Preparation and some physicochemical properties of freeze-dried vegetables carving

Freeze-drying is a very gentle dehydration method to preserve the highest quality and give the final product a longer shelf-life, based on the principle of removing the ice by sublimation. This research aimed to study freeze-dried manufacturing processes of vegetable carving for application in the foodservice industry. Plant materials used in this study were pumpkin, carrot and Chinese radish which were carved into a rose shape. To prepare, all carved-rose vegetables were dipped in 1.0% CaCl2 solution as a firming agent for 5 mins before freeze-dried operations at the temperature of –50°C under vacuum (~30 Pa) for 50 hrs. Dyeing operation was conducted specifically in carved-rose Chinese radish using pink (0.05 and 0.1%) and red (0.05 and 0.1%) food-grade colour after pretreatment with CaCl2 . The results showed that dried carved-rose vegetables had low water activity (0.32-0.42) and moisture content (8.01-11.44%). The physical properties of freeze-dried pumpkin and carrot carving were firmed and presented a spongy texture with small bubbles spread continuously throughout the piece which helps protect the structural collapse. However, carved-rose radish had a slight shrinkage but it was restored as fresh after immersing in water. Rehydration time was 5 mins for pumpkin and carrot, and 10 mins for Chinese radish which showed remarkable that firm-liked fresh vegetables. Then, freeze-dried vegetables were packed in an aluminum bag filled with nitrogen gas and kept at 25±1°C for 2-months storage. The sensory characteristics evaluated by specialists were ranged in the medium to very like throughout the storage periods. Thus, freeze-dried carved-rose vegetable seems to be very interesting, moreover, conduction on a larger scale for the foodservice industry was particularly noticeable.

The Influence of Plants from the Alliaceae Family on Morphological Parameters of the Intestine in Atherogenic Rats

Bulbs from the Alliaceae family have been well-known and valued spices for thousands of years, not only for their unique flavor and aroma features, but also for their high nutritional and health-promoting values. Long-term or excessive consumption of these vegetables, especially raw garlic, can have side effects in the body (including in the digestive tract), causing a number of pathological changes in the intestinal wall; these changes lead, in turn, to its damage, dysfunction, and disorder development. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the addition of freeze-dried vegetables from the Alliaceae family, i.e., garlic (Allium sativum L.), white onion, and red onion (Allium cepa L.) on the morphometric parameters (intestinal villi length, crypt depth, thickness of tunica mucosa, and the thickness of tunica muscle) of the jejunum of rats fed a semi-synthetic atherogenic diet (1% dietary cholesterol). In freeze-dried vegetables administered to rats, the contents of selected bioactive ingredients and their antioxidant potentials were determined. The effect of the onion vegetable supplements on growth parameters, serum lipid profile, plasma antioxidant potential, and the intestinal morphological parameters of rats loaded with cholesterol was determined. In an animal experiment, 30 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 diet groups, diet consumption and FER were studied. Supplementation of the atherogenic diet with vegetables improved the blood plasma lipid profiles and atherogenic indices, in a manner that was dependent on the type of supplementation used, with the best hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerotic effects found in garlic use. The atherogenic diet, as well as the supplementation of this diet with the tested vegetables from the Alliaceae family, influenced the histological changes in the epithelium of the jejunum of rats. The damage to the intestinal mucosa was the greatest in animals fed an atherogenic diet supplemented with garlic. Bearing in mind that the desired beneficial therapeutic or prophylactic effects of onion vegetables (in particular garlic) in the course of various metabolic ailments (including atherosclerosis) are achieved during long-term supplementation, it is important to remember their possible cytotoxic effects (e.g., on the digestive tract) in order to achieve real benefits related to the supplementation with vegetables from the Alliaceae family.

