فصلنامه علوم تغذیه و صنایع غذایی ایران
سال هجدهم شماره 4 (پیاپی 73، زمستان 1402)

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is known as a chronic liver disease, whose prevalence is increasing worldwide and if not treated can lead to hepatic cirrhosis and fibrosis. The gold standard for diagnosing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and assessing the extent of liver fibrosis is liver biopsy; however, this is an invasive method that can lead to possible side effects. Therefore, use of non-invasive methods is suggested. The aim of this study was to assess effects of intermittent fasting and flaxseed consumption on liver fibrosis through non-invasive marker panel and Fibroscan in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Methods and Materials: 

Changes in liver fibrosis in fifty patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were investigated using intermittent fasting diet with daily consumption of 30 g of flaxseed supplement in a randomized clinical trial. At the beginning and at the end of the study, height and weight of the participants were measured. Body mass index, physical activity questionnaire (physical activity using the international physical activity questionnaire) and 24-h recall were completed by the patients at the beginning and the end of the study. Approximate duration of the study was 12 w. Hepatic fibrosis assessment methods that used at the beginning and the end of the study included Fibroscan and calculation of non-invasive marker panel, such as fibrosis 4 (FIB-4), AST aminotransferase platelet ratio index (APRI) and body mass index, AST/ALT aminotransferase ratio, Diabetes (BARD).

In general, 45 patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with an average age of 46.83 years old and an average BMI of 32.79 kg/m2 were included in the analysis. Results of this study showed that following diets with supplements, hepatic fibrosis score decreased using Fibroscan assay (p = 0.507), BARD (p = 0.396), FIB-4 (p = 0.984) and APRI (p = 0.682); however, none of them were statistically significant after 12 w, compared to the control group.

Results of Fibroscan and BARD, FIB-4 and APRI indices were similar in assessing liver fibrosis changes after the intervention. Future studies with larger sample sizes are needed to verify these results.

It has been shown that dysfunction in mitochondrial biogenesis of the skeletal muscles induced by elderly can cause various diseases. The aim of this study was to assess effects of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with hawthorn (Haw) supplementation on PGC-1α and TFAM in extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of elderly male rats.

In this experimental study, 36 elderly rats were randomly assigned into the following groups of control (CON), HIIT and Haw as well a combination of the two latter ones (COM, HIIT and Haw). The HIIT program consisted of 6 to 9 1-min bouts of running on a treadmill at a speed of 16 to 25 m/min with 1-m rests between the intervals. During the intervention, rats in Haw and COM groups were fed (roughly 100 mg/kg/body weight) via gavage. The PGC-1α and TFAM proteins in EDL muscles were assessed using western blot method.

The PGC-1α protein in COM group was significantly higher than that in CON (p = 0.0001), HIIT (p = 0.008) and Haw (p = 0.0001) groups and was higher in HIIT (p = 0.0001) and Haw (p = 0.0001) groups than CON group. The TFAM protein increased significantly in COM group, compared to CON (p = 0.0001), HIIT (p = 0.014) and Haw (p = 0.0001) groups. Furthermore, this protein was higher in HIIT group, compared to CON (p = 0.0001) and Haw (p = 0.0001) groups. 

These findings have indicated that combination of HIIT and Haw can cause greater increases in mitochondrial biogenesis proteins.

Senescence is linked to increases in oxidative stress and free radicals, which can potentially damage DNA. Furthermore, obesity is known to exacerbate these factors. In contrast, antioxidants may postpone tissue aging, including adipose tissues, by fighting with free radicals. To investigate this link, this study was carried out to assess associations between dietary antioxidant intake and visceral adipose tissue aging in obese adults.

A case-control study was carried out at Shahada Tajrish Hospital, Tehran, Iran, with 20 candidates of bariatric surgery and 20 adults of normal weight. The study assessed activity of beta-galactosidase in visceral adipose tissues. Assessment of dietary antioxidants was carried out using food frequency questionnaires.

Study indicated significant adverse correlations of the daily consumption of vitamin C and selenium with beta-galactosidase activity in visceral fat tissues of case group (p = 0.039 and p = 0.028, respectively). In the control group, significant adverse relationships were observed between the daily intake of vitamin C (p = 0.001), lycopene (p = 0.027), selenium (p = 0.037) and magnesium (p = 0.002) and beta-galactosidase activity in visceral fat tissues. Moreover, individuals with high beta-galactosidase enzyme activity in visceral fat tissues had a significantly lower daily intake of vitamin E (p = 0.046), vitamin C (p < 0.001), lycopene (p = 0.030), selenium (p = 0.035) and magnesium (p = 0.01), compared to those with low beta-galactosidase enzyme activity in visceral fat tissues.

Consuming diets high in antioxidants has been linked to decreased cellular senescence in the visceral adipose tissues of obese adults. To further investigate this relationship, studies including a variety of senescence markers are recommended.

