Assessment of diversity in anti-nutrient profile, resistant starch, minerals and carbohydrate components in different ricebean (Vigna umbellata) accessions.

Ricebean accessions (n = 38) cultivated in India were evaluated for their comprehensive nutrient, anti-nutrients and mineral composition. Protein and total dietary fibre ranged between 23.23 and 27.33 and 12.27 to 16.69 g/100 g, respectively. Among the oligosaccharides, verbascose was not detected, however, raffinose and stachyose ranged between 47 and 186 and 117 to 5765 mg/100 g, respectively. Among the free sugars, sucrose was found dominating (up to 370 mg/100 g). Resistant starch (4.13 to 8.62 %), iron (3.49 to 7.46 mg/100 g), zinc (1.90 to 3.72 mg/100 g) and selenium (0.28 to 4.48 µg/100 g) varied significantly (p < 0.05) among ricebean samples. Phytic acid, saponin, trypsin inhibitor and oxalate analysed in ricebean accessions ranged between 303 and 760 mg/100 g, 19 to 46 mg/g, 309 to 1076 mg/100 g and 219 to 431 mg/100 g, respectively. Multivariate analysis using hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), and principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to decipher the diversity of nutrients and anti-nutrients across the ricebean accessions. Based on HCA, dendrogram-1 (nutrients) and dendrogram-2 (minerals, anti-nutrients) were produced, having four clusters in each. In the dendrogram-1 and 2, the largest cluster had (n = 21) and (n = 15) accessions, respectively. The PCA analyse the uncorrelated set of variables (principal components) and it condenses a large set of data variables. Based on the eigenvalue >1, a total of eight PCs were formed contributing total variance of 78.8 %. The factor loading contribution in the PC1 and PC2 were from iron, fructose, glucose, raffinose and total dietary fibre, selenium (Se) and protein, respectively.

Foodomics: A Data-Driven Approach to Revolutionize Nutrition and Sustainable Diets.

Globally, we are failing to meet numerous nutritional, health, and environmental targets linked to food. Defining food composition in its full chemical and quantitative diversity is central to data-driven decision making for supporting nutrition and sustainable diets. "Foodomics"-the application of omics-technology to characterize and quantify biomolecules to improve wellbeing-has the potential to comprehensively elucidate what is in food, how this composition varies across the food system, and how diet composition as an ensemble of foods guides outcomes for nutrition, health, and sustainability. Here, we outline: (i) challenges of evaluating food composition; (ii) state-of-the-art omics technology and innovations for the analysis of food; and (iii) application of foodomics as a complementary data-driven approach to revolutionize nutrition and sustainable diets. Featuring efforts of the Periodic Table of Food Initiative, a participatory effort to create a globally shared foodomics platform, we conclude with recommendations to accelerate foodomics in ways that strengthen the capacity of scientists and benefit all people.

Vitamin A Deficiency, Anemia, and Nutritional Status of under 5-Year Children from Northeast India.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and Anemia are important public health nutritional problems in India. OBJECTIVE: To assess nutritional status and prevalence and correlates of undernutrition, anemia, and VAD among children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out adopting systematic random sampling. Information on socio-demographic particulars was collected and 20 µL blood was collected for hemoglobin and free-flowing drop on Whatman filter paper for Vitamin A estimation. Hemoglobin was estimated using indirect cyanmethemoglobin and Vitamin A by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Nutritional status was assessed using the WHO Child Growth Standard. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of anemia and VAD was 68% and 59%, respectively, while underweight, stunting, and wasting was 30%, 55%, and 11%, respectively, among under 5 year children. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed no significant association of anemia and VAD with any sociodemographic variables, while the odd of stunting was four times higher among children of mothers engaged in labor and two times among children from low-income group, while underweight was two times higher among children from households not having sanitary latrine. Exclusive breastfeeding was observed to be associated with undernutrition among infants. CONCLUSIONS: Anemia, VAD, and stunting were high among children. Low intakes of green leafy vegetables and milk and milk product may be the reasons for the higher prevalence of anemia and VAD. There is a need to strengthen supplementation of iron and folic acid tablets and Vitamin A and also public distribution system.

