Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism - Volume 5, issue 2

Authors: Sukkar, Samir Giuseppe | The ONCONUT® Project Group

Article Type: Letter

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-012-0105-z

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 75-79, 2009

Authors: Singh, Rupali | Sharma, Pramod Kumar | Malviya, Rishabha

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: Prebiotics are the non-digestible food ingredients, which help in the successful digestion of the food components in the gut and lower intestine. They play an important role in the promotion of the growth of “good” bacteria in the intestine and gut of humans. In other words, nutraceuticals are beneficial for the maintenance of gut microbiota, microflora, and human health. This study specially reviewed different articles on the role of prebiotics in hepatic encephalopathy, cardiovascular diseases, constipation, diarrhea, hypotriglyceridemia, and type 2 diabetes. In conclusion, prebiotics are supplements to improve health and can favorably treat biological disorders.

Keywords: Prebiotics, Gut microflora, Nutraceuticals

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-011-0065-8

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 81-90, 2012

Authors: Patel, Seema

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: Bran is the hard outer layer of cereal grains, rich in a myriad of healthy phytochemicals viz. phenolics, flavonoids, glucans and pigments. Unfortunately, these nutrition-rich components are often discarded during milling out of ignorance, organoleptic reasons and rancidity problems. Knowing the phytochemical constituents and pharmacological profile of bran is expected to give insight to their potential application in promotion of health. This study illustrates the antioxidant and anticancer properties of the cereal bran and its derivatives. The current contribution provides a comprehensive review of the bioactive phytochemical constituents of bran, their extraction techniques, the antioxidant and anticancer properties. The issues …associated with bran stabilization in foods and enhancement strategies for extraction and bioavailability of bran nutrients are discussed. Bacteria and yeast fermentation of bran have been observed to improve their nutritional profile. Bran products promise potential applications as nutritional ingredients in functional foods. Leading food manufactures have already started fortifying food products with bran, at the wake of the discovery of its overwhelming health-promoting potentials. Show more

Keywords: Cereal bran, Phenolic compounds, Antioxidant, Anticancer, Fermentation

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-012-0091-1

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 91-104, 2012

Authors: Sampath Kumar, N.S. | Nazeer, R.A. | Jai Ganesh, R.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Protein hydrolysates are economically important value added products in the food industry. Hydrolysis of fish proteins is practiced for the improvement of nutritional characteristics, retarding deterioration, removal of toxic or inhibitory ingredients and modification of functional properties. Four different body parts viz., skin, muscle, bone and viscera of horse mackerel (Magalaspis cordyla) and croaker (Otolithes ruber) were hydrolyzed, through in vitro gastrointestinal digestion procedure using commercial proteases (pepsin, trypsin and α-chymotrypsin). The obtained protein hydrolysates were lyophilized and characterized for functional properties like solubility, emulsifying activity index (EAI) and foaming ability at different pH ranging from 2 to 10. After …6 h hydrolysis, all the hydrolysates showed 70% (p < 0.05) protein solubility at different pH evaluated. Lower emulsifying and foaming capacity (p < 0.05) was noticed at pH 4 and a gradual increase in these properties observed with the increasing pH. Current results revealed that these hydrolysates from various body parts of horse mackerel showed good functional properties in wide range of pH and protein hydrolysate obtained from viscera has showed high functional properties than remaining body parts. These results suggest that horse mackerel and croaker protein hydrolysates could find potential applications as functional food ingredients as emulsifiers and foaming agents. Show more

Keywords: Protein hydrolysate, Solubility, Emulsifying properties, Horse mackerel, Croaker

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-011-0078-3

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 105-110, 2012

Authors: Sampath Kumar, N.S. | Nazeer, R.A.

Article Type: Correction

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-012-0104-0

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 111-111, 2012

Authors: Singh, Shiv | Kumar, Anil | Shalini, Rachana

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Aloe vera juice was prepared from aloe vera gel. The standardization of aloe vera juice was done using six different treatments with strawberry and vanilla. Sensory overall acceptability of the product blended with sugar in the ratio of 50:50 was most promising. The juice was packed using three different packaging materials (viz., plastic bottle, glass bottle, and tetra pack) and stored at 5 and 10 °C, respectively. For increasing the shelf life of juice by the above treatment, the hurdle technology was employed. In hurdle technology two methods of preservation, chemical and physical methods were used. Physical method included pasteurization …while chemical method involved the use of class II preservatives viz., citric acid, sorbic acid, sodium benzoate, and ascorbic acid. Chemical treatment was more efficient for vitamin A and C. Show more

Keywords: Aloe vera gel, Hurdle technology, Vitamin A and C, Shelf life, Packaging

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-011-0081-8

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 113-117, 2012

Authors: Zineb, Ghiaba | Boukouada, Mustapha | Djeridane, Amar | Saidi, Mohktar | Yousfi, Mohamed

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The phenolic contents of methanolic extracts from five varieties of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) fruits from Algeria, Deglet Nour (DN), Degla Baidha (DB), Ghars (Gh), Tamjhourt (Tam), and Tafezauine (Taf) were measured in this work. The antioxidant activities of these extracts were also evaluated. Total phenolic content ranged from 41.80 to 84.73 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/ 100 g and the total flavonoid content varied from 7.52 to 14.10 mg rutin equivalents (RE)/100 g. The antioxidant activities of methanolic extracts were evaluated in vitro using scavenging assays of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) radical ion (ABTS+ ) and potassium ferricyanide …complex as reducing power assay. Effective scavenging concentration (IC50 ) on DPPH radical ranged from 10.83 to 21.27 mg/l, the IC50 values decreased in the order DN > Gh > Tam > DB > Taf. ABTS radical cation scavenging activity (trolox equivalent 1.66–3.35 mM), the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity values decreased in the order of DN > Gh > DB > Tam > Taf. In the potassium ferricyanide complex assay, the antioxidant capacity of the extracts ranged between 2.06 and 4.21 mM ascorbic acid equivalents and the ascorbic acid equivalents antioxidant capacity values of the extracts decreased in the order Gh > Tam > DB > DN > Taf. These results suggest that all date varieties constitute a good source of natural antioxidants and could potentially be considered as a functional food. Show more

Keywords: Date palm fruit, Phenolic content, Antioxidant activity, ABTS, DPPH, Reducing power

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-011-0082-7

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 119-126, 2012

Authors: Salil, Gopalakrishnan | Nevin, Kottayath Govindan | Rajamohan, Thankappan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of arginine-rich coconut kernel protein (CKP) on alloxan-induced diabetes in comparison with L-arginine and an antidiabetic drug, glibenclamide. 1-month-old 24 male Sprague–Dawley rats, weighing 130–150 g, were randomly divided into five groups: group I-normal control, group II-diabetic control, group III-diabetic + CKP, group IV-diabetic + L-arginine, group V-diabetic + glibenclamide (0.6 mg/100 g body weight). The rats were induced diabetes by injecting a single dose of alloxan (150 mg/100 g body weight) intraperitoneally. After the experimental period, various parameters were analyzed. The results showed that diabetic rats treated with CKP, …arginine, and glibenclamide reduced the serum glucose and had no significant effect on total serum protein content compared to diabetic control. Serum urea level was found to be comparatively reduced in arginine-, CKP-, and glibenclamide-treated rats. Toxicological analysis showed that arginine, CKP, and glibenclamide delivered to diabetic rats significantly reduced the SGOT, SGPT and ALP activities to the basal level. Histopathological analysis also showed a comparable reversible effect of CKP on alloxan-induced pancreatic damage with respect to arginine and glibenclamide-treated rats. These results clearly indicate the non-toxic and antidiabetic properties of CKP, possibly mediated through arginine. Show more

Keywords: Diabetes, Coconut protein, Alloxan, Peroxidation, Glibenclamide, L-Arginine

