Healthy Human Nutrition Research Articles

Evaluation of Dry Bean Farming in Konya Region and Its Importance for Sustainable Agriculture

Establishing policies for the sustainability of the sector by increasing legume production and consumption is a critical issue for both Turkiye and the world and is a strategic issue that needs to be emphasized. Dry beans are an important edible legume that should alternate in sustainable agriculture, as well as providing easy supply of healthy and nutritious food to the increasing world population. Present research realized to determine the main problems faced by Konya City farmers in bean farming in 2021 and to offer appropriate solutions. For this purpose, questions about bean farming were asked to one hundred farmers who were randomly selected from the districts with the highest bean cultivation in the Konya region, and the results obtained were examined as "%" unit. As the result of the present research, it was seen that Konya farmers are insufficient in matters such as fertilization quantity and technic, irrigation density, control of diseases and pests, and usage of the certified seeds in dry bean farming. Since the cultivation techniques have direct or indirect impacts on the seed yield and seed quality of the beans, so it is necessary to correct the important deficiencies or mistakes of our farmers. In addition, intending to ensure agricultural sustainability and healthy human nutrition, it is essential to increase production and quality by determining the problems related to legumes that should be included in the rotation systems and on the food menu, and related issues are overseen inwardly the aim of the present research.

Yield, Fructans Accumulation, and Nutritional Quality of Young Chicory Plants as Related to Genotype and Nitrogen Fertilization

Growth and quality attributes were quantified in Cichorium intybus L. and Cichorium endivia L. in response to the nitrate supply. Chicory was grown in Italy, in a cold greenhouse from the 11 of February 2020, in a pot with commercial soil and sand with and without 12 mM of Ca(NO3)2. Seventy-six days after sowing, the growth variables, contents of leaf and root carbohydrates (glucose, fructose sucrose starch and fructans), carbon, nitrate sulphate and phosphate were measured. Fertilization significantly increased the yield and specific leaf dry weight (SLDW) of the C. endivia. The shoot/root ratio was increased in C. intybus with high N; this also increased the carbohydrate content in leaves and roots of C. endivia compared to the value measured in C. intybus. The interaction between fertilization and genotype significantly affected fructans and nitrate accumulation in taproots. Fertilization decreased the sulphate and phosphate contents in the leaves and roots of both chicory species. The yield and quality of young chicory plants can be modulated by species selection and nitrate fertilization. The genotype and nitrogen supply interact in modulating the yield and the inulin and nitrate accumulation in the taproot, thereby affecting its nutritional value and representing a powerful tool to cultivate this new produce for healthy human nutrition.

Non-Polar Fraction Constituents, Phenolic Acids, Flavonoids and Antioxidant Activity in Fruits from Florina Apple Variety Grown under Different Agriculture Management

Abstract The effect of agricultural management on non-polar compounds, phenolic acids, flavonoids and antioxidant properties in apple fruit of Florina variety was studied. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using four assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and CUPRAC), based on different mechanisms. The current research demonstrated that organically grown apple fruits yielded significantly higher levels of total phenolics, unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant activity than apples from the conventional conditions. Seven representatives of phenolic acids (gallic, p-coumaric, chlorogenic, vanillic, caffeic, syringic and salicylic) and four flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, catechin and epicatechin) were found in fruits. Chlorogenic, vanillic, salicylic, caffeic acids and catechin were dominated in apples grown in organic orchards. Epicatechin, gallic and syringic acids were in the highest content in conventionally grown sward apples. The highest correlation (r2>0.99) was found between total polyphenols and antioxidant activity by three methods (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods). As a result of the organically grown conditions, the quality of the fruits of the Florina apple variety is improved based on the accumulation of bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity. Moreover, thirty-nine volatile components (saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, fatty alcohols, phytosterols and triterpenes) were detected in non-polar apple fraction. Palmitoleic, palmitelaidic, oleic, elaidic, (13E)-octadecenoic, (13Z)-octadecenoic, (11Z)-eicosenoic and (13Z)-eicosenoic, linoleic acid and linolenic acid and ursolic and oleanolic acid acetates dominated in organic apple orchards. Therefore, organic apple provided more phenolic acids, unsaturated fatty acids, ursolic and oleanolic acid acetates and catechin for healthy human nutrition. Keywords: Apples, Antioxidants, Anthocyanins, Organical And Conventional Growing Conditions, Polyphenolic and non-polar compounds

Indexing of Fatty Acids in Poultry Meat for Its Characterization in Healthy Human Nutrition: A Comprehensive Application of the Scientific Literature and New Proposals.

