Food Science

The present investigation was carried out to find the effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of bark of Ficus religiosa for its anti-inflammatory activity in Hamsters. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using acute inflammatory models like carrageenan induced paw edema models. The biochemical parameters like thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), enzymatic anti-oxidants and non enzymatic anti-oxidants were carried out in blood and tissues of control and experimental animals in each group. Oral administration of the ethanolic extract (Ficus religiosa bark) at the dose 100mg/kg body weight (b.w) showed significant effect than aqueous extract and was also much comparable to that of standard drug, Ibuprofen. The mechanism of anti-inflammatory effect of Ficus religiosa is probably due to their inhibitory action on the release of mediators of inflammation.

Nine plantain samples from some communities in the Bibiani mining town and surrounding towns/villages, Abrofrem, Akwawuakrom, Beposo, Besie, Fahiakorbor, Kofikrom, Hwenampori and Old Town – all in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District – have been analysed using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) for their levels of the essential elements, Ca, Cl, Cu, K, Mg, Mn, Na and Zn. The aim of the study was to determine the levels of the above essential elements in the plantain samples and also to establish whether the mining activities have had any impact on the levels measured. The concentrations of Ca, Cl, K, Mg and Na referred to as major nutrients measured were in the ranges; 495 – 1895 mg/kg for Ca, 1076 – 3019 mg/kg for Cl, 1800 – 17000 mg/kg for K, 946 – 1337 mg/kg for Mg, and 42.34 – 83.20 mg/kg for Na. The micro/trace elements measured in the samples were in the ranges, 2.55 – 25.44 mg/kg for Cu; 7.40 – 17.20 mg/kg for Mn and 8.25 – 67.96 mg/kg for Zn. The results supported the claim that plantain contains high levels of K and low levels of Na. However, with regard to the RDA/AI values of the various nutrient elements, it could be said that plantain is relatively richer in Mn, followed by Cu and Mg than K. This was due to the fact that relatively lower amount of plantain is required to meet the RDA/AI values of those elements than K. The levels of the nutrient elements measured in the plantain samples did not give any indication of impact of mining activities which could have resulted in loss of soil fertility since the results obtained in this work compared favourably with the results obtained in a similar study conducted by Danso et al (2006) in a non mining area. The only difference observed in the results obtained in this work from that of Danso et al (2006) was with the levels of Mg and Mn. The levels of Mg and Mn measured in this work were however, consistent with the geology of the area as well as their respective RDA/AI values.

Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) has been used to determine the Ca, Fe and Zn content in eight sorghum and maize cultivars. The phytate content is also determined together with the phytate/mineral molar ratios in order to estimate the inhibitory effect of phytate on the bioavailability of these minerals. The results obtained indicated high phytate/mineral molar ratio and suggest thus that reduced and possible non-bioavailability of the minerals may be incited. Nonetheless the [CaxPh]:Zn ratios suggests that the cereal cultivars are a good source of the minerals and that processing of the cereals would improve bioavailability of the mineral.

This study aimed to assess the growth pattern of adolescent boys in Mysore city in south India. In this cross sectional study anthropometric profile of 1083 boys aged 10- 18years was measured and compared to 50th centiles of W.H.O standards for height and weight and the measurement of MUAC and SFT were compared to NHANES standard. Self-reporting questionnaire to obtain data related to family socioeconomic status and personal information was implemented. The increase in height exhibited linearity from 10 to 18 years of age, mean height was 141.8?1.56 cms in boys aged 10years while boys aged 18 year had a mean height of 172.2± 7.15 cms The mean weight at age 10 was 31.7± 3.10 kgs and at 18 years the mean body weight was 58.6± 9.04 kg. In this study population the mean BMI was15.63±2.21 at the age 10 and increased to 19.71 ± 2.42 at age 18th year The mean MUAC at the age 10 was 19.6±1.72 cm and skin fold at triceps was 11.07±3.5 mm. These participate boys were shorter and lighter in all the stages of adolescences as compared to reference, although the difference for height was smaller than that seen for weight. BMI, of boys in all age groups was lower as compare to the W.H.O references.

Ready-to-eat breakfast cereal (RBC) containing underutilized legume was made to improve its nutrient and reduce cost. Blends of yellow maize (Zea mays) and African yam bean (AYB) (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) at 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, and 70:30 were used to produce RBC using locally adaptable process. Products were analyzed for proximate, anti-nutritional and mineral contents, as well as sensory test. Highest protein content of 15.98% was obtained in 70:30 AYB supplemented sample. There was no significant (p<0.05) difference in gross energy of the samples which were liked by the panelists. Low technology for producing RBC could improve food security among the poor.

