Acute effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces on postprandial blood pressure, vascular function, blood lipids, biomarkers of insulin resistance and inflammation in humans

The acute impact of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces (HSC) extract on postprandial vascular function and other cardiometabolic risk factors have not been studied previously. This study investigated the acute impact of HSC extract consumption on blood pressure (BP), vascular function and other cardiometabolic risk markers. Twenty-five men with 1% to 10% cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk (determined by QRISK 2) were randomised to consume either 250 mL of the aqueous extract of HSC or water with breakfast in a randomised, controlled, single-blinded, 2-meal cross-over study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NTC02165553) with a two weeks washout period between study days. BP was measured at baseline and hourly for 4 h. Flow mediated dilatation (FMD) of the branchial artery was measured at baseline, 2 and 4 h post intervention drink consumption. Acute consumption of aqueous extract of HSC caused a significant increase in % FMD ( < 0.001), a non-significant decrease in systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP); non-significant increase in urinary and plasma nitric oxide (NOx) and reduced response of serum glucose, plasma insulin, serum triacylglycerol and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels; significant ( = 0.026) improvement in the area under systemic antioxidant response curve (0 to 2 h); no significant changes in arterial stiffness following the acute consumption of the extract of HSC. Gallic acid, 4-O-methylgallic acid, 3-O-methylgallic acid and hippuric acid reached a maximum plasma concentration at 1 to 2 h post consumption of the extract of HSC. The extract of HSC improved postprandial vascular function and may be a useful dietary strategy to reduce endothelial dysfunction and CVD risk, although this requires confirmation

Production and Quality Evaluation of Cookies from Wheat, Defatted Peanut and Avocado Composite Flour

In this study, carried out at Makurdi Nigeria, peanuts and avocado pulp were processed into flours and blended with refined wheat flour in proportions 100:0:0, 95:5:0, 90:5:5, 85:10:5, 80:10:10 and 75:15:10. The functional properties of the flour blends were determined. Cookies were made using the creaming method from these flour blends with one hundred per cent wheat flour serving as control. The physico-chemical and sensory properties of cookies from wheat/defatted peanut/avocado flour were determined using standard analytical methods. The functional properties of the flour blends increased with increasing substitution of wheat flour with defatted peanut flour and avocado flour. The enriched cookies were found to have higher protein, energy, vitamin and mineral content as compared to refined wheat cookies. The protein content increased from 15% in the control sample to 26.64% in the sample F which is the sample with the highest substitution of wheat flour. Magnesium content increased from 173.37 mg/100 g in the control sample to 221.36 mg/100 g in sample F. There was no significant difference in the dietary fibre content of the enriched cookies as compared to the control. Substitution with peanut flour and avocado flour did not alter the physical properties of the cookies. The sensory scores for all the cookies enriched with defatted peanuts flour and avocado flour were above average 4.5. Sample C, with 5% peanut flour and 5% avocado flour had the best sensory attributes among the supplemented cookies at 5% level of significance and compared favourably with the control cookies. Thus cookies made from wheat, defatted peanut and avocado composite flour at an optimal substitution level of 90;5;5 can be regarded as a suitable balanced meal

In vitro Digestibility, Nutritional and Sensory Quality of Extruded Breakfast Cereal from Maize Grits, Partially Defatted Peanut and Beetroot Flour

In-vitro digestibility, nutritional and sensory quality of extruded breakfast cereals from maize grits, partially defatted peanut and beetroot flour blends was investigated. Composite flour blends was prepared from maize, peanut and beetroot flour in the following proportions: A= (100% maize flour as control), B = (90:0:10), C = (90:10:0), D = (80:10:10), E= (70:20:10), F = (60:30:10), and G = (50:40:10). The breakfast cereals were analyzed for proximate, vitamins, in-vitro protein digestibility and sensory properties. There was significant (P&lt;0.05) difference in the proximate composition, the values ranged from; 4.46 to 6.82%, 3.22 - 7.32%, 0.98 to 1.23%, 3.32 – 4.55%, 3.7 – 4.34% and 75.7 – 83.96% for moisture, protein, fat, fibre, ash, and carbohydrate respectively while energy ranged from 343.31 to 357.54Kcal.&nbsp; Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and C values ranged from 1.60–1671.84 IU, 0.95 – 1.43, 0.95 – 1.50, 1.09 – 1.75 and 8.77 – 16.22 respectively. There was increase in in-vitro protein digestibility of the samples with addition of defatted peanut and beetroot. Sensory evaluation results showed that sample C had the highest acceptability on 9-point hedonic scale

Proximate Composition, Functional and Sensory Properties of Pearl Millet, Soy Flour and Baobab Fruit Pulp Composite Flour as a Complementary Food