Chicken meat is becoming the most consumed in the world for both economic and nutritional reasons; regarding the latter, the lipid profile may play positive or negative roles in the prevention and treatment of diseases. In this study, we define the state of the art of lipid-based nutritional indexes and used the lipid content and fatty acid profile (both qualitative and quantitative) of breast meat of two poultry genotypes with different growth rates and meat traits. Further, we summarize and review the definitions, implications, and applications of nutritional indexes used in recent years and others of our own design to provide a useful tool to researchers working in the field of meat quality (not only in poultry) to select the most appropriate index for their own scientific purposes. All indexes show advantages and disadvantages; hence, a rational choice should be applied to consider the nutritional effect of meat on human health and for a possible assessment of the most suitable rearing systems (genotype, feeding, farming system or postmortem handling).

Effects of cooking over the stability of fatty acids as bioactive compounds in enriched pasta with a fish by‐product

AbstractBackground and objectivesFusilli pasta enriched with sea bass concentrate (Dicentrarchus labrax) was developed with the aim of increasing its content in proteins and especially in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) like Ω‐3. Pasta made from two types of cereals (wheat and spelt) and fish by‐product with or without a natural antioxidant were cooking prior to consumption, and nutritional and physicochemical characteristics were evaluated.FindingsEnriched developed pasta showed high levels of protein, fat, and fiber, and the fatty acid profiles confirmed a substantial enrichment in bioactive compounds (Ω‐3 fatty acids). The cooking of pasta before consumption was able to reduce bacterial loads guaranteeing food safety and improving nutritional availability. Furthermore, an increase in the MUFA and PUFA content was revealed, which could represent an advantage to offer a better source of functional ingredients (EPA & DHA).ConclusionsThe combination of heat from cooking with formulations containing antioxidants seems to offer a remarkable synergistic effect to preserve unsaturated fatty acids with desirable nutritional properties.Significance and noveltyPasta enriched with bioactive compounds from fish by‐product after cooking treatment before consumption appears to be an effectiveness option to improve healthy human nutrition.

Value of Wholegrain Rice in a Healthy Human Nutrition

Rice is one of the most widely consumed cereals in the world. The husks of harvested, unprocessed rice are not digested by humans and need to be removed to obtain edible grains, whereas the bran can be partially (brown rice) or totally removed (white rice). Brown rice is a wholegrain cereal and, as such, is known to have beneficial effects on human health. Recent epidemiological studies have shown that the consumption of whole grains can reduce the risk of metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and some types of cancer. However, white rice is preferred for reasons connected to appearance, taste, palatability, ease of cooking, tradition, safety, shelf-life, and lack of awareness about its benefits and availability. In this review, the latest scientific reports regarding the nutritional composition of brown rice and the evolution of the technology for its production will be briefly reviewed together with research on nutritional implications of brown rice consumption also in relation to cancer development in humans. A specific chapter is devoted to pigmented rice which, thanks to its composition, has attracted the growing interest of consumers worldwide. The need for further studies to help promote the consumption of wholegrain rice are also discussed.

Development of blends of vegetable oils for a healthy diet

The analysis of vegetable oils was carried out in accordance with the recommendations of physiological needs for different groups of the population and FAO / WHO to meet the need for the consumption of vegetable oils. The aim of the work is to create blends of vegetable oils with an optimized composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids ?3, ?6, ?9 for healthy human nutrition. The objects of research are vegetable oils obtained by cold pressing from milk thistle, sunflower, rapeseed and camelina. The analysis of the fatty acid composition of the oils was carried out using gas chromatography. It was found that the greatest amount of ?6 is contained in sunflower oil – 66%, in milk thistle oil – 53%, in rapeseed oil 20%, in camelina oil 17%. Camelina oil is rich in ?3 – 37%, rapeseed oil ?9 – 59%, which corresponds to the standards for these types of oils. Using the method of linear programming, the calculation of four-component blends of various types of oils, balanced by ?3, ?6, ?9, in accordance with the norms recommended for satisfying the daily nutritional needs of a person is presented. Blends of vegetable oils were designed. The ratio in fatty acid blends ?3: ?6: ?9 - 1: 1.5: 1.3 has been established. By means of modeling, 5 blends of vegetable oils with different compositions were obtained. Based on the data obtained, the partial desirability functions for each blend and the general Harrington index were calculated. The values of the desirability functions that exceed 0.9 and the generalized Harrington criterion of 0.97 were obtained, which corresponds to the standard level of the desirability scale "excellent". In this regard, it can be argued that the resulting blends have a balanced composition. It should be noted that the next step is a tasting studies in order to obtain satisfactory organoleptic characteristics.