Influence of Drying Methods and Vacuum Impregnation on Selected Quality Factors of Dried Sweet Potato

A comparative study was conducted on the effect of vacuum impregnation and drying methods on the production of dried sweet potatoes with high bioactivity. The present study determined the quality and physicochemical properties of dried sweet potato depending on the used impregnating solutions. Sweet potatoes were pretreated in freshly squeezed onion (O) and kale (K) juice, onion and kale (OK) mixture (1:1), and sodium chloride solution. Vacuum impregnation (VI) was carried out under reduced pressure (6 kPa) for 2 min, after which the impregnating solution was dispensed and maintained under vacuum for 4 min. Sweet potato slices were dried using vacuum drying (VD) and freeze drying (FD) methods. Higher content of polyphenols, carotenoids, and chlorophyll, as well as increased antioxidant capacity and higher VOC profile, were recorded for the dried products obtained using the sublimation method. The use of vacuum impregnation reduced the hardness of the products and other textural characteristics, such as cohesiveness, springiness, and gumminess. Furthermore, we found that vacuum impregnation pretreatment was a beneficial method for improving the characteristics of dried vegetables. The highest content of phenolics, carotenoids, and chlorophylls in dried sweet potatoes were recorded when samples were impregnated with onion and kale juice. For the fresh sweet potato, the highest contribution in VOC composition had phenylacetaldehyde (44.90%), (E)-2-octen-1-al (9.43%), and benzaldehyde (8.18%), respectively. The interesting content of VOC profile compounds in dried sweet potatoes was recorded when samples were impregnated with kale juice.

A DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF CANCER DEATHS AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS IN MEDICAL BLOCK MATTAN, ANANTNAG KASHMIR

Background: Cancer is one of the signicant causes of mortality worldwide. Cancer has been found to increase with acquisition of unhealthy dietary habits, smoking, sedentary life style etc. Objective: (1) To determine the number of cancer deaths in Mattan Block, Anantnag in the ve year period of 2015 -2020. (2)To nd out the prevalence of risk factors of cancer among the studied cases Materials and Methods:It was a descriptive analysis of the cancer related deaths in Mattan area conducted from 2015 to 2020. Whenever a cancer death occurred, a team of health inspector and an ASHAworker went to the family of the deceased where upon socio-demographic details and the details about risk factors were collected. The data was entered and analysed by using Microsoft Word 2010. Results: A total of 197 deaths were recorded. Most of the deaths were in the age group of above 60 years (40%) with male preponderance (65%). Maximum proportion of deaths was due to Gastrointestinal cancers (42%) followed by respiratory cancers (25.4%). About 56% of participants consumed dried vegetables at least twice a week. Salt tea was consumed 3-4 times a day by 35% of subjects, 45.2% of the subjects ate spicy food. About 53% of subjects were smokers. Conclusion: In this study we found that there's high intake of salt tea, dried vegetables and spicy foods among family members of the deceased persons. Smoking is also a menace in the area. Awareness generation among the people in the area needs to be created about the healthy food and life style

Bioavailability Studies of Vitamin A and E in Indigenous Vegetables and their Potential Use in the Management of HIV and AIDS

Levels of vitamins in selected indigenous vegetables in Butula, western Kenya were determined and foods containing high levels of vitamin A and E were used to make food formulation. The bioavailability of these vitamins in food formulation was estimated using algorithm procedure. Determination of β-carotene and α-tocopherol content was done using HPLC procedure. Fresh blanched vegetables contained high levels of β-carotene; 4000 − 9700 µg/100g and α-tocopherol levels; 3000 − 7350 µg/100g. Solar dried vegetables contained β-carotene levels ranging from 572 − 854 µg/g and α-tocopherol levels ranging from 281 to 673 µg/g dry weights. Solar dried vegetables contained significantly lower (P<0.05) amounts of β-carotene and α-tocopherol as compared with fresh vegetables. The mean serum retinol α-tocopherol and β-carotene levels were 0.937, 0.144 and 17.787µmol/l respectively. Bioavailability estimated using algorithm indicated a +2.17 change in serum β-carotene and +7.776 changes in serum α-tocopherol, a positive indication that consumption of indigenous vegetables can meet the recommended dietary allowances of vitamins A (750 µg retinol equivalent/day) and E (8 mg/day). The bioavailable vitamins are capable of boosting the immune system and therefore delay early use of ARV’S.

