Evaluation of fatty acid and mineral content of Tanzanian seeds and oils

Nutritional Value and Modelling of Carotenoids Extraction from Pumpkin (Cucurbita Moschata) Peel Flour By-Product

By-products from fruits and vegetables are slices and peels that have been removed or rejected by the food industry and are considered to have low commercial value. Pumpkin peel is a source of carotenoids, minerals, antioxidants and phenolic compounds. This work studied the nutritional value of pumpkin peel flours produced by convective drying (40 °C) and milling. Pumpkin peel flours contained high contents of insoluble fibres (24.46 g/100 g), potassium (19.1 g/kg) and iron (152.5 mg/kg). Carotenoids were extracted using hexane at 40 °C, and flour particles were classified by 35-, 80- and 100-mesh sieves. The total carotenoids content ranged from 216.9 to 306.8 μg/g. Fick’s second law model computed that 215 min was required to extract 99 % of the total carotenoids. This work evidenced the effects of particle size on carotenoids extraction efficiency and demonstrated that pumpkin by-product flour could be used as a food ingredient or natural dye.

Quantification of fatty acid and mineral levels of selected seeds, nuts, and oils in Northern Ghana

The purpose of this study was to identify locally available foods that can be utilized by Northern Ghanaians to improve child growth status. An assortment of seeds, nuts and oils were collected from a local market, packaged in plastic containers, and shipped to the US for all analyses. Fatty acids (FAs) were extracted and derivatized to FA methyl esters prior to quantification by GC/MS. ANOVA were conducted on FA concentrations and Tukey's post hoc test was used to compare FA content. Food grade oils, particularly palm oil and shea butter, contained higher saturated and monounsaturated FAs than seeds or nuts. Soybean, was significantly higher in the essential omega-3 FA alpha-linolenic acid (2.98 mg/g), whereas neri seed (68.4 mg/g) and fermented dawadawa (seed; 56.3 mg/g) had significantly higher amounts of total polyunsaturated FAs than all other foods. Iron levels in soybean (353 mg/kg), neri (282 mg/kg) and fermented dawadawa (165 mg/kg) were also the highest of all foods. Together, these foods may be useful for future intervention to curb stunting and iron-deficiency anemia.

Essential elements, oil and protein contents of sunflower hybrids grown in Brazil

Abstract In this research the mineral elements and the oil and protein contents of thirteen sunflower hybrids grown in Brazil, were studied. In addition, the possibility of jointly obtaining products with high productivity and high oil and protein contents was evaluated. The research showed high achene productivity, exceeding the national average, mainly by the hybrids BRS G44, SYN 045 and M 734. It should be taken into account that some hybrids, such as NTC 90, despite their high productivity, are not suitable for production when the purpose is to obtain oil and protein meal. The hybrid BRS G46 presented high oil and protein contents. On the other hand, SYN 065 was the least productive (808.10 kg ha-1) and, despite the fact that this hybrid showed an above average oil content, it showed the lowest protein content of the grains analysed. In general, the samples analysed had higher concentrations of K, Mg, S, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cr, Ni and Cu, whereas the mineral contents of Mo, Co and Se were present at lower levels. The hybrid BRS G45 indicated the presence of larger amounts of elements at higher concentrations, such as: Mg, S, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn, followed by BRS G44, which showed higher contents of Mg, Cr, Mn, Fe and Ni. The characterization of the Brazilian hybrids in this study allowed for their differentiation for specific purposes and the possibility of oil production combinations, producing oils with characteristics that make them apt for alternative uses of their by-products (such as the hybrid BRS G46), this being a great opportunity to increase the farm income.

Whole blood n-3 fatty acids are associated with executive function in 2-6-year-old Northern Ghanaian children

Several studies demonstrate the importance of essential fatty acids (EFAs), and the long chain polyunsaturated FA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on cognition and brain development. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between whole-blood FAs and executive function in children from Northern Ghana. A total of 307, 2-to-6-year-old children attempted the dimensional change card sort (DCCS) task to assess executive function, and dried blood spot samples were collected and analyzed for FA content. Significant differences in mean % total whole-blood fatty acids were observed between children who could not follow directions on the DCCS test (49.8% of the sample) and those who could (50.2% of the sample). Positive associations with DCCS performance were observed for DHA (β=0.25, P=.06), total n-3 (β=0.17, P=.06) and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA; β=0.60, P=.06). Children with the highest levels of total n-3 and DHA were three and four times, respectively, more likely to pass at least one condition of the DCCS test of executive function than those with the lowest DHA levels. The results of this study indicate an association between n-3 FAs and high-level cognitive processes in children two to six years of age, providing impetus for further studies into possible interventions to improve EFA status of children in developing countries.