Current and potential role of grain legumes on protein and micronutrient adequacy of the diet of rural Ghanaian infants and young children: using linear programming

Micronutrient intake inadequacies in Northwest Ethiopian children aged 6-23 months

The early stages of childhood are a crucial period of life for health, with inadequate nutrition impacting physical growth, cognitive development, and the immune system. A considerable proportion of children are affected by micronutrient intake inadequacy and deficiency across the globe. Evidence on micronutrient intake among children aged 6-23 months is limited in Northwest Ethiopia, where there is a divergence between production and dietary consumption practices compared to other regions of the country. This study aimed to determine micronutrient inadequacy and associated factors among children aged 6-23 months. From February 1 to February 18, 2023, 435 children aged 6-23 months participated in a community-based cross-sectional study in the North Mecha District of the Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia. The study participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique. A multiphasic interactive 24-h dietary recall was used to collect dietary intake data via an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The interviews were conducted with the mothers of the selected children. Nutrient values for the selected 12 micronutrients were calculated using the NutriSurvey 2007 software and food composition tables from Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Kenya. SPSS version 25 was used for the remaining parts of the analysis. The Nutrient Adequacy Ratio and Mean Adequacy Ratio were calculated to evaluate the nutrient intakes. To identify the factors associated with overall micronutrient intake inadequacy, a binary logistic regression analysis was performed, with statistical significance determined at a p-value < 0.05. The overall prevalence of micronutrient intake inadequacy was 64.7% (95% CI 59.9, 69.2). The odds of inadequacy of micronutrient intake were 2.8 times higher among children aged 6-8 months than children aged 9-23 months (AOR = 2.80, 95% CI 1.71, 4.59). Children with paternal education unable to read and write and primary school incomplete were 3.1 (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI 1.26, 7.70) and 2.4 (AOR = 2.40, 95% CI 1.01, 5.73) times more likely to have micronutrient intake inadequacy, respectively, compared to children with paternal education of primary school completed and above. The likelihood of micronutrient intake inadequacy was 1.8 times higher among children from mothers who had an unfavorable nutrition-related attitude than those from mothers who had a favorable attitude (AOR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.02, 3.05). Inadequate intake of micronutrients was shown to be highly prevalent among children aged 6-23 months. Child age, paternal education, and maternal nutrition-related attitude were significantly associated with micronutrient intake inadequacy. Integrating community-guided nutrition interventions targeting nutrition-related knowledge and attitudes of parents is critical in addressing the inadequate micronutrient intake of children in the study community, where production is not a major problem.

Physico-functional and nutritional characteristics of germinated pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) flour as a functional food ingredient

The study investigated the effect of germination on pigeon pea flour's physico-functional (pH, color, water and oil absorption capacities, swelling and foaming capacities and bulk densities) and proximate, total polyphenols and antioxidant activity. The physico-functional and proximate parameters were determined using standard protocols. The color analysis showed that germination significantly increased the flour samples' lightness (L*) (70.7; p = 0.009) by almost 1.5-fold. Germination resulted in almost 1.1 times higher oil absorption capacity than the control (219.9%; p = 0.022). The foaming capacity of the germinated samples significantly (p = 0.015) increased by 6.4%. Germination significantly reduced the loose bulk density (0.54 vs 0.63; p = 0.012) but significantly increased the tapped bulk density (0.84 vs 0.77; p = 0.002). The germinated samples recorded significantly (1.62%; p = 0.010) lower crude fat, about 1.2 times lower than the raw flour. Germination significantly increased the flour's total ash (4.2% vs 3.6%; p = 0.003) and crude protein (11.6% vs 9.4%; p = 0.047) content. Germinated pigeon pea flour will perform better in formulating baked products, aerated foods and food extenders than non-germinated pigeon pea flour. Hence, the germination of pigeon peas should be encouraged because it harnesses the functional and proximate attributes measured.

Cell Mutagenic Autopolyploidy Enhances Salinity Stress Tolerance in Leguminous Crops

Salinity stress affects plant growth and development by causing osmotic stress and nutrient imbalances through excess Na+, K+, and Cl- ion accumulations that induce toxic effects during germination, seedling development, vegetative growth, flowering, and fruit set. However, the effects of salt stress on growth and development processes, especially in polyploidized leguminous plants, remain unexplored and scantly reported compared to their diploid counterparts. This paper discusses the physiological and molecular response of legumes towards salinity stress-based osmotic and ionic imbalances in plant cells. A multigenic response involving various compatible solutes, osmolytes, ROS, polyamines, and antioxidant activity, together with genes encoding proteins involved in the signal transduction, regulation, and response mechanisms to this stress, were identified and discussed. This discussion reaffirms polyploidization as the driving force in plant evolution and adaptation to environmental stress constraints such as drought, feverish temperatures, and, in particular, salt stress. As a result, thorough physiological and molecular elucidation of the role of gene duplication through induced autopolyploidization and possible mechanisms regulating salinity stress tolerance in grain legumes must be further studied.

