The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research

Effect of sunlight exposure and packaging material on the quality and oxidative stability of palm olein, palm oil, and soyabean oil commercialized in Cameroon

2025-03-23T13:59:20+00:00

Background: In Cameroon oils and fats are generally packaged in translucent polyethylene bottles of 1L volume and non-translucent polyethylene containers of 5, 10, and 20 L. The translucent bottle is more solicited as it attracts the customer better. In the local market, for advertising purpose, these oils are exposed to sunlight the whole day. This can affect their quality and put consumer health at risk. It is important to suggest packaging materials which under such conditions can limit the alterations and propose the best storage conditions.

Aims: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of ambient, sunlight storages and the types of packaging materials on the quality and stability of palm olein, palm and soybean oils.

Methods: About 2.5 L of each oil was divided into three portions, 1.2, 1.2 and 0.1 L. The portion of 0.1 L served as control in order to have the initial quality of the oils. The other two portions of 1.2 L were respectively divided into nine (09) portions of 130 ml and introduced in three translucent polyethylene bottles (TPEB), three non-translucent polyethylene bottles (NTPB), and the last three in brown dark glass bottles (BDGB). The first set of nine (09) was stored in the dark at ambient temperature while the other set was exposed to sunlight radiations for 30 days, 8 h exposure/day. Samples from both ambient and sunlight storage were collected after every 10 days to analysis their quality and stability (color, peroxide, p-Anisidine, TOTOX, thiobarbituric, acid values and Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectrocospy).

Results: Results showed that sunlight reduces the color in the L and b* value of palm oil. Sunlight also increase in a significant way the peroxide, p-anisidine, TOTOX, Thiobabituric acid values of the analyzed oils compared to ambient storage. Palm oil extraction process significantly increases its acidity. The Fourier transformed infrared spectra showed little differences with soybean oil being the most altered. BDGB and NTPB were found to protect better quality oil the tested oils compared to TPEB under sunlight.

Conclusions: Oils sold in the market should be packaged in NTPB or BDGB so as to reduce the impact of sunlight and limit photo-oxidation reactions.

Keywords: palm oil, soybean oil, palm olein, packaging material, sunlight, oxidation

Fluid intake, fiber consumption, and physical activity related to constipation among elderly, which one is more important? A cross-sectional study in Iran

2025-01-01T21:54:41+00:00

Background: Chronic constipation is a common, self-reported, and symptom-based disorder which can significantly influence an individual’s health-related quality of life and imposes several financial costs.

Aims: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of water consumption, fiber intake, and physical activity (PA) on constipation, and which one is more critical by considering the mediating effect of BMI.

Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 400 older adults in 2019 referring to the comprehensive health service centers in Karaj, the capital of Alborz province. The data were collected using the questionnaires of demographic and anthropometric characteristics, PASE (Physical activity for elderly), fluid intake, FFQ (Food Frequency questionnaire), Wexner constipation, and Persian lifestyle questionnaire analyzed using SPSS and LISREL software.

Results: Based on the final fitted model, PA is the most critical constipation-related factor compared to the fluid intake and fiber consumption. In addition, fiber consumption is the second crucial factor affecting constipation, and there is a negative association between constipation and fiber intake.

Conclusion: As price is one of the barriers to fiber consumption among the elderly, the recommendation to do physical activity such as walking to solve constipation is efficient and inexpensive for individuals with different socio-economic status.

Keywords: Physical activity, Wexner constipation, fiber consumption, elderly, Iran.

Association between dietary diversity and nutritional status of children aged 6-59 months in the Tamale Metropolis

2025-03-23T23:53:12+00:00

Background: Optimal growth and development in children requires adequate dietary intake from diverse food groups. A varied diet provides a comprehensive array of nutrients for achieving and maintaining optimal nutritional status in the pediatric population.

Aims: This study aimed to assess the association between dietary diversity and nutritional status of children aged 6 to 59 months in the Tamale Metropolis.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, utilizing systematic random sampling to select a cohort of 343 mothers and their children from four health facilities within the Tamale Metropolis. Data pertaining to sociodemographic characteristics, dietary intake, and anthropometric measurements, were collected. Dietary diversity score was assessed based on seven food groups, as recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Z-scores for anthropometric indices were calculated using WHO Anthro software. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and partial correlation analyses were used for data analysis.

Results: The mean age (standard deviation) of the children was 11.9 ± 5.0 months. The prevalence of stunting, wasting, underweight, and overweight/obesity were recorded as 38.5%, 14.3%, 28.9%, and 18.1%, respectively. The proportions of children consuming from the various food groups in the preceding 24 hours were as follows: grains, roots and tubers (86.9%); legumes and nuts (24.8%); dairy products (46.1%); flesh foods (43.7%); eggs (17.8%); vitamin A rich fruits and vegetables (39.7%); and other fruits and vegetables (72.9%). The mean dietary diversity score was 3.3 ± 1.7, with 55.4% of children meeting the minimum dietary diversity criteria. Dietary diversity scores exhibited statistically significant correlations with z-scores for weight-for-age (r = 0.292), height-for-age (r = 0.382) and BMI-for-age (r = -0.165).

