Carbohydrate-rich Foods Research Articles

Effects of kiwi fruit (Actinidia chinensis) polysaccharides on metabolites and gut microbiota of acrylamide-induced mice.

Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) has rich nutritious and medicinal properties. It is widely consumed worldwide for the intervention of metabolism disorders, however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Acrylamide, a well-known toxic ingredient, mainly forms in high-temperature processed carbohydrate-rich food and causes disorders of gut microbiota and systemic metabolism. This study explored the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of kiwifruit polysaccharides against acrylamide-induced disorders of gut microbiota and systemic metabolism by measuring the changes of gut microbiota and serum metabolites in mice. The results showed that kiwifruit polysaccharides remarkably alleviated acrylamide-induced toxicity in mice by improving their body features, histopathologic morphology of the liver, and decreased activities of liver function enzymes. Furthermore, the treatment restored the healthy gut microbiota of mice by improving the microbial diversity and abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus. Metabolomics analysis revealed the positive effects of kiwifruit polysaccharides mainly occurred through amino and bile acid-related metabolism pathways including nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism. Additionally, correlation analysis indicated that Lactobacillus exhibited a highly significant correlation with critical metabolites of bile acid metabolism. Concisely, kiwifruit polysaccharides may protect against acrylamide-induced toxicity by regulating gut microbiota and metabolism.

Post-Disaster Mental Health and Dietary Patterns among Older Survivors of an Earthquake and Tsunami.

Research suggests that cardiometabolic disease risks are elevated among survivors of natural disasters, possibly mediated by changes in diet. Using the Brief Dietary History Questionnaire, we examined (1) dietary patterns among older survivors of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and (2) the contribution of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS)/depressive symptoms, as well as relocation to temporary housing on dietary patterns and (3) gender differences in the associations. Data came from a prospective cohort study of 1,375 survivors aged 65-89 years (44.6% male). PTSS/depression onset was evaluated in 2013, 2.5 years after the disaster. Dietary data was collected with a self-administered brief-type diet history questionnaire in 2020. A principal component analysis identified three posterior dietary patterns. Diet 1 consisted of high intake of vegetables, soy products, and fruits; Diet 2 consisted of carbohydrate-rich foods and snacks/sweets; Diet 3 consisted of high intake of alcoholic beverages, meat, and seafood. Least-squares linear regression revealed that individuals with PTSS/depression were less likely to exhibit Diet 1, while individuals with PTSS were more likely to exhibit Diet 2 and 3. Especially, males who had depression showed an unhealthy dietary pattern. Those who have lived in a trailer-style temporary housing reported less consumption of Diet 3. Survivors of disaster with symptoms of mental illness tended to exhibit less healthy dietary patterns after 9 years. Diet varied by type of post-disaster mental illness, gender, and current social circumstances. We lacked pre-disaster BDHQ data, which is a limitation.

Diabetes and Fungal InfectionA Didactic Relationship

Oral fungal infections are frequently encountered in clinical practice, and with the advent of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) pandemic, their incidence has quite increased. Increased emergence of oral candidal and non candidal infections is evident in patients with uncontrolled diabetes, patients on steroids or antibiotic therapies, and immunocompromised and immunosuppressed individuals. Also, habits of smoking and alcohol consumption, intake of carbohydrate-rich food, and salivary dysfunction have many times influenced the colonisation of fungal infections in the oral cavity. Aspergillosis once considered exotic is now more prevalent than before and presents itself in two forms: non invasive or invasive form, which has led to the rapid dissemination of the disease. Hence, a timely diagnosis of such lesions is important to prevent their invasion into other parts of the body. This article discusses a rare case report of Aspergillosis occurring in the oral cavity at the site of the extraction socket in a 50-year-old woman, who is a known diabetic without any history of COVID-19 infection. Aspergillosis unlike other fungal infections of the oral cavity has been reported more in immunocompetent individuals. Here, we report a unique case limited to the oral cavity in an immunocompromised patient.

