The Functional Nutrients of Flaxseed and Their Effect on Human Health: A Review.

Introduction: Humans have consumed flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) since the earliest times. It has been used as ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, breakfast drinks, salad dressings, porridge, and as beverages. To date, flaxseed is recognized as a functional food in the world’s food market because of its health benefits besides the basic nutrition. Objectives: To review the functional nutrients of flaxseed with their respective health benefits. Methods: Electronic search of Pub Med, Health Inter Network Access to Research Initiative (HINARI), and Google Scholar databases was conducted. Outcomes of interest were the functional nutrients of flaxseed and potential health benefits mainly; antioxidant, free radical scavenging, anticarcinogenic, and anti-hypercolesterolemic. Findings: Majority of the articles reviewed showed that flaxseed contains essential nutrients and non-nutrients such as alpha linolenic acid (ALA), lignans known as secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), and crude fiber that have important health benefits to humans. Conclusions: Eating flaxseed meal in different forms may have beneficial effect in preventing or reducing various forms of cancer, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, constipation, diverticular disease and others. Further studies about the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) and more in vivo studies to ascertain the health benefits of flaxseed nutrients are recommended.

Comparison of methods for determination of nutrient digestibility of a dry kibble diet for ocelots / Comparação de métodos para estimar coeficientes de digestibilidade de uma ração comercial de gatos-domésticos para jaguatiricas

In this experiment, methods of total fecal collection (TFC) and internal markers (acid-insoluble ash - AIA, crude fiber - CF, and acid-detergent fiber - ADF) were compared for determination of the coefficients of apparent digestibility (CAD) for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), nitrogen-free extracts (NFE), and gross energy (GE) of commercial feline dry kibble for ocelots (Leopardus pardalis). Six adult animals, weighing 12.45±1.37 kg, gradually received experimental kibble in their usual diet until the beginning of the experiment and were submitted to an adaptation period ten days prior to the collection period. CAD obtained by TFC, AIA, CF, and ADF were, respectively, 73.7, 76.83, 62.01, and 46.03% for dry matter; 81.9, 84.8, 75.8, and 63.8% for crude protein; 85, 86.7, 78.5, and 69.1% for ether extract; 78.52, 79.55, 69.11, and 53.04% for nitrogen-free extracts; and 80.5, 82.2, 71.4, and 58.4% for gross energy. The AIA method showed to be efficient in determining coefficients of apparent digestibility and may contribute to investigations on the digestibility of diets for wild felines. In comparison to the items of ocelot's usual diet, the kibble used in this paper provided an adequate nutritional supply with reduced daily costs per animal.

Neste experimento foram comparados os métodos de coleta total de fezes (CT) e de indicadores internos (cinza insolúvel em ácido - CIA, fibra bruta - FB e fibra em detergente ácido - FDA) na determinação dos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) da matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), extrativo não nitrogenado (ENN) e energia bruta (EB) de uma ração comercial de gatos-domésticos para jaguatiricas (Leopardus pardalis). Seis animais adultos com peso de 12,45 ± 1,37kg receberam gradativamente a ração experimental na dieta habitual até o início do experimento e foram submetidos a um período de adaptação de 10 dias anteriores ao período de coleta. Os CDA obtidos pela CT, CIA, FB e FDA foram, respectivamente de 73,70; 76,83; 62,01 e 46,03% para matéria seca, 81,9; 84,8; 75,8 e 63,8% para proteína bruta, 85,0; 86,7; 78,5 e 69,1% para extrato etéreo, 78,52; 79,55; 69,11 e 53,04% para extrativo não nitrogenado e de 80,5; 82,2; 71,4 e 58,4% para energia bruta. O método de CIA mostrou-se eficiente na determinação dos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente e pode contribuir com as investigações sobre a digestibilidade em dietas com felídeos selvagens. A ração utilizada permitiu aos animais um adequado aporte nutricional e apresentou menores custos/animal/dia em comparação aos itens que compunham a dieta habitual.

Standardization of traditionally designed neutraceutical.

