Innovative approach to combined healthy food

The paper analyzes the possibility of not only expanding the range of healthy food products, but also reducing its cost due to the combination of natural animal and plant raw materials. The possibility of introducing an innovative approach to the creation of products aimed at healthy nutrition was considered. It was found that the inclusion of plant additives into traditional meat-containing products will not only contribute to high quality products, but also products with increased nutritional and biological value. It was proved that the inclusion of plant ingredients ensures products with functional properties, high physicochemical and organoleptic indices. It was revealed that the proposed technological scheme and formula of a new type of meat-containing semi-product in dough with the introduction of vegetal raw materials will make the product more functional. The obtained results showed that the inclusion of wheat bran, nettle and onions in minced white meat will make it possible to enrich the product with essential nutrients. The obtained results of the study show that the combination of natural and plant raw materials makes it possible to obtain a product with high quality at a low cost aimed at improving the health of large population groups.

Associations between the Mediterranean Diet Pattern and Weight Status and Cognitive Development in Preschool Children

Cognitive dysfunctions are a global health concern. Early-life diet and weight status may contribute to children’s cognitive development. For this reason, we explored the associations between habitual food consumption, body mass index (BMI) and cognitive outcomes in 54 preschool children belonging to the Pisa birth Cohort (PISAC). We estimated groups of foods, nutrients and calorie intakes through a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and Italian national databases. Then, we adopted the Mediterranean diet (MD) score to assess relative MD adherence. Cognition was examined using the Griffiths Mental Development Scales-Extended Revised (GMDS-ER). We found that higher, compared to low and moderate, adherence to MD was associated with higher performance scores. Furthermore, white meat consumption was positively related to BMI, and BMI (age–gender specific, z-scores) categories were negatively related to practical reasoning scores. All associations were independent of maternal IQ estimates, parents’ socioeconomic status, exclusive/non-exclusive breastfeeding, actual age at cognitive assessment and gender. In conclusion, in preschool children, very high adherence to MD seemed protective, whereas BMI (reinforced by the intake of white meat) was negatively associated with cognition.

The Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2022 – prioritisation of topics for de novo systematic reviews

Background: As part of the process of updating national dietary reference values (DRVs) and food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs), the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2022 project (NNR2022) will select a limited number of topics for systematic reviews (SRs). Objective: To develop and transparently describe the results of a procedure for prioritisation of topics that may be submitted for SRs in the NNR2022 project. Design: In an open call, scientists, health professionals, national food and health authorities, food manufacturers, other stakeholders and the general population in the Nordic and Baltic countries were invited to suggest SR topics. The NNR2022 Committee developed scoping reviews (ScRs) for 51 nutrients and food groups aimed at identifying potential SR topics. These ScRs included the relevant nominations from the open call. SR topics were categorised, ranked and prioritised by the NNR2022 Committee in a modified Delphi process. Existing qualified SRs were identified to omit duplication. Results: A total of 45 nominations with suggestion for more than 200 exposure–outcome pairs were received in the public call. A number of additional topics were identified in ScRs. In order to omit duplication with recently qualified SRs, we defined criteria and identified 76 qualified SRs. The NNR2022 Committee subsequently shortlisted 52 PI/ECOTSS statements, none of which overlapped with the qualified SRs. The PI/ECOTSS statements were then graded ‘High’ (n = 21), ‘Medium’ (n = 9) or ‘Low’ (n = 22) importance, and the PI/ECOTSS statements with ‘High’ were ranked in a Delphi process. The nine top prioritised PI/ECOTSS included the following exposure–outcome pairs: 1) plant protein intake in children and body growth, 2) pulses/legumes intake, and cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, 3) plant protein intake in adults, and atherosclerotic/cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, 4) fat quality and mental health, 5) vitamin B12 and vitamin B12 status, 6) intake of white meat (no consumption vs. high consumption and white meat replaced with red meat), and all-cause mortality, type 2 diabetes and risk factors, 7) intake of n-3 LPUFAs from supplements during pregnancy, and asthma and allergies in the offspring, 8) nuts intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes in adults, 9) dietary fibre intake (high vs. low) in children and bowel function. Discussion: The selection of topics for de novo SRs is central in the NNR2022 project, as the results of these SRs may cause adjustment of existing DRVs and FBDGs. That is why we have developed this extensive process for the prioritisation of SR topics. For transparency, the results of the process are reported in this publication. Conclusion: The principles and methodologies developed in the NNR2022 project may serve as a framework for national health authorities or organisations when developing national DRVs and FBDGs. This collaboration between the food and health authorities in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden represents an international effort for harmonisation and sharing of resources and competence when developing national DRVs and FBDGs.

Dripping test to assessment the water content in frozen chicken carcases commercialized in Ji-Paraná, Rondônia, Brazil

The growth in demand for chicken meat is due to the increase in demand for white meat, as they are considered tasty and at an attractive price. Therefore, the search for quality is essential. In Brazil, the water loss due to the melting of the carcasses is controlled by companies and by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) and, frequently, they analyze water loss from the carcasses above the limits required by the legislation. Given the assumption, the aimed of this study was to evaluate the water losses due to thawing in frozen chicken carcasses marketed in the municipality of Ji-Paraná, Rondônia, Brazil. There 25 carcasses of whole frozen chickens were evaluated, from six brands, lots and different establishments, submitted to standardized conditions for the performance of the Dripping test, in order to verify the percentage of water absorbed by the carcasses. It was found that 48% of the samples showed water loss beyond that allowed by the current legislation, which is 6%. When observing that almost half of the evaluated carcasses showed irregularities in relation to the legislation, it is understood that the companies that supply these products should be better inspected, carrying out Dripping test analyzes periodically to reduce or eliminate this type of crime.