Subclinical Vitamin A Deficiency and Anemia among Women and Preschool Children from Northeast India.

BACKGROUND: Micronutrient deficiencies such as iron, Vitamin A, and iodine are important public health problems in India. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess subclinical Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and anemia among women and preschool children from Northeast India. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out by adopting systematic sampling in Phek district of Nagaland. Data were collected from women on sociodemographic particulars, and finger prick blood was collected for hemoglobin and free-flowing drop for Vitamin A estimation on Whatman no. 1 filter paper. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of anemia was 27%, 40%, 44%, and 52% among preschool children, nonpregnant nonlactating women, lactating mothers, and pregnant women, respectively, whereas VAD was 37% among preschool children and 24%-32% among adult women. The prevalence of VAD was observed high among those living in kutcha house, illiteracy of head of households, big family size, and low per capita income. CONCLUSIONS: Anemia and VAD are important public health problems among tribal population in spite of the rich biodiversity.

Effect of processing on barley ß-glucan content, its molecular weight and extractability.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an important cereal crop and ranks fourth among the total cereals production but very little of this grain is used as human food. However, these days it is gaining popularity as "functional grain" because it contains higher amounts of bioactive compounds including ß-glucan (4-11%) and phytochemicals. The health benefits of barley ß-glucan and other bioactive compounds have been well documented. ß-Glucan is the most unique polysaccharide of barley which is associated with numerous health benefits including reduction of cholesterol, manage post postprandial blood glucose levels and acts as an anti-cancerous agent. Since food grains including barley are consumed after processing and it may alter the solubility, molecular weight and extractability of ß-glucan affecting the health benefits. Therefore, it is important to know the processing effects on ß-glucan to confirm such health claims for barley. Most of the review papers published are focused on the health benefits of ß-glucan. To the best of our knowledge, no comprehensive report is available on the effects of barley processing on ß-glucan content, molecular weight and ß-glucan extractability. The present article reviews the literature on processing effects on barley ß-glucan.

Zinc Biofortified Rice Varieties: Challenges, Possibilities, and Progress in India.

Zinc malnutrition is a major issue in developing countries where polished rice is a staple food. With the existing significant genetic variability for high zinc in polished rice, the development of biofortified rice varieties was targeted in India with support from HarvestPlus, Department of Biotechnology, and Indian Council of Agricultural Research of Government of India. Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR) facilitates rice varietal release through All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project (AICRIP) and also supports rice biofortification program in India. Various germplasm sets of several national institutions were characterized at IIRR for their zinc content in brown rice using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy indicating the range of zinc to be 7.3 to 52.7 mg/kg. Evaluation of different mapping populations involving wild germplasm, landraces, and varieties for their zinc content showed the feasibility of favorable recombination of high zinc content and yield. Ninety-nine genotypes from germplasm and 344 lines from mapping populations showed zinc content of ≥28 mg/kg in polished rice meeting the target zinc content set by HarvestPlus. Through AICRIP biofortification trial constituted since 2013, 170 test entries were nominated by various national institutions until 2017, and four biofortified rice varieties were released. Only the test entry with target zinc content, yield, and quality parameters is promoted to the next year; thus, each test entry is evaluated for 3 years across 17 to 27 locations for their performance. Multilocation studies of two mapping populations and AICRIP biofortification trials indicated the zinc content to be highly influenced by environment. The bioavailability of a released biofortified rice variety, viz., DRR Dhan 45 was found to twice that of control IR64. The technology efficacy of the four released varieties developed through conventional breeding ranged from 48 to 75% with zinc intake of 38 to be 47% and 46 to 57% of the RDA for male and female, respectively. The observations from the characterization of germplasm and mapping populations for zinc content and development of national evaluation system for the release of biofortified rice varieties have been discussed in the context of the five criteria set by biofortification program.

Nutritional variability and milling losses of rice landraces from Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India.

