Tannin content of foods commonly consumed in India and its influence on ionisable iron

The tannin content of a number of foods and diets commonly consumed in India has been determined. Most of the tannin in legumes resides in the seed-coat. Decortication of seeds reduced tannin to a low level with a significant increase in ionisable iron. Germination of the legumes also resulted in a decrease in tannin and an increase in ionisable iron. Diets consumed in different parts of the country had tannin contents ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 g. Much of this appeared to be contributed by spices. A high level of tannin in these foods is associated with low ionisable iron. It is suggested that besides phytates, tannin may be an important factor responsible for the low absorption of iron from habitual diets in India.     

Folate content in foods commonly consumed in Egypt

The folate content in some Egyptian foods was determined using RP-HPLC-FL. Trienzyme treatment was used for legumes, dienzyme treatment for cereals and starchy vegetables, and monoenzyme treatment for vegetables and fruits. The highest folate content (633 μg/100 g) was found in dried Jew’s mellow due to low water content, followed by legumes (e.g. 150 μg/100 g for chick peas) and leafy vegetables (100 μg/100 g). For other foods, folate content ranged from 10–90 μg/100 g. In all foods, the predominant folate form was 5-CH₃–H₄folate, except for dried Jew’s mellow, which contained more than 80% 10-HCO–PteGlu. Using folate data from our own analyses and food tables and food consumption data, the dietary folate intake per capita in Egypt was estimated. However, representative and validated food composition data for folate in Egyptian foods are needed for estimating and evaluating the adequacy of the population’s folate intake.     

Folate content in processed legume foods commonly consumed in Egypt

Industrial food processing and household cooking are reported to affect folate content. This study examined the effects of industrial and household processing methods on folate content in traditional Egyptian foods from faba beans (Vicia faba) and chickpeas (Cicer arietinum). Overnight soaking increased folate content by ∼40–60%. Industrial canning including soaking, blanching and retorting did not affect folate content (p = 0.11) in faba beans, but resulted in losses of ∼24% (p = 0.0005) in chickpeas. Germination increased folate content 0.4–2.4-fold. Household preparation increased the folate content in germinated faba bean soup (nabet soup) one-fold and in bean stew (foul) by 20% (p < 0.0001). After deep-frying of falafel balls made from soaked faba bean paste, losses of 10% (p = 0.2932) compared with the raw faba beans were observed. The folate content (fresh weight) in the traditional Egyptian foods foul and falafel and in the beans in nabet soup was 30 ± 2, 45 ± 2 and 56 ± 6 μg/100 g, respectively. The traditional Egyptian foods foul, falafel and nabet soup are good folate sources and techniques like germination and soaking, which increase the folate content, can therefore be recommended.     

Unavailable carbohydrates of commonly consumed indian foods

The importance of unavailable carbohydrates in normal and therapeutic diets has been recognised in recent years. The profile of these substances is believed to be as equally important. The literature crude fibre estimation gives gross underestimates of the total unavailable carbohydrates in foods. The unavailable carbohydrate content and profile of some common Indian foods was studied by the recent method of Southgate (1976). Amongst cereals, the unavailable carbohydrate was the lowest in rice (8.3%) and highest in pearl millet (20.3%), with sorghum, wheat and ragi having intermediate values. The crude fibre values reported for rice was only 0.2% and that for pearl millet, 1.2%. In the case of legumes, green gram had the lowest (15.2%) and Bengal gram the highest (25.6%), with black gram and red gram having intermediate values. When unavailable carbohydrates were expressed as a proportion of the total carbohydrates, pulses had considerably larger amounts than did all cereals except pearl millet. Estimated ranges of values (g 100 g^?1 of the edible portion of the food) for unavailable carbohydrates were; in roots and tubers (3.5–7.9%), peanut varieties (5.4–6.8%), green leafy vegetables (2.9–4.0%), other vegetables (0.4–6.0%) and fruits (2.2–2.7%).     