Evaluation of YOUTUBE videos on complementary feeding: Content quality and reliability analysis

YouTube is an online platform that parents frequently use to access information on child health. Parents' watching YouTube videos to have information on complementary feeding requires evaluation of the videos regarding child health. This study which was conducted in descriptive design, aimed to analyze YouTube videos' content quality and reliability on complementary feeding. Searched by matching keywords "starting", "beginning", "introducing", "solid food", and "complementary feeding" through boolean operators in the English language on YouTube, on August 2022. The search identified 528 videos related to complementary feeding. Two independent researchers analyzed the content of 61 videos that met the inclusion criteria. The content quality of the videos was evaluated using the Checklist for Complementary Feeding (CCF), which was prepared by researchers in line with international guidelines, the reliability of the videos was analyzed using the DISCERN, and the content quality was evaluated using the Global Quality Score (GQS). Of the 61 videos included, 38 (62.3%) were informative, and 23 (37.7%) were misleading. The kappa value among independent observers was 0.96. The mean GQS, DISCERN, and CCF scores of the videos grouped as informative were significantly higher than the videos grouped as misleading (p = 0.000, p = 0.000, p = 0.000, respectively). There was a significant difference between the mean scores of GQS and DISCERN according to the publication source of the videos (p = 0.033 and p = 0.023, respectively). The GQS and DISCERN mean scores of the Ministrial/Academic/Hospital/Healthcare Institution channel videos were higher than the mean scores of the Individual/Parents content channel videos. Videos on YouTube about complementary feeding have high viewing rates, but also videos that are low in terms of quality and reliability.

The potential contribution of house crickets to the dietary zinc content and nutrient adequacy in young Kenyan children: a linear programming analysis using Optifood

Zn deficiency arising from inadequate dietary intake of bioavailable Zn is common in children in developing countries. Because house crickets are a rich source of Zn, their consumption could be an effective public health measure to combat Zn deficiency. This study used Optifood, a tool based on linear programming analysis, to develop food-based dietary recommendations (FBR) and predict whether dietary house crickets can improve both Zn and overall nutrient adequacy of children's diets. Two quantitative, multi-pass 24-h recalls from forty-seven children aged 2 and 3 years residing in rural Kenya were collected and used to derive model parameters, including a list of commonly consumed foods, median serving sizes and frequency of consumption. Two scenarios were modelled: (i) FBR based on local available foods and (ii) FBR based on local available foods with house crickets. Results revealed that Zn would cease to be a problem nutrient when including house crickets to children's diets (population reference intake coverage for Zn increased from 89 % to 121 % in the best-case scenario). FBR based on both scenarios could ensure nutrient adequacy for all nutrients except for fat, but energy percentage (E%) for fat was higher when house crickets were included in the diet (23 E% v. 19 E%). This manoeuvre, combined with realistic changes in dietary practices, could therefore improve dietary Zn content and ensure adequacy for twelve nutrients for Kenyan children. Further research is needed to render these theoretical recommendations, practical.

Escalate protein plates from legumes for sustainable human nutrition

Protein is one of the most important, foremost, and versatile nutrients in food. The quantity and quality of protein are determinants of its nutritional values. Therefore, adequate consumption of high-quality protein is essential for optimal growth, development, and health of humans. Based on short-term nitrogen balance studies, the Recommended Dietary Allowance of protein for the healthy adult with minimal physical activity is 0.8 g protein/kg body weight (BW) per day. Proteins are present in good quantities in not only animals but also in plants, especially in legumes. With the growing demand for protein, interest in plant proteins is also rising due to their comparative low cost as well as the increase in consumers' demand originating from health and environmental concerns. Legumes are nutrient-dense foods, comprising components identified as "antinutritional factors" that can reduce the bioavailability of macro and micronutrients. Other than nutritive value, the physiochemical and behavioral properties of proteins during processing plays a significant role in determining the end quality of food. The term "complete protein" refers to when all nine essential amino acids are present in the correct proportion in our bodies. To have a balanced diet, the right percentage of protein is required for our body. The consumption of these high protein-containing foods will lead to protein sustainability and eradicate malnutrition. Here, we shed light on major opportunities to strengthen the contribution of diversity in legume crops products to sustainable diets. This review will boost awareness and knowledge on underutilized proteinous foods into national nutritional security programs.