Conclusions: Despite a majority of the children in the Tamale Metropolis meeting the minimum dietary diversity, malnutrition remains a significant public health concern. Dietary diversity was found to exert a distinct influence on the nutritional status of the children in this study population.

Keywords: Dietary Diversity, Underweight, Wasting, Stunting, Nutritional Status, Children.

Implications of climate-smart aquaculture practices on households’ income and food security in Mwanza and Mara, Tanzania’s Lake Zone

2025-02-03T20:02:23+00:00

Background: Climate-Smart Aquaculture (CSAq) practices present significant opportunity for the mitigation of climate-related challenges within the aquaculture sub-sector, particularly in the Lake Zone of Tanzania, where aquaculture and fisheries are central to household well-being.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of three CSAq practices—integrated farming, polyculture, and monoculture—on household income and food security.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2023 and February 2024, involving 384 aquaculture households across the Mara and Mwanza regions. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including chi-square and t-tests, to determine the influence of CSAq practices on economic and food security outcomes.

Results: The findings revealed that integrated farming significantly enhanced both household income and food security, with participating households achieving a "Very Satisfactory" Household Food Security Index (HFSI) score. In Mara, where integrated farming was more prevalent, households reported significantly higher yields (3303 ± 155 kg) compared to those in Mwanza (2454 ± 146 kg; t = 4.96, p < 0.001). However, Mwanza exhibited significantly higher prices per kilogram (6719 ± 103 TSH) than Mara (5799 ± 122 TSH; t = -5.29, p < 0.001) attributed to superior market access and infrastructure. Polyculture practices, more frequently adopted in Mwanza (35.7%) than in Mara (21.8%), yielded variable impacts on income and food security. Chi-square analysis (χ² = 9.269, p = 0.010) indicated significant regional disparities in CSAq adoption, with Mara exhibiting higher adoption rates of integrated farming (69.3%) compared to Mwanza (56.0%).

Conclusions: This study confirmed that integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems significantly improve household income and food security, while monoculture increases vulnerability. Regional variations indicate higher yields in Mara, associated with the widespread adoption of integrated farming, whereas Mwanza benefited from enhanced market access and elevated fish prices. Strengthening financial access, training programs, and institutional support is crucial for enhancing CSAq adoption. Key recommendations include the expansion of extension services, the improvement of market infrastructure, and the fortification of cooperative support systems to ensure sustainable aquaculture.

Keywords: Climate-Smart Aquaculture (CSAq), Income, Food Security, Household Well-being, Tanzania’s Lake Zone.

Effect of polysaccharide-coatings on the physicochemical properties and nutritional composition of deep-fried chicken breasts

2024-11-04T17:17:54+00:00

Background: The consumption of deep-fried foods has been a topic of considerable debate in nutritional science due to its potential adverse effects on health. In this context, the method of coating deep-fried chicken breasts has garnered increasing attention.

Aims: This study aimed to provide valuable insights into the effects of alternative plant-based coatings on the physicochemical and nutritional properties of deep-fried chicken breast, with the broader objective of promoting healthier food options for consumers.

Materials and Methods: Pre-weighed, marinated chicken breast chunks were immersed in treatment batter made from various edible flour coatings, including wheat, sweet potato, cassava, and cocoyam. The samples were refrigerated and subsequently deep-fried. The fried products were analyzed for proximate and mineral composition, while breaded samples were examined for physicochemical properties.

Results: While coating did not affect the coating yield, it significantly increased frying yield (p < 0.0001) and pH (p = 0.0105). However, edible coatings did no significantly influence the lightness (p = 0.1481), redness (p = 0.3596), or yellowness (p = 0.6852) of the meat. Among proximate components, crude fiber and energy levels remained unchanged, but other parameters varied significantly across treatments (p < 0.05). Likewise, most mineral parameters, except magnesium, exhibited significant differences among coatings (p < 0.05). Notably, sweet potato coatings enhanced the physicochemical and proximate attributes more effectively than the other coatings, while cocoyam coatings yielded superior mineral composition compared to wheat flour.

Conclusion: Alternative plant-based coatings significantly influenced the physicochemical properties, nutrient composition, and mineral content of deep-fried chicken breasts. These findings suggest that utilizing such coatings could result in healthier fried chicken products. Further research is necessary to optimize these coatings for enhanced consumer acceptability and to support their integration into healthier dietary options.

Keywords: Frying medium, frying yield, meat color, mineral content, wheat flour substitutes.