Current Nutrition & Food Science - Volume 15, Issue 6, 2019

Production of frozen ready-to-bake bakery products has gained significant attention during the past few years. However, the freezing process during the production of frozen bakery products may decrease the quality especially in the case of suppression of the activity of baker yeast. Great improvements in the quality of frozen bakery products may be achieved by increasing the stability of yeast during freezing storage. Many microorganisms have different kinds of mechanisms to suppress environmental, freezing or thawing stresses. In this review paper, reported strategies which are used for rising tolerance of microorganisms, especially yeast, are reviewed. One of the introduced protective procedures is the accumulation of special intra-cellular metabolites by some microorganisms. Two main key metabolites in this regard are trehalose and proline (which act as an osmoprotectant and decrease the melting point of DNA), which are introduced in this review article. Also, cloning strategies for increasing their bioaccumulation are pointed out, and their mechanisms of action are described. Finally, overexpression of SNR84 gene as an another microbial strategy for surviving in harsh environmental conditions is (small nucleolar RNAs) mentioned, which leads to ribosomal pseudouridines (responsible for freezing tolerance and decreasing growth rate of organisms).

Background: Traditional cereal based indigenous foods play a vital role in contributing to the livelihoods and diet of the population in the Indian subcontinent. A comprehensive account of these products and their traditional and mechanized production is however lacking. The current review aims to integrate this information in a systematic manner. Methods: The socioeconomic importance, traditional production methods, their mechanization and industrial production in India are documented. Their standards and regulations are depicted and potential research areas are identified. Results: Numerous cereal based milk products are consumed in India and are also becoming increasingly popular in the global market. These traditional products are nutritionally rich, and given proper exposure, are capable of countering global malnutrition problems. Challenges in their shelf life have now been taken care of with the help of novel technologies and these indigenous traditional products seem ready to overcome the international trade barriers. Conclusion: Extensive research on process standardization and optimization has been carried out on cereal based milk products such as kheer, dalia, Payasam and phirni in addition to their variants in the past decade. Novel products with modern technologies mimicking the traditional products have been developed to satisfy the nutritional and medical requirements and even the taste buds of the consumers. Wide scope in research applications still exists and still needs to be explored.

Okara is a perishable, cheap and abundant by-product derived from soybean after extracting the soluble fraction for tofu or soybean drink, mainly known as soymilk, production. Nowadays, Okara is mostly discarded: landfill and incineration, but a useful alternative for valorisation would be to use it as a valuable source of dietary fibre. However, it presents low soluble dietary fibre (SDF) content responsible for prebiotic and anti-carcinogenic effects, so an easy industrial transformation to maximize its SDF content would be most interesting for this purpose. Different approaches can be used to increase SDF content, such as chemical or enzymatic treatments with food-grade enzymes at atmospheric pressure, but these conventional methods present some disadvantages as that the chemical procedures are pollutant and the extractions normally are incomplete, and the enzymatic methods could be expensive to scale-up. On the other hand, currently, consumers are demanding for safer, more natural and minimally-processed foods. This request has led researchers and manufacturers to develop new technologies, and within these, high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) is one of the top-10 most popular emerging technologies applied in the field of food science. The effect of HHP, and more recently, the combined effect of HHP and enzymatic treatment on okara by-product have been studied, showing that this novel approach, should also be considered in order to stabilise other agro-food byproducts -due to their perishable character- as well as to improve the functionality of the rich-ininsoluble dietary fibre from vegetable residues.

Background: Many studies have investigated the influence of minerals on the control of changes in lipid metabolism in obese individuals. The objective of this study was to describe, in a systematic review, the clinical trial outcomes of zinc supplementation and lipid profiles of obese participants. Methods: This review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. A survey was conducted for selecting clinical trials related to the effects of zinc supplementation on lipid profiles in obese people, using the following databases: PubMed, SciVerse ScienceDirect and Cochrane. Results: After the selection process, five articles were identified as eligible for this review and it was observed that the clinical trials included adults and children of both sexes, in three different countries, and with zinc supplementation doses ranging from 20 to 100 mg/day. None of the studies observed changes in High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL-c) with zinc supplementation. On the other hand, three studies observed a positive effect of zinc supplementation on triglycerides, and two found an effect on Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL-c) and total cholesterol. Conclusion: The results of this systematic review provide evidence on the benefits of zinc supplementation on lipid profiles in obese individuals. However, new intervention studies are needed to elucidate the function of the nutrient in protection against disorders related to lipid metabolism, as well as the standardization of the type, dose, and time of zinc supplementation.

