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Research Article
Assesment of the Knowledge Level in the Mifi Division (Western Region of Cameroon) and the Nutritional Value of the Wild Leaf Vegetable Lactuca capensis
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
185-192
Received:
31 May 2025
Accepted:
16 June 2025
Published:
8 July 2025
Abstract: Leafy vegetables, for the most part unconventional, are endowed with nutritional and therapeutic virtues. This study aimed at assessing the knowledge level in the Mifi division (Western Region of Cameroon) and the nutritional potential of Lactuca capensis leaves, a leafy vegetable consumed in West Cameroon. A nutritional survey was first carried out in 136 households using direct interview. Analysis of nutrient contents and phyto-chemical screening were carried out using standard methods of the AOAC. Results showed that Lactuca Capensis is known as wild vegetable by people over 40 years old (75.00%) and increasingly little known by youth. This vegetable is consumed in cooked (62.69%) or cooked and raw (37.31%) form. More than 94% of the amount need is harvested and more often during the rainy season (96.96%). The water content was 87.87%, crude protein, total fat, crude fibre, total carbohydrate and ash were 20.44%, 4.14%, 12.37%, 50.46% and 13.33% respectively compared to dry matter. Potassium with a content of 2200.67mg/100g, is the most abundant mineral. Average contents of vitamine C and total carotenoids were respectively 0.23g/100g and 1174µg/g. Analysis also revealed the presence of secondary metabolites namely condensed tannins, steroids, terpenes and saponins. Lactuca Capensis is therefore a source of nutrients and secondary metabolites essential for nutrition and health benefits for consumers.
Abstract: Leafy vegetables, for the most part unconventional, are endowed with nutritional and therapeutic virtues. This study aimed at assessing the knowledge level in the Mifi division (Western Region of Cameroon) and the nutritional potential of Lactuca capensis leaves, a leafy vegetable consumed in West Cameroon. A nutritional survey was first carried ou...
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Report
Real-world User-reported Benefits of a Multi-ingredient NMN-based Supplement Targeting Age-related Decline: A Brief Report
Luis Fernando Cifuentes*
,
Andrew Salzman
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
193-198
Received:
15 June 2025
Accepted:
26 June 2025
Published:
15 July 2025
Abstract: The age-related decline in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, which may be mitigated by supplementation with NAD⁺ precursors such as nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). This retrospective observational study evaluated user-reported outcomes of a multi-ingredient supplement (NMN, hydroxytyrosol, ergothioneine, resveratrol, and vitamin D₃) using 196 self-reported experiences collected from the Wonderfeel Biosciences online platform (April 2022–September 2024). Among 196 analyzed users, 131 (66.8%) reported positive effects, primarily in the nervous (81%), integumentary (11%), muscular (4%), skeletal (2%), digestive (2%), and endocrine (1%) systems, while 31.6% noted neutral effects and 1.5% reported non-causal adverse events. These findings align with known mechanisms of NAD⁺ restoration and oxidative stress mitigation, suggesting complementary biological pathways. Although this real-world evidence highlights perceived improvements in energy, cognition, sleep, and skin health, the study’s limitations—including self-reported data, lack of demographic controls, and absence of biomarkers—necessitate confirmation through the prospective controlled clinical trial scheduled to commence in late 2025.
Abstract: The age-related decline in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, which may be mitigated by supplementation with NAD⁺ precursors such as nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). This retrospective observational study evaluated user-reported outcomes of a multi-ingredient supplement (NMN, hy...
