https://najfnr.com/home/issue/feed The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research 2025-01-01T00:00:00+00:00 Pr. Meghit Boumediene Khaled khaledmb@najfnr.com Open Journal Systems <div id="comp-k85k1f0x" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kh3rqf0c" class="_1Z_nJ" data-testid="richTextElement"> <div id="comp-k85k1f0x" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kh3rqf0c" class="_1Z_nJ" data-testid="richTextElement"> <div id="comp-k85k1f0x" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kh3rqf0c" class="_1Z_nJ" data-testid="richTextElement"> <div id="comp-k85k1f0x" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kh3rqf0c" class="_1Z_nJ" data-testid="richTextElement"> <div id="comp-k85k1f0x" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kh3rqf0c" class="_1Z_nJ" data-testid="richTextElement"> <div id="comp-k85k1f0x" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kh3rqf0c" class="_1Z_nJ" data-testid="richTextElement"> <div id="comp-k85k1f0x" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kh3rqf0c" class="_1Z_nJ" data-testid="richTextElement"> <div id="comp-k85k1f0x" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kh3rqf0c" class="_1Z_nJ" data-testid="richTextElement"> <p><em>The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research</em> has thoroughly conducted 167 peer reviews on 167 manuscripts, to ensure the integrity of scholarly publishing.</p> <p><em>... <a href="https://najfnr.com/journal_docs/RC2024.pdf">More</a></em></p> <p><img src="https://najfnr.com/public/site/images/admin/rc-awards-2024.jpg" alt="" width="279" height="308" /></p> <p> </p> <p>***************************</p> <h6 class="font_8"><img src="https://najfnr.com/public/site/images/admin/african-excellence-awards-2023-for-email-banners-1-e1698679885500.jpg-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter.jpg" alt="" width="217" height="179" /></h6> <p>The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research has been awarded </p> <div id="content" class="site-content white"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="theme_page relative"> <div class="clearfix"> <article id="post-36791" class="style-1 active post-36791 winners type-winners status-publish hentry"> <div class="content-inner"> <div class="entry-content"> <div class="winnercontent"> <div class="winner_title"><em>** Nutritional Research Publication of the Year 2024 **</em></div> <div class="winner_title"><em>... <a href="https://www.mea-markets.com/winners/najfnr-djillali-liabes-university-lab-nupabs-research-laboratory/">More</a></em></div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="content" class="site-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="home7"> <div class="home7blocks"> <div class="home7blocksleft"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong><img src="https://najfnr.com/public/site/images/admin/global-awards-490912a1911bc9fd721cfa5d47e2de1c.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="196" /></strong></p> <p>The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research has also been considered in the category "<strong><em>Nutritional Research Platform of the Year</em></strong><em>" </em> </p> <div id="content" class="site-content white"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="theme_page relative"> <div class="clearfix"> <article id="post-36791" class="style-1 active post-36791 winners type-winners status-publish hentry"> <div class="content-inner"> <div class="entry-content"> <div class="winnercontent"> <div class="winner_title"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>......................................................................................................................................................</p> <p>We are delighted to announce that <em>The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research </em>has been indexed by Scopus (<a href="https://www.scopus.com/sourceid/21101208677">link</a>) </p> <p><a href="https://www.scopus.com/sourceid/21101208677"><strong><img src="https://najfnr.com/public/site/images/admin/indexed-scopus.jpg" alt="" width="249" height="123" /></strong></a></p> <p>......................................................................................................................................................</p> <strong><img src="https://najfnr.com/public/site/images/admin/scopus-cite-score-07.12.2024.png" alt="" width="624" height="228" /></strong><br /> <p> </p> <h6 class="font_8"><strong style="font-size: 0.875rem;"><strong><span style="font-size: 2em;">Editor's quote</span></strong></strong><span style="font-size: 0.875rem;"> </span></h6> </div> </div> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <p>"<em>The Mediterranean diet, known to maintain good health and promote longevity, has been gradually abandoned by populations in Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Near East as reported by the F.A.O. High rates of overweight and obesity, as reported by several studies, are not limited to the European Mediterranean countries (Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal) and recalls what the W.H.O. says for two years: emerging economies are increasingly affected. Among them, is Algeria.