Nutritional Analysis and Determination of Heavy Metal Content of Some Spices from the Northern Region, Bangladesh

Spices are generally consumed because of their medicinal properties, taste, and add flavor to food. Objectives: To determine the nutrient contents and heavy metals of five commonly consumed spices, namely turmeric (Curcuma longa), bay leaf (Laurus nobilis), red chili (Capsicum annuum), coriander (Coriander sativum), and black cumin (Nigella sativa) were collected from the local market of Northern zone, Bangladesh and were analyzed. Methods: Nutrient composition was assessed by proximate analysis, trace and heavy metals by atomic absorption spectrophotometry while the indophenol method was used to determine vitamin C. Result: The results revealed that spices are good sources of carbohydrate, fiber, and fat. The highest levels of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, protein, and fat were observed in turmeric (71.1%), black cumin (40.0%), red chili (16.77%), and coriander (17.8%) respectively. Vitamin C was present in trace amounts ranging from 0.04 to 0.1 mg/100g, except black cumin (35.0 mg/100g). Essential trace minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron were significantly present in black cumin and bay leaf. Most of the heavy metal levels in the spices were appreciable amounts i.e. much lesser than the statutory safe limit approved by WHO and FAO for some of the samples. Conclusion: The current study concluded that the investigated spices are nutritionally rich, and heavy metal levels in the examined samples are safe for human consumption.

Emblica officinalis improves glycemic status and oxidative stress in STZ induced type 2 diabetic model rats

Objective:To evaluate the antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of Emblica officinalis(E.officinalis)fruit on normal and type 2 diabetic rats.Methods:Type 2 diabetes was induced into the male Long-Evans rats.The rats were divided into nine groups including control groups receiving water,type 2 diabetic controls,type 2 diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide(T2GT)and type 2diabetic rats treated with aqueous extract of fruit pulp of E.officinalis.They were fed orally for8 weeks with a single feeding.Blood was collected by cutting the tail tip on 0 and 28 days and by decapitation on 56 day.Packed red blood cells and serum were used for evaluating different biochemical parameters.Results:Four weeks administration of aqueous extract of E.officinalis improved oral glucose tolerance in type 2 rats and after 8 weeks it caused significant(P<0.007)reduction in fasting serum glucose level compared to 0 day.Triglycerides decreased by 14%but there was no significant change in serum ALT,creatinine,cholesterol and insulin level in any group.Furthermore,reduced erythrocyte malondialdehyde level showed no significant change(P<0.07)but reduced glutathione content was found to be increased significantly(P<0.05).Conclusions:The aqueous extract of E.officinalis has a promising antidiabetic and antioxidant properties and may be considered for further clinical studies in drug development.

Quality Evaluation of Ginger Candy Prepared by Osmotic Dehydration Techniques

The study was carried out to develop and compare Ginger candy from fresh indigenous and China Ginger. Ginger was immersed into the sugar solution with the concentrations of 50%, 60% and 70% sugar solution. Moisture, ash, protein, fat, crude fiber and total sugar content and organoleptic quality and microbial status of the prepared candy were analyzed. Moisture, ash, protein, fat and crude fiber content was found to be lower with increased concentration of sugar solution used, whereas total sugar content was found to be higher. Total bacterial count was increased with increasing the concentration of sugar solution. The best characteristic of Ginger candy was found with 50% sugar solution, with highest nutrient and lowest microbial load than candy prepared with 60% and 70% sugar solution.

A Study on Tomato Candy Prepared by Dehydration Technique Using Different Sugar Solutions

The aim of the research was to develop a self-stable dehydrated tomato product using different sugar solutions and to study the effects of the sugar solution on the characteristic of tomato candy. Tomato was immersed into the sugar solution with the concentrations of 40%, 50% and 60% for 24 hours. Moisture, ash, protein, fat, vitamin C, acidity, total sugar, crude fiber, total SO2 and salt content and organoleptic quality and microbiological status of the prepared candy were analyzed. There was a tendency of decreasing moisture, ash, protein, fat, vitamin C, acidity, crude fiber and increasing total sugar content with increased concentration of sugar solution used. On the microbiological analysis, total bacteria and total fungus load were increased with increasing the concentration of sugar solution. The best characteristic of tomato candy was found with 40% sugar solution, with highest nutrient and sensory score and lowest microbial load than candy prepared with 50% and 60% sugar solution.

Prevalence of Contagious Diseases of School Going Children in Bangladesh

Children are becoming increasingly vulnerable to contagious disease around the world. It also leads to chronic health problems. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of contagious diseases in children of 5 - 12 years from five government primary schools (class II to V) in Tangail City, Bangladesh using multistage sampling method. Data were collected using a carry home questionnaire and diseases screening examination was done in the school. Prevalence of common contagious diseases was calculated. A total of 84 students were screened to have contagious diseases by clinical examination, giving a prevalence rate of 8.76% from 958 participated school children. The prevalence of contagious disease among the affected children in the study was found 30.95% for scabies, while 20.24% for influenza and 7.14%, 9.52%, 15.48%, 5.95%, & 10.71% for typhoid, chicken pox, measles, pneumonia, and whooping cough, respectively. Anthropometric measurements were recorded which indicated that 48.8% of children were well-nourished and 21.4%, 17.9%, & 11.9% of children were underweight, stunted, and wasted, respectively. However, these data are extremely important to define the problem and to design proper intervention strategies.