Pumpkin, Cauliflower and Broccoli as New Carriers of Thiamine Compounds for Food Fortification

The aim of the study is to explore the possibility of vegetables being used as carriers of thiamine. The influence of carrier type (thiamine hydrochloride—TCh and thiamine pyrophosphate—TP) for the thiamine stability were investigated. Two varieties of pumpkin, Muscat and Hokkaido, as well as Cauliflower and Broccoli, were used as a matrix for the thiamine applied. The impregnated and freeze-dried vegetables were stored (230 days) with changing access to light (access to and restriction of light) and temperature (21 °C and 40 °C). The analyzed carriers were also used in the production of gnocchi dumplings. The content of thiamine was analyzed using the thiochromium method. In the study, consumer tests (n = 199) and sensory profiling were used to assess the impact of thiamine carriers on the sensory quality of gnocchi dumplings. It was found that the introduction of dried vegetables at the level of 30% allows for high sensory desirability of analyzed products, as well as suggesting the possibility of their frequent consumption. Such a product could potentially become an alternative to pork meat as a good source of thiamine. However, it should be noted that the thiamine losses may occur during the storage of dried vegetables and their culinary preparation.

Determination of β-carotene and α-tocopherol Content in Selected Fresh and Dry Vegetables in Butula in Busia County

The study involved the determination of β-carotene and α-tocopherol content in selected fresh and dry vegetables (amaranthus, cowpea leaves, nightshade, slender leaf, pumpkin leaves and frying spider) using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) procedure. Fresh blanched vegetables contained high levels of β-carotene; 4000-9700µg/100g and α-tocopherol levels; 3000-7360µg/100g (WW). The solar dried vegetables contained β- carotene levels ranging from 572 to 854µg g-1 dry weight (DW) and α-tocopherol levels ranging from 281 to 673µg g-1 (DW). Solar dried vegetables contained significantly lower (P<0.05) amounts of β-carotene and α-tocopherol which were moderately bioavailable when mixed in good proportion to meet Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamins A and E; which are 750µg retinol equivalent/day and 8mg/day respectively. The results will provide nutritional information on the indigenous vegetables grown in Butula in Busia County.

Effects of drying methods on color retention and chlorophyll of celery (ApiumgraveolensL.), spinach (Spinacia oleraceaL.), Malabar spinach (Basella albaL.)

Dried vegetables are considered convenient for storage, transportation and preservation. The different drying techniques could influence the quality of resulting products. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of three distinguish drying methods as hot-air drying, foam-mat drying and microwave drying on the color retention and chlorophyll of green vegetables powder. Fresh spinach(Spinacia oleraceaL.), celery (Apium graveolensL.), Malabar spinach (Basella albaL.) were dried by different methods: hot air at 60oC, foam-mat at 60oC and microwave at 270 W until the samples reached approximately 9% of moisture content (wb). The drying time of the dried samples by microwave, foam-mat and hot-air method were 60, 210 and 240 min, respectively. Foam-mat dried vegetables were found to have the best quality in terms of color and the residual chlorophyll content. The findings suggest that foam-mat drying is promising in dried vegetable processing

Destruction of food stocks by insects of the fireworm family: hygienic aspects and preventive measures (review)

A review of the literature on the issue of damage to food stocks by insects of Pyralidae. Pyralidae — the most dangerous and widespread pests of food stocks, significantly affecting the sanitary and hygienic condition and quality of products of bakeries, bakeries, confectionery factories, flour and cereals and other food enterprises, warehouses and stores. They damage not only grain, flour and products from them, but also all types of dried fruits, dried vegetables, nuts, soy and chocolate candies, as well as various seeds, medicinal raw materials and herbariums, feed, cake, bran, tobacco, spices, coffee beans, cocoa beans, cork. Variants of damage caused by these insects to food stocks are described. Methods of prevention of food supply contamination and pest control are analyzed and systematized.