Consumption Of Minerals Research Articles

Fast-food consumption among Indian adolescents and associated factors

Fast food consumption is on a rise among adolescence in India and this age group is also facing the double burden of malnutrition. Fast foods are an unhealthy food choice and are associated with increasing obesity and related non -communicable diseases at a young age. India has the largest adolescent population and the health and nutrition issues of this group need to be addressed. Ironically children and teenagers who require more healthy nutritious food constitutes the largest population preferring fast foods. There is need to gain a clear insight on the issue in Indian context therefore the current paper was undertaken to study the scale of the problem, along with factors contributing to rising fast-food consumption among adolescent in India. The review primarily focused on existing Indian studies pertaining to the issue. Available studies report high prevalence of fast-food consumption and lower than recommended consumption of fruits, green leafy vegetables and dairy products which is likely to result in higher calorie consumption and lesser intake of protein, vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and phytochemicals in respondents. Both urban and rural adolescence show rising trends of fast-food consumption. It is higher among the urban counterparts. Studies establishing association between overweight/obesity and junk food/fast food consumption in this age group could be sighted. Studies reported taste, affordability, availability, advertising and marketing, parental influence, nuclear families and working mothers, peer pressure and meal skipping to be the contributory associated factors.

Assessing Dietary Supplements, Nutritional Deficiencies, and the Potential of Personalized Nutrition

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened public awareness of health, leading to a surge in the consumption of dietary supplements, particularly vitamins and minerals. These micronutrients are vital for numerous physiological processes and overall health maintenance. However, the rapid expansion of the health product market has also resulted in the proliferation of substandard items and the risk of misuse or overconsumption. This study analyzes the ingredients in various health products and assesses the nutritional deficiencies prevalent in local populations. It emphasizes the importance of balanced nutrition while cautioning against the excessive intake of certain supplements. The research also explores the potential of personalized nutrition, driven by advances in genomics and biotechnology, to provide tailored supplement recommendations. Additionally, the study highlights the need for stricter regulations and improved quality control in the health product industry to ensure consumer safety and confidence. By offering insights into the nutritional needs of individuals, this study aims to guide informed and responsible supplement use.

Lime Stabilization of Tropical Soil for Resilient Pavements: Mechanical, Microscopic, and Mineralogical Characteristics.

Lime stabilization is a sustainable technique due to its use of local materials, increased durability, reduced maintenance, and improved resistance to water action. This paper examines the impact of lime stabilization on the mechanical, microscopic, and mineralogical properties of a tropical soil. Two types of lime, calcitic and dolomitic, were tested at 3% and 5% by weight. Compressive, indirect tensile and flexural test results and statistical analysis revealed that calcitic lime mixtures had higher strength and stiffness, whereas dolomitic lime mixtures exhibited greater deformability with higher tensile strain at break. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the soil's porous matrix closed within 7 days for both lime types due to flocculation, with increased matrix interlocking over time. The calcitic lime mixture developed a more closed matrix compared to the dolomitic lime, which showed weaker cementing. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated higher consumption of clay minerals and a notable reduction in calcium hydroxide peaks in the lime-treated soils. The study concludes that calcitic lime provides better pavement performance for stabilizing the soil, enhancing its engineering properties while also being sustainable by reducing the need for raw material extraction and improving resilience to climate-related issues such as floods.

Construction minerals as part of an urban circular economy? A multi-scalar study of the city of Oslo and its hinterland

Abstract Flows of construction minerals in the Oslo region are studied in a multi-scalar perspective. Urban densification and construction of infrastructure result in large volumes of gravel and stone which according to law is waste. Waste is landfilled in the hinterland putting pressure on socio-ecological qualities. Lack of regional planning promoting circularity implies municipalities in the hinterland have to regulate land for landfills. Norway has a competitive advantage in construction minerals and prices on virgin, compared to recycled construction minerals are relatively low. Combined with a planning regime supporting linear resource governance, the consumption of virgin construction minerals and farmland in the hinterland is de facto stimulated. Differences are identified between the Oslo region and some city regions in the core of Europe concerning the level of progress towards a circular economy. A distinction between resource-rich and resource-strapped regions is proposed as part of an explanation of such differences.

