Abstract: Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the fodder yield and nutritive values of maize and wheat under hydroponic conditions as affected by sources of water and days to harvest. Materials and Methods: A randomized complete block design with a 2×3 factorial arrangement was used to study the three sources of water [nutrient solution (NS), borehole water (BW) and fish hatchery wastewater (FHW)] and three days to harvest [8, 10 and 12] after sowing with five replicates. At harvest, fodder samples were oven-dried at 70°C for 48 hours, milled and subjected to chemical analyses. The Crude protein (CP) content recorded from both fodders varied (p PubDate: 14 June, 2024
Abstract: Objective: This study was carried out to evaluate the proximate composition and microbial assessment of bread produced from composite flours of wheat, mung bean and watermelon rind. Materials and Methods: The wheat, mung bean and watermelon rind were blended in the ratios of 90:5:5, 80:10:10, 70:15:15, 60:20:20 and 50:25:25 used for the production of bread while 100% wheat bread was made and use as a control. The proximate and storage condition of bread samples were determined using standard methods. Results: Based on the proximate composition it was observed that the samples increased from 8.11-8.61%, the moisture content increased from 2.18-2.69%, ash content increased from 3.37-4.19%, crude fibre increased from 3.60-4.43% and fat increased from 9.18-18.42%, respectively with increased substitution of mung bean and watermelon rind flours, while carbohydrate and energy content decreased. The control (100% wheat bread) had the highest carbohydrate (73.57%) and energy (363.98 KJ/100 g). There was a rise in total viable count from 0.62-1.80 cfu/g along with no increase in coliform and fungal. Conclusion: The proximate contents of bread could be enhanced by substituting wheat flour with malted mung bean and watermelon rind flour at different graded levels in the production of breads. PubDate: 14 July, 2024
Abstract: Background and Objective: Acute ischemic stroke induces metabolic and biomolecular changes, resulting in brain functional disorders and morphological damage as well as increased production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The antioxidant defense system in stroke includes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and nuclear erythroid-related factor 2 (Nrf2), with glutathione playing a vital role in reducing ROS levels. This study aimed to assess the correlation between serum GPx and Nrf2 levels and clinical improvement in acute ischemic stroke patients receiving glutathione supplementation. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Dr. Kariadi Hospital, Semarang, from September 2021 to January 2022, with acute ischemic stroke patients diagnosed through head CT as the study population. Serum GPx and Nrf2 levels were collected within PubDate: 14 July, 2024
Abstract: Background and Objective: Lemon and garlic have been used for a long time in traditional medicine. This “in vitro” study aimed to screen hydro-methanolic extract (HME) of garlic gloves (gc) and lemon peels (lp) and evaluate their effect on oxidative stress, lipid profile and glycaemia in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: After preparation HME of two plants and performs a phytochemical screening, 24 male wistar rats were divided in four groups. Control group (C) received citrate buffer intraperitoneal. The other groups received Streptozotocin (40 mg kg–1 BW, ip) injection to induce diabetes. One diabetic group (D) was untreated, the two other groups were treated by lp extract (D-lp) or gc extract (D-gc) (200 mg kg-1 BW Day-1). Results: The "in vitro" study showed that lpHME compared to gcHME were richer in total polyphenols, flavonoids and condensed tannins and has a better DPPH radical scavenging action and anti-hemolytic potential. The "in vivo" study showed that in D-gc compared to D-lp and D groups, body weight was increased significantly and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance was improved. At Day 28, glycaemia was reduced significantly in D-gc and D-lp compared to D group. In diabetic rats, lp decreased total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerols. Antioxidant study showed that TBARS levels were significantly reduced in D-lp and D-gc groups in kidney. Therefore, Kidney glutathione values increased in D-gc compared to D-lp groups. Conclusion: Results suggested that feeding lp improved redox status, lipid profile and glycaemia. Also, gc decreased glycaemia, glucose tolerance and antioxidant defense. Both plants reduced diabetes complications by different mechanisms of action. PubDate: 09 May, 2024
Abstract: Background and Objectives: The timely introduction of complementary feeding (CF) is crucial for infant health and development. Present study, conducted in Peshawar, Pakistan, aimed to identify risk factors associated with early CF initiation and its impact on infant health. Materials and Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted from July to October 2022 at Hayatabad Medical Complex vaccination center. A total of 800 mothers with infants of aged 6-12 months participated in this study. Participants were divided into early and timely introduction of CF groups, early CF was defined as the introduction of all liquid and solid foods, except breastfeeding and formula milk, before 6 months of age. Results: The study found that low maternal education, limited household income, young maternal age, and insufficient Antenatal care (ANC) visits were significant risk factors for early CF initiation. Infant behaviors such as excessive crying and frequent hunger episodes, along with maternal beliefs about the appropriate age of CF and paternal drug addiction, were also associated with early CF (p PubDate: 09 February, 2024
Abstract: Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant properties of watermelon juice preserved with citric acid extracted from June plum. Materials and Methods: The Box-Behnken experimental design of response surface methodology was employed in the experimental design. The independent variables for watermelon juice preserved with citric acid were citric acid concentration (0.5-10 g), pasteurization time (10-20 sec), storage temperature (0-30°C) and pasteurization temperature which was kept constant at 75°C. To make watermelon juice, the fruit was washed, diced, juiced and pasteurized (75°C) to ensure safety and extend shelf life. As part of the production process for citric acid crystals from June plum, pH was adjusted, filtration was performed, CaCl2 was added, heating, acidification and evaporative crystallization occurred. Results: The dependent variables: phenolic acid, flavonoid, vitamin A, Vitamin C and E and lycopene ranged from 0.54-1.14 mg GAE/100 mL, 3.15-3.84 μg QE mL–1, 1.71-1.87 mg, 8.10-9.66 mg, 3.06-3.37 mg, 3.80-4.56 mg L–1, respectively. Conclusion: The research findings revealed that the antioxidant properties of the watermelon juice were strongly affected by citric acid extracted from June plum. PubDate: 05 March, 2024
Abstract: Background and Objective: The problem of food insecurity and malnutrition, although international in scope, affects poor countries located mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and more importantly, rural populations, without concealing the consequences of these scourges. The nutritional situation of Beninese children in rural areas is not at its best. It is at the root of low enrolment rates, including its negative impact on local development. The results of this research had shown that school canteens can help to improve living conditions, thus contributing to local development. In this way, the introduction of canteens aims to combat school wastage and thus encourage children to stay in school. Assessing the nutritional status of children benefiting from school canteens aims to ensure that they receive adequate nutrition to support their health, well-being and academic success. The aim of this study was to help improve the health of children in elementary school through their catering by assessing the nutritional status of elementary school children in the Atlantic department. Materials and Methods: The equipment used to carry out this study consisted of scales, a metre for measuring anthropometric parameters in accordance with WHO standard practice and a survey form. To measure weight, a Seca mechanical scale accurate to 0.01 kg was used and the children wore their khaki outfits but removed their shoes. For height, a portable stadiometer accurate to 0.001 m was used. Pupils' ages were obtained from their birth certificates and, if these were not available, the date of birth was reported either by the parents, teachers or principals, or by the pupils themselves. It is therefore possible that the data collected may contain errors, These included errors in reading measurements, non-compliance with certain rules for proper measurement and age estimation in children without birth certificates. The parameters studied were: Weight, height, median cranial and gill circumference of schoolchildren. Results: It was observed that the median of all parameters from the start of the canteens onwards increased significantly after the resumption of school canteens (p PubDate: 04 July, 2024
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