Blue Whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) Protein Hydrolysates Increase GLP-1 Secretion and Proglucagon Production in STC-1 Cells Whilst Maintaining Caco-2/HT29-MTX Co-Culture Integrity.

Inducing the feeling of fullness via the regulation of satiety hormones presents an effective method for reducing excess energy intake and, in turn, preventing the development of obesity. In this study, the ability of blue whiting soluble protein hydrolysates (BWSPHs) and simulated gastrointestinal digested (SGID) BWSPHs, to modulate the secretion and/or production of satiety hormones, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), cholecystokinin (CCK) and peptide YY (PYY), was assessed in murine enteroendocrine STC-1 cells. All BWSPHs (BW-SPH-A to BW-SPH-F) (1.0% w/v dw) increased active GLP-1 secretion and proglucagon production in STC-1 cells compared to the basal control (Krebs-Ringer buffer) (p < 0.05). The signaling pathway activated for GLP-1 secretion was also assessed. A significant increase in intracellular calcium levels was observed after incubation with all BWSPHs (p < 0.05) compared with the control, although none of the BWSPHs altered intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) concentrations. The secretagogue effect of the leading hydrolysate was diminished after SGID. Neither pre- nor post-SGID hydrolysates affected epithelial barrier integrity or stimulated interleukin (IL)-6 secretion in differentiated Caco-2/HT-29MTX co-cultured cells. These results suggest a role for BWSPH-derived peptides in satiety activity; however, these peptides may need to be protected by some means to avoid loss of activity during gastrointestinal transit.

High-Pressure Processing on Whole and Peeled Potatoes: Influence on Polyphenol Oxidase, Antioxidants, and Glycaemic Indices.

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) inactivation in five whole and peeled Irish potato cultivars was investigated using high-pressure processing (HPP) at 400 MPa and 600 MPa for 3 min. PPO activity was significantly lower in most of the HPP-treated samples, while the highest PPO inactivation was observed after HPP at 600 MPa. No significant (p > 0.05) changes were observed on the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of all the HPP-treated potatoes. Regarding individual phenolic acids, chlorogenic acid was decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in all studied varieties with a concomitant increase (p < 0.05) in caffeic and quinic acid. Similarly, ferulic acid was also increased (p < 0.05) in all studied varieties after the HPP treatment, while there was a variation in rutin and 4-coumaric acid levels depending on the cultivar and the sample type. Anthocyanins in the coloured whole potato varieties (i.e., Kerr's Pink and Rooster), tentatively identified as pelargonidin-O-ferulorylrutinoside-O-hexoside and pelargonidin-O-rutinoside-O-hexoside, also exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels in the HPP-treated samples as opposed to those untreated. Glycaemic indices of the potatoes treated with HPP did not differ with the corresponding untreated cultivars.

The impact of thermal processing on the simulated infant gastrointestinal digestion, bactericidal and anti-inflammatory activity of bovine lactoferrin - An in vitro study.

Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional glycoprotein which, when thermally processed, undergoes significant physicochemical changes. The link between such changes and the bioactivity of LF is not well characterised and requires much research. In this work, bovine LF solutions (1%, w/v, protein, pH 7) were thermally processed using high temperature short time conditions (72, 80, 85 or 95 °C with 15 s holding times). Following this, it was shown that LF and heat induced LF aggregates were largely resistant to simulated infant gastric, but not intestinal, digestion. Also, the efficacy of LF bactericidal activity, and inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced NF-κB activation were negatively impacted by thermal processing. This study confirmed that the efficacy of LF bio-functionalities was affected by the extent of heat-induced changes in protein structure whereby processing conditions of least severity (i.e. pasteurisation) had the least impact on bioactivity.

Carotenoids: Considerations for Their Use in Functional Foods, Nutraceuticals, Nutricosmetics, Supplements, Botanicals, and Novel Foods in the Context of Sustainability, Circular Economy, and Climate Change.

