Emerald | Nutrition & Food Science

Correlation of Antioxidant Activity and Phytochemical profile in Native Plants

Padma S. Vankar, Jyoti Srivastava, Sarvesh Kumar Srivastava — 2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - To study the structure-activity correlation of four medicinal plants- Ocimum basilicum L., Piper betle L., Grewia asiatica L., Lantana camara L. in crude methanolic extract. These plants have been used in Ayurvedic preparation as alternate medicine. The contents of phenolic compounds (flavonoids, anthocyanin) and antioxidant capacities were evaluated.Design/methodology/approach - Folin-Ciocalteu method was used for the analysis of the phenolic compounds. Total flavonoids were also evaluated. DPPH, ABTS +, FRAP and H2O2 assays were used to evaluate antioxidant activity. Most of the assays were determined spectrometrically.Findings - O. basilicum L. had the highest of total phenolics content (305.11 mg GAE/g), highest content of anthocyanins (15.427 mg/Kg) and total flavonoids (9.692 QE mg/g). The DPPH, ABTS +, FRAP and H2O2 assay indicated that these plants possessed considerable antioxidant activities. Originality/value - The results also showed that O. basilicum and L. camara from red colored cultivars possessed high contents of phenolic compounds. FRAP assay showed AOA in the following sequence -Lantana camara>Ocimum basilicum>Piper betle> Grewia asiatica. Since L. camara showed highest antioxidant capacity thus it can be potential resource for commercial antioxidant.

Dietary intakes and anthropometric indices of 337 adults from Cyprus

ELENI ANDREOU, CHRISTIANA PHILIPPOY, DIMITRIOS PAPANDREOU — 2012-01-19 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - There is increasing evidence that diets high in energy, saturated fatty acids, cholesterol and low in fiber and antioxidants may lead to cardiovascular disease, hypertension and cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate for the first time the anthropometric measurements and dietary intakes of a randomly selected and representative sample of men and women from the Cyprus and compare it with the recent recommended dietary guidelines for adults.Design/methodology/approach - A sample of 337 individuals was selected with the method of stratified random sampling with proportional percentage of women (51.5%) and men (48.5%).Anthropometric and dietary characteristics were recorded for all subjects.Findings - Males were found to have significantly (P<0.001) higher levels of weight, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, basal metabolic rate as well as lean body mass and lower body fat levels, compared to females. Both genders were found to have significantly lower intakes of vitamin A, B6, calcium and magnesium and significantly higher amounts of vitamin C, B1,B2, and iron (P<0.001) compared to DRIs, respectively. In linear regression analysis after adjustment for age and gender, BMI was found to be positively related to age, waist circumference, energy and saturated fatty acids (P<0.001) but inversely related to fiber (P<0.001).Originality/value - The paper gives information to nutritionists and clinical dietitians of new data about dietary intakes and anthropometric measurements of Cypriot adults.

Religious Fasting Increase Fat Free Mass (FFM) and Reduce Abdominal Obesity

Muhammad Muzaffar Ali Khan Khattak, Ibrahim Abu Bakar, Layana Yeim — 2012-01-19 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of fasting on anthropometry and body compositional in fasting obese and non-obese subjects. Design/methodology/approach - Respondents: Male and Female from the International Islamic University, Malaysia (IIUM), Kuantan Campus were assessed for body compositional changes during Ramadan fasting. Sample Size: Twenty five volunteers (male & female) were recruited in Ramadan who volunteered to participate in this study. The mean age of the volunteers was 26.5 쳌} 5.86 years and the age range were 21 – 45 years. Methodology: Twenty five volunteers (male & female) were recruited in Ramadan. Age, sex, weight, height, waist & hip circumference and menstrual cycle status (in case of females) were recorded on day 1 and on day 21 weight and waist & hip circumference were also recorded. Similarly, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was performed on day 1 and 21 for the assessment of changes in the body composition. From weight & height basal metabolic Index (BMI) was determined and waist-hip ratio was determined from the waist & hip circumferences. Findings - Weight was significantly (P<0.001) reduced in obese individuals on day 21 and accompanied by significant (P<0.01) reduction in waist hip ratios. BIA showed no significant change in the intra or extra cellular water. However, there has been shift of water between the two compartments. There was a strong positive correlation (r= 0.9) between the fat free mass and total body water and negative association (r= -0.9) with total body water. Research limitations/implications - This study was not a controlled one and was conducted on free living individuals and therefore there is need to have controlled or adjusted physical activities studies in fasting individuals. It is always difficult to conduct experiment in human in the metabolic room. Furthermore, in this study it was not possible since it is religious fasting. Another thing is that the size of the sample was smaller which not adiviable for this kind of studies is. However, the results were confirmed in the following month of Ramadan as described in the article.Practical implications - This research will have significant effect in the obese as well as normal weight individuals. Since obesity is among the leading killers contribution to morbidity and mortality. Fasting is performed in all religions and it is not a new thing for most of the communities in the world. However, the ways of fasting and religious practices are different in various communities. Therefore, fasting can be utilized for body weight management which will not only improve health but would also reduce the cost of diseases.Originality/value - This research take into consideration the effect of Ramadan fasting on body composition which never been reported in literature. The relationship of water and anthropometry observed would highly significant in the understanding health benefits of religious fasting.

