The Analysis of the Nutritional Status and Dietary Habits among Children Aged 6–10 Years Old Attending Primary Schools in Poland

A high prevalence of obesity among children is influenced by serious implications. Obesity mainly results from behavioral factors, such as improper dietary habits. This study aims to evaluate the nutritional status and dietary habits of children aged 6–10 (n = 908) attending primary schools in Poland, Europe. The research tool was a questionnaire that was completed by one of the children’s parents. A statistical analysis was made using statistical software. The value of p = 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. A total of 74.7% of children surveyed have a normal body mass. As many as 91.7% and 76.6% of children, respectively, eat a first and second breakfast daily. Nearly half of parents (48.9%) state that their child consumes milk or other dairy products daily. A total of 74.3% of children drink water daily. A total of 27.6% eats fish less frequently than once a week. A total of 7.6% of children eat fish several times a week. As many as 20.6% of the respondents state that their child eats brown bread several times a week, whereas 19.9% state that their child never eats brown bread. A total of 55.1% of children eat fruits and/or vegetables daily. A total of 14.1% of children surveyed consume sweets daily. The study revealed a positive correlation between BMI and the frequency of mineral water consumption (p = 0.013) in 9 y.o. girls. It was also revealed that the number of consumed fruit/vegetables increases with the BMI value among 10 y.o. boys (p = 0.044). Conclusions: The dietary habits of the investigated children are still improper. There is a great need for education on this issue, but family involvement is also required.

Pontic Greek cuisine: the most common foods, ingredients, and dishes presented in cookbooks and folklore literature

Introduction The Pontic Greeks, besides their long and distinguished history, have a special and important culture and identity, elements of which are still preserved and active by their descendants a century after their settlement in Greece. One element of their identity and culture is their basic yet diverse cuisine, which is an important and recognized local cuisine in contemporary Greece. This study aimed to identify the most common foods, ingredients, and dishes found in Greek Pontic Cuisine. Methods Six cookbooks, two cooking magazines, four folklore books, and four folklore magazines were reviewed in this study. A considerable amount of data was collected and processed using a text analysis tool. Results and discussion The study provides the most frequently encountered dishes, foods, and ingredients that feature in the publications. The most common dishes are soups, including tanomenon sorva (soup with coarse grains, salty strained yogurt, and mint). Among other dishes, siron (a pre-baked filo-based pastry dish), chavitz (a thick corn dish resembling porridge), and foustoron (an omelet with fresh cow butter) are quite common. Common staples are anchovies and greens. In cookbooks and cookery magazines, ingredients include butter, wheat, eggs, tomatoes, milk, bulgur, corn-flour, and cheese. Meanwhile, the study publications are an excellent way of passing down traditional food knowledge intergenerational, as they are largely descended from Pontic Greek progenitors. Conclusion After analyzing all the publications, it was declared that dairy products, grains, and vegetables were commonly used in Pontic cuisine. It was concluded that cookbooks are crucial for the preservation of the Greek Pontic culinary tradition.

The Use of BrownAlgae Laminaria Saccharinain Iodine Enriched Products Aimed at PreventingIodine Deficiency

The high content of iodine in dried algae has allowed it to be used as a physiologically functional food ingredient in the technology of fortified foods, which can help prevent iodine deficiency. The aim of this research was to develop a technology for food products enriched with iodine (Italian crispbreads), as well as fermented dairy products (thick and drinking yoghurts with various fruit fillings). The brown algae Laminaria saccharina, which originates from the islandFrøya (in Norway), was used to enrich the products with iodine. This algaewas grown on the farms of the company ”Energy Solutions AS” and was dried by various methods of low-temperature drying (heat pump at a temperature of minus 10 ∘C, drying in 1-3 layers; vacuum freeze drying with pre-storage at a temperature of minus 8 ∘C; and pre-freezing and storing at a temperature of minus 25 ∘C for 2-6 days). The chemical composition of the algae was studied. The findings showed that the modes of pretreatment of algae and the method of cold drying did not influence the following indicators (in % of the total mass of dried algae): the mass fraction of water (6.00±0.50% to 6.93±0.50%),ash (46.40-50.14%), andsodium chloride (31.00±1.75%). The above technological factors substantially affected the content of protein and iodine in the dried algae. Thus, the mass fraction of protein varied from 5.88% to 12.35% per total mass, and iodine varied from 0.367% to 0.522% in terms of dry matter. The optimal dosage of dried algae for adding to raw material was calculated (which provided anabove-stated iodine content of % of the recommended level of adequate consumption in 100g of the developed products): from 66% in crispbreads to 88% in fermented dairy products. All new products provided a high level of organoleptic evaluation. Keywords: brown algae, Laminaria saccharina, iodine, functionalproduct, crispbreads, drinking yoghurts, thick yoghurts

