International Journal of Nutrition Sciences
Year:2020 | Volume:5 | Issue:3|Papers Count:8

Fruits and vegetables play significant roles in human diet. There is a rise in the patients of food borne diseases resulting from street vended fruits and vegetables. This review evaluated the microbial safety profile of fruits and vegetables that were utilized by the Nigeria populace. Secondary data from previously published studies were sourced using Google Scholars and Pubmed data bases. Microbial contamination, fruits and vegetable safety, fruits poisoning were the search words used. Studies that met the context of the review topic were evaluated and summarized. Samples were evaluated for bacterial and fungal loads, as well as parasitic prevalence. Bacteria isolated from most samples included Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Micrococcus spp., Lactobacillus spp., Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas spp., Proteus spp., Bacillus spp. and Streptococcus spp. Fungi isolated included Aspergillus spp., Rhizopus, Saccharomyces spp., Penicillium spp., Rhizopus spp., Fusarium spp., and Neurospora spp. Parasite found were Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercolaris, Trichuris trichiura, hookworms, Strongyloides stercoralis, Giardia lamblia, Schistosoma spp. and Entamoeba hartmani. Improper washing of fruits and vegetables, untreated human feaces and agricultural bio-solid were major predisposing factors. Adequate education on proper hygiene, decontamination approaches towards improving the quality of fruits and vegetables vended in Nigeria were recommended by most authors. This study revealed that adequate works are still needed to implement calls for strict implementation of various highlighted recommendations.

With over one-third of the global under 5 stunting cases and a quarter of both the under 5 wasting and overweight cases in 2018, Africa is disproportionately affected by all forms of malnutrition. Furthermore, despite a reduction of childhood stunting in other regions of the world between 2000 and 2018, Africa is the only continent, where the number has increased from about 50 million in 2000 to almost 59 million under 5 stunting cases in 2018. The Global Nutrition Report in 2018 also revealed that 30 of the 41 countries worldwide with a high burden of the three types of malnutrition are from Africa. Economic consequences are estimated 11% of African countries’ GDP lost every year due to unacceptably high levels of malnutrition. For African countries to end all forms of malnutrition, there is a need for political commitment and increased financial investment in nutrition interventional programs, strengthening the evidence-base on key nutrition indicators is also important. Also, bolstering the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of policies and programs tackling malnutrition while building the research and leadership capacity of workers in this sector is crucial. International partners must also identify shared drivers of the double burden and establish comprehensive ‘ double-duty’ interventions that simultaneously address the double burden of malnutrition. African countries must boost intersectoral actions through the strengthening of their security, agricultural, environmental, economic, and housing sectors while concurrently drive international and grassroots support for comprehensive evidence-informed nutritional interventions to put an end to all forms of malnutrition by 2030.

Background: Thiamine is an essential nutrient, and its deficiency is accompanied by nervous and cardiovascular disorders. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of thiamine deficiency and associated factors among adults in Shiraz, southern Iran. Methods: In a cross-sectional study using random multistage sampling method, 180 men and women who were 20-60 years old were enrolled. Demographic data were collected and a food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intakes. Serum transketolase level was measured to estimate thiamine deficiency. Results: Mean serum transketolase level was 2. 19± 2. 71 ng/dL, and the mean intake of thiamine was 1. 39± 0. 58 mg/day. Overall serum transketolase level was in the normal range of 0. 05-9 ng/dL; however, it was lower than 0. 88 ng/dL among 50% of the subjects. No significant association was found between serum transketolase level and either dietary intake of thiamine and weekly intake of whole bread. Conclusion: Despite the normal serum transketolase level and dietary intake of thiamine, half of the participants were at lower levels of serum transketolase. Therefore, increasing the knowledge of the community about dietary sources of thiamine could prevent thiamine deficiency and enhance their health status.

Background: Insulin resistance, diabetes, visceral fat mass, obesity, dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome are the major risk factors in relation to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This aim of this study was to determine any relationship between risk of NAFLD and the dietary polyphenols. Methods: In this case-control study, totally, 225 newly diagnosed NAFLD patients and 450 controls aged 20-60 years were enrolled. The matching food consumption data and the Food frequency questionnaire with the phenol-explorer database were used for dietary polyphenol intake. Logistic regression models were utilized to express confidence intervals (CIs) and odds ratios (ORs). Results: NAFLD patients revealed a higher body mass index (BMI), were more smokers and with less physical activity compared to the control group. No significant difference was visible between the two groups in dietary intake of various polyphenol types. After adjustment for potentials confounders, participants who were in the highest tertile of total flavonoids (OR=0. 65, 95%CI=0. 44-0. 98) and total phenolic acids (OR=0. 63, 95% CI=0. 42-0. 94), no association was observed between lower risk of NAFLD and the lowest tertile. The risk of NAFLD was 66% lower (OR=0. 44, CI=0. 24-0. 78, P=0. 006) among participants who were in the highest tertile of lignans intake in comparison to the lowest tertile. Conclusion: Our study showed that high intake of lignans lowered the odds of NAFLD. We strongly recommend that the concepts reported in this study are needed to be evaluated in future longitudinal researches.

