Iron and vitamin C rich foods intake of lactating mothers whose staples are roots and tubers

Background: In many communities in Nigeria, culture and gender-based intra food distribution in households increase the risk of micronutrient deficiency among women irrespective of their physiological state.Objective: This study evaluated the consumption pattern of iron and vitamin C rich foods of lactating mothers whose staple foods are roots and tubersMethods: A cross-sectional study design was used to evaluate consumption pattern of iron and vitamin C rich foods intake of 587lactating mothers whose staple foods were roots and tubers. The consenting mothers were selected from 12 out of the 23 primary health centres a community in Enugu state, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information mothers infant breastfeeding practices, consumption pattern of iron and vitamin C rich foods and factors influencing choice for selection of foods. Data collected were analysed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 22.0 and presented as frequencies, means and percentages.Results: As many as 41.9% and 37.9% advanced wrong combinations of foods as sources of iron and vitamin A, respectively. About 49% ate meat/product occasionally, 23.6% and 20.4% consumed fluted pumpkin and tomatoes daily, respectively. There was a significant (p < 0.02) relationship between the consumption pattern of vitamin C rich foods and iron rich foods.Conclusion: Intake of iron and vitamin C rich foods was observed to be low in this study. Women empowerment and nutrition education with emphasis on dietary diversity should be incorporated in the antenatal programme.Keywords: Lactating women, vitamin C, iron, intake, roots and tuber

EFFECTS OF HEATING ON PHYTONUTRIENTS IN COOKED AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF VIGNA UNIGULCULATA (BLACK EYED BEAN)

Objective: To investigate the effects of heating on phytonutrients of cooked Vigna unigulculata. Methods: The consequences of heating on V. unigulculata were investigated by phytochemical analysis (qualitatively and quantitatively), alongside analysis of proximate contents. Five phytochemicals were quantified and nutrient contents determined. Results: Results revealed that phytochemicals in raw sample were significantly (p<0.05) higher than cooked sample. Alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids in raw black-eyed bean (RBEB) were significantly (p<0.05) higher than cooked black-eyed bean (CBEB). Meanwhile, apart from crude fat content, others (carbohydrate content, ash content, protein and fiber content) of CBEB V. unigulculata were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than RBEB V. unigulculata. Conclusions: Cooking by heating influenced a reduction of phytochemicals but an increase in proximate content in V. unigulculata.                   Peer Review History: Received 11 May 2021; Revised 18 June; Accepted 29 June, Available online 15 July 2021 Academic Editor: Dr. Asia Selman Abdullah,  Al-Razi university, Department of Pharmacy, Yemen, [email protected] UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency.  Received file:                Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.5/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Dennis Amaechi, MrsFoluBabade Mini Estate , Flat 5 by Old Soldiers Quarter, Sabongari/Bwari, Abuja- Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. [email protected] Dr. Nagalingam Varnakulenthiren, Siddha Medicine, Unit of Siddha Medicine, Trincomalee Campus, EUSL, Sri Lanka, [email protected] Julie Ann S. Ng, Blk 18 Lot 6 Grandville 3 Subdivision Mansilingan, Bacolod City, Philippines.  [email protected] Taha A.I. El Bassossy, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Department, Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt, [email protected] Similar Articles: A REVIEW: EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE TO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND HCN LEVEL IN CASSAVA (MANIHOT ESCULENTA CRANTZ) LEAVES HEATING EFFECT ON PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PROXIMATE CONTENTS OF COOKED AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF PHASEOLUS VULGARIS (KIDNEY BEANS