Background: Cajá-manga is an exotic fruit, source of compounds that have antioxidant activity, such as pro-vitamin A and carotenoids. Objective: Thus, the objective of the present study was to develop an efficient microencapsulation process for cajá-manga pulp by different types of encapsulating agents (maltodextrin and xanthan gum), ratio pulp/carrier agents (1:2 or 1:5), and the drying technology (lyophilization and spray dryer). Methods: Physicochemical analysis, phenolic compounds, carotenoids, antioxidant activity and microcapsule morphology were performed. Results: The cajá-manga and its microcapsulas can be considered source of phenolic compounds, carotenoides and antioxidants. The morphology showed differences between the both drying methods, with encapsulation efficiency greater than 70% in 1:2 (w/w) ratio, and efficiencies around 40% with 1:5 (w/w) pulp and carrier agent. Conclusion: The use of maltodextrin and xanthan gum showed to be viable in the spray dryer and lyophilization drying processes.

Background: Adolescence is considered as one of the most vulnerable periods. The deficiencies and poor nutritional habits and lack of physical activity will have irreparable consequences in adulthood. This study was aimed to determine the behavioural patterns of nutritional and physical activity among the urban and rural students in Urmia, Iran. Methods: The present study was designed and implemented using a sectional and descriptive-analytic approach. Using a stratified random sampling method, 194 males and 191 female high school students were chosen to participate. Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLPII) was used for data collection. The overall average score of physical activity in students was 55.57 ± 4.88, and in the aspect of nutritional behaviour it was equal to 64.04 ± 3.67. Results: No significant difference was observed between physical activity, nutritional behaviours and socio-demographic variables (gender, type of school, place of residence, parental education). Based on multivariate regression analysis, there was a significant relationship between physical activity and the field of education. Furthermore, a significant relationship was found between children’s nutritional behaviour and mothers’ education. Conclusion: Considering importance of mothers’ role in upbringing adolescents and forming their healthy behavioural patterns and the significant relationship of mothers’ education and healthy behaviours, training and increasing health literacy level of this class of population can be an imperative step in promoting the mental and physical health of adolescents.

Background: Carrot pomace powder (CPP), a valuable by-product of carrot processing, and Dushab, a traditional grape juice concentrate, can be utilized for enrichment of products. Methods: Combined mixtures methodology using D-optimal design was found to be an effective technique to investigate the effects of replacing wheat flour and sucrose with CPP and Dushab on water activity, moisture content, specific volume, crumb color and textural properties of cakes and their sensory evaluation. Results: Moisture content, color difference and browning index of cakes increased with an increase in the amount of CPP and Dushab substitution. The specific volume of the cakes reduced in the supplemented CPP and Dushab cakes. By increasing the level of CPP and Dushab, the firmness of the cakes increased whereas cohesiveness decreased. Chewiness and gumminess were not affected by Dushab substitution but increased by the increment of CPP. Dushab substitution led to the decline of cake springiness compared to the control one. The least sensory accepted product, with a mean score of 0.7 in a scale from 0 to 1, had the maximum substitution of CPP (24% wheat flour) and Dushab (100% sucrose). Conclusion: The optimization tool indicated that a functional cake with high desirability can be achieved with the substitution of 10% wheat flour by CPP and 65% sucrose by Dushab.

