The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research

Enhancing food security through scientific research in Algeria. A novel vision and unified national strategy

2024-09-10T22:22:08+00:00

In this viewpoint we present the Algerian approach adopted to achieve a useful collaboration between researchers and socioeconomic partners to ensure food security.

Physicochemical characteristics and nutritional value of safflower oil: A potential sustainable crop for Egypt

2024-09-21T16:11:19+00:00

Background: The Increasing demand for sustainable and economical non-traditional edible oils, as alternatives to common oils is pivotal to bridge the edible oils gap, coupled with negative impacts of climate change on the agroecological settings for common oilseed crop productivity. Safflower, being one of the fast-growing medicinal oilseeds crops rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, known as the “king of linoleic acid”, exhibits resilience to adverse environmental conditions such as high temperatures, drought, salinity, and marginal environments.

Aims: This study aimed to comprehensively assess the physicochemical characteristics and lipid nutritional indices of safflower oil to validate its potential for expanded cultivation in Egypt.

Materials and Methods: Safflower oil was extracted from seeds of two spineless varieties cultivated in Egypt. The oil was subjected to proximate analysis, physicochemical characterization, fatty acid profile determination, and α-tocopherol content analysis. Additionally, a frying stability test was carried out for safflower oil and its blends with soybean oil in different ratios, monitoring changes in free fatty acid, peroxide value, and total polar compounds. Lipid nutritional indices were calculated to assess the oil’s health-promoting properties.

Results: Safflower oil exhibited similar proximate composition and physicochemical characteristics to sunflower oil. The fatty acid profile of safflower oil was comparable to sunflower oil, with a lower oleic acid content and a higher linoleic acid content. Furthermore, safflower oil demonstrated satisfactory stability during the frying process. Lipid nutritional indices calculated based on the fatty acid profile revealed that safflower oil is a valuable source of ω-6 fatty acids. The oil exhibited favorable values for atherogenicity index (AI), thrombogenic index (TI), hypocholesterolemic / hypercholesterolemic (HH), health-promoting index (HPI), and possessed strong antioxidant properties due to its high α-tocopherol content.

Conclusion: The findings of this study support the potential of safflower oil as a promising non-traditional edible oil, suitable for expanded cultivation in Egypt. Its favorable nutritional profile and stability make it a valuable addition to the dietary landscape.

Keywords: Carthamus tinctorius L., safflower oil, edible oil gap, lipid nutritional indices, frying stability, non-traditional edible oils.

Exploring the interplay between social media addiction, mindful eating, intuitive eating, orthorexia nervosa, and mental health in young adults

2024-09-17T08:52:11+00:00

Background: Considering the reported negative effects of social media on mental health and the popularity of healthy eating movements on these platforms, a potential relationship between orthorexia nervosa (ON), intuitive eating, mindful eating, and social media addiction warrants investigation.

Aims: This study aimed to explore the complex relationship between social media addiction, mindful eating, intuitive eating, ON, depression, anxiety, and stress in young adults.

Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 303 students, in Istanbul, Türkiye, between December 2023 and May 2024. Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, Orthorexia Nervosa Questionnaire (ORTO-11), Intuitive Eating Scale – 2nd edition (IES-2), Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ), Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-Short Form (DASS-21), and Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS). Body weight and height information were self-reported. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0.

Results: Of the participants, 67.7% were at risk of ON. According to ON classification, IES-2 and SMAS scores of participants with the risk of ON were higher and statistically significantly different compared to the participants with no risk of ON (p < 0.001, and p = 0.047, respectively). The ORTO-11 showed a positive moderate correlation with IES-2 scores (r = 0.401, p < 0.01), however, it showed a negative weak correlation with MEQ (r = -0.362, p < 0.01). Additionally, there was a negative weak correlation with ORTO-11 and SMAS (r = -0.104, p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that all predictors were associated with the risk of ON. These variables predicted 13% of the variance.

Conclusion: The results suggest that modern social media may contribute to orthorexic symptoms, mindful and intuitive eating behaviors, and mental health outcomes.

Keywords: intuitive eating, mindful eating, orthorexia nervosa, social media addiction.

Statistical optimization of microwave-assisted extraction of phytochemicals from Retama raetam (White Weeping Broom) twigs and their biological properties

2024-08-25T15:53:37+00:00

Background: Several phytochemicals derived from the genus Retama reported to possess diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.

