فصلنامه علوم تغذیه و صنایع غذایی ایران
سال هفدهم شماره 2 (پیاپی 67، تابستان 1401)

Crack is a processed solid form of cocaine that includes stronger addictive effects than those of cocaine powder. Abuse of psychological stimuli, including crack cocaine, includes adverse effects on the memory and learning. Use of vitamins has been suggested as an effective treatment for the substance abuse. The aim of this study was to assess effects of the intraperitoneal injection of vitamin C on spatial memory and lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus of rats during crack cocaine poisoning.

This study was carried out on six groups of six male rats. Three days after intraperitoneal injection of crack cocaine, vitamin C or a combination of these drugs in the experimental groups for five days, Morris water maze device was used to assess spatial memory-linked parameters. Rats were then sacrificed and their hippocampus was removed and lipid peroxidation in this brain site was assessed using malondialdehyde. Statistical analysis of data was carried out using one-way analysis of variance and SPSS Software. Statistical analysis of data was carried out using  one-way analysis of variance, Tukey post-hoc test and SPSS Software.

Intraperitoneal injection of high doses of crack cocaine (15 mg/kg) significantly decreased parameters associated to the spatial memory on Days 3 and 4 of the experiments (p < 0.01). Intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg vitamin C improved spatial memory in rats poisoned with crack (p < 0.05) with no effects on lipid peroxidation in hippocampus
(p > 0.05).

Doses of vitamin C in this study were able to improve the spatial memory function of rats treated with crack cocaine to normal levels.

Patient education is an important part of diabetes control. Virtual education using messenger networks makes it easy for the patients to receive information they need remotely. Due to the high popularity of WhatsApp social network in Iran, this study was carried out to assess effects of WhatsApp nutrition education on blood sugar, fat profile and quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes.

In this clinical trial study, 90 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. For the intervention group, a 45-d nutrition education program was provided via WhatsApp using images, videos and posters. Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein and quality of life were assessed in the two groups before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS Software v.22.

Results showed that WhatsApp nutrition training included effects on triglycerides (p = 0.008) and quality of life (p < 0.0001) but not on fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein (p > 0.05). No significant effects on HbA1c were observed at various times (p < 0.788).

Results of the present study revealed effects of WhatsApp nutrition education on decreasing blood triglycerides and increasing the quality of life of diabetic patients.

Inflation and volatility in food prices affect low-income groups more than other income groups, eliminating essential food items in the household food consumption. Quality of the nutrition of households includes serious risks to the development and health requirements of disadvantaged groups in the society. Furthermore, dairy products play important roles in health and development of people. From the welfare policy-making point of view, this has been addressed as a critical factor.

Agent-based simulation, as an advanced forecasting approach, makes it possible to assess effects of various policies on consumers’ behaviors and their expenditure patterns by considering heterogeneous agents. In this study, price elasticity of dairy products was calculated using almost ideal demand system approach. Effects of increases in dairy prices were then simulated using Netlogo6 Software.

Simulation showed that the proportion of household consumption of dairy products in various groups significantly decreased. Decreased dairy consumption occurred asymmetrically between various income groups. The fifth quantile included the highest total expenditure. Adverse effects of dairy price increases decreased dairy expenditure for the first quantile to almost zero.

Since the increase in the price of dairy products causes a decrease in the consumption of them in the food basket, It is suggested to adopt a variety of protective policies in consumption and production sector of dairy products in order to improve and increase the low per capita consumption of these goods.

Due to the limited intakes of routine protein sources in phenylketonuria, nutritional deficiencies may occur. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess dietary intakes, blood parameters and nutritional statuses of children and adolescents with phenylketonuria.

In total, 80 patients with phenylketonuria (42 girls, 52.5%) were included in this cross-sectional study. Using general information questionnaires, necessary information linked to nutritional and demographic indicators were collected. Patients' diets were assessed using a 3-day diet recall. Blood concentrations of phenylalanine, tyrosine, ferritin, iron, zinc, folic acid, B12, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, albumin and calcium were assessed.

