Iron retention in iron-fortified rice and use of iron-fortified rice to treat women with iron deficiency: A pilot study

Objectives

1. Evaluate the effect of washing and cooking iron-fortified rice on iron retention and bioavailability. 2. Evaluate the effect of iron-fortified rice on women with iron deficiency anemia

Methods

1. Iron-fortified rice (18 mg/100 g as FeSO₄) was cooked in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (C), rinsed and cooked (RC), fried and cooked (FC), cooked with extra water (CW), or soaked and cooked with extra water (SCW), and iron retention was determined. 2. Rice samples were cooked in Kampala, Uganda in a lab (C-Uganda) and households using traditional cooking method (TC-Uganda) and iron retention were determined. 3. Seventeen women with iron deficiency (low iron and/or low ferritin) anemia were randomized to 100 g/d of rice (two cooked 0.75 cup servings) for two weeks containing 18 mg/d iron (supplemented) or 0.5 mg/d iron (un-supplemented). Hemoglobin and hematocrit were evaluated at baseline and 2 weeks with other measures of iron metabolism.

Results

1. Iron retention, from highest to lowest, was (C), (RC), (FC), (C-Uganda), (CW), (SCW) and (TC-Uganda). 2. Seventeen women were randomized and 15 completed the study (hemoglobin 10.6 ± 1.6 g, hematocrit 33.7 ± 4.1%), 9 in the iron-fortified rice group and 6 in the un-fortified rice group. The iron-fortified group had a greater increase in hemoglobin (0.82 g, p = 0.0035) and Hematocrit (1.83%, p = 0.0248) with directional differences in other measures of iron metabolism favoring the iron-fortified group.

Conclusions

Iron-fortified rice increased hemoglobin and hematocrit in women with iron-deficient anemia. Iron deficiency and anemia are widespread in Southeast Asia and Africa and undermine development in these regions.

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Iron deficiency is prevalent engendering poor health and cognitive development.

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Iron deficiency can be treated effectively with iron fortification.

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Iron rinses in a rice-based diet have leached reducing fortification.

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An iron rinse resistant leaching during cooking is described.

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The leach-resistant iron rinse improved iron deficiency anemia in a clinical trial.

Comparison of soybean oils, gum, and defatted soy flour extract in stabilizing menhaden oil during heating

Capabilities of crude soy oil, degummed oil, gum, and defatted soy flour extract in preventing the oxidation of menhaden oil and its omega-3 fatty acids, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), during heating were evaluated. The menhaden oil mixed with defatted soy flour extract demonstrated the greatest stability by producing the lowest TBA reactive oxidation products and retaining the highest concentrations of DHA and EPA after heating at 150 degrees C for 30 min. A range of 62.8% to 71.5% of DHA and 67.7% to 75.9% of EPA remained in the fish oil with defatted soy flour extract, while only 29.9% of DHA and 37.2% of EPA were retained in the fish oil with no addition. Stabilizing capability from highest to lowest was defatted flour extract > gum > degummed oil = crude oil. The defatted flour extract had the highest level of total phenolic content (11.3 microg catechin equivalent/g), while crude oil, degummed oil, and gum contained 7.1, 6.1, and 6.0 microg catechin equivalent/g, respectively. The level of isoflavones in the defatted soy flour extract was 55 mg/g, which was over 100 times higher than in the crude oil or gum. Although isoflavones were not detected in the degummed oil, it contained the highest level of tocopherols (414 mug/g), whereas the lowest level (215 microg/g) was found in the defatted flour extract. The order of free radical scavenging capability measured from high to low was the defatted soy flour extract, crude oil, degummed oil, and gum.