Predictive Risk Factor Analysis of Oral Submucous Fibrosis among Gond Tribes of Central India: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Introduction: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a potentially malignant disorder characterized by fibrotic changes in the oral mucosa. It is a significant public health concern, particularly among certain ethnic populations. The Gond tribes of Central India represent one such population, and the prevalence and risk factors associated with OSMF among them remain largely unexplored. This study aims to conduct a predictive risk factor analysis to identify the factors associated with OSMF among the Gond tribes and provide insights into the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease within this specific population. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the Gond tribal population of Central India. A total of 800 participants were included in the study. Oral examinations were conducted by trained researchers to assess the presence of OSMF and other oral health conditions. Demographic and socioeconomic data were collected, including age, gender, education level, occupation, and household income. Lifestyle factors such as tobacco and betel nut chewing, alcohol consumption, and oral hygiene practices were assessed through structured questionnaires. Dietary patterns and nutritional status were evaluated, and oral health-related factors such as dental caries, periodontal health, and other oral lesions were examined. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors associated with OSMF among the Gond tribes. Results: The prevalence of OSMF among the Gond tribes was 12.5%. Demographic analysis revealed a balanced representation of genders, with a range of age groups included. Lifestyle factors such as tobacco and betel nut chewing were prevalent among the Gond tribes, with a significant proportion of participants reporting regular use of these substances. Poor oral hygiene practices and undernutrition were also identified as risk factors. Dietary patterns showed a high consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods and a relatively low intake of fruits and vegetables in addition to OSMF. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the prevalence and risk factors associated with OSMF among the Gond tribes of Central India. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions addressing tobacco and betel nut chewing, poor oral hygiene practices, advanced age, low education level, and undernutrition within this population. Comprehensive oral health promotion programs, including tobacco cessation initiatives, oral hygiene education, nutritional interventions, and improved access to dental care, are crucial for reducing the prevalence of OSMF and improving oral health outcomes among the Gond tribes. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to further elucidate the causal relationships and long-term impact of these risk factors on the development and progression of OSMF within the Gond tribal population.

The Effects of High Dietary Fructose Consumption on the Development of Gout

Fructose is frequently used as a food ingredient due to its low production costs, its significant sweetening power and its easy incorporation into a broad variety of foods and beverages. In recent years, it has been observed that people on a Western diet high in fructose often have high levels of uric acid in their blood. It was recognized that the metabolism of fructose in the body might cause increased production of uric acid, which then may impact the intensity of lipogenesis and the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS), insulin resistance, gout, cardiovascular diseases, leptin resistance, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or some combination of the above. To date, the treatment of hyperuricemia has been the recommendation of a low-purine diet characterized by limiting protein-containing products and certain alcoholic beverages, in addition to consumption of tart cherry or the widely prescribed purine analog and xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol in an attempt to decrease endogenous uric acid production. However, these recommendations often contribute to an increased intake of carbohydrate-rich foods that may contain fructose or high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) constituents. Increased fructose consumption may then enhance the secretion of uric acid and, consequently, attenuate or negate any potential therapeutic effects from the prescribed therapeutic regimen. A better option instead of a low-purine diet for some would be to follow a healthy meal plan such as DASH or the Mediterranean diet, which can also benefit metabolic parameters. This article provides an overview of this approach, focusing on MetS and hyperuricemia among high-fructose dieters.

Eating Increases and Exercise Decreases Disease Activity in Patients With Symptomatic Dermographism

