Study on Regulatory Effects of Yam Rice Powder (YRP) and its Ethanol Extract on Blood Sugar and Lipids and Reducing Oxidative Stress of Diabetic Mice/Patient

In the present study, we evaluated the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and anti-peroxidative effects of yam rice powder (YRP) derived from Tremella aurantialba on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice and diabetic patients. Diabetic mice were treated with ethanol extract of YRP (EEYR) at three doses or YRP for 30 days. Diabetic patients were treated with ethanol extract solution of YRP (ESYR) for 4.5 months. Results indicated that EEYR administration significantly reduced levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum fructosamine, total cholesterol, total triglyceride and malondialdehyde, and increased glucose metabolism velocities and superoxide dismutase level in the serum compared with diabetic controls (p<0.01). Moreover, ESYR could replace chemical drugs to control the FBG and postprandial blood glucose levels of diabetic patients. Our results suggested that YRP could enhance hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties in STZ-induced diabetic mice and diabetic patients. Collectively, YRP might be used as food to prevent or manage diabetes.

A Smart Approach for Food Contaminants Risk Management, Complementary to Diet Nutritional Balance

Food is usually the major source of human exposure to environmental contaminants like heavy metals and synthetic compounds. This study proposes a quick and simple approach to combine the estimate of the intake of certain pollutants with the diet, in combination with different nutritional plans (Mediterranean diet, weight loss and for athletes). The estimation of the intake of three heavy metals and two perfluoroalkyl substances was carried out by entering the type and quantity of the foods provided by each of the three selected dietary plans in the UltraBio® app. Recurring elements are high levels of Cd and Pb and very low levels of PFASs, for all the plans considered. The Mediterranean diet scheme was the one with the lowest intake of all contaminants, which, in any case, remains within the safety limits by a large margin. The high protein diet leads to exceeding the limits for two metals and critical values for the third. The advantages of this approach are mainly represented by the possibility of having a personalized risk assessment of the intake of important food contaminants for the prevention of exposures that, over time, could put health at risk.

Micronutrient Malnutrition – A Glimpse on the Current Strategies and Future Prospects

The inadequacy of micronutrients, namely essential vitamins and minerals in the human diet, manifests a wide range of moderate to serious health concerns collectively known as micronutrient malnutrition. It affects half of the global population, and food-based strategies such as balanced diet, supplementation and food fortification are effective. The balanced diet and dietary supplementation are desirable and sustainable; however, their efficacy is uncertain due to the required demands to improve dietary habits. Interestingly, food fortification – addition of micronutrients to processed foods - supplies micronutrients without the need to alter eating habits and unquestionably stands out as a systematic approach to moderate the statistical rise in micronutrient malnutrition. On the other hand, biofortification - plant breeding and/or genetic engineering - is a convenient and sustainable strategy with myriad possibilities to augment micronutrients status that could endure through generations. These approaches coupled with meticulously organized innovative policies and a competent food value chain will indeed aid in addressing the micronutrient deficiency toward building a productive and efficient generation.

The Association between Nutritional Knowledge, Socio-Economic Status of Caregivers and Stunting of Children under 5 Years in Kwale County of Kenya: A Baseline Survey

Background: In Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC), including Kenya, undernutrition has been the most significant contributor to child morbidity and mortality. Knowledge and practices of mothers/caregivers have been identified as a key sustainable factor for consideration in determining the nutritional status of children. The study aim was to determine how caregiver knowledge and socio-economic status will impact on nutritional status of children under 5 years. Methods: This study was conducted in Kwale County, Kenya, to assess baseline maternal and child parameters. Seven hundred pairs; children and their primary caregivers were sampled at baseline. Results: A total of 681 households comprised of caregiver and index child pair participated in the survey from the sampled 700. Knowledge scores of food functions, breastfeeding and complementary feeding were combined to assess caregivers’ nutritional knowledge with a maximum score of 24. The median score was 11 (IQR: 9-12) and ranged from 0 to 24. Those with scores of 12 and above (50% plus) were 230 (33.2%). Stunting was 29.8% and the level of under-weight was 16.4%. No significant association was found between nutritional knowledge of the caregivers and nutritional indicators of children under 5 years, but there were significant differences (P= 0.002) in the Knowledge score of caregivers between the five wealth quintiles. Conclusion: Most of the caregivers did not have any nutritional knowledge which was assessed as knowledge of food groups and sources and functions of different foods as well as knowledge in breastfeeding and complementary feeding.

The Role of Chicken Eggs in Human Nutrition

Chicken eggs are one of the best source of high quality protein along with important vitamins and minerals. An increased egg production and consumption could significantly improve nutritional needs of adults and children. Eggs are also an economical source of nutrients for a healthy diet and life, playing a vital role in human nutrition.