Metallic minerals production and environmental sustainability in China: Insights using ARDL bounds testing and wavelet coherence approaches

China plays a prominent role in the production and consumption of metallic minerals. However, the mining and smelting processes associated with these minerals contribute significantly to the release of CO2 emissions. This study examines the long-run and causal effects of metallic minerals production, renewable energy consumption, GDP growth, financial development, and urbanization on CO2 emissions in China for the period 1977–2021, using the IPAT framework. This study utilizes various econometric methods, including the Bounds test of co-integration, autoregressive distribution lag (ARDL), wavelet coherence test (WTC), and gradual shift causality tests, to analyze the relationship between the variables. The bounds test demonstrates the cointegration among the variables. The long-run results indicate that metallic minerals production, GDP growth, and urbanization have a positive effect on CO2 emissions, while renewable energy consumption and financial development have a negative effect on CO2 emissions. Further, WTC indicates a significant relationship between CO2 emissions and independent variables. Moreover, causality tests indicate a one-way causal relationship between metallic minerals production, GDP growth, financial development, and urbanization with CO2 emissions. In addition, there is a two-way causal relationship between CO2 emissions and renewable energy consumption. To address the environmental consequences of CO2 emissions, China should implement measures such as metal recycling and the adoption of low-carbon and energy-efficient technologies in the mining and production of metals.

Mining threats in high-level biodiversity conservation policies.

Amid a global infrastructure boom, there is increasing recognition of the ecological impacts of the extraction and consumption of construction minerals, mainly processed as concrete, including significant and expanding threats to global biodiversity. We investigated how high-level national and international biodiversity conservation policies address mining threats, with a special focus on construction minerals. We conducted a review and quantified the degree to which threats from mining these minerals are addressed in biodiversity goals and targets under the 2011-2020 and post-2020 biodiversity strategies, national biodiversity strategies and action plans, and the assessments of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Mining appeared rarely in national targets but more frequently in national strategies. Yet, in most countries, it was superficially addressed. Coverage of aggregates mining was greater than coverage of limestone mining. We outline 8 key components, tailored for a wide range of actors, to effectively mainstream biodiversity conservation into the extractive, infrastructure, and construction sectors. Actions include improving reporting and monitoring systems, enhancing the evidence base around mining impacts on biodiversity, and modifying the behavior of financial agents and businesses. Implementing these measures could pave the way for a more sustainable approach to construction mineral use and safeguard biodiversity.

Semi-dry and aqueous carbonation of steel slag: Characteristics and properties of steel slag as supplementary cementitious materials

Accelerated carbonation of steel slag presents a viable method for CO2 sequestration and the valorized utilization of steel slag. This study aimed to investigate the impact of semi-dry and aqueous carbonation, as well as the carbonation degree, on the microstructure and properties of steel slag. Additionally, it evaluated the feasibility of utilizing carbonated steel slag as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). Steel slag was subjected to CO2 (20% volume percentage) at 2 bar pressure for both semi-dry and aqueous carbonation process at room temperature with water/solid ratio of 0.08 and 5, respectively. The carbonation duration was varied (10 min, 30 min, 60 min, and 120 min) to adjust the degree of carbonation. Mortars and pastes with 30 wt% carbonated steel slag were formulated and their compressive strength and volume expansion values were quantified. The findings revealed that the CO2 uptake values for steel slag after 2 hours of semi-dry and aqueous carbonation were only 3.75% and 1.50%, respectively. Compounds such as Ca(OH)2, Mg(OH)2, and Ca2SiO5 demonstrated high carbonation reactivity during the semi-dry carbonation process, whereas Ca(OH)2 and Mg(OH)2 exhibited only a marginal increase in aqueous carbonated steel slag. The specific surface area of steel slag increased with an increase in the carbonation degree, attributed to the formation of silica gel or amorphous C-S-H during carbonation. However, the hydration activity of carbonated steel slag diminished with an increased degree of carbonation due to the consumption of alkaline minerals. Conversely, pozzolanic activity was enhanced with a higher degree of carbonation, owing to the formation of silica gel. The cumulative heat release of cement containing SDC30 (semi-dry carbonation for 30 min) within 24 h and 72 hours showed increases of 16.0% and 3.5%, respectively, aligning with the compressive strength results. Semi-dry carbonation treatment significantly enhanced the early-stage cementitious properties of steel slag/cement composites. Specifically, the 3-day compressive strength of mortar containing 30 wt% SDC30 increased by 22.7% relative to the reference mortar, composed of 30 wt% uncarbonated steel slag and 70 wt% Portland cement. Carbonation markedly improved the volumetric stability of steel slag with the extent of improvement was positively correlated with the carbonation degree for both semi-dry and aqueous carbonated steel slag. Aqueous carbonation was more effective in promoting the hydration process of free CaO and MgO more effectively than semi-dry carbonation.