Eating can increase disease activity in patients with symptomatic dermographism , the most common subtype of chronic inducible urticaria, but it is unclear how common this is. The effects of exercising on symptomatic dermographism disease activity have also not yet been determined. To assess the impact of exercise and nonspecific carbohydrate-rich food intake on the severity and intensity of symptomatic dermographism after exercise and nonspecific carbohydrate-rich food intake. We assessed disease activity by FricTest provocation testing in 75 symptomatic dermographism patients before and after eating, exercising, or both. We determined the rates of food-dependent (FD) symptomatic dermographism and food-exacerbated (FE) symptomatic dermographism. By comparing post- and pre-exercise FricTest scores, we identified complete responders: that is, patients with a negative FricTest response after exercising and partial responders. Finally, we evaluated whether exercise protects patients with FD-symptomatic dermographism or FE-symptomatic dermographism from eating-induced worsening of symptomatic dermographism. Of 64 symptomatic dermographism patients, eight had FD-symptomatic dermographism (13%), 42 had FE-symptomatic dermographism (66%), and 14 patients showed no negative impact of eating on disease activity (21%). Physical exercise reduced FricTest skin provocation test responses in 83% of 58 patients. Exercising protected patients with FD/FE-symptomatic dermographism from worsening of symptomatic dermographism owing to eating in half of cases, with higher rates for exercise after eating (67%) compared with exercise before eating (35%). Our study shows that eating often worsen symptomatic dermographism symptoms, and exercise often improves it. Our findings might aid patients in controlling symptoms better.

The Effects of Soluble Dietary Fibers on Glycemic Response: An Overview and Futures Perspectives.

The properties of each food, composition, and structure affect the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Dietary fiber (DF), especially viscous DF, can contribute to a reduction in the glycemic response resulting from the consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods. Target and control of postprandial glycemic values are critical for diabetes prevention and management. Some mechanisms have been described for soluble DF action, from the increase in chyme viscosity to the production of short-chain fatty acids resulting from fermentation, which stimulates gastrointestinal motility and the release of GLP-1 and PYY hormones. The postprandial glycemic response due to inulin and resistant starch ingestion is well established. However, other soluble dietary fibers (SDF) can also contribute to glycemic control, such as gums, β-glucan, psyllium, arabinoxylan, soluble corn fiber, resistant maltodextrin, glucomannan, and edible fungi, which can be added alone or together in different products, such as bread, beverages, soups, biscuits, and others. However, there are technological challenges to be overcome, despite the benefits provided by the SDF, as it is necessary to consider the palatability and maintenance of their proprieties during production processes. Studies that evaluate the effect of full meals with enriched SDF on postprandial glycemic responses should be encouraged, as this would contribute to the recommendation of viable dietary options and sustainable health goals.

Effect of Different Cooking Temperature and Time of Glutinous Rice Flakes

The immature stage of glutinous paddy or Oryza sativa var. glutinosa is one of the most popular cultivars known as waxy or sticky. Glutinous rice flake is a flattened carbohydrate-rich edible food obtained from the processing of immature glutinous paddy. Since glutinous rice flake is a traditional food, the farmers are more comfortable producing it by conventional cooking. Still, it will take longer and require more labor energy. Hence, this study aims to determine a new cooking method for glutinous rice flake using a microwave oven at different temperatures (230oC, 240°C, 250°C) and ranging taken (3.3min, 4.0min, 4.3min, 5.0min, 5.3min). From the study, the suitable cooking parameter is at a temperature of 250oC, from 4.3min to 5.0min. The glutinous paddy can maintain its stickiness and is easy to flatten. Furthermore, the husks are easily removed and separated from the paddy grains during the flattened process. Lower temperatures and shorter time taken will make the paddy not fully cooked. However, higher temperatures and longer time will make the paddy pop and easily break. In short, this study successfully identifies the new cooking parameter of rice flake by implementing microwave heat treatment. The physical, frictional and chemical properties of rice flake through microwave heat treatment can be considered for further study.

The different aspects of attractive toxic baits containing fipronil for control of the German cockroach (Blattella germanica).