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Research Article
Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant Potential of Fermented Beverages Made from Tamarind (Tamarindus indica), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), and Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) in Rabbits
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
199-210
Received:
11 June 2025
Accepted:
25 June 2025
Published:
16 July 2025
Abstract: Beverages are important components of diet as they facilitate hydration. However, their high sugar content is often implicated in metabolic diseases development. Tamarind (Tamarindus indica), turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), and ginger (Zingiber officinale) may help address this issue due to their antioxidant properties. A study was therefore conducted to assess the antioxidant properties of a tamarind-based beverage prepared with 10% turmeric and ginger. The beverages were subjected to spontaneous fermentation for 36 hours at 37°C. Subsequent analyses were performed to evaluate vitamin C content, total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and beverage antioxidant potential. The in vivo hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties were also tested on healthy 2-month-old rabbits. Results revealed that the combination of tamarind (90%), turmeric (5%), and ginger (5%) led to a significant increase in vitamin C and phenolic compound levels, rising from 27.14 to 42.95 mg/L and from 1.498 to 1.514 mg GAE/L, respectively. In tamarind-turmeric-ginger beverage, flavonoid levels increased from 0.132 ± 0.02 to 0.164 ± 0.01 mg QE/L. DPPH 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of fermented tamarind-turmeric and tamarind-turmeric-ginger beverages were 2.14 and 2.23 µg/mL, respectively, revealing antiradical activities of 37.74 and 44.84 µmol of reduced DPPH. The tamarind-turmeric-ginger combination had a hypolipidemic effect after the fattening phase, reducing triglycerides from 2.24 to 1.81 mg/dL, LDL cholesterol from 5.87 to 0.26 mg/dL, and total cholesterol from 6.02 to 0.42 mg/dL. However, it increased HDL cholesterol from 0.35 to 1.54 mg/dL. Regarding antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, tamarind-turmeric-ginger blend led to increases after the fattening phase from 4.44 to 10.29 U/mL for superoxide dismutase and from 12.02 to 193.16 U/mL for glutathione peroxidase. Beverages prepared with tamarind, turmeric, and ginger demonstrated substantial antioxidant potential, stimulating increased antioxidant enzyme activity that may help mitigate metabolic diseases.
Abstract: Beverages are important components of diet as they facilitate hydration. However, their high sugar content is often implicated in metabolic diseases development. Tamarind (Tamarindus indica), turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), and ginger (Zingiber officinale) may help address this issue due to their antioxidant properties. A study was therefore conducted...
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Review Article
Influence of Social Media on Dietary Habits and Nutritional Choices in Adolescents: A Systematic Review of the Evidence
Lily Moffitt,
Minu Sara Thomas*
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
211-225
Received:
9 June 2025
Accepted:
23 June 2025
Published:
30 July 2025
Abstract: Background: The objective of this review is to analyze the current evidence concerning how social media influences adolescents’ dietary habits and nutritional choices. Methods: Search databases included PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. The included articles were published between 2014 - 2024 and explored the role of social media on dietary choices, food and beverage marketing knowledge, food consumption patterns, and nutritional knowledge in adolescents aged 10-19 years. Results: Social media can promote both healthy nutritional behaviors and unhealthy nutritional behaviors, and current evidence reveals that the promotion of unhealthy dietary behaviors (including consumption of fast food and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs)) is the most common result in adolescents. The effectiveness of social media in conveying nutritional interventions to adolescents is limited, as some studies have shown improvement in nutrition knowledge or behaviors, while others have observed no significant impact. Social media usage is also associated with disordered eating in adolescents, including restrictive eating, binge eating, and orthorexia nervosa related to body image dissatisfaction. The potential influence of social media on adolescent dietary behaviors is a public health concern as it may decrease the overall diet quality of adolescents and increase the risk of malnutrition and chronic diseases later in life. Conclusions: Future research can focus on evaluating the overall diet quality of adolescents through using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), as well as assessing whether the observed impacts of social media on dietary behaviors is caused by social media or adolescents’ desire to see particular food content based on previous dietary behaviors.
Abstract: Background: The objective of this review is to analyze the current evidence concerning how social media influences adolescents’ dietary habits and nutritional choices. Methods: Search databases included PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. The included articles were published between 2014 - 2024 and explored the role of social media on dietary choic...
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Research Article
Modeling the Sequential Extraction of Water and Oil Essential from Cymbopogon Citratus Acclimatized in the “Plateau des Cataractes”. Empirical Diffusion and Desorption Models
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
226-236
Received:
27 June 2025
Accepted:
11 July 2025
Published:
4 August 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijnfs.20251404.15
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Drying and oil extraction from the same plant matrix have very often been treated as independent operations with different methodologies. The study of drying involves the numerical solution of mathematical models using regression methods and leads to adjustment parameters, often without obvious physical significance: the model parameters. Oil extraction favours empirical models constructed from simple physical representations and validated graphically, in particular by linear correlation lines. In this study, these two operations were considered as a linked pair, treated using empirical models based on the phenomenological approach to metabolite desorption and validated graphically. Such an approach, with few mathematical bases and computer inputs, corresponded to our objective: the production of essential oil from Cymbopogon citratus, on a small scale and in a rural environment. Indeed, it is mainly in rural areas that lemongrass cultivation is developing with the support of public authorities as part of the fight against poverty. Peleg's desorption model and the Avrami/Page and Fick diffusion models gave consistent results, and the parameters generated had physical significance. This study showed that drying could therefore be described by the empirical methods widely used in the literature to model the extraction of various metabolites from plant matrices.
