Effects Of Iron And Zinc Supplementation On Growth And Morbidity Status Of Undernourished Infants (6-12 Months Old) From Rural Villages In Kelantan

Stunting in children is a common form of undernutrition in developing countries. Deficiency of micronutrients including iron and zinc has been associated with growth faltering in young children. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of iron and zinc supplementation on the growth and morbidity status of undernourished infants from rural villages in the district ofKota Bharu, Kelantan. A six months randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 9S undernourished (weight-for-age Z score < -1.0 SD of NCHS reference) infants aged 6- 12 months. The infants were divided into 5 groups, comprising 4 supplementation and a placebo groups: Group I-Fe (20 mg/week) + Zn (17 mg/week) with vitamins A (1700 Ug/week) and C (20 mg/week); Group II-Fe with vitamins A and C; Group III-Zn with vitamins A and C; Group IV-Fe + Zn only; and Group V-Placebo (plain syrup). Length, weight and circumferences of mid-upper arm (MUAC), head and chest were measured monthly. Morbidity status as indicated by symptoms including diarrhoea, fever, cough, running nose and vomiting was recorded by interviewing the mothers fortnightly. Information on feeding practices, use of complementary foods and their nutrient intake were also obtained from the mothers

Antioxidative potential of selected edible wild mushrooms from Sabah

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant properties of four species of edible wild mushrooms namely, Pleurotus porrigens, Schizophyllum commune, Hygrocybe conica, and Lentinus ciliatus, optimization of the extraction conditions for antioxidant activity of the mushrooms; identification of the potent antioxidative components from the selected mushrooms; and the evaluation of the oxidative stability of cooking oil supplemented with selected mushroom extracts. The antioxidant properties of edible wild mushrooms were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (OPPH) radical scavenging ability, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation inhibition, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and ß-carotene-linoleate bleaching (ß-CB). Total phenolic content (TPC) was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu's method. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the extraction time and temperature of P. porrigens and S. commune for the maximal yields of antioxidant activity. Fractionation by means of column chromatography was carried out and the identification of major anti oxidative components was performed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The oxidative stability of sunflower oil was determined by peroxide value, iodine value, p-anisidine value, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. Results showed that P. porrigens had significantly higher (p < 0.05) DPPH radical scavenging ability and FRAP than that of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), while S. commune showed comparable DPPH radical scavenging ability and ABTS radical cation inhibition with BHA. Total phenolic content was found in a descending order of P. porrigens > L. Ciliatus = P. ostreatus > H. conica = S. commune. Positive correlations were found between TPC and DPPH; ABTS; FRAP; and ß-CB, respectively, indicating that the presence of phenolic compounds contribute to the antioxidant activities of the edible wild mushrooms. The optimized extraction time and temperature of P. porrigens and S. commune were 315.5 min and 37.4°C; and 213.2 min and 41.5°C, respectively. The values obtained experimentally agreed well with the predicted values, indicating the suitability of respective RSM models for maximal yields of antioxidant activity. Both sub-fraction (SF)-III of P. porrigens and S. commune showed consistently higher DPPH radical scavenging ability, FRAP, and TPC with two flavones glucosides, namely luteolin 7-O-ß-glucoside and apigenin 7-O-ß-glucoside were identified in both SF-III. The sunflower oils supplemented with P. porrigens and S. commune extracts were found to be able to prolong the shelf-life between 1 and 2 years by retarding the formations of primary and secondary oxidation products, and reducing losses of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In conclusion, the selected edible wild mushrooms showed promising antioxidant activity, and luteolin 7-O-ß-glucoside and apigenin 7-O-ß-glucoside were identified in SF-III of P. porrigens and S. commune. Thus, edible wild mushrooms from Sabah can be promoted as antioxidant-rich foods as well as potential sources of natural antioxidants for food industry application

Fractionation of potent antioxidative components from langsat (Lansium domesticum) peel