The use of Attractive Toxic Baits (ATBs) is considered to be a low-risk practical method for controlling cockroaches. This study evaluates the attractiveness of a lab-made, fipronil-containing bait, and its effect on the food consumption and mortality of the German cockroach Blattella germanica, under field and laboratory conditions. Different developmental stages of the cockroach were used to determine their preferred carbohydrate/protein rich foods and examine the effectiveness of lab-made baits. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's Test was determined using SAS 9.1 and GraphPad Prism software programs. The significance level was considered at p<0.05. The most-consumed foods were carbohydrate-rich foods (biscuit and banana powder) and food consumption rate was highest in non-gravid females. The most attractive bait ingredients were 20% roasted peanut butter, 50% biscuit and 30% banana powder. The highest lethality was recorded from the baits containing 0.02% fipronil under laboratory conditions, while infested houses baited with the lab-made bait showed 76.5% and 100% decline, respectively, in cockroach numbers in the first- and fourth-week post-baiting. In conclusion, palatable foods with a pleasant odour, like biscuit powder, banana powder and peanut butter were the most effective ingredients for the ATBs. The ATBs impregnated with 0.02% fipronil provide a promising approach for control of the German cockroach. However, there is a need to evaluate the potentials of the lab-made baits, under laboratory and field conditions, in the control of other health-important cockroaches.

RF05 | PSUN365 Insulinoma: A Case Report of a Rare Functioning Neuroendocrine Tumor

Abstract Insulinoma is a rare functional neuroendocrine tumor that causes inappropriate release of insulin, resulting in symptoms of hypoglycemia which would resolve promptly following glucose administraton. Its incidence is 1 to 3 per 1,000,000 population per year. Case presentation This study reports on a 64 year old female with no known co-morbidities who was seen in the endocrinology clinic due to episodes of blurring of vision, lightheadedness and shakiness. Glucose levels as low as 40mg/dL were detected with glucometer during these episodes. Symptom would improve after eating carbohydrate rich food. Symptom onset was 4 years prior to consult. Patient also reported weight gain as she would over-eat to treat her symptoms. The patient came in for evaluation and management of Hypoglycemia. Blood tests revealed high insulin (146.60 uU/mL; reference range: 5.00–10.00 uU/mL) and C-peptide level (7.45 ng/mL; reference range: 0.78–5.19 ng/mL) despite low plasma glucose level (36 mg/dL). Dynamic CT scan of the pancreas revealed an arterially enhancing nodule with intralesional calcification in the distal pancreatic body for which an insulinoma is considered. She underwent distal pancreatectomy and her symptoms showed complete resolution. Surgical pathology was consistent with well differentiated Neuroendocrine tumor. Conclusion Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for Insulinoma in patients with history of recurrent episodes of blurring of vision, lightheadedness and shakiness, particularly if these symptoms would resolve after food intake. Such condition entails proper and timely diagnosis, localization of the tumor and treatment and involves several specialties. Presentation: Saturday, June 11, 2022 1:36 p.m. - 1:41 p.m., Sunday, June 12, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

LBSUN307 A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study Of The Food Order Behavioral Intervention In Prediabetes

Abstract Background and Objectives Ordering the ingestion of carbohydrate-rich foods after protein/vegetables (carbohydrate-last food order) significantly reduced postprandial glucose and insulin excursions over 180 min in patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, compared with the reverse food order (carbohydrate-first) in previous research. We implemented a 16-week food order behavioral intervention, assessing its feasibility and impacts on glucose tolerance (GT), HbA1c, and weight (wt) in adults with prediabetes. Methods Participants with overweight/obesity and prediabetes (HbA1c 5.7-6.4%) were randomized to receive either standard nutritional counseling (control group) or standard nutritional counseling plus carbohydrate-last food order counseling (FO group). Participants were instructed to maintain their usual level of exercise throughout the study; this was assessed by the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise questionnaire at baseline and wk 16. Participants in both groups received 4 in-person brief counseling sessions at 1-month intervals. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, later participants received some or all of their counseling via telemedicine. Oral GT was tested at baseline and week 16. Feasibility was assessed via a questionnaire. Results Of the 45 randomized subjects, 39 completed the study (control 21, FO 18). Demographics and baseline variables including wt (190.8 lbs vs 191.1 lbs) and HbA1c (6% vs 6%) were similar between groups. Exercise levels did not differ between groups at baseline and wk 16. Within FO group, body wt declined (-3.6 ±5.7 lbs, p=0. 017; -1.8% ±2.8, p=0. 012), and there was a trend towards improvement in HbA1c (-0.1 ±0.2, p=0. 054). Control group wt changed (-2.6 ±6.8 lbs, p=0.102; -1.6% ±3.5, p=0. 048) without altering HbA1c (-0. 03 ±0.3, p=0.605). Changes in wt, HbA1c, and GT were not significantly different between groups. At week 16, 17 FO group subjects (94%) reported high intervention adherence, 13 (74%) reported it was easy to eat protein/vegetables before carbohydrates, and 14 (78%) reported they would continue eating protein/vegetables before carbohydrates. Conclusions Carbohydrate-last food order is a feasible behavioral strategy in individuals with prediabetes. More research with a larger sample size and longer duration is needed to delineate its clinical impact. Presentation: Sunday, June 12, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Sex-specific Feeding Behavior of Adult House Flies, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae).

House flies, Musca domestica L., (Diptera: Muscidae) mechanically vector diverse disease-causing microorganisms while foraging for food in agricultural and urban habitats. Although flies are diverse feeders, nutrient composition of food is important for both fly longevity and reproduction, especially for anautogenous females who require protein for egg production. We investigated whether fly sex and/or mating status influenced their preference for foods with varying macronutrient composition. Presumably mated or unmated male and female flies were separated by sex and offered four food, each in 10% solution offered on cotton wicks: sugar (carbohydrate-rich), fat-free milk (protein-rich, moderate carbohydrate), egg-yolk (protein and lipid-rich), and water (no macronutrients). Foods were colored with nontoxic dyes, which were rotated between replicates. After 4h exposure, flies were dissected to determine the type of food(s) ingested. The interaction of house fly sex and food type significantly influenced food preference, where females preferred milk (protein and carbohydrate-rich food), and males preferred mainly sugar (carbohydrate-rich). Furthermore, 32.8% of females and 10.6% of males foraged on multiple foods. While interaction of sex and mating status had no effect on food preference, milk preference was significantly higher in presumably mated than unmated females. We also tested whether food color influenced fly feeding preference, and found that color was most significant when flies were offered one food type, but negligible when multiple food types were present. This study suggests that bait-based fly control strategies should consider sex-specific preferences for various food attractants if aiming to target and control both male and female house flies.

Vinegar: A functional ingredient for human health

Vinegar is a well-known natural food product derived from alcoholic and subsequently acetous fermentation of carbohydrate-rich foods. Vinegar is widely used in the food industry; domestically for pickling vegetables and fruits, and as an ingredient in condiments like salad dressings, ketchups, and mayonnaise; and traditionally as a food seasoning and preservative. Historically, vinegar has been used for medicinal purposes such as a cure for stomach aches, wounds, burns, rashes, and oedema conditions. Different types of vinegar are found worldwide such as rice, black, balsamic, grain, and fruit vinegars. These are produced from different raw materials, and using different fermentation methods to give unique tastes and flavours. Vinegar, while enhancing physiological functions such as lipid metabolism, blood glucose level control, and body weight management, also possesses anticancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-infection properties. It is considered as a good source material for many bioactive compounds including organic acids, melanoidins, polyphenols, ligustrazine, and tryptophol. The pharmacological and metabolic benefits of vinegar are believed to be due to these bioactive compounds present in vinegar. Acetic acid (CH3COOH) is the essential component of vinegar; it is slightly volatile and has a strong and sour aroma and flavour. Regular consumption of vinegar-containing foods is considered important for keeping many life-style related diseases like diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, cancers, and obesity in check. Therefore, the present review aims at highlighting the health benefits associated with vinegar consumption for the physiological well-being of an individual.