Background: Ficus carica and Olea europaea are two medicinal plants which are widely distributed in Algeria, and used in food and traditional medicine. Objective: The objective of this work is the evaluation of the antioxidant capacity of different extracts of F. carica and O. europaea, for ends of flora valorization in Algeria. Methods: The dried leaves of the concerned plants Ficus carica and Olea europaea were submitted to sequential extraction with solvents of increasing polarity to give hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts. The total phenolic and flavonoids were determined spectrophoto-metrically. The antioxidant activity of extracts was evaluated using 1,1’-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicalscavenging and ferric reducing power test. Results: The results of the quantitative analysis show that the Methanolic Extract (ME) gives the highest yield with 16.43% and 19.98% for F. carica and O. europaea respectively. The analysis show that the highest amount of phenolic compounds was recorded in the ME of O. europaea (171.40±6.79 μg GAE/ mg E), when the the highest amount of flavonoids was recorded in the CHE of the F. carica (34.06± 0.05 μg QE/ mg E). In addition, the results show that the Ethyle Acetat Extract (EAE) exhibit the highest antiradical activity against DPPH free radical with an EC50=45.21±1.12 and 8.20±0.37 μg/ml for F. carica and O. europaea, respectively. Moreover, the EAE of the two plants present the highest reducing effect compared to other extracts at concentration of 200 μg/ml. Conclusion: The obtained results revealed the presence of a strong correlation between the antioxidant activity of the extract and its total phenolic content. Furthermore, they reported that the EAE have a considerable antioxidant capacity. This can be considered as an alternate natural source of antioxidants used generally as additives in food and pharmaceutical preparation.

Background: Polysaccharide has been used as excipient in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences. Objective: Objective of present research was to characterize crude Neem Gum Polysaccharide (NGP) for their possible applications in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry. Methods: Purified NGP was characterized in terms of phytochemical screening, organoleptic properties, solubility, micromeritic properties, TLC analysis, ash value, microbial load, molecular confirmation, molecular weight, swelling behaviour, foaming ability, surface morphology, IR spectral analysis, 1H NMR and mass spectra analysis. Suspending properties of NGP was also evaluated using paracetamol as model drug. Results: TLC analysis of NGP shows the presence of polar components in native polysaccharide. Results showed that NGP exhibit pseudoplastic flow with 19.22 x103 kJ kg-1 activation energy and 0.013 Reynold’s number. Thermodynamic parameters i.e. change in enthalpy ΔHv and change in entropy ΔSv was found to be 301.97 KJ/mol and 53.64 JK-1mol-1 respectively. Viscosity average molecular weight of NGP polysaccharide was found to be 94750 D. Foam capacity and foam stability of 1 %w/v solution of NGP was found to be 41 % and 64 % respectively. Mathematical approach also determined coiled conformation of NGP solution. Mass spectra of NGP shows characteristics fragmentation pattern with initial cleavage of glycosidic bond. 1H NMR spectra reveal the presence of 1 alpha – O-C- Methyl Hydrogen (CH3) and tetrahydropyran hydrogen. Conclusion: From the findings of the research it can be concluded that NGP can be used as excipient in cosmaceuticals and pharmaceuticals and attract rheologist for its characteristics rheological behavior.

Background: Andrographis paniculata, Bryophyllum pinnatum and Clitoria ternatea are the nutritionally adequate herbs that are easily accessible and low cost. The presence of phytochemicals makes them helpful in the management of various diseases specifically being diabetes, anemia and hypertension leading to prevention of heart diseases. Objective: Current investigation is aimed to determine the nutritional and phytochemical composition of leaves of Andrographis paniculata, Bryophyllum pinnatum and Clitoria ternatea. Methods: All the experiments were done according to standard procedures of the Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC). Results: Leaves of Clitoria ternatea were recorded to have a maximum concentration of vitamin C, compared to Andrographis paniculata and Bryophyllum pinnatum. Simultaneously, carbohydrate content was also recorded to be maximum and found significantly higher (p<0.05) as compared to Andrographis paniculata and Bryophyllum pinnatum. Leaves of Andrographis paniculata were found to have maximum contents of ash, manganese, calcium, sodium and iron which were also significantly higher (P<0.05) as compared to Bryophyllum pinnatum and Clitoria ternatea. Levels of potassium, magnesium and phosphorus were recorded maximum in Bryophyllum pinnatum among the three herbs studied. Levels of alkaloids, flavonoids and tannins were recorded to be significantly elevated (P<0.05) in Clitoria ternatea among studied herbs. Meanwhile, saponins and phenolic compounds were found to be maximum in leaves of Bryophyllum pinnatum and they were significantly elevated (P<0.05) as compared to Andrographis paniculata and Clitoria ternatea. Conclusion: Nutrients and phytoconstituents help to maintain nutritional status as well as prevent various disorders. Therefore, they should be included as a dietary supplement.