The present study showed that the highest frequency was allocated to people with normal weight with a frequency of 57.5% based on body mass index for age. In this study, children and adolescents with phenylketonuria, who were low and normal weight, had higher serum iron levels (p = 0.006) and their calcium intake was higher (p = 0.007). Additionally, participants consumed fewer calories, zinc and vitamin B12 and more fat, phenylalanine, tyrosine, iron and calcium, compared to the recommended values. The current study results showed that phenylalanine levels were higher than the acceptable levels in the majority of participants.

Results of this study demonstrated importance of iron supplementation for obese children and adolescents with phenylketonuria. Since the serum level of phenylalanine in these people was greater than the acceptable level, it is recommended to use necessary measures to follow and provide special diets for these patients.

Food insecurity is defined as the limited or uncertain availability of enough foods for permanent activities and healthy life. Colorectal polyps, as precursors of colon cancer, can lead to individual and social damages in the patient’s life. The aim of this study was to assess associations between the food insecurity and colorectal polyps in people over 50 in Isfahan city, Iran.

Totally, 80 patients with colorectal polyps referred to a private gastrointestinal clinic as cases and 80 healthy people referred to a health center as control were recruited in this study. Patients were recently diagnosed (4 m) using colonoscopy. They were individually matched for age, sex and residential areas. The socioeconomic general and household food insecurity access Scale questionnaires were completed. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS Software.

In this study, positively significant relationships were detected between the food insecurity and colorectal polyps as prevalence of food insecurity was 58.8% in patients and 45% in healthy people. In addition, education, presence of under 18 years-old children in households and supplement consumption were associated to the disease and the most relevant factor was the supplement consumption (p < 0.05).

Food insecurity was one of the important risk factors for colorectal polyps that health care providers should consider. Moreover, low education level, prevalence of under 18 years-old children in households and no supplementation increased the risk of disease.

The production of functional foods to prevent and manage diet-related chronic diseases is rising worldwide, including in Iran. It is essential to understand factors affecting the acceptance of functional foods. The present study was conducted to design a valid reliable questionnaire for assessing determinants of functional dairy product consumption and preferences in adults in Tehran, the capital city of Iran.

This study was a mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative) study. The questionnaire items were derived from the qualitative study results mixed with items obtained from the literature. Then, psychometric characteristics of the instrument, including content validity, face validity, internal consistency, and stability, were assessed. Cronbach's alpha, intra-class correlation coefficient, and kappa were assessed using SPSS Software v.21.

The primary question pool included 52 questions, which decreased to 33 after assessing the content validity index and ratio. The instrument's overall scale content validity index was 0.96. The internal consistency reliability of the attitude scale was calculated as 0.87. The kappa coefficient values for familiarity/unfamiliarity with functional dairy products and their consumption/non-consumption ranged 0.61–1. Intraclass correlation coefficient values ranged 0.69–1 for the frequency of functional dairy consumption, 0.73–0.86 for the degree of importance of product characteristics in affecting consumer choices, and 0.83–0.92 for the consumer views for the information on functional dairy products. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the attitude towards these products was 0.92, indicating the high test-retest reliability of the instrument.

The questionnaire designed in this study was a valid reliable instrument that could assess various factors affecting the consumption of functional dairy products and consumer preferences concerning these products.

Benefits of the effects of plant compounds with therapeutic characteristics depend on the bioavailability of their active ingredients. Curcumin includes limitations such as low stability and solubility as well as sensitivity to processing conditions and gastrointestinal conditions. Therefore, novel methods such as nanocomplex preparation in these compounds have been developed.