Iodine content in commonly consumed food in Hong Kong and its changes due to cooking

Levels of iodine of foods found in Hong Kong were analysed in 271 samples from 11 groups, including (i) cereals and grain products, (ii) legumes and vegetables, (iii) meat and poultry, (iv) egg and egg products, (v) milk and milk products, (vi) fish, (vii) crustaceans and mollusks, (viii) non-alcoholic beverages, (ix) condiments and sauces, (x) sashimi and (xi) seaweeds. All food samples were analysed individually as purchased. The iodine in all samples ranged from undetectable to 2.9?g?kg^?1. Seaweeds, iodised salt, seafood, milk and milk products as well as egg and egg products were rich sources of iodine. To estimate the influence of cooking on iodine levels in foods, a total of 15 individual samples were analysed as raw and respective cooked food. The influence of cooking on the iodine level was minimal, except for boiling, as iodine dissolved into the soup.     

Aflatoxin determination in commonly consumed foods in Tunisia

BACKGROUND: To investigate natural aflatoxin occurrence, a total of 180 samples of different foods widely consumed in Tunisia were analysed by an in‐house‐validated high‐performance liquid chromatography method including affinity column clean‐up and post‐column bromination techniques. RESULTS: The method used appeared to be rapid, selective and reproducible, and its performances were established. Detection limits were 0.05 ng g^?1 for aflatoxin B1 and 0.025 ng g^?1 for aflatoxins B2, G1 and G2. Aflatoxins were detected in all investigated commodities except rice, with an overall contamination frequency of 34.4% and concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 40.6 ng g^?1. Aflatoxin B1 was found in all contaminated samples. Sorghum, spices and nuts were most contaminated. CONCLUSION: This study has provided an effective analytical method for the reliable determination of aflatoxins in food samples. Over one‐third of the samples investigated were contaminated with aflatoxins. Sorghum, spices and nuts were most contaminated, whereas rice showed no contamination. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Antioxidant activity and phenolic content of roots,tubers and vegetables commonly consumed in India

Epidemiological evidence suggests that consumption of vegetables can prevent degenerative diseases caused by oxidative stress. Considering scanty data available on antioxidant activity (AOA) of roots, tubers and vegetables commonly consumed in India, the objective of the present study was to assess their AOA and relate it to their total phenolic content. AOA was assessed in vegetables (n = 19) and roots/tubers (n = 10) by DPPH (2,2′-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl) scavenging activity and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) methods and the total phenolic content (TPC) using Folin–Ciocalteu reagent. Although AOA as well as TPC showed wide variation among roots, tubers and vegetables studied. AOA (both DPPH and FRAP) was significantly correlated with TPC among all the foods studied, with the correlation coefficient (r) values being 0.76 and 0.85 (p < 0.01) respectively with FRAP and DPPH activity among roots and tubers while among the vegetables studied, the corresponding values were 0.85 and 0.79 (p < 0.01) respectively. The results suggest that phenolic compounds may be significant contributors to the AOA of the vegetables, roots and tubers studied.     

Copper content of commonly consumed food in Brazil

Little is known of copper content of Brazilian food. In this paper, copper contents of several typical Brazilian foods were determined. The samples were bought in retail stores in cities of the southeast region of Brazil. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry with wet oxidation of the organic material was employed. The highest copper content was found in beef liver (6.06 mg/100 g of fresh product). Lowest copper content was found in milk and in fish fillet, with values below 0.01 mg/100 g of fresh product. Crude beans, Nescau^TM and whole wheat had copper contents from 0.44 to 1.04 mg/100 g of fresh food. Other foods, such as fruits, vegetables, grain products, baked products, roots and meat products had copper contents varying from 0.02 to 0.41 mg/100 g.     

N-(carboxymethyl)lysine content of foods commonly consumed in a Western style diet

The potential adverse effects on health of diet-derived advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) is of current interest, due to their proposed involvement in the disease progression of diabetic and uraemic conditions. However, accurate information about levels of AGEs in foods is lacking. The objective of this investigation was to determine the level of one particular AGE, N^ε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), a marker of AGE formation, in a wide range of foods commonly consumed in a Western style diet. Individual foods (n = 257) were mixed, lyophilised, ground, reduced, fat-extracted, hydrolysed, and underwent solid-phase extraction. Extracts were analysed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Cereal (2.6 mg/100 g food) and fruit and vegetable (0.13 mg/100 g food) categories had the highest and lowest mean level of CML, respectively, when expressed in mg/100 g food. These data can be used for estimating potential consumer intakes, and provide information that can be used to educated consumers on how to reduce their CML intake.     

