ABSTRACT
Rape (Brassica napus) is one of the major vegetables grown in Zambia and is an important source of nutrients in human diet. Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant molecule while fiber on the other hand plays a key role in mitigating constipation. However, the effects of rape genotype and the vegetative maturity (age) on nutrient content on vitamin C and fiber is not clearly understood. The objectives of the study were therefore, to; i) to evaluate the effects of age on vitamin C and fiber nutrient content in rape leaves and ii) evaluate the genotypic effect of rape leaves on vitamin C and fiber contents. The experiment was conducted Munachoonga farm, in Monze district, Zambia (16 o 16’ 45’’ S; 27o 28’25’’ E) during the 2020/ 2021 cropping season. The experiment was laid as a split plot design with three replications. Soil fertilizer amendments were the main plot while variety (genotype) as a subplot. Data was collected at 6 and 10 weeks old after transplanting. However, for each treatment, a representative sample was collected by thoroughly mixing all three associated reps and obtaining a representative leaf sample giving 18 experimental units. The dried samples were taken to the University of Zambia Lab for analysis. The results showed that the mean fiber content was higher at week 10 than week 6 (P< 0.001), while vitamin C was higher at week 6 than week 10 (P= 0.05). Implying that younger leaves are likely to supply a higher content of vitamin C than older leaves. The lesser content of fiber at younger stage of rape explains why most consumers found rape more palatable at a younger stage. It was also revealed that vitamin C and fiber nutrient contents did not depend on the type of genotype. Furthermore, a study to evaluate the precise effects of fertilizer amendment on vitamin C and fiber contents should be undertaken.
ABSTRACT
Field experiments were conducted at Sivapuri, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu to evaluate the efficacy of vermicompost, in comparison to inorganic fertilizers–NPK, on the physio-chemical and biological characteristics of the soils – clay loam soil (CLS) and sandy loam soil (SLS) and on the growth, yield and nutrient content of beans – Phaseolus vulgaris. Results showed that the application of vermicompost @ 5 tonnes ha-1 had enhanced significantly the pore space (1.09 and 1.02 times), water holding capacity (1.1 and 1.3 times), cation exchange capacity (1.2 and 1.2 times). It reduced particles (1.2 and 1.2 times), and bulk density (1.2 and 1.2 times), pH (1 and 1.02 times) and electrical conductivity (1.4 and 1.2 times) and increased organic carbon (37 and 47 times), micro (Ca 3.07 and 1.9 times, Mg 1.6 and 1.6 times, Na 2.4 and 3.8 times, Fe 7 and 7.6 times, Mn 8.2 and 10.6 times, Zn 50 and 52 times and Cu 14 and 22 times) and macro (N 1.6 and 1.7 times, P 1.5 and 1.7 times, K 1.5 and 1.4 times) nutrients and microbial activity (1.4 and 1.5 times) in both soil types, particularly more in CLS. The growth, yield (1.6 times) and quality (protein (1.05 times) and sugar (1.01 times) content in seed) of bean were enhanced in CLS than SLS. On the other hand, the application of inorganic fertilizers @ 20:80:40 kg ha-1 has resulted in reduced porosity (1.03 and 1.01 times), organic carbon (1.04 and 9.5 times) and microbial activity (1.02 and 1.03 times) in both soil types.
ABSTRACT
This survey was conducted to evaluate with 457 health professionals from July, 1999 to September, 1999 the awareness of and satisfaction with the nutrition labeling system in Korea and to determine a desirable labeling system. Professors of food and nutrition and nutrition researchers in the food industry had the hightest scores on awareness of the nutrition labeling system(75.6% and 73.4%, respectively), which was significantly different from each other by occupation(p<0.01). Frequently checked labeling information were expiration date, production date, price, and company respectively. Special nutrient food producers(56.9%), dietitians(49.3%), nurses(48.1%), researchers(42.3%) answered moderately on satisfaction with nutrition information for products, which was statistically significant(p<0.01). This suggests that health professionals were unsatisfied with the present nutrition labeling system. In nutrition focusing statements, nutrient content claims, health claims, and working periods were significantly related with nutrition focusing statements and health claims, but not with nutrient content claims : the subject who had been working for more than 10 years and less than 5 years had positive thoughts or those matters while the subjects whose working periods were between 10 and 5 years had the lowest score. The most desirable labeling units were serving size(65.1%). Ninety two percent of the subjects wanted absolute nutrient contents in food and their percentage of the KRDA. Eight nine percent of health professionals agreed that the health claims should be used only with scientific approval by the government or food research institutions. Only 4.4% of subjects were satisfied with current regulations of health claims(p<0.001). More studies regarding labeling units, their range and nutrient reference values are needed. The opinions of health professionals in nutrition labeling system should discussed to establish a desirable nutrition labeling system.
Subject(s)
Food Industry , Food Labeling , Health Occupations , Korea , Reference Values , Social Control, FormalABSTRACT
This study evaluated the quality of meals served by the elementary schools in Muan based on nutrient contents and food diversity. The contents, nutrient densities and nutrient adequacy ratios(NAR) of most nutrients were higher than those calculated from the Korean RDA. However, the content, nutrient density, and NAR of iron were lower than those calculated from the RDA for 10 to 12 year old girls. The content of sodium was somewhat high. The average number of different kinds of food and dishes per meal were 19.2 and 6.0, respectively. The more the number of dishes, the higher the NARs of calcium, calories, niacin, phosphorus and protein. However, the NAR of iron showed no correlation with the number of dishes. The meals belonging to the food group intake pattern containing fruits had more vitamin C and fiber, and less protein, lipid, and phosphorus than those belonging to the food group intake pattern not containing fruits. In conclusion, the quality of nutrition of meals served by school lunch program(SLP) was considered fairly good. However, the nutritionists should consider the iron for 10 to 12 year old girls and cut down the amount of sodium. In addition, unless the children prefer the foods served by SLP or adjust to the general aspects of SLP, SLP can't accomplish its purposes. Therefore, we suggest that nutritionists should survey children's food preference and satisfaction with the general aspects of SLP.