Screening of antibacterial activity of lactic acid bacteria isolated from fermented vegetables against food borne pathogens

This study aims to screen the antibacterial activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from home-made fermented vegetables against common food borne pathogens. The antagonistic properties of these isolates against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica and Bacillus cereus were examined using agar well diffusion method. Four LAB namely MF6, MF10, MF13, and MF15 identified as Lactobacillus animalis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus reuteri, respectively were effective against all selected pathogenic strains. Amongst the four isolates, MF6 exhibited the highest antibacterial activity, against all the indicator pathogens tested except Y. enterocolitic. Its activity was maximum against E.coli with a Zone of Inhibition (ZOI) ranging from 18.7 to 21.3 mm and least for Y. enterocolitica (10 \pm 1.1 mm). Isolate MF13 also showed antimicrobial property against all tested pathogens showing highest activity against Y. enterocolitica (14 \pm 1.7 mm) and least against E.coli (8 \pm 1.4 mm), which was in direct contrast to isolate MF6. Isolate MF15 showed greater activity against E.coli (12 \pm 0.8 mm) and least against S. aureus (8 \pm 1.7 mm). Least antimicrobial property was observed in isolate MF10, with a ZOI in the range of 2.5-7 mm. The degree of antimicrobial property among the isolates was in the order of MF6>MF13>MF15>MF10. Overall, the isolated LAB showed the remarkable inhibitory effect against both Gram positive and Gram negative pathogenic strains. However, the spectrum of inhibition was different for the isolates tested. These results suggest that this potent isolates could be used as a natural biopreservatives in different food products.Comment: 10 page

Comparison of nutrient intake by sleep status in selected adults in Mysore, India

Insomnia has become a major public health issue in recent times. Although quality of sleep is affected by environmental, psychophysiological, and pharmacological factors, diet and nutrient intake also contribute to sleep problems. This study investigated the association between nutrient intake and co-morbid symptoms associated with sleep status among selected adults. Subjects in this study included 87 men and women aged 21-45 years. Presence of insomnia was assessed using the Insomnia Screening Questionnaire, and dietary intake was measured over three consecutive days by dietary survey. Descriptive analysis, ANOVA, and Chi-Square tests were performed to compute and interpret the data. Approximately 60% of the participants were insomniacs. People with insomnia consumed significantly lesser quantities of nutrients as compared to normal sleepers. Differences in intakes of energy, carbohydrates, folic acid, and B12 were highly significant (P < 0.002). Further, intakes of protein, fat, and thiamine were significantly different (P < 0.021) between insomniacs and normal sleepers. The nutrient intake pattern of the insomniacs with co-morbid symptoms was quite different from that of the normal sleepers. Based on these results, it is probable that there is an association between nutrition deficiency, co-morbid symptoms, and sleep status. More studies are required to confirm these results

Factors influencing hygienic practices during menses among girls from South India: A cross sectional study

Menstruation is a natural phenomenon among matured females who experience shedding of blood for 1-7 days every month from the age of maturity until menopause. Menstrual hygiene and management is an issue that is insufficiently acknowledged and has not received adequate attention. Aims and Objectives: This study seeks to assess hygienic behavior of unmarried females aged 15 to 22 years and factors affecting their behaviors. Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted during 2009-10 on 350 students. They were recruited from educational institutions from a major city in South India. Demographic and menstrual history and hygiene questionnaires were used for obtaining required information. Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows version 16 was used. Descriptive statistics, Chi-sq and Fisher’s exact tests were used for analysis. Results: Mean age of menarche was 13.4±1.2 years; disposable pads were used by two-thirds of the selected girls (68.9%) regardless of age while 45.1% reported to use both disposable and non disposable materials. Frequency of changing pads was 2-3 times a day by 78.3% girls. Socioeconomic Status (SES) of the selected girls and their age influenced choice of napkin/pads and other practices such as storage place of napkins; change during night and during school or college hours and personal hygiene. Older girls had better hygienic practices than the younger ones. Seventy six percent of the participants desired for more information regarding menstruation and hygienic practices. Conclusion: A variety of factors are known to affect menstrual behaviors most influential being age and SES. Awareness regarding the need for information about healthy menstrual practices is on rise among young women. It is probable that a mechanism be introduced to provide knowledge about menstrual health and self maintenance among women

Dietary intakes, anthropometric measurements and pregnancy outcome among women from low income families

Pregnancy is a dynamic state of anabolism, since women with varying plane of nutrition continue pregnancy to term. Pregnancy outcome however is sensitive to a variety of environmental factors resulting in either large babies (macrosomic) or low birth weight babies; under the two extreme conditions respectively