Aims: The aim of this study was to optimize microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of polyphenols from Retama raetam twigs using response surface methodology.

Methods: A Box-Behnken design was utilized for determining the effect of MAE factors on total polyphenol content (TPC), including ethanol concentration (50 – 70%), irradiation time (4 – 6 min), power (400 – 600 W), and solvent-to-sample ratio (15 – 25 mL/g). The optimal extract (OE) was further analyzed for total flavonoid content (TFC), total tannin content (TTC), and antioxidant activity (DPPH• scavenging and FRAP) and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity assessment of the OE was evaluated using two complementary assays (albumin denaturation and membrane stabilization).

Results: The following conditions: ethanol concentration of 64.73%, irradiation time of 5.57 min, power of 569.16 W, and solvent-to-sample ratio of 22.91 mL/g, resulted in the highest TPC (181.48 ± 1.59 mg GAE/g DR). The effectiveness and statistical validity of the derived quadratic model indicated no significant discrepancies between experimental and predicted results, demonstrating its high degree of accuracy. The obtained OE demonstrated a TFC of 31.25 ± 1.5 mg EC/g DR and a TTC of 15.17 ± 1.56 mg EC/g DR. The OE showed a significant capacity to scavenge DPPH• and an appreciable ferric-reducing power, where the IC₅₀ and EC₅₀ values were respectively 0.44 ± 0.08 and 0.61 ± 0.03 mg/mL. At a concentration of 1.5 mg/mL, the OE displayed moderate anti-inflammatory activity by red blood cell membrane stabilization (72.72 ± 0.73%) and reduction of heat-induced albumin denaturation (50.89 ± 0.66%).

Conclusion: The MAE of TPC from Retama raetam twigs was primarily influenced by EtOH concentration, irradiation time, and power. The OE exhibited moderate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting its potential as a source of phytopharmaceuticals.

Keywords: Retama raetam, microwave-assisted extraction, optimization, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory.

Quantitative and qualitative assessment of food waste in rural markets in Morocco

2024-08-24T07:00:04+00:00

Background: Food waste, a significant issue in sustainable food systems, occurs at various stages of the food supply chain, from production to consumption. However, there is limited data assessing the quantity and nutritional value of food waste at the retail level, especially in rural markets (Souks).

Aims: This research aimed to characterize and quantify the nutritional value of food waste in rural retail markets of El Jadida and Sidi Bennour in Morocco.

Material and Methods: A quantitative approach was employed, combining observational diagnosis of food waste types and a survey of sellers to collect information, through a questionnaire, on purchased and remaining quantities, as well as the nature and disposal of food waste. The nutritional value of wasted food was estimated using the Ciqual food composition table and the bilnut calculation program.

Results: The estimated quantity of unsold food in the studied retail markets studied was 1135.36 tons/year, equivalent to 0.85 kg/inhabitant/year for the region’s population. Vegetables accounted for the largest proportion of unsold food (45.7%), followed by fruits (27.4%), and meat and offal (10.8%). The estimated quantity of food waste was 677.3 tons/year or 0.5 kg/inhabitant/year. The daily nutritional value of wasted food in the studied Souks was estimated to be 118.173 kcal, 7.616 g of carbohydrates, 6.026 g of proteins and 6.386 g of total fats, 1.579 g of dietary fiber, 334 mg of vitamin A, 1.6 mg of vitamin D, 945.9 mg of iron, 21.712 mg of calcium, 1.903 mg of potassium, and 4.56 mg of iodine. These nutrient contents could potentially contribute to the daily needs of a significant portion of the population, particularly for iron, as the estimated daily loss of 945.9 mg/day could meet the recommended daily intake of 59 adult women or 236 children under five years old.

Conclusion: This study provides a novel comprehensive assessment of the nutritional value lost due to food waste in rural retail markets in El Jadida-Sidi Bennour. The findings reveal the need for improved supply chain management and demand forecasting to reduce food waste I these. Strengthening efforts to redistribute and reutilize wasted food can contribute to addressing nutritional deficiencies and food insecurity among vulnerable rural populations.

Keywords: Food waste, retail trade, valorization, nutritional loss, rural markets.