Plants are the rich source of a variety of chemicals with nutritive and therapeutic properties. The pharmacological activities of allopathic drugs are now decreased before the herbal potency. Now most of the pharmaceutical compa-nies are focusing in this area. The Indian pharmaceutical industry is definitely looking forward to a tremendous herbal marketing. The traditionally designed neutraceutical is an Ayurvedic herbal formulation; consist of Brahmi, Tulsi, and other ingredients in powder form. This neutraceutical is proved for its antibacterial and antioxidant activity. Standardization of the traditionally designed neutraceutical is compared with the marketed product. The uses of medicinal plants are increased in developing nations. Nations like India, is a rich source of Ayurvedic plants. Government of India is also promoting the member states to formulate national policies on traditional medicine. Quality assurance is an integral part of traditional medicine. A comprehensive specification must be developed for each herbal drug preparation based on recent scientific data.

Standardization of traditionally designed neutraceutical.

Plants are the rich source of a variety of chemicals with nutritive and therapeutic properties. The pharmacological activities of allopathic drugs are now decreased before the herbal potency. Now most of the pharmaceutical compa-nies are focusing in this area. The Indian pharmaceutical industry is definitely looking forward to a tremendous herbal marketing. The traditionally designed neutraceutical is an Ayurvedic herbal formulation; consist of Brahmi, Tulsi, and other ingredients in powder form. This neutraceutical is proved for its antibacterial and antioxidant activity. Standardization of the traditionally designed neutraceutical is compared with the marketed product. The uses of medicinal plants are increased in developing nations. Nations like India, is a rich source of Ayurvedic plants. Government of India is also promoting the member states to formulate national policies on traditional medicine. Quality assurance is an integral part of traditional medicine. A comprehensive specification must be developed for each herbal drug preparation based on recent scientific data.

Effect of salt stress on different components of Glycyrrhiza uralensis / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the effect of salt stress at different concentrations on the accumulative contents of glycyrrhizic acid and five components and their correlations. Methods: Annual Glycyrrhiza uralensis cultivated in the plastic flowerpot was treated with salt at different concentrations (3, 6, and 9 mg/mL). The contents of glycyrrhizic acid, total sugar, crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat and ash were determined after 35, 70, and 105 d treatment. The proportional relationships of five components and the correlation of glycyrrhizinic acid and five components were analyzed. Results: On 70 d after the treatment of 6 and 9 mg/mL salt solution, the glycyrrhizic acid content was extremely higher than that in control group. Crude protein in the treatment groups of 6 and 9 mg/mL salt solution increased significantly compared with that in control group. While total sugar content decreased significantly compared with that in control group. On 105 d, crude fat content in the treatment group of 9 mg/mL salt solution was extremely higher than that in control group. And on 70 and 105 d, the crude fat proportion in the treatment group of 9 mg/mL salt solution was extremely higher than that in control group, while the total sugar proportion was extremely lower than that in control group. The correlation analysis showed that glycyrrhizic acid content had a positive correlation with the content of crude fat and ash, while had a negative correlation with total sugar on 70 and 105 d. Conclusion: The accumulation of glycyrrhizic acid is closely related to proportion of crude protein, total sugar , crude fat and ash content. The proper salt stress could stimulate sugar metabolisms and accelerate the decomposition of the substance. All of these could promote the secondary metabolism and make the formation and accumulation of glycyrrhizic acid.

Estimation of Nutrients Intakes and Dietary Fiber Intake of Teenagers in Urban, Fishing, and Rural Areas / 대한지역사회영양학회지