Household-level consumption data can be redistributed for individual-level Optifood diet modeling: analysis from four countries

A barrier to using Optifood linear programming (LP), which identifies nutrient gaps and supports population-specific food-based recommendation (FBR) development, is the requirement for dietary intake data. We investigated whether Household Consumption and Expenditure Surveys (HCESs) could be used instead of individual-level 24-h recalls (24HRs). The 24HR data from 12- to 23-month-old breastfeeding children in rural Kenya, Uganda, Guatemala, and Bangladesh were paired with HCES food consumption data from similar areas (n = 8) and time periods. HCES food intakes (g/week) were estimated using adult male equivalents, adjusted for breastfeeding. Paired HCES- and 24HR-defined LP inputs and outputs were compared using percentage agreement. Mean overall percentage agreements were 42%, 63%, and 80%, for food, food subgroup, and food-group model parameters, respectively. HCES food lists were on average 1.3 times longer than 24HR. Similar nutrient gaps (77-100% agreement), food sources of nutrients (71-100% agreement), and FBRs (80-100% agreement) were identified. The results suggest that HCES data can be used in Optifood analyses for 12- to 23-month-old children, despite recognized challenges of using it to estimate dietary intakes of young children compared with older age groups. Further analyses, however, are required for different age groups and locations to confirm expectations that it would perform equally well.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of asymptomatic malaria and anaemia among school-aged children in Dara Mallo and Uba Debretsehay districts: results from baseline cluster randomized trial

Background

Despite the growing evidence that malaria and anaemia are two interlinked health problems of school-aged children (SAC) in developing countries, there is scarce information about malaria among SAC in Ethiopia. Moreover, anaemia-related studies were more concentrated in easily accessible areas. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of malaria and anaemia and corresponding risk factors among SAC in Dara Mallo and Uba Debretshay districts, in hard to reach areas, so as to inform appropriate integrated interventions for both diseases.

Methods

This study was part of baseline data collected for a cluster-randomized trial registered in Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR202001837195738). Data were collected from 2167 SAC and their households through face-to-face interview; malaria was diagnosed by using rapid diagnostic test (RDT); haemoglobin concentration was determined using hemoCue hb 301 and adjusted for altitude to determine anaemic status; helminth infections were determined by using kato-katz, and anthropometric measurements were made to determine nutritional status of children. Generalized mixed effects logistic regression model was used to assess the association between predictor variables and malaria and anaemia using school as a random variable.

Results

The overall prevalence of malaria was 1.62% (95% CI 1.15–2.27%) (35/2167). Of the 35 children positive for malaria, 20 (57.14%), 3 (8.57%) and 12 (34.29%) were due to Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax and mixed infections of P. falciparum and P. vivax, respectively. Malaria was significantly lower among children from literate household head (Adjusted OR  =  0.38; 95% CI 0.15–0.95) and residence house located at an altitude range above 1100 masl (AOR  =  0.40; 95% CI 0.17–0.94). The prevalence of anaemia was 22.00% (95% CI 20.3–23.8%) (477/2167) and was significantly reduced by eating legumes, nuts or seed group of food in their 24-h dietary diversity recall (AOR  =  0.64; 95% CI 0.41–0.99).

Conclusions

The prevalence of malaria was low and unevenly distributed per school while the overall prevalence of anaemia was moderate. It is important to implement integrated interventions targeting both malaria and anaemia, with special emphasis given to children from illiterate households and living at an altitude below 1100 masl. The micronutrient content of locally grown legumes should be further investigated to recommend specific interventions to overcome anaemia.

Formulation of nutrient enriched germinated wheat and mung-bean based weaning food compare to locally available similar products in Bangladesh

Poor weaning practice and malnutrition among under 5 (yrs) children are still major public health issues in Bangladesh. This study aimed to develop a cheap and nutritious weaning food for the children of Bangladesh. For this purpose, three weaning formulations of Q1, Q2, and Q3 with different ratios of germinated wheat, germinated mung-bean, and soya-bean, and a constant amount of sweet potato, sugar, salt, and milk flavor were processed and evaluated. The prepared formulations were investigated for proximate composition and sensory evaluation and compared with six commercial weaning food products. The proximate composition values indicated that the fat content of formulated foods ranged between 09.29% and 11.40%. The carbohydrate content was ranged between 52.80% and 61.20%, which was low compared with commercial ones. The protein content of the formulated foods was 20.33%-27.70%, and that was approximately two times more than available commercial foods. The energy content was also more than locally available commercial weaning foods, which were 411.40 ± 1.51 kcal to 419.30 ± 1.12 kcal. Sample Q2 had an 8.4 acceptance score in sensory analysis of a 9-point hedonic scale scorecard, which made it more acceptable than the other two samples. The values of mineral elements (Na, K, Fe) were similar to all analyzed varieties of commercial weaning foods. This nutrient-enriched weaning food will easily be affordable for the people of developing countries like Bangladesh. The results showed that the formulated weaning food had the desired characteristics of a weaning food; hence, it could decrease malnutrition in children.