To increase solubility and stability of curcumin, a curcumin-albumin nanocomplex was prepared. The response surface methodology-face cantered composite design statistical design was used to optimize three factors in preparation of nanoparticles. Factors included organic phase volume (6.4–11.11% v/v), pH (3–7) and curcumin ratio (5000–000 μg). Glutaraldehyde and tannic acid were used for crosslinking. Particle size, zeta potential (dynamic light scattering method), particle morphology (field emission-scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy) and crosslinking index (ninhydrin and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) were investigated. Factors and responses were analyzed using Design Expert Software v.8.

In curcumin nanocomplex, the optimal conditions for the production of albumin nanoparticles were assessed at pH far from the isoelectric point of albumin and a volume proportion of the organic phase of 11.4%. For simultaneous achievement of the smallest particle with the highest curcumin encapsulation and desirability factor, the optimum efficiency was achieved at 3400 μg of curcumin. Curcumin encapsulation efficiency and particle size was 72.54%  and less than 230 nm, respectively. Use of tannic acid increased the efficiency of curcumin entrapment in albumin nanocomplex
(p < 0.05).

Results of this study showed that use of albumin-curcumin nanocomplex along with tannic acid as a crosslinking agent increased encapsulation and stability of curcumin.

One of the challenges in edible oils and fat industries is the production of shortenings with special functional properties for various industries. Rheological properties of shortenings are directly linked to their functionality. The major objective of this study was to investigate effects of crystallization parameters on rheological properties of inter-esterified based shortenings.

Steady state and oscillatory shear parameters of five shortening treatments with various crystallization parameters were collected. Effects of cooling rate and kneading intensity on storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) were studied.

In frequency sweep assay within the frequency range of 0.628–126 rad/s, the maximum and the minimum of elastic moduli were respectively seen in Treatments 1 and 4 with cooling exit temperatures (3) of 28 and 29.5 ◦C, kneading rates (2) of 190 and 280 rpm and filling temperatures of 36 and 30 ◦C. Similar results were achieved for loss moduli.

Results showed significant decreases in the two moduli with decreasing temperature in third phase, increasing kneading intensity and decreasing filling temperature.

Use of various pesticides to protect agricultural products increases likelihood of residues of these compounds entering the human body through the consumption of food products. In this study, an efficient method was developed for the extraction and preconcentration of organophosphorus pesticides from packed juice samples using gas chromatography-nitrogen-phosphorus detector.

In this study, a combination of dispersive solid-phase extraction and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction was used for the extraction of pesticides from fruit juice samples. Chitosan-Ni/Fe layered double hydroxide composite was synthesized and used after characterization as adsorbent in dispersive solid-phase extraction step. To achieve high extraction efficiency, effects of various factors in the two extraction stages were investigated and optimized.

Interaction of chitosan with the produced layered double hydroxide was verified using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and its crystallographic structure was verified using X-ray diffraction. In addition, porous structure of the synthesized adsorbent, indicating large surface areas and high extraction capacities, was verified via morphological study of the composite. Developed extraction method was successfully carried out on juice samples as the sample matrix included no significant effects on the separation of analytes and limits of detection and limit of quantification of the method included 0.011–0.019 and 0.043–0.063 ng/ml, respectively. Linear range of the suggested method was wide (0.36–0.250) and the method included an appropriate precision with RSD% less than 5.6 for intra and inter-day precisions. Values ​​were also desirable for the extraction efficiency (72–76%).

In general, dispersive solid-phase extraction in combination with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction included a wide linear range and appropriate repeatability. In addition, this method included desirable values for enrichment factor, limits of detection and extraction efficiency and hence is recommended for the assessment of target pesticides in juice samples.

Propolis is one of the effective products against foodborne bacteria, which chemical composition varies based on the geographical location and vegetation of the region. The aim of this study was to investigate antibacterial effects of the alcoholic extract of propolis of Taleghan region on four bacteria, disease and food poisoning.

