Trans fatty acids content of biscuits commercially available in Malaysian market and comparison with other countries

The fatty acid composition and trans fatty acid (TFA) contents of biscuits products were determined by gas chromatography, using a highly polar 100m capillary column (HP-88) and flame ionization detection. Total TFA ranged from 0.00 - 0.52 g/100 g total fatty acids and 0.12 - 0.68 g/100 g total fatty acids for local packed and unpacked biscuits, respectively. In imported biscuits, total TFA was higher ranging from 0.03 - 3.09 g/100 g of total fatty acids. Trans 16:1 was the most abundant, with values ranging from 0.01% to 38% followed by trans 18:1 Δ11 (0.01% - 13.11%), trans 18:1 Δ9 (0.01% - 4.68%), trans 18:2 (0.23% - 2.77%) and small quantities of trans 18:1 Δ6. CLA, the natural TFA constituted from 0.1% to <70% TFA. These results and comparison with published data indicate that Malaysian biscuits contained considerably low proportion of trans fatty acids following the wide use of palm fat

Dietary supplementation of defatted kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seed meal and its phenolics–saponins rich extract effectively attenuates diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rats

Kenaf is one of the important commercial fiber crops worldwide and defatted kenaf seed meal (DKSM) is a secondary by-product from the kenaf industry. Thus, efforts to turn this low-cost agricultural waste into value-added functional food ingredients will definitely bring advantageous impacts to the community health, environment and economy. The present study was aimed to investigate the cardioprotective properties of DKSM and its phenolics-saponins rich extract (PSRE) in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rat model. Hypercholesterolemia was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats via atherogenic diet feeding and dietary interventions were conducted by incorporating DKSM (15% and 30%) and equivalent levels of PSRE (2.3% and 4.6%, respectively, equivalent to the total content of phenolics and saponins in DKSM groups) into the atherogenic diets. After 10 weeks of DKSM and PSRE supplementation, the hepatosomatic index, hepatosteatosis, serum lipid profile, Castelli risk indexes as well as hepatic and renal functions of hypercholesterolemic rats were significantly improved (p 0.05), but superiorly upregulated by PSRE (p < 0.05). The combined results showed that hypercholesterolemia and the atherogenic risk in rats were effectively attenuated by DKSM and PSRE supplementation, possibly via modulations of multiple vital processes in hepatic cholesterol metabolism. Furthermore, phenolics and saponins may be the bioactives conferring DKSM and PSRE with their anti-hypercholesterolemic properties. In conclusion, DKSM and PSRE are prospective cardioprotective functional food ingredients for hypercholesterolemic individuals

Brewers rice, a by-product from rice processing, has antiproliferative activity on human colorectal cancer (HT-29) cell line

Colon carcinogenesis is a malignant tumor, and is well-known as the third leading cancer, which contributes to high mortality and morbidity worldwide. Brewers’ rice, known locally as temukut, consists of a mixture of broken kernels with rice bran and rice germ which is a by-product produced in the rice industry. Although extensive studies on the anti-cancer properties of rice bran, published data on the cytotoxicity of brewers’ rice are very limited. The present study was conducted to evaluate the apoptosis induction capability of the water extract of brewers’ rice (WBR) on human colorectal cancer (HT-29) cell line. The HT-29 cells were treated with various concentrations (16, 32, and 64 μg/mL) of WBR for 24 and 48 hours. The morphological analysis of apoptotic cells was evaluated using inverted light microscope and fluorescence microscope. The apoptotic HT-29 cells was evaluated using Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide (PI) staining apoptosis test and cell cycle analyses. The data obtained were evaluated using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and P < 0.05 was considered statistical significant. Overall analyses indicated that WBR induced typical characteristics of apoptosis in HT-29 cells, including nuclear fragmentation (NF), nuclear compaction (NC), apoptotic bodies (AB), cellular shrinkage (CS), and chromatin condensation (CC), as visualized under inverted light microscope and fluorescence microscope. Cell cycle analyses and Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide (PI) staining apoptosis test using flow cytometry revealed that WBR induced apoptotic population in HT-29 cells. In this study, our findings provide clear evidence that WBR inhibits the growth of HT-29 cells via induction of apoptosis. Taken together, we suggest that WBR may be a potential candidate for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer

Screening of aflatoxin M1 occurrence in selected milk and dairy products in Terengganu, Malaysia

The study was conducted to screen the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in 53 selected milk and dairy product samples (11 liquid milk, 12 powdered milk, 8 3-in-1 beverages, 6 condensed sweetened milk, 2 evaporated milk, 7 cultured milk drink, 5 yogurt and 2 cheese samples). These samples were purchased from selected markets in Terengganu, Malaysia in January 2014 based on a questionnaire survey among 212 respondents on the types and brands of milk and dairy products that were frequently consumed. Based on the responses, 53 milk and dairy products were purchased and the competitive enzyme-linked immune-absorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to determine the level of AFM1 in the samples. Of 53 samples, 19 samples were positive with AFM1 (35.8%) ranging from 3.5 to 100.5 ng/L. Although 4/53 (7.5%) of the tested samples had the contamination level greater than the European Commission (EC) limit (>50 ng/L), the contamination levels were still below the Malaysia Food Regulation 1985 limit (less than 500 ng/L). This study provided a pioneering data on the occurrence of AFM1 in milk and dairy products in Malaysia

Improving the lipid profile in hypercholesterolemia-induced rabbit by supplementation of germinated brown rice.