Vinegar: A functional ingredient for human health

Vinegar is a well-known natural food product derived from alcoholic and subsequently acetous fermentation of carbohydrate-rich foods. Vinegar is widely used in the food industry; domestically for pickling vegetables and fruits, and as an ingredient in condiments like salad dressings, ketchups, and mayonnaise; and traditionally as a food seasoning and preservative. Historically, vinegar has been used for medicinal purposes such as a cure for stomach aches, wounds, burns, rashes, and oedema conditions. Different types of vinegar are found worldwide such as rice, black, balsamic, grain, and fruit vinegars. These are produced from different raw materials, and using different fermentation methods to give unique tastes and flavours. Vinegar, while enhancing physiological functions such as lipid metabolism, blood glucose level control, and body weight management, also possesses anticancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-infection properties. It is considered as a good source material for many bioactive compounds including organic acids, melanoidins, polyphenols, ligustrazine, and tryptophol. The pharmacological and metabolic benefits of vinegar are believed to be due to these bioactive compounds present in vinegar. Acetic acid (CH3COOH) is the essential component of vinegar; it is slightly volatile and has a strong and sour aroma and flavour. Regular consumption of vinegar-containing foods is considered important for keeping many life-style related diseases like diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, cancers, and obesity in check. Therefore, the present review aims at highlighting the health benefits associated with vinegar consumption for the physiological well-being of an individual.

A Sago Positive Character: A Literature Review

Sago is a carbohydrate-rich food that contains resistant starch. In some parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea, sago is a common staple food. Studies have been performed to elucidate the physicochemical and structural properties of sago starches. The paper's objective is to review potential positive physiological responses to sago-based product consumption from previous records. This study is a literature review of preceding published articles related to sago intake in human subjects’ research. The literature search was performed through databases with assigned keywords combination and then selection of the articles based on the criteria. The outcomes of this review concluded that sago had a lower glycemic index with immediate intestinal absorption. Sago-based products could provide a suitable energy source for sustaining physical performance and promoting faster recovery after exercise. It can be an appropriate alternative as an energy source for active healthy individuals.

Detection of acrylamide traces in some commonly consumed heat-treated carbohydrate-rich foods by GC-MS/MS in Bangladesh

The present study aimed to determine acrylamide traces in180 heat-treated carbohydrate-rich foods through gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) in Bangladesh. Detected acrylamide contents were 730 ± 293 μg/kg, 244 ± 83 μg μg/kg, 598 ± 222 μg/kg, 340 ± 189 μg/kg, 548 ± 278 μg/kg, 217 ± 77 μg/kg, 558 ± 297 μg/kg, 391 ± 263 μg/kg and 679 ± 285 μg/kg in potato chips, chanachur (a locally processed food), potato crisps, biscuits, cake, bread, crackers, breakfast cereals and French fries respectively. The use of different ingredients during the manufacturing process might affect on acrylamide formation as different ingredients contained variable amounts of free asparagines and reducing sugars to form acrylamide. Among the analyzed samples, 20% of potato chips, 5% of chanachur, 15% of potato crisps, 15% of biscuit, 10% of cake, 15% of bread, 20% of crackers, 10% of breakfast cereal and 20% of French fries samples, representing only a few samples in each category, were found to have acrylamide contents above benchmark levels set by the European Commission [EC]. This study provided an estimation of the presence of acrylamide traces in heat treated carbohydrate rich foods consumed by local population.

Time-restricted eating with or without low-carbohydrate diet reduces visceral fat and improves metabolic syndrome: A randomized trial

SummaryOverconsumption of carbohydrate-rich food combined with adverse eating patterns contributes to the increasing incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in China. Therefore, we conducted a randomized trial to determine the effects of a low-carbohydrate diet (LCD), an 8-h time-restricted eating (TRE) schedule, and their combination on body weight and abdominal fat area (i.e., primary outcomes) and cardiometabolic outcomes in participants with MetS. Compared with baseline, all 3-month treatments significantly reduce body weight and subcutaneous fat area, but only TRE and combination treatment reduce visceral fat area (VFA), fasting blood glucose, uric acid (UA), and dyslipidemia. Furthermore, compared with changes of LCD, TRE and combination treatment further decrease body weight and VFA, while only combination treatment yields more benefits on glycemic control, UA, and dyslipidemia. In conclusion, without change of physical activity, an 8-h TRE with or without LCD can serve as an effective treatment for MetS (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04475822).

