Fruity Vegetables Research Articles

Diet, wheeze, and atopy in school children in Menorca, Spain

Epidemiological studies have shown inverse associations of asthma symptoms with fish, vegetable, and fruit intake. We evaluated the association between several dietary factors with wheeze and atopy among children in Menorca, a Spanish Mediterranean island. A cross-sectional analysis was performed on 460 children at age 6.5 yr. Parents completed a questionnaire on the child's respiratory and allergic symptoms, and a 96-item food frequency questionnaire. Children underwent skin prick tests with six common aeroallergens. The average daily intake was relatively high for fruits (177 g) and fish (54 g), and moderate for vegetables (59 g). A high consumption (>40 g/day) of fruity vegetables (tomatoes, eggplants, cucumber, green beans, zucchini) was found to have beneficial effect on current wheeze [odds ratio (OR), 0.38; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.15-0.95, p < 0.05], and atopic wheeze with a significant decreasing trend when intake was increased (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.04-0.95, p for trend = 0.04). No other fruits or vegetables were significantly associated with wheeze or atopy prevalence. An inverse association was found between a fish intake > or =60 g/day and atopy (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.21-0.90, p < 0.05). The associations remained significant after adjustment for energy intake and maternal diet during pregnancy. Our results support a potential protective effect of fruity vegetables and fish intake during childhood on wheeze and atopy respectively.

The concentrations, distribution and sources of PAHs in agricultural soils and vegetables from Shunde, Guangdong, China

The concentrations, distribution and sources of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in 30 agricultural soil and 16 vegetable samples collected from subtropical Shunde area, an important manufacturing center in China. The total PAHs ranged from 33.7 to 350 microg/kg in soils, and 82 to 1,258 microg/kg in vegetables. The most abundant individual PAHs are phenanthrene, fluoranthene, chrysene, pyrene and benzo(b)fluoranthene for soil samples, and anthracene, naphthalene, phenanthrene, pyrene and chrysene for vegetable samples. Average vegetable-soil ratios of total PAHs were 2.20 for leafy vegetables and 1.27 for fruity vegetables. Total PAHs in vegetable samples are not significantly correlated to those in corresponding soil samples. Principal component analyses were conducted to distinguish samples on basis of their distribution in each town, soil type and vegetable specie. Relatively abundant soil PAHs were found in town Jun'an, Beijiao, Chencun, Lecong and Ronggui, while abundant vegetable PAHs were observed in town Jun'an, Lecong, Xingtan, Daliang and Chenchun. The highest level of total PAHs were found in vegetable soil, followed by pond sediment and "stacked soil" on pond banks. The PAHs contents in leafy vegetables are higher than those in fruity vegetables. Some PAH compound ratios suggest the PAHs derived from incomplete combustion of petroleum, coal and refuse from power generation and ceramic manufacturing, and paint spraying on furniture, as well as sewage irrigation from textile industries. Soil PAHs contents have significant logarithmic correlation with total organic carbon, which demonstrates the importance of soil organic matter as sorbent to prevent losses of PAHs.

Plasma carotenoid levels in relation to the Mediterranean diet in Greece.

In the context of the Greek segment of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), we conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the effects of the intake of plant foods central in the traditional Mediterranean diet on plasma levels of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lutein-zeaxanthin. Study subjects were a random sample of 45 men and 68 women, aged 30-82 years, from the Greek EPIC cohort of 27,953 volunteers. Linear regression models were fitted, with the carotenoid blood levels as dependent variables. Independent variables were selected food items, as well as body mass index, controlling for energy intake and a set of demographic factors. Body mass index was inversely associated with plasma levels of the studied carotenoids. The association was highly significant for alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, significant for lutein-zeaxanthin, and borderline significant (p approximately 0.07) for lycopene. Tomato intake was significantly positively associated with plasma lycopene, and beta-carotene. Other fruity vegetables and non-fruity vegetables were significantly positively associated, the former with alpha-carotene and the latter with both alpha- and beta-carotene plasma levels. Fruits showed a highly significant positive association with plasma beta-cryptoxanthin, as well as with beta-carotene. No association was found between the intake of olive oil or other added lipids and plasma carotenoids. We conclude that among the studied components of the Mediterranean diet, fruits and vegetables tend to increase levels of some carotenoids, but olive oil has no apparent effect.

Cadmium and Nickel Composition of Nigerian Foods

Cadmium and nickel contents were determined in 78 different Nigerian foods of various classes. The food types included leafy and fruity vegetables, fruits, meats, fish, cereals, legumes, tubers, spices, dairy products, canned foods, sweeteners, fats and oils, and confectioneries, and they were obtained from markets in Ibadan city. Cadmium levels ranged from 0.01 to 0.62 mg/kg, with a general average of 0.16±0.14 mg/kg. Cadmium levels varied significantly between different groups of foods, with the highest levels occurring in dairy (0.41±0.25 mg/kg), and the lowest in confectioneries and fruits (0.07±0.04 mg/kg). Nickel levels ranged from 0.05 to 9.22 mg/kg with a general average of 2.1±1.5 mg/kg. The levels of both metals were found to be higher than the levels observed in similar foods in some developed countries, but also compared well with the levels in some other parts of the world.

