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Abstract: The study aimed to investigate the effect of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) on the growth and fermentation kinetics of Lactobacillus casei LC-01 (LC) and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA5 (LA) in cultured milk. Two commercially available FOS with different degree of polymerization (DP), namely Fibrulose F97 (DP, 2-20) and Fibruline Instant (DP, 3-60) were used at 4% (w/v) and 8% (w/v) respectively during fermentation and storage of cultured milk. Physicochemical properties and acidification kinetic of milk were measured throughout the fermentation. The concentration and DP values of the FOS do not seem to affect the growth of both probiotics during fermentation. Nevertheless, the pH and total soluble solid of milk fermented by both probiotics supplemented with FOS decreased tremendously during fermentation. It is noted that the percentage of lactic acid produced in L. acidophilus is higher than L. casei owing to the metabolic characteristic of the strain. The kinetic of maximum acidification rate Vmax of cultured milk was significantly higher with the addition of FOSs at 4%. However, FOS with lower DP seemed to enhance (p<0.05) the stability of LA in cultured milk during cold storage, but no significant effect on LC. The results of this work indicate that FOS could significantly improve the survival of probiotics in cultured milk especially during refrigerated storage. Keywords: Fructo-oligosaccharides, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, growth, fermentation kinetic.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: Malnutrition is the underlying cause of 50% of morbidity and mortality in the under-five age group. Its frequencies have been increasing in young Cameroon children during the past three decades (stunting ≥ 38%; anemia ≥ 58%; Zinc ≥ 69% and vitamin A ≥ 38%) We carried out a prospective study to assess the supplementation effect of Spirulina platensis on moderate and mild malnutrition on children under five years old. Seven children (4-5 years) were enrolled in this study. Children were enrolled in nutritional rehabilitation for 25 days. Each child received 8g of supplement daily, 4g in the morning and 4g in the evening. Anthropometric and haematologic parameters were measured before and after rehabilitation. Mild and moderate malnutrition, wasting and underweight was seen in 4 children anthropometrically (no child was stunted) and haematologically in all 7 children before rehabilitation started. The children were weighted four times (First week at enrollment (W1), week 2 (W2), Week 3 (W3), Week 4 (W4)). After 25 days, a significant gain in weight was observed and varying from 17.21 ± 2.00Kg (W1) to 18.45 ± 2.07Kg (W2) and from 18.143 ± 1.77Kg (W3) to 18.67 ± 1.93Kg (W4) with their respective P- values at 0.02 (W2), 0.02 (W3) and 0.04 (W4) after rehabilitation. The following biomarkers and their constants also showed a significant variation: calcium (73.91 ± 16.89mg/L vs 88.41 ± 14.83mg/L (p = 0.03), mean cell volume (86.14 ± 4.38 fl vs 83.86 ± 4.83 fl (p = 0.04) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (32.10 ± 0.38 g/dL vs 34.27 ± 3.35 g/dL (p = 0.03) respectively before and after rehabilitation. Other biomarkers (proteins, haemoglobin, haematocrit, platelets, red blood cells, white blood cells, neutrophiles, eosinophiles, basophiles, monocytes, lymphocytes) had also increased in non a significant manner. The study showed that spirulina platensis impact positively in the fight against malnutrition by improving weight and raising the blood content of biomarkers due to its high content of proteins (60-70%) and pigments. Keywords: Malnutrition, Spirulina platensis, Supplementation, Rehabilitation, Biomarkers, children.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: Acacia nilotica is a medicinal plant used traditionally in Togo to treat various diseases including burn wounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate experimentally Acacia nilotica burn wound healing effect. Cutaneous burn wounds were symmetrically caused on depilated areas of rat skin through contact with an aluminum bar (r = 10 mm), preheated at 80°C for 30 sec. Five groups of animal were constituted and each group contained 8 mice. Four groups of animal’s burn wounds were infected by Staphylococcus aureus. One group burn wound is uninfected and serves as negative control. Burn wounds were assessed by planimetry and histological parameters of healing. Twelve days after burn wound induction, wound contraction in the uninfected groups (negative control) was 19.9% for topical application against -2.43% for infected control. In the infected groups treated with extract, wound contraction was generally stimulates. Histological examination showed granulated tissue developing over the wounds treated with the extract of A. nilotica at 2.5% and 5% where the proliferation of fibroblasts and neo-blood vessels was very marked. In conclusion, A. nilotica pod contents tannin, flavonoids, alkaloids and protein reduces DPPH solution and significantly accelerates wound healing of burns, and this is the case even if wounds are infected with 109CFU/mL of S. aureus. Keywords: Burns wound, A. nilotica, histology, wound infection, wound healing.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: During this study, different blends of taro starch-hydrocolloid were incorporated in yeast leavened bread and their effects were investigated. The specific volume, moisture content and slice shape of the bread were found to be improved by the addition of taro starch-guar gum blend. Taro starch-xanthan gum mixture was also found to be a good additive to improve specific volume, slice shape, crumb softness as well as sensory characteristics of bread. The study reveals taro starch-hydrocolloid blend can be utilized as a novel ingredient to improve the physical and sensory characteristics of leavened bread. Keywords: Taro starch, Hydrocolloids, Bread, Physical Properties, Sensory Properties.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: Objective: Antrodia camphorata is a type of true fungus that grows only on Cinnamomum camphora trees, also known as Cinnamomum kanehirae (“kashi”) in Taiwan. Antroquinonol is a characteristic component of A. camphorata mycelia extract and was previously shown to exhibit antitumor action and lower blood cholesterol (total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol) in cellular and animal models. So, This study examined the ability of A. camphorata mycelia extract to reduce LDL cholesterol in humans. Methods: We conducted a randomized double-blind trial in 26 subjects with either borderline LDL cholesterol (120–139 mg/dL; n = 11) or mildly elevated LDL cholesterol (140–159 mg/dL; n = 15). Participants ingested tablets containing either 25 mg of A. camphorata mycelia extract (antroquinonol: 0.68 mg; n = 14) or a placebo (n = 12) for 12 weeks. Results: The test group showed a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol when compared with the placebo group after 12 weeks of tablet ingestion (p < 0.05), demonstrating the effects of A. camphorata mycelia extract on LDL cholesterol. A. camphorata mycelia extract also tended to reduce total cholesterol when compared with the placebo (p < 0.10). The borderline LDL cholesterol and mildly elevated LDL cholesterol subgroups showed a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol in subjects who ingested A. camphorata mycelia extract compared with those who ingested the placebo, again demonstrating the LDL cholesterol-lowering effect of the extract. Conclusion: A. camphorata mycelia extract lowers LDL cholesterol in individuals with somewhat high LDL cholesterol levels. This clinical trial was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN no. # 000019670). Keywords: |