Inflammatory Dietary Potential Is Associated with Vitamin Depletion and Gut Microbial Dysbiosis in Early Pregnancy.

Pregnancy alters many physiological systems, including the maternal gut microbiota. Diet is a key regulator of this system and can alter the host immune system to promote inflammation. Multiple perinatal disorders have been associated with inflammation, maternal metabolic alterations, and gut microbial dysbiosis, including gestational diabetes mellitus, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, and mood disorders. However, the effects of high-inflammatory diets on the gut microbiota during pregnancy have yet to be fully explored. We aimed to address this gap using a system-based approach to characterize associations among dietary inflammatory potential, a measure of diet quality, and the gut microbiome during pregnancy. Forty-seven pregnant persons were recruited prior to 16 weeks of gestation. Participants completed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and provided fecal samples. Dietary inflammatory potential was assessed using the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) from the FFQ data. Fecal samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Differential taxon abundances with respect to the DII score were identified, and the microbial metabolic potential was predicted using PICRUSt2. Inflammatory diets were associated with decreased vitamin and mineral intake and a dysbiotic gut microbiota structure and predicted metabolism. Gut microbial compositional differences revealed a decrease in short-chain fatty acid producers such as Faecalibacterium, and an increase in predicted vitamin B12 synthesis, methylglyoxal detoxification, galactose metabolism, and multidrug efflux systems in pregnant individuals with increased DII scores. Dietary inflammatory potential was associated with a reduction in the consumption of vitamins and minerals and predicted gut microbiota metabolic dysregulation.

Breastmilk calcium concentrations in Palestinian lactating women.

Breastmilk calcium concentrations can vary between lactating women and over the lactation period. This study assessed breastmilk calcium concentrations among Palestinian lactating women. The demographic and dietary variables of the lactating women were collected using a questionnaire. The women provided a sample of about 5 mL of breastmilk using hand expression. Breastmilk calcium concentrations were quantified using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometric method. Breastmilk samples were taken from 240 lactating women. The mean breastmilk calcium concentration was 285.4 ± 115.1 mg/L. Lower breastmilk calcium concentrations were associated with age, lactating period, unemployment, dissatisfaction with income and insufficient consumption of vitamins and minerals. Breastmilk calcium concentrations were affected by demographic variables of the lactating women and insufficient consumption of vitamins and minerals. The findings reported in this study are informative to healthcare providers and decision makers who might be interested in improving the health of lactating women and their infants.

The direct and indirect effects of cash transfer program on the consumption of nutrients: Evidence from Kenya

AbstractHow does the receipt of a cash transfer impact consumption of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals in households? To answer this question, we use a randomized controlled trial dataset from Hunger Safety Net Program (HSNP) with 9,246 households spread across the four districts (Turkana, Marsabit, Wajir, and Mandera) of Kenya. In the experiment, HSNP treated households received a bi‐monthly cash transfer of about United States of America Dollar (USD) 20 relative to households in control sub‐locations. Using difference in‐difference specification, we find that HSNP poor beneficiary households in treated households increased (by approximately 96%, 50%, and 61%) the consumption of vitamins A, C, and beta carotene, respectively compared to those in control sub‐locations. Moreover, HSNP non‐poor, non‐beneficiary households residing in treated sub‐locations increased (by about 70% and 46%) the consumption of vitamin A and Beta carotene, respectively compared to those in control sub‐locations. In addition, HSNP‐poor beneficiary households in treated sub‐locations sourced most of their nutrients, vitamins, and minerals from the market. We rule out alternative pathways that could potentially increase consumption and conclude that a rise in consumption amongst HSNP non‐poor, non‐beneficiary households is due to sharing of HSNP transfer amongst social network members.

Monitoring the utilization and effectiveness of Iron and Vitamin D supplementations program and its predictive factors in high schools' girls in Qom, Iran.