It is imperative that there be a diet designed specifically to improve lipid profile in order to impede the progress of atherosclerosis. Because rice is a staple food in Asia, it will be chosen as the diet of interest. This study sets out to discover whether consumption of different processed rice diets may result in a change of the lipid profile. The experiment was done on male New Zealand white rabbits after 10 weeks of treatment with diet containing 0.5% cholesterol. The experimental diets include white rice (WR), brown rice (BR), and germinated brown rice (GBR). Among them, rabbits fed a GBR diet demonstrated significantly lower levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), LDL/HDL, and atherogenic index (AI) and a higher level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Results from atherosclerotic plaque assessment further support the findings. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA), which acts as an indicator for oxidative stress, was also reduced by GBR diet. The positive change in lipid profile in the rabbits fed GBR appeared to correspond with the higher amounts of γ-oryzanol, tocopherol, and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content

Dietary calcium and zinc deficiency risks are decreasing but remain prevalent

Globally, more than 800 million people are undernourished while >2 billion people have one or more chronic micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs). More than 6% of global mortality and morbidity burdens are associated with undernourishment and MNDs. Here we show that, in 2011, 3.5 and 1.1 billion people were at risk of calcium (Ca) and zinc (Zn) deficiency respectively due to inadequate dietary supply. The global mean dietary supply of Ca and Zn in 2011 was 684 ± 211 and 16 ± 3 mg capita−1 d−1 (±SD) respectively. Between 1992 and 2011, global risk of deficiency of Ca and Zn decreased from 76 to 51%, and 22 to 16%, respectively. Approximately 90% of those at risk of Ca and Zn deficiency in 2011 were in Africa and Asia. To our knowledge, these are the first global estimates of dietary Ca deficiency risks based on food supply. We conclude that continuing to reduce Ca and Zn deficiency risks through dietary diversification and food and agricultural interventions including fortification, crop breeding and use of micronutrient fertilisers will remain a significant challenge

Effect of germination on total dietary fiber and total sugar in selected legumes

Legume is a plant in the family of Fabaceae (or Leguminosae) that is cultivated and consumed throughout the world. Legume’s role in human health appears to be limited because of several limiting factors such as low protein and starch digestibility, poor mineral bioavailability and high antinutritional factors. Germination is defined as a process that occurs during seed growth that starts with uptake of water until the emergence of radicle through the surrounding structure. It has been suggested that germination is a cheaper and more effective technology that can improve the quality of legumes by increasing their nutritional value. This study was conducted to compare changes in dietary fibre and total sugar compositions after germination process in kidney, mung, soy beans and peanuts. Total dietary fibre was found to be significantly increased (p<0.05) in all germinated samples, with significant increased (p<0.05) of soluble and insoluble dietary fibres. For total sugar content, germination increased the level of total sugars. Glucose was the highest available sugar in samples that increased after germination while arabinose was second available sugar that increased in germinated legumes except kidney beans. Overall, germination has improved nutritional properties of legumes in terms of dietary fibre and total sugar content but the changes are influenced by the type of legumes

Potential of advanced breeding lines of bread-making wheat to accumulate grain minerals (Ca, Fe, Mg and Zn) and low phytates under Mediterranean conditions

About 3 billion people may suffer from micronutrient deficiency such as Ca, Fe, Mg or Zn, caused not only by a mineral deficiency in staple food but also by a high content of phytates which bind those minerals and inhibit their absorption. With the aim of evaluating the potential of new cultivars of bread-making wheat to accumulate those minerals and low phytates, nine advanced breeding lines from an ongoing Portuguese breeding program were studied during 2 years in a field experiment. A wide genetic variability was found between the studied genotypes in all the parameters studied, especially grain yield (ranging on average between 2,027 and 3,209 kg/ha) and grain Mg and Zn concentrations (ranging on average between 1,070 and 1,336 mg/kg, and 23.4 and 30.7 mg/kg, respectively). In global terms, the cultivars with best performance, and therefore, the most potentially suitable to be used in a breeding program, were the Cultivars 3 and 4. However, such a potential varied depending on the analysed trait, and it was clearly influenced by the climatic conditions. The consumption of 100 g of Cultivar-4 produced under the most favourable conditions might provide a 5.2% of Ca, 26.4% of Fe, 38.9% of Mg and 31.9% of Zn of the recommended daily intakes, with a very good bioavailability for Fe and Ca, but low for Mg and Zn

Suppression of proinflammatory cytokines and mediators in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages by stem extract of Alternanthera sessilis via the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway

Alternanthera sessilis, an edible succulent herb, has been widely used as herbal drug in many regions around the globe. Inflammation is a natural process of the innate immune system, accompanied with the increase in the level of proinflammatory mediators, for example, nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin (PGE2); cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα); and enzymes including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) via the activation and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) subunit p65 due to the phosphorylation of inhibitory protein, IκBα. Inflammation over a short period of time is essential for its therapeutic effect. However, prolonged inflammation can be detrimental as it is related to many chronic diseases such as delayed wound healing, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and autoimmune disorders. Therefore, ways to curb chronic inflammation have been extensively investigated. In line with that, in this present study, we attempted to study the suppression activity of the proinflammatory cytokines and mediators as a characteristic of anti-inflammatory action, by using stem extract of A. sessilis in the lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. The results showed that the extract has significantly inhibited the production of the proinflammatory mediators including NO and PGE2; cytokines comprising IL-6, IL-1β, and TNFα; and enzymes covering the iNOS and COX-2 by preventing the IκBα from being degraded, to inhibit the nuclear translocation of NF-κB subunit p65 in order to hinder the inflammatory pathway activation. These results indicated that the stem extract of A. sessilis could be an effective candidate for ameliorating inflammatory-associated complications