</em></p> <p><em>During the last few decades, there has been a great interest in the field of nutrition and health. The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research aims to encourage scientists and physicians of all fields to publish their works in order to promote nutrition and education among all concerned communities in Africa. Furthermore, the purpose of the journal is to provide balanced, reliable, and updated data for researchers and health care professionals, to facilitate decisions and management of metabolic diseases related to nutritional status.</em>"</p> <p class="font_8"> </p> <p class="font_8"><strong>Prof. Meghit Boumediene KHALED</strong></p> <p class="font_8"><strong>Editor-in-Chief /Founder</strong></p> <div id="comp-k85k1f0x" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kh3rqf0c" class="_1Z_nJ" data-testid="richTextElement"> <p> </p> </div> </div> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <p>......................................................................................................................................................</p> </div> <p><strong>Publishing model: </strong><a href="https://najfnr.com/home/najfnr-oa">Diamond Open Access model (OA)</a> and articles are made freely available online when published. </p> <p><strong>10 days: </strong>Submission to first decision (Median).</p> <p><strong>16 weeks: </strong>average time between submission and the final decision.</p> <p><strong>&lt; 15 days:</strong> time between acceptance and online publication. </p> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <p>Please visit journal insights and metrucs for more details (<a href="https://najfnr.com/home/journal-insight-and-metrics">https://najfnr.com/home/journal-insight-and-metrics</a>)</p> <p>......................................................................................................................................................</p> <p><strong><img src="https://najfnr.com/public/site/images/admin/new-25a22187edc4182e7c95d8c22035cb4e.jpg" alt="" width="120" height="120" />Call for papers, </strong>Special Issue</p> <p><strong>Artificial Intelligence in Nutrition Research [</strong><a href="https://najfnr.com/home/spacial-issue1">More</a><strong>]</strong></p> <p><img src="https://najfnr.com/public/site/images/admin/ai-and-nutrition-1.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="156" /></p> <p><strong>Potential of food by-products [</strong><a href="https://najfnr.com/home/special-issue2">More</a><strong>]</strong></p> <p><img src="https://najfnr.com/public/site/images/admin/by-products.jpg" width="235" height="134" /></p> <p> </p> <p>......................................................................................................................................................</p> <p><strong>Appointment of new Editors </strong></p> <p>On behalf of the Editorial Board, journal Editors, and staff of the <em>North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research</em> <em>(NAJFNR)</em>, we are honored to announce that Professor Prosper Chopera has been appointed as Deputy Executive Editor-in-Chief.</p> <p><a href="https://najfnr.com/home/announcement/view/8"><strong>Read more ....</strong></a></p> <p>......................................................................................................................................................</p> <p><img src="https://www.najfnr.com/public/site/images/admin/support-6ad0dbb4e9de0d2e75b0151710bb3967.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="160" /></p> <p><strong> Acknowledgment of Reviewers in 2023 </strong></p> <p><a href="https://najfnr.com/home/announcement/view/11">Read more...</a></p> <p>......................................................................................................................................................</p> </div> </div> <p class="font_8">Actually the NAJFNR has become an official Turnetin partner.<a href="https://www.crossref.org/services/similarity-check/"><img src="https://najfnr.com/public/site/images/admin/crossref-similarity-check-logo-200.jpg" alt="" width="172" height="88" /></a> </p> <p class="font_8">We are pleased to announce our latest service to our authors, referees and the scientific community. We are now members of CrossCheck, and using the iThenticate text comparison software, which picks up on overlapping and similar text between submitted and published manuscripts across a list of more than 50 publishers. This will help us to make sure that all research published with <em>The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition</em> Research is original.