K. Bhaskarachary ¹, P. Ramulu ¹, P. Udayasekhararao ¹, S. Bapurao ², Kamala Krishnaswamy ², Q. Syed ³, P. Udaykumar ³, B. Sesikeran ³

Affiliations
1 Food Chemistry Division, IN
2 Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre, IN
3 Pathology Division, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, IN

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate nutritional and toxicological aspects of peanut grown in fly ash amended soils. Peanut was grown on soils with fly ash (80t ha^-1) and without fly ash at two different geographical locations of India. One kilogram each of 36 samples randomly collected from three replicates of grown peanut with and without fly ash was subjected to various analytical techniques to determine the nutrient composition, mineral and heavy metal content. Moisture, protein, ash content of the peanut samples showed no difference between fly ash treated and controls. Further, the peanut grown on soils with fly ash treated was incorporated in the diet at 90% level and was fed to Wistar/NIN rats for 26 weeks for carrying out protein and toxicological evaluation. Results indicated that there were no adverse effects on hematological, biochemical, histopathological parameters when peanut was fed to rats.

Keywords

Fly Ash, Peanut, Protein and Toxicological Evaluation, Minerals, Trace Elements, Heavy Metals.

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K. Bhaskarachary ¹, N. Naveena ¹, Kalpagam Polasa ¹

Affiliations
1 National Institute of Nutrition, Jamai Osmania, Hyderabad-500 007, IN

Abstract

Plant metabolites comprise of multiple and wide range of components such as nutrients, anti-nutrients, bioactive components and antioxidants. Various food sources such as vegetables, fruits, nuts and tea are considered as rich source of these functional plant metabolites. Some of these are essential for normal physiology to maintain growth and health while some are functional components that have the potential to alter the metabolism. Phytonutrients, in addition are also constituted by inorganic minerals. These factors have potential in improving human health by alleviating the negative effect of certain chronic diseases and ageing. Certain components derived from fruits and vegetables are even considered to reduce the risk of cancer, protective for genome, immune enhancement and detoxification. Among various plant metabolites, polyphenols primarily function as free radical scavengers, reduction of oxidative stress, anti-mutagenic and have preventive role in cancer and cardiovascular disease as well as atherosclerosis development. In vitro and in vivo studies showed their beneficial effects on neurodegeneration also. Epidemiological studies also observed polyphenol mediated reduction in risk of cognitive impairment. Carotenoids are also shown to offer protection against neurodegeneration, retinal damage, sunburn and cognitive decline. Phytosterols are known to be associated with reduction in risk of coronary diseases. Saponins are shown to have antagonist activity against toxin activity in in vivo models. On the other hand natural isothiocyanates and their metabolites have been found to inhibit the development of chemically-induced cancers in different organs in a variety of animal models. Among phytochemicals, organosulfur compounds have shown potential for their anti-cancer properties. There seems to be a tremendous scope for research into the molecular properties of these plant metabolites as well as physiological/molecular mechanisms in promoting health as well as disease alleviation. Credible information pertaining to their dosage also seems to be scanty.

Keywords

Anti-Oxidants. Anti-Nutrients, Phytonutrients, Phytochemicals, Plant Secondary Metabolites, Chronic Degenerative Diseases, Bioactive Components, Therapeutics.

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K. Bhaskarachary ¹, J. Sreenivasa Rao ¹, T. Longvah ¹

Affiliations
1 Food Chemistry Division, National Institute of Nutrition (Indian Council of Medical Research), Jamai Osmania Post, Hyderabad - 500007, IN

Abstract

Promotion and utilization of plant foods for improvements in antioxidant nutritional status with particular reference to vitamin A deficiency and degenerative diseases have been explored through wise selection of food or nutrition counseling. Numerous phytochemicals present in vegetables and fruits that have biologically plausible roles in reducing the risk of disease hove been investigated.

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K. Bhaskarachary ¹, J. Sreenivasa Rao ¹, T. Longvah ¹

Affiliations
1 Food Chemistry Division, National Institute of Nutrition (Indian Council of Medical Research) Jamai Osmania Post, Hyderabad-500007, IN

Abstract

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) being a siient, unseen threat which if untreated can eventually lead to blindness in children and also affects their immune potentials. As a short-term measure, periodic administration of large doses of vitamin A has been suggested to reduce the serious consequences of VAD. In India, the prevalence of Bitot spots declined from 1.8 per cent in 1970 to 0.8 per cent in 2002 and further decreased to 0.7 per cent in 2007 and severe forms of keratomalacia and blindness have almost disappeared. Epidemiological evidence indicated that VAD even at sub-clinical level is associated with increased risk of morbidity/mortality in children and the focus has been shifted from xerophthalmia to systemic effects. Hence the present agenda is virtual elimination of VAD and all its consequences. In this direction our earlier efforts as a long-term food based strategy have generated database for β-carotene content and identified rich sources in commonly consumed Indian foods.