Carotenoids are versatile isoprenoids that are important in food quality and health promotion. There is a need to establish recommended dietary intakes/nutritional reference values for carotenoids. Research on carotenoids in agro-food and health is being propelled by the two multidisciplinary international networks, the Ibero-American Network for the Study of Carotenoids as Functional Foods Ingredients (IBERCAROT; http://www.cyted.org) and the European Network to Advance Carotenoid Research and Applications in Agro-Food and Health (EUROCAROTEN; http://www.eurocaroten.eu). In this review, considerations for their safe and sustainable use in products mostly intended for health promotion are provided. Specifically, information about sources, intakes, and factors affecting bioavailability is summarized. Furthermore, their health-promoting actions and importance in public health in relation to the contribution of reducing the risk of diverse ailments are synthesized. Definitions and regulatory and safety information for carotenoid-containing products are provided. Lastly, recent trends in research in the context of sustainable healthy diets are summarized.

A Marine-Derived, Multi-mineral Supplement Influences Bacterial Fermentation and Short Chain Fatty Acid Profile In Vitro.

Aquamin is a calcium-rich multi-mineral supplement derived from the red marine algae, Lithothamnion species. Calcium supplementation has been shown to exert a prebiotic-like effect on the gut microbiota and has been associated with distinct changes in lactate and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) subtype is associated with changes in SCFA levels compared with healthy controls. Using an ex vivo simulation model, and a fecal inoculum from a patient diagnosed with IBS, we evaluated the effects of Aquamin (at 6 and 30 mg/mL) on SCFAs and lactate production, pH and gas production, and human microbiota composition. Our results demonstrate that Aquamin increased SCFA production (acetate and propionate by 8% and 24%, respectively, at 30 mg/mL dose), significantly decreased lactate production (30 mg/mL), and increased colonic fluid pH without inducing changes in colonic gas production or gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota composition. These results indicate that Aquamin may play a role in optimizing GI microbial function in an ex vivo setting.

Development of a dehydrated fortified food base from fermented milk and parboiled wheat, and comparison of its composition and reconstitution behavior with those of commercial dried dairy-cereal blends.

Dehydrated blends of milk and cereal are reconstituted and consumed as a nutritious soup or porridge in many regions; the composition and reconstitution behavior of the blends are likely to impact on nutritional quality and consumer acceptability of the soup/porridge. Experimental samples of dried fermented milk-bulgur wheat blend (FMBW) and commercial samples of dried dairy-cereal blends, namely kishk, tarhana, and super cereal plus corn-soy blend (SCpCSB) were compared for composition, color, water sorption, and reconstitution characteristics. FMBW blends had higher contents of protein, Ca, lactose and lactic acid, lower levels of salt (NaCl) and Fe, and a lighter, more-yellow color (higher L* and b*-color co-ordinates) than tarhana or kishk. Compared with SCpCSB, FMBW had numerically higher levels of protein, lactose, and lactic acid, lower levels of Ca, Fe, Zn, and Mg, and lower pH. Tarhana had highest mean levels of starch, and on reconstitution (133 g/kg) had highest water holding capacity, viscosity during pasting and cooling, yield stress (σ 0), consistency coefficient (K), and viscosity on shearing from 20 to 120 s-1 at 60°C. Reconstituted FMBW, kishk, and SCpCSB had similar pasting and flow behavior properties. Overall, the composition (starch, protein, Ca, Mg), pasting and flow behavior characteristics of FMBW were closer to those SCpCSB and kishk than to tarhana. The results suggest that the FMBW powder, on appropriate supplementation with Ca, Fe, Zn and Mg, could be used for the development of customized fortified blended foods for specific groups.

Fortified Blended Food Base: Effect of Co-Fermentation Time on Composition, Phytic Acid Content and Reconstitution Properties.

Dehydrated blends of dairy-cereal combine the functional and nutritional properties of two major food groups. Fortified blended food base (FBFB) was prepared by blending fermented milk with parboiled wheat, co-fermenting the blend at 35 °C, shelf-drying and milling. Increasing co-fermentation time from 0 to 72 h resulted in powder with lower lactose, phytic acid and pH, and higher contents of lactic acid and galactose. Simultaneously, the pasting viscosity of the reconstituted base (16.7%, w/w, total solids) and its yield stress (σ0), consistency index (K) and viscosity on shearing decreased significantly. The changes in some characteristics (pH, phytic acid, η120) were essentially complete after 24 h co-fermentation while others (lactose, galactose and lactic acid, pasting viscosities, flowability) proceeded more gradually over 72 h. The reduction in phytic acid varied from 40 to 58% depending on the pH of the fermented milk prior to blending with the parboiled cereal. The reduction in phytic acid content of milk (fermented milk)-cereal blends with co-fermentation time is nutritionally desirable as it is conducive to an enhanced bioavailability of elements, such as Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn in milk-cereal blends, and is especially important where such blends serve as a base for fortified-blended foods supplied to food-insecure regions.

Characterisation of the in vitro bioactive properties of alkaline and enzyme extracted brewers' spent grain protein hydrolysates.

Brewer's spent grain (BSG) is a co-product of the brewing industry that has been shown to contain a range of bioactive peptides encrypted within its protein sequences. Two methods were evaluated herein to generate bioactive peptides; (i) an alkaline extracted BSG protein rich fraction (BSG-PI) was hydrolysed using different combinations of proteolytic enzymes and (ii) BSG was pre-treated with carbohydrases followed by direct hydrolysis using proteolytic enzymes (BSG-DH). BSG-DH with Alcalase/Flavourzyme resulted in significantly higher (p < .05) protein yield when compared to BSG-PI (63.09 ±â€¯0.27 and 58.90 ±â€¯1.45%, respectively). The antioxidant activities (ORAC, FRAP and ABTS) of the BSG-PI and -DH hydrolysates differed depending on the assay and proteolytic enzyme combination preparations used for hydrolysis. Inhibition of DPP-IV by the BSG-PI hydrolysates ranged from 87.01 ±â€¯0.15 to 89.61 ±â€¯0.12% while inhibition by the BSG-DH hydrolysates ranged from 35.71 ±â€¯0.72 to 85.06 ±â€¯0.17%. A significant reduction in the release of interleukin-6 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells was observed following treatment with BSG-PI hydrolysates generated with Prolyve/Protease P (58.30 ±â€¯13.76%) and Corolase PP/Flavourzyme (48.02 ±â€¯10.82%) when compared to untreated LPS stimulated control cells (100%). BSG-DH hydrolysates were subjected to in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGID) which resulted in a reduction in antioxidant activity, an increase in DPP-IV inhibition and no change in the immunomodulatory activity. Ultrafiltration of selected BSG-DH hydrolysates (through 30 and 10 kDa membranes) gave some permeates with enhanced bioactivities. The results demonstrate that direct enzymatic hydrolysis of BSG is a feasible approach for the generation of bioactive peptides without the prior use of an alkali protein extraction step.

Comparison of the nutritional composition of experimental fermented milk:wheat bulgur blends and commercially available kishk and tarhana products.

Dried, fermented blends of dairy products and cereals, such as kishk and tarhana, are foodstuffs traditionally consumed in many regions as they possess good nutritional qualities and extended storage stability. This study examined the nutritional composition of kishk or tarhana type products and compared with experimental blends of fermented milk and wheat bulgur containing 60-80% milk. The blends with higher milk contents had levels of protein (18.9%) and fat (5.8%) at the concentrations specified in fortified blended foods as outlined by the World Food Program. Higher milk contents were also associated with higher contents of calcium (323.2 mg/100 g), phosphorus (335.3 mg/100 g), vitamin A (486.7 µg/100 g) and α-tocopherol (174.5 µg/100 g). The nutritional content of the experimental fermented milk:wheat bulgur blends compared favourably with that of the commercial samples. These blends may be suitable as base products, to be fortified with micronutrients, for the development of fortified blended foods (FBFs) for humanitarian distribution.

Antifungal activity of a de novo synthetic peptide and derivatives against fungal food contaminants.

The development of novel solutions to fight microbial food contaminants rests upon two pillars, which are the development of resistant strains and consumers' desire for a reduced consumption of synthetic drugs. Natural antimicrobial peptides possess the qualities to overcome these issues. De novo synthesis of novel antifungal compounds is a major progress that has been facilitated by the identification of parameters involved in the antimicrobial activity. A 14-residue peptide named KK14, with the sequence KKFFRAWWAPRFLK-NH2 , was designed and inhibited conidial germination and fungal growth of food contaminants within the range 6.25 to 50 µg/ml and 6.25 to 100 µg/ml, respectively. The study of three analogues of the peptide highlighted the role of some residues in the structural conformation of the peptide and its antifungal activity. The substitution of a Pro residue with Arg increased the helical content of the peptide not only its antifungal activity but also its cytotoxicity. The insertion of an unnatural bulky residue ß-diphenylalanine or a full d-enantiomerization overall increased the antifungal potency. The four peptides showed similar behaviour towards salt increase, heat treatment, and pH decrease. Interestingly, the denantiomer remained the most active at high pH and after proteolytic digestion. The four peptides did not present haemolytic activity up to 200 µg/ml but had different behaviours of cytotoxicity. These differences could be crucial for potential application as pharmaceutical or food preservatives.

Cereal type significantly affects the composition and reconstitution characteristics of dried fermented milk-cereal composites.

BACKGROUND: Dairy and cereal products are frequently combined to create composites with enhanced nutritional benefits. Commercially available dried dairy-cereal composites are typically reconstituted and cooked to produce porridge or soup. RESULTS: Dried fermented milk-cereal composites (FMCC) with ∼193 g kg-1 protein were prepared by blending fermented milk with parboiled oats (FMCCo), wheat (FMCCw), or barley (FMCCb), incubating the blend, drying, and milling. Cereal type significantly affected the composition of the FMCC and the properties of the reconstituted, cooked FMCC (R-FMCC). The FMCCo had a higher starch and fat content and lower levels of lactose, lactic acid, and amylose than FMCCb. The R-FMCCo had higher viscosity during cooking at 95 °C and cooling to 35 °C, and higher values of yield stress (σ0 ), consistency index (K) and viscosity on shearing from 20 to 120 s-1 at 60 °C than R-FMCCb. The FMCCw had lower levels of fat and ß-glucan than FMCCo or FMCCb, but was otherwise closer to FMMCb with respect to composition, cooking properties and flow behavior. CONCLUSION: Differences in composition and consistency associated with cereal type are likely to affect the nutritional value of the FMCC. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

The Proportion of Fermented Milk in Dehydrated Fermented Milk⁻Parboiled Wheat Composites Significantly Affects Their Composition, Pasting Behaviour, and Flow Properties on Reconstitution.

Dairy and cereal are frequently combined to create composite foods with enhanced nutritional benefits. Dehydrated fermented milk⁻wheat composites (FMWC) were prepared by blending fermented milk (FM) and parboiled wheat (W), incubating at 35 °C for 24 h, drying at 46 °C for 48 h, and milling to 1 mm. Increasing the weight ratio of FM to W from 1.5 to 4.0 resulted in reductions in total solids (from 96 to 92%) and starch (from 52 to 39%), and increases in protein (15.2⁻18.9%), fat (3.7⁻5.9%), lactose (6.4⁻11.4%), and lactic acid (2.7⁻4.2%). FMWC need to be reconstituted prior to consumption. The water-holding capacity, pasting viscosity, and setback viscosity of the reconstituted FMWC (16.7% total solids) decreased with the ratio of FM to W. The reconstituted FMWC exhibited pseudoplastic flow behaviour on shearing from 18 to 120 s-1. Increasing the FM:W ratio coincided with a lower yield stress, consistency index, and viscosity at 120 s-1. The results demonstrate the critical impact of the FM:W ratio on the composition, pasting behavior, and consistency of the reconstituted FMWC. The difference in consistency associated with varying the FM:W ratio is likely to impact on satiety and nutrient value of the FMWCs.

Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability of a Marine-Derived Multimineral, Aquamin-Magnesium.

Introduction: Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in a range of key biochemical pathways. Several magnesium supplements are present on the market and their degree of bioavailability differs depending on the form of magnesium salt used. Aquamin-Mg is a natural source of magnesium, containing 72 additional trace minerals derived from the clean waters off the Irish coast. However, the in vitro bioaccessibility and bioavailability of Aquamin-Mg in comparison with other supplement sources of magnesium has yet to be tested. Method: Aquamin-Mg, magnesium chloride (MgCl2) and magnesium oxide (MgO) were subjected to gastrointestinal digestion according to the harmonized INFOGEST in vitro digestion method and in vitro bioavailability tested using the Caco-2 cell model. Magnesium concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Results: Magnesium recovery from both Aquamin-Mg and MgCl2 was greater than for MgO. Magnesium from all three sources was transported across the epithelial monolayer with Aquamin-Mg displaying a comparable profile to the more bioavailable MgCl2. Conclusions: Our data support that magnesium derived from a marine-derived multimineral product is bioavailable to a significantly greater degree than MgO and displays a similar profile to the more bioavailable MgCl2 and may offer additional health benefits given its multimineral profile.

Concurrent iron and zinc deficiencies in lactating mothers and their children 6-23 months of age in two agro-ecological zones of rural Ethiopia.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to examine the co-occurrences of low serum ferritin and zinc and anaemia among mothers and their children in two agro-ecological zones of rural Ethiopia. METHODS: Data were collected from 162 lactating mothers and their breast fed children aged 6-23 months. The data were collected via a structured interview, anthropometric measurements, and blood tests for zinc, ferritin and anaemia. Correlation, Chi-square and multivariable analysis were used to determine the association between nutritional status of mothers and children, and agro-ecological zones. RESULTS: Low serum levels of iron and zinc, anaemia and iron deficiency anaemia were found in 44.4, 72.2, 52.5 and 29.6% of children and 19.8, 67.3, 21.8, 10.5% of mothers, respectively. There was a strong correlation between the micronutrient status of the mothers and the children for ferritin, zinc and anaemia (p < 0.005). Deficiency in both zinc and ferritin and one of the two was observed in 19.1, and 53.7% of the mothers and 32.7 and 46.3%, of their children, respectively. In the 24 h before the survey, 82.1% of mothers and 91.9% of their infants consumed foods that can decrease zinc bioavailability while only 2.5% of mothers and 3.7% of their infants consumed flesh foods. CONCLUSION: This study shows that micronutrient deficiencies were prevalent among lactating mothers and their children, with variation in prevalence across the agro-ecological zones. This finding calls for a need to design effective preventive public health nutrition programs to address both the mothers' and their children's needs.

Antioxidant activities and selected characteristics of gelatin hydrolysates from seabass (Lates calcarifer) skin as affected by production processes.

Antioxidant activities and selected characteristics of gelatin hydrolysates from seabass skin as affected by production processes were investigated. Hydrolysates were prepared using different processes, including hydrolysis during and after gelatin extraction. Samples hydrolysed during gelatin extraction showed a higher degree of hydrolysis (DH) and yield compared with those hydrolysed after gelatin extraction (p < 0.05). All hydrolysates had a creamy yellowish colour. A lower abundance of volatile compounds was found in the hydrolysates produced during gelatin extraction, in comparison with those obtained after gelatin extraction. Hydrolysates prepared during gelatin extraction had higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidative power (FRAP) and ferrous ion chelating activity (p < 0.05). Following a simulated in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, the DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP of the hydrolysates was retained, whilst ferrous ion chelating activity increased. The most appropriate conditions for the generation of antioxidant hydrolysates from seabass skin were identified.

Levels of potential bioactive compounds including carotenoids, vitamin C and phenolic compounds, and expression of their cognate biosynthetic genes vary significantly in different varieties of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) grown under uniform cultural conditions.

BACKGROUND: In addition to their high carbohydrate content, potatoes are also an important dietary source of vitamin C and bioactive secondary metabolites, including phenolic compounds and carotenoids, which have been suggested to play a role in human health. The expression of genes encoding key enzymes involved in the synthesis of these compounds was assessed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and compared to the accumulation of the corresponding product in seven potato varieties showing contrasting levels of metabolite accumulation. RESULTS: Strong positive correlations were found between phenolic content in the flesh of tubers and transcript levels of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and chalcone synthase (CHS) genes. The expression of PAL and CHS was also related to that of AN1, a transcription factor involved in the synthesis of anthocyanins, suggesting that these genes are regulated in a coordinated manner. No clear relationship was found between transcript levels of phytoene synthase (PSY) or L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (GLDH) genes and total carotenoid or vitamin C accumulation, respectively. CONCLUSION: Data indicate that levels of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds in potato are controlled primarily by PAL and CHS gene expression. Transcript levels of PSY and GLDH did not control accumulation of carotenoids or vitamin C.