Dietary fiber(DF) intake of teenagers was estimated and the major food sources of fiber were analyzed using three-day food records and data from 365 middle school students in urban, rural and fishing areas. Mean dwily DF intake of males was 9.2+/-3.9g in urban, 10.4+/-5.4g in rural, and 7.9+/-4.0g in fishing areas and the intake of female was 10.6+/-5.1g in urban, 10.6+/-5.2g in rural, and 7.7+/-3.3g in fishing areas. When related to energy intake, female consumed more DF(5.7+/-2.5g/1000 kcal, 7.0+/-3.5g/1000 kcal, 4.6+/-2.2g/1000 kcal, in urban, and rural, fishing areas respectively) than males(4.2+/-1.3g/1000 kcal, 4.6+/-1.5g/1000 kcal, 4.4+/-2.0g/1000 kcal in urban, rural, fishing respectively). Mean crude fiber(CF) intake of males was 4.1+/-1.7g, 4.5+/-2.4g, 3.7+/-2.4g, and female's intake was 4.7+/-1.9g, 4.8+/-2.2g, 3.7+/-1.9g in urban, rural, and fishing areas respectively. The mean DF : CF ratio for the subjects was 2.2-2.6, indicating that the DF intake is 2-3 times that of CF intakes. The intakes of the two measures of fiber were highly correlated(r=0.7781) . The major food sources for DF were cereals, vegetables and fruits and the percentage contributions of the food groups to the DF intake were 27-37%, 22-30%, and 11.5-19.7% respectively. The present study indicates that the DF intake of teenagers is considerably lower than the recommended level and they need to consume more DF than that indicated by the present levels. The importance of nutrition education on health and dietary pattern should also be emphasized among teenagers.

EFEITO DE DIFERENTES NÍVEIS DE PROTEÍNA E DE FIBRA BRUTA NA ALIMENTAÇÃO DE JUVENIS DE MATRINXÃ, Brycon cephalus

The results of an experiment with matrinchã, Brycon cephalus,fed 9 diets, combined in 3 levels of protein (19, 25 e 31 %) and 3 levels of fiber (ca. 2, 10 and 20%), are shown. The final weight was positivelly influenced when fish fed higher levels of protein, but was not influenced by fiber levels. The higher levels of protein in the diet, increased protein content of carcass, and decreased the content of fat and ash, while fish fed the highest fiber levels assimilated more protein, had a higher percentage of ash and a lower fat content in the body composition. The results indicated that ingredients with high levels of fiber are well assimilated by matrinchã, increasing this way the range of agricultural by-products, normally rich in fiber, that could be used to formulate practical diets for this specie.

São apresentados os resultados de um experimento realizado com matrinxãs, Brycon cephalus,alimentados com nove dietas contendo três níveis de proteína (19, 25 e 31%) combinados com três níveis de fibra (cerca de 2, 10 e 20%). O peso final foi mais elevado para os peixes que receberam ração com maiores níveis de proteína bruta, mas não foi afetado pela elevação dos níveis de fibra bruta. Os níveis mais elevados de proteína na ração aumentaram o conteúdo de proteína da carcaça, e diminuíram o conteúdo de gordura e cinza, enquanto os peixes alimentados com as rações com os níveis mais elevados de fibra tinham mais proteína e cinza corporal e menores níveis de gordura. Os resultados sugerem que ingredientes com níveis elevados de fibra são bem utilizados pelo matrinxã, aumentando desta maneira a variedade de subprodutos agrícolas, normalmente ricos em fibra bruta, que podem ser usados na formulação de dietas práticas para esta espécie.

STUDY ON THE METHOD OF DETERMINING INSOLUBLE DIETARY FIBER IN CEREALS AND CEREAL FOODS / 营养学报

The Neutral detergent method (AACC method) for determining insoluble dietary fiber in cereals and cereal foods has been used in this experiment. The results showed that the suitable size of the sample was 40-mesh and the better period for digestion in hot neutral detergent solution was one hour for determination. Decahydronaphthalene as a defoaming agent was better than n-octane. The average recoveries of two different ways were from 94.1% to 100.4%. The coefficient of variation for eight wheat samples was 1.8%. Because of its simple equipment, easy operation and good accuracy, this method would be suitable for determination of cereals and cereal foods.

COMPARISON BETWEEN CRUDE FIBER AND DIETARY FIBER CONTENTS IN FOODS / 营养学报

Contents of crude fiber and neutral detergent fiber in 34 common foods have been determined and compared. In all foods, crude fiber content is lower than neutral detergent fiber. The percentage of crude fiber to neutral detergent fiber ranges from 13.04% to 65.63%. It is higher in vegetables, medium in legumes and fruits, and lower in cereals. In some categories of food, there is a good correlation between crude fiber content and neutral detergent fiber content. For fresh vegetables and fruits, the regression equation is Y = 0.4230+ 1.2425x and Y = 0.0456 + 4.6161x for cereals. It is proposed that the neutral detergent fiber content may be estimated at crude fiber content.