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-012-0090-2

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 127-133, 2012

Authors: Intorre, Federica | Donini, L. M. | Catasta, G. | Neri, B. | Hagedorn, T. | Toti, E. | Foddai, M. S. | Venneria, E. | Palomba, L. | Azzini, E. | Rossi, L. | Pinto, A. | Giusti, A. M. | Maiani, G.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim of this intervention trial was to evaluate the impact of consumption of two different types of strawberry jam on glycaemic status in 16 non-complicated and 7 type 2 diabetic volunteers, having a body mass index higher than 30 kg/m2 (obesity status) and selected according to the specific criteria. Volunteers consumed a test meal consisting of 30 g of white bread, 50 g of an experimental jam (sweetened with organic apple juice) and 150 ml of whole cow milk; a control jam (sweetened with white beet sugar) was provided within the same test meal with a week gap. …For the determination of glucose and insulin levels, venous blood samples were collected after overnight fasting and every 30 min for 3 h after the ingestion of the test meal. Both groups of volunteers had a significantly lower (P < 0.05) increase of glucose and insulin levels at 30 and 60 min after the consumption of the experimental jam with respect to the control one, highlighting the importance of the type of carbohydrates in controlling glycaemic status: indeed, this type of jam, containing mainly fructose, was successful not only for diabetics but also for subjects at risk of developing this pathology, with a severe obesity condition. The consumption of this kind of product could be a strategy to enhance the quality of life in type 2 diabetic people, helping them to follow a dietary regimen including highly accepted food. Show more

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, Glycaemic status, Obesity status

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-011-0075-6

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 135-141, 2012

Authors: Ould Mohamedou, M.M. | Tacha, A. | El Messal, M. | El Kebbaj, M.S. | Chraibi, A. | Adlouni, Ahmed

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: To manage dyslipidemia using diet recommendations based on argan oil consumption, we were interested in studying, for the first time, the effect of argan oil consumption on plasma lipids in never-treated Moroccan dyslipidemic patients. Twenty-four dyslipidemic patients from the endocrinology department of University Hospital of Rabat (Morocco) were included in this interventional study. The study design consists to two diet periods. In the first diet period of 2 weeks, all patients consumed 20 g/day of butter in breakfast. In the second period of 3 weeks (nutritional intervention), all patients were randomized to two diet groups: one group of 15 patients …in which the 20 g/day of butter was substituted by 25 ml/day of argan oil with toasted bread for breakfast. The second group of nine patients for whom, both argan oil and olive oil were removed from their diet while keeping the 20 g/day of butter for breakfast. During this period, all patients were placed under a lifestyle and diet recommended for the dyslipidemic patient as reported by the French Agency for Health Products Safety (AFSSAPS). Serum lipid [total cholesterol (total-chol), triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-chol) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-chol)] and anthropometric parameters were measured at the end of both periods. Both groups of patients have showed an improvement of lipid parameters in the end of the interventional period compared to the end of stabilization period by reducing total-chol and LDL-chol; and triglycerides and increasing HDL-chol. However, the change in atherogenic lipids was significantly different (P < 0.04) in the consumers group of argan oil compared to the control group; 30 versus 14% for total-chol, 46 versus 24.5% for triglycerides, 24 versus 15% for LDL-chol, respectively. While the increase in HDL-chol in consumers group of argan oil was different but not significantly compared to the control group; 17 versus 14% (P = 0.1). We have demonstrated for the first time that consumption of argan oil improves the lipid status in never-treated patients with dyslipidemia and can therefore be recommended in nutritional prevention in the management of dyslipidemia. Show more

Keywords: Argan oil, Diet, Dyslipidemia, Human nutritional prevention, Interventional study

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-011-0080-9

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 143-147, 2012

Authors: Ramdani, Noureddine | Vanderpas, Jean | Boutayeb, Abdeslam | Meziane, Abdelouafi | Hassani, Benyounès | Zoheir, Jaouhar | Legssyer, Abdelkhaleq | Aziz, Mohammed | Mekhfi, Hassane | Bnouham, Mohammed | Ziyyat, Abderrahim

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The objective of this research is to describe the current situation (frequencies) of obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) and their relationship in Oujda capital of eastern Morocco and its regions, and to investigate the influences of milieu, sex and age. A sample of 1,628 individuals at least 40 years old was formed by voluntary participation using convenience sampling through 26 campaigns in urban and rural areas in late 2008. The proportion in the total sample was globally 10.2% for DM, 8.1% for impaired fasting glucose (IFG), 25.1% for obesity and 40.3% for overweight. The relative frequency of DM was slightly …higher in women than in men (10.7% vs. 9.3%, not significant (NS)); for IFG it was respectively 8.7% versus 7.01% (NS). The relative frequency of DM was 1.34 times higher in urban (10.9%) than in rural areas (7.9%, P < 0.05). It was also more elevated in obese subjects (15.9%) than in normal ones (9.7%, P < 0.001). Obesity proportion was markedly greater in women (32.7%) than in men (11.5%, P < 0.001). Obesity and overweight were more frequent in urban populations than in rural ones. In conclusion, our results show an alarming increasing trend in the current situation and frequencies of DM, obesity and overweight in the capital of eastern Morocco and its regions, especially for women in urban area. Show more