Anemia and undernutrition among children aged 6-23 months in two agroecological zones of rural Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Child malnutrition during the first 1,000 days, commencing at conception, can have lifetime consequences. This study assesses the prevalence of anemia and undernutrition among children aged 6-23 months in midland and lowland agroecological zones of rural Ethiopia. METHODS: Cross-sectional data examining sociodemographic, anthropometry, hemoglobin levels, and meal frequency indicators were collected from 216 children aged 6-23 months and their mothers randomly selected from eight rural kebele (villages). RESULTS: Of 216 children, 53.7% were anemic, and 39.8%, 26.9%, and 11.6% were stunted, underweight, and wasted, respectively. The prevalence of anemia was higher in the lowland agroecological zone (59.5%) than the midland (47.6%). Among those children who were stunted, underweight, and wasted, 63.5%, 66.7%, and 68.0% were anemic, respectively. Child anemia was significantly associated with the child not achieving minimum meal frequency, sickness during the last 2 weeks before the survey, stunting and low body mass index, and with maternal hemoglobin and handwashing behavior. The prevalence of stunting was higher in the lowland agroecological zone (42.3%) than the midland (36.2%). The predictors of stunting were age and sex of the child, not achieving MMF, maternal body mass index, and age. As maternal height increases, the length for age of the children increases (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of anemia and undernutrition among children aged 6-23 months in these study areas is very high. The prevalence was higher in the lowland agro-ecological zone. Health information strategies focusing on both maternal and children nutrition could be sensible approaches to minimize stunting and anemia.

Cellular Transport and Bioactivity of a Major Saffron Apocarotenoid, Picrocrocin (4-(ß-D-Glucopyranosyloxy)-2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde).

The cellular transport and bioactivity of the second major saffron apocarotenoid, picrocrocin, was examined in parallel to that of the major group, crocetin sugar esters, in aqueous extracts. The transport of pure picrocrocin was investigated in comparison to that of other saffron apocarotenoids, trans-crocetin (di-ß-D-gentiobiosyl) ester and crocetin using the Caco-2 cell model coupled with an in vitro digestion procedure. RP-HPLC-DAD was employed to quantify the bioaccessible and bioavailable amounts of individual apocarotenoids. Picrocrocin and crocetin sugar esters though highly bioaccessible (75% and 60%, respectively) were transported at minute quantities (0.2% and 0.5%, respectively; 10-fold lower than crocetin). Picrocrocin did not protect against oxidant-induced DNA damage in U937, human monocytic blood cells at the concentration investigated, however, it reduced the proliferation of human adenocarcinoma and hepatocarcinoma cells. Our findings may be useful for the requirements of food legislation regarding saffron preparations, in which both apocarotenoid groups coexist.

Immunomodulatory potential of a brewers' spent grain protein hydrolysate incorporated into low-fat milk following in vitro gastrointestinal digestion.

Brewers' spent grain (BSG) protein rich fraction was previously hydrolysed using Alcalase (U) and three additional fractions were prepared by membrane fractionation; a 5-kDa retentate (U > 5), a 5-kDa permeate (U < 5) and a 3-kDa permeate (U < 3). In the present study, these fractions were added to milk, subjected to simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGID) and their anti-inflammatory potential was investigated. The digestates caused a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in Concanavalin-A (ConA)-stimulated Jurkat T cells. The samples did not significantly alter the production of IL-6 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. IL-2 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production in stimulated Jurkat T cells and IL-1ß and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production in stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were not affected in the presence of the digestates. Results show that a SGID milk product supplemented with BSG hydrolysate and its associated ultrafiltered fractions can confer anti-inflammatory effects in Jurkat T cells.

Seasonal variation in nutritional status and anemia among lactating mothers in two agro-ecological zones of rural Ethiopia: A longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine seasonal and agro-ecological variations in nutritional status, anemia, and associated factors among lactating women in rural Ethiopia. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal study with 216 mothers in pre- and postharvest seasons in two agro-ecological zones of rural Ethiopia. We conducted interviews using a structured questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and blood tests for anemia. We used multivariable linear regression models to identify independent predictors. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia increased from postharvest (21.8%) to preharvest seasons (40.9%). Increases were from 8.6% to 34.4% in midland and from 34.2% to 46.3% in lowland agro-ecological zones. Of the mothers, 15% were anemic during both seasons. The prevalence of undernutrition, assessed using body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m(2), increased from 41.7% to 54.7% between the two seasons. Prevalence of maternal mid upper arm circumferences <22 cm also increased from 43.1% to 55.2% during the preharvest season. The seasonal effect was generally more pronounced in the midland community for all forms of malnutrition. Predictors of anemia were high parity of mother and low dietary diversity. Parity, number of children under the age of 5 y, and regional variation were predictors of low BMI among lactating mothers. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of malnutrition and anemia was significantly influenced by variations in season and agro-ecological zones. Interventions focused on agro-ecology and seasonal variation should be considered in addition to current strategies to alleviate malnutrition in lactating mothers.