</p> <p class="font_8"><a href="https://crossref-29160.turnitin.com/home/sign-in">Login</a> to Turnitin</p> <h1 class="cms-h1"><img src="https://najfnr.com/public/site/images/admin/turnitin.png" alt="" width="145" height="45" /></h1> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <p>......................................................................................................................................................</p> <p><a href="https://www.reviewercredits.com/user/najfnr-1/"><strong><iframe style="border: 0;" src="https://www.reviewercredits.com?badge=eUYxWUc5VDVBRndFaXNaMG4vQjM3UT09" width="235" height="130"></iframe></strong></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> https://najfnr.com/home/article/view/554 Enhancing food security through scientific research in Algeria. A novel vision and unified national strategy 2024-09-10T22:22:08+00:00 Bachir Benarba bachirsb@yahoo.fr <p>In this viewpoint we present the Algerian approach adopted to achieve a useful collaboration between researchers and socioeconomic partners to ensure food security.</p> 2024-09-14T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Bachir Benarba https://najfnr.com/home/article/view/540 Relationship between dietary habits and cardiovascular risk factors among commercial drivers in northeast Nigeria 2024-12-01T09:40:42+00:00 Bidemi Bernice Emmanuel bidemi.emmanuel.pg93888@unn.edu.ng Nnenna Ola Onuoha ola.onuoha@unn.edu.ng <p><strong>Background</strong>: Unhealthy dietary practices are prevalent among commercial drivers, and it with poor diet quality known to predispose individuals to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).</p> <p><strong>Aims</strong>: This study investigated the association between dietary habits and cardiovascular disease risk factors among commercial drivers in northeast Nigeria.</p> <p><strong>Subjects and Methods</strong>: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in northeast Nigeria, involving 924 commercial drivers selected using a multistage sampling technique. Dietary habits were assessed using a pretested structured Food Frequency Questionnaire adapted from the WHO STEPS survey. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.</p> <p><strong>Results</strong>: Only 16.3% and 8.1% of participants consumed fruits and vegetables daily, with over half failing to meet the recommended daily servings. The majority (82.1%) ate meals during trips, and 56.4% consumed breakfast outside the home. Consumption of carbonated drinks and snacks was reported by 15.2% of drivers. A significant positive correlation (<em>p </em>&lt; 0.05) was observed between the frequency of meals consumed during trips (r = 0.067) and body mass index. A significant negative correlation (<em>p </em>&lt; 0.01) existed between eating during trips (r = -0.134) and blood pressure. Additionally, a significant positive correlation (<em>p </em>&lt; 0.05) was found between the consumption of carbonated drinks and snacks (r = 0.183) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), as well as between vegetable servings (r = 0.149) and triglyceride levels.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions</strong>: The low intake of fruits and vegetables and the high reliance of food consumed outside the home among commercial drivers may increase their risk of cardiovascular diseases. Targeted nutrition education is necessary to promote healthier dietary habits among this population.</p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>Keywords: </strong>Dietary habits, association, commercial drivers, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, lipid profile, cardiovascular disease risk factors.</p> 2024-12-31T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Bidemi Bernice Emmanuel, Nnenna Ola Onuoha https://najfnr.com/home/article/view/515 Physicochemical characteristics and nutritional value of safflower oil: A potential sustainable crop for Egypt 2024-09-21T16:11:19+00:00 Walid S. Abd El-Baset walid.salah@ymail.com Rania I.M. Almoselhy rania_almoselhy@outlook.com Susan M.M. Abd-Elmageed susanabdelmgid76@gmail.com <p><strong>Background: </strong>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.</p> <p><strong>Aims: </strong>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.</p> <p><strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> 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.</p> <p><strong>Results</strong>: 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.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion</strong>: 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.</p> <p><strong>Keywords:</strong> <em>Carthamus tinctorius</em> L., safflower oil, edible oil gap, lipid nutritional indices, frying stability, non-traditional edible oils.