Rice landraces of North-East India have wide bio-diversity but remained nutritionally uncharacterized. Nutritional profiling of 33 indigenous rice landraces from the state of Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India, and effect milling was evaluated. Total dietary fiber (5.22 g/100 g) was significantly higher than high yielding or hybrid cultivars. Principal nutrient variability of brown rice were: ash (13% c. v.) > insoluble dietary fibre, IDF (12% c. v.) > protein (11.% c.v.) fat (11% c. v.). Compositional diversity exists among rice landraces. Average iron was lesser but zinc content was higher than popular high yielding cultivars. Nutrient changes due to milling were most profound for thiamin (-69%), IDF (-66%) followed by phytate (-66%). Nutritionally Arunachal rice landraces are comparable to high yielding cultivars with added advantage of significantly higher total dietary fiber and lower phytate content. Thus, Arunachal rice landraces represents an agronomically and nutritionally important pool for rice improvement/breeding.

Nutritional composition in relation to glycemic potential of popular Indian rice varieties.

Diabetes, a chronic hyperglycemic disorder, is a public health concern in India. High glycemic carbohydrate foods are linked to higher risk of diabetes. The chemical composition and in vivo glycemic potential of popular Indian rice varieties namely Jaya, Lalat, NDR-97, PR-113, Salivahana, Sasyasree, Savithri, Tellahamsa, Triguna, Varalu and one hybrid DRRH-3, having wide agronomical and grain morphological features were studied. Nutrient composition varied prominently among different varieties. Resistant starch (RS) content (2.03-2.91%) correlated negatively with the glycemic index (GI) (r=-0.674; p≤0.05) and contributed for 45.5% of GI variability. Lalat, an aromatic traditional rice variety, with 2.91% RS and 27.9% amylose was the only one eliciting low GI of 50 and glycemic load (GL) of 13 while the rest exhibited GI ranging from 70 by Savitri to 80 by Salivahana. Identification of Lalat as a low GI variety is of significance in the dietary prevention and management of diabetes.

Capsaicinoids, amino acid and fatty acid profiles in different fruit components of the world hottest Naga king chilli (Capsicum chinense Jacq).

The world hottest Naga king chilli is cultivated and consumed in Northeast India. Capsaicinoids, amino acids and fatty acids were studied in fruit and fruit components of Naga king chilli. Capsaicinoid content was increased in each ripening stage and maximum level was observed at red color fruits. Total protein and fat content of placenta was 19.41 and 20.36% respectively. Capsaicinoids of placenta (7.35±2.241%) was higher followed by seed (3.83±1.358%) and pericarp (2.91±0.667%). Similarly, essential amino acid content was also higher in placenta compared to other components. Amino acid score ranged from 37 to 38 with cystine and methionine as limiting amino acid. Low level of palmitic, stearic and α-linolenic acid and very high level of linoleic acid were found in seeds. Total polyunsaturates of seeds were higher followed by whole fruit. Naga king chilli is unique due to its high capsaicinoid content and it offers potential crop for the future exploitation.

Fatty acid profile of edible oils and fats consumed in India.

A total 320 samples of edible oils and fats (Oils-236; Vanaspati- 45; Ghee-39) were sampled from 107 sampling sites in India and were evaluated for their fatty acid profile. This is the first comprehensive report on fatty acids profile of fats & oil commonly consumed in India. Every variety of edible oil showed its own unique fatty acid profile with significant variation within each individual fatty acid. Pure safflower oil exhibited the highest total TPUFA (76.78%) while the highest TSFA was noticed for coconut oil (90.84%). High level of erucic acid in the range of 48.5 to 54.2% was observed in mustard oil.. Groundnut and rice bran oils showed TPUFA/TSFA ratio closer to WHO recommended value. Several vanaspati samples exhibited trans fatty acid beyond the permitted limit while trace amount of the same was also detected in ghee.

Immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharides isolated from Taxillus chinensis and Uncaria rhyncophylla.