The health and cosmetics industry in Malaysia is growing rapidly and is expected to grow steadily in the future. However, the usage of ostrich oil in this industry is still new. This paper aims to analyze the strategic issues and challenges faced by ostrich oil based manufacturing company in the health and cosmetic industry known as MS Worldwide Manufacturing (M) Sdn. Bhd. The qualitative study is done based on several unstructured interviews and also based on the published data obtained from relevant websites. Based on this primary and secondary data, the company is found to be facing problems with strategy and execution in the specific market place of Malaysia. This paper discusses the situation and tries to diagnose the problems areas, generate alternative solutions, predict outcomes and evaluate alternatives strategic planning and implementation to produce better results.

Moringa preparations and its consumption have become popular among Ghanaians. In the present study a survey was carried out in Techiman in the Brong Ahafo to determine the existing socio-economic status and Moringa safety knowledge of consumers. Data on socio –economic profile of 100 consumers were obtained through questionnaires. Results from the study showed that more of the respondents got the information on Moringa from family (46 %,) followed by other sources (20%), from the media (18%) and from friends (16%) in that order. Results also indicated that majority of the manufacturers fail to indicate the exact amount of metal concentrations incurred by consumers after consumption.

Herbs are an ancient source of flavourings, aromatic compounds and medicines. Their health properties are linked to a number of chemical constituents, including vitamins, flavanoids, terpenoids, carotenoids, phytoestrogens and minerals. Herbs and their components have high antioxidant activity and antimicrobial property, which in a food matrix can delay the spoilage. With the growing popularity of herbs, it is not surprising that they are finding their way into fruit jellies. Considering this, an attempt was made to develop guava jelly containing selected herbal extracts namely Mentha cordifolia, Coriandrum sativum and Ocimum tenuiflorum. They were analysed for physico-chemical and organoleptic characteristics. The prepared jellies possessed optimum level of total soluble solids (TSS), pH and acidity. Taste panellists recorded high scores for the herbal jellies compared to plain guava jelly due to its characterisitic flavour and colour. The jellies prepared using herbal extracts were more transparent and quivery. Taken together, herbal extracts would appear to have a positive effect on the jelly quality in terms of most of the physicochemical properties and sensory evaluation. The preparation of good quality jelly with herbal substitution is certainly becoming a matter of very much importance, as it benefits the mankind in various ways.

Lot of attention has been given towards natural healthy therapeutic foods by health professional and the common population for improving overall well being, as well as in the prevention of diseases. In this connection, many grains and fruits have been regarded in functional foods. When such ingredients are added into food preparation with an objective of imparting health benefit is the need of the hour. With this aim, a venture was made to develop a bakery product and evaluate its organoleptic attributes. A chocolate pound cake was formulated and in which desired proportions of kavanai rice and Tribulus terrestris fruit powder were added and thus 5 varieties of cakes were prepared and its sensory attributes were compared with the standard cake. 9 point hedonic scale was used to assess sensory characteristics via colour, appearance, flavour, taste and overall acceptability. Garrets ranking tool was employed to assess the ranking of hedonic score. The overall acceptability of cake 2 (80% Refined Wheat Flour and 20% Tribulus terrestris fruit powder) and cake 3 (100% Refined Wheat Flour and 10% Tribulus terrestris fruit powder) had the highest score of 8.55 and was comparable with standard cake. It was imperative that addition of 10% Tribulus terrestris fruit powder into chocolate cake without addition of Kavanai rice scores highest for its sensory attributes. It is concluded that kavanai rice and Tribulus terrestris fruit powder could serve as potential functional ingredients in the development of therapeutic foods. Key Words: Tribulus terrestris fruit powder, Kavanai rice, functional foods, Chocolate Pound Cakes.

The monitoring of toxic heavy metals in fish is essential for protecting public health against the hazards of metal toxicity. The concentrations of metals (Hg, Pb and Cd), in different fish species were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopic (AAS) procedures. The objective of this study was to look at the distribution of heavy metals in different species of fish on Ghanaian markets. Levels of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS). Mercury (Hg) content was analysed by the cold vapour atomic absorption spectroscopic technique after Hg ions reduction with SnCl₂ (CV-AAS). Amongst the metals analysed, Lead (Pb; 0.1-0.49, average 0.24 mg/kg) showed the highest concentration, followed Mercury (Hg; 0.01-0.37, average 0.073mg/kg) and Cadmium (Cd; 0.06-0.11, average 0.084 mg/kg).  Amongst the species analysed, tuna had high lead concentrations with lobsters having the lowest concentration of lead. With respect to Hg contamination, shark specimen had the highest with cephalopods and octopus having the least Hg concentrations. Levels of cadmium in the examined species averaged from 0.06 mg/kg for octopus to 0.11 mg/kg for tuna. The study revealed that the studied metals concentrations were generally low in species of fish in the two study areas. Although the levels of these heavy metals are not high, a potential danger may emerge in the future depending on pollution sources and frequency of exposure.