Background: Hepatic steatosis is widely considered as the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. The effect of argan oil consumption on the possible hepatic complications of metabolic syndrome has been evaluated in this study. Methods: Twenty-nine patients with metabolic syndrome were selected among 70 hypertensive patients recruited in the Cardiology Department of University Hospital of Casablanca, Morocco. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group one consumed argan oil (25 mL) every day for 3 weeks and the control group who did not receive the oil. The dietary intake was analyzed before, during and after the interventions. Plasma triglycerides, apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) and apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB100) were determined before and after interventional study. Also, plasma α-2 macroglobulin was measured as a marker of the risk of chronic liver diseases in these patients. Results: An improvement in lipids levels was observed in the group consumed argan oil by a significant decline in triglyceride levels (P<0. 001) from 246± 112 mg/dL to 126± 56 mg/dL and increase in the ApoA1 level from 0. 59± 0. 25 g/L to 0. 69± 0. 28 g/L, but was not significant. After consuming argan oil, ApoB100 decreased from 0. 82± 0. 29 g/L to 0. 76± 0. 26 g/L, but was not significant. The serum concentration of α-2 macroglobulin improved after argan consumption too. Conclusion: Argan oil could prevent the liver complications associated with metabolic syndrome by improving plasma lipids and apolipoproteins and α-2 macroglobulin.

Background: walnut production and consumption has shown a steady rise in both amount and value in recent years. According to the seasonal production of walnuts, the storage condition plays a great role in its quality. Methods: In this cross-sectional Study, effects of storage temperature and removing hard peels of walnut were studied on the shelf life of walnut over 6 months. The aflatoxin levels, lipid oxidation, antioxidant activity, and sensory evaluation were measured every 16 days (d). Results: The aflatoxin reduction was statistically significant in all stored walnut samples kept in the fridge, freezer, and their hard shell at room temperature after 151 days. The highest lipid oxidation and the lowest antioxidant activity were observed at the 6th month in walnuts preserved at room temperature. Through the sensory evaluation and chemical tests, walnuts preserved at fridge had the highest acceptance among panelist and least chemical changes after 6 months. Conclusion: the best storage condition for a long time is keeping peeled walnuts in the fridge.

Background: One of the major problems that threaten milk and other dairy products is aflatoxins contamination. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is the hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) which is produced in liver of animals and is further excreted to the milk. Due to the negligible effect of pasteurization, sterilization, and milk processing on aflatoxin, it is eventually transmitted to other dairy products. This study was conducted to evaluate the AFM1 occurrence in local dairy products in Shiraz, southern Iran. Methods: In this experimental study, from summer 2016 to winter 2016, 76 samples of four dairy products [raw milk (22), cheese (22), ice cream (22), and yogurt samples (10)] were collected from the retailors, and assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Results: AFM1 was identified in 92. 1% of all samples as the mean contamination was 48. 135 ppt. In 23. 65% of all samples, AFM1 exceeded the EU limit (50 ppt for milk and dairy products, and 250 ppt for cheese). In 5. 26% of all samples, AFM1 was visible more among Iranian national standard limit (100 ppt), and in 1. 31% of all samples, AFM1 was more than the US/FDA limit (500ppt). Conclusion: Due to the adverse effects of aflatoxins, even in low amounts, these toxins make serious health problems for humans. Therefore, continuous control of AFB1 contamination in animal feeding and AFM1 in milk used in the preparation of dairy products is crucial.

I read with great interest a Letter To Editor by Rabiee and Manafi (1) on my previous publication entitled “ Healing effect of Perovskia abrotanoides Karel and expression of VEGF and TGF-Β genes in burn injury of rats” (2). I am very glad to hear from my colleagues. Undoubtedly, critical thinking improves the usefulness of such medical researches. I reviewed all the points mentioned by Rabiee and Manafi (1), and the following are our point-by-point responses to their comments...