Flour nutritional profile, and soxhlet-extracted oil physicochemical breakdown-storage performance of white melon (Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin) seed varieties from Southeast Nigeria

White melon (Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin), is among common and yet underutilized oil seed crop within the West African region, does not have sufficient information specific to its nutrient composition for foreign consumers. To supplement existing information, therefore, we investigated the nutritional profile of defatted and full-fat flour, alongside physicochemical breakdown and storage performance of soxhlet-extracted oil from two white melon (C. mannii) seed varieties found in Southeast Nigeria. Nutritional profile involved the determinations of proximate composition, minerals, vitamins, functional properties as well as amino acid profile. Physicochemical breakdown involved the determinations of fatty acid profile, lipid breakdown parameters, as well as associated physical attributes. Results showed defatting of flours increased the protein (69.04%), carbohydrates (16.26%), crude fiber (2.68%), ash (11.9%), mineral (Na ranging from 223.92-246.99 mg/100g), and vitamin contents (Vit B1 ranging from 0.453-0.712 mg/100g). Total amino acid differed slightly when comparing miniature (30.36 g/100g) and large (22.36 g/100g) seeds. Soxhlet-extracted oil possessed low thiobarbituric acid, acid, and peroxide values (0.030 and 0.038 mg MDA/kg, 1.08 and 1.27 mg KOH/g, and 2.95 and 3,94 mEqO2/kg, for large and miniature seeds respectively), and peak linoleic acid (5 and 6.45 mg/ml, for miniature and large seeds respectively). During storage, the thiobarbituric acid and peroxide values of soxhlet-extracted oil increased yet within acceptable limits. © 2023 Nwoke et al

Mapping geographical inequalities in childhood diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000–17 : analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background Across low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), one in ten deaths in children younger than 5 years is attributable to diarrhoea. The substantial between-country variation in both diarrhoea incidence and mortality is attributable to interventions that protect children, prevent infection, and treat disease. Identifying subnational regions with the highest burden and mapping associated risk factors can aid in reducing preventable childhood diarrhoea. Methods We used Bayesian model-based geostatistics and a geolocated dataset comprising 15 072 746 children younger than 5 years from 466 surveys in 94 LMICs, in combination with findings of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017, to estimate posterior distributions of diarrhoea prevalence, incidence, and mortality from 2000 to 2017. From these data, we estimated the burden of diarrhoea at varying subnational levels (termed units) by spatially aggregating draws, and we investigated the drivers of subnational patterns by creating aggregated risk factor estimates. Findings The greatest declines in diarrhoeal mortality were seen in south and southeast Asia and South America, where 54·0% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 38·1–65·8), 17·4% (7·7–28·4), and 59·5% (34·2–86·9) of units, respectively, recorded decreases in deaths from diarrhoea greater than 10%. Although children in much of Africa remain at high risk of death due to diarrhoea, regions with the most deaths were outside Africa, with the highest mortality units located in Pakistan. Indonesia showed the greatest within-country geographical inequality; some regions had mortality rates nearly four times the average country rate. Reductions in mortality were correlated to improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) or reductions in child growth failure (CGF). Similarly, most high-risk areas had poor WASH, high CGF, or low oral rehydration therapy coverage. Interpretation By co-analysing geospatial trends in diarrhoeal burden and its key risk factors, we could assess candidate drivers of subnational death reduction. Further, by doing a counterfactual analysis of the remaining disease burden using key risk factors, we identified potential intervention strategies for vulnerable populations. In view of the demands for limited resources in LMICs, accurately quantifying the burden of diarrhoea and its drivers is important for precision public health

Investigation of the Effect of Aqeous Mistletoe Leaf Extract on Glucose and Cholesterol Levels in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rabbits

Aqueous leaf extract of the mistletoe was investigated for hypoglycaemic and hypocholesterolaemic effect in diabetic rabbits. Diabetes mellitus was induced in rabbits in groups I-II by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate at 100mg/kg body weight. Following confirmation of hyperglycaemia, groups I and II were treated with the extract at 1.32 and 2.64g/kg body weight for three consecutive days. After the last treatment, rabbits were fasted for 12 hours and bled at 0, 2, 6 and 24 hours. Serum glucose levels were determined by the glucose oxidase method and cholesterol levels by Liebermann-Buchard method. The results showed statistically significant decreases (P0.05), when compared to control group III. Aqueous leaf extract of the mistletoe (an epiphyte of lemon trees) may be recommended for frequent consumption in the management of insulin-dependent diabetes. Keywords: Mistletoe Extract, Glucose, Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rabbits Journal of Medical Laboratory Sciences Vol. 14 (1) 2005: pp. 28-3

Some Anti-Nutritional and Mineral Contents of Extra-Cotyledonous Deposit of Pride of Barbados (Caesalpina Pulcherrima)

The edible extra-cotyledonous deposit of Pride of Barbados (Caesalpina pulcherrima) was investigated for some minerals and antinutritional factors. Results obtained showed that while phytohaemagglutinin was absent, vanadium was very low in the extra-cotyledons of this legume. However, oxalate, trypsin inhibitor, phytate and polyphenol were found to be present at 18.09 +2.29, 0.28 +0..00, 96.40 +0.20, and 65.00 +0.02, mg/100g respectively. The sample was also found to contain the following essential minerals: iron (3.32 +0.09) zine (3.59 +0.01), copper (1.36 +0.01), sodium (1.51 +0.04), potassium (6.22 +0.48), calcium (83.37 +0.24), and phosphorus (28.75 +0.37) mg/kg DM. Extra-cotyledonous deposit of Pride of Barbados is a good source of calcium and may serve as a cheap single source of considerable number of essential minerals. Keywords: Anti-Nutrients, Minerals, Extra-Cotyledon, Pride of Barbados. Journal of Medical Laboratory Sciences Vol. 14 (1) 2005: pp. 19-2

Slaughter Conditions and Slaughtering of Pregnant Cows in Southeast Nigeria: Implications to Meat Quality

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Whey proteins processing and emergent derivatives: An insight perspective from constituents, bioactivities, functionalities to therapeutic applications

The massive research interest in whey has strengthened its position among coagulated milk products. Previously conducted reviews demonstrate that whey-derived functional foods provide a cascade of beneficial applications that promote health and wellbeing, and in managing numerous chronic diseases. To improve the understanding about how whey protein processing brings about new products that help in tackling health challenges is what we have attempted in this review paper. Herein, we provide an insight perspective into whey proteins processing and its derivatives from constituents, bioactivities, functionalities to therapeutic applications, drawing from: (a) prime constituents of whey protein; (b) composition and production of sweet/acidic whey; (c) bioactive peptides aspects of whey and its health/wellbeing benefits; (d) whey processing techniques: improving whey proteins’ functionalities; (e) whey and its derivatives-based products: generating new functional foods and beverages and (f) whey-derived products in health and wellbeing: some therapeutic applications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio