Analysis of Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) Protein Concentrate for Possible Use as Supplementary Protein.

Vulnerable populations in developing countries need new protein sources, such as protein concentrates from accessible sources at low economic costs. The main objective of this study was at evaluating the nutritional quality of the protein concentrate of the legume mesquite (Prosopis juliflora), compared with the protein values of other legumes described in literature. For this purpose, flour and protein concentrates from mesquite were obtained, along with their chemical composition. Amino acid profiling was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Protein quality index evaluation tests were also performed on preschool children and adults. The protein content of mesquite was found to be 68%. However, mesquite covers the requirements of essential amino acids, surpassing 31% of the protein required in adults, except for cysteine sulfur amino acids and aromatic amino acids. In other age groups such as children, mesquite had a high content of histidine, which is necessary and considered essential during infant development. According to the above, mesquite could be used as an alternative protein to produce food with high nutritional content.

Verification of Information of the Labeling of Dairy Products of Cartagena de Indias Supermarkets / Verificación de Información del Etiquetado de los Productos Lácteos de Supermercados de Cartagena de Indias / Verificação das Informações Relativas a Rotulagem dos Produtos Lácteos dos Supermercados da Cartagena de Indias

Abstract Introduction: Labeling is used to help people choose foods for the nutrients that benefit them most but sometimes the content expressed on the label is not correct. Objective: To compare the data expressed on the labels of the different brands of milk, milk powder, cream, coastal cheese and yogurt with those found in this research. Materials and methods: Samples were taken from local markets, label information was taken, and a bromatological analysis of each product was also performed to compare with the values given by the manufacturer on the label. Results: The values of the parameters declared on the labels in most of the brands analyzed were lower than the actual values found and the data from the Colombian Technical Standard (NTC) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for each product. To prevent this type of event from continuing, greater control of the companies by the control bodies is necessary. Conclusions: Most valuable dairy products did not comply with national and international labeling rules, as they did not declare, reduce or increase the percentages of most of the parameters on the label.

Resumen Introducción: El etiquetado se utiliza para ayudar a las personas a elegir los alimentos por los nutrientes que más les benefician, pero en algunas ocasiones el contenido que expresa la etiqueta no es correcto. Objetivo: Comparar los datos expresados en las etiquetas de las diferentes marcas de leche, leche en polvo, nata, queso costero y yogur con los que se encuentran en esta investigación. Materiales y métodos: Las muestras se tomaron de los mercados locales, se tomó la información de la etiqueta y también se realizó un análisis bromatológico de cada producto para comparar con los valores dados por el fabricante en la etiqueta. Resultados: Los valores de los parámetros declarados en las etiquetas en la mayoría de las marcas analizadas fueron inferiores a los valores reales encontrados y a los datos de la Norma Técnica Colombiana (NTC) y del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA) para cada producto. Para evitar que este tipo de eventos continúe, es necesario un mayor control de las empresas por parte de los órganos de control. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los productos lácteos de valor no cumplían con las normas de etiquetado nacionales e internacionales, ya que no declaraban, reducían o aumentaban los porcentajes de la mayoría de los parámetros que figuraban en la etiqueta.

Resumo Introdução: A rotulagem é usada para ajudar as pessoas a escolher os alimentos para os nutrientes que mais as beneficiam, mas por vezes o conteúdo expresso no rótulo não está correcto. Objetivo: Comparar os dados expressos nos rótulos das diferentes marcas de leite, leite em pó, creme, queijo costeiro e iogurte com os encontrados nesta pesquisa. Materiais e métodos: Foram colhidas amostras dos mercados locais, foram recolhidas informações do rótulo e foi realizada uma análise bromatológica de cada produto para comparação com os valores fornecidos pelo fabricante no rótulo. Resultados: Os valores dos parâmetros declarados nos rótulos na maioria das marcas analisadas foram inferiores aos valores reais encontrados e aos dados do Padrão Técnico Colombiano (NTC) e do Departamento de Agricultura dos Estados Unidos (USDA) para cada produto. A fim de evitar a continuação deste tipo de eventos, é necessário um maior controlo das empresas por parte dos órgãos de controlo. Conclusões: Os produtos lácteos mais valiosos não cumpriam as regras de rotulagem nacionais e internacionais, uma vez que não declaravam, reduziam ou aumentavam as percentagens da maioria dos parâmetros do rótulo.

Changes of Physical Activity and Ultra-Processed Food Consumption in Adolescents from Different Countries during Covid-19 Pandemic: An Observational Study.

AIM: to describe physical activity and ultra-processed foods consumption, their changes and sociodemographic predictors among adolescents from countries in Europe (Italy and Spain) and Latin America (Brazil, Chile, and Colombia) during the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic period. METHODS: Cross-sectional study via web survey. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and weekly ultra-processed food consumption data were used. To compare the frequencies of physical activity status with sociodemographic variables, a multinomial logistic and a multiple logistic regression for habitual ultra-processed foods was performed. In final models, p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Sample of 726 adolescents, mostly females (59.6%) aged 16-19 years old (54.3%). Adolescents from Latin America presented odds ratio (OR) 2.98 (CI 95% 1.80-4.94) of being inactive and those whose mothers had higher level of education were less active during lockdown [OR 0.40 (CI 95% 0.20-0.84)]. The habitual ultra-processed consumption was also high during this period in all countries, and more prevalent in Latin America. CONCLUSION: A higher prevalence of inactivity was observed in this population, but reductions of physical activity and habitual ultra-processed consumption during the pandemic were more pronounced in Latin America. Our findings reinforce the importance of promoting a healthy lifestyle, i.e., exercise and diet, during periods of social isolation.

Covid-19 Confinement and Changes of Adolescent's Dietary Trends in Italy, Spain, Chile, Colombia and Brazil.

Confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic can influence dietary profiles, especially those of adolescents, who are highly susceptible to acquiring bad eating habits. Adolescents' poor dietary habits increase their subsequent risk of degenerative diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular pathologies, etc. Our aim was to study nutritional modifications during COVID-19 confinement in adolescents aged 10 to 19 years, compare them with their usual diet and dietary guidelines, and identify variables that may have influenced changes. Data were collected by an anonymous online questionnaire on food intake among 820 adolescents from Spain, Italy, Brazil, Colombia, and Chile. The results show that COVID-19 confinement did influence their dietary habits. In particular, we recorded modified consumption of fried food, sweet food, legumes, vegetables, and fruits. Moreover, gender, family members at home, watching TV during mealtime, country of residence, and maternal education were diversely correlated with adequate nutrition during COVID-19 confinement. Understanding the adolescents' nutrition behavior during COVID-19 lockdown will help public health authorities reshape future policies on their nutritional recommendations, in preparation for future pandemics.