Food Science

Residual levels of organophosphorous pesticides were determined in 44 fermented and dried cocoa beans samples collected from two cocoa beans storage warehouses located in Tema and Takoradi; cities in Ghana from November 2010 to January 2011. The main objective of the study was to monitor and assess the residue levels of 13 organophosphorous pesticides in fermented and dried cocoa beans produced from Ghana. The extraction method uses acetonitrile as the extracting solvent. Two solid phase extraction clean-up cartridges were employed; bond elut C18 cartridge, followed by envi-carp/LC-NH2 superclean cartridge; using acetonitrile and a mixture of toluene/acetonitrile in the ratio 1:3 as eluting solvents, respectively. The determination was done using gas chromatography with pulse flame photometric detector (GC-PFPD). The targeted compounds were methamidophos, ethoprophos, phorate, fonofos, diazinon, dimethoate, pirimiphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos, malathion, fenitrothion, parathion, chlorfenvinphos and profenofos. The percentage recoveries ranged from 70-95 percent, with instrumental method determination limit of 5.0 ?g/kg. The results indicated that ethoprophos is not being used in cocoa production in Ghana. However, there were appreciable amounts of Dimethoate (22.3 µg/kg), Pirimiphos-methyl (29.5 µg/kg), Malathion (20.6 µg/kg), Chlorpyrifos (50.2 µg/kg) and Fenitrothion (93.8 µg/kg). These notwithstanding, residue levels of all organophosphorous pesticides detected were below both the EU and Japanese maximum residue limits; with the exception of Methamidophos, Chlorpyrifos, Malathion and Profenofos which average residue values were comparable with either one of the two international maximum residue limits set.

Age effect, intestinal site and pH influence on phytate hydrolysis were assayed in brush border membrane vesicles isolated from chicks and layers proximal and distal intestinal segments using MgCl2 precipitation and differential centrifugation. The ascertained BBMVs purity and functional integrity depicted alkaline phosphatase enzyme marker to range between 20-fold to 37-fold greater for chicks’ and layers’ proximal and distal BBMVs than in their mucosal homogenates, their integrity suggestive to presence of Na+-dependent transport while electron micrograph showed a vesicular form. Both chicks’ and layers’ BBMVs, had significant decrease in phytate-P hydrolysed/mg.

Graviola, Annona Muricata, leaves is known for its efficacy in the treatment and management of complex disorders in man. Most research work available however targets on their organic contents, viz. essential oils, glycosides, vitamins, alkaloids and other active components. This research work aimed at investigating their elemental composition which is most often overlooked, though they play important roles in the fight against diseases. In order to determine the presence of these elements, even at trace levels, and to minimize chemical contamination during sample preparation, the sensitive analytical technique (which is free from the use of chemicals), instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was used. Potassium, Ca, Cl, Mg, Fe, Na, Br, Mn, Cu, Cr and Co were present in the leaves at detectable concentrations. The concentrations of the elements Cu, Fe and Mn were found to be below their tolerable upper intake levels. The presence of these elements in the leaves of Annona Muricata indicates its potential for use in medicinal preparations for the management and treatment of certain diseases.

Anaemia is a nutritional problem affecting all segments of the population in general and children, woman & pregnant woman in particular. In the latter groups, prevalence of anaemia may be as high as 60 – 70 per cent. Anaemia in our country is essentially due to iron deficiency although in children, woman & pregnant woman, folate deficiency also plays a part. Although our diets contain fairly good amount of iron, its absorption is very poor (2- 3 per cent).9 Micronutrient malnutrition commonly referred as “Hidden Hunger”, causes learning disabilities, impaired work capacity, illness & ultimately death. Forty per cent of the world suffers from iron deficiency.

In the present study, 26 elderly subjects were recruited and randomly divided into 2 groups, that is, orange (low in antioxidant capacity) and pomegranate (high in antioxidant capacity) groups, and 250 mL of juice was consumed daily for 4 weeks. Changes in plasma antioxidant capacity, activity of antioxidant enzymes, contents of ascorbic acid, vitamin E, reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde, oxidized low-density lipoprotein and carbonyls, and the degree of DNA damage in mononuclear blood cells were measured. Urine samples were collected for determination of 8-hydroxy-2?- deoxyguanosine content. Increased plasma antioxidant capacity and decreased plasma carbonyl content were demonstrated after daily consumption of pomegranate juice. In comparison, orange juice consumption presented a less significant effect on antioxidant function in elderly subjects. It is concluded that daily consumption of pomegranate juices is potentially better than orange juice in improving antioxidant function in the elderly. Because the plasma ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and reduced glutathione contents did not differ significantly between the 2 groups in this study, the phenolics may be the functional components contained in pomegranate juice that accounted for the observations.

