NUTRITION AND FOOD SCIENCES RESEARCH
Year:2017 | Volume:4 | Issue:2|Papers Count:6

since early works on isolation and characterization of vitamin D by Elmer Verner McCollum and Edward Mellanby in 1900s, this molecule still seems mysterious (1-2). After several decades since discovery of the miraculous effect of cod liver oil in treatment of nutritional rickets, escalating number of reports provide a huge body of evidence for various effects...

Background and Objectives: Recent studies focus on vasoactive properties of protein, which is dependent to its source and amino acid composition. Our aim was to evaluate the association between dietary serine intakes and hypertension incident. Materials and Methods: We used the data of 4287 subjects aged 20-70 years, who participated in the fourth phase of Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (2008-2011) and were followed up to the fifth phase (2011-2014). At baseline, the participants were free of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Serine dietary data were collected through a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire. Incidence of hypertension was identified after three years of follow up. To investigate the association of serine intake and incidence of hypertension, multivariable adjusted models of logistic regression were used, and odds ratios (ORs) across quartiles of serine were reported. Results: After three years of follow up, 429 (10%) incident cases of hypertension were ascertained. The OR of the highest quartile of serine intake was 1. 43 (95% CI: 1. 05-1. 95; P for trend: 0. 03) compared to the lowest adjusted for age and sex. After further adjustment for body mass index (BMI), diabetes status, physical activity, smoking status, and dietary intake of energy, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and fiber, the OR of the highest vs. the lowest quartile of serine intake was 1. 70 (95% CI: 1. 18-2. 44; P for trend=0. 005). Conclusions: These findings suggest that dietary serine intake may be directly associated with the risk of hypertension incident.

Background and Objectives: Studies have shown that many people with diabetes are fasting in the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan fasting causes several changes in metabolism, habit and lifestyle that are associated with an increased risk of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia in diabetic patients. An educational program based on behavioral science theory in the field of diet and medication changes, proper physical activity during Ramadan fasting, recognizing risks and symptoms of fasting complications and the management may improve the diabetic patients' ability in changing lifestyle, reduce the risk of fasting complications and weight and metabolic control during Ramadan. This study aimed to investigate the effect of nutritional education program based on health belief model (HBM), on the knowledge of type 2 diabetic patients who fast in Ramadan. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 53 type 2 diabetic patients referring to the Diabetes Clinic of Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences and tending to fast during Ramadan, who were recruited based on the research inclusion criteria. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups of intervention (n=28) and control (n=25). A week before Ramadan, the intervention group was educated based on HBM. In a week before and after Ramadan, the data on demography, HBM components and knowledge were collected through face-toface interview by trained nutritionists. Results: The research results revealed that the education program in the intervention group significantly increased the HBM components such as perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy comparing to the baseline and the control group (P<0. 005). At the end of the study, there was a significant difference in the scores of knowledge about fasting conditions and medications, nutrition and physical activity between the two groups (P<0. 001, P=0. 049 and P=0. 013, respectively). The educational intervention significantly increased the total knowledge score, as well as the fasting conditions and medications and blood glucose control scores compared to the baseline values; also in comparison with the control group, the scores of fasting conditions and medications, blood glucose control and total knowledge increased significantly in the intervention group. Conclusions: The findings showed an increase the knowledge level and improvement in the HBM components in the intervention group compared with the control group. It seems that focused Ramadan education could increase Ramadan knowledge of patients and empower them to proper management of diabetes during the holy Ramadan.