Food, Health Habits and Anthropometric Indices of Under-Five Aged Children in Imo State, Nigeria

This study examined the food and health habits and anthropometric indices of under-5 aged children in Mbieri, Mbaitolu Local Government Area (L.G.A) in Imo State, Nigeria. Cross-sectional descriptive research design was used for the study. Research methodology included assessment of nutritional status by anthropometric measurements to determine the weight, height and age of children. Dietary intake and food habits assessment was determined using a 24-hour recall. The respondents were mothers with children under five years or caregivers where the mother did not live with the child. Using interviewer-administered questionnaire, information on socio-demographics, dietary history/pattern, food habits, health information and anthropometric measurements of selected pupils was obtained. Data collected were summarised and analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) programme. Results from analysed data were presented in frequencies, percentages and means. Findings of the study showed that 7.6% and 6.5% of the children were moderately and severely stunted, 1.1% and 5.4% were moderately and severely wasted, 10.9% and 7.6% were moderately and severely overweight and 6.5% and 1.1% were moderately and severely underweight. Spearman correlation coefficient tests were used to determine relationships between dietary intake, food habit, health and nutritional status of children under five years. A level of P≤0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance in all analysis.

Drying and Properties of Solid Residue from Guava (Psidium guajava) Pulp Processing

The solid residue from pulp production of guava (Psidium guajava) represents around 30% of the raw material. The drying of this residue on drier’ trays at 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 and 70 °C was investigated. After drying, the material was ground in one of two types of mills: a knife or a hammer mill. Guava flour samples were characterized according to their water absorption capacity (WAC), oil holding capacity (OHC), emulsifying and foaming properties, lycopene, total carotenoids and phenolic compounds. The drying curves show typical behaviour and five mathematical models (two-term exponential, Henderson and Pabis, diffusion approximation, Page and logarithmic) were constructed. Of the models tested for the temperatures applied in the experiment, only the Henderson and Pabis model, when adjusted to the experimental data obtained at temperatures of 45 to 50 °C did not represent the drying kinetics of the guava processing solid residue, with coefficients of determination of 0.9376 and 0.6905, respectively. The type of mill and the drying temperature influenced the phenolic compounds, lycopene and total carotenoids. The WAC was higher than the OHC for all drying temperatures, due to the high content of dietary fiber in this residue.

Proline, A Peculiar Amino Acid with Astucious Functions in Development and Salt Tolerance Process in Plants

Proline is known to play diverse functions in plants. Some aspects of its biological functions are still unclear. This review highlights some cases in the proline, structure, metabolism, functions in development and also its involvement in salt tolerance process in planta. Indeed, we report the clever roles of proline in cellular homeostasis, including redox balance and their implication as effector during some causal enzymological and physiological processes. Furthermore, the proline functions under abiotic stresses are not yet completely understood. The engineering of proline metabolism could lead to new opportunities to improve plant tolerance against environmental stresses, especially salinity. Eventually, we note that the purpose through this review is to provide a rich, concise and mostly cohesive source on proline, considered as a platform and an anchor between several disciplines and biological functions. We also provide insight on some important research gaps that need to be filled to advance our scientific understanding in this area of research on proline in soil-plant systems.

“They Find Ways to Make the Vegetables Taste Nicer” – Increased Fruit and Vegetable Consumption with the Garden to Table Programme in Four New Zealand Schools

Aim: This project aims to evaluate the Garden to Table programme in low decile Wellington schools. Methods: In a non-randomized evaluation over three years, schools that enrolled in Garden to Table in Wellington, New Zealand, were invited to participate. Eligible students attended two measurement days per year, for anthropometric measurements and a focus group. Dietary questionnaires were completed by a guardian. Results: Four schools and 124 children participated in the evaluation. Fruit and vegetable consumption significantly increased with exposure to the program. After at least one year children were able to name more vegetables and had tried more vegetables than at baseline. Children were more willing to try new foods, but this did not reach significance. BMI was not affected. Conclusion: The Garden to Table programme is well received by children and schools. The programme increased children’s knowledge about and exposure to different vegetables and increased fruit and vegetable consumption.

Evaluation of a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Method for the Detection of Salmonella spp. in Terms of Sensitivity and Applicability

Salmonella spp. are important food-borne pathogens that can cause diseases in humans. Many detection methods have been established in Salmonella spp. using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) or reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). The detection limits of these assays varied from 1 CFU/reaction to 104 CFU/reaction, from 100 fg genomic DNA/reaction to 10 pg genomic DNA/reaction, or from 2.0×101 CFU/mL to 107 CFU/mL for food samples. In this study, LAMP assays were developed using genomic DNA for the detection of Salmonella spp. Two sets of LAMP primers were designed using the invA gene and the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (ITS) of S. enterica as the target sequences for two LAMP assays. The detection limits of the two methods were respectively 20 pg S. enterica DNA/reaction and 10 pg S. enterica DNA/reaction at the optimized temperature, and the LAMP methods were of high repeatability and specificity for S. enterica detection. This study provides a baseline for the application of LAMP for the detection of food-borne pathogenic bacteria.