Polyphenols widely distributed in plants, fruits and vegetables have received considerable attention because of their physiological functions including antioxidant, antimutagenic and/or cancer preventive activities. The present study aims to process cocoa beans and to estimate the quantity of epicatechin after processing. The seeds of Theobroma cocoa were subjected to two different treatments. One set of seeds were allowed to boil and other for fermentation. Both the boiled seeds and fermented seeds were further grouped into two. The first group of boiled seeds was dried and deshelled (BNR), second group of seeds were dried and roasted (BR). The fermented seeds were then dried under sunlight and deshelled without roasting (FNR) and the other group of seeds was roasted and deshelled (FR). The obtained seeds were ground to cocoa liquor and polyphenols were extracted using various solvents and concentrated by rotary evaporation, and these solutions were subjected to HPLC analysis and eluted compounds were detected by monitoring UV absorbance at 280 nm. The calibration curves were compared against the standard which was run at same nm. The obtained calibration curves identified the presence of the polyphenolic compound-epicatechin at 6 min. The sample BNR possessed the maximum concentration of o.938mg/g of epicatechin whereas the sample FR doesn’t obtained any peak representing the presence of epicatechin. Hence the study concludes that processing that involves fermentation and heat reduced epicatechin content as well as antioxidant activity.

Fish constitutes a very important component in the diets ofboth man and animals as it provides the much needed protein and other nutrients for a healthy living however, it is prone to rapid putrefaction and spoilage. In this study, local spices were applied on hot-smoked African catfish for its preservative tendencies using Response Surface Methodology of Design Expert 6.0.8.Five independent variables consisting of soaking times of 0.0, 7.50, 15.00, 22.50 and 30.0 min; soaking temperatures(30, 35, 40, 45, 50oC); garlic, ginger and turmeric with concentrations of 0.0, 2.50, 5.00, 7.50 and 10.0 g/100ml respectively were investigated. Predictive models for the response variables were developed as a function of process variables. A second-order polynomials obtained to predict the response variables were all significant (p<0.05) with good correlation coefficients (R2) between 0.869 and 0.999 showing that the models can be used to navigate the design space. Selection of the best (optimum) combination of garlic, ginger and turmeric concentrations, extraction temperature and extraction time of 7.29 g/100ml, 7.50 g/100ml, 2.5 g/100ml, 38.65 oC and 7.51 min respectively produced optimized responses in spiced smoked catfish with CP, ash, TP, FRAP, MC, fat and FFA of 65.20%, 8.59%, 2.45 mg/100 g, 20.24 mg/100 g, 2.20%, 11.17% and 0.72% respectively. This successfully established the synergistic effect of local spices on the chemical and antioxidant properties of the hot-smoked catfish

ABSTRACT:Iron deficiency anemia is highly prevalent. Dietary improvement by including iron-rich green leafy vegetables is one of the best options for increasing the iron content of the diet. Saravallai (Trianthema portulacastrum linn was used to formulate Saravallai dhal powder (SDP) and incorporated at three, six and ten percent in traditional Indian recipes. The energy, protein, fat ,calcium and iron content of SDP was 450.64±17.78 kcal. 23.74±0.53, 7.94±2.52 g percent. 589.33±8.14 and 27.16±0.76 mg. Ten percent incorporation of SDP did not alter the sensory qualities of rice, murukku, galagala, onion chutney, tomato thokku, potato fry and dhal sambar © 2014 Elixir All rights reserved

Three different good mood food cereals or breakfast cereals viz; Cornflakes, Dalia and Oats were analyzed for different physic-chemical properties. The ash and protein content of three different breakfast cereals does not vary significantly with each other while moisture content showed significant difference. The protein content of Dalia and Oats does not vary with each other, however both varied significantly with Cornflakes. The crude fiber of Cornflakes and Oats differs significantly with each other Based on organoleptic evaluation by semi-trained panelists; the appearance of all the three breakfast cereals does not vary significantly with each other. Overall acceptability of all the three breakfast cereals does not vary with each other.

Composite flours were prepared by blending acha and Bambara flours in ratios 90:10, 80:20, 70:30 and 60:40. Functional, pasting and chemical properties of the blends were evaluated. Cold extruded spaghetti samples were produced from the composite flours and 100% wheat flour as control. Proximate composition, mineral content, anti-nutritional, colour, cooking qualities and sensory acceptability of the spaghetti samples were determined. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in water absorption and oil absorption capacities between the control and the experimental samples. Loose and packed bulk densities, dispersability, water absorption and oil absorption capacities of the composite flours were as follows: 0.59 to 0.66 g/ml, 0.91 to 0.95 g/ml, 79 to 80 g/ml, 2.14 to 2.26 g/ml and 2.15 to 2.18 g/ml compared with wheat flour 0.48 g/ml, 0.77 g/ml, 75 g/ml, 2.26 g/ml and 2.46 g/ml, respectively. Swelling power of composite flour at 90 and 100oC were essentially the same, while slight differences occurred at 60, 70 and 80oC. Moisture, ash, fat, crude fiber, protein and carbohydrate contents of the blends were 12.58 to 12.91%, 1.00 to 2.50%, 2.30 to 2.40%, 0.25 to 1.00%, 12.58 to 14.63% and 67.09 to 71.20% compared with wheat flour 13.17%, 1.5%, 2.25%, 1.32%, 10.21% and 71.56%, respectively. Phytate, tannin and trypsin inhibitor contents of the extruded products were significantly reduced. The Ca and Zn of the composite spaghetti were higher than that of wheat spaghetti. Significant differences were observed in the colour of experimental spaghetti samples. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) between the cooked weight of composite spaghetti and wheat spaghetti. The overall acceptability of the experimental samples was about 60% of the control spaghetti.