International Journal of Food, Nutrition & Dietetics

Diabetes mellitus is a well-known lifestyle-associated metabolic disorder leading to microvascular and macrovascular complications as a consequence of insulin resistance and chronic hyperglycemia. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the leading microvascular complication of DM, with disabling neuropathic pain, sensory/motor deficits and associated psychosocial disturbances.This short communication was aimed at exploring the role of energy metabolism in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy for DPN and found evidence for altered lipid metabolism, with persistent anerobic glycolysis in peripheral nerves of DPN and efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation in DPN.  

Keywords: Metabolic neuropathy; Nutritional Endocrinology; Energy metabolism; Diet Neurology.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) belonging to valerianaceae family is a well known herb and medicinal plant that has been widely used all over the world especially in Europe, China and Middle East. It is widely used as a sleep aid and sedative in many parts of the world but is also known to relax smooth muscle, hence used for treating stomach and intestine cramps. Alkaloids, terpenes, organic acids and its derivatives, valepotriates and flavones are the known pharmacologically active compounds found in valerian extract. In general, it is accepted that the valepotriates are the compounds responsible for the sedative activity of the Valerianaceae. The present article aims at reviewing the recent reports on its constituents, traditional use, clinical use and scientific verification of pharmacological actions of valerian. 

Keywords: Active constituents; Sedative; Sleep aid; Antioxidant properties; Appetite; Food intake.

Study was undertaken to detect the presence of aflatoxin B1(AFB1) in commonly consumed wheat fractions i.e. semolina, porridge and refined wheat flour. Forty pooled samples of wheat fractions were collected from various localities of Ludhiana city. Raw samples of wheat fractions were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed for AFB1, contamination by PMC and TLC methods. Out of 40 samples, 28 (70%) were found to be contaminated with AFB1. Positive screened wheat fractions were used for preparing idli, upma, porridge, kulcha and bhatura using fermentation-steaming, shallow frying, microwave, baking and deep frying cooking methods. Cooked products were again analyzed for AFB1. Maximum reduction of AFB1 was shown by microwave cooking of porridge at 150°C for 10 min., with mean destruction of 76.1% while deep frying (280°C for 30 sec) of bhatura and shallow frying (120°C for 3 min) of upma showed minimum destruction of 43.2 and 40.8 % respectively.

Keywords: Wheat products; Aflatoxin B1; Detoxification; Baking; Microwave cooking.   

The effect of various cooking methods on the antioxidant activity of commonly consumed pulses was studied. Raw and processed pulses were analyzed for their antioxidant activity and total phenolic content. The antioxidant activity of the raw pulses ranged from 64.1to 95.3 % inhibition, with the highest value in red kidney beans and lowest in moth beans. Maximum retention of antioxidant activity was observed in microwave cooked pulses with mean retention of 89.3% whereas minimum retention was observed in germinated pulses with mean retention of 74.4%. Total phenolic content of the raw pulses varied from 52 to 313 mg/100g whereas the corresponding values in cooked pulses ranged from 45 to 263mg/100g. The reduction of total phenolic content might be due to the differences on distribution and content of phenolic compounds in the seed coat and cotyledon between tested seeds. The study recommended that microwave cooking was the suitable method for retaining maximum AOA in the pulses followed by pressure cooking.

Key words: Pulses; Cooking methods; DPPH; Antioxidant activity; Total phenolic content; Proximate
composition.

India is one of the fastest growing countries in terms of population and economics, sitting at a population of 1,139.96 million (2009)[1] and growing at 10-14% annually (from 2001-2007). [1]India’s Gross Domestic Product growth was 9.0% from 2007 to 2008; [1]since Independence in 1947, its economic status has been classified as a low-income country with majority of the population at or below the poverty line. Though most of the population is still living below the National Poverty Line, its economic growth indicates new opportunities and a movement towards increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases which is observed in at high rates in developed countries such as United States, Canada and Australia. The combination of living in poverty and the recent economic growth of India have led to the co-emergence of two types of malnutrition: under nutrition and over nutrition.

Key Words: Over Nutrition: refers to an excessive intake of one or more nutrients, which creates a stress in the bodily functions. Pre-term: Babies born before the end of 37 weeks gestation (less than 259 days). Postterm: Babies born at 42 completed weeks or any time there after (294 days and over) of gestation. Term: Babies born from 37 completed weeks to less than 42 completed weeks (259-293 days) of gestation. Under Nutrition: (also known as Protein-Calorie malnutrition or energy-deficiency) is associated with exacerbation of health conditions, increased frailty, and decline in physical, cognitive, and affective function.