Modelling the effects of pecan nut [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K.Koch], roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), and salt on the quality characteristics of beef patties

The meat industry has become increasingly interested in developing products containing new ingredients oriented to consumers’ health. Health benefits are gained from frequent consumption of pecan nut and roselle, which can therefore be used as ingredients in meat product formulations. However, incorporating novel ingredients or reducing the content of traditional ingredients might affect meat product quality, thus needs to be evaluated and optimised for the development of functional foods. The objective of the present work was to assess how pecan nut (0 to 10%), roselle (0 to 2%), and salt (0 to 2%) affect the physicochemical properties, antioxidant, and sensory characteristics of beef patties, and use response surface methodology to optimise the content of these ingredients in a meat product formulation. Regression models were developed to predict quality properties. All models were significant (p < 0.05) with an R2 > 0.85 and a nonsignificant lack of fit (p > 0.05), thus indicating that these models could adequately predict response variables. The optimised formulation was 7.97% pecan nut, 1.59% roselle, and 1.08% salt. The predicted physicochemical properties were L* = 42.88, a* = 12.29, b* = 8.51, pH = 5.10, and cooking loss = 24.66%; the antioxidant properties were DPPH = 0.53 mg TE/g fp, ABTS = 0.65 mg TE/g fp, and total phenolic content = 0.46 mg GA/g fp; and the sensory properties were flavour = 7.03, tenderness = 6.98, and juiciness = 7.01. Pecan nut and roselle are promising natural ingredients that can be used to prepare low-salt beef patties.

Effect of ethanolic extract of rosella (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) on vital signs, kidney, and liver safety

Introduction: Rosella (Hibiscus sabdariffa L) extract is often used as immune-stimulant because it contains flavonoids, especially anthocyanin and quercetin with antioxidant activities.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the safety of the rosella extract consumed in the form of capsules on the vital signs, haematologic parameters as well as kidney and liver function.

Methods: This research was conducted using clinical trial pre- and post-test design in healthy participants. There were 21 healthy participants (52% male, age ranged 8–45) consuming rosella capsules for thirty days, in a dose of 500 mg extract daily. Leukocytes, lymphocytes, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and vital signs were consecutively evaluated on days 0, 31, and 45, respectively. The Wilcoxon and paired sample t-test were used to compare the parameters among the evaluated times.

Results: The result showed that no significant difference for all parameters among the three time points (p>0.05).

Conclusion: These findings suggested that the administration of ethanolic extract of rosella is potential safe and does not negatively affect the vital signs, haemoglobin, leukocytes, lymphocytes, BUN, SGOT, and SGPT.

Proximate, mineral, and anti-nutrient compositions of underutilized plants of Ethiopia: Figl (Raphanus sativus L.), Girgir (Eruca sativa L) and Karkade (Hibiscus sabdariffa): Implications for in-vitro mineral bioavailability

In Ethiopia, particularly in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, there are several underutilized plants like Figl (Raphanus sativus), Girgir (Eruca sativa) and Karkade (Hibiscus sabdariffa) which are cultivated and consumed only by the local communities. However, information on nutrient, anti-nutrient contents and mineral bioavailability of edible parts of these plants are limited. Given this, leaves and roots of Figl, leaves of Girgir, calyces and seeds of Karkade were evaluated for their proximate, mineral and anti-nutrient contents following the standard analytical methods. The result on dry matter basis revealed that protein contents (26.32 g/100 g) were high for brown seeds of Karkade, dried leaves of Figl (26.71 g/100 g) and Girgir (24.23 g/100 g). The fat and energy contents were high for seeds of Karkade (15.58-18.00 g/100 g; 371.64-376.69 kcal/100 g). The fiber content was high for dried leaves of Figl (28.39 g/100 g) and low for calyces of Karkade (15.33-16.54 g/100 g). There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in terms of mineral contents. The dried leaves of Figl were high in calcium, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus contents while dried leaves of Girgir were high in iron and zinc contents. With exception of oxalate content, seeds of Karkade were low in tannin, phytate and alkaloid. The phytate: mineral ratio analysis showed the bioavailability of iron is likely to be inhibited from roots of Figl and calyces of Karkade; zinc bioavailability from calyces of Karkade which suggests processing for phytate reduction is important. The result showed the seeds of Karkade are good sources of protein, fat and energy with low antinutritional contents that may favor mineral bioavailability with potential for utilization in baby food formulations to alleviate protein energy malnutrition. The leaves of Figl and Girgir can also be exploited in different food formulations to improve macro and micronutrient deficiency.