Donkey Milk Production Technology and Efficient Farm Management in Georgia

Millions of people in today's world consume milk and dairy products, which are not only an important source of food for these people, but also a source of livelihood for farmers and processors. But to achieve this, consumers, dairy farms and processors need up-to-date the information on how the milk and dairy products can contribute to healthy human nutrition and how the dairy industry is evolving. Keywords: milk, food, farm management, economy.

Role of tomatoes and products thereof in human healthy diet

Tomatoes are an essential part of the diet. Epidemiological studies have established a link between the consumption of tomatoes, which contain carotenoids, and a reduction in the risk of diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Ripe tomato fruits are dark red in color due to the carotenoid lycopene, which is synthesized during fruit ripening. The aim of this review was to summarize and analyze modern data on the role of tomatoes and their processed products in healthy human nutrition. Results. The beneficial effects of this vegetable on bone health, cognitive function, and the cardiovascular system have been studied. However, large intervention studies are needed to confirm a real causal relationship between tomato consumption and the risk of these diseases. Given the presence of various useful bioactive components in tomatoes, the results of most studies provide a reason to include more tomatoes and their processed products in the diet. However, both excessive and regular consumption of this vegetable can cause some side effects in the human body. Conclusion. Recent studies highlight the relationship between tomato consumption and a reduced risk of various diseases such as obesity, hypercholesterolemia, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Tomatoes, thanks to the bioactive substances they contain, with an adequate level of consumption, can become effective component of a healthy diet.

Land resource potential of the country as a basis for the development of organic agriculture

Today there is a tendency to deteriorate the quality of soils: lowering the level of humus, increasingtheir acidity, deteriorating the balance of nutrients inthe soil and so on. Therefore, the transition to organic production is one of the necessary conditions for improving the quality of agricultural land and solving the problems of rational use of land resources.The article considers the peculiarities of growingorganic products by producers in the lease of agricultural land, which contributes to the creation of an optimal environment for the development of organic movement and ensures food security. The main trends in the development of organic agriculture in European countries are revealed as an alternative model of agriculture in the context of improving the quality of natural soil fertility, expanding the production of organic products for complete and safe healthy human nutrition and preserving the environment.The current state of organic production is analyzedand the prospects of its development in the countriesof the European Union are determined.A comparative analysis of the rate of change in thenumber of foreign certified organic enterprises during the study period showed that their number increased almost sevenfold, and the average size of organic farms fell sharply by more than three times.The attitude of agricultural enterprises to organicproducts is studied. The transition of agriculturalproducers to organic farming methods is possibleonly if the benefits of organic production comparedto traditional. Therefore, issues of improving the efficiency of organic production remain relevant andrequire further research. The problems that hinder the development of organic production in the conditions of land relations reform are also considered. The issue of effective use of the potential of agricultural lands of agricultural enterprises is considered. The problems of economic and ecological impact on land resource potential, factors that negatively affect the quality and fertility of land are analyzed.It is established that further research should beaimed at exploring the possibilities of using the world experience of organic farming to develop comprehensive programs to stimulate those areas and areas of agricultural activity that are developing internationally and meet consumer needs and protect and restore the environment.

Rationale and economic feasibility of improving the technology of long-term storage of meat products

The article considers modern problems of meat processing industry development, new approaches in the field of meat technology and healthy human nutrition. Based on the analysis, the factors influencing the production and sale of products in this industry were identified. The influence of improvement of technology of production of meat products of long term of storage on indicators of activity of the enterprise which introduces it is considered. The article draws attention to the problems of relevance of creating functional products based on meat and vegetable raw materials, which can make human nutrition rational and balanced, as well as increase resistance to adverse and extreme life factors, restore and maintain normal metabolic processes. The economic estimation of efficiency of introduction of new technology of manufacture is given and expediency of perfection of technology of meat products of long term of storage is proved.