Antioxidant activity of fresh and dry fruits commonly consumed in India

Epidemiological studies from other parts of the world indicate that increased consumption of fruits and vegetables are associated with lower risk of chronic degenerative diseases. Fruits are an important component of Indian diets. Studies indicate that fruits and vegetables are rich sources of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity (AOA). Present study was taken up to determine the AOA and phenolic content of fresh and dry fruits commonly consumed in India by two different (radical scavenging) methods and relate it to their total phenolic content (TPC) for the first time. Fourteen commonly consumed fresh fruits and ten dry fruits were studied. AOA and TPC contents of both fresh and dry fruits showed marked variation. Correlation analysis between the TPC and AOA as assessed by the two methods showed that phenolics may contribute maximally to the ABTS (r = 0.84) and to lesser extent to DPPH (r = 0.77) in fresh fruits, where as in dry fruits they correlated well to DPPH activity (r = 0.97) and to a lesser extent to FRAP (r = 0.87). In general, the results indicate that majority of the fresh and dry fruits studied are rich in phenolic antioxidants with potent free radical scavenging activity imply their importance to human health.     

Phenolic acid content of fruits commonly consumed and locally produced in Scotland

Despite fruit, vegetables and many processed products counting towards achieving the recommended five-a-day strategy, it is inevitable that produce choice will affect the benefits delivered. Fruits locally produced and commonly consumed in Scotland were compared for their phenolic acid content and form. The phenolic acid composition was highly variable, but the locally produced fruits were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in total concentration (1.61–4.89 g/kg compared to 0.06–0.22 g/kg). The majority of the phenolic acids were conjugated to other plant components, suggesting that any health benefits derived from these compounds are likely to be after they are released/metabolised by the colonic microbiota. Although the potential protective effects of the individual compounds will not be ascertained until the exact role of these compounds in disease prevention has been clarified, it is clear that the total amount of phenolic acids in the diet will vary enormously depending on the types of fruits consumed.     

Occurrence of bound 3-monochloropropan-1,2-diol content in commonly consumed foods in Hong Kong analysed by enzymatic hydrolysis and GC-MS detection

The aim of this study was to determine the level of bound 3-monochloropropan-1,2-diol in foodstuffs commonly consumed in Hong Kong, China, by an enzymatic hydrolysis indirect method which proved to be free from interferences. A total of 290 samples were picked up randomly from the local market and analysed. About 73% of these samples were found to contain detectable amounts of bound 3-MCPD. Amongst the 73 food items, bound 3-MCPD was not detected in 13 food items, including extra virgin olive oil, beef ball/salami, beef flank, ham/Chinese ham, nuts, seeds, soy sauce, oyster sauce, butter, yoghurt, cream, cheese and milk. For those found to contain detectable bound 3-MCPD, the content ranged up to 2500 µg kg^?1. The highest mean bound 3-MCPD content among the 14 food groups was in biscuits (440 [50–860] µg kg^?1), followed by fats and oils (390 [n.d.–2500] µg kg^?1), snacks (270 [9–1000] µg kg^?1), and Chinese pastry (270 [n.d.–1200] µg kg^?1). Among the samples, the highest bound 3-MCPD content was in a grape seed oil (2500 µg kg^?1), followed by a walnut flaky pastry (1200 µg kg^?1) and a grilled corn (1000 µg kg^?1). Basically, the results of this study agreed well with other published results in peer-reviewed journals, except for cheese, cream, ham, nuts and seeds.     

Ion chromatographic determination of perchlorate in foods consumed in Hatay region

