Nutritional Quality of Biscuit Supplemented with Wheat Bran and Date Palm Fruits (<i>Phoenix dactylifera</i>L.)

Fruits of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) are consumed throughout the world and are a vital component of the diet in most Arabian countries. The effect of partial replacement of wheat flour with a 1:1 mixture of wheat bran and date palm fruit powder on rheological properties of the biscuit dough was studied. Levels of mixture used were 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%. Dough rheology (farinograph, extensograph properties) and biscuit quality (physical properties, colour, sensory evaluation) were assessed. Results obtained indicated that water absorption gradually increased by increasing the levels of wheat bran: palm date powder, meanwhile mixing tolerance index decreased. Dough stability, which indicates the dough strength, also found to decrease by increasing mixture of wheat bran and date powder (1:1). Furthermore, dough development time gradually increased by increasing the mixture at all levels. It was 6.04 min at level of 40% compared to the control (2.5 min). Extensograph results showed that dough energy and dough resistance to extension and proportional number also increased compared with control sample. The proportional number (R/E) ratios increased largely from 3.20 to 5.27 at the level of 40.0%. Ash and fibre contents gradually increased as the mixture levels increased. However, mineral content progressively increased by increasing the level of date powder in the mixture. Incorporation of wheat bran and date powder mixture decreased the spread of the biscuits from 55.66 to 52.82 mm without change in the thickness of the biscuits. Organoleptic properties revealed that quality of biscuits was acceptable at mixture level of 30%.

Evaluation of Kenyan Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato （Ipomoea batatas Lam,） Purees for Functional Food Production

Consumption of functional foods with health promoting benefits and/or disease prevention has been on the increase globally. The study aimed at evaluating the potential of utilizing Kenyan orange fleshed sweet potato （Ipomoea batatas Lam.） for functional food production with aesthetics benefits. Purees from three different varieties of orange fleshed sweet potato （OFSP） were analyzed for nutritional, physicochemical and microbial quality, The findings of the study show that the three purees were all microbiologically safe and of near neutral pH, but differed significantly （P 〈 0.05） in nutrient content （dry matter content, 12.76-28.23%; crude fiber, 1.37-2.90% fresh weight basis （FWB）; 13-carotene, 0.94-9.27 mg/100g dry weight basis （DWB）; starch, 10.20-18.30% FWB ＆ total sugar 27.08-31.76% DWB）. The purees had attractive appearance （ranging from yellow to dark orange）, with varying significantly different spectrophotometer hunters color scale （P 〈 0.05）, and flow ability. Conclusions from the findings show great potential of utilizing the varying properties of OFSP puree to produce enriched functional food products such as probiotic/prebiotic dairy, beverages, bakery and baby foods.

Effects of Cereal Malts Used as Improver on Physico-Chemical, Nutritional and Sensory Characteristics of Wheat and Millet Composites Breads

The aim of this study was to optimize composite breads of wheat and whole millet flour by the use of natural improvers. Three types of local malted cereals were used as natural improvers. The millet flour was fermented with EPSs producing LAB strain prior to use. The technological characteristics of the composite flours were determined using an alveograph. The physico-chemical and nutritional characteristics of the composite breads were determined using standard methods and their sensory profiles were evaluated by a panel of 35 consumers. The alveograph results showed an increase in dough resistance, deformation and a decrease in extensibility and elasticity with the level of incorporation of millet flour. From the results of physico-chemical analyses of composite breads, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed in the use of the three types of local cereal malts except for the incorporation of 50% of the millet flour. The control sample presented the lowest acidity and dry matter value, the highest water content and pH value. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed in the use of the three types of cereal malts for the macronutrient contents of the composite bread samples. However, differences were observed according to the levels of incorporation. Macronutrients results showed an increase in protein content (11.17% ± 0.28% - 14.01% ± 0.10%/DM);crude fat content (1.86% ± 0.05% - 2.48% ± 0.20%/DM) and a decrease in carbohydrates content (85.36% ± 0.54% - 81.06% ± 0.36%/ DM). Regarding the content of mineral elements, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the use of the three types of cereal malts for the incorporation of 15% (Mg and Fe content), 30% (Fe, Zn and K) and 50% (content of Zn, K, Na and Mg) of millet flour. The free amino acid profile revealed three essential amino acids such as valine, isoleucine and lysine. Breads incorporated with 30% of whole millet flour were the most appreciated by consumers.