Background and Objectives: Preparation and evaluation of nanocomposite films have become prevalent in recent years. Depending on the purpose of using the film, and considering the effects and interaction effects of nanomaterial and other modifiers on the film properties, the amounts of nanomaterials and modifiers should be optimized. The effects of montmorillonite (MMT), glycerol (GL), and their interaction effects on the properties of polyvinyl alcohol-montmorillonite (PVA-MMT) films were evaluated in this research. Materials and Methods: PVA-MMT films were produced based on a full factorial experiment in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 16 treatments and three replicates. There were two factors with four levels: MMT (0, 5, 12, and 20% weight per weight of polymer W/WP), and GL (0, 10, 30, and 50% W/WP). The films were characterized by mechanical properties, opacity, water vapor permeability (WVP), and color. Results: MMT increased tensile strength (TS), b*, yellowness index (YI), and opacity of the films. MMT, however, reduced elongation (E%) and WVP of the films. The effect of GL on the films was quite opposite the MMT. In addition, the interaction effects of MMT-GL on WVP, YI, and b* were significant (p<0. 01). MMT contents could reduce WVP just in the presence of GL in the films, while GL contents could increase WVP at all MMT concentrations. Furthermore, MMT contents could increase YI of the films at all GL concentrations, while GL could increase YI just at 20% MMT content. Strong affinities of MMT, and GL with PVA were proved by FTIR. Conclusions: Considering the target of utilizing PVA-MMT films, appropriate concentrations of MMT, GL, and their proper combination should be selected.

Background and Objectives: Recognizing the impurities of sugar beet and also comparing different methods of juice purification have shown that the chemical purification based on lime and carbon dioxide is really efficient and economic in the sugar industry. Factories have to control and improve purification stages to achieve clear juice with high chemical purity, low color, minimum hardness, sufficient thermal resistance and with no insoluble solid matters in producing white sugar with high purity and efficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of alkalinity changes in preliming and liming stages on improving the color of thin and thick juices. Materials and Methods: In the current study, changes in pre-liming alkalinity (0. 2, 0. 3 and 0. 9) and liming alkalinity (1. 3, 1. 4, 1. 5 and 1. 6) (mg CaO/ 100 ml juice) during the operation were studied in Sharekrod sugar factory. According to the discharge and retention time of each stage (raw juice, thin juice, and thick juice), the samples were taken and the color changes were studied. Results: The results showed that alkalinity changes of 0. 4 in preliming along 1. 4 in liming and 0. 4 in preliming along 1. 3 in liming (mg CaO/ 100 ml juice) caused imbalance of cation/anion, sucrose hydrolysis and invert sugar, and produced undesired color in the thin or thick juice. These changes also had undesired effects on the juice’ s resistance. But 0. 2 in preliming and 1. 6 in liming as well as 0. 3 in pre-liming and 1. 6 in liming had positive effects. Therefore, a thin juice with pH of 8. 9 and low color increase (20%) was produced. Conclusions: According to the results, some of the enforced changes were more effective in purification process and improved it.

Background and Objectives: Vibrio parahaemolyticus is the causative agent of gastroenteritis due to consumption of contaminated seafood. The aim of the present study was to determine the chemical composition of Essential Oils (EOs) of five plants (Artemisia absinthium, Zataria multiflora Boiss., Pulicaria gnaphalodes, Trachyspermum ammi and Cuminum cyminum) and to evaluate their antimicrobial activity against pathogenic and non-pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus. Materials and Methods: The EOs were analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The detection of inhibitory effect of the EOs on the tested bacteria was carried out by agar disc-diffusion method and then MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) and MBC (Minimum Bactericidal Concentration) of the EOs against both bacteria were determined. Results: The analysis of the components of the EOs by gas chromatography mass spectrometry allowed the identification of 76 compounds. Of the five tested EOs, four oils exhibited an antimicrobial effect against both strains of V. parahaemolyticus. In all EOs tested, Pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus showed more sensitivity than non-pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus. The strongest EO against pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus were T. ammi with 63. 42% thymol and C. cyminum with 29. 02% cuminaldehyde and 20. 70% α-terpinene-7-al, equally (31 mm inhibition zone). Non-pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus showed the most sensitivity against Z. multiflora Boiss. EO with 73. 64% carvacrol (27 mm inhibition zone and the lowest MIC (0. 025%) and MBC (0. 05%)). Despite the large amount of thujone, A. absinthium EO in this study did not show antibacterial activity in disk diffusion assay, MIC or MBC values. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that Z. multiflora Boiss. and T. ammi have strong antimicrobial activity against both pathogenic and non-pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus.