To investigate the response of nutritional supplement (LNS-PLW) on appetite score, energy intake, insulin and glucose levels in preeclamptic women.
Sixty under-weight preeclamptic primigravida were ...divided into two groups randomly and provided LNS-PLW/Placebo in the fasted state. Blood samples were collected at fasting state, after 30mins of supplementation, "ad libitum buffet" breakfast and lunch for glucose and insulin levels.
Total energy intake was higher significantly in the LNS-PLW group, although during breakfast it was significantly reduced. The insulin and glucose concentration was significantly increased after 30min of supplementation in the LNS-PLW group.
Intake of the LNS-PLW by pre-eclamptic women had short-term suppression on subsequent meal but improved total energy intake during trial.
Background
Adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have different protein requirements than the general population. Limited protein-rich baked snack options are available for CKD adults. The purpose ...of this proof of concept study was to develop two protein-rich baked snacks made with whey protein isolate and soy protein isolate and to evaluate their quality characteristics and sensory perceptions for adults with CKD.
Methods
A control formulation was obtained from the American Association of Cereal Chemists to develop three formulations—dried milk (control), whey protein isolate and soy protein isolate at an unbaked weight of 30 g. Product quality characteristics included moisture content, water activity, shape and size, and texture profile. For the sensory perception, healthy adults (
n
= 101) and adults with CKD (
n
= 57) completed a 9-point hedonic scale for appearance, flavor, texture, and overall acceptability.
Results
Protein content for the whey protein isolate and soy protein isolate reached 20% total weight. Despite containing similar moisture, both formulations were harder than the control (
p
< 0.001). Healthy participants preferred the whey protein isolate-based snack over the soy protein isolate-based snack for all attributes (
p
< 0.05). Differences in the same attributes were not perceived among CKD participants (
p
> 0.05). Open-ended responses from both healthy and CKD participants indicated that the soy protein isolate formulation was softer and sweeter compared to the whey protein isolate formulation.
Conclusion
Overall, adults with CKD preferred both the whey protein isolate—and soy protein isolate-formulated snacks. These protein-rich baked snacks can be further modified to serve as an alternative snack choice for adults with CKD and used in future clinical trials.
Graphical abstract
Cryptosporidium parvum is a protozoan parasite that infects intestinal epithelial cells causing malabsorption and severe diarrhea. The monoterpene thymol has been reported to have antifungal and ...antibacterial properties but less is known about the antiparasitic effect of this compound. Terpenes are sometimes unsuitable for therapeutic and food applications because of their instability. Esterification of terpenes eliminates this disadvantage. The present study evaluates the effects of thymol (Th) and a thymol ester, thymol octanoate (TO), against C. parvum infectivity in vitro. The cytotoxicity IC50 value for TO after 24 h of treatment was 309.6 μg/mL, significantly higher than that of Th (122.5 μg/mL) in a human adenocarcinoma cell line (HCT-8). In the same way, following 48 h of treatment, the cytotoxicity IC50 value for TO was significantly higher (139 μg/mL) than that of Th (75.5 μg/mL). These results indicate that esterification significantly reduces Th cytotoxicity. Dose-dependent effects were observed for TO and Th when both parasite invasion and parasite growth assays were evaluated. When evaluated for their activity against C. parvum growth cultured in vitro in HCT-8 cells, the anti-cryptosporidial IC50 values were 35.5 and 7.5 μg/mL, for TO and Th, respectively. Together, these findings indicate that esterified thymol has anti-cryptosporidial effect comparable with its parental compound thymol, but with improved safety margins in mammalian cells and better physicochemical properties that could make it more suitable for diverse applications as an antiparasitic agent.
Display omitted
•Thymol and thymol octanoate were active against C. parvum in vitro, with low cytotoxicity in HCT-8 cells.•Esterified thymol has anti-cryptosporidial effect comparable with its parental compound but with improved physicochemical properties.•Thymol had a stronger effect than thymol octanoate against C. parvum invasion but similar effects when parasite growth was evaluated.
One key approach to achieve zero hunger in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is to develop sustainable, affordable, and green technologies to process nutritious food products from locally available sources. ...Soybeans are an inexpensive source of high-quality protein that may help reduce undernutrition, but it is underutilized for human consumption. This research evaluated the feasibility of a low-cost method developed initially at the United States Department of Agriculture to produce soy protein concentrate (SPC) from mechanically pressed soy cake and thus create a more valuable ingredient to improve protein intake in SSA.
The method was initially tested in the bench scale to assess process parameters. Raw ingredients comprised defatted soy flour (DSF), defatted toasted soy flour (DTSF), low-fat soy flour 1 (LFSF1; 8% oil), and LFSF2 (13% oil). Flours were mixed with water (1:10 w/v) at two temperatures (22 or 60°C) for two durations (30 or 60 min). After centrifugation, supernatants were decanted, and pellets were dried at 60°C for 2.5 h. Larger batches (350 g) of LFSF1 were used to examine the scalability of this method. At this level, protein, oil, crude fiber, ash, and phytic acid contents were measured. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), hexanal concentration and peroxide value were measured in SPC and oil to evaluate oxidative status. Amino acid profiles,
protein digestibility, and protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) were determined to assess protein quality.
Bench scale results showed accumulation of protein (1.5-fold higher) and reduction of oxidative markers and phytic acid to almost half their initial values. Similarly, the large-scale production trials showed high batch-to-batch replicability and 1.3-fold protein increase from initial material (48%). The SPC also showed reductions in peroxide value (53%), TBARS (75%), and hexanal (32%) from the starting material. SPC's
protein digestibility was higher than the starting material.
The proposed low-resource method results in an SPC with improved nutritional quality, higher oxidative stability, and lower antinutrient content, which enhances its use in food-to-food fortification for human consumption and is thus amenable to address protein quantity and quality gaps among vulnerable populations in SSA.
Vitamin D deficiency is a global issue which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdowns. Fortification of food staples with vitamin D provides a solution to alleviate this ...problem. This research explored the use of pea protein nanoemulsion (PPN) to improve the stability of vitamin D in various food products. PPN was created using a pH-shifting and ultrasonication combined method. The physicochemical properties were studied, including particle size, foaming ability, water holding capacity, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic contents. The fortification of several food formulations (non-fat cow milk, canned orange juice, orange juice powder, banana milk, and infant formula) with vitamin D-PPN was investigated and compared to raw untreated pea protein (UPP) regarding their color, viscosity, moisture content, chemical composition, vitamin D stability, antioxidant activity, and morphology. Finally, a sensory evaluation (quantitative descriptive analysis, and consumer testing) was conducted. The results show that PPN with a size of 21.8 nm protected the vitamin D in all tested products. PPN may serve as a potential carrier and stabilizer of vitamin D in food products with minimum effects on the taste and color. Hence, PPN may serve as a green and safe method for food fortification during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Food fortification in low-income settings is limited due to the lack of simple quality control sensing tools. In this study, we field validated a paper-based, smartphone-assisted colorimetric assay ...(Nu3Px) for the determination of iron in fortified flours against the gold standard method, atomic emission spectrometry (AES). Samples from commercial brands (
= 6) were collected from supermarkets, convenience stores, and directly from companies in Mexico and characterized using both Nu3Px and AES. Nu3Px's final error parameters were quantified (
= 45) via method validation final experiments (replication and comparison of methods experiment). Qualitative pilot testing was conducted, assessing Nu3Px's accept/reject batch decision making (accept ≥ 40 μg Fe/g flour; reject < 40 μg Fe/g flour) against Mexico's fortification policy. A modified user-centered design process was followed to develop and evaluate an alternative sampling procedure using affordable tools. Variation of iron content in Mexican corn flours ranged from 23% to 39%. Nu3Px's random error was 12%, and its bias was 1.79 ± 9.99 μg Fe/g flour. Nu3Px had a true mean difference from AES equal to 0 and similar variances. AES and Nu3Px made similar classifications based on Mexico's policy. Using simple, affordable tools for sampling resulted in similar output to the traditional sampling preparation (r = 0.952,
= 0.01). The affordable sample preparation kit has similar precision to using analytical tools. The sample preparation kit coupled with the smartphone app and paper-based assay measure iron within the performance parameters required for the application to corn flour fortification programs, such as in the case of Mexico.