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S. Chennaiah ¹, K. Bhaskarachary ², S. Bapu Rao ², N. Raghuramulu ¹

Affiliations
1 Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Institute of Nutrition, Jamai-Osmania, Hyderabad-500 007, IN
2 Division of Food Chemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Jamai-Osmania, Hyderabad-500 007, IN

Abstract

Until a few years ago, it was thought that vitamin D₃ and its metabolic derivatives were absent in plant tissues. The observation of plant related calcinosis in certain areas of the world, however, led to the discovery of 1.25 (OH)₂D₃D₃-glycoside in leaves of S.malacoxylon and of vitamin D₃ in T.flavescens. It has been well established that not only animal products contain vitamin D₃ analogues but also plant products have it. Plants particularly those belonging to solanaceae family have been much discussed in these days for their vitamin "D'- like activity. Day blooming Jessamine or Day king i.e. C. diurnum belongs to solanaceae family and has been shown that the leaves of this plant contains vitamin D₃ analogues.

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K. Bhaskarachary ¹, R. Ananthan ¹, T. Longwah ¹

Affiliations
1 Food Chemistry Division, National Institute of Nutrition, Jamia Osmania, Hyderabad - 500 007, IN

Abstract

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is tine leading cause of childhood blindness, which, in its severest form, is often found in company with severe malnutrition and diseases. As a short-term measure, periodic administration of large doses of vitamin A has been in operation in India to reduce the serious consequences of VAD. In India, the prevalence of Bitot spots declined from 1.8 per cent in 1970 to 0.8 per cent in 2002 and severe forms of keratomalacia and blindness have almost disappeared. The most rational approach to combat VAD is to increase its dietary intake and thus build of body stores of vitamin A. The content of vitamin A precursors both in raw foods and stored or processed products is not stable during its long journey from the producer to the consumer.

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N. Naveena ¹, A. Vishnuvardhana Rao ², K. Bhaskarachary ¹

Affiliations
1 Food Chemistry Division, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad -500 007, IN
2 Biostatistics Division, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad -500 007, IN

Abstract

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of boiling and juicing on selected vegetables and fruits such as carrot, beetischolar_main, tomato, mint leaves, pomegranate and apple. Total and individual polyphenols were evaluated by Folin-Ciocalteu and RP-HPLC. Antioxidant capacities of the selected foods were measured by DPPH, FRAP, ABTS and ORAC assays. In vitro bioaccessibility of total and individual polyphenols were analyzed by mimicking human gastro intestinal system. Results of this study revealed that pomegranate was found to be higher in total polyphenols (55.90±1.02) and the lesser content was observed in boiled mint leaves (3.16±1.12). Also carrot pure juice (37.35%) was observed higher total polyphenols bioaccessibility and lesser content was observed in tomato puree juice (13.71%). The predominant polyphenols present in the selected foods are simple polyphenols such as chlorogenic, caffeic, ferulic and gallic acids, glycosides of flavones and flavonols such as apigenin, luteolin, quercetin and catechins such as epigallocatechin, epicatechin and their individual polyphenol bioaccessibility were also analyzed. Among the selected foods pomegranate juice contained highest AOA, moderate AOA was observed in juices of beetischolar_main, apple, tomato and lesser activity was observed in carrot juice compared to the raw and boiled foods. From these findings, it was observed that the food matrix, method of cooking, polyphenol content (total and individual) and bioaccessibility are the key determining factors of net antioxidant capacity of the selected fruits and vegetables.

Keywords

Polyphenols, Antioxidant Capacity, Bioaccessibility.

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P. S. Prasanthi ¹, M. Vishnuvardhana Rao ², K. Bhaskarachary ¹

Affiliations
1 National Institute of Nutrition, Jamai-Osmania, Hyderabad, Telangana - 500 007, IN
2 National Institute of Medical Statistics, Indian Council of Medical Research, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110 029, IN

Abstract

Green leafy vegetables (GLV) are rich sources of micronutrients, which have many health benefits and have the potential to combat the problem of malnutrition. However, domestic processing and cooking alter the nutrient contents. To study the retention of xanthophylls after processing, ten different GLV which are commonly available and regularly consumed, were analysed for total carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanthin and violaxanthin in both raw and cooked forms. In the unprocessed GLV, the lutein content on dry basis ranged from 341 mg/kg in Murraya koenigii to 959 mg/kg in Spinacia oleracea while zeaxanthin ranged from traces in Coriandrum sativum and Rumex acetosa to 15.45 mg/kg in Basella alba. In the case of violaxanthin, while it was not detectable in Hibiscus cannabinus, Amaranthus viridis had 794 mg/kg. The total carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanthin and violaxanthin in the processed GLV varied based on the variety of leafy vegetable cooked and the method of cooking. Microwave cooking followed by steaming were the most recommended method, while deep frying drastically reduced the total carotenoids and xanthophyll content followed by sautéing with oil. Overall, different methods of cooking resulted in changes in the phytochemical composition which are due to various factors such as leaf matrix, cooking method, cooking time and temperature.

Keywords

Nutrient Retention, Xanthophylls, Green Leafy Vegetables, Bioactive Phytochemicals, Cooking.

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