Current Nutrition & Food Science - Volume 15, Issue 5, 2019

Climate change and global warming became a real concern for global food security. The world population explosion is a critical factor that results in enormous emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHGs), required to cover the growing demands of fresh water, food, and shelter. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a significant oil-producing country, which is included in the list of 55 countries that produce at least 55% of the world’s GHGs and thus involved in the top 30 countries over the world with emission deficits. At the same time, the UAE is located in an arid region of the world, with harsh environmental conditions. The sharp population increases and the massive growth in the urbanization are primary sources, lead to further stresses on the agricultural sector. Thus, the future of the food production industry in the country is a challenging situation. Consequently, the primary objective of this work is to shed light on the current concerns related to climate change and food security, through describing the implications of climate change on the food production sector of the UAE. Tailored solutions that can rescue the future of food security in the country are also highlighted.

This review presents the chemical constituents and pharmacological actions of Silybum marianum. These chemical constituents include flavonolignans, fatty acids, phenolics and other chemical constituents. Furthermore, flavonolignans constituents include silymarin isosilychristin, silychristin, silydianin, silybin A, silybin B, isosilybin A, isosilybin B, etc. Pharmacological actions include a well curative effect on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, UV damage, varieties of cancers, diabetes. In addition, its pharmacological actions include anti-inflammatory, anti-depression and more pharmacological actions. This paper will enable Silybum marianum lay the foundation for producing high and sustainable productions in the future.

Background: The connection between food and good health is not a new concept. Vegetables are being used as a source of nutrition since long. Dietary active components are essential for the normal functioning of the human body. Methods: The study basically involves all the three categories of research methodologies, including analytic, descriptive and historical. It involves secondary data from scientific reports, books, and journals. Results: Vegetables can be considered as nutraceuticals since they supply bioactive compounds effective in decreasing the risk of many diseases. Vegetables are considered to be protective foods since they contain low calories and higher vitamins and minerals. Vegetables are potentially suitable against civilization diseases, which are caused by the lack of nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, β-carotene, selenium, zinc, cryptoxanthin, lycopene etc), and other micronutrients. Conclusion: The presence of bioactive compounds like phytochemicals offers nutraceutical values to vegetables. Nutraceutical rich vegetables have been established to have a role in gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and other diseases. Vegetables and fruits not only have the potential to stop the growth of disease but also can cure many diseases and boost the immune system.

Background: Consumption of unhealthy processed foods viz., refined wheat flour based bakery products such as biscuits, muffins, etc. is a key causative factor underlying nutrition transition giving rise to overweight and obesity. The underutilized coarse grain, proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) can find potential application in bakery products. Objective: The objective of the present study was to prepare healthy muffins by partial replacement of refined flour with Proso Millet Flour (PMF), Carrot Preserve (CP) and Beetroot Preserve (BP). Methods: Standardized methods were used to analyze the products for nutritional composition, antioxidant activity and sensory properties. Results: Results showed that the protein and dietary fiber contents of products ranged from 5.49- 5.95g and 3.60-4.15g/100g respectively. Total phenolic content was high in aqueous extract of muffin with PMF+BP i.e. 125±1.41mg tannic acid equivalent/100g. β-carotene content was high in muffin with PMF+CP (155±3.5μg/100g). Antioxidant activity determined by four methods showed that products with PMF+CP and PMF+BP had higher activity compared to control samples. The sensory quality of muffin was unaffected by the incorporation PMF, having scores equal to control muffins. Conclusion: To conclude PMF, CP and BP can be used as functional food ingredients in bakery products to improve the nutritional quality without affecting sensorial palatability.

Background: In this work, the study of the physicochemical properties of the rat bones that were fed under severe and moderate calcium depletion was carried out. Calcium depletion is a common problem in the diet of the third world. Objective: Three calcium levels: 5000, 2500, and 1039 mg/kg, were used in the diets to evaluate the influence of calcium deficiency on the bone quality by post-mortem tests. Methods: Inductive Coupled Plasma was used to study the elemental chemical composition of the bones; X-ray diffraction evaluated the bone structure and crystallinity; the microstructure and architecture were investigated using scanning electron microscopy; thermogravimetric analysis assessed the ratio between organic and inorganic phases of bones. All of these results were correlated with flexion and compression test determining the biomechanical properties to evaluate the bone quality. Results: The results showed that severe calcium depletion (75% depletion, 1039 mg/kg) was a critical factor in the unsuitable mineralization process responsible for the deterioration of bone quality. Bone architecture with delicate trabeculae caused the poor mechanical response. For moderate calcium depletion (50% of the request, 2500 mg/kg), the bone quality and its mechanical behavior showed less deterioration in comparison with bones of severe calcium depletion diet. Conclusion: By using this animal model, the effect of calcium depletion in bone mineralization in rats was understood and can be extrapolated for humans.

