Physico-chemical and Sensory Properties of Red Palm Oil-based Ice Cream Using Maltodextrin or Modified Starch as Stabilizers.

This study highlights the use of red palm oil (RPO) as an alternative to dairy fat in a hard ice cream sample in the presence of different stabilizers; maltodextrin (MALTOD) and modified starch (MSTARCH). No stabilizer was added in the control sample (CO), while the different ratios of RPO to each stabilizer were 4:1, 3:2, and 2:3, coded as MALTOD1, MALTOD2, MALTOD3 for maltodextrin, and MSTARCH1, MSTARCH2, and MSTARCH3 for modified starch, respectively. These samples were compared regarding overrun, physical, and sensory properties. For MALTOD, sample MALTOD3 had the highest overrun (49.31±13.78%), while MALTOD2 had the highest viscosity (7.90±0.03 Pa.s) and hardness (1.09±0.07 kg), and MALTOD1 had the lowest melting properties (61.10±0.20%). For MSTARCH, sample MSTARCH1 had the highest hardness (3.39±0.07 kg), MSTARCH2 had the highest overrun (67.64±2.27%), and MSTARCH3 had the highest viscosity (8.19±0.24 Pa.s) and the lowest melting properties (39.83±0.20%). Samples MALTOD3 and MSTARCH1 were selected for comparison with commercial samples in terms of sensory acceptance and preference. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the sensory acceptability of MALTOD3 and MSTARCH1. However, both samples received a significantly lower (p < 0.05) ranking than the commercial samples in terms of appearance, texture, flavour, meltability, and overall acceptance. Future studies are recommended to improve the RPO-based ice cream sample, particularly in terms of its sensory properties.

Antioxidant Enzyme System Modulation by Dietary Palm Oils, Palm Kernel Oil and Soybean Oil in Laying Hens.

Palm-based oils (palm oil and kernel oil) and soybean oil have unique fatty acid and antioxidant profiles based on the compounds present in them. Hence, this study elucidated the antioxidant properties of crude palm oil (CPO), red palm oil (RPO), refined palm oil (RBD), palm kernel oil (PKO) and soybean oil (SBO) and the influence of dietary oils on blood lipid profiles, tissue fatty acid deposition and the expression of hepatic lipid and lipoprotein metabolism genes in laying hens. The oils were analyzed for color, beta-carotene, free fatty acid and acid value, phenolic content and lipid peroxidation. In an in vivo trial, 150 laying hens were allotted into five groups and supplemented with either CPO, RPO, RBD, PKO or SBO for 16 weeks. High antioxidant compounds present in palm oils help reduce the oxidation of oils. Dietary supplementation with palm oils, particularly CPO and RPO, contributed to the lower liver, serum and jejunal mucosal antioxidant enzyme activities. The antioxidant enzyme genes in the jejunal mucosa were downregulated in palm oils and PKO, but there was no difference between oils in antioxidant enzyme genes in the liver. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with oils with high antioxidant content contributed to protection against oxidation and was associated with a lower requirement for producing antioxidant enzymes.

Red Palm Oil: A Review on Processing, Health Benefits and Its Application in Food.

This review is aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the physicochemical properties and extraction processes of red palm oil, its nutritional properties and applications in food. Crude palm oil is firstly extracted from the fruit mesocarp and processed into red palm oil using pre-treatment of crude palm oil, with deacidification steps, and deodorization via short-path distillation. These processes help to retain ß-carotene and vitamin E in red palm oil. Palmitic, stearic and myristic acids are the saturated fatty acids in red palm oil, while the unsaturated fatty acids are oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids. It is reported to overcome vitamin A deficiency, promote heart health and have anti-cancer properties.

Natural diversity in the carotene, tocochromanol and fatty acid composition of crude palm oil.

Crude palm oil (CPO) is extracted from the mesocarp of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) fruits. CPO is widely consumed in many African countries. Due to its high provitamin A carotenoid content, it is also widely used in programmes designed to prevent vitamin A deficiency. Elaeis guineensis occurs naturally across a wide geographical range in Africa. We investigated the carotene, tocochromanol (vitamin E) and fatty acid composition of a large set of genotypes representative of this genetic and geographic diversity. We found considerable intraspecific diversity in most lipid traits. Populations from Côte d'Ivoire were distinguished from other origins by their very low palmitate content and high tocochromanol content. Genotypes from Benin, Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria were characterized by high carotene contents. Finally, hybrids of crosses between genotypes from Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria produce CPO with exceptionally high provitamin A and vitamin E contents together with low palmitate content.