Iron and Vitamin D3 deficiency is one of the major global health problems in teenagers and adolescent population. This study was aimed to monitor the utilization and predictive factors of Iron and Vitamin D Supplementations Program (IVDSP) in high schools' girls. In a cross sectional study, the pattern of Iron and D3 consumption based on IVDSP on 400 high schools' girl in Qom, Iran assesses. Data collection was used by a reliable and standard researcher based questionnaire and daily, weekly, monthly and seasonally consumption of complementary minerals in schools were gathered. Data analysis conducted using SPSS version 20 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) by chi square, independent t-test and multivariate logistic regression. The mean age of subjects was 15.14 ± 1.52 years and ranged from 12 to 18 years old. The total weekly prevalence of D3 and Iron consumption in high schools' girls was calculated 36.73% and the weekly prevalence of Iron and monthly prevalence of Vitamin D3 consumption was 33.75% and 40.5%, respectively. The most common causes of non-consumption were bad taste 49.31%, Iranian made drug 20.27%, drug sensitivity 19.82% and drug interaction 10.60%, respectively. The inadequate and incomplete rate of IVDSP in Qom was high and more than 60% of distributed supplementations have been wasted. Results showed that students who were participated in educational orientation classes were more successful and eager in Iron and Vitamin D3 consumption. Therefore, more educational explanatory interventions for both students and her parents recommended to increase the efficiency of the program.

A green synthesis strategy toward calcined calcium-aluminum layered double hydroxide with sludge as aluminum source for efficient removal of phosphate from water

Layered double hydroxides promise efficient phosphorus removal from water, yet their preparation process inevitably leads to the consumption of metal minerals and incurs high material costs. The drinking water treatment aluminum sludge with high aluminum content is a suitable source for obtaining metal aluminum. Recognizing the environmental and economic challenges in traditional layered double hydroxides production, this research proposes a novel approach utilizing high-aluminum drinking water treatment aluminum sludge as an alternative aluminum source. Herein, calcium-aluminum layered double oxides with aluminum sludge as aluminum source (Ca/(Al-DWTAS)-LDOs) were prepared by co-precipitation and calcination method. The study meticulously examines the influence of variables such as dosage, initial pH, and the presence of coexisting ions on phosphorus removal efficiency: at the optimal dosage (0.5 g/L), the adsorption efficiencies of Ca/(Al-DWTAS)-LDOs for phosphate in the range of 2.0 < pH < 11.0 and in the environment of common anionic disturbances were maintained at more than 90%. After six adsorption-desorption tests, the phosphate removal efficiency of Ca/(Al-DWTAS)-LDOs only decreased from 98.85% to 74.38%. According to the Sips isotherm model, the maximal adsorption capacity of Ca/(Al-DWTAS)-LDOs at ambient temperature (25 °C) was determined to be 110.14 mg/g. Adsorption mechanism of Ca/(Al-DWTAS)-LDOs were explored through characterization, kinetic and thermodynamic studies, mainly involving electrostatic reactions, ion exchange reaction, surface complexation reaction, and surface precipitation. When 0.5 g/L Ca/(Al-DWTAS)-LDOs was added to the actual swine wastewater with phosphate content of 37.25 mg/L, the phosphate removal efficiency reached 86.19%. This study not only provides an alternative process method for the acquisition of layered double hydroxides, but also has wide applications for environmental protection.

Using Recycled Construction Waste Materials with Varying Components and Particle Sizes for Extensive Green Roof Substrates: Assessment of Its Effects on Vegetation Development

Using construction waste materials as substrates can reduce the resource consumption of minerals and provide sustainability benefits in green roofs. This research examined the viability of crushed bricks and crushed concrete with varying particle sizes as substrates by conducting a simulated drought experiment and roof experiment. Six composite substrates were prepared, respectively, by mixing peat with small-, medium-, and large-sized crushed bricks and crushed concrete particles (peat-to-inorganic-particle volume ratio of 1:2). The properties of each group were within acceptable parameters, with the crushed brick substrates displaying lower bulk density and higher porosity compared to the crushed concrete substrates. Seldom lineare was selected for the experiments, and the substrate thickness was set at 10 cm. Under the simulated drought conditions, the growth and stress resistance of Seldom lineare in the crushed brick substrates was similar to that in the conventional substrates and poorer in the crushed concrete substrates. Seldom lineare in medium-particle-size brick substrates performed the best, surpassing the traditional group. The growth of Seldom lineare in the small-particle-size concrete substrates was the worst. In the rooftop environment, all groups could support Seldom lineare over 180 days without maintenance, with an overall coverage of more than 60%. The plants in the medium-particle-size brick substrates exhibited the highest cover. In conclusion, the medium-particle-size brick substrate exhibits ideal characteristics in terms of substrate physical properties and plant growth, making it a favorable option.