Copper and zinc contents of Nigerian foods and estimates of the adult dietary intakes

Abstract Concentrations of copper and zinc were determined in 80 Nigerian food items of various classes which were obtained from the markets of Ibadan city. These consisted of leafy and fruity vegetables, tubers, fruits, meats, fish, legumes, cereals, spices, dairy products, sweeteners, fats and oils, confectioneries, canned foods and alcoholic beverages. Copper levels ranged widely from 0.06 to 13.3 mg/kg, while zinc levels ranged from 0.06 to 56.9 mg/kg in various foods. The differences in mean metal levels were found to be significant (P=0.05) among the various food classes. Highest levels of both metals were found to occur in legumes (Cu, 8.3±3.7 mg/kg; Zn, 29±12 mg/kg). The levels of the metals compare well with those which have been obtained in foods from studies elsewhere in the world. The dietary intakes of both metals for the adult population was found to vary with the income groups, with higher intakes being estimated for higher income groups. The estimated weighted average dietary intakes for the entire adult population were calculated to be 2.64 mg Cu/day and 15.8 mg Zn/day.

Heavy metal contents in vegetables in Hong Kong and its health risk implications

In the past two decades, soil pollution due to the rapid industrialization and urbanization in Hong Kong and nearby regions in South China has posed a serious threat to our vegetable produce. It is therefore the aim of this project to determine Cd, Zn, Cu and Pb concentrations in four vegetable samples, Brassica chinensis, B. parachinensis, Lactuca sativa, and Benincasa hispida imported from China as well as those produced locally, and to provide an implication of human health risk. Heavy metal concentrations were higher in leafy than fruity vegetables. Brassica spp. exhibited higher metal concentrations than other vegetable species. Nevertheless, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations in both local and imported vegetable samples were all below the maximum permitted level for these metals while Cd contents in both Brassica spp. were above the maximum permitted concentration of 0.05 mg Cd kg‐1 fresh weight except for B. parachinensis produced locally. Health risk analysis shows that children are likely to have a higher health risk than adults in consuming Cd contaminated vegetables imported from China.

Pirimiphos-Methyl Residues and Control of Greenhouse Whitefly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on Seven Vegetables

A gas chromatographic analysis of pirimiphos-methyl, Actellic®, residues on four leafy vegetables (celery, radicchio, cabbage and kohlrabi) and three fruity vegetables (green beans, pepper and cucumber) is reported. The method proved to be accurate and reliable for residue estimation with recoveries of 90–96% from fortified vegetable tissues, depending on the crop species and the part of the plant analyzed. Initial deposition of pirimiphos-methyl and its disappearance rate on the different types of plant surfaces varied widely. Residue disappearance rates varied from rapid on cucumber fruits (t½ = 1.8 d) to slow on pepper fruits (t½ = 4.3 d) over a 42-day period. On leaves, green beans had the highest dissipation rate (t½ = 2.0 d) while pepper had the lowest (t½ = 4.7 d). Waiting periods (preharvest safety intervals) on each crop were also determined. The potential of pirimiphos-methyl was tested as a candidate for greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) control. Cucumber and bean foliage were preferred by greenhouse whitefly. One day following application of Actellic® 5E emulsifiable concentrate at the rate of 4.5 g (AI)/L of liquid spray, whitefly populations were reduced significantly on both cucumber (88%) and beans (96%). Pirimiphos-methyl may be a useful candidate for control of greenhouse whitefly and other insects in home gardens based on its effectiveness and human safety.

Monitoring of toxic metals (cadmium, lead, arsenic and mercury) in vegetables of Sindh, Pakistan

A monitoring study was carried out with the aim to assess the level of toxic metals i.e., lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) in different vegetables grown in Sindh province of Pakistan during 2007-2008. Two hundred ten samples of twenty one vegetables were collected from farmers' field of Sindh and exporters at Karachi. These samples were grouped into four categories viz., leafy, root and tuberous, cucurbits and fruity. The samples in duplicate were digested with nitric and perchloric acid mixture with 3:1 ratio. Cadmium and Pb were analyzed with Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and As and Hg on Atomic Absorption using Vapor and Hydride Generation Assembly. Average concentration of Cd, Pb, As and Hg in leafy vegetables was found 0.083 μgg-1, 0.05 μgg-1, 0.042 μgg-1 and 0.008 μgg-1 respectively, in roots and tuberous vegetables was 0.057 μgg-1, 0.03 μgg-1, 0.045 μgg-1 &amp; 0.004 μgg-1 respectively, in cucurbit vegetables was 0.021 μgg-1, 0.051 μgg-1, 0.056 μgg-1 and 0.0089 μgg-1 respectively and in fruity vegetables was 0.035 μgg-1, 0.067 μgg-1, 0.054 μgg-1 and 0.007 μgg-1 respectively. In leafy vegetables, the concentration of cadmium, lead and mercury were found comparatively higher than other three groups of vegetables. However, concentration of heavy metals found in the samples of all four categories of vegetables, was within the permissible limits and safe to consume. Keywords: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy; Heavy Metals; Vegetables; Graphite Furnace; Vapor Generation; Hydride GenerationDOI: 10.3126/kuset.v6i2.4013Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Vol.6. No II, November, 2010, pp.60-65