmeal (FM) or soy protein concentrate (SPC) by tunicate meal (Ciona intestinalis) on the extrusion process, physical pellet quality, pellet expansion, and microstructure. The experiment was based on a 3-component simplex-centroid mixture design. Models with R2 in the range of 0.574–0.999 (P = 0.03 to < 0.0001) were established for specific mechanical energy (SME), temperature behind extruder die (Tdie), apparent dough viscosity in the extruder die (Vdie), pellet hardness, durability, expansion, and microstructure parameters. Increase in SME and Tdie were mainly explained by the reduced lipid content in the feed mix due to the replacement of FM with tunicate or SPC. Reduced Vdie was mainly an effect of increased tunicate level and with the lowest value found for the pure tunicate blend. There was an increase in volumetric expansion and open porosity by replacement of SPC with tunicate, explained by this decrease in Vdie. Reduced hardness and durability were found for blends high in SPC due to incomplete plasticisation. Extrudate expansion, fat adsorption capacity and leakage were explained by the extrudate microstructure measured by X-ray microtomography. Within the boundary of the chosen design, 64% of the FM can be replaced by tunicate meal without compromising physical feed quality. Due to its viscosity behaviour, tunicate meal can improve pellet expansion and fat absorption capacity of extruded feed.publishedVersio
Broodstock exposure to warming and elevated pCO<inf>2</inf> impairs gamete quality and narrows the temperature window of fertilisation in Atlantic cod
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Sulphide donors affect the expression of mucin and sulphide detoxification genes in the mucosal organs of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is a gas that affects mucosal functions in mammals. However, its detrimental effects are less understood in fish despite being known to cause mass mortality. Here we used explant models to demonstrate the transcriptional responses of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) mucosa to the sulphide donor sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS). The study focused on two groups of genes: those encoding for sulphide detoxification and those for mucins. Moreover, we performed pharmacological studies by exposing the organ explants to mucus-interfering compounds and consequently exposed them to a sulphide donor. Exposure to NaHS significantly affected the expression of sulphide:quinone oxidoreductase (sqor1, sqor2) and mucin-encoding genes (muc5ac, muc5b). The general profile indicated that NaHS upregulated the expression of sulphide detoxification genes while a significant downregulation was observed with mucins. These expression profiles were seen in both organ explant models. Pharmacological stimulation and inhibition of mucus production used acetylcholine (ACh) and niflumic acid (NFA), respectively. This led to a significant regulation of the two groups of marker genes in the gills and olfactory rosette explants. Treatment of the mucosal organ explants with the mucus-interfering compounds showed that low dose NFA triggered more substantial changes while a dose-dependent response could not be established with ACh. Pharmacological interference demonstrated that mucins played a crucial role in mucosal protection against H2S toxicity. These results offer insights into how a sulphide donor interfered with mucosal responses of Atlantic salmon and are expected to contribute to our understanding of the least explored H2S-fish interactions—particularly at the mucosa.Sulphide donors affect the expression of mucin and sulphide detoxification genes in the mucosal organs of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)publishedVersio
Improved fillet quality in harvest-size Atlantic salmon fed high n-3 canola oil as a DHA-source
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Chemical Profiling and Biological Activity of Extracts from Nine Norwegian Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
There is an increased interest in identifying beneficial compounds of plant origin that can be added to animal diets to improve animal performance and have a health-promoting effect. In the present study, nine herb species of the Norwegian wild flora or which can be cultivated in Norway were selected for phytogenic evaluation (hops, maral root, mint, oregano, purslane, rosemary, roseroot, sweet wormwood, yarrow). Dried herbs were sequentially extracted with dichloromethane (DCM), ethanol (EtOH) and finally water (H2O) by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). The UAE protocol was found to be more rational than conventional Soxhlet with respect to DCM extraction. Total extraction yield was found to be highest for oregano (Origanum vulgare) with 34.4 g 100−1 g dry matter (DM). H2O-extracts gave the highest yields of the three solvents, with up to 25 g 100−1 g DM for purslane (Portulaca oleracea ssp. sativa) and mint (Mentha piperita). EtOH- and H2O-extracts were the most efficient extracts with respect to free radical scavenging capacity (ABTS (=2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and oregano, mint, hops (Humulus lupulus) and maral root-leaves (Leuzea carthamoides) were found to be the most efficient antioxidant sources. Hops (EtOH-extract) contained α- and β-acids, xanthohumols, chlorogenic acid and the hitherto unreported 3-O-glucosides of kaempferol and quercetin. Maral root-leaves contained among other compounds hexosides of the 6-hydroxy- and 6-methoxy-kaempferol and -quercetin, whereas roseroot (Rosea rhodiola) revealed contents of rosavin, rhodiosin and rhodionin. Sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua) contained chlorogenic acid and several derivatives thereof, scopoletin and poly-methylated flavones (eupatin, casticin, chrysoplenetin). Antimicrobial potential of different plant extracts was demonstrated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using the indicator organisms Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, and the Atlantic salmon bacterial pathogens Moritella viscosa, Tenacibaculum finnmarkense and Aliivibrio wodanis. DCM extracts possessed the highest activities. Data demonstrate the potential ability of herb extracts as natural antimicrobials. However, future safety studies should be performed to elucidate any compromising effect on fish health.publishedVersio
Opportunities and barriers for food intake in older age – a Norwegian perspective
Background: The ageing processes occur slowly over time and are often not detectable by the individual. Thus, preparing for dietary needs in later years should start at an earlier age than most people realise. Objective: This study aims at better understanding what characterises food-related practices in active, home-living older adults, in order to identify food-related factors that act as barriers and those that promote healthy ageing. Design: Three experiments were conducted: First, a web-based quantitative survey to collect information about home-living older adults’ food-related behaviours (67+ years, N = 1,005). Second, two focus groups with respondents 67–74 years (N = 7) and 75–84 years (N = 6) to elicit aspects not adequately covered in the survey. Third, 10 individual interviews to provide in-depth insights. Results: Two distinct groups were identified in the survey; 67–79 years and 80+ years. The older age group experienced more barriers and restrictions in food intake and food-related behaviours compared to the younger group. Good taste, routines and social settings were important for appetite and food intake. Discussion: Using a mixed-methods approach proved valuable for extracting information and a better understanding of what impacts on food-related aspects amongst older adults. Strategies for upholding a healthy food intake involve establishing daily routines and meeting arenas where older adults can socialise and eat food together. Conclusion: This study confirmed that knowledge of older adults’ physical needs, barriers and abilities must be a part in preparation for a healthy diet.publishedVersio
Redusere avrenning fra ferskfisk transport på lastebiler
By law, fresh fish is transported on ice in the EEA. This system is tried and proven and works perfectly except that upward of 1000 L of meltwater drain onto the road from a typical trailer load. This is most noticeable near packing and slaughterhouses, on ferries, and on certain roads (e.g. Laksevegen Fv. 714 in Trøndelag). This is a nuisance, publicity issue, and a matter of road safety.Redusere avrenning fra ferskfisk transport på lastebilersubmittedVersio