The leakage of sewage and agricultural drains has led to the contamination of freshwater branches with toxic heavy elements. This raises concerns about their toxic effects on aquatic ecosystems, ...especially on fish. Tilapia is regarded as an important protein source in Egypt and many other countries. The biophysical, nutritional, and histological aspects of water pollution in the El-Rahawy and Al-Qatta locations of the Nile on Nilotic tilapia muscle were evaluated by assessing the level of contamination of Nilotic tilapia fish. The current study showed that water of the Rosetta branch water was polluted with a very high level at El-Rahawy Drain discharge (RD) location, and with a high level at Al-Qatta (Q) location, while El-Rahawy (R) location was polluted with a lower level. The study traced the pollution effects on Tilapia (Nilotic) muscles in the previous locations. Bioaccumulation factor (BAF) showed a high value of all heavy metals in Tilapia muscle at the Q and R locations. Contrary to what was expected, discharge (RD) location contamination caused BAF increment of heavy metals in Tilapia muscles at upstream R location. All these results were compared with measured dielectric parameters of Tilapia muscle samples in the frequency range (0.02–1000) kHz. There was an increase in conductivity (σac), dielectric constant (ε′), dielectric loss (ε″), penetration depth (dp), and dissipated power (PD) values of Tilapia muscle, with increasing pollution level. The values of permittivity at low and high frequencies (ε′s & ε′∞) for Tilapia muscle decreased by increasing pollution. Finally, the variation of these parameters, based on that proportionality relationship, can be considered as a physical indicator for fish contamination affected by their environment pollution, although these parameters need further studies in a controlled (qualitatively and quantitatively) polluted media.
A case study in the U.S. Midwest explored factors likely to be limiting organic maize, aka corn seed quality and quantity. We sought to learn about the influence of the regulatory loophole which ...allows use of conventionally produced, untreated, non-GMO seed for organic production when an organic equivalent is unavailable and, the organic sectors' concerns about access to quality seed, and seed price. Two farmer focus groups, a workshop with seed producers, a survey of merchants of organic maize seed, and a research project advisory board suggested that the degree of concern about the loophole and seed quality varied according to participants' priorities. Farmers equate seed quality with agronomic traits impacting grain yield and crop establishment (vigor, emergence and tolerance to cultivation). Traits influencing grain quality or composition for specific uses, and the ability to satisfy consumer wants were more important to buyers. Seed price was of greater concern to farmers and buyers catering to commodity markets than to producers and buyers serving de-commodified markets. Producers that prized yield most highly were less concerned about the loophole or interested in participatory on-farm breeding and testing networks than farmers catering to specialty markets. Despite interest, little information about nutritional quality, rhizosphere function, and ecosystem service provision is circulated outside of academic groups. A workshop with leaders in the organic seed improvement industry and advisory board input identified the inability of inbred lines to withstand weed, pest, and disease pressure as the main bottleneck increasing costs and limiting investment in organic seed improvement. The cost differential between organic-and conventional non-treated seed, and competition from organic grain imports, were believed to be limiting the price of certified seed, thus making it difficult to garner investment and innovation needed to develop desired agronomic, environmental, or grain-quality traits. An audit of seed sales reported by >90% of U.S. vendors of certified seed found that the volume of organic seed being sold may account for as much as 75% of organic maize acreage planted in the U.S. Costs of non-treated seed sourced through the loophole are 40-100% less than certified seed. With 75% of U.S. organic corn being produced using certified organic seed, we conclude that the loophole is not altering seed quality by undercutting organic seed sales. Substantially higher costs of organic seed production and challenges associated with organic seed production appear to be the most likely barriers to maize seed improvement for the organic sector.
