Prevalence of anaemia in pregnant & lactating women in India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of anaemia during pregnancy and lactation was significantly lower in the National Family Health Survey 1998-1999 (NFHS-2), using the hemocue method for haemoglobin estimation compared to earlier surveys. The present study selected seven States and used the same districts and villages studied in the NFHS-2, to see if the reported reduction in prevalence of anaemia was due to health and nutrition inputs and/or due to a different method for haemoglobin estimation. METHODS: A total of 1,751 women (1,148 pregnant and 603 lactating- exclusively breastfeeding up to 3 months of age), from seven States- Himachal Pradesh and Haryana in north; Assam and Orissa in east; Kerala and Tamil Nadu in south and Madhya Pradesh in central India, were selected. Haemoglobin was estimated by the cyanmethaemoglobin method, so that comparison was possible with earlier studies. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, pregnancy, nutritional status and dietary intakes were collected. RESULTS: Prevalence as well as severity of anaemia was significantly higher in the present study as compared to the NFHS-2 study data. The difference could be due to haemocue method, which gives higher haemoglobin values. The contributing factors found on multiple regression analysis for anaemia in pregnancy and lactation were: literacy, occupation and standard living index of the study women; their awareness about anaemia, its prevention by regular consumption of ironfolate tablets and increase in food intake. Maternal height, age of marriage, parity and foetal loss also contributed to haemoglobin level. There were interstate differences; lower fertility, higher literacy and better diet was observed in Himachal Pradesh as compared to Haryana. The literacy and nutritional status of women in Tamil Nadu was lower than Kerala. The remaining 3 states had poor fertility, lower social living index and nutritional status with >90 per cent women being anaemic in pregnancy and lactation. Low prevalence of severe anaemia in Orissa as compared to Assam was due to availability and consumption of iron folate tablets. The antenatal services in the first trimester and checkup by a doctor, along with availability and consumption of iron folate tablets over 3 months in all the States influenced haemoglobin levels. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Despite the measures taken to control anaemia in pregnancy and lactation in the last two decades, the severity of nutritional anaemia continues to remain a public health issue of great magnitude, suggesting that these measures have been largely ineffective. The present findings also showed interstate differences particularly in fertility, women education, nutrition status and occupation; availability of antenatal services and iron folate tablets as possible factors responsible for differences in prevalence of anaemia.

Development, acceptability and nutrient composition of traditional supplementary foods consumed by lactating women in India.

Some recipes consumed during lactation were, for the first time, standardized, and analysed for nutritional composition and organoleptic evaluation. Results revealed that protein, fibre and ash contents were maximum in Ajwain (omum seeds). The total Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu and P was also highest in Ajwain followed by Gond Panjiri, Kangni and Halwa. The available minerals were also higher in Ajwain as compared to other foods. The in vitro protein and starch digestibility was in the range of 55.97 to 75.30 and 43.56 to 47.57 per cent, respectively, in different traditional supplementary foods. Organoleptically, all the foods prepared were found to be acceptable in terms of colour, flavour, taste, texture and appearance.

Nutritional parameters and yield evaluation of newly developed genotypes of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.).

Among the commonly consumed food legumes, lentils occupy an important place in human nutrition in the Indian subcontinent. Twenty-one lentil genotypes were evaluated for such nutrition related parameters as moisture, protein, crude fiber, fat, ash (total mineral matter), carbohydrates, total energy and metabolizable energy. These genotypes were also analyzed for 100-seed weight and seed yield/plant. Protein content ranged between 22.1 and 27.4% with significant differences among genotypes. Considerable variations were observed among the genotypes for calcium, phosphorus, iron and tannin contents. Large variations existed in yield and 100-seed weight of these genotypes. Seed yield/plant was not significantly correlated with any of the principal seed constituents analyzed in the present study. The genotypes, LH 97 and LH 37 were found to be better and hence could be explored for further development and selection of desirable characteristics.

Effect of various types of fermentation on in vitro protein and starch digestibility of differently processed pearl millet.

Pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoideum) grains were fermented with Lactobacilli and yeast alone, in combination and with natural flora at 30 degrees C for 48 h after giving various processing treatments viz, fine and coarse grinding, soaking, debranning, dry heat treatment, germination and autoclaving after adding of water. Fermentation was carried out with Lactobacillus acidophilus and Rhodotorula isolated from naturally fermented pearl millet and Lactobacillus acidophilus, Candida utilis and natural fermentation using freshly ground pearl millet flour as inoculum. All the processing treatments except coarse grinding improved the protein and starch digestibility. Autoclaving enhanced the digestibilities of processed samples which was further improved by different types of fermentation, the maximum being in case of germinated and naturally fermented pearl millet. A combination of Lactobacilli and yeast was more effective in increasing the protein as well as starch digestibility as compared to pure culture fermentation.

Levels of antinutritional factors in pearl millet as affected by processing treatments and various types of fermentation.

Pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoideum) was fermented with Lactobacilli or yeasts alone and in combination, and with natural microflora after various processing treatments, as grinding, soaking, debranning, dry heat treatment, autoclaving and germination. Fermentation was carried out at 30 degrees C for 48 hours with Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) and Rhodotorula (R) isolated from naturally fermented pearl millet and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA), Candida utilis (CU) and natural microflora (NF). Germination and autoclaving, and debranning and autoclaving were the most effective processing treatments to reduce the phytic acid, amylase inhibitors and polyphenols. There was a further reduction in these antinutrients due to fermentation. Phytic acid and amylase inhibitors were completely eliminated after fermentation in some of the samples especially in soaked, debranned and germinated ones. Polyphenols were altered non-significantly in general but fermentation with Lp + R and NF caused a significant increase in polyphenols.

Amino acid composition and chemical evaluation of protein quality of cereals as affected by insect infestation.

A significant decrease in essential amino acids of wheat, maize and sorghum was observed due to grain infestation caused by mixed populations of Trogoderma granarium Everts and Rhizopertha dominica Fabricius (50:50). Non-essential amino acids were also adversely affected. Among the essential amino acids, maximum reduction was found in methionine, isoleucine and lysine in infested wheat, maize and sorghum grains, respectively. Lysine, with lowest chemical score in uninfested and infested grains of three cereals, is the first limiting amino acid. Insect infestation caused significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the chemical score of all the essential amino acids, yet did not change the position of first and second limiting amino acids in wheat and sorghum. However, in case of maize, isoleucine became the second limiting amino acid. Infested grains also showed substantial reduction in essential amino acid index, calculated biological value and requirement index.

Acceptability and viscosity of low cost home processed supplementary foods developed for preschool children.

Four supplement mixtures using whole wheat, pearl millet, bengal gram, green gram, groundnuts and amaranth leaves were developed employing roasting and malting techniques. Malting used in the formation of the supplements reduced significantly hot paste viscosity of all the four supplements and increased their nutrient density per unit volume. The organoleptic trials conducted on rural mothers revealed that taste, texture, colour, aroma, appearance and overall acceptability of all the four supplements were found to be excellent with mean overall acceptability. Children did not develop any GIT disorders after consuming the products. Trained panelists found all the four supplements acceptable as indicated by a nine point hedonic scale.

Acceptability and viscosity of low cost home processed supplementary foods developed for pre-school children.

Four supplement mixtures using whole wheat, pearl millet, bengal gram, green gram, groundnuts and amaranth leaves were developed employing roasting and malting techniques. Malting used in the formation of the supplements reduced significantly hot paste viscosity of all the four supplements and increased their nutrient density per unit volume. The results of organoleptic trials conducted on rural mothers revealed that taste, texture, colour, aroma, appearance and overall acceptability of all the four supplements were excellent with mean scores of overall acceptability (9.77, 9.33, 9.11 and 8.75) for supplements I, II, III and IV, respectively. Children did not develop any GIT disorders after consuming the products. Trained panelists found all the four supplements acceptable as indicated by Nine point hedonic scale.

Vitamin contents of cereal grains as affected by storage and insect infestation.

There were substantial losses in thiamine, riboflavin and niacin contents of wheat, maize and sorghum grains at three infestation levels (25, 50 and 75%) caused by releasing two insect species viz., Trogoderma granarium and Rhizopertha dominica separately and mixed population. Losses were to the extent of 65 to 69% (thiamine), 50 to 67% (riboflavin) and 10 to 32% (niacin) due to T. granarium and 23 to 29% (thiamine), 13 to 18% (riboflavin) and 4 to 14% (niacin) due to R. dominica at 75% level of infestation in three cereal grains. Storage of grains (1-4 months) in insect free conditions did not show appreciable changes in the vitamin contents.

Development, nutritive content and shelf life of home processed supplementary foods.

Four low cost supplements containing whole wheat, pearl millet, bengal gram, green gram grain and amaranth leaves employing roasting and malting methods were developed. Nutritional evaluation showed that chemical composition of developed supplements was within the range prescribed for processed supplements and could meet satisfactorily one third requirements of protein, energy, iron and calcium for young children. Developed supplements were stored in three packings, polythene bags, tins with lids, glass bottle with lids (each 1 kg capacity, under ambient temperature (24-32 degrees C) and RH (70-80%) for a period of 30 days and analysed for moisture, peroxide value, fat acidity and alcoholic acidity. Stored samples were also evaluated organoleptically. The values of moisture, peroxide value, fat acidity and alcoholic acidity of stored samples were within the range of prescribed specifications for processed supplements. Storage of supplements for 30 days resulted in non-significant changes in organoleptic traits except for taste and aroma of bajra based supplements on 20th and 30th day of storage. In spite of these variations, all the supplements were found to be acceptable till 30th day of storage.

Biological evaluation of protein quality of sorghum as affected by insect infestation.