Oral diseases and childhood obesity are two basic health challenges in the 21st century. Although researchers have paid attention to the peer social network to solve community health problems, findings about the effects of this network on children's oral health and obesity are little. This study investigated effects of peer social network on oral health and obesity in elementary school children.

In this descriptive-analytical study with convenient sampling, relationships between the oral health and obesity indicators of primary school students with friendship groups in the social network were assessed. A number of 145 students participated in this study in the 3rd and 6th semesters of primary education in the academic year of 2017–2018. Data were collected through clinical examinations and valid questionnaires and assessed using SPSS, Excel and Gephi software. Rank and linear logistic regression analysis method was used to assess correlations between the knowledge and oral health behaviors as well as nutritional behaviors in the friendship network and close friends.

Results demonstrated strong relationships between the students’ oral health and obesity indicators and their peer connections within their social friendship network groups at school. Specifically, results of ordinal regression analysis showed significant correlations in dental knowledge and eating behaviors within social friendship network groups (p < 0.001, r = 0.9). Results showed significant roles of close friends in dental knowledge and behaviors on primary school children.

This study has demonstrated that children are affected by each other in the friendship network. It has been showed that only students' close friends can be effective factors in determining students' oral hygiene behaviors.

Due to the significance of establishing a food security plan and atlas within globally recognized institutions to enhance monitoring of nutrition conditions across various regions and countries, the current study focused on creating the latest, comprehensive food-security map for households in urban and rural areas of Khuzestan Province, Iran.

Using random sampling method, a total of 3381 questionnaires were collected from urban (1909 questionnaires) and rural (1472 questionnaires) areas within Khuzestan Province, Iran. These questionnaires were administered via face-to-face interviews. The level of household food security was assessed using standard questionnaire of the household food insecurity access scale. To assess the annual consumption of food items and convert it into daily intake, standard household income-consumption questionnaire was used. Food intake status of the households was calculated using food content table.

Findings indicated the presence of a divided society in the province, primarily affected by the level of per-capita income and its distribution. Results revealed a contrasting situation, where malnutrition was prevalent on one end while overeating was seen on the other end. Based on the data, approximately 37% of urban households in Khuzestan Province had high food security, while the remaining of 63% experienced various forms of food insecurity. Of urban areas, Shoush had the highest level of food security reaching 62%. It is noteworthy that 38% of households in this city faced food insecurity. In the rural areas of Khuzestan Province, Shadgan had the lowest percentage of food secure households at 13%, followed by Izeh at 15% and Bandar Mahshahr at 18%.

It is suggested that the drawn maps be used to review and adjust the policies regarding food security and nutrition provision for households in Khuzestan province. Furthermore, these maps can contribute to the development of a sustainable strategic model and a roadmap for targeted investments by the government and provincial officials, taking into account the geographical context.

Recently, studies have been carried out on effects of various essences on biodegradable films. The aim of this study was to investigate physicochemical characteristics of starch-polyvinyl alcohol active film containing thyme essential oil and its emulsion.

To produce active films, after preparing starch-polyvinyl alcohol solution, various concentrations of thyme essential oil (1, 3 and 5%) and 10% concentration of thyme emulsions (emulsion 1, 3 and 5%) were used.

Based on the results, films containing essential oil and emulsion included similar effects on all physicochemical, mechanical and microbial characteristics of the film. Thus, addition of thyme essential oil and its emulsion to the film caused significant (p < 0.05) increases in the parameters of thickness, moisture absorption over time, contact angle and antioxidant activity of the films. Increases affected microbial characteristics of the films and both of them increased the area of growth inhibition of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The FTIR results showed that all films included a broad absorption band at 3000–3700 cm2, which was caused by the free stretching vibration of intramolecular and intermolecular hydroxyl groups. For the scanning microscopic structure or SEM results, it showed that the surface of the films loaded with the essential oil was rougher, also showing a little accumulation with increasing concentration.

In general, prepared films included good quality and microbial load on foods, which could be used as active packages.

In recent years, super-beneficial drinks produced by adding antioxidants, vitamins and probiotic bacteria can be appropriate alternatives to soft drinks. This research was carried out to assess antioxidant characteristics, phenolic content and alpha-glucosidase enzyme inhibition of lavender, khalowash and lemongrass essential oils and a beneficial drink made from the essential oils of selected plants and was finally assessed by sensory assessment.

First, essential oils of the plants were extracted and constituent analysis of the essential oils was carried out using gas chromatography. Antioxidant characteristics, phenolic content and alpha-glucosidase enzyme inhibition were investigated in the essential oils of the plants. Based on the characteristics of the essential plants, essential oils of lemon grass and lavender plants were used to produce beneficial drinks.

Results included antioxidant characteristics of lemongrass, lavender and khalowash essential oils. Regarding the total phenolic content, it was detected that the phenolic content in the pure essential oils of the plants included significant differences (p ˂ 0.05). Based on the results, lemongrass essential oil included the highest phenolic content. Inhibition percentage of alpha-glucosidase for the plant essential oil was nearly 60%. Then, the produced drinks were assessed for antioxidant characteristics and phenolic content and sensory properties (color, odor and taste).

Results showed that the essential oils of lemongrass and lavender plants increased general characteristics of the drinks and because of adding their herbal characteristics to the drinks, it can be addressed as beneficial. Sensory assessment results showed that the produced ultra-beneficial drinks were well accepted.

One of the frequent chemical contaminants in honey that can harm consumers' health is the group of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In the present study, combination of liquid-phase extraction method with magnetic ionic liquids based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction was developed to analyze polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in honey samples using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Following two-step extraction of acenaphthene, phenanthrene, anthracene and pyrene from honey samples, effective extraction parameters such as the type and volume of extracting solvent, ionic strength and vortexing time of the sample were optimized. To validate the proposed method, analytical parameters such as the linear range, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), reproducibility (RSD%) and extraction recovery percent (ER%) of the target compounds were calculated.

After using the optimized analytical method, optimal analytical characteristics such as LOD in the range of 0.13 to 0.27 ng/g, RSD% in the range of 2.9 to 6.2 and ideal ER% in the range of 74 to 82% were achieved. In addition, high accuracy of the developed method was supported by the fact that sample matrices included no detrimental effects on the extraction of the target analytics. Analysis of the real samples showed the presence of pyrene in two honey samples with quantities of 11.3 ±0.2 and 12.3 ±0.5.

The suggested approach is valid, as indicated by favorable analytical parameters such as high sensitivity and accuracy as well as an ideal ER%. Moreover, use of green solvents can be addressed as one of the advantages of the developed method.

In this study, effects of microwave pretreatment in optimizing conditions of enzymatic hydrolysis of pumpkin seed protein (Cucurbita maxima L.) was investigated using enzyme trypsin to achieve the maximum antioxidant activity using Design Expert software and response surface methodology.

The solution containing pumpkin seed concentrate was exposed to microwave energy with power of 450–900 W and time of 30–90 s. Enzymatic hydrolysis was carried out using trypsin enzyme with quantities of 0.5 to 2.5% per substrate, time intervals of 20 to 190 min and the optimum temperature and pH of trypsin. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH free radical scavenging method, iron chelation activity and total oxidant activity (absorbance in 695 nm).

The maximum DPPH free radical scavenging of 56.5%, iron chelation activity of 96.9%, total oxidant activity (absorbance in 695 nm) of 1.03 and hydrolysis degree of 22.3% in condition without pretreatment were achieved within 190 min at 1.5% E/S ratio. Using microwave pretreatment, the maximum DPPH free radical scavenging of 55.3%, iron chelation activity of 94.5%, total oxidant activity (absorbance in 695 nm) of 1.07 and hydrolysis degree of 25.8% were achieved within 105 min at 1.5% E/S ratio. These results were largely similar to those presented by the software (respectively without pretreatment in 165.1 min and 1.65% E/S 55.1%, 95.5%, 1.02, 21.35 and with pretreatment in 106 min and 1.37% E/S 51.1%, 93.7%, 1.05, 24.9).

Microwave pretreatment in enzymatic hydrolysis of pumpkin seed proteins using  trypsin enzyme has resulted in production of hydrolysates with appropriate antioxidant activity in addition to significant decreases of the hydrolysis time, which can be replaced by artificial preservatives in nutritional products as natural compounds.

 Functional foods refer to foods enriched with substances such as vitamins, proteins, fibers and probiotics with the intervention of technology.

Paraprobiotic cells were achieved using thermal method. Probiotic and paraprobiotic yogurt were produced from low-fat milk and samples were stored at 4 °C for 7 d. Then, microbiological and physicochemical (pH, acidity, syneresis, water holding capacity, color and texture) characteristics of the samples were assessed on Days 0 and 7.

Until the end of the storage in the two samples, pH decreased, acidity increased, syneresis decreased and water holding capacity increased. Live and killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum cells included similar effects on the yogurt color. Texture analysis showed no statistically significant differences (P ˃ 0.05) between the two samples and all three parameters of hardness, consistency and adhesion increased in the two samples. Results of counting live cells showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) between the two yogurt samples; however, number of the live cells in the two yogurt samples increased until the end of Day 7.

Paraprobiotic cells can be used to produce yogurts due to their health and technological advantages, long shelf life, simplicity of work, lack of side effects and sensitivity to the environmental conditions. It seems that they can be used as appropriate alternatives to probiotics in development of functional yogurts. However further clinical studies should be carried out to verify health benefits of paraprobiotics.