Background: Moringa oleifera is currently and rapidly gaining superfood status. Objective: This study evaluated the effect of Moringa oleifera leaves (MOLM) on haematological, biochemical and histopathology indices of rats fed with Vitamins and Minerals Deficient (VMD) diets. Methods: Twenty-five male Wistar rats (220-290g) were randomly assigned into 5 groups of 5 rats each. The control (normal rat chow), remaining four diets were VMD plus MOLM at 0, 3, 5 and 10%. Haematological, biochemical and histopathological statuses were evaluated after 28 days. Results: Non-significant increase in RBC was observed in rats fed with the MOLM diets compared to control. Rats on VMD diet had the lowest haemoglobin levels, whereas haemoglobin increased with MOLM. No significant differences were observed in haematocrit, MCH, MCHC, platelets, RDW and MPV in all the treatments and control group. However, VMD rats showed a decrease in haemoglobin, and an increase in WBC and platelets. Electrolytes and glucose for all the treatments and control were not significantly different, but, control and VMD10 diets rats showed significantly higher values for creatinine compared to MOLM diets; total protein and albumin increased with MOLM and were higher than in VMD and control rats. Serum activities of hepatic, cardiac and adrenal marker enzymes were observed to be significantly lower in MOLM rats compared to VMD and control. Mild congestion in VMD and VMD3 rats’ liver and diffused congestion in the kidney of VMD diet rats were observed. Conclusion: The significantly high increase in platelet count in the VMD treated rats, indicative of anemia and other physiological imbalances, highlights the effect of micronutrient (mineral and vitamins) deficiencies in the diet. There is also the possibility that the anti-nutrients factors present in Moringa oleifera prevented uptake and bioavailability of nutrients, since the MOLM did not undergo any processing that could have removed or reduced these antinutrients. Further studies are still needed on Moringa oleifera leaves to validate the bioavailability of nutrients from the plant.

Introduction: Lactate Minimum Test (LMT) identifies a sustainable exercise intensity, in which an equilibrium is observed between production and clearance of blood lactate and the hormone influence during this physiological moment. Objective: The present study aimed to identify the levels of LM and hormones after caffeine consumption and exercise Stress Test (ST) in diabetic rats. Methods: This study was composed of 24 animals, of 60 days, allocated into four groups: Control, Diabetic, Caffeine, and Diabetes+Caffeine. The Diabetes model was induced by intraperitoneal administration of 120 mg/kg of alloxan. On the test day, 6 mg/kg of caffeine were administrated 30 minutes before the exercise Stress Test (ST) protocol. During the ST animals underwent a Stress Test (ST), in which they performed forced swimming (until exhaustion) tie to loads of 13% Body’s Weight (BW). The incremental phase of LM began with an initial load of 4% Body’s Weight (BW) and increased 0.5% every 5 min. Lactate concentration was measured 5, 7 and 9 min (mmol/L) after ST. The Incremental Progressive Test (IPT) involved swimming with loads of 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, and 7.0% of BW, for 5min with each. Blood samples were collected by a caudal puncture to subsequent lactate and hormone assay. Results: Performance time and lactate concentration of hyperlactatemia test, as well as Lactate Minimum (LM) and Lactate (LAC) concentration after the progressive test presented a significant difference when comparing the levels of the control group with caffeine and diabetic group (p<0.05). Conclusion: It is suggested that caffeine improves lactate clearance and hormonal steady state condition of diabetic animals after hyperlactacidemia and physical exercise maintenance.

Biogenic Amines (BA) are low molecular weight organic bases that have biological activity, they can be formed and degraded as a result of normal metabolic activity in animals, plants and microorganisms, and are usually produced by the decarboxylation of amino acids. The most common biogenic amines which can be found in foods are aliphatic (putrescine, cadaverine, spermine, spermidine), aromatic (tyramine, phenylethyl amine) or heterocyclic (histamine, tryptamine) structures.