Abstract: Drying and oil extraction from the same plant matrix have very often been treated as independent operations with different methodologies. The study of drying involves the numerical solution of mathematical models using regression methods and leads to adjustment parameters, often without obvious physical significance: the model parameters. Oil extra...
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Research Article
Evolution of Serum Parameters in Rats Fed with Bombax Buonopozense Based Diets
Jean Bonaventure Kouadio Koffi,
Yolande Dogoré Digbeu*,
Armelle Moya Felarry Hoba,
Edmond Ahipo Dué,
Kouakou Brou
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
237-247
Received:
23 June 2025
Accepted:
7 July 2025
Published:
8 August 2025
Abstract: The present study sought to undertake the nutritional importance of Bombax buonopozense calyces through the determination of serum parameters in rats fed with diets based on fresh and dried calyx of Bombax buonopozense (false kapok). Futhermore, Six (6) batches of 36 rats (males and females) of the species Rattus norvegicus were constituted, each receiving a diet. After analysis, serum parameters such as the PAL biomarker are widely present in rats regardless of the diet consumed (approximately 291.12 IU/L) and statistically identical for rats subjected to the DMT, DFT and FMT diets as well as their congeners fed the control diets FC and MC. However, at the level of the PAL marker, only the FMT batch differs from the others, which are lower than the controls; followed by the TGO marker with a significant content in rats fed the FFT, DFT and FMT diets (approximately 297 IU/L) which are statistically identical. Then come those of rats fed the MC, DMT and FC diets. Next comes the TGP marker with a significant content in rats fed the FMT diet (64.92 IU/L); followed by rats fed the MC, FFT, DFT then FC and DMT diets (2 6.77 IU/L). In terms of hematological parameters, rats fed the DMT diets have statistically lower hematocrit than MC controls, on the other hand, their congeners fed the DFT and FMT diets have normal hematocrits. Also, the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) followed by the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and the rate of corpuscular hemoglobin (CH) content is very minimal in the blood of rats regardless of diet except those force-fed with DFT diets which affect MCHC. Overall, it was the female rats fed fresh Bombax buonopozense calyx, which stand out with a negative impact on hematological parameters. On the other hand, their male counterparts subjected to dry and fresh Bombax buonopozense diets generally appear normal; which aims to promote and take into account this species at the dietary and medical level.
Abstract: The present study sought to undertake the nutritional importance of Bombax buonopozense calyces through the determination of serum parameters in rats fed with diets based on fresh and dried calyx of Bombax buonopozense (false kapok). Futhermore, Six (6) batches of 36 rats (males and females) of the species Rattus norvegicus were constituted, each r...
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Research Article
Dietary Practices and Nutritional Status of Hemodialysis Patients in Meru County
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
248-259
Received:
7 July 2025
Accepted:
22 July 2025
Published:
13 August 2025
Abstract: The increasing prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) imposes a huge healthcare burden on developing countries. For patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD), optimal nutritional management is associated with better treatment outcomes and quality of life. However, malnutrition is commonly reported among these patients and calls for investigation of specific aspects of their diet that can be targeted by counseling and other interventions. The study sought to establish the Dietary Practices and Nutrition Status Hemodialysis patients in Meru County. This study investigated a sample size of 98 hemodialysis patients across health facilities in Meru County on their dietary practices and nutritional status. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design. Respondents were randomly selected from three health facilities offering dialysis services within the County. Data was collected using researcher-administered structured questionnaires. Nutritional Status was assessed by both Body Mass Index (BMI) and a modified Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) tool. A single 24-hour recall was used to assess nutrient intake. Weight and height were taken using electronic scales and stadiometers respectively. Data was cleaned in Excel sheets then transferred into the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25 software for analysis employing descriptive statistics. The findings show that majority (56.8%) of the respondents had medium dietary diversity. The mean dietary diversity score (DDS) was 3.79+1.0. The most consumed food group was starchy staples (100% frequency), while the least consumed food group was organ meats consumed (2.1%). The mean intakes of energy and protein were 1121.28±479.42 and 40.73±21.82 respectively. The mean intakes for key micronutrients including calcium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium magnesium, zinc and iron in mg/day were 317.84±207.84, 858.69±344.10, 1463.84±785.86, 1118.47±707.69, 216.07±88.94, 6.32±3.41 and 10.81±5.36. Except for proteins and iron, various nutrients were consumed below the recommendations by majority of respondents. The mean BMI (kg/m2) and SGA score of the respondents were 21.64±3.72 and 18.82±3. 71 respectively. Based on the WHO classification system 67.3%, 17.4% and 15.3% of the respondents were normal weight, underweight and overweight/obese respectively. However, based on the SGA scores 75.5% and 24.5% of the respondents had mild malnutrition and moderate malnutrition respectively. Over a quarter of haemodialysis patients have poor nutrition status. There is need to scale individualized dietary counselling interventions to improve the dietary practices for better nutritional outcomes among the haemodialysis patient population in Meru County.
