Carotenoids and ß-carotene in orange fleshed sweet potato: A possible solution to vitamin A deficiency.

The present study, in line with a plant-food-based approach to address vitamin A deficiency, reports the analysis of total carotenoids, and trans- and cis-ß-carotenes, in different varieties of raw and boiled orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP). Carotenoids were isolated using acetone-petroleum ether extraction followed by spectrophotometric determination. trans- and cis-ß-Carotenes were analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC method using a mobile phase containing acetonitrile:methanol:2-propanol in the ratio of 85:15:33 with 0.01% ammonium acetate. Intra-varietal difference in carotenoids as well as trans- and cis-ß-carotenes were noted in both the raw and boiled potatoes. Carotenoid content was found to be higher in the raw potatoes compared to the boiled samples from the same variety. Amongst the OFSP varieties, Kamalasundari (BARI SP-2) was found to contain the most carotenoids in both the raw and boiled samples. ß-Carotene was significantly higher in the Kamalsundari and BARI SP-5 varieties. trans-ß-Carotene was found to be the major carotenoid in all of the raw potatoes, but boiling was associated with an increase in cis-ß-carotene and a decrease in the trans isomer. Kamalsundari and BARI SP-5 orange-fleshed sweet potatoes have the potential to be used as food-based supplements to reduce vitamin A deficiency.

Nutrient composition of strawberry genotypes cultivated in a horticulture farm.

This article decribes the nutrient composition of four strawberry genotypes cultivated at the Sher-e-Bangla Agriculture University horticulture farm in Dhaka (Bangladesh). AOAC and standard validated methods were employed to analyse the nutrient composition. Protein, fat and ash contents were found to be vary significantly (LSD<0.05), while the variation in moisture (LSD<1.33), dietary fibre (LSD<0.15) and total sugar (LSD<0.09) were found to be insignificant among the genotypes. Vitamin C content ranged from 26.46 mg to 37.77 mg per 100g edible strawberries (LSD<0.060). Amount of carotenoids were found to be very low being in a range of 0.99-3.30 µg per 100g edible fruit. Analysis of mineral revealed that strawberry genotypes contained a wide array of minerals including Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe; most of which varied significantly (LSD<0.05) among the genotypes. Strawberries could be a potential dietary supplement for vitamin C along with minerals, particularly for the children who do not like local fruits, but love to eat the colourful strawberries.

Nutritional composition of minor indigenous fruits: cheapest nutritional source for the rural people of Bangladesh.

In line of the development of a food composition database for Bangladesh, 10 minor indigenous fruits were analysed for their nutrient composition comprising ascorbic acid, carotenoids and mineral values. Nutrient data obtained have been compared with published data reported in different literatures, book and United States Department of Agriculture-National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Ascorbic acid was highest in Wood apple and lowest in Roselle. Monkey jack contained the highest amount of carotenoids, zinc and copper. Content of calcium, magnesium and phosphorous were found highest in Antidesma velutinum. Potassium was the highest in Wood apple followed by in Moneky jack. It was noted that most of the minor fruits have much higher amount of ascorbic acid than the national fruit - Jack fruit ripe, the king fruit - Mango ripe of Bangladesh and exotic fruits - Apple and Grapes. The nutrient values of these minor fruits would make awareness among the people for their mass consumption for healthy life and to grow more minor fruit trees from extinction in order to maintain biodiversity.

An unusual case of cervico-cutaneous fistula.

A lady presented with 6 months of amenorrhea and cyclical menstruation through an opening in the abdominal wall for the same duration, following septic abortion. Examination and investigations revealed an extraperitoneal Cervicocutaneous fistula, which was excised in toto. She had an uneventful recovery and resumed normal periods.

Immunosuppressive and cytotoxic properties of Nigella sativa.

In this study the volatile oil of Nigella sativa seeds (NSVO) was investigated for its immunomodulating and cytotoxic properties. A rat model was designed to examine the effect of NSVO on selected immune components. Long-Evans rats were challenged with a specific antigen (typhoid TH) and treated with NSVO; and the changes produced in their serum antibody titre along with the splenocytes and peripheral immune cells were analysed. Antibody titre for the experimental animal was found to be 1280 as compared to the 2560 in the control rats. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in splenocytes and neutrophils counts, but a rise in peripheral lymphocytes and monocytes in the experimental animals. To test the cytotoxicity of NSVO, a panel of five human cancer cell lines and a fibroblast line was used. The MTT assay was employed to estimate the cell mortality. Vinblastine sulphate and mitomycin C were used as the positive control. LC(50) values for NSVO were 155.02 +/- 10.4, 185.77 +/- 2.9, 120.40 +/- 20.5, 384.53 +/- 12.1 and 286.83 +/- 23.3 micro g/ml respectively against the SCL, SCL-6, SCL-37'6, NUGC-4 cancer lines and 3T6 fibroblast line. Results indicate that the NSVO could be considered as a potential immunosuppressive cytotoxic agent.