After preparing propolis, its alcoholic extract was collected. High pressure liquid chromatography was used to analyze substances and compounds of the extract. Then, microbial assessments were carried out using agar diffusion and well methods to assess effects of various concentrations of propolis extract on the bacteria. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test and analysis of variance.

The maximum growth inhibitions of Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus occurred at concentrations of 100 and 75 mg/ml of the extract. The minimum growth inhibition belonged to the concentration of 50 mg/ml of bromine extract. For each of the bacteria in a certain range of the extract concentrations, inhibitory characteristics and minimum bactericidal concentration values ​​verified this. For Staphylococcus aureus, desired extract in concentrations of 100–6.25 mg/ml showed inhibitory characteristics with a difference that at a concentration of 12.5 mg/ml, minimum bactericidal concentration results were in contrast to minimum inhibitory concentration results.

Antimicrobial effects of the bromine extract on the pathogenic bacteria were demonstrated in the present study.

Several methods have been used to decrease losses during storage of fruits and vegetables. Of these methods, high-voltage electric field seems promising. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of high-voltage electric field on four major quality attributes of pomegranate fruit (Punica granatum L.) during storage.

Pomegranate fruits were exposed to high-voltage electric fields with strengths of 2 and 4 kV cm-1 at two various modes (use of high-voltage electric field alone at Day 1 of storage or repeat the high-voltage electric field treatment with the regular intervals during storage). Quality characteristics of the fruits such as color, texture, antioxidant content and respiration rate were assessed at 15-d intervals for 60 d.

Results showed that the respiration rate of pomegranate fruits decreased with storage time extension and high-voltage electric field treated pomegranates demonstrated significantly lower respiration rates, compared to the control. The lightness value (L*) of pomegranates treated under electric field was higher than that of the control sample
(p < 0.05) and the force needed to compress the pomegranate seeds treated under the electric field during storage was more than those of the control and samples treated with electric field alone on Day 1 of storage. Results also showed that use of electric field could increase the antioxidant activity of pomegranate fruits during storage.

It can be concluded that exposure to high-voltage electric field could induce or stimulate production of reactive oxygen species inhibitory enzymes in pomegranate defense systems. In addition, this study verified efficacy of high-voltage electric field treatment in postharvest preservation of pomegranate.

Improper eating habits have led to non-communicable diseases. Decrease of fat and sugar consumptions is a way to combat these diseases. The aims of this study were to investigate quantities of sugar and fat in industrial milk ice-creams produced and distributed in urban area of Tehran and compare the values with those of the product labels and relevant national standards.

This study was a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study. In this study, community and research environment of the factories producing various types of milk ice-creams and centers for the supply, distribution and sale of various types of milk ice-creams in Islamshahr, Shahryar and southern Tehran, Iran, were investigated. In total, 100 samples of milk ice-creams produced by dairy factories and supplied by centers under the supervision of Tehran University of Medical Sciences were randomly collected. Then, the ice-cream sugar and fat quantities were respectively assessed using Lane Eynon and Gerber methods and values were compared with those of Iranian national standards, product labels and Executive Instruction of the Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Iran.

The average quantity of total sugar showed compliance with the national standard of Iran (p < 0.001). Results showed that the average total sugar on ice-cream labels of supply level and total sugar after the test were significantly different (p < 0.001). Results of the fat content showed that 100% of the milk ice-cream samples offered in stores and 92.7% of the factory samples included orange-color spectra. The average total fat on the labels of milk ice-creams from factories (13.99 g ±6.48) and total fat after testing (13 g ±5.25) were in accordance with the instructions of the Food and Drug Administration (p = 0.083). The mean fat contents of milk ice-creams offered in stores (9.25 g ±4.56) and total fat after testing (7.57 g ±2.42) showed statistically significant differences (p = 0.008).

Results of this study demonstrated that most of the milk ice-creams produced by the factories under the supervision of the university and those produced by other factories were in accordance with the framework of the Food and Drug Administration to decrease total sugar and fat contents by 10%.