A Systematic Review on Gluten-Free Bread Formulations Using Specific Volume as a Quality Indicator.

This study aimed to perform a systematic review on gluten-free bread formulations using specific volumes as a quality indicator. In this systematic review, we identified 259 studies that met inclusion criteria. From these studies, 43 met the requirements of having gluten-free bread with a specific volume greater than or equal to 3.5 cm3/g. Other parameters such as the texture profile, color (crumb and crust), and sensory analysis examined in these studies were presented. The formulations that best compensated the lack of the gluten-network were based on the combination of rice flour, rice flour with low amylose content, maize flour, rice starch, corn starch, potato starch, starch with proteins and added with transglutaminase (TGase), and hydrocolloids like hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC). Of the 43 studies, three did not present risk of bias, and the only parameter evaluated in common in the studies was the specific volume. However, it is necessary to jointly analyze other parameters that contribute to the quality, such as texture profile, external and internal characteristics, acceptability, and useful life of the bread, especially since it is a product obtained through raw materials and unconventional ingredients.

Table of Phenylalanine Content of Foods: Comparative Analysis of Data Compiled in Food Composition Tables.

BACKGROUND: Knowing the phenylalanine (Phe) content of foods is essential for managing the diet of patients with phenylketonuria. Data on the Phe content of foods are scarce and sometimes vary between different Food Composition Tables (FCT). Brazil created its own table of the Phe contents of fruits and vegetables based exclusively on the chemical analysis of protein content, considering that proteins contain 3-4% Phe (TCFA/ANVISA). This study compared the protein and Phe contents of vegetables and fruits provided by the TCFA/ANVISA with those listed in international food composition tables. METHODS: The Phe content of 71 fruits and vegetables listed in TCFA/ANVISA was classified into four subgroups, and the Wilcoxon nonparametric test compared the Phe and mean protein contents provided by the FCTs. All tests considered the bilateral hypothesis, and the level of significance was set at 5%. The Spearman's correlation coefficient measured the statistical dependence between Phe and protein contents. RESULTS: The mean Phe content was <50 mg Phe/100 g for 15 fruits; >50 mg/100 g for 11 type-A vegetables; <50 mg/100 g for 8 type-B vegetables; ≤50 mg/100 g for 7 type-C vegetables. The percentage of Phe in protein varied from 3.13 ± 1.03% to 3.74 ± 2.55% in fruits; 3.33 ± 1.41 to 4.82 ± 1.17 in type-A vegetables; 3.46 ± 1.25% to 4.83 ± 2.46 in type-B vegetables; and 3.14% ± 1.49 to 4.62% ± 2.26 in type-C vegetables. CONCLUSIONS: The Phe and protein contents provided by most FCTs were positively correlated, suggesting that it is possible to estimate the Phe content of fruits by multiplying its protein content by 3%. For type-A, -B, and -C vegetables, 4% may be used.

Protected time for nutrition support teams: What are the benefits?

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nutrition support teams (NSTs) are important and unique entities in acute care hospitals. Despite their utility, NSTs are lacking in the majority of hospitals worldwide and where they exist, most members only spend a fraction of their time working within that role. We aim to evaluate the effect of protected time on NST performance by assessing the influence of structure and process in NST activities. METHODS: All large public hospitals (>250 beds) in the Brazilian Federal District were evaluated with a structured questionnaire designed to assess NST performance. The questionnaire was adapted to include the Donabedian quality processes comprising 54 questions split amongst 6 domains; mainly structure and processes. The percentage of questionnaire compliance (NST outcome) was utilized to assess differences regarding structure and process. Hospitals with protected time to NST activities (Group I) were compared to hospitals without NSTs protected times (Group II). RESULTS: Seven hospitals were assessed. Group I, n = 3, showed a significantly higher performance outcome than Group II, n = 4 (77.9 × 60.3; P = 0.004), and only Group I's score achieved the benchmark for quality standards (75% compliance). Significant differences between groups were also found in structure (P = 0.017) and process (P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that protected time for NST activities is paramount to increase NST performance and could positively influence Donabedian quality indicators. Our results highlight the importance of NSTs in large hospitals and is an advocate for public policies requiring dedicated time for NST work. Only a larger study can confirm our findings.

Informações nutricionais em rótulos de queijos industrializados / Information nutrition in labels of cheeses industrialization

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as informações nutricionais apresentadas nos rótulos de queijos do tipo mussarela, prato, ricota, requeijão e minas frescal. As amostras foram coletadas em supermercados de Brasília-DF, em maio de 2003. Foram analisados 44 rótulos de cinco tipos de queijos, na versão tradicional e light, de doze fabricantes. Os resultados apresentados demonstraram importantes variações nos valores de nutrientes entre fabricantes do mesmo produto e entre os valores apresentados em tabelas de composição de alimentos. Constatou-se ainda, que nos produtos light as mudanças ocorridas nos nutrientes, principalmente gordura total, gordura saturada, colesterol, cálcio e sódio, possuíam valores diferentes entre os fabricantes de um mesmo queijo.

Alimentos, nutriçäo, gastronomia & qualidade de vida / Food, nutrition and quality of life

Trata da relaçäo alimentos, nutriçäo, qualidade de vida. Discute a funcionalidade de açúcares simples, gorduras e temperos na preparaçäo de alimentos. Aborda a importância da gastronomia no desenvolvimento de formulaçöes e na implementaçäo de técnicas de cocçäo que permitam minimizar as concentraçöes de açúcares, gorduras e sal e manter a qualidade sensorial dos alimentos.