Diet Supplementation with Madagascar Cockroach Flour (Gromphadorhina portentosa) Improved Malnourished Mice Metabolism and Ameliorated Liver Inflammatory Markers

Background: Malnutrition and accessible high-quality protein food sources are two of the world’s alimentary challenges. Edible insects are nowadays recognized as a possible functional food solution with lower environmental impacts and beneficial health effects. Objective: In this context, the aim of the present study is to evaluate Madagascar cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) flour supplementation effects on a malnourished mice model, considering its effects on metabolism, adiposity, and inflammatory liver profiles. Method: Male Swiss mice are divided into five groups and fed with experimental diets for eight weeks, including a standard diet (ST) ad libitum, AIN93 ad libitum (AIN), insect flour-enriched AIN93 (AIN+IM), AIN-40% feed restriction (AIN-FR), and insect flour-enriched AIN-40% of feed restriction (AIN-FR+IM). The metabolic profiles, adipose tissue, biochemical parameters, and liver IL-6 and IL-10 expression are evaluated. Results: The main findings show a body weight and metabolism improvement followed by an increased recovery of the adipocyte area in the AIN-FR+IM group when compared to the AIN-FR malnourished group. Reduced hepatic IL-6 and increased IL-10 expression are also detected in the AIN-FR+IM group. Conclusion: The results show that insect flour supplementation enhances both body weight and adiposity gain/recovery. The results also show hepatic improvement of inflammatory markers.

Development of a Questionnaire to Assess Knowledge about and Perceptions of Edible Insects

Edible insects (EI) have been consumed as traditional foods in many parts of the globe, but in other regions, they are not readily accepted, particularly in Western countries. However, because EI are suggested to constitute a more sustainable protein food as compared with other sources of animal protein, they can be considered a future food that could help mitigate hunger and malnutrition. Additionally, new gastronomic trends are already targeting this area for exploring new potentialities. The objective of this work was to develop and validate a questionnaire to assess consumers’ perceptions and knowledge about EI in seven different domains: D1. Culture and Tradition, D2. Gastronomic Innovation and Gourmet Kitchen, D3. Environment and Sustainability, D4. Economic and Social Aspects, D5. Commercialization and Marketing, D6. Nutritional Aspects and D7. Health Effects. The 64 items were subjected to item analysis and reliability analysis for validation, and factor analysis was also conducted to identify a grouping structure. The results validated all the items of the seven subscales with high values of Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.732 for D1, α = 0.795 for D2, α = 0.882 for D3, α = 0.742 for D4, α = 0.675 for D5, α = 0.799 for D6 and α = 0.788 for D7). However, by eliminating 17 items, the final values of the alpha increased in all subscales. Factor analysis with extraction by principal component analysis with varimax rotation extracted 14 factors that explained, in total, 65% of the variance, although the first two factors were the most important (35.7% variance explained). In conclusion, the confirmed usefulness of the questionnaire has been hereby validated for assessing consumer perceptions of and knowledge about EI.

Positive Association between High Protein Food Intake Frequency and Physical Performance and Higher-Level Functional Capacity in Daily Life

Nutritional factors, including low protein intake and poor dietary variety, affect age-associated impairment in physical performance resulting in physical frailty. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between intake frequency of major high protein foods and both physical performance and higher-level functional capacity using the food frequency score (FFS) and high protein food frequency score (PFFS) among community-dwelling older adults. The data of 1185 older adults categorized into quartiles based on FFS and PFFS were analyzed. After adjusting for covariates, FFS and PFFS were significantly associated with physical performance [FFS, usual gait speed (p for trend = 0.007); PFFS, usual gait speed (p for trend < 0.001), maximum gait speed (p for trend = 0.002), timed up and go (p for trend = 0.025)], and higher-level functional capacity [FFS (p for trend < 0.001); PFFS (p for trend < 0.001)]. After excluding PFFS data, the participants’ scores were associated with only higher-level functional capacity. Multi-regression analysis with higher-level functional capacity as the covariate showed that FFS and PFFS were significantly correlated with physical performance. Hence, improving food intake frequency, particularly that of high protein foods, and dietary variety may help maintain higher-level functional capacity and physical performance in community-dwelling older adults.

Body mass index (BMI) of vegetarian and non-vegetarian children in Nepal

This article builds upon a study that aimed to evaluate the BMI differences among vegetarian and non-vegetarian children of Nepal and to recommend the diet practice of growing-age children. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to determine physical growth and calculate the BMI values of 1251 Koiri and Yadav children aged 6-14 years who were selected for the study. Data were analyzed based on age, sex, vegetarian and non-vegetarian children. The average BMI value wt (kg)/ht (m2) of non-vegetarian children was significantly higher than the vegetarian in both sex groups. The finding of the study clearly shows that vegetarian diet practice in children is smaller than the non-vegetarian. The study recommends that vegetarian group children required more plant source protein food for favorable growth and balanced physical growth, good health status to maintain different physical and mental disabilities, and enhance school performances. Protein requirements on vegetarian children may be fulfilled if the diet includes different varieties of plant-based protein sources in their regular meals. Therefore, the study recommends that vegetarian families regularly include protein-rich foods for the growing-age children, such as legumes, beans, different seeds and nuts, and a variety of protein sources.

