The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research

Determination of phthalate esters contents in different types of cheese produced and consumed in Saudi Arabia

2024-03-22T19:41:35+00:00

Background: Phthalates’ esters are commonly incorporated into plastic materials to enhance their elasticity, thereby facilitating their migration into food items.

Aims: To evaluate the levels of phthalate esters in six distinct varieties of locally produced cheese and sold in Saudi Arabia, at the time of purchase (t=0) and after storage for one and two months.

Methods: Six types of local cheeses (Cheddar, Mozzarella, Feta, Cheeseburger slices, Haloumi and Kashkaval) were purchased and analyzed at three different intervals: at the time of purchase (t=0), after one month, and after two months of storage. The Phthalate ester concentrations were determined using indirect gas chromatography with results expressed in mg/kg of cheese. Results: Among the cheese samples analyzed, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was found to be the most prevalent. Halloumi cheese exhibited the highest average concentration of DEHP (4.29 ± 0.51 mg/kg) followed by Mozzarella cheese (3.65 ± 0.46 mg/kg). After two months of storage, more than two-thirds (n=13) of the samples exceeded the permissible limits content of DEHP content while one-third (n=6) and more than half (n=9) exceeded the limits for dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP), respectively. The levels of phthalates in all cheese types increased with prolonged storage duration with Cheddar cheese exhibiting the highest rate of increase, exceeding fivefold (from 0.34 to 2.29 mg/kg).

Conclusion: This study confirms the presence of phthalate in cheese samples, with concentrations varying depending on the cheese type, specific phthalate compound, and storage duration. Heightened consumer awareness regarding cheese storage practices is imperative to mitigate potential health risks associated with phthalate consumption.

Keywords: Phthalate, Cheese, chemical analysis, content, Saudi Arabia.

Assessment of phthalate knowledge, plastic use practices and cheese handling among adults in Jeddah city (Saudi Arabia)

2023-12-23T14:56:58+00:00

Background: Phthalates are chemical compounds that have the tendency to migrate into food and beverages, thereby leading to negative health consequences. Aims: was to assess the knowledge of phthalates and practices relating to plastic use among adults residing in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with an emphasis on cheese wrapped in plastic materials. Material and Methods: A total of 435 adult participants completed an online questionnaire consisting of three sections 1) socio-demographic characteristics, 2) knowledge-related phthalates, and 3) practices related to plastic use. All collected data were verified and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Our findings revealed that 64.1% of the respondents had poor knowledge regarding plastics and phthalates with gender being a significant factor (p=0.0003). The usage rate of plastic material was found to be remarkably high with 38.2% keeping the purchased cheese either in its original plastic wrapping or placed inside plastic boxes. Moreover, 53.6% never viewed the safe plastic number before purchasing the food products. However Interestingly enough, the type of plastics did not influence participant’s decision-making process when it came down to purchasing or consuming cheese (45.1% & 46.2%, respectively). Respondents who had poor practice represented up to 85 %, while those with poor knowledge and practice constituted 65.1%. However, no significant link between these two factors could be established. Conclusions: Poor awareness levels concerning phthalates along with imprudent usage rates for plastics were observed among adults living within Jeddah city's boundaries; thus, appropriate interventions aimed at raising awareness need implementation so as minimize exposure risks associated with this issue.

Keywords: Phthalate, Plastic use, Cheese, Knowledge, Practice, Saudi Arabia.

Association between 24-hour urinary sodium and iodine in a Beninese population

2024-02-27T15:38:05+00:00

Aims: To evaluate the association between sodium concentration in 24-hour urine and iodine status in an urban and rural population of Benin.

Patients and Methods: A two-center descriptive, and cross-sectional observational study was conducted. Three hundred and fifty-four apparently healthy subjects (men and women) aged 25 to 64 were selected. Adequate iodine intake was defined as an iodine/creatinine urinary ratio (I/Cr) between 32.7 and 70.0 μg/g, and deficiency and excess such as < 32.7 μg/g and ≥ 70.0 μg / g respectively. Urinary sodium / creatinine (Na/Cr) ratios were classified as low (< 96.0 mmol /g), intermediate (96.0 – 171.8 mmol/g), high (≥ 171.8 mmol/g).

Results: The median urinary iodine concentration was 66.8 μg/L (IQI, 42 to 98) and the median urinary I/Cr ratio was 46.8 μg /g (IQI, 32.7 to 70.0). Iodine deficiency (< 100 μg /L) and iodine excess (> 300 μg /L) were observed in 75.1% and 2.5% of subjects, respectively. There was a statistically significant association between uncorrected UNaC and iodine status in the study population (p < 0.001). Paradoxically, no statistically significant association was found between the ratio I/Cr and Na/Cr in urine (p = 0.05). The distributions of UIC, UNaC and I/Cr, urinary Na /Cr ratios varied according to age group and sex.