Recently, the exposure to perchlorate was emphasised as an important risk factor for human and especially newborn health. A number of studies were focused on this matter. In this study, samples of soil, vegetable (cabbage, spinach, lettuce, carrot, tomato, red cabbage), fruit (orange, mandarin, lemon, grapefruit), water, milk and fish were taken from 8 different regions of Hatay (Samanda?, K?r?khan, Reyhanl?, Amik Plain, Dörtyol, Yaylada??, Alt?nözü, Erzin). An ion chromatography system (Shimadzu C196-E039A model) was used to determine the concentrations of perchlorate in the samples. 2.5 mM Phthalic acid and 2.4 mM tris (hydroxymethyl)aminomethane solutions (pH = 4) were used as the mobile phase. A flow rate of 1.5 ml min⁻¹ and oven temperature of 40 °C were used during the analysis. The foods had perchlorate concentrations in the range of 0.236–1.218 μg kg⁻¹. The perchlorate concentration varied from 0.30 ± 0.01 to 0.94 ± 0.02 μg l⁻¹ in milk samples. Perchlorate concentrations were determined to be lower in the drinking waters (0.44 ± 0.03 μg l⁻¹) compared to irrigation waters (0.59 ± 0.03 μg l⁻¹). Perchlorate concentrations of the fish samples were ranged from 0.38 ± 0.01 to 0.61 ± 0.01 μg kg⁻¹.     

Total isothiocyanate yield from raw cruciferous vegetables commonly consumed in the United States

Dietary isothiocyanates are a group of promising chemopreventive agents obtained primarily from cruciferous vegetables. Due to their potent chemopreventive and/or anti-cancer activities, there is a growing interest in assessing dietary isothiocyanate exposure and its impact on human health. Using the HPLC-based cyclocondensation assay, the current study measured total isothiocyanate yield from raw cruciferous vegetables. A total of 73 samples comprising nine types of cruciferous vegetables were analyzed. We observed a wide range of isothiocyanate content across the individual vegetables with an average level of 16.2 μmol/100 g wet weight, ranging from 1.5 μmol in raw cauliflower to 61.3 μmol in raw mustard greens. The data represent the maximum amount of isothiocyanates released from the intake of raw cruciferous vegetables. Given that the vegetables assayed in this study include the most commonly consumed cruciferous vegetables in western diets, the data may be particularly useful in estimation of dietary isothiocyanate exposure in these populations. However, due to the variation observed within each vegetable, biomarkers such as urinary isothiocyanate level may be necessary for accurate estimation of individual exposure.     

Antibacterial activity of extracts from some edible plants commonly consumed in Asia

Extracts of edible plants (26 species) from China, Japan, Thailand and Yemen were screened for their antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli and Salmonella infantis. Buffered methanol (80% methanol and 20% PBS) and acetone extracted inhibitory substances against tested bacteria from 16 plants, as revealed by the disc assay. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of extracts determined by the agar dilution method ranged from 165 to 2640 mg l⁻¹. The most sensitive microorganism to extracts from Azadirachta indica, Cinnamomum cassia, Rumex nervosus, Ruta graveolens, Thymus serpyllum and Zingiber officinale was B. cereus, with MIC of 165 to 660 mg l⁻¹. E. coli and S. infantis were only inhibited by Cinnamomum cassia extracts at the highest MIC (2640 mg l⁻¹). L. monocytogenes (Tottori) was more resistant than the ATCC 7644 strain to extracts from Ruta chalepensis, Artemisia absinthium and Cissus spp. EDTA (0.85 mM) reduced the MICs of Cinnamomum cassia and Cissus rotundifolia by at least 50% when tested against E. coli, S. infantis, S. aureus and L. monocytogenes.     

Taste intensities of ten vegetables commonly consumed in the Netherlands

Bitterness has been suggested to be the main reason for the limited palatability of several vegetables. Vegetable acceptance has been associated with preparation method. However, the taste intensity of a variety of vegetables prepared by different methods has not been studied yet. The objective of this study is to assess the intensity of the five basic tastes and fattiness of ten vegetables commonly consumed in the Netherlands prepared by different methods using the modified Spectrum method. Intensities of sweetness, sourness, bitterness, umami, saltiness and fattiness were assessed for ten vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, leek, carrot, onion, red bell pepper, French beans, tomato, cucumber and iceberg lettuce) by a panel (n = 9) trained in a modified Spectrum method. Each vegetable was assessed prepared by different methods (raw, cooked, mashed and as a cold pressed juice). Spectrum based reference solutions were available with fixed reference points at 13.3 mm (R1), 33.3 mm (R2) and 66.7 mm (R3) for each taste modality on a 100 mm line scale. For saltiness, R1 and R3 differed (16.7 mm and 56.7 mm). Mean intensities of all taste modalities and fattiness for all vegetables were mostly below R1 (13.3 mm). Significant differences (p < 0.05) within vegetables between preparation methods were found. Sweetness was the most intensive taste, followed by sourness, bitterness, fattiness, umami and saltiness. In conclusion, all ten vegetables prepared by different methods showed low mean intensities of all taste modalities and fattiness. Preparation method affected taste and fattiness intensity and the effect differed by vegetable type.     