The synbiotic effects of konjac glucomannan hydrolysates (GMH) and lactobacilli on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium

Farage Al-Ghazzewi, Richard Frank Tester, Kamran Alvani — 2012-01-19 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - Purpose – The aim of this study was to investigate how synbiotic combinations of lactobacilli with konjac glucomannan hydrolysate (GMH) may be used to reduce Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium growth in vitro.Design/methodology/approach - Design/methodology/approach – Growth of S. aureus and S. typhimurium was assessed individually and when mixed with L. acidophilus in modified media supplemented with two per cent GMH. The effect of the GMH and the Lactobacillus strain on S. aureus growth was also investigated using the well diffusion test on Muller-Hinton agar medium.Findings - Findings – The results showed that L. acidophilus ‘out grew’ the pathogens S. aureus and S. typhimurium in the presence of konjac glucomannan in the mixed cultures.Originality/value - Originality/value – Konjac glucomannan hydrolysates combined with probiotic bacteria, may be used to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria such as S. aureus and S. typhimurium. These data support the development of an alternative approach to reduce infections and promote consumer health.

Soybean glycinin (11S) increases HDL-cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic rats

2012-01-19 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - This study has determined the effects of isolated soy glycinin on lipid metabolism in animals subjected to a hypercholesterolemic diet.Design/methodology/approach - Male Wistar rats were kept in individual cages under appropriate conditions of temperature, light and humidity. The animals were divided into three groups (n = 9): 1) normal diet (STD) given a diet containing casein as protein source, recommended in AIN-93M; 2) hypercholesterolemic (HC) fed a normal diet with 1% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid; 3) hypercholesterolemic + glycinin (HC+11S), fed a hypercholesterolemic diet, plus 11S soy protein (300 mg/kg/day), dissolved in saline and administered by gavage. After 28 days, the animals were sacrificed and blood and liver removed for biochemical analysis of total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) in the plasma, hepatic TC and TG.Findings - The results indicated that the addition of 1% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid induced hypercholesterolemia in the animals without interfering with their weight gain. A single daily dose of glycinin given to hypercholesterolemic group demonstrated its functional role, particularly in raising HDL-C and reducing triglycerides in the liver.Originality/value - This study demonstrates the action of the 11S globulin in soybean as a serum lipid lowering agent, in addition to its nutritional properties, especially in raising the HDL-C.

NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION OF COMPLEMENTARY FOOD DEVELOPED FROM PLANT AND ANIMAL PROTEIN SOURCES.

SAMSON ISHOLA IBIRONKE, Joseph Bandele Fashakin — 2012-01-19 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to nutritionally evaluate the potency of complementary food produced by mixing different sources of vegetable and animal protein together. Design/methodology/approach - Maize (carbohydrate), peanut (groundnut) and crayfish (euastacus spp) were the sole energy and protein sources respectively. Diet 1(Basal), diet 2 (groundnut- fermented-maize (ogi) 1:9), diet 3 (crayfish-ground-nut-ogi, 1:1:9), diet 4 (crayfish-ogi, 1:9), diet 5 control (Nutrend). The formulated complementary diets were fed to 30 albino rats. A commercial product (Nutrend) manufactured by nestle plc was obtained at a local supermarket, Ile-Ife, Nigeria and was used as standard diet.Findings - The result showed the growth rate, (non protein diet) decreased from 37.962 - 36.910, (protein diet) increased from 37.270 - 54.544, 37.770 - 82.662, 37.900 - 78.570, and 37.636 - 80.521 for diets 1 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Protein efficiency ratio (PER), for diets1 2, 3, 4 and 5 were nil, 1.45, 3.30, 3.15, and 2.94 respectively. Net protein ratio (NPR), for diets1 2, 3, 4 and 5 were nil, 0.85, 2.78, 2.59, and 2.45 respectively. The average nitrogen retained in various organs of experimental animals, such as liver, kidney and muscle of the diets 1 2, 3 4 and 5 were 35.52, 33.55, 33.58: 48.32, 48.40 48.68: 55.70, 53.20, 56.08: 52.30, 50.48, 54.65: and 56.76, 44.63, 56.80 respectively. The formulations compared to control, were found superior in terms of growth rate, protein efficiency ratio (PER), net protein ratio (NPR) and ensure optimum nitrogen content in the liver, kidney and tissues.Originality/value - These findings showed that the complementary food formulations are not expensive, locally available, and affordable, could be produced from plant and animal sources and may be suitable to eradicate protein energy malnutrition (PEM).