Nutritional, physical, and sensory evaluation of hydroponic carrots (Daucus carota L.) from different nutrient delivery systems.

Carrot (Daucus carota L.) has the highest carotenoid content among foods and is consumed in large quantities worldwide, while at the same time its market demand continues to increase. Carotenoids have also been associated with protective effects against cancer and other chronic diseases. The most predominant carotenoids in carrots are beta- and alpha-carotenes. Moisture, ash, fat, texture, color, carotene content, and consumer acceptance of carrots grown in a hydroponic system with nutrient film technique (NFT) and microporous tube membrane system (MTMS) were evaluated. The moisture contents of the NFT- and MTMS-grown carrots ranged from 86.8 +/- 0.13% to 92.2 +/- 2.25% and 80.9 +/- 0.31% to 91.6 +/- 1.01%, respectively. Fat and ash contents of the carrots were negligible. NFT-grown Oxheart had the most beta-carotene (9900 +/- 20 microg/100 g) while Juwaroot had the least (248 +/- 10 microg/100 g). However, the beta-carotene content of Juwaroot from the NFT batch II carrots was 3842 +/- 6 microg/100 g. MTMS-grown carrots had less variation in the total beta-carotene contents (2434 +/- 89 to 10488 +/- 8 microg/100 g) than those from NFT. Overall, Nantes Touchan (4.8 +/- 2.3) and Nevis-F (7 +/- 1.4) from NFT were the least and most preferred by consumers. Mignon was also acceptable to consumers, and significantly (P < 0.05) more preferred than the other carrots in that NFT batch. MTMS-grown Kinko and Paramex, which were significantly (P < 0.05) more preferred than Nandrin-F and the commercial field-grown carrot, were equally liked by consumers. Nevis-F, Mignon (NFT), Paramex, and Kinko (MTMS) are potentially good cultivars to be included in NASA's food system.

Healthy food choices and physical activity opportunities in two contrasting Alabama cities.

Food and physical activity access and availability in two contrasting cities in Alabama were investigated. An in-outlet, observational, cross-sectional design was utilized to assess the opportunities for healthy food choices and physical activity. Thirty retail food outlets and 29 physical activity outlets were inventoried. None of the convenience stores carried frozen, low-sodium or dark-green, yellow vegetables, low-fat milk or yogurt, low-sodium and low-fat cheese, while none of the supermarkets in Tuskegee stocked low-sodium vegetables. In Tuskegee, the single public recreational area, which offered activities such as basketball, fees ranged from $25 to $35/month. Tuskegee has a shortage of "chain" supermarkets and a dominance of convenience stores which stocked few healthy foods. Overall, there are limited opportunities for healthy food and physical activity choices, which could be a barrier for chronic disease prevention efforts.

Physical properties and sixth graders' acceptance of an extruded ready-to-eat sweetpotato breakfast cereal.

Extruded ready-to-eat breakfast cereals (RTEBCs) were made from varying levels of sweetpotato flour (SPF), whole-wheat bran (WWB), and extrusion cooking. Moisture, protein, and ash contents were lower in the 100% SPF than the 100% WWB. Carbohydrate, beta-carotene, and ascorbic acid contents were higher in the 100% SPF. Fat, thiamin, riboflavin contents, bulk densities, and the water absorption index were similar for the cereals. However, the expansion ratio was highest in the 100% SPF cereal. The 100% WWB had the lightest color and most fibrous morphology. Extruded RTEBC containing 100% SPF and 75%/25% SPF/WWB were well-liked and acceptable to sixth graders attending an elementary school in Auburn, Alabama, but the 100% WWB was unacceptable.

Sensory characterization of a ready-to-eat sweetpotato breakfast cereal by descriptive analysis.

The sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam], an important industry in the United States, has been selected as a candidate crop to be grown on future long-duration space missions by NASA. Raw sweetpotato roots were processed into flour, which was used to formulate ready-to-eat breakfast cereal (RTEBC). Twelve trained panelists evaluated the sensory attributes of the extruded RTEBC using descriptive analysis. The samples were significantly different (P<0.05) for all attributes. Twelve perceived sensory attributes, which could be used to differentiate the appearance, texture, and flavor of sweetpotato RTEBC, were described. The data could be used to optimize the RTEBC and for designing studies to test its consumer acceptance.

Breastfeeding knowledge and beliefs among adults in eastern Tobago.

