Nutritional composition and consumer acceptability of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP)-supplemented mahewu

Abstract: Adequate nutrition is fundamental for optimal human well-being and productivity. Mahewu, a non-alcoholic cereal grain beverage, is prepared in many rural settings in southern Africa by fermenting maize meal porridge. People of all age groups, including infants, consume mahewu. However, the drink is deficient in essential amino acids and some micronutrients. This study investigated the effects of adding Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) on the nutritional composition and consumer acceptability of mahewu. Moringa oleifera leaf powder-supplemented mahewu was prepared by substituting a portion of the maize meal used in a traditional recipe with MOLP at 2, 4 and 6% (w/w) levels. The MOLP was boiled and added to the fermented porridge (mahewu) prior to consumption. The nutritional composition of the resulting mahewu samples and standard traditional mahewu were analyzed using AOAC methods. Sensory evaluation was conducted using (n=52) untrained panelists who rated the samples on a 5-point hedonic scale. AddingMOLP resulted in a significant (p b .05) increase in the total mineral content (ash), selected mineral elements, fat and fiber content of the beverage. The Calcium content increased by 350, 700 and 950% in mahewu samples supplemented with 2, 4 and 6% MOLP, respectively. The Iron content increased by 106, 214 and 287% in the same order of MOLP substitution levels. However, consumer acceptability decreased as the percentage of MOLP increased in the beverage. The color and aroma of mahewu were the sensory attributes most affected by MOLP supplementation. These results indicate that blanched MOLP could be used to enhance the nutritional profile of maize meal-based staple foods

A comparative study of central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) in University of KwaZulu-Natal students of Black and Indian ethnicity*

Thisstudy compared central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) of Black and Indian students from the University of Kwa-Zulu-Natal. Two hundred (100 Black and 100 Indi- an) participants of both genders aged 18-25 years (mean and standard deviation; 20.1±1.6 years) participated in this study. CCT and IOP were measured for the right eye of each participant using a Tono-Pachymeter (NT530P) and a Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) respectively. Data was analyzed with descriptive, t-test and Pearson’s cor-relation statistics. In the total sample (N = 200), the mean CCT value was 519.5 ± 38.6 μm and CCT was higher in the Indians (526.5 ± 37.2 µm) than in the Blacks (512.4 ± 38.9 µm) (p = 0.01).  Also, it was higher in the females (522.3 µm) than in males (516.7 µm), but the difference was insignificant (p = 0.07). The mean CCT was higher in the Indian males (520.1 µm) than in the Black males (513.2 µm), but the difference was insignificant (p=0.39).  However, it was significantly higher in the Indian females (533 µm) than in the Black females (511.6 µm) (p = 0.003). In the total sample, the mean IOP was 14.6 mmHg and IOP was greater in Indiansthan Blacks (mean = 15.3 ± 2.9 mmHg and 13.8 ± 2.6 mmHg respectively) (p = 0.01). Also, the mean IOP (N = 200) value was slightly higher in the females (14.7 mmHg) than in males (14.5 mmHg) (p = 0.51). The mean IOP was higher in the Indian males (15.0 mmHg) than in the Black males (14.0 mmHg) (p = 0.07) and the mean IOP value was higher in the Indian females (15.7 mmHg) than in the Black females (13.6 mmHg) (p < 0.001). The higher mean IOP value in the Indian than Black participants was attributed to the higher mean CCT values. A positive, but inconsistent association between CCT and IOP was found in this study, the coefficient in the total sample (r = 0.382, p = 0.000), in the Blacks (r = 0.196, p = 0.05) and in Indians (r = 0.498, p = 0.000). A national population study comparing CCT and IOP in the various South African ethnic groups is recommended. Cognizance of these differences should be taken in the diagnoses of glaucoma in these ethnic groups. (S Afr Optom 2012 71(4) 171-177