The Effect of Red Palm Oil on Vitamin A Deficiency: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Red palm oil (RPO) has been investigated for preventing or alleviating vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Previous data has offered inconclusive and inconsistent results about the effects of RPO in patients with VAD. Our objective was to undertake a meta-analysis to assess the effects of RPO in preventing VAD in the population. After conducting a comprehensive literature search, nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Overall, when trial results were pooled, the results indicated that RPO reduced the risk of VAD (relative risk (RR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) = 0.55 (0.37, 0.82), p = 0.003), increasedserum retinol levels in both children (p < 0.00001) and adults (p = 0.002), and increased ß-carotene levels (p = 0.01). However, RPO supplementation did not have a significant overall effect on serum α-carotene levels (p = 0.06), body weight (p = 0.45), and haemoglobin levels (p = 0.72). The results also showed that low level of PRO intake (≤8 g RPO) could increase serum retinol concentrations whereas PRO intake above 8 g did not lead to further increase of serum retinol concentrations. This meta-analysis demonstrated that RPO might be effective for preventing or alleviating VAD.

Effects of Red Palm Oil on Myocardial Antioxidant Enzymes, Nitric Oxide Synthase and Heart Function in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of antioxidants rich red palm oil (RPO) supplementation on cardiac oxidative stress known as crucial factor deteriorating heart function in hypertension. 3-month-old, male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were fed standard rat chow without or with RPO (0.2 mL/day/5 weeks). General characteristic of rats were registered. Left ventricular tissue (LV) was used to determine expression of superoxide dismutases (SOD1, SOD2) and glutathione peroxidases (Gpx) as well as activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Functional parameters of the heart were examined during basal conditions and at the early-phase of post-ischemic reperfusion using Langendorff-perfused system. RPO intake significantly reduced elevated blood pressure and total NOS activity as well as increased lowered expression of mitochondrial SOD2 in SHR hearts during basal condition. Moreover, RPO supplementation resulted in suppression of elevated heart rate, increase of reduced coronary flow and enhancement of systolic and diastolic heart function at the early-phase of post-ischemic reperfusion. It is concluded that SHR benefit from RPO intake due to decrease of blood pressure, amelioration of oxidative stress and protection of heart function that was deteriorated by post-ischemic reperfusion.

Altered thyroid status affects myocardial expression of connexin-43 and susceptibility of rat heart to malignant arrhythmias that can be partially normalized by red palm oil intake.

We aimed to study the impact of altered thyroid status on myocardial expression of electrical coupling protein connexin-43 (Cx43), the susceptibility of rats to ventricular fibrillation (VF) and the effects of antioxidant-rich red palm oil (RPO). Adult male and female euthyroid, hyperthyroid (treated with T3/T4), hypothyroid (treated with methimazole) Wistar rats supplemented or not with RPO for 6 weeks were used. Function of isolated perfused heart and VF threshold were determined. Left ventricular tissue was used for assessment of mRNA and protein levels of Cx43, its phosphorylated forms and topology. Protein kinase C signaling (PKC) and gene transcripts of some proteins related to cardiac arrhythmias were assessed. Hyperthyroid state resulted in decrease of total and phosphorylated forms of Cx43 and suppression of PKC-ε expression in males and females, decrease of Cx43 mRNA in females, decrease of VF threshold and increase of functional parameters in male rat hearts. In contrast, hypothyroid status resulted in the increase of total and phosphorylated forms of Cx43, enhancement PKC-ε expression in males and females, increase of Cx43 mRNA in females, increase of VF threshold and decrease of functional parameters in male rat hearts. Function of the heart was partially normalized by RPO intake, which also enhanced myocardial Cx43 and PKC-ε expression as well as increased VF threshold in hyperthyroid male rats. We conclude that there is an inverse relationship between myocardial expression of Cx43, including its functional phosphorylated forms, and susceptibility of male rat hearts to VF in condition of altered thyroid status. RPO intake partly ameliorated adverse changes caused by excess of thyroid hormones.

Red palm oil-supplemented and biofortified cassava gari increase the carotenoid and retinyl palmitate concentrations of triacylglycerol-rich plasma in women.