Lansium domesticum (langsat) is a popular tropical fruit bearing trees across the Southeast Asia region. It is cultivated mainly for its fruit, while the peel of langsat as wastes of fruit consumption has been traditionally used as medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of different fractions of ethanolic extract of langsat peel. The extract was fractionated using open column chromatography and the antioxidant components were observed based on high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). TPC of the extract and extract fractions (FI˗FIII) was estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent assay, while their antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging assay. Highest TPC was estimated in the ethanolic extract of langsat peel compared to its extract fractions. No significant difference was found for TPC among the extract fractions. The extract also had the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity, followed by FIII and FII, but no radical scavenging activity was observed in FI. The result obtained from HPTLC also showed that no band of antioxidative compounds was observed under UV or white light. Based on the antioxidative components found in the peel extract of langsat, the fruit peel is a potential source of antioxidants for development of nutraceutical. Fractionation of the extract is not an ideal technique for producing nutraceutical

Assessment of extraction parameters on antioxidant capacity, polyphenol content, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin gallate (ECG) and iriflophenone 3-C-β-glucoside of agarwood (Aquilaria crassna) young leaves

The effects of ethanol concentration (0%–100%, v/v), solid-to-solvent ratio (1:10–1:60, w/v) and extraction time (30–180 min) on the extraction of polyphenols from agarwood (Aquilaria crassna) were examined. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and total flavanol (TF) assays and HPLC-DAD were used for the determination and quantification of polyphenols, flavanol gallates (epigallocatechin gallate—EGCG and epicatechin gallate—ECG) and a benzophenone (iriflophenone 3-C-β-glucoside) from the crude polyphenol extract (CPE) of A. crassna. 2,2'-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of the CPE. Experimental results concluded that ethanol concentration and solid-to-solvent ratio had significant effects (p < 0.05) on the yields of polyphenol and antioxidant capacity. Extraction time had an insignificant influence on the recovery of EGCG, ECG and iriflophenone 3-C-β-glucoside, as well as radical scavenging capacity from the CPE. The extraction parameters that exhibited maximum yields were 40% (v/v) ethanol, 1:60 (w/v) for 30 min where the TPC, TFC, TF, DPPH, EGCG, ECG and iriflophenone 3-C-β-glucoside levels achieved were 183.5 mg GAE/g DW, 249.0 mg QE/g DW, 4.9 mg CE/g DW, 93.7%, 29.1 mg EGCG/g DW, 44.3 mg ECG/g DW and 39.9 mg iriflophenone 3-C-β-glucoside/g DW respectively. The IC50 of the CPE was 24.6 mg/L

Effects of extraction conditions on antioxidant properties of sapodilla fruit (Manilkara zapota)

This study investigated the effects of different percentages of ethanol (0 - 100%), extraction times (1 - 5 h) and temperatures (25 - 60°C) on total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (AA) of sapodilla pulp and peel. TPC was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu reagent method, while AA was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and ß-carotene bleaching (BCB) assay. Based on the optimal extraction conditions used, sapodilla pulp extract had TPC of 3.89 mg GAE/g, 63.20% of DPPH scavenging activity, 4.30% of ABTS scavenging activity, 19.17% of BCB activity, and FRAP value of 15.24 mg TE/g; while its peel extract had TPC of 9.23 mg GAE/g, 92.95% of DPPH scavenging activity, 5.36% of ABTS scavenging activity, 8.14% of BCB activity, and 27.85 mg TE/g (FRAP value). Using the optimal extraction conditions for sapodilla pulp (40% ethanol as extraction solvent that extracted at 60°C for 4 h) and sapodilla peel (80% ethanol and 2 h extraction time at 40°C), highest antioxidants can be extracted from the pulp and peel

Socioeconomic status and glycemic index among punjabis in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: possible association with metabolic syndrome

There are only limited reports on Punjabi's health status in Malaysia. This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (Mets) and its risk factors among 277 subjects recruited from the Malaysian Punjabi community. Overall prevalence of Mets was 43%, but 61% among females. Subjects classified with Mets had significantly (p < 0.05) higher body mass index, visceral fat and percentage of body fat. Daily carbohydrate and glycemic index (GI) were also higher among Mets subjects (p < 0.05). Logistics regression analysis showed that primary level of education (OR 5.57, CI 1.29-23.97, p = 0.021) was a factor associated with Mets, followed by middle household income (OR 2.30, CI 1.01-5.20, p = 0.046), GI (OR 1.03, CI 1.00-1.06, p = 0.026), and age (OR 1.03, CI 1.00-1.05, p = 0.023). Mets shows high prevalence among the studied Punjabi population, prompting the consideration of adequate preventive measures, primarily among lower socioeconomic groups