Background: Honey is generally evaluated by physicochemical analysis of its constituents. The manipulation of honey and its possible adulteration is reflected in many of its physicochemical properties. Objective: In this study, samples of Zygophyllum album L honey produced in El-Oued, Algeria, were characterized based on their melissopalynology, physicochemical and antioxidant properties, also polyphenol content. Methods: The physicochemical parameters of honey, such as density, moisture content, pH, free acidity, electrical conductivity (EC), total sugar content, color intensity, water insoluble solids content, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), ash, specific rotation, were measured. A number of antioxidant tests were performed to determine the antioxidant properties of Zygophyllum album L honey samples. The polyphenol in the Zygophyllum album L honey was measured by spectrometric determination based on folin-ciocalteu’s method. The identification and quantification of phenolic compounds were carried out by RP-HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography). Results: All honey samples contained monofloral (67.83-91.89%) pollen belonging to Zygophyllum album L. The results of physicochemical parameters of analyzed honeys were: pH 4.33, moisture 17.2%, free acidity 41.96 meq/kg, electrical conductivity 0.408 mS/cm, HMF 11.89 mg/kg, Ash 0.246 (%), specific rotation -8.21. The Zygophyllum album L honey was extra white amber. The total sugar content ranged from 81.5 to 83. Honey samples contain high levels of gallic acid (252.53±15.56 mg/kg honey), chlorogenic acid (124.71±10.09 mg/kg) and low amounts of total polyphenol (467.82±46,98 mg GAE/kg). Conclusion: Physicochemical parameters (total acidity, pH, moisture, dry matter, ash, and qualitative hydroxymethylfurfural) were within the approved limits established by International Honey Commission.

Background: In this study, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), Iron (Fe) and arsenic (As) contents in milk and different dairy product samples from in Iran (Tabriz) were measured. Methods: Samples of 10 brands of pasteurized milk, yoghurt, traditional and industrial kashk were selected and quantitative analysis for heavy metals were performed by a Varian AA240fs atomic absorption spectrometer with a Graphite Furnace (GTA 120). Results: The obtained ranges of mean heavy metals are given in the following: in milk 6.066-10.83, 2.343-6.070, 141.73-241.23, 2764.3-3151.3, 3.246-7.536ppb, in yoghurt 5.543-19.341, 3.143-8.830, 276.17-423.53, 2412.4-4115.7, 6.650-10.84, in industrial kashk 2.163-19.621, 1.541-13.45, 115.87- 565.40, 2588.4-5014.3, 4.346-20.351ppb, and in traditional kashk 7.972-32.723, 5.233-9.966, 416.42- 923.62, 4491.4-6402.3, 7.661-28.413 ppb, respectively. Conclusion: All the samples were below the internationally recognized permissible limits and did not pose any health risk to the consumption of milk and dairy products in Tabriz.

Background: In this article a comprehensive study was carried out for the determination of natural radioactivity in animal and vegetable food (meat, fish, milk and derivates, legumes, cereals and derivates, fruit, hortalizas, vegetables, vegetable oils) typical of different feeding regimes, for the age category higher than 17 years. Methods: A total of eighty-five samples of Italian origin, coming from large retailers during the years 2014, 2015 and 2016, were analyzed through HPGe gamma spectrometry. Results: The specific activity of 40K was investigated and its mean value was found to be: (106.3 ± 6.9) Bq/kg for bovine, swine and sheep meat; (116.5 ± 9.7) Bq/kg for fish; (52.9 ± 3.1) Bq/kg for milk and derivates; (271.9 ± 16.7) Bq/kg for legumes; (67.2 ± 4.7) Bq/kg for cereals and derivates; (52.7 ± 4.4) Bq/kg for fruit; (72.9 ± 5.6) Bq/kg for hortalizas; (83.9 ± 6.5) Bq/kg for vegetables; lower than the minimum detectable activity for vegetable oils. For animal food the highest mean 40K activity concentration was found in fish samples; for vegetable food the highest one was detected in legumes. Conclusion: The evaluation of dose levels due to the food ingestion typical of Mediterranean, Vegetarian and Vegan diets was performed. The annual effective dose was found to be 0.16 mSv/y, 0.41 mSv/y and 0.54 mSv/y, respectively.