Keywords: Diabetes, Impaired fasting glucose, Obesity, Overweight, Eastern Morocco

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-011-0087-2

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 149-155, 2012

Authors: Soualem, A. | Ahami, A. O. T. | Aboussaleh, Y. | Elbouhali, B. | Bonthoux, F.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Adolescence is a period of gradual transition from childhood to adulthood. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of being overweight and to study the impact of environmental factors in Morocco in a sample of 190 schoolchildren aged 12–16 years from five schools in the Kenitra urban area. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were made. Two groups were distinguished through the use of a test of food quality. Anthropometric information revealed that the prevalence of being overweight in the sample was 9.7%. This study also revealed that blood pressure increased with body mass index (r2 = …0.41 for systolic and r2 = 0.37 for diastolic blood pressure). Statistical analyses suggested that adolescents' eating behavior was influenced by educational level and father's working status, income of households, as well as language spoken at home (odds ratio = 3.62, 2.55, 2.63 and 2.51, respectively; CI = [1.81–7.19], [1.24–5.24], [1.39–4.97], [1.2–5.28]). To correct these eating dysfunctions, a nutritional education strategy during early adolescence seems essential. This strategy will stress the spontaneous consumption of green vegetables and fresh fruits, which cannot be carried out without the implication of the family environment. Show more

Keywords: Malnutrition, Food behavior, Adolescent, Overweight

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-012-0089-8

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 157-161, 2012

Authors: Nematy, Mohsen | Mohajeri, Seyed Amir Reza | Moghadam, Shirin Amiri | Safarian, Mohammad | Norouzy, Abdolreza | Parizadeh, Seyed Mohammad Reza | Azarpazhooh, Mahmoud Reza | Siadat, Zahra | Gharbi, Nasim Shahsavan | Mobarhan, Majid Ghayour

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Previous researches have shown that the nutritional status of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) was poor on admission and appears to decline during their stay in the ICU. Critically ill patients are prone to malnutrition because their hypermetabolic disorders lead to an increase in nutritional requirements that are not often met with the nutrition supplied. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status and hs-CRP of ICU patients on admission and discharge from the hospital. Twenty-nine neurological ICU patients (20–87 years old) underwent fasting blood sample collections, anthropometric measurements and impedance analysis on admission and …discharge at Ghaem Teaching Hospital. NRS 2002 was used to determine malnutrition in ICU patients. Markers of nutritional status changed from admission into the ICU until discharge as follows: weight, BMI and triceps skinfold thickness decreased (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.005, respectively). hs-CRP was decreased over the stay in the hospital (admission = 19.4 ± 16.3, discharge = 13.8 ± 14.5, p value = 0.11). The percent of patients at risk of malnutrition decreased during stay in ICU (not significant). Prevalence of malnutrition was as high as 47.6% on admission. The nutritional status of patients was slightly improved over the period of their stay in hospital using NRS 2002 method. Show more

Keywords: Intensive care unit, NRS 2002, hs-CRP

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-011-0071-x

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 163-168, 2012

Authors: Spiti, Roberta | Lanzi, Paola | Braggiotti, Silvana | Noè, Donatella

Article Type: Short Communication

Abstract: We have analysed group therapy efficacy in weight loss of obese outpatients, non responders to previous hypocaloric treatments. The results we have obtained during the last 8 years have been compared to those reported in literature, to our previous observations and to results obtained in a group of obese outpatients in traditional diet-therapy. The mean weight loss in patients followed for 6 months with group therapy was 5.5% of the initial weight (IW); 48.5% of them lost more than 5% and 13% lost more than 10% of IW. The results obtained in a traditional treated group were a little better: …mean weight loss was −6.6%, 61% lost more than 5% and 22% more than 10% of IW. So, in our opinion, group therapy can be usefully applied only in selected patients (i.e. older in age/non-responders to traditional treatments), where it might have a possible role as a more cost-effective treatment. Show more

Keywords: Obesity, Group therapy

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-012-0093-z

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 169-172, 2012