Going against the grain: Exploring opportunities for novel grains in the Australian food supply

Background: Grains are present in a myriad of recognisable food products, such as bread, pasta and breakfast cereals. The vast majority of grain consumption (over 90%) is however dominated by wheat, rice and corn. As the global population grows and the demand for food increases, current farming systems are under pressure to enhance their productivity to meet these future demands. However, in the face of global climate change, land degradation and water scarcity, productivity gains for the major dietary grains may be increasingly hard to capture, requiring a rethink of the current grain supply strategy. Rather than being reliant on a homogenous group of staple commodities, there may be value associated with the diversification of production systems to incorporate underutilised novel grains. The research presented in this thesis aimed to explore the potential sources of value associated with the incorporation of novel grains into the Australian food supply

Physiological effects associated with Quinoa consumption and implications for research involving humans: a review

Quinoa is a pseudo-grain consumed as a dietary staple in South America. In recent years, consumer demand for quinoa in the developed world has grown steadily. Its perceived health benefits have been cited as a driving force behind this trend, but there are very few human studies investigating the impact of quinoa consumption. The aim of this review was to identify physiological effects of quinoa consumption with potential for human health. A critical evaluation of animal model studies was conducted. The quality of identified studies was assessed using a methodological quality assessment tool and summative conclusions were drawn to guide the direction of future human research. The majority of studies were of fair quality. Purported physiological effects of quinoa consumption included decreased weight gain, improved lipid profile and improved capacity to respond to oxidative stress. These physiological effects were attributed to the presence of saponins, protein and 20-hydroxyecdysone in the quinoa seed. The implications of these findings are that human studies should investigate the impact of quinoa consumption on weight gain and lipid levels. The role of quinoa as an antioxidant is still unclear and requires further elucidation in animal models

Effect of sorghum consumption on health outcomes: A systematic review

Sorghum, an ancient grain originating in Africa, may have healthprotective properties that could encourage its consumption among those who do not traditionally consume it. Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the health effects associated with the consumption of sorghum among humans. Data Sources: Academic databases were searched for relevant studies published between 1985 and November 2015. Study Selection: Nineteen studies - 13 interventional and 6 observational - were identified for inclusion. Data Extraction: Participant characteristics, study country, health outcomes, main findings, and study quality were reported. Interventional and observational studies were summarized separately. Results: Studies were divided into those that investigated the effect of sorghum on chronic disease and those that investigated other effects of sorghum on health. There was evidence that the consumption of sorghum attenuated blood glucose responses and decreased the expression of markers of oxidative stress. Sorghum was also observed to be a suitable ingredient for the formulation of oral rehydration solutions and showed potential for use as a medical adjunct to boost immune responses in HIV-positive patients. Conclusions: The implication is that sorghum may have attributes superior to those of other staple grains, indicating its potential for innovative uses in commercial foods. More work is required to elucidate the health effects of sorghum when consumed by population groups that have not been traditional consumers of the grain

Pain Mechanisms in Peritoneal Diseases Might Be Partially Regulated by Estrogen

To identify factors influencing the differential pain pathogenesis in peritoneal endometriosis (pEM) and peritoneal carcinomatosis in ovarian cancer (pOC), we undertook an experimental study. Tissue samples of 18 patients with pEM, 15 patients with pOC, and 15 unaffected peritoneums as controls were collected during laparoscopy or laparotomy. Immunohistochemical stainings were conducted to identify nerve fibers and neurotrophins in the tissue samples. Additionally, 23 pEM fluids, 25 pOC ascites fluids, and 20 peritoneal fluids of patients with myoma uteri as controls were collected. In these fluids, the expression of neurotrophins was evaluated. The effects of peritoneal fluids and ascites on the neurite outgrowth of chicken sensory ganglia were estimated by using a neuronal growth assay. An electrochemiluminescence immunoassay was carried out to determine the expression of estrogen in the peritoneal fluids and ascites. The total and sensory nerve fiber density was significantly higher in pEM than in pOC (P < .001 and P < .01). All neurotrophins tested were present in tissue and fluid samples of pEM and pOC. Furthermore, the neurotrophic properties of pEM and pOC fluids were demonstrated, leading to sensory nerve fiber outgrowth. Estrogen concentration in the peritoneal fluids of pEM was significantly higher compared to ascites of pOC (P < .001). The total and sensory nerve fiber density in the tissue samples as well as the estrogen expression in the peritoneal fluid of pEM was considerably higher than that in pOC, representing the most notable difference found in both diseases. This might explain the differential pain perception in pEM and pOC. Therefore, estrogen might be a key factor in influencing the genesis of pain in endometriosis

The theory of planned behaviour and discrete food choices : A systematic review and meta-analysis

The combination of economic and social costs associated with non-communicable diseases provide a compelling argument for developing strategies that can influence modifiable risk factors, such as discrete food choices. Models of behaviour, such as the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) provide conceptual order that allows program designers and policy makers to identify the substantive elements that drive behaviour and design effective interventions. The primary aim of the current review was to examine the association between TPB variables and discrete food choice behaviours. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies. Calculation of the pooled mean effect size (r + ) was conducted using inverse-variance weighted, random effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity across studies was assessed using the Q- and I2-statistics. Meta-regression was used to test the impact of moderator variables: type of food choice behaviour; participants’ age and gender. A total of 42 journal articles and four unpublished dissertations met the inclusion criteria. TPB variables were found to have medium to large associations with both intention and behaviour. Attitudes had the strongest association with intention (r +  = 0.54) followed by perceived behavioural control (PBC, r +  = 0.42) and subjective norm (SN, r +  = 0.37). The association between intention and behaviour was r +  = 0.45 and between PBC and behaviour was r +  = 0.27. Moderator analyses revealed the complex nature of dietary behaviour and the factors that underpin individual food choices. Significantly higher PBC-behaviour associations were found for choosing health compromising compared to health promoting foods. Significantly higher intention-behaviour and PBC-behaviour associations were found for choosing health promoting foods compared to avoiding health compromising foods. Participant characteristics were also found to moderate associations within the model. Higher intention-behaviour associations were found for older, compared to younger age groups. The variability in the association of the TPB with different food choice behaviours uncovered by the moderator analyses strongly suggest that researchers should carefully consider the nature of the behaviour being exhibited prior to selecting a theory