Introduction to Nutrition and Cancer.

By the beginning of the year 2021, the estimated number of new cancer cases worldwide was about 19.3 million and there were 10.0 million cancer-related deaths. Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases worldwide that can be attributed to genetic and environmental factors, including nutrition. The good nutrition concept focuses on the dietary requirements to sustain life. There is a substantial amount of evidence suggesting that a healthy diet can modulate cancer risk, particularly the risk of colorectal and breast cancers. Many studies have evaluated the correlation between our diet and the risk of cancer development, prevention, and treatment. The effect of diet on cancer development is likely to happen through intertwining mechanisms including inflammation and immune responses. For instance, a greater intake of red and processed meat along with low consumption of fruits and vegetables has been associated with increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers that are implicated in cancer development. On the other hand, the consumption of phytosterols, vitamins, and minerals, which exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory roles have been linked to lower cancer risk, or even its occurrence prevention. In this book, we aim to summarize the current knowledge on the role of nutrition in cancer to provide the best scientific advice in this regard.

A Detailed Examination of China’s Clean Energy Mineral Consumption: Footprints, Trends, and Drivers

As the global clean energy transition accelerates, China’s mining industry faces pressing challenges concerning the sustainable consumption of clean energy minerals. This study employed the EE-MRIO model to investigate the consumption trends of clean energy minerals across various provinces and industries in China from 2012 to 2017, specifically focusing on the resource footprints of copper, nickel, molybdenum, zinc, and cobalt. Using the random forest model, we identified the driving factors, with the goal of offering a solid scientific foundation for strategic decision making. Our findings reveal marked disparities in resource footprints among provinces, which are correlated with regional industrialization, urbanization trends, and resource reserves. Beyond the traditional resource-intensive sectors, industries like finance and real estate have significantly impacted the resource footprint. Monte Carlo simulations further validated the reliability of our model. The random forest analysis indicates that population size and energy consumption mainly determine the footprints of copper and zinc. In contrast, the footprints of nickel and cobalt are primarily influenced by technology market turnover, while molybdenum’s footprint is largely driven by population size and total carbon emissions. Drawing from these insights, we suggest several policy recommendations for clean energy mineral extraction. These include fostering inter-provincial resource collaboration, bolstering geological exploration and assessment, promoting technological innovation, advancing environmentally friendly mineral extraction techniques, and enhancing collaboration between urban planning and pivotal industries.

Effect of sustained release bolus oral administration on body condition change, blood parameters, and uterine health in primiparous cows under heat stress.

The transition period is very stressful for primiparous cows due to their first calving experience and will be more challenging if it occurs under heat stress conditions. Heat stress reduces the feed intake of dairy cows. Therefore, it reduces the consumption of minerals and vitamins. Oral administration of boluses through the provision of mineral-vitamin compounds can reduce metabolic abnormalities after calving. The present study aimed to evaluate effect of sustained-release bolus on body condition score (BCS) change, serum metabolites, uterine health, and reproductive status in primiparous cows. Heifers were selected at the beginning of the close-up period (n = 60, BCS = 3.35 ± 0.12). There were 2 experimental treatments at the time of calving: (1) heifers without bolus oral administration (H - Bo, n = 30); (2) heifers with bolus oral administration (H + Bo, n = 30). The results showed that although the rate of BCS loss was lower in the group receiving bolus, the effect of bolus was not significant. The effect of bolus on blood level of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) was not significant; however, the highest concentration of albumin (P = 0.05) was observed in the H + Bo group on day 42 after calving. The concentration of aspartate transaminase (AST) tended to increase (P = 0.06) on day 14 after calving and entire the study. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was affected (P < 0.05) by bolus throughout the period of study, and the highest (P < 0.05) concentration of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was observed in H + Bo group on day 42 after calving. The H + Bo group had the lowest (P < 0.05) vaginal discharge score (VDS). In general, oral administration of the sustained-release bolus in heifers significantly affected the antioxidant factors and uterine health, as well as had positive effects on liver function, body condition, and reproduction status.