</p> 2024-10-16T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Walid S. Abd El-Baset, Rania I.M. Almoselhy, Susan M.M. Abd-Elmageed https://najfnr.com/home/article/view/506 Hematological and biochemical patterns in the liver function of a syrup made with <em>Vitex doniana</em> fruit 2024-09-16T07:51:50+00:00 Fred Coolborn Akharaiyi akharaiyifc@gmail.com Chioma Bertha Ehis-Eriokha bertha_chioma@yahoo.com Peace Omoikhudu Oleghe peaceoleghe@gmail.com Lucky Efe Isunu luisunuefe@yahoo.com <p><strong>Background: </strong> <em>Vitex doniana</em> is a tropical plant whose leaves and fruits are traditionally utilized for medicinal and nutritional purposes.</p> <p><strong>Aims: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the hematological and biochemical effects of <em>Vitex doniana</em> fruit syrup on liver function using an animal model. <strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Subjects and Methods: </strong>Male and female mice with weighing between 24 – 32 g were utilized in this study. Group 1 served as the negative control and was provided with feed and water. Groups 2 – 6 were orally administered single doses of the syrup at concentrations of 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 mL for 14 days. Hematological parameters were analyzed using an automated hematologic analyzer. <em>In vivo</em> antioxidant and biochemical assays were conducted using standard chemical methods, while histopathological assessments were performed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. <strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Results: </strong>The mice showed a weight gain ranging from 8.12 to 9.81 g over the study period. An increase was observed in red blood cell count (7.32–7.45 m/cu.mm), white blood cells (4.30–4.35 t/cu.mm), lymphocytes (55.21–54.72%), neutrophils (21.64–12.70%), and packed cell volume (PCV) (41.04–41.16%). Antioxidant activity showed catalase values between 50.20–58.21 µM/g, glutathione (23.41–28.34 µM/g), and lipid peroxidation levels of 93.54–106.21 µM/g). Biochemical analysis revealed a reduction in alkaline phosphate (91.17–85.24 IU/L), aspartate aminotransferase (58.67–31.56 IU/L), and alanine aminotransferase (58.16 to 43.36 IU/L). Decreases were also observed in total bilirubin, creatinine, cholesterol, and urea levels. However, an increase in total albumin (3.16–3.38 mg/dL), total protein (6.42–6.74 mg/dL), and uric acid (7.06–5.10 mg/dL) was recorded with increasing syrup concentrations<strong>.</strong></p> <p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study concludes that <em>Vitex doniana</em> fruit syrup poses no adverse health implications. On the contrary, it exhibits potential for blood maintenance, antioxidant activity, and supports enzymatic functions beneficial for liver health<strong>.</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>Keywords: </strong>Antioxidants, biomarkers, hematology, liver function, syrup, <em>V</em>. <em>doniana</em></p> 2024-12-08T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Fred Coolborn Akharaiyi, Chioma Bertha Ehis-Eriokha, Peace Omoikhudu Oleghe, Lucky Efe Isunu https://najfnr.com/home/article/view/529 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 Hatice Merve Bayram hmbayram@gelisim.edu.tr Hatice Kübra Barcın-Guzeldere haticekubra.guzeldere@medeniyet.edu.tr Elif Ede-Cintesun elif.ede@izu.edu.tr Zehra Margot Celik zcelik@marmara.edu.tr <p><strong>Background: </strong>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.</p> <p><strong>Aims</strong>: This study aimed to explore the complex relationship between social media addiction, mindful eating, intuitive eating, ON, depression, anxiety, and stress in young adults.</p> <p><strong>Subjects and </strong><strong>Methods:</strong> 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.</p> <p><strong>Results</strong>: 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 &lt; 0.001, and p = 0.047, respectively). The ORTO-11 showed a positive moderate correlation with IES-2 scores (r = 0.401, p &lt; 0.01), however, it showed a negative weak correlation with MEQ (r = -0.362, p &lt; 0.01). Additionally, there was a negative weak correlation with ORTO-11 and SMAS (r = -0.104, p &lt; 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that all predictors were associated with the risk of ON. These variables predicted 13% of the variance.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion</strong>: The results suggest that modern social media may contribute to orthorexic symptoms, mindful and intuitive eating behaviors, and mental health outcomes. </p> <p><strong>Keywords:</strong> intuitive eating, mindful eating, orthorexia nervosa, social media addiction.</p> 2024-09-23T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Hatice Merve Bayram, Hatice Kübra Barcın-Guzeldere, Elif Ede-Cintesun, Zehra Margot Celik