A Review on Bioethanol Production through the Valorization of Food Waste in Indonesia

Biofuels are one of the numerous alternatives that are currently being considered to replace fossil fuels as it is more environmentally friendly. Specifically, bioethanol is often thought as a better alternative to gasoline fuel as it is considered cleaner, more renewable, and greener as it is synthesized from renewable feedstock which contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to the environment. As bioethanol is produced from carbohydrate and starch rich food crops, food waste (FW) poses a potential source for bioethanol production as it is especially rich in carbohydrates and lipids. Bioethanol production itself consists of several steps which includes food waste selection, pretreatment, saccharification and fermentation, and recovery. Cafeteria FW was reviewed to be the best type of FW for bioethanol production as it has the highest carbohydrate and starch content. Subsequently, acid pretreatment was considered to be the best method due to low cost, high yielding, and time efficient method. Moreover, the non-isothermal simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (NSSF) produces 1.42 g ethanol/L.h with a time of 38 hours. Lastly, the enzyme-assisted extraction technique is most preferred to recover the bioactive compounds as it led to the highest yield of product (94%) compared to other methods.

Dietary Risk Assessment of Acrylamide in School Canteen Snacks among Primary School Students in Alexandria Governorate

Abstract BACKGROUND: Acrylamide (AA) is considered as a carcinogenic and genotoxic food contaminant produced in carbohydrate-rich foods Canteen snacks available in school are among these carbohydrate-rich foods. The paper investigates the risk associated with consuming acrylamide rich canteen snacks. AIM: The aim of the work was to study the dietary risk of acrylamide in school canteen snacks among primary school students and to determine the concentration of AA in different snacks METHODS: The level of AA was detected in 73 samples for 16 different canteen snacks sold at school canteens. Samples were collected randomly from the canteens of primary schools in Alexandria city. All samples were extracted and cleaned-up then analyzed using HPLC techniques. A food frequency questionnaire was designed to determine the frequency and amount of consumption of different canteen snacks among primary school students during school day. The data was collected from six different primary schools in Alexandria city (3 public and 3 private schools). All interviewed school students (466 student) were weighted for the calculation of dietary exposure of AA during school day. RESULTS: The results showed that, the average and the 95th percentile of acrylamide exposure were 1.4 and 4 μgkg−1 BWsd−1, respectively. There is a statistically significant difference between dietary exposure to AA between private schools and public schools. The estimated margin of exposure (MOE) calculated from the average acrylamide exposure was 128 and 221 and from 95th percentile was 45 and 77, based on BDML10 values 0.18 mgkg−1 BWd−1 and 0.31 mgkg−1 BWd−1. With the highest risk calculated in schools offering fried foods prepared in school canteen. CONCLUSION: Dietary exposure to AA from canteen snacks among primary school students in Alexandria city is considered as a health concern according to the definition of the WHO, where the calculated MOE values were very close to the values set by the JECFA committee (45-310) for health problems of concern.

Getting to the root of the problem: new evidence for the use of plant root foods in Mesolithic hunter-gatherer subsistence in Europe

This paper presents new evidence for the harvesting of edible plant roots and tubers at Northton, a Mesolithic hunter-gatherer site on Harris, in the Western Isles of Scotland, in the north-west corner of Europe. The excavations uncovered abundant root tuber remains of Ficaria verna Huds. (lesser celandine), an excellent high energy and carbohydrate-rich food source, and produced the first evidence for the use of tubers of Lathyrus linifolius (Reichard) Bässler (bitter-vetch) at a hunter-gatherer site in Europe. Here we report on the analysis of the charred root and tuber remains and other charred plant macrofossils from the site and consider the significance of these results within the wider context of European hunter-gatherer subsistence. The wide range of root and tuber taxa recovered from European hunter-gatherer sites and the importance of appropriate sampling on hunter-gatherer sites are highlighted.