Protein quality of sorghum grains having 25, 50 and 75% infestation caused by mixed population of Trogoderma granarium Everts and Rhizopertha dominica Fabricius was biologically evaluated by rat growth and nitrogen balance studies. Feeding of diet containing insect infested sorghum grains (50 and 75%) resulted in marked decrease in food intake, protein intake, gain in body weight, food efficiency ratio, protein efficiency ratio, nitrogen consumption, nitrogen absorption, biological value, net protein utilization, dry matter digestibility, net protein retention and protein retention efficiency. These parameters showed negative association with insect infestation levels. However, 25% level of grain infestation did not affect these parameters significantly.

Biological evaluation of protein quality of sorghum as affected by insect infestation

Protein quality of sorghum grains having 25, 50 and 75 percent infestation caused by mixed population of Trogoderma granarium Everts and Rhizopertha dominica Fabricius was biologically evaluated by rat growth and nitrogen balance studies. Feeding of diet containing insect infested sorghum grains (50 and 75 percent) resulted in marked decrease in food intake, protein intake, gain in body weight, food efficiency ratio, protein efficiency ratio, nitrogen consumption, nitrogen absorption, biological value, net protein utilization, dry matter digestibility, net protein retention and protein retention efficiency. These parameters showed negative association with insect infestation levels. However, 25 percent level of grain infestation did not affect these parameters significantly (AU)

Available carbohydrates of cereal grains as affected by storage and insect infestation.

Total soluble sugar, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar and starch contents of wheat, maize and sorghum grains were affected adversely at 25, 50 and 75% insect infestation caused by Trogoderma granarium Everts and Rhizopertha dominica Fabricius, separately and mixed population. R. dominica caused significant (P < 0.05) reduction in available carbohydrates at 50 and 75% infestation levels whereas T. granarium achieved similar effect at 75%. Mixture of both insect species caused intermediate losses. Storage of cereal grains up to 4 months resulted in substantial increase in sugars and decrease in starch content, but storage for a shorter period of time did not cause any significant changes in levels of carbohydrates.

Available carbohydrates of cereal grains as affected by storage and insect infestation

Total soluble sugar, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar and starch contents of wheat, maize and sorghum grains were affected adversely at 25, 50 and 75 percent insect infestation caused by Trogoderma granarium Everts and Rhizopertha dominica Fabricius, separately and mixed population. R. dominica caused significant (P < 0.05) reduction in available carbohydrates at 50 and 75 percent. Mixture of both insect species caused intermediate losses. Storage of cereal grains up to 4 months resulted in substantial increase in sugars and decrease in starch content, but storage for a shorter period of time did not cause any significant changes in levels of carbohydrates (Summary)

Hypocholesterolemic effect of guargum in overweight adults.

The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of guargum on plasma cholesterol levels of overweight adults. The consumption of 15 g guargum with normal diet for six weeks produced significant reduction in plasma total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio. However, HDL-cholesterol levels were not effected by fibre intake.

Effect of dietary fibres on bioavailability of vitamin A and thiamine.

Different sources of dietary fibre (cellulose, pectin, Isabgol, cabbage and guava) were fed to weaning rats for 5 weeks to study their effect on serum vitamins. Both the plant foods (cabbage and guava) were analysed for dietary fibre. Guava was found to be a good source of dietary fibre constituting 51.77% of dry pulp, whereas cabbage contained only 16.17%. Cellulose was the major component of dietary fibre in both the plant foods. The concentration of vitamin A and thiamine in the serum of fibre-fed rats was significantly lower than that of rats on a fibre-free diet. However, the amount of vitamin A in serum decreased significantly with the increase in level of dietary fibre, but the decrease was non-significant in the case of thiamine.

Biological evaluation of pearl millet protein: effect of different treatments and storage.

Whole grain flour of one variety (HC-4) of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum L. Leeke) after giving different treatments (defatting, butylated hydroxyanisole, ascorbic acid and thermal) was stored in earthen pots at prevailing room temperature (28-34 degrees C) and relative humidity (70-80%) for 30 days. The flour samples were evaluated for protein quality using rats. Storage of flour for 30 days markedly reduced the protein quality. The values of protein efficiency ratio, true digestibility, biological value, net protein retention and net protein utilisation were significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in fresh and treated flour than untreated flour. Among treated flours, defatted flour showed best growth followed by butylated hydroxyanisole, thermal and ascorbic acid treated flour.

Protein digestibility (in vitro) of chickpea and blackgram seeds as affected by domestic processing and cooking.

Protein digestibility (in vitro) of grains of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and blackgram (Vigna mungo) cultivars varied from 48 to 53% and 52 to 58%, respectively. Soaking, cooking (both of unsoaked and soaked seeds), autoclaving and sprouting improved significantly the protein digestibility of all the cultivars of chickpea and blackgram. Autoclaving was found to be most effective followed by cooking and sprouting; cooking of sprouts had only marginal effect. Protein digestibility was higher when soaked instead of unsoaked grains were cooked.