Biotechnological Aspects of Dietary Fiber Use in the Production of Fermented Dairy Products

This article presents research results of the chemical composition, physical and chemical properties and biotechnological potential of dietary fiber concentrates (DFCs) obtained from secondary raw materials for the production of carrot and pumpkin juices.It has been established that DFCs, along with dietary fibers (cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, lignin), contain soluble sugars, nitrogenous substances and carotenoids, which determine their physiological activity and technological properties when used in dairy products fermented with probiotics.The effect of DFCs on the fermentation kinetics of dairy-vegetable mixtures with a starter containing lacto-, bifidobacteria and propionic acid microorganisms was studied. The optimal concentration and the degree of dispersion of carrot and pumpkin DFCs was determined. The findings can be used to ensureoptimal intensification of the fermentation process and the production of probiotic fermented milk drinks with a pleasant taste. Keywords: dietary fiber, secondary raw materials, functional dairy products, prebiotics, probiotics, enzyme kinetics, probiotic drinks

Optimization of dextran production from Leuconostoc strains isolated from different dairy products from Ouargla region Algeria

Leuconostoc (Ln) sp. belongs to a group of lactic acid bacteria, which has the capacity to produce dextran (an exopolysaccharides) in the presence of su-crose. dextran is industrially important, it was the first microbial exopolysac-charide affirmed for commercial use. This study aimed to optimize the pro-duction of the synthesized dextran by Ln strains species isolated from differ-ent dairy products. Morphological, cultural, physiological and biochemical characteristics were employed to identify 23 isolated strains. We have identi-fied the species: Ln. gelidum, Ln. carnosum, Ln. citreum, Ln. fallax, Ln. mesen-teroides subsp mesenteroides, Ln. mesenteroides subsp dextranicum, Ln. mesenteroides subsp cremoris. 20 strains had the capacity to produce dex-tran from sucrose. The precipitation and quantification of EPS on MRSs (Mark rogosa et sharpe sucrose) medium revealed a difference between the strains, by the total sugars assay method, the amount of EPS varied between 0.63 ± 0.19 and 2.41 ± 0.17 g / L of strains LnF70 and LnC1 (isolated from goat's milk), respectively. The dextran production from MRSs medium was better than from liquid MSE. The optimization of production on MRSs medi-um with different concentration of glucose, yeast extract and sucrose showed that the strains had good production with a concentration of 2% glucose, 0.3% yeast extract and 10% sucrose.

Recommended dairy intake is associated with healthy dietary habits, better physical fitness, less obesity, and a healthier lifestyle profile in school-age children

This study aimed to identify the association of recommended dairy intake with several dietary habits, obesity, physical fitness, physical activity, screen time, and sleep. Population data were derived from a health survey on a representative sample of 177091 children aged 8 to 17 years. Dairy intake and dietary habits were evaluated using questionnaires (KIDMED index). Participants were characterized as “dairy products consumers” based on whether they met current recommendations for milk or dairy consumption (e.g. if they consumed two yogurts and/or 40 g cheese and a cup of milk, daily). Participants who did not consume the above-mentioned quantities were characterized as “non-consumers.” Anthropometric and physical fitness (PF) data were obtained by trained investigators. Physical activity (PA) status, screen time, and sleeping habits were assessed through self-completed questionnaires. Boys and girls consuming recommended dairy products were 25% (95% CI: 0·71-0·79) and 43% (95% CI: 0·51-0·64) less likely to have low performances in cardiorespiratory fitness tests, Participants from both sexes classified as dairy products consumers had lower odds of central obesity by 10%(95% CI: 0·86-0·95), as compared to non-consumers. Also, boys and girls who consume recommended dairy products had 9% (95% CI: 0·86-0·98) and 11%(95% CI: 0·85-0·94) lower odds to be overweight/obese as compared to non-consumers, after adjusting for several covariates. Moreover, recommended dairy products consumers had lower odds for insufficient sleep by 8% (95% CI: 0·89-0·96) in boys and 14% (95% CI: 0·83-0·90) in girls, for inadequate PA levels by 15% (95% CI: 0·77-0·93) in boys and 16% (95% CI: 0·76-0·90) in girls and for increased screen time by 11% (95% CI: 0·83-0·95) in boys and 9% (95% CI: 0·85-0·97) in girls, than no-consumers. In conclusion, recommended dairy intake is associated with less obesity, better PF, and a healthier lifestyle profile.