Symbiotic efficiency and genetic characterization of rhizobia and non rhizobial endophytes associated with cowpea grown in semi-arid tropics of Kenya

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is an important multipurpose legume crop grown in arid and semi-arid areas of sub-Saharan Africa. The crop associates with a wide diversity of high ecological value rhizobia bacteria, improving biological soil fertility and crop production. Here, we evaluated the symbiotic efficiency (SE) and genetic diversity of native rhizobia isolated from root nodules of cowpea genotypes cultivated in semi-arid areas of lower Eastern Kenya. Rhizobia trapping and SE experiments were done in the greenhouse while genetic diversity was evaluated based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Twenty morphologically distinct isolates representing a total of 94 isolates were used for genetic analysis. After 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the isolates closely resembled bacteria belonging to the genus Rhizobium, Paraburkholderia and non-rhizobial endophytes (Enterobacter, Strenotrophomonas and Pseudomonas). This study also reports for the first time the presence of an efficient native cowpea nodulating Beta-Rhizobia (Paraburkholderia phenoliruptrix BR3459a) in Africa. Symbiotic efficiency of the native rhizobia isolates varied (p < 0.0001) significantly. Remarkably, two isolates, M2 and M3 recorded higher SE of 82.49 % and 72.76 % respectively compared to the commercial strain Bradyrhizobium sp. USDA 3456 (67.68 %). Our results form an important step in the development of efficient microbial inoculum and sustainable food production.

Effect of high-temperature, short-time cooking conditions on in vitro protein digestibility, enzyme inhibitor activity and amino acid profile of selected legume grains

African yam beans (Sphenostylis stenocarpa), Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean) and Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) flours were extruded in a single screw extruder at two extrusion temperatures; 100 °C and 140 °C, and the effect of extrusion cooking temperature on the chemical composition; crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract and nitrogen-free extracts, protein digestibility, enzyme inhibitor activity and amino acid profiles was investigated. The crude protein, amino acid profile and ether extract of the grain legumes were negatively affected (p < 0.05) by the extrusion cooking process, with a significant increase in nitrogen-free extracts for all grain legumes, and increased crude fibre of Bambara groundnut and Pigeon pea extrudates. Extrusion cooking of African yam beans and Pigeon pea produced extrudates with significantly lower trypsin, chymotrypsin and amylase inhibitor activity as well as improved protein digestibility. However, extrusion cooking did not modify the chymotrypsin and amylase inhibitor activity of Bambara groundnut extrudates. Extrusion cooking at 140 °C compared to 100 °C significantly reduced the protein quality of extrudates resulting in 22.94-51.27%, 5.11-25.18%, and 7.78-38.42% reduction in amino acid concentration of African yam beans, Bambara groundnut and Pigeon pea, respectively.

Historical Reflection of Food Processing and the Role of Legumes as Part of a Healthy Balanced Diet

The purpose of food processing has changed over time. High-intensity industrially processed food often exhibits higher concentrations of added sugar, salt, higher energy, and lower micronutrient density than does similar food or meals prepared at home from raw or minimally processed food. Viewing the evolution of food processing from history, one could make out three major transitions related to human socioeconomic changes. The first transition was marked by the change from hunting and gathering to settled societies with agriculture and livestock farming. The second and third transitions were associated with the Industrial Revolution and with market liberalization, global trade and automation, respectively. The next major transition that will influence food processing and shape human nutrition may include the exploitation of sustainable and efficient protein and food sources that will ensure high-quality food production for the growing world population. Apart from novel food sources, traditional food such as legumes and pulses likewise exhibit great potential to contribute to a healthy balanced diet. The promotion of legumes should be intensified in public dietary guidelines because their consumption is rather low in high-income countries and increasingly displaced as a traditional staple by industrially processed food in low- to middle-income countries.

The role of microRNAs in the legume-Rhizobium nitrogen-fixing symbiosis

Under nitrogen starvation, most legume plants form a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with Rhizobium bacteria. The bacteria induce the formation of a novel organ called the nodule in which rhizobia reside as intracellular symbionts and convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. During this symbiosis, miRNAs are essential for coordinating the various plant processes required for nodule formation and function. miRNAs are non-coding, endogenous RNA molecules, typically 20-24 nucleotides long, that negatively regulate the expression of their target mRNAs. Some miRNAs can move systemically within plant tissues through the vascular system, which mediates, for example, communication between the stem/leaf tissues and the roots. In this review, we summarize the growing number of miRNAs that function during legume nodulation focusing on two model legumes, Lotus japonicus and Medicago truncatula, and two important legume crops, soybean (Glycine max) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). This regulation impacts a variety of physiological processes including hormone signaling and spatial regulation of gene expression. The role of mobile miRNAs in regulating legume nodule number is also highlighted.