Using a cross-sectional survey, the knowledge and beliefs about breastfeeding were evaluated among adults in Eastern Tobago (N = 509). Of the respondents, 95%, 69%, and 48% indicated that a baby should be exclusively breastfed at birth, 3 months, and 6 months, respectively. The baby's mother was thought to have the greatest influence on breastfeeding decisions. Of the respondents, 63% and 80% were unaware of expressed breast milk and cup-feeding a neonate, whereas 82% believed that a solely breastfed baby should receive water. Additionally, 23% and 44% felt that breastfeeding should be terminated before 6 months and between 6 and 12 months, respectively. Inadequate maternal nutrition and employment were reported as the principal factors affecting breastfeeding. There is a lack of knowledge about the anatomy and physiology of lactation and about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. These findings are useful for guiding the development and implementation of interventions to promote breast-feeding in Tobago.

Iron absorption from ferrous bisglycinate and ferric trisglycinate in whole maize is regulated by iron status.

BACKGROUND: There is a need to determine whether iron absorption from iron amino acid chelates is protected from inhibition by dietary phytate and regulated normally by iron status. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare iron absorption from ferrous sulfate, ferrous bisglycinate, and ferric trisglycinate in whole-maize meal; to determine whether iron from ferrous bisglycinate and ferrous sulfate exchanges in the intestinal pool; and to assess iron absorption from ferrous bisglycinate and ferric trisglycinate over a range of iron statuses. DESIGN: In study 1A, 10 iron-sufficient men consumed ferrous sulfate-fortified whole-maize meal porridge equilibrated with (59)Fe-sulfate on day 1 and (55)Fe-bisglycinate on day 2. In study 1B, these volunteers consumed ferrous sulfate-fortified porridge equilibrated with (59)Fe-sulfate and (55)Fe-bisglycinate simultaneously. In studies 2A and 2B, iron absorption from 3 mg Fe as (59)Fe-ascorbate, (55)Fe-bisglycinate, or (59)Fe-trisglycinate in water and in porridge was compared in 23 subjects with a range of iron statuses. Iron absorption was determined from blood radioactivity on day 16. RESULTS: In study 1A, geometric mean iron absorption from ferrous bisglycinate was 6.0% (range: 2.6-13.6%), 4 times higher than that from ferrous sulfate (1. 7%; range: 1.0-3.3%; P < 0.05). In study 1B, absorption from neither source was different from that in study 1A. In studies 2A and 2B, absorption from all sources was strongly inversely related to serum ferritin, with geometric means of 32.5% (iron ascorbate), 9.1% (bisglycinate), and 15.3% (trisglycinate). Iron from ferric trisglycinate was poorly absorbed (2.3%; range: 0.5-9.2%) from maize. CONCLUSION: In whole-maize meal, iron from ferrous bisglycinate is better absorbed than is iron from ferrous sulfate and does not exchange with iron from maize or ferrous sulfate in the intestinal pool. Absorption of iron from bisglycinate and trisglycinate is regulated normally by iron status.

Knowledge, beliefs and practices of breastfeeding among adults in Tobago East: preliminary findings - Poster abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the knowledge, beliefs and practices of breastfeeding among adults in Tobago East. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on adults aged > 18 years residing in Tobago East. All participants were interviewed using structured questionnaires. RESULTS: The study comprised 509 persons of who 312 (61 percent) were females. Ninety-five percent (95 percent), 69 percent and 48 percent of the respondents indicated that a baby should be exclusively breastfed at birth, 3 months and 6 months, respectively. The main source of information about breastfeeding was obtained from the health center (53 percent). The mother (50 percent) and both parents (29 percent) were thought to be responsible for making the decision to breastfeed. Sixty-three percent (63 percent) and 80 percent of the respondents did not know about "expressed breast milk and cup-feeding' of a new-born while 82 percent and 47 percent believed that the breastfed baby should be given water and that breastfeeding caused a woman's breast to sag. In addition, 23 percent and 44 percent felt that breastfeeding should be terminated <6 months of age and between 6 and 12 months, respectively. The respondents believed that inadequate maternal nutrition (35 percent) and maternal employment (26 percent) were the principal factors affecting breastfeeding. CONCLUSION: There is a low level of awareness among the respondents regarding the value of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. These findings can be used to guide the development and implementation of interventions to promote exclusive breastfeeding in Tobago.(AU)