Fat content in fermented milk beverages: determination by the Gerber method

Fermented milk beverage is a product containing milk, whey and/or other ingredients, fermented by specific microorganisms and/or added with fermented milks. Fat determination in this product is important to quality control and inspection. The Gerber method is used worldwide as a simple and rapid method for fat content analysis in raw and processed milks. In Brazil, Roese-Gottlieb is the official method for analysis of fat content in milk beverages. However, the use of Gerber method for fat content determination in fermented milk beverages is widespread throughout the industry in the country. Several authors have tested the use of Gerber method for some dairy products, but there is no report on this evaluation for fermented milk beverages. In this context, the objectives of this work were to determine the fat content of fermented milk beverages by the Gerber method and evaluate the performance of this test, using Roese-Gottlieb as a reference method. Thirty samples of fermented milk beverages were analyzed by both methods. The fat contents ranged from 1.25 to 2.40% by the Gerber method and from 1.24 to 2.50% by the Roese-Gottlieb method. There was no difference (p > 0.05) between the methods. The Gerber method can be used to determine the fat content of fermented milk beverages, without prejudice to the results obtained.

Intestinal Taxa Abundance and Diversity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: An Analysis including Covariates and Confounders

Intestinal dysbiosis has been widely documented in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and is thought to influence the onset and perpetuation of gut inflammation. However, it remains unclear whether such bacterial changes rely in part on the modification of an IBD-associated lifestyle (e.g., smoking and physical activity) and diet (e.g., rich in dairy products, cereals, meat and vegetables). In this study, we investigated the impact of these habits, which we defined as confounders and covariates, on the modulation of intestinal taxa abundance and diversity in IBD patients. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis was performed using genomic DNA extracted from the faecal samples of 52 patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and 58 with ulcerative colitis (UC), which are the two main types of IBD, as well as 42 healthy controls (HC). A reduced microbial diversity was documented in the IBD patients compared with the HC. Moreover, we identified specific confounders and covariates that influenced the association between some bacterial taxa and disease extent (in UC patients) or behaviour (in CD patients) compared with the HC. In particular, a PERMANOVA stepwise regression identified the variables “age”, “eat yogurt at least four days per week” and “eat dairy products at least 4 days per week” as covariates when comparing the HC and patients affected by ulcerative proctitis (E1), left-sided UC (distal UC) (E2) and extensive UC (pancolitis) (E3). Instead, the variables “age”, “gender”, “eat meat at least four days per week” and “eat bread at least 4 days per week” were considered as covariates when comparing the HC with the CD patients affected by non-stricturing, non-penetrating (B1), stricturing (B2) and penetrating (B3) diseases. Considering such variables, our analysis indicated that the UC extent differentially modulated the abundance of the Bifidobacteriaceae, Rikenellaceae, Christensenellaceae, Marinifilaceae, Desulfovibrionaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Streptococcaceae and Peptostreptococcaceae families, while the CD behaviour influenced the abundance of Christensenellaceae, Marinifilaceae, Rikenellaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Barnesiellaceae and Coriobacteriaceae families. In conclusion, our study indicated that some covariates and confounders related to an IBD-associated lifestyle and dietary habits influenced the intestinal taxa diversity and relative abundance in the CD and UC patients compared with the HC. Indeed, such variables should be identified and excluded from the analysis to characterize the bacterial families whose abundance is directly modulated by IBD status, as well as disease extent or behaviour.

PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY OF FRUIT-FILLED COTTAGE CHEESE FOR BABY FOOD OVER 6 MONTHS OF AGE

Currently, cottage cheese is one of the leading dairy products for infants’ nutrition. Today, the urgent task is to expand the range of sour-milk products by developing a technology for cottage cheese production with the addition of a fruit filler. The object of research is cottage cheese for the diet of children over six months. The cottage cheese is produced from whole milk subjected to high-temperature treatment with the use of starter microorganisms and with the addition of fruit filler “Banana”. The children’s curd recipe developed by the authors included the following raw materials and components: milk with the mass fraction of fat 3.4 %, skim milk with the mass fraction of fat 0.05 %, direct injection starter Flora C-170, fruit filler “Banana”. Production technology included the following stages: receiving and preparing raw materials, normalization of milk, homogenization, pasteurization and cooling of the normalized mixture, fermentation, ultrafiltration of curd clot, cooling and ripening of the product. The authors conducted laboratory studies of cottage cheese to assess the quality and safety of the resulting product. The products meet the requirements of GOST 32927-2014 for organoleptic indicators: taste and smell, appearance and consistency, colour. The products also meet the needs of the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union (TR CU) 033/2013 “On safety of milk and dairy products” in terms of microbiological and antibiotic content.