Aim: To evaluate the proximate composition, functional and sensory properties of a complementary food from pearl millet, soy flour and baobab fruit pulp composite flours. Study Design: A complementary food was produced from Pearl millet, soy flour and baobab fruit pulp powder (BFP) of various proportions (10, 20, 25 and 30%). Proximate (protein, ash, moisture, fibre, fat, carbohydrate and energy value) composition, functional (Bulk density, gelation capacity, swelling index, water absorption capacity and oil absorption capacity) properties and sensory (appearance, flavour, texture and overall acceptability) attributes were determined. Results: The results of proximate composition showed that Moisture content ranged from 10.09 – 10.98, Protein content ranged from 9.80 – 24.25, Fat content ranged from 4.94 – 16.65, Carbohydrate content ranged from 43.11 – 71.03, Fibre content ranged from 3.37 – 15.67, Ash content ranged from 2.59 – 2.87% and Energy value ranged from 367.78 – 423.69 Kcal. The functional properties showed that Water Absorption Capacity ranged from 2.70 – 2.91, Oil Absorption Capacity ranged from 1.90 – 2.72, Bulk Density ranged from 0.69 – 0.71, Swelling Index ranged from 0.68 – 1.04 g/ml and Gelation Capacity ranged from 5 – 10% of the complementary food samples. The sensory attribute also revealed that the complementary food samples proved to be of good quality but the controlled sample (A) was most preferred by the panellist. Conclusion: It could be concluded that the Complementary food was produced from millet, baobab fruit pulp and soy flour. Though, samples were found to be low in protein, fat and energy. The carbohydrate, fibre and ash contents were found to increase with increase in baobab fruit pulp addition. Gelation capacity, swelling index and Oil absorption capacity increase with addition of baobab fruit pulp. On the other hand the bulk density and water absorption capacity decrease with increase baobab fruit pulp addition. The sensory properties indicated that sample A was the most preferred sample

Effect of Carrot Powder Addition on the Quality Attributes of Cookies Produced from Wheat and Soy Flour Blends

Aim: To evaluate effect of carrot powder addition on the quality attributes of cookies produced from wheat and soy flour blends. Study Design: Cookies were produced from wheat flour, soy flour and carrot powder composite blends. Functional (bulk density, foam capacity, oil absorption capacity, water absorption capacity and swelling index) properties, Proximate (crude protein, ash, moisture, crude fibre, crude fat, carbohydrate and energy value) composition, Physical (weight, diameter, thickness and spread ratio) and sensory (appearance, flavour, taste, texture and overall acceptability) attributes were determined. Results: The functional properties showed that Bulk Density ranged from 0.82 – 0.92, Foam capacity ranged 3.92 – 5.00, Oil Absorption Capacity ranged from 0.60 – 0.97%, Water Absorption Capacity ranged from 1.05 – 1.45% and Swelling Index ranged from 2.37 – 2.75. Results of percentage proximate composition showed that moisture content ranged from 4.70 – 7.57, protein content ranged from 10.61 – 21.60, fat content ranged from 8.89 – 15.85, fibre content ranged from 1.39 – 4.30, ash content ranged from 0.70 – 1.23 and carbohydrate content ranged from 52.34 – 70.84. The physical properties showed that weight of the cookies ranged from 17.85 – 21.60, diameter ranged from 57.50 – 60.50, thickness ranged from 20.50 – 24.00 and spread ratio ranged from 2.40 – 2.91. The sensory attribute showed that cookies produced from wheat flour, soy flour and carrot powder compared well with cookies produced with wheat flour. The wheat flour cookie sample (A) was most preferred by the panellist. Conclusion: The functional properties of the composite flour produced from wheat, soybean and carrot powder show potential quality that when properly harnessed could be used for the production of baked product like biscuits, pastry etc. The proximate composition shows that the composite flour cookies were the most preferred sample to the 100% wheat flour cookies. This is due to its high protein, fat, ash and fibre content to that of thee 100% wheat cookies. However, in terms of proximate composition, the composite cookies were most acceptable. The physical property of the cookies indicates that the composite flour cookies were most preferred to the 100% wheat cookie. This could be seen from the high values it’s had in weight, diameter and spread ratio. However, the sensory score of the overall acceptability shows that the 100% wheat cookies were most acceptable. Though, the composite flour cookies compete very closely with 100% wheat cookies

Effect of pH and Sugar Level on Heat Resistance of Escherichia coli in Sweet Orange Juice (Citrius Sinensis)

The effect of pH and sugar levels on the microbiological properties of sweet orange juice was evaluated. Microbial analysis of the treated Orange juice (Citrus Sinensis) were determined using standard method. The standard method of Prescott [12] was used. The microbial load of the produce reduced as the concentration of the derived preservatives increased. Both pH and sugar level used had inhibitive effect on the test organism. The result revealed that the use of pH and sugar level as hurdles should be encouraged in processing food products

Chemical and Antioxidant Quality of Breakfast Cereal Extruded from Maize Grits, Partially Defatted Peanut and Beetroot Flour Blend

The mineral, essential and non essential amino acids contents and the antioxidant capacity of extruded breakfast cereal from maize grits, partially defatted peanut and beetroot flour blends was investigated. Composite flour blends were prepared from maize, peanuts and beetroot flour in the following proportion A= (100% Maize flour as control), B= (90:0:10), C= (90:10:0), D= (80:10:10), E= (70:20:10), F= (60:30:10), and G= (50:40:10). There was significant difference in the mineral composition of composite flour blends, the values ranged from 6.05-62.32 mg/g, 0.83-4.53 mg/g, 1.03-3.14 mg/g, 163.81-640.03 mg/g for calcium, iron, zinc, potassium respectively. The esstenial amino acids values of the four blends for isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, alanine, threonine, tryptohan and valine ranged from 0.24-1.25, 0.04-1.08, 0.08-0.40, 0.13-0.49, 0.28-0.48, 0.22-0.44, 0.4-0.24 and 0.30-0.69 respectively. There was increase in antioxidant capacity of the sample with beetroot and peanut inclusion. The 2.2 diphenyl 1-1 picryl hydroxyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity ranged from 4.03-16.83 while the ferric reducing antioxidant power ranged from 15.65-45.53 MgGAE/Mol with trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity was from 10.21-37.01 mmol trolox/Mol and the total phenohic sontent 5.01-22.01 MgGAE/g