Background: The dried noodles produced from maize raw materials soaked for 24 hours were germinated for 36 hours and the Aloe vera skin extracted at 80°C for 60 minutes showed high nutrients, proving that this food product has functional properties. Objective: To check the quality of dry noodles produced from the combination of maize sprout flour and Aloe vera skin extract. Subject and Methods: The materials used were maize and Aloe vera skin. Maize was soaked for 24 hours and germinated for 36 hours and the Aloe vera skin was extracted at 80°C for 60 minutes. The maize sprouts obtained were then dried and floured. Then, Aloe vera skin extract was added, followed by other noodle-forming materials for further processing of dried noodles. The nutrient components were analyzed in the produced noodles. Results: The maize sprout flour had 11.35% protein, protein digestibility 84.84%, starch 37.63%, phytate compound 131.09 mg/g, organic compounds 11 mg/g, and functional compounds 22 mg/g, while the noodle product had elongation of 96.15%, swelling index of 19.64%, tensile strength of 2.01 Nmm, 18 organic acids compounds (lactate, oxalate, succinic, malic, mevalonic, p coumaric, ascorbate, ferulic, panthotenic, myristic, hexadecanoic, palmitic, α-linoleic, linoleic acid, oleic, stearate, isobehenate and folic) and 23 functional groups in the range 527.29 - 3354.74 cm-1. Conclusion: Dry noodles produced from Aloe vera skin extract and maize sprout flour have functional properties.

Background: Changing lifestyles have paved the way towards various physiological dysfunctions. Phytochemicals derived from spices are being widely utilized in diet from ancient times to fight against these physiological dysfunctions owing to their therapeutic potential and high pharmacological activities. Methods: The current investigation was an attempt to explore the antioxidant potential, physicochemical, and sensory properties of black cumin (Nigella sativa) enriched pizza base that was developed by using conventional and supercritical extracts. Results: It was observed that the texture of product becomes harder during storage from 4.36±0.16 to 4.71±0.17 kg force. Nonetheless, supercritical extract pizza base got better hedonic scores compared to other treatments. Antioxidant potential of pizza base enriched with supercritical extracts (Total Phenolic Content 108.08±4.88 mg GAE/100g) was also better than control and conventional solvent extract enriched treatment as 63.24±3.03 and 95.34±3.66 mg GAE/100g, respectively. Conclusion: Conclusively, the results depicted that pizza base containing supercritical extract exhibited superior physiochemical, hedonic and antioxidant properties.

Background: Although bigorexia symptoms are rapidly increasing, it is mostly an underrecognized condition in Turkish male bodybuilders. There are no validated screening tools to identify the symptoms. Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the validity of the Turkish version of the MDDI and the BIG towards the diagnosis of bigorexia and to provide health care professionals with early screening tools. Methods: One hundred twenty male bodybuilders, fifty-eight professional bodybuilders and sixtytwo recreational bodybuilders, all of whom matched the research criteria, were included in this study. MDDI and BIG forms were filled by the bodybuilders, along with an “Individual Characteristic Information Form”, a “Nutrition-related Information Form”, and a “Bodybuilding-related Information Form”. To evaluate the construct validity, factor analysis was conducted and resulted in a threefactor construct. Results: The factor-loading values ranged from 0.542- 0.827. Calculations of Cronbach’s alpha for the MDDI sum (α = 0.657) revealed a good internal consistency. The MDDI, BIG O, and BIG S intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were found to be 0.840, 0.908, and 0.879, respectively. As a result, MDDI had acceptable reliability and that of BIG O and BIG S was excellent. Discussion: Turkish MDDI, BIG-O and BIG-S forms proved to be valid and reliable scales and were adequate for determining the symptoms of bigorexia in male bodybuilders. Using these forms, there was a statistically significant relationship between bigorexia and eating disorders, which were significantly positively correlated. Conclusion: Our results support the feasibility of using the MDDI, the BIG-O, and the BIG-S forms to determine symptoms of bigorexia in Turkish population. Further studies are needed to confirm if this result can be generalized to female bodybuilders.

Background: Antioxidants are commonly used in food products to prolong their shelf life. Regarding the potential risks of synthetic antioxidants, people’s tendency toward natural antioxidants is growing. The present study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant activities of some fruits versus synthetic antioxidants such as Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT). Methods: In this study, the antioxidant activities of the alcoholic extract of some fruits including grape, date, olive, fig and pomegranate versus BHT were evaluated by using the egg yolk. The oxidative stability of samples was measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay. Result: Present findings showed that the levels of lipid oxidation in egg yolk exposed to olive and pomegranate extracts were similar to the levels of lipid oxidation of egg yolk exposed to BHT. Conclusion: The study suggested that pomegranate extract may be used as a natural antioxidant instead of chemical compounds.