Макет «Эко-фермы» как способ популяризации сельского труда и здорового питания человека

Макет «Эко-фермы» как способ популяризации сельского труда и здорового питания человека

Small-sized irradiation structures for intensive year-round cultivation of green vegetable crops

Full and healthy human nutrition is characterized by the presence of green vegetable crops in the diet, which are rich in vitamins and useful components for humans. The need for them is observed year-round and all-season. Therefore, green vegetable products must be grown not only using traditional industrial technologies, but also in small businesses and private households. The realization of technology is ubiquitous, year-round cultivation of leafy vegetable crops in an artificial environment is possible using small-sized forms of cultivation facilities – irradiation chambers and boxes, grow boxes, phytotrons, etc. In this case, the main technological operation is the necessary light mode for plants: with the spectrum necessary for plants development and growth, with the necessary intensity and mode of irradiation. The developed irradiation units (camera and box) allow growing green vegetables at any time of the year, in any territory allotted for this, in the quantity necessary for consumption, etc. These units allow automatically monitoring the parameters of the air environment and soil, and, if necessary, adjusting it to create a comfortable environment for plant development. Experimental studies and processing of the results allowed concluding that by varying the spectrum and intensity of light-emitting diodes in the developed structures of irradiation units depending on the growth phase of green vegetable crops, it is possible to obtain products of higher consumer and commercial quality, with the necessary biochemical composition and characteristics.

Globalization of Food Choices Negatively Impacting Sustainability of Traditional Food Systems: A Case of Uttarakhand Hills in North-western India

The food we eat, being a primary source of both macro- and micronutrients, plays a huge role in our ability to keep our overall health and well-being in balance. It is also an essential component that links nutrition, agriculture, and ecology in the eco-nutrition framework. A better understanding of the relationships between food systems and human nutrition may offer opportunities for improving community health that are currently overlooked. The present communication presents the results of exploratory surveys on impact of globalization in contemporary food choices of Uttarakhand hills and potential role of native diversity in sustainable food and nutritional security on native communities with enabling policy support. A comparative assessment of rural-urban divide in terms of dietary choices and health have been discussed in view of advocating eco-nutrition model for a healthy human nutrition through biodiverse agriculture.

The metabolomic approach to the complex biochemical characteristics of cole <i>Brassica oleracea</i> L.

Relevance A commonly cultivated and demanded type of vegetable crops – cabbage Brassica oleracea L. – in the process of evolution and domestication was divided into three clusters: leafy cabbage, headed cabbage and broccoli (cauliflower). According to modern data, cabbage originated in culture from the large-leaved forms of leafy cabbage. Portuguese tronchuda is a transitional form to a typical headed cabbage. It is represented by leafy and semi-capped forms and evolutionarily related to Portuguese halega (Galician) leafy cabbage. White cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. convar. capitata (DC.) Alef. var. capitata L. f. alba DC.) is the most significant in the world and Russian economy. The characteristic of cultures of Brassica oleracea L. (varieties of white cabbage and tronchuda) is given according to the most important biochemical quality characteristics. Methods The research material included 48 samples of cabbage, including 27 samples of 13 European cultivar types, including Dutch, Central European and South European cultivar types, 8 samples – two Russian northwestern and central Russian cultivar types and 13 samples – five oriental cultivar types of Caucasian and Turkish-Balkan origin, 9 samples – Portuguese cabbage tronchuda from the VIR collection, reflecting the ecological, geographic and genetic diversity of cabbage. Samples of cabbage were grown at the research and production base "Pushkin and Pavlovsk laboratories VIR" (St. Petersburg), biochemical analysis was carried out in the laboratory of biochemistry and molecular biology of VIR. Results As a result of using of the modern non-specific metabolic approach to the study of the biochemical composition in samples of white cabbage, about 100 components have been identified from the groups of organic acids, free amino acids, including essential, fatty acids, including essential, polyhydric alcohols, sugars, and also phenolic compounds, wax, nucleosides, and others. Regularity in the accumulation of nutrient and biologically active substances by cultures of Brassica oleracea L., by cultivar types and individual samples were revealed. As a result of our research using modern techniques, including the nonspecific metabolic approach, new data on the biochemical composition of white and semi-capped forms were obtained. The cabbage within the studied botanical varieties and groups of cultivar types has a complex biochemical composition that characterizes cabbage samples as samples with potentially high value (the role and importance of far from all compounds in the organization of healthy human nutrition is known), which confirms the need for in-depth control of the biochemical composition of plants when breeding new varieties. Samples with the optimal component composition for balanced human nutrition, which are proposed to be used in breeding for quality, including obtaining varieties for healthy (functional) and therapeutic and prophylactic nutrition of the population of theRussian Federation were found.