Feeding the world: impacts of elevated [CO_(2)] on nutrient content of greenhouse grown fruit crops and options for future yield gains

Several long-term studies have provided strong support demonstrating that growing crops under elevated[CO_(2)]can increase photosynthesis and result in an increase in yield,flavour and nutritional content(including but not limited to Vitamins C,E and pro-vitamin A).In the case of tomato,increases in yield by as much as 80%are observed when plants are cultivated at 1000 ppm[CO_(2)],which is consistent with current commercial greenhouse productionmethods in the tomato fruit industry.These results provide a clear demonstration of the potential for elevating[CO_(2)]for improving yield and quality in greenhouse crops.The major focus of this review is to bring together 50 years of observations evaluating the impact of elevated[CO_(2)]on fruit yield and fruit nutritional quality.In the final section,we consider the need to engineer improvements to photosynthesis and nitrogen assimilation to allow plants to take greater advantage of elevated CO_(2) growth conditions.

Analysis of antioxidant prenylflavonoids in different parts of Macaranga tanarius,the plant origin of Okinawan propolis

Objective:To analyze the antioxidant prenylilavonoids in different parts of Macaranga tanarius(M.tanarius)(Euphorbiaceae)including the leaf,petiole,stem,leaflet,flower and fruit(only in female plant),and to evaluate their antioxidant properties.Methods:Methanol extracts of each part of M.tanarius were prepared and five prenylilavonoids in them were quantitatively analyzed using HPLC.The fruits from female plant were further separated into seed,pericarp,and glandular trichome.After the quantitative analyses of prenylflavonoids in each part of M.tanarius,antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-l-picryI-hydrazyl(DPPH)radical scavenging assay.Results:The leaf of M.tanarius contained two prenylflavonoids as main components in both male and female plants.Both flowers(male and female)contained five kinds of prenylflavonoids.In the petiole,stem and leaflet of both male and female plants,the prenylflavonoids were not delected or their amounts were very low.Five kinds of prenylflavonoids were detected in the seed,pericarp and glandular trichome of female M.tanarius.In particular,the glandular trichome had the highest level of total prenylflavonoids(235 mg/g of fresh plant).DPPH radical scavenging activity of all parts was more than 30%.Conclusions:We found that different parts of M.tanarius contained antioxidant prenylflavonoids.In particular,not only the glandular trichome but also the leaf contained prenylflavonoids,which indicated that M.tanarius may be developed as a functional plant,because the leaves of this plant can be easily collected.

Antioxidant Activity of Pomegranate (<i>Punica granatum</i>L.) Fruit Peels

The antioxidant activity of pomegranate fruit peels was evaluated using in vitro tests. 80% methanolic extracts (ME) of peels had higher yield (45.4%) and total phenolics (27.4%) than water (WE) or ether extracts (EE). The reducing power of ME was more potent (P α-catechin. Pomegranate peels contained phenolics, exhibited DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power.

Maize Storage and Consumption Practices of Farmers in Handeni District, Tanzania: Corollaries for Mycotoxin Contamination

In Tanzania, maize is the main complementary food for infants and primary school children. Dietary exposure to mycotoxins through complementary foods by Tanzanian infants is of concern. The maize storage and consumption practices of farmers in Handeni District, Tanzania and their implications for mycotoxin contamination of maize flour were investigated. A convenient sample of 60 farmers in Seza Kofi and Kwabojo villages in Mgambo and Ndolwa wards were surveyed. The majority of farmers (95%) stored their maize in the house using the roofing and sack methods. Most farmers (67%) did not visually or mechanically sort defective maize kernels before storage. In both villages, the most important storage problems reported by the farmers were rodents and insects. Forty two percent of the farmers surveyed indicated that they consumed dehulled maize, while 35 and 12% consumed non-dehulled and mixed (dehulled and non-dehulled), respectively. The preponderance of storage practices described was unfavorable to mycotoxin reduction in stored maize. It is therefore recommended that appropriate, area-specific farmer training regarding recommended storage practices including storage methods, effective management of storage pests and healthy maize preparation and consumption practices be conducted. Additionally, further research on maize storage and consumption practices for Tanzania is needed.