Iodine content in bread,milk and the retention of inherent iodine in commonly used Indian recipes

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) is still a major public health problem and iodized salt remains the most effective means to control IDD in India. Few reports indicate that vegans have inadequate iodine intake while at the same time concerns are being raised on the implementation of universal salt iodization in the country. Therefore, we investigated the iodine content in bread, milk and commonly used Indian recipes prepared without iodized salt and the retention of inherent iodine therein. Results showed considerable iodine content in bread (25 μg/100 g) and milk (303 μg/L) as a positive fallout of universal salt iodization. Iodine content in 38 vegetarian recipes prepared without iodized salt was very low (2.9 ± 2.4 μg/100 g). Retention of inherent iodine (65.6 ± 15.4%) and iodine from iodized salt (76.7 ± 10.3%) in the same recipes was comparable. Thus, universal salt iodization programme remains the single most important source of dietary iodine for the Indian population.     

Retinol and carotene content of foods consumed in East Africa determined by high performance liquid chromatography

The vitamin A activity of a number of fresh and dried foods important in the diet of people in East Africa was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The analytical results obtained were combined with data from the literature for inclusion in a comprehensive food table which has been used in a study on xerophthalmia in the United Republic of Tanzania. The importance of adopting standard procedures for reporting retinol and carotenoid values is discussed.     

Antioxidant properties of some commonly consumed and underutilized tropical legumes

The antioxidant properties of some commonly consumed [cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)] and underutilized [pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and African yam bean (Sphenostylis sternocarpa)] legumes were assessed with regard to their Vitamin C, total phenol, and phytate content, as well as antioxidant activity as typified by their reducing power and free radical scavenging ability. The Vitamin C content of the cowpeas ranged from 0.5 to 0.9 mg/100 g, while that of underutilized legumes were 0.9 mg/100 g for pigeon pea and 0.8 mg/100 g for African yam beans. The phenol content of the cowpeas were 0.3–1.0 mg/g, African yam bean had 0.7 mg/g total phenols, while pigeon pea contained 0.4 (white) and 1.2 mg/g (brown) total phenol content, respectively. The phytate content of all the legumes [cowpea (2.0–2.9%), pigeon pea (2.0–2.4%), African yam beans (2.4%)] analyzed were generally high, while the reducing power and free radical scavenging ability for all the legumes were very low except in African yam beans (23.6%), cowpea brown (29.9%), and pigeon pea brown (54.5%) that had a relatively high free radical scavenging ability. Therefore, one of the commonly consumed cowpea V. unguiculata (brown) and underutilized legumes C. cajan (brown) and S. sternocarpa could be considered as a functional food due to their relatively higher antioxidant activity (free radical scavenging ability and redox potential) which could be as a result of their relative higher total phenol content.     

Storage effects on nutritional quality of commonly consumed cereals

Storage effects on nutritional quality of commonly consumed cereal grains are studied. Freshly harvested wheat, maize and rice grains were stored at 10, 25 and 45 °C for six months. A significant decrease in pH and an increase in titratable acidity was observed during storage of these three cereal grains at 25 and 45 °C. A gradual decline in moisture, total available lysine and thiamine contents was observed during storage. Total available lysine contents decreased by 6.50% and 18.5% in wheat, 14.3% and 20.7% in maize and 23.7% and 34.2% in rice during six months of storage at 25 and 45 °C, respectively. Six month’s storage of rice, maize and wheat grains at 25 and 45 °C resulted in reduction of thiamine contents by 16.7% and 29.2%, 17.2% and 24.1% and 21.4% and 29.5%, respectively. About 36.4–44.4% decrease in total soluble sugars at 45 °C and 9.30–31.8% increase in total soluble sugars were observed at 10 and 25 °C during six months storage of these cereal grains. Protein and starch digestibilities of cereal grains also deceased during six months of storage at 25 and 45 °C. No significant change in nutritional quality was observed during storage of cereal grains at 10 °C.