Inhibition of Caco-2 colon, MCF-7 and Hs578T breast, and DU 145 prostatic cancer cell proliferation by water-soluble black bean condensed tannins

The potential anti-angiogenic activities of water-soluble condensed tannins isolated from black beans were evaluated using HEL 299 normal human fibroblast lung cells, Caco-2 colon, MCF-7 and Hs578T breast, and DU 145 human prostatic cancer cells. Condensed tannins at 0.24-24 microM did not affect the growth of normal cells, but dose-dependently induced cancer cell death by apoptosis as shown by a concentration-dependent decrease in ATP and cell gross morphology. After 24h exposure to Caco-2, MCF-7, Hs578T, and DU 145 cancer cells, water-soluble black bean condensed tannins at 24 microM suppressed fetal bovine serum stimulated cell migration, the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2 or gelatinase A), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9 or gelatinase B), and vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF(165) receptor expression by the cancer cells in the conditioned media. The potential health enhancing properties of condensed tannins from black beans as inhibitors of angiogenesis is discussed.

Storage Stability of Lutein During Ripening of Cheddar Cheese

Lutein (3,3'-dihydroxy-alpha-carotene) has been identified as a dietary factor that can delay the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, available food sources of lutein contain only modest amounts of the carotenoid. Food fortification with lutein extract has been identified as a low-budget approach to prevent the onset or progression of AMD. The objectives of this study were to 1) incorporate various amounts of lutein into Cheddar cheese; 2) examine the color, pH, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of the Cheddar cheese during storage; and 3) analyze the stability of lutein during the cheese maturation process. Lutein extracted from corn was added to Cheddar cheese in quantities of 1, 3, and 6 mg per serving size. Measurements of the lutein stability were carried out by HPLC using a YMC C30 carotenoid column. Microbiological analyses of cheese samples included aerobic plate count, coliform, and yeast/mold counts. The color attributes a* and b* were significantly different between the treatment and control groups; however, no significant difference was observed in L* value and pH. Significant differences among 1, 3, and 6 mg lutein-enriched cheeses were observed in the aerobic plate count and yeast/mold compared with the control. Cheese samples contained no detectable levels of coliforms (< 10 cfu/g). The HPLC data showed quantitative recovery of lutein during the storage period, and no lutein degradation products were identified. These results indicate that lutein, a functional additive with purported ability to prevent or reduce the onset of AMD, can be incorporated into cheese adding value to this product.

Pecan shell-based granular activated carbon for treatment of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in municipal wastewater

The present investigation was undertaken to compare the adsorption efficiency of pecan shell-based granular activated carbon with the adsorption efficiency of the commercial carbon Filtrasorb 200 with respect to uptake of the organic components responsible for the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of municipal wastewater. Adsorption efficiencies for these two sets of carbons (experimental and commercial) were analyzed by the Freundlich adsorption model. The results indicate that steam-activated and acid-activated pecan shell-based carbons had higher adsorption for organic matter measured as COD, than carbon dioxide-activated pecan shell-based carbon or Filtrasorb 200 at all the carbon dosages used during the experiment. The higher adsorption may be related to surface area as the two carbons with the highest surface area also had the highest organic matter adsorption. These results show that granular activated carbons made from agricultural waste (pecan shells) can be used with greater effectiveness for organic matter removal from municipal wastewater than a coal-based commercial carbon.

Adsorption of volatile organic compounds by pecan shell- and almond shell-based granular activated carbons

The objective of this research was to determine the effectiveness of using pecan and almond shell-based granular activated carbons (GACs) in the adsorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of health concern and known toxic compounds (such as bromo-dichloromethane, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, 1,1,1-trichloromethane, chloroform, and 1,1-dichloromethane) compared to the adsorption efficiency of commercially used carbons (such as Filtrasorb 200, Calgon GRC-20, and Waterlinks 206C AW) in simulated test medium. The pecan shell-based GACs were activated using steam, carbon dioxide or phosphoric acid. An almond shell-based GAC was activated with phosphoric acid. Our results indicated that steam- or carbon dioxide-activated pecan shell carbons were superior in total VOC adsorption to phosphoric acid-activated pecan shell or almond shell carbons, inferring that the method of activation selected for the preparation of activated carbons affected the adsorption of VOCs and hence are factors to be considered in any adsorption process. The steam-activated, pecan shell carbon adsorbed more total VOCs than the other experimental carbons and had an adsorption profile similar to the two coconut shell-based commercial carbons, but had greater adsorption than the coal-based commercial carbon. All the carbons studied adsorbed benzene more effectively than the other organics. Pecan shell, steam-activated and acid-activated GACs showed higher adsorption of 1,1,1-trichloroethane than the other carbons studied. Multivariate analysis was conducted to group experimental carbons and commercial carbons based on their physical, chemical, and adsorptive properties. The results of the analysis conclude that steam-activated and acid-activated pecan shell carbons clustered together with coal-based and coconut shell-based commercial carbons, thus inferring that these experimental carbons could potentially be used as alternative sources for VOC adsorption in an aqueous environment.