Women sustain household health by operationalizing and maximizing nutrition through food preparation. Thus, information and the women's knowledge on nutrient adequacy of meals prepared at home is ...crucial for the design, implementation and performance of nutrition interventions. However, there is limited evidence on the adequacy of homemade complementary meals for children below two years in Tanzania. This study aimed to assess the dietary quality of the prepared complementary foods provided to infants and children. A cross-sectional survey was used to collect demographic and nutritional information. A total of 119 breastfeeding children aged 6 to 22 months were recruited. The dietary intake patterns were assessed using a seven-day food frequency questionnaire, and a 3-day 24 h recall. The dietary diversity score and Food consumption score evaluated dietary patterns. Food consumed by 27 children in a day (24 h) was weighed and recorded and samples were collected for nutrient analysis. Nutrient adequacy ratios were obtained by comparing FAO/WHO recommended intakes. Results revealed that 15% of the children had poor food consumption patterns. The median dietary diversity score of the children was four out of eight food groups. For most households, median adequacy ratios for energy, fat and micronutrient contributed from complementary foods were less than one. Although breastfeeding was present and supported at home, the nutrient densities of complementary meals were inadequate to achieve the WHO/FAO recommended nutrient intakes. Promotion of community food fortification and diversification programs, along with nutrition education, health and sanitation are necessary as they can improve the intake of critical micronutrients and nutrition status.
Unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) leads to variable metabolic effects. Oxidative stress (OS) of adipose tissue (AT) and mitochondrial energy homeostasis is little investigated. This work ...studied the effects of UCMS on OS and the antioxidant/redox status in AT and mitochondrial energy homeostasis in rats. Twenty‐four male Wistar rats (180–220 g) were divided into two equal groups; the normal control (NC) group and the UCMS group which were exposed to various stresses for 28 days. An indirect calorimetry machine was used to measure volumes of respiratory gases (VO2& VCO2), total energy expenditure (TEE), and food intake (FI). The AT depots were collected, weighed, and used for measuring activities and gene expression of key antioxidant enzymes (GPx1, SOD, CAT, GR, GCL, and GS), OS marker levels including superoxide anion (SA), peroxynitrite radical (PON), nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), lipid peroxides (LPO), t‐protein carbonyl content (PCC), and reduced/oxidized glutathione levels (GSH, GSSG). Additionally, AT mitochondrial fractions were used to determine the activities of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) cycle enzymes (CS, α‐KGDH, ICDH, SDH, MDH), respiratory chain complexes I–III, II–III, IV, the nicotinamide coenzymes NAD+, NADH, and ATP/ADP levels. Compared with the NC group, the UCMS group showed very significantly increased OS marker levels, lowered antioxidant enzyme activities and gene expression, as well as lowered TCA cycle and respiratory chain activity and NAD+, NADH, and ATP levels (p < .001 for all comparisons). Besides, the UCMS group had lowered TEE and insignificant FI and weight gain. In conclusion, AT of the UCMS‐subjected rats showed a state of disturbed redox balance linked to disrupted energy homeostasis producing augmentation of AT.
Significance statement
Adipose tissue (AT) during periods of unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) may encounter some oxidative metabolic change. This work studied oxidative stress of AT and mitochondrial energy homeostasis in rats exposed to UCMS. This study detected profound oxidative stress (OS) in AT of UCMS‐subjected rats, leading to redox imbalance. Besides, the presence of a reduction of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) cycle and respiratory chain activities consequently marked reduction in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, thus indicating mitochondrial metabolic exhaustion and disruption of energy homeostasis. These findings can impact the TEE and be associated parallelly with both TEE and food intake (FI), resulting in insignificant weight changes. Future research investigating the role of antioxidants as a prophylactic or curative treatment during UCMS is suggested.
PDF
