Caffeine intake in Hungary – A population based estimation

Caffeine is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that is synthesized in different parts of more than 60 plant species. In a previous study, caffeine content of 377 food samples obtained from the Hungarian market was measured by a validated HPLC technique. These analytical data were built up into a food composition database called NutriComp. Dietary caffeine intake of the Hungarian population was estimated based on the data of the National Nutritional Status Survey 2009. Daily caffeine intake of Hungarian adult males and females were 147±6.2 mg per capita (95% CI: 135–160), and 138±4.2 mg per capita (95% CI: 129–147), respectively. There was no significant difference between genders. The oldest men and women consumed significantly less caffeine than the people between 35–64 years of age. The main sources of caffeine are coffee and tea with 58–59%, and 35–37% of the total intake in men and women, respectively

Visible reflectance and content of isomeric ratio of lycopene in commercial and elevated lycopene tomato varieties by different technological traits

Quantification of red pigment content of fruits using destructive techniques is expensive and it enables only the analysis of batches but not of individual items. This study examined the feasibility of using non-destructive, spectrophotometric method to predict one of the most valuable internal quality indices, lycopene, in individual tomato fruits. An open field experiment was conducted to study the effect of irrigation and potassium supplementation on the yield and lycopene content of processed tomato fruit. Three different treatments (regularly irrigated RI, irrigation cut-off 30 days before harvest CO, and rainfed RF unirrigated control) and two different potassium fertilisations (P) were applied. Regular irrigation significantly decreased the lycopene content of tomato fruits. The CO treatment resulted in the highest total lycopene without potassium supplementation. Potassium supplementation, given at the time before fruit maturity, significantly increased the lycopene concentration of cultivar Brigade F1, independently of irrigation. The closest correlation was at 700 nm R2=0.38 and R2=0.45, between reflectance and the (all-E)-lycopene and the (9Z)+(13Z)-lycopene isomers, respectively

Caffeine content of conventional and non conventional foods on the Hungarian market

Caffeine content of 377 food samples obtained from the Hungarian market was measured by a validated HPLC technique. The highest caffeine levels were observed in different instant coffees (3954±2355 mg/100 g) and ground coffee beans (1634±389 mg/100 g). Significant amount of caffeine could be detected in energy drinks (119 mg in 100 ml at the highest end). The caffeine content of different coffee drinks varied between 40 and 203 mg/100 ml. Significant amount of caffeine could be measured in special instant coffees called 2in1 and 3in1 (120 mg per serving at the highest end), cacao powders (125 mg in 100 g), in chocolates (on average, 16.1 mg and 52.5 mg in 100 g milk and dark chocolate, respectively), breakfast cereals (between 5.7 and 15.8 mg per 100 g), and ice creams (1.7–24.8 mg in 100 g)

Effect of water supply on sugar concentration of carrot

Carrot is an important source of sugars. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of water supply (precipitation + irrigation) on the concentration and ratio of fructose, glucose, and sucrose in carrot. Irrigation did not decrease the dry matter content and the summed concentration of the three measured sugars. Glucose accumulation was not influenced either by irrigation or by year. Low amount of precipitation during the early growing period was detrimental for fructose accumulation. Irrigation enhanced sucrose concentration, presumably by ensuring better photosynthetic activity. However, dry and hot weather during the irrigation cut-off period in 2011 also resulted in increased sucrose accumulation, presumably as a stress effect. It was found that irrigation did not influence the ratio of the three investigated saccharides at all, and even the growing year had just a slight effect on that

Book reviews

Foods, nutrients and food ingredients with authorised EU health claims. M.J. SADLER (Ed.). Woodhead Publishing is an imprint of Elsevier, Cambridge, UK, Waltham, US, Kidlington, UK, Series in Food Science, Technology and Nutrition: Number 263, 2014 ISBN 978-0-85709-842-9 (print), ISBN 978-0-85709-848-1 (e-book), 397 page

Chlorogenic acid content and antioxidant properties of potato tubers as related to nitrogen fertilisation

The chlorogenic acid and the total polyphenol content were analysed in two different potato varieties (Kennebec, Agria) grown under five different nitrogen fertiliser rates (0, 75, 150, 225, 300 kg ha-1). Chlorogenic acid content ranged between 6.0-22.3 mg kg-1 fresh weight and was not influenced by fertiliser levels. The chlorogenic acid in potato tubers accounted for almost 90% of the total polyphenols. Free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of the tubers were also analysed. Ethanolic extracts if the tubers showed marked hydrogen-donating activity in the experiment using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), they had reducing power as measured by the Fe(III)?Fe(II) reaction, but did not exhibit H2O2 scavenging activity assessed with a chemiluminescence method. Potato extracts showed significant, although weak Cu(II)-chelating activity and inhibited the autoxidation of linolenic acid as measured by the thiocyanate method. Chlorogenic acid containing extract of potato, can act as primary and secondary antioxidant in prevention of oxidative stress. The strong correlation between the antioxidant activity and the level of total pholyphenols suggests that the phenolic compounds are important antioxidant components of whole potato tubers. Variety had minimal, while nitrogen fertiliser rate had no effects on the levels of the studied characteristics

Nutritional Value of Traditional and Modern Meals: Jordan and Hungary

The purpose of this study was to compare the energy content and macronutrients of forty main popular traditional and modern meals in both Jordan and Hungary with the national and international recommendations. The calculation of energy content and macronutrients were done on traditional and modern recipes by two different softwares (ESHA and NutriComp). Neither Jordanian nor Hungarian foods met the recommended energy content (35% of daily energy intake, 8400 kJ for energy intake). The recipes of both nations are characterised by higher protein, fat, and salt contents than WHO recommendation, a lower fibre content, and sugar content within the recommended limits. The fat energy ratio and saturated fatty acid content of Hungarian recipes are significantly higher than WHO recommendation. In general, Jordanian meals were more likely to meet the inclusion criteria. In conclusion, neither Jordanian nor Hungarian traditional and popular meals meet the international nutritional recommendations for a healthy diet, however, the composition of the real dishes may differ significantly from the recipes depending on the available ingredients and chosen kitchen technology

Direct effect of bile on colonic mucosa in alimentary induced hyperlipidemy in rats

An experimental surgical model was developed in rats after a short term alimentary induced hyperlipidemy to study the direct effect of bile on the colonic mucosa, with regard to the cancerogenic properties of lipid rich diet. The purpose of this study was to light on the role of fatty acid alteration and lipid peroxidation processes of bile in the epithelial cell damage. Animals were fed with normal (group A) and fat rich diet (group B) for 10 days and then bile samples were collected by the cannulation of the common bile duct in deep anaesthesia. The circulation preserved colons of control rats were treated either with bile from the control or hyperlipidemic rats. The treatment was carried out for 30 minutes. The electronmicroscopic alterations of epithelial cells (both enterocytes and goblet cells) caused by bile from hyperlipidemic rats were significantly greater than that of controls. Unfavourable changes of the redox state of the colonic mucosa were also detected both in the hyperlipidemic and bile treated groups. A significant increase was observed in the free-SH concentration of the two bile treated groups against the untreated animals. The changes could be explained among others by the modified bile fatty acid composition. The present study supports that the alimentary modified bile can influence the structure of the epithelium of colonic mucosa and it can be one of the inducing factor of carcinogenesis