A critical eye to breeding potential of the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) or natural selection vs castration

The article analyze the reproductive potential of uncastrated domestic cats. The notions of the high reproductive capabilities of the species have been refuted, even with provided resources, shelter and human attention. Space and density are not major stressors in a multi-cat indoor group if a high-protein food and inner freedom of individuals are provided. The established natural patterns in its development and the parallel made between other wild felines and human population are evidence of the evolutionary value and genetic potential of the species, which must be assessed and preserved in time. Specific adaptive behavior in female individuals related to indoor life and possibly a way of self-control of reproduction is described

Determination of Organochlorine Residues in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. WALP) From Selected Markets in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata(L.) Walp) is one of the major stale plant protein food crops in Nigeria, but constantly being attacked by insects especially during storage. This has been a major production constraint which usually necessitated the use of synthetic pesticides and chemicals, but comes with the problems of high pesticides residues. In cowpea, only few information or research has been made as regarding the level of pesticides residues, therefore the objective of this study was to identify the awareness level and organochlorine insecticides residue presence trendy to cowpea grains. This study was carried out using a multiple choice questionnaire, in which three markets in Ibadan were selected as the case study due to their population and patronisation. The multiple choice questionnaire was used in getting information as regarding the pesticide used, method of application, duration of storage after pesticide application and level of awareness on the possible side effects of pesticides. Thirty samples of cowpea were collected from the selected three markets for residue analysis which was determined in an analytical laboratory using standard procedures. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that Fumigation, spraying and baiting were the mostly used method of application of pesticides and Aluminium phosphide, Betoxin and Quickphos were the mostly used pesticides during application. Higher percentage (56.67%) of the respondent store the food stuff for less than a month before exposing it to the market for sales, about 53.3% of the respondents shows their ignorance about the health hazard associated with pesticides. Organochlorine pesticide residues were detected in all the samples of cowpea grains examined with highest mean concentration of Endosulfan (0.7500 mg/kg 0.3508).

Introducing Tempeh as a New Plant-Based Protein Food Item on the Danish Market

Decreasing meat consumption has resulted in a need for new high-quality protein sources. Tempeh is relatively unknown in Denmark and might be capable of meeting this need. The aim of the study was to describe the success criteria for introducing locally produced tempeh and to investigate the sensory quality of three types of tempeh. Only 24% of the consumers in the survey (n = 395) used meat alternatives, which might be explained by a low level of satisfaction with availability. Tempeh was known by 26%—the less meat eaten, the greater the knowledge of tempeh. Twenty-three per cent of the consumers had positive attitudes towards tempeh. The three types of tempeh had markedly different sensory profiles. Nevertheless, the home use test showed that they could be used interchangeably in different recipes. In addition, the consumers were more positive about recipes in which tempeh did not resemble meat compared with meat-inspired recipes. In conclusion, introducing locally produced tempeh on the Danish market is possible but would require further knowledge of the product. In addition, tempeh should be sold as a tasty, high-quality protein food item in its own right. Recipes using tempeh should reflect this and not mimic meat recipes.

Education on Mercury Exposure from Fish and its Product in Elementary Students in Kenjeran Beach Area, Surabaya: A Study Protocol

Fish is one of the high protein food sources that could be found easily in Indonesia. recent trends in industrialization and human activity (e.g., agriculture) that started the degradation of environmental quality such as mercury contamination in fish. This problem has become a concern because the incident occurs more frequently and could affect the health condition both in the long and short term. A quasi-experimental study will be conducted at public school located in Kenjeran District, Surabaya. The framework of Health Behavior Model theory is used to educate the students on the danger of mercury contamination in fish and its products. This study aimed to increase the student’s knowledge on the danger of mercury contamination in fish and its products. This study targets elementary school children with total 135 students. The Universal Trial Number (UTN) of this study is U1111-1269-3728. This study also has been approved by the TCTR Committee with identification number TCTR20210913003.

Capture Fishery Resources of Citanduy River, West Java

Citanduy river is one of the priority watersheds in West Java. Information on capture fisheries resources in Citanduy, however, river is limited. The aim of this study was to assess the information of capture fisheries resources in that river. The method used in this study was a survey method, by collecting data in the field, and then analyzed it in the laboratory. This research was conducted in 2018. Samples of fish were collected through the active participation of fishers with various types of fishing gear. The identification of fish and fishing gear used some references. Some fish caught were preserved in formalin solution and identified. The dominant catch in Citanduy River is Mystacoleucus marginatus and Cyprinus carpio. Other economic fishes catch in Citanduy river are Oreochromis niloticus, Osteochilus vittatus, O. mossambicus, Trichogaster trichopterus, Hemibragus nemurus, Hampala macrolepidota, Channa striata, Moolgarda seheli, and Glossogobius giurus. The fishing gears used by fishers are hooks and lines, cast nets, scope nets, traps, and gill nets. The inland capture fishery in Citanduy river is still a secondary sector for the interests of local government.The current condition of capture fisheries in Citanduy is not the main livelihood for fishers. The inland capture fisheries in Citanduy is still using a simple fishing gear and do not have more complex tools. Citanduy river has potential source of economic and protein food, particularly for local community. Regarding in these potential, management of environment could be the major domains in fisheries management. The policy of local government in handling non-selective fishing gear and restocking activity could be maintain the sustainable fish resources in Citanduy river.