Taxillus chinensis and Uncaria rhyncophylla are the herbs used in traditional Chinese anticancer formulations. During the past decade, research on plant polysaccharides has gained importance due to their therapeutic value and minimum side effects. In this study, hot water extraction method was employed to isolate polysaccharides from the stems of T. chinensis and stems with hooks of U. rhyncophylla. Size-exclusion chromatography was then used for further fractionation. Separated fractions from T. chinensis were designated as TCP-1, TCP-2 and TCP-3 and those from U. rhyncophylla were termed UC-1 and UC-2. Their sugar compositions were estimated using gas chromatography that revealed the presence fructose, glucose, xylose, arbinose, and rhamnose. Amino acid analysis of these fractions has indicated that they are protein-bound polysaccharides. The antioxidant activities were investigated using DPPH and yeast assays. The ability of these polysaccharide fractions to stimulate mouse macrophages was measured using Griess reagent and ELISA test. The results revealed that some of the isolated fractions (TCP-2, TCP-3, UC-1 and UC-2) displayed significant antioxidant activities and were also found to be effective immunomodulators in a concentration-dependent manner. Outcomes of this research strongly indicate that U. rhyncophylla and T. chinensis have therapeutic potential to be used for the treatment of cancer.

Iodine content in bread, milk and the retention of inherent iodine in commonly used Indian recipes.

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) is still a major public health problem and iodized salt remains the most effective means to control IDD in India. Few reports indicate that vegans have inadequate iodine intake while at the same time concerns are being raised on the implementation of universal salt iodization in the country. Therefore, we investigated the iodine content in bread, milk and commonly used Indian recipes prepared without iodized salt and the retention of inherent iodine therein. Results showed considerable iodine content in bread (25 µg/100g) and milk (303 µg/L) as a positive fallout of universal salt iodization. Iodine content in 38 vegetarian recipes prepared without iodized salt was very low (2.9 ± 2.4 µg/100g). Retention of inherent iodine (65.6 ± 15.4%) and iodine from iodized salt (76.7 ± 10.3%) in the same recipes was comparable. Thus, universal salt iodization programme remains the single most important source of dietary iodine for the Indian population.

Antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharides from the roots of Sanguisorba officinalis.

The roots of Sanguisorba officinalis are used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of diseases such as inflammation and internal haemorrhage. Several scientific investigations involving extraction and pharmacological studies of terpenoids and triterpenoid glycosides from this herb have been carried out. However, little is known regarding the immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties of polysaccharides from S. officinalis. Hence the polysaccharides from this herb have been investigated here. The hot water extract of S. officinalis has been fractionated using size-exclusion chromatography to obtain four polysaccharide fractions designated as SOP-1, SOP-2, SOP-3 and SOP-4. The range of molecular masses of these fractions were from 280 Da to 2000 kDa, and their sugar compositions consisted mainly of fructose, glucose, xylose, arabinose, and rhamnose. The antioxidant activities of the crude polysaccharide fractions were evaluated in a biological assay using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, whereas the radical scavenging activity was measured using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Analysis of the immunomodulatory activities of these polysaccharide fractions were measured by using mouse macrophages. Most of the polysaccharide fractions have stimulated the production of nitric oxide and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and also displayed antioxidant activities. These results suggest that the roots of S. officinalis are likely to have therapeutic value for the treatment of cancer.

Nutrient composition and protein quality evaluation of eri silkworm (Samia ricinii) prepupae and pupae.

Eri silkworm (Samia ricinii) is a traditional source of food in northeast India, where it is grown primarily for silk and food uses. Nutrient analysis showed that the proximate composition of eri silkworm prepupae and pupae grown on either castor or tapioca were comparable and it was a good source of protein (16g%), fat (8g%) and minerals. The amino acid scores of eri prepupae and pupae protein were 99 and 100, respectively, with leucine as the limiting amino acid in both cases. Net protein utilisation (NPU) of prepupae and pupae was 41 as compared to 62 in casein. Protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) was 86. The high protein content in the defatted eri silkworm meal (75%) with 44% total essential amino acids makes it an ideal candidate for preparing protein concentrate isolates with enhanced protein quality that can be used in animal nutrition.