Adsorption of metal ions by pecan shell-based granular activated carbons

The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the adsorption effectiveness of pecan shell-based granular activated carbons (GACs) in removing metal ions (Cu(2+), Pb(2+), Zn(2+)) commonly found in municipal and industrial wastewater. Pecan shells were activated by phosphoric acid, steam or carbon dioxide activation methods. Metal ion adsorption of shell-based GACs was compared to the metal ion adsorption of a commercial carbon, namely, Calgon's Filtrasorb 200. Adsorption experiments were conducted using solutions containing all three metal ions in order to investigate the competitive effects of the metal ions as would occur in contaminated wastewater. The results obtained from this study showed that acid-activated pecan shell carbon adsorbed more lead ion and zinc ion than any of the other carbons, especially at carbon doses of 0.2-1.0%. However, steam-activated pecan shell carbon adsorbed more copper ion than the other carbons, particularly using carbon doses above 0.2%. In general, Filtrasorb 200 and carbon dioxide-activated pecan shell carbons were poor metal ion adsorbents. The results indicate that acid- and steam-activated pecan shell-based GACs are effective metal ion adsorbents and can potentially replace typical coal-based GACs in treatment of metal contaminated wastewater.

Protective effect of lysozyme-galactomannan or lysozyme-palmitic acid conjugates against Edwardsiella tarda infection in carp, Cyprinus carpio L

The protective effect of lysozyme-galactomannan or lysozyme-palmitic acid conjugates orally administered to carp, Cyprinus carpio L. was investigated using a virulent strain of Gram-negative Edwardsiella tarda isolated from an infected fish. Lysozyme-galactomannan conjugate was prepared through controlled Maillard reaction. Lysozyme-palmitic acid conjugate was prepared through base-catalyzed ester exchange using N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of palmitic acid. The conjugates provided substantial protection to carp infected with a Gram-negative bacteria fish pathogen E. tarda NG 8104. Lytic activities of lysozyme conjugates with galactomannan and palmitic acid were about 80 and 71% of native lysozyme using Micrococcus lysodeikticus as a substrate. Feeding with lysozyme conjugates, for 8 days, significantly enhanced fish protection against E. tarda infection. The survival rate was 30% for lysozyme-galactomannan conjugate treated fish and 20% for lysozyme-palmitic acid conjugate treated fish after 6 days cultivation while all control fish died within 3 days. On the other hand, a recovery rate of 40% after 6 days was observed in the fish group that were fed lysozyme-palmitic acid conjugate 3 and 2 h before and after E. tarda challenge, respectively, and for 6 consecutive days. The results of this work show the possibility of utilizing lysozyme conjugates with galactomannan or palmitic acid as a therapeutic for infection in fish.

Comparative studies of phosvitin from chicken and salmon egg yolk

1. A method developed for the isolation of phosvitin from chicken egg yolk was successfully applied to the isolation of phosvitin from salmon eggs. 2. Salmon roe phosvitin is smaller in molecular size than chicken egg phosvitin. 3. Circular dichroism spectra of all phosvitins investigated displayed good similarities with spectra showing characteristics of unordered and beta-sheet secondary structure. 4. The main component in the Fourier transform infrared spectra of chicken egg phosvitin is indicative of unordered conformation, whereas the Fourier infrared data of the salmon egg phosvitin are consistent with more of beta-sheet structure compared to the chicken egg phosvitin.