Boiled biofortified cassava containing ß-carotene can increase retinyl palmitate in triacylglycerol-rich plasma. Thus, it might alleviate vitamin A deficiency. Cassava requires extensive preparation to decrease its level of cyanogenic glucosides, which can be fatal. Garification is a popular method of preparing cassava that removes cyanogen glucosides. Our objective was to compare the effectiveness of biofortified gari to gari prepared with red palm oil. The study was a randomized crossover trial in 8 American women. Three gari preparations separated by 2-week washout periods were consumed. Treatments (containing 200-225.9 g gari) were as follows: biofortified gari (containing 1 mg ß-carotene), red palm oil-fortified gari (1 mg ß-carotene), and unfortified gari with a 0.3-mg retinyl palmitate reference dose. Blood was collected 6 times from -0.5 to 9.5 hours after ingestion. Triacylglycerol-rich plasma was separated by ultracentrifugation and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode array detection. Area under the curve for ß-carotene, α-carotene, and retinyl palmitate increased after the fortified meals were fed (P < .05), although the retinyl palmitate increase induced by the red palm oil treatment was greater than that induced by the biofortified treatment (P < .05). Vitamin A conversion was 2.4 ± 0.3 and 4.2 ± 1.5 µg pro-vitamin A carotenoid/1 µg retinol (means ± SEM) for red palm oil and biofortified gari, respectively. These results show that both treatments increased ß-carotene, α-carotene, and retinyl palmitate in triacylglycerol-rich plasma concentrations in healthy well-nourished adult women, supporting our hypothesis that both interventions could support efforts to alleviate vitamin A deficiency.

Effects of red palm oil and rooibos on sperm motility parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus characterized by hyperglycaemia could affect sperm quality as a result of increased oxidative stress. This study was performed to investigate the effects of red palm oil (RPO), aqueous rooibos tea extracts (RTE) as well as their combination (RPO + RTE) on sperm motility parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetes was induced by a single administration of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) and the rats were treated with red palm oil (2 ml/day) and / or aqueous rooibos tea extract (2%) for 7 weeks. Sperm motility parameters were measured using Computer Assisted Sperm Analyzer (CASA). RESULTS: Hyperglycaemia negatively affected the sperm progressive motility significantly at p<0.05. There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in sperm linearity (LIN) in the diabetic group when compared with the normal control group. RPO supplemented diabetic rats exhibited increased progressive sperm motility, sperm linearity (LIN) and wobble (WOB). Significant decreases (p<0.05) in straight line velocity (VSL) and average path velocity (VAP) of the sperms were observed in all the diabetic groups when compared to the control group. Significant (p<0.05) elevated levels of WOB and LIN were observed following RTE treatment and co-administration with RPO respectively. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that red palm oil and / or rooibos administration exhibited no adverse effects on sperm motility parameters but rather showed some beneficial effects.

Modulation of antioxidant status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male Wistar rats following intake of red palm oil and/or rooibos.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of red palm oil (RPO), rooibos tea extract (RTE) and their combined treatment (RPO + RTE) on antioxidant status in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single administration of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) and the rats were treated for 7 weeks. Antioxidant enzymes [catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD)], antioxidant capacity [trolox equivalence antioxidant capacity (TEAC), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC)] as well as total protein, albumin, globulin, total glutathione, conjugated diene and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were investigated. RESULTS: Treatment with RPO, RTE and RPO + RTE significantly (p>0.05) improved liver SOD and plasma ORAC in the diabetic rats. Similarly, diabetic rats treated with RTE and RPO + RTE enhanced liver GPx. A significant (P<0.05) increase in the plasma TBARS in the diabetic control group was observed when compared with the normal control group. Treatment of diabetic rats with RTE and RPO + RTE reduced plasma TBARS to a level not significantly different at P<0.05 from the normal control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed the anti-oxidative potentials of red palm oil, rooibos and their combination in diabetic conditions and hence, they could be useful in the management of diabetes and its complications.

Modulation of antioxidant status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male Wistar rats following intake of red palm oil and/or rooibos

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the role of red palm oil (RPO), rooibos tea extract (RTE) and their combined treatment (RPO + RTE) on antioxidant status in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.@*METHODS@#Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single administration of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) and the rats were treated for 7 weeks. Antioxidant enzymes [catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD)], antioxidant capacity [trolox equivalence antioxidant capacity (TEAC), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC)] as well as total protein, albumin, globulin, total glutathione, conjugated diene and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were investigated.@*RESULTS@#Treatment with RPO, RTE and RPO + RTE significantly (p>0.05) improved liver SOD and plasma ORAC in the diabetic rats. Similarly, diabetic rats treated with RTE and RPO + RTE enhanced liver GPx. A significant (P<0.05) increase in the plasma TBARS in the diabetic control group was observed when compared with the normal control group. Treatment of diabetic rats with RTE and RPO + RTE reduced plasma TBARS to a level not significantly different at P<0.05 from the normal control group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The results revealed the anti-oxidative potentials of red palm oil, rooibos and their combination in diabetic conditions and hence, they could be useful in the management of diabetes and its complications.