Daily breakfast: will skipping a morning meal become a new prognostic marker?

The increase in the prevalence of dietary risk factors and non-communicable diseases over the past decades has led to the search for new predictors, one of which is skipping breakfast. The article examines the potential of using the "daily breakfast"/"skipping breakfast" criterion as a prognostic marker. The results of studies on the correlation of daily breakfast with dietary risk factors (obesity and hypertension), type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and the risk of cardiovascular death are presented and analyzed. The effect of breakfast on the depression risk, which is an independent marker of cardiovascular diseases, is being studied. Also, possible pathogenetic mechanisms linking skipping breakfast with increased blood pressure are discussed. Research data is provided confirming the importance of morning meals for health. The article presents data on the prevalence of daily breakfast in the Russian population and in the populations of other countries with developed economies. Information is provided on the history of studying the effect of daily breakfast on health. Also, controversial scientific data is provided on the effect of skipping breakfast on body weight and its effective control. The role of morning meals in weight reduction programs is fully discussed. The issues of connection between the morning meal and daily calorie intake, the nutritional value of consumption of total protein, vitamins and minerals, as well as the uniform meal distribution across the day are considered. Data from a scientific discussion on the criteria for an "ideal" breakfast are presented, and general recommendations on the energy and nutritional value of a morning meal and the optimal composition of food are outlined.

The impact of participatory action research and endogenous integrated soil fertility management on farm-gate dietary outputs in northern Tanzania

In most developing countries, although agricultural extension and research devolved since 1980s to promote relevance, cost-effectiveness, ownership, and sustainability, participatory action research (PAR) have been run, albeit with limited empirical evidence on their impacts on farmers livelihoods. The study use a three-stage extended regression model (ERM) to estimate the effect PAR and the promoted agronomic practices on crop produce dietary outputs considering potential endogenous engagement, omitted variable bias, reverse causality, endogenous covariates, and factor simultaneity. Using a sample of 607 small family farms with varying levels of research engagement in the Northern Highlands of Tanzania, the study found that PAR was associated with increased farm-gate dietary outcomes: per-capita calories, proteins, and minerals produced by 139, 216, and 143 %, respectively, and consumption of farm-produced minerals by 74–200 %. The organic manure application was associated with increased the dietary outputs by 62–113 % while the application of inorganic fertilizer with increased protein and mineral outputs by 68 and 105 %, respectively. The crop diversification was associated with increased dietary outputs by 11–25 % while pest and diseases control with increased dietary outputs by 12–17 % but with reduced consumption by 13–14 %. Soil and water conservation measures including terracing were associated with decreased dietary outputs. These findings indicate that PAR contributes to nutritional outcomes of smallholder farmers contingent on the promotion of low-cost input sources and crop diversification which can be leveraged to inform upscaling of participatory policies, strategies, and technologies.

Global Trends in the Use of Biodiesel Fuel

The potential ways for reducing the consumption of hydrocarbon minerals through the use of biofuels are presented, the prospects for increasing the global biodiesel market at an average annual rate of 4.9%, which will amount to about 63 million tons by the end of 2030 are given. The largest producers and consumers of motor biofuel the USA, Brazil, the European Union, Argentina, Indonesia and China are identified. It has been established that the raw materials for producing biofuel from vegetable oils are mainly soybean, canola, jatropha, palm, coconut and castor oils.

Developing a nutrient-rich and functional wheat bread by incorporating Moringa oleifera leaf powder and gluten

Global warming and population growth are encouraging consumers and food scientists to seek new products that provide high-quality plant protein and promote sustainable food systems. Adding Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) to bread is suggested here as a strategy to increase daily consumption of protein, fibers and minerals, using a resilient crop. Gluten was added to overcome the loss of structure due to the addition of MOLP. This resulted in improved physical properties of dough and of bread, and lead to increased protein levels and quality determined as PDCAAS, supporting “a good source of protein” claim. The bread is also “high in fiber”, with inulin as a major component, identified here for the first time in moringa leaves. Improved water holding capacity and changes in the bread firmness are reported. Sensory evaluations demonstrated the palatability of the enriched bread, with a unique fruity aroma produced by compounds that were identified using gas chromatography mass-spectrometry.