Abstract: The increasing prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) imposes a huge healthcare burden on developing countries. For patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD), optimal nutritional management is associated with better treatment outcomes and quality of life. However, malnutrition is commonly reported among these patients and calls for investigation of...
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Review Article
Health Risks and Food Safety Issues Related to the Microbiological Quality of Local Juices Produced and Consumed in West Africa
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
260-266
Received:
10 July 2025
Accepted:
21 July 2025
Published:
18 August 2025
Abstract: Local artisanal juices occupy an important place in the dietary habits of West African populations. However, the conditions of their production often give rise to microbiological risks linked to traditional processing, packaging, and preservation methods. This study was conducted through a literature review of scientific articles, technical reports, and institutional documents available between 2019 and 2024. The databases consulted included Google Scholar, PubMed, AJOL, and ScienceDirect. Only documents relating to non-alcoholic juices produced and consumed in West Africa were included. Data from several studies conducted in Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, and Togo revealed microbial loads that very often exceeded accepted standards. The most frequently isolated germs were E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Bacillus cereus, yeasts, and molds. The presence of these microbial agents in juices produced and consumed locally in West Africa affects their microbiological quality and exposes consumers to various risks of collective food poisoning. These contaminations are linked to the quality of raw materials, the use of unsafe water, soiled utensils, non-compliance with hygiene rules by handlers, insufficient heat treatment and the absence of a cold chain. These deficiencies expose consumers to various health risks and constitute an obstacle to the development of safe and profitable value chains. It is imperative for West African countries to implement national training programs focused on good hygiene practices, strengthen access to drinking water and sanitation facilities, and develop a regulatory framework adapted to the reality of the informal sector. Simplified inspection and certification systems could be introduced to guarantee the safety of juices while supporting small producers.
Abstract: Local artisanal juices occupy an important place in the dietary habits of West African populations. However, the conditions of their production often give rise to microbiological risks linked to traditional processing, packaging, and preservation methods. This study was conducted through a literature review of scientific articles, technical reports...
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Research Article
Salmonella Contamination in Table Eggs and Meat from Broiler in Germany from 1992 to 2011
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
267-279
Received:
30 June 2025
Accepted:
14 July 2025
Published:
21 August 2025
Abstract: This research article investigates Salmonella contamination in table eggs and broiler meat in Germany between 1992 and 2011. Data spanning two decades were analyzed to understand the factors influencing Salmonella contamination in poultry products and its impact on human cases of salmonellosis. The study reveals a historical perspective on Salmonella surveillance in Germany, emphasizing significant changes in surveillance strategies over the years. Since 1992, the data on Salmonella contamination in food were systematically collected, providing insights into the trends and patterns of contamination. The study highlights the pivotal role of table eggs as a major source of human salmonelloses, leading to the formulation of new regulations in 1994. The establishment of the zoonoses order in 1993 marked a significant step towards enhanced surveillance and reporting at the European level. The European Union's guidelines on zoonoses and the establishment of reference laboratories further strengthened the surveillance systems, facilitating data sharing and analysis across European countries. The introduction of national reporting officers and community reference laboratories for zoonotic agents improved data accuracy and consistency. The study showcases a correlation analysis method implemented since 2010, enhancing the understanding of the relationship between Salmonella contamination in poultry products and human infections. Results indicate a gradual reduction in Salmonella contamination levels in table eggs and poultry meat over the years, reflecting the effectiveness of regulatory measures and surveillance protocols. Overall, this research underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and surveillance in mitigating Salmonella-related risks in the food chain. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, health authorities, and stakeholders in enhancing food safety measures and reducing the burden of salmonellosis on public health.
Abstract: This research article investigates Salmonella contamination in table eggs and broiler meat in Germany between 1992 and 2011. Data spanning two decades were analyzed to understand the factors influencing Salmonella contamination in poultry products and its impact on human cases of salmonellosis. The study reveals a historical perspective on Salmonel...
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