Acai Fruit as a Source of Bioactive Phytochemicals

The fruit of the acai palm （Euterpe oleracea Mart.） is a rich source of potential bioactive phytochemicals, however neither its precise composition nor the putative benefits to health from its consumption have been fully characterised. This study aims to elucidate the composition of acai fruit pulp and to explore the potential of these extracts to confer protection in a cell culture based model of oxidative DNA damage. Extractions ofcai pulps were dissolved in a 80% methanol （methanol： water, 80：20 v/v） based solvent and the phytochemicals present in the extract were analysing by HPLC detector. Lipids were assessed via GC. The Folin-Ciocalteau assay was used to determine the purposes of providing a phytochemical rich food based comparator with established health benefits. Finally, protection against oxidative DNA damage was assessed in HT-29 cell lines exposed to hydrogen peroxide via the comet assay. Acai pulp extracts were found to be rich in flavonoids, anthocyanins and carotenoids. These extracts were found to protect against oxidative DNA damage （anti-genotoxicity）. A^ai extracts were more effective at preventing oxidative DNA damage than the blueberry extracts, although their antioxidant capacities as assessed by the FRAP assay were similar. These data shown that acai is a rich source of plant phytochemicals and that these chemicals may protect against oxidative stress in human colon cells （HT-29）. Further work is needed to establish the digestive fate of these phytochemicals and to prove the beneficial effects in human.

Characteristics of Body Composition and Relationship between Muscle Mass and Muscle Strength among Elderly Women in Different Age Groups

Age-related changes in the body composition of older adults differ among age groups. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the characteristics of body compositions in young (age, 65 - 74 years;yE group) and old (age, ≥75 years;oE group) elderly women, and compare the relationship between muscle mass and strength in elderly women with that in young women for preventing motor function loss in older adults. A total of 30 elderly and 45 young women aged ≥ 65 and 19 - 22 years, respectively, participated in this study. The participants underwent body composition measurement via bioelectrical impedance analysis and examinations of handgrip and leg muscle strength. The age-related body composition changes varied among age groups. Compared with young women, fat-free mass (FFM) in the yE group did not decrease significantly;however, fat mass (FM) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were significantly greater. Compared with the yE group, decreases in FFM, FM, and WHR in the oE group were significant;furthermore, the decrease in FM measurements was attributed to the loss of FM in the trunk and limbs (upper and lower). The measurement results suggested that the greater FM decrease in the oE group was characterized by decreases in both visceral and subcutaneous fat. In the yE group, the muscle mass was comparable to that in young women;however, there was a remarkable reduction in the lower-limb muscle mass (9% - 10%). In the oE group, muscle mass was reduced in all body parts, including upper and lower limbs and trunk. In young women, significant positive correlations between muscle mass and muscle strength in the upper and lower limbs were observed. No such correlations in the lower limbs were found in elderly women, indicating that muscle mass is not proportionally reflected in muscle strength. In conclusion, for improving and maintaining the health of elderly women, especially those above the age of 75 years, it is important to maintain muscle mass, including muscle strength, and prevent the loss of muscle quality.

The Application of Cellulose Nanocrystals in Pickering Emulsion as the Particle Stabilizer

Pickering emulsions stabilized by solid particles have attracted considerable interest by the food,pharmaceutical,and cosmetic industries.Cellulose nanocrystals(CNCs),with their high aspect ratio,renewability,degradability and biocompatibility,proved to be excellent Pickering stabilizers.This paper will initially review the purification and extraction methods used for targeted cellulose nanocrystals.This will be followed by a discussion of factors influencing the stability of Pickering emulsions containing cellulose nanocrystals.The applications of Pickering emulsions stabilized with cellulose naocrystals will be briefly discussed as well as research ideas for their future uses.