6 research outputs found
Human-mediated dispersals do not explain tortoise distribution on the Indian Ocean's islands
Water barriers and intra-island isolation contribute to diversification in the insular Aethopyga
Nutritional composition and glycemic index analyses of vitamin A‐biofortified maize in healthy subjects
Besides being a veritable tool for easing the problem of vitamin A deficiency (VAD),
this study sought to explore another potential health benefit of vitamin A-biofortified
maize (VABM). In the present study, the nutritional composition and glycemic index
(GI) of tuwo masara (a nonfermented maize-based dumpling), made from VABM and
the indigenous white maize (IWM) genotype, were evaluated. VABM showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower fat (4.38 ± 0.46%) and crude protein (6.58 ± 0.13%) but higher
crude fiber (5.29 ± 0.0%) contents compared to 5.22 ± 0.25% crude fat, 7.28 ± 0.11%
crude protein, and 4.69 ± 0.00% crude fiber in the IWM. The phytic acid content in
the IWM (2.77 mg/100 g) was 39% higher than the level (2.0 ± 0.04 mg/100 g) in
VABM. The major provitaminAcarotenoid in theVABM were lutein (7.37 ± 0.52 μg/g),
zeaxanthin (1.65 ± 0.01 μg/g), cryptoxanthin (1.29 ± 0.02 μg/g), and all-trans-βcarotene (0.83 ± 0.02 μg/g), while the IWM contained only lutein (1.52 ± 0.32 μg/g).
The total carotene concentration, 12.74 ± 1.13 μg/g dry weight in the VABM, was
over eight times higher than that observed for the IWM, 1.52 ± 0.32 μg/g dry weight.
The VABM tuwo masara showed a significantly lower GI value (70.3%) compared to
the IWM tuwo masara (87.7%). Data obtained from the study further attest to the
positive nutritional and health benefits of VABM.
KEYWORDS
dietary fibers, glycemic index, healthy subjects, pro-vitamin A carotenoids, vitamin
A-biofortified maiz
Antinutrients and heavy metals in new Nigerian Musa
Introduction. A comparative study of antinutrients and heavy metals in the peels of five improved varieties of plantain and banana hybrids was investigated. Our aim was to provide information on plantain and banana peels that may circumvent huge losses during fruit processing by converting waste into wealth and health. Materials and methods. Four new plantain hybrids developed at the IITA, Nigeria, named PITA 14, PITA 17, PITA 24 and PITA 26, one cooking banana hybrid (BITA 3) and an African plantain landrace, Agbagba, were investigated. Antinutrient and heavy metal contents of the dried peels from the different cultivars were determined and the data were statistically analyzed. Results and discussion. The plantain hybrid PITA 14 differed significantly from other cultivars in saponin, tannin and oxalate. A significant difference was observed between PITA 17 in phytate compared with other cultivars. Cyanogenic glucosides found in PITA 17, PITA 26 and BITA 3 differed significantly from the values obtained in other cultivars. Both BITA 3 and Agbagba are significantly different from other cultivars in phenolic content, while PITA 24 and Agbagba differed significantly from other cultivars in lead. PITA 24 peels differed significantly from other cultivars in cadmium, but no significant difference was found among the different Musa varieties in mercury. Conclusion. In spite of the antinutritional properties ascribed to the various constituents investigated, the levels found in the peels of new Musa hybrids suggest that new varieties might not constitute a health hazard when ingested. Plantain and banana peels may be converted into livestock feeds, which will eventually provide protein and other nutrients to humans from consumption of meat and other products derived from the animals