Plantain based dough meal: nutritional property, antioxidant activity and dyslipidemia ameliorating potential in high-fat induced rats

Abstracts Background Dyslipidemia is an aberrant rise in blood lipids due to diet and lifestyle. It has implicated as the major risk factor for developing hypertension among other diseases. This study was designed to evaluate plantain based dough meal nutritional property, antioxidant activity and dyslipidemia ameliorating potential in high-fat induced rats. Methods The flour blends, i.e., PSC (Plantain 70%, Soycake 30%), PSR (Plantain 65%, Soycake 30%, Rice-bran 5%), PSO (Plantain 65%, Soycake 30%, Oat-bran 5%), PSRO (Plantain 60%, Soycake 30%, Rice-bran 5%, Oat-bran 5%) and controls (100% Plantain flour & Cerolina) were evaluated for chemical, antioxidants and antihyperlipidemia. Results Protein, fiber and energy composition varied from 2.2–4.97 g/100 g, 16.44–19.59 g/100 g and 369.7–385.5 kcal/100 g, respectively. Essential amino acid index and predicted-biological values of the foods ranged from 68.31–76.31% and 62.19–71.48%, respectively. Phenolic profiles (mg/g) were gallic acid (25.33–31.26), caffeic acid (2.75–4.61), ferulic acid (5.16–12.73), luteolin (16.31–23.60), kaempferol (21.51–30.64), quercetin (24.28–37.13), chlorogenic acid (42.25–59.78), myricetin (28.41–38.41), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (27.17–41.59) and 4, 5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (39.96–51.28). The antioxidant activity of PSRO on ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, Fe2+ chelation and OH free radicals was higher than other foods. Atherogenic index, coronary risk index and log (TG/HDL-conc.) of rats fed on experimental foods were lower than recommended values. Conclusion The study established that PSRO had higher antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidemia properties; hence, it may be suitable as a functional food.

Polyphenols: A Comprehensive Review of their Nutritional Properties

Polyphenols are the most prominent natural antioxidants found numerously in nature. They are secondary metabolites recognized for having high health benefits for consumers, even if the exploitation of these remarkable natural compounds is still a challenge. Moreover, there is a dilemma over the nutritional value of polyphenols. Hence, this paper seeks to review the classification, sources, anti-browning effect, antioxidant activity, nutritional property and anti-disease effect of polyphenols for better understanding the issues which need to be addressed in the valorization of these natural compounds.

Characterization and toxicity effect of leachate from municipality landfill

Leachate from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfill has long known to be an environmental concern worldwide. The composition of landfill leachate may contain metals, ammonia, organics, other toxicants and carcinogens, having major environmental concern, with implications for plant, animal and human health. The pollution of soil, surface and ground water is also some of the major immediate concern related to leachate. This problem is growing at alarming rate in some of the developing countries including Ethiopia, and Adigrat happens to one such fast growing small city Ethiopia. However, in the absence of any significant relevant study for Adigrat City MSW leachate, the present work was undertaken to study the physico-chemical characterization of leachate from the Adigrat MSW leachate and investigate its toxicity effect on pea seed germination (Pisum sativum). The characterization was performed on the leachate from Adigrat MSW landfill. Subsequently, the leachate toxicity assessment on pea seed germination was also carried out. The result shows presence of several unacceptable components in the leachate that in some instance was detected at such levels that may pose environmental risk. It was also found that the low pH may add corrosiveness to any contaminated environmental components. Anions (like Cl−) and heavy metals (like Pb, Zn and Cd) detected in the leachate may also be concern for any possible environmental exposure. Additionally, the pea seed germination experiment suggests existence of such components in the leachate that possibly mask its nutritional property during germination.

Vitamins and Minerals in Raw and Cooked Donkey Meat

Human health is deeply affected by nutrition. The most important nutritional property of a good diet, able to provide an adequate amount of nutrients, to fulfill growth and development requirements, permitting also health maintenance, is variety of foods. Meat can be included in several diets, particularly when they are based on a restricted choice of plant foods. The inclusion of meat and meat products, even in small amounts, can significantly improve many diets; in fact, meat and derived products are good sources of proteins, vitamins and mineral salts. Thermal processes used for cooking meats represent an important factor which affects the minerals and vitamins meat content. Loss of minerals and water-soluble vitamins in cooked meat may occur, depending on the cooking method used. Previous studies investigated on donkey meat nutritional properties, described interesting characteristics of this alternative red meat, rich in protein and in iron, and with low-fat content. This chapter describes the donkey meat chemical composition, showing a comparison with other traditional red meats. The effects of cooking methods on donkey meat vitamins and minerals content will be also evaluated.

Antioxidant Activity of Kiwi Fruit (Actindia Chinensis)

Actinidia chinensis (kiwi fruit), also known as golden fruit, has its origin in China. All the plant parts of Actinidia chinensis such as fruit, leaves, vine, and root were used in food products and also used as medicine in China. The Worldwide distribution of the kiwi (Actinidia chinensis) is due to its Nutritional property, economic value and the presence of the various phytoconstituents such as terpenoids, quinones, flavones, phenyl proteinoids and steroids. It is also rich in antioxidant and dietary fibres which are utilized for the production of cellulose and hemicellulose. The Nutritional composition of the Kiwi fruit has distinguishing amount of vitamin C and also several other compounds such as Minerals, Vitamin E and Carotenoids and these are used to protect DNA. It has a high amount of medicinal and Nutritional value and also provides various health benefits. In traditional medicine of China, Kiwi fruit is also used in the treatment of Edema, Pyorrhea, gingivitis, Hepatitis, maintenance of blood glucose level, asthma, fight against muscular degenerative diseases and reduces the risk of blood clots and also used in Cancer treatment. Recently researchers have updated that Kiwi fruit has beneficial Physiological effect on the human body through clinical studies. It has been proven that Kiwi has Anti-Oxidant property and relieves Oxidative stress which was the Major cause of Diseases. This article is an overview of kiwi fruit, its nutritional benefits and its antioxidant effect.

Development and Evaluation of Fermented Little Millet Based Cold Extrudates

Fermentation is a promising food processing method that can be used to diversify the food and improve nutritional property. Pasta a convenient and ready to cook food was developed using durum wheat and fermented little millet flour. Different formulations were prepared by mixing the ingredients in four combinations. Fermentation of little millet flour showed a significant decreased in pH while titratable acidity increased as fermentation goes on. Leavening of flour improved and also internal batter temperature ascend with increased in fermentation time. The result showed that combination with in the experimental samples 10% and15% fermented little millet flour has higher acceptability as compared to other combination.

Plant Seed Proteins: Chemistry, Technology and Applications

This review deals with the significance of plant seed proteins. Plant seed proteins are known to provide various beneficial activities like antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antiviral and antioxidant. They are essential source of amino acids; act as a source of nutrition booster. Present review elaborates on extraction of proteins and hydrolysis with their advantages and disadvantages, their nutritional property, health benefits and challenges associated with the peptides.