Are agricultural researchers working on the right crops to enable food and nutrition security under future climates?

This study examined how crop-specific agricultural research investments can be prioritised to anticipate climate change impact on crops and to enable the production of more nutritious food. We used a simple crop modelling approach to derive expected future changes in regional climate suitability for crops. To determine if different starch-rich and pulse crops are currently underresearched or overresearched, we examined the global relation between crop-specific research output (number of publications) and the total nutrient output available for human consumption. Our analysis shows that current research investments are mostly associated with the current energy output of crops. Other things equal, investment levels tend to be slightly lower for crops better adapted to future climates and tend to decrease as crop nutrient richness increases. Among starch-rich crops, maize, barley, and rice receive substantially more research investment than justified by their current nutrient output. Sweetpotato, potato, and wheat show substantial current research deficits. Sweetpotato is most strongly underresearched in regions with improving climate suitability. For potato, research deficits occur in regions where these crops will experience less suitable climate conditions. For wheat, the deficits are distributed equally across regions with negative and positive climate effects. Three crops are significantly over-researched, namely maize, rice, and barley. Among pulses, cowpea, and lupin are generally overresearched. Common bean is highly underresearched, but these deficits concentrate in areas where it will likely suffer from climate change. Lentil, broad bean, and chickpea are underresearched, with deficits concentrating in regions where these crops will tend to benefit from future climates. Agricultural research investment allocations will need to consider additional factors not taken into account in this study, but our findings suggest that current allocations need reconsideration to support climate adaptation and enhance healthy human nutrition.

Evaluation of nutritive quality of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L.

Common carp is the most important commercial fish species in Serbia. This fish is a valuable source of nutritive components and plays a role in healthy human nutrition. This review evaluates the nutritive quality of common carp including proximate and fatty acid compositions as well as their effects on human health. The fat content and fatty acid composition of carp have been shown to vary due to different environmental factors and particularly due to nutrition. Technology of production and composition of planktonic and benthic organisms in fish ponds have been recognised as significant factors affecting carp meat quality and desirable chemical and fatty acid composition. Carp meat quality but also production parameters and fish health are positively influenced by a balanced feed mixture. Due to the low content of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol plus high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, common carp meat consumption could be linked with reduced risk of different heart diseases in humans. Also, fish proteins can have many beneficial roles in the preservation of human health. This paper emphasises the importance of consumption of common carp in order to prevent many diseases and preserve human health.

Are Breed-specific Differences in Beef Fatty-acid Profiles a "Needle in the Haystack"?

A healthy human nutrition stems from macronutrients that provide energy and also from micronutrients that are indispensable for basic physiological processes. Essential fatty-acids have been proved and commonly agreed in the recent years as important elements of a healthy diet. This gives impetus to look for sources of essential fatty-acids in the diet. Beef is not only considered a complete protein, but also a source of essential fatty-acids such as linoleic and linolenic acids. The levels of these fatty-acids are however variable depending on the diet and breed of cattle. In this work, we analyzed intra-muscular fatty acid profiles of two breeds (Aberdeen Angus and Blonde d'Aquitaine) as a part of long-term complex and comprehensive comparison of breed differences. Using a novel statistical algorithm we found interesting breed-specific fatty-acid profiles. The advantages of this approach over conventional approaches are discussed as well as the specific differences in fatty acid profiles between the breeds.

Lipid‐activated nuclear receptors: from gene transcription to the control of cellular metabolism

AbstractCellular homeostasis is maintained through a complicated network of signaling, transport and enzymatic events that take place in different compartments of the cell. The result of this composite network determines the cellular behavior in response to environmental challenges. Within this network, many cellular functions are regulated at the transcriptional level and consequently the comprehension of the molecular mechanisms of gene regulation is fundamental to fully understand how the cell reacts to environmental changes. Moreover, it offers an opportunity to find novel targets for the design of better strategies to improve healthy human nutrition and to treat metabolic diseases. In this framework, nuclear receptors have emerged as key regulators of many cellular functions in response to lipid action. In this review, we will discuss the new concepts on the biology of the recently “adopted” nuclear receptors sensing oxysterols (LXR), bile acids (FXR) and fatty acids (PPARs) and their function in the integrated regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism. We will also address the role played by other orphan nuclear receptors, such as FTF, SHP and HNF‐4, acting in concert with these lipid‐sensing nuclear receptors in the regulation of cellular metabolism.