Conclusion: No significant association was recorded between iodine status and UNaC in the Beninese study population. The recommended optimal iodine intake for eliminating disorders related to iodine deficiency has not yet been achieved in the study population; at least 50% of participants had inadequate UIC even after correction.

Keywords: Iodine; Benin; sodium; urine creatinine; nutrition.

Randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study investigating the effects of Laurus nobilis tea on lipid profiles and oxidative stress biomarkers in healthy North African volunteers

2024-03-10T18:52:21+00:00

Background. Laurus-nobilis (Ln) is an evergreen tree from the Lauraceae family, widely utilized for its culinary and medicinal purposes. Aims. This study aims to investigate the effects of Ln-tea (Lnt) consumption on lipid profiles and oxidant/antioxidant stress biomarkers in healthy volunteers. Methods. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (PACTR202205671550114) was conducted involving healthy volunteers. Participants (n=62) were randomly assigned to either the experimental-group (EG, n=31), receiving Lnt, or the control-group (CG, n=31), receiving a placebo tea. The regimen was administered once daily for ten consecutive days. Blood samples were collected from each participant on two occasions: one day before the study (Day1) and one day after its completion (Day11). These samples underwent analysis for lipid data, including cholesterol, triglycerides, high- and low- density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C, LDL-C, respectively), and low-density-lipoprotein-receptor (LDL-R). Additionally, oxidant/antioxidant stress biomarkers, such as superoxide-dismutase, uric-acid, and carbonylated-proteins, were assessed. Results. Data from seven participants (one from the EG, and six from the CG) were excluded from the final statistical analysis, resulting in 55 volunteers completing the study (30 in the EG, 25 in the CG). The two groups exhibited comparable demographic and clinical characteristics. In the EG, LDL-C decreased by 0.42 while HDL-C and LDL-R increased by 0.18 mmol/L and 189.45 pg/mL, respectively, compared to Day1. On Day11, the EG displayed lower LDL-C value and higher values of HDL-C and LDL-R compared to the CG. Significant interactive effects of the groups (2) vs. days (2) were observed for LDL-C, HDL-C, and LDL-R. No significant changes in oxidant/antioxidant stress biomarkers were noted between Day1 and Day11 in both groups. However, the EG showed higher levels of superoxide-dismutase compared to the CG on Day 11. Significant interactive effects of the groups (2) vs. days (2) were noted for superoxide-dismutase and carbonylated-proteins. Conclusions. Lnt infusion showed potential in modulating LDL-R activity levels, accompanied by elevated antioxidant activity.

Keywords: Laurus, oxidative stress, plant extracts, therapeutic use, tea.

Anti-inflammatory activity of doum palm fruit extract used in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia

2023-12-05T18:12:45+00:00

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a frequent health concern in men over the age of 50. It is characterized by an increase in the size of the prostate, which can lead to urinary issues. In the past, the treatment of BPH was limited to surgery. However, the introduction of drugs such as Permixon, based on saw palmetto extract, has revolutionized the management of this disease. This natural plant extract is effective in relieving the symptoms of BPH and can also slow the progression of the disease. The Algerian population consumes several plants for this purpose, such as nettle, galangal, pumpkin seeds, and doum palm. The doum palm (Chamaerops humilis) is a bushy plant with fan leaves that is widely distributed in the Mediterranean region. The terminal bud of this species is edible, however the doum palm has been appreciated by several societies throughout time for its multiple traditional uses and is primarily exploited for its fibers. In addition, this plant has aroused growing interest for its properties, especially in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous extract of the doum palm by the protein denaturation method comparing it to Permixon extracts and corticosteroids in order to valorize this species and confirm its traditional use. Material and Methods: The fruits of Chamaerops humilis L. were dried, powdered, and extracted with aqueous water then screened by various chemical tests. The anti-inflammatory activity was estimated after dilution of each extract using the human serum albumin. Results: When evaluating the anti-inflammatory effect, we observed that the fruit extract exhibited significantly higher activity, with an IC₅₀ of 446,02 mg/mL, too close to that of Permixon (IC₅₀= 423.17 μg/mL) and exceeding that of corticosteroids (IC₅₀= 602,21 mg/mL). All three extracts clearly demonstrated their ability to reduce inflammation. Conclusion: The aqueous extract was found to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent. These results offer promising novel perspectives in the treatment of inflammation-related diseases, especially benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Keywords: anti-inflammatory activity, benign prostatic hyperplasia, doum palm, Permixon, secondary active metabolites.