Karakteristik Kimia dan Organoleptik Kamaboko Surimi Tetelan Ikan Tuna

Tuna loin waste called “tetelan” is a waste of tuna loin processing, consisting of red meat and some white meat. “Tetelan” is fish meat that sticks to the bone or unused meat because of its ununiform size. This loin waste contains high protein but smells fishy. To reduce the fishy smells, “tetelan” tuna was processed to surimi kamaboko due to the steaming process and spices' addition to improving the texture properties of kamaboko carrageenan was added while surimi was processed. The research objective was to determine the effect of carrageenan concentrations on the chemical and organoleptic properties of kamaboko “tetelan” tuna. The research used an experimental method, with a single treatment named concentration of carrageenan and sago starch consisted of 3 levels of carrageenan concentration 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0%. Kamaboko was analyzed chemically involved moisture, ash, fat and protein content, and organoleptic involved aroma, taste and texture. Organoleptic test data (aroma, taste, texture) were analyzed using the Friedman test followed by multiple comparison tests. Meanwhile, the chemical data were analyzed using a Completely Randomized Design. Data analysis showed that the concentration of carrageenan and sago starch did not significantly affect the taste, aroma, and texture of kamaboko. The treatment applied significantly influenced the ash content of kamaboko. Kamaboko “tetelan” tuna showed a high protein content above the kamaboko protein quality standard. Keywords: Carrageenan; chemistry; organoleptic. ABSTRAK Limbah hasil pengolahan tuna loin berupa tetelan ikan yang terdiri dari jenis daging merah dan sebagian daging ikan putih. Tetelan berupa daging ikan yang menempel pada tulang ikan atau daging ikan yang tidak dapat dimanfaatkan karena sayatannya yang tidak merata. Daging ikan tuna mengandung protein tinggi tetapi memiliki kelemahan berbau amis, sehingga kurang disukai konsumen. Pemanfaatan tetelan ikan tuna sebagai bahan baku surimi untuk diolah menjadi kamaboko diharapkan dapat mengurangi bau amis karena adanya proses pengukusan dan penambahan bumbu. Penambahan konsentrasi karagenan bertujuan untuk meningkatkan sifat tekstur kamaboko. Tujuan penelitian untuk mengetahui pengaruh konsentrasi karagenan terhadap sifat kimia dan organoleptik kamaboko tetelan ikan tuna. Penelitian menggunakan metode eksperimen, dengan perlakuan tunggal konsentrasi karagenan terdiri dari tiga taraf yaitu konsentrasi karagenan 1,0, 1,5, dan 2%. Kamaboko di analisa kimia (kadar air, abu, lemak dan protein) serta organoleptik (aroma, rasa dan tekstur). Data uji organoleptik (aroma, rasa, tekstur) dianalisis mengggunakan uji Friedman dilanjutkan dengan uji perbandingan berganda. Sedangkan data kimia dianalisis dengan rancangan acak lengkap. Hasil uji Friedman menunjukkan perlakuan konsentrasi karagenan tidak berpengaruh nyata terhadap rasa, aroma dan tekstur kamaboko, sedangkan perlakuan hanya berpengaruh terhadap kadar abu kamaboko. Tetapi kadar protein kamaboko surimi tetelan tuna tinggi di atas standar mutu kamaboko. Kata kunci: Karagenan; organoleptik; sifat-sifat kimia.

Associations of dietary patterns with blood pressure and markers of subclinical arterial damage in adults with risk factors for cardiovascular disease

Objective: Unhealthy diet is a modifiable risk factors leading to subclinical arterial damage (SAD), high BP and CVD. It was aimed to investigate the possible associations of dietary patterns (DPs) with SAD in adults having multiple CVD risk factors. Design: Dietary intake was evaluated through two 24-h dietary recalls and principal component analysis was used to identify DPs. Oscillometry, applanation tonometry with pulse wave analysis and carotid ultrasound were used to assess peripheral and aortic BP, arterial stiffness and pressure wave reflections. Setting: Laiko University Hospital, Athens, Greece Participants: 470 individuals (53.1±14.2 years) with CVD risk factors were enrolled. Results: A pattern characterized by increased consumption of whole-grain cereals, white meat and reduced consumption of sugar was positively associated with common carotid compliance (β=0.01, 95%CI 0.00 – 0.01, whereas a pattern high in refined cereals, red and processed meat was positively associated with brachial but not aortic systolic pressure (β=1.76, 95%CI 0.11 – 3.42) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) (β=1.18, 95%CI=0.02 −2.38). Low consumption of low-fat dairy products, high consumption of full fat cheese and butter was positively associated with MAP (β=0.97,95%CI=0.01 – 1.95). Increased consumption of vegetables, fruits, fresh juices, fish and seafood was inversely associated with augmentation index (AIx) (β=−1.01,95% CI=−1.93 – 0.09). Conclusion: Consumption of whole grains, white meat, fruits/vegetables, fish/seafood, and avoidance of sugar was associated with improved SAD. Preference in refined grains, red/processed meat, high fat cheese/butter and low intake of low-fat dairy products was associated with BP elevation. Future studies are needed to confirm the present findings.