A Research Protocol of Hands-On Healthy Meal Preparation Intervention (Kidchen Study) to Improve Children’s Nutritional Outcomes

The objective of this paper is to describe the protocol of a 12-week hands-on healthy meal preparation intervention among children, up to a 3-month follow-up. The aim of KidChen Study (kids in kitchen) is to improve children’s nutritional outcomes. In this randomized-controlled trial, simple random sampling will be used to select schools in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Subsequently, the selected schools (n=2) will be assigned randomly to either the intervention or control group. The current study will include healthy Malaysian children aged 10–11 years old with no serious disease or food allergy. The intervention is based on Social Cognitive Theory that addresses personal and environmental factors for changing children’s behaviour. Children from the intervention group will receive a 60-minute home food environment module with their parents consisting of nutrition talk, healthy food tasting, parent-child quiz; and five 60 minute interactive hands-on healthy meal preparation modules focusing on core food groups coupled withstorytelling sessions to incorporate nutrition education. Outcome measures are children’s psychosocial factors towards healthy meal preparation (knowledge, attitude, practice, self-efficacy), dietary behaviour, food consumption pattern, home food availability and anthropometric measures (BMI-for-age z-score, body fat percentage, waist circumference). Repeated measures ANOVA will be used to evaluate the intervention outcomes. KidChen Study is an experiential learning approach to instil a positive attitude towards nutrition and empower children with nutrition skills. We anticipate that the intervention will advocate healthy eating behaviour among children, impacting their nutritional outcomes over time

Activity-guided fractionation and evaluation of potent antioxidants from extracts of angel wings mushroom, pleurotus porrigens (higher basidiomycetes)

Pleurotus porrigens is a well-known edible, wild mushroom enjoyed as a delicacy by aborigines in Sabah and as source of income for the aborigines who collect and sell them at tamu (local market). This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity in vitro and identify potent antioxidative components of aqueous extracts of P. porrigens. The antioxidant activities were evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging ability, ABTS radical cation inhibition activity, ferric reducing/antioxidant power, and total phenolic content. Activity-guided purifications based on DPPH radical scavenging ability resulted in 5 subfractions (SF). The highest DPPH radical scavenging ability was found in SF-III and SF-IV, but all were lower than butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and α-tocopherol. Analysis with high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detectors found presence of ascorbic acid and (+)-catechin in SFs of P. porrigens, as well as some unidentified components that may have contributed to the radical scavenging ability. In conclusion, aqueous extract of P. porrigens possesses promising antioxidant activities, although they are lesser in their partially purified SFs. Nonetheless, P. porrigens could be promoted as an antioxidant-rich food as part of a normal diet that provides antioxidative benefit

Enrichment of minor components from crude palm oil and palm-pressed mesocarp fibre oil via sequential adsorption-desorption strategy

Crude palm oil (CPO) and palm-pressed mesocarp fibre oil (PPMFO) consist of minor components such as Vitamin E, phytosterols, squalene, and carotene that play numerous health function in human. However, limitations are present in current separation processes to separate or enrich minor components from plant sources. In this study, interest is focusing on the enrichment efficiency of the minor components from CPO and PPMFO through proposed sequential adsorption-desorption strategy. The strategy started with the adsorption-desorption properties evaluation of six adsorbents. Both Diaion HP20 and Sepabeads SP850 showed better adsorption-desorption properties than silica gel, Florisil, Diaion HP2MG and Amberlite XAD-7HP. Diaion HP20 was selected as the suitable adsorbent to perform a series of selective desorption process using three different solvents: methanol, IPA, and n-hexane in Soxhlet extraction. Vitamin E, phytosterols, and squalene from CPO were obtained in the 1st fraction using methanol solution and their concentration increased from the initial concentration with the enrichment factor (EF) of 3.4, 3.9, and 1.8, respectively, which slightly higher than those minor components obtained from PPMFO, 1.2, 1.8, and 1.4, respectively. The carotene from both CPO and PPMFO was enriched in the 3rd fraction by using n-hexane solution with an enrichment factor of 1.1 and 1.5, respectively. In conclusion, the obtained result revealed the efficiency of the proposed sequential adsorption-desorption strategy to enrich the minor components from CPO and PPMFO