Journal of Food Innovation, Nutrition, and Sciences

Development of a pigmented soju-like beverage using natural colorants from sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas L.)

2025-04-30T09:11:42+00:00

Purple-fleshed sweet potato (PFSP) is known for its high anthocyanin content, which not only enhances the color of food products and beverages but also provides nutrients, particularly antioxidants. Due to the safety of purple sweet potato’s anthocyanin (PSPA), it is currently being positioned as an alternative to synthetic pigments. One of the widely known alcoholic beverages today is Soju, a Korean clear distilled liquor. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a pigmented soju-like beverage by utilizing yellowfleshed sweet potato (YFSP) for alcohol production with PFSP as the color source. During the fermentation, the total soluble solids (TSS), pH, and alcohol content were analyzed. Additionally, total monomeric anthocyanin pigment (TMAP) content and sensory properties were measured during the steeping process. Results showed a decrease in TSS and pH of YFSP due to yeast activity, while alcohol content increased during fermentation. Steeping for 6 days resulted in higher TMAP, TSS, and alcohol content, lower pH values, and sensory attributes were more acceptable. In conclusion, the study successfully developed a naturally colored soju from sweet potatoes. These findings can contribute to the manufacture of soju with unique product qualities.

Infant and young child feeding practices and nutritional status of children aged 6-59 months seeking medical care at Kyegegwa Hospital, Kyegegwa District, Uganda

2025-04-30T09:18:11+00:00

Malnutrition refers to improper intake of energy and nutrients. In Uganda, the prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting stands at 29%, 11% and 4% respectively. This study was carried out to document the feeding practices and establish the relationship between the nutrition status of children 6-59 months old seeking health care at Kyegegwa Hospital, hence facilitating the understanding of the complicated links between nutrition and disease. A quantitative and qualitative cross-sectional study was carried out using simple random sampling to select 150 children aged 6-59 months. A semi structured questionnaire, observation check list, Focused Group Discussion guide and anthropometrical measurements were used. Qualitative and quantitative data was analysed using Nvivo and STATA respectively following export from Excel. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with nutritional status. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant with 95% confidence interval. Prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting in this study were 4.67%, 10%, and 0.67% respectively. The average meal frequency (63.2%) was three times in the past 24 hours with the highest (52%) number of children being fed using cups. Less than 50% ate Vitamin A rich fruit, meal frequency was significantly associated with stunting and reliability of water supply was associated with wasting. Prevalence of stunting (10%) and underweight (4.67%) was high but lower than the national level. Meal frequency and reliability of water supply were significantly associated with the nutritional status of children aged 6-59 month.

Efficacy evaluation of Jania rubens extract against four pathogenic strains associated with foodborne disease in Iran

2025-04-30T09:23:18+00:00

This study evaluated the antimicrobial properties of Jania rubens algae extract, obtained via Soxhlet extraction, against food spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. Using response surface methodology and the Box-Behnken design, the research optimized extraction parameters, including solvent type, solvent-to-algae ratio, and extraction duration. Antimicrobial efficacy was assessed through the zone of inhibition (ZOI), Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) against Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus. Results showed MIC and MBC values for E. coli ranged from 0.32–1.5 and 2–3, respectively; for S. enteritidis, 0.98–1.9 and 2.5–3.5; for S. aureus, 0.4–1.5 and 0.8–2.8; and for B. cereus, 0.36–1.35 and 0.85–1.85. Optimal extraction conditions included acetone as the solvent, a 5:1 solvent-to-algae ratio, and extraction durations of 2 or 6 hours. The algae extract significantly extended the lag phase and reduced bacterial growth rates, with effects intensifying at higher concentrations. The study concludes that Jania rubens extract, particularly under optimized Soxhlet extraction conditions, exhibits potent antibacterial activity, making it a promising natural antimicrobial agent for food preservation.

Prevalence and factors associated with stunting among children 0-59 months in Rubirizi District - A cross sectional study

2025-04-30T09:30:16+00:00

Globally, 149 million children under five (21.9%) were stunted in 2018, with a higher burden in developing countries. In Uganda, 29% of children under five are stunted, but the prevalence in Rubirizi District is unknown. This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with stunting in Rubirizi District. A crosssectional study involving quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted with 374 caregivers of children aged 0–59 months. Two focus group discussions were held with mothers and community leaders. Simple random sampling was used to select villages and caregivers. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed using Stata version 14. Variables with p < 0.05 were considered significant. Among the 374 children assessed, 85 (22.7%) were stunted. Significant factors associated with stunting included households with three children aged 0–59 months (aOR=3.78, 95%CI: 1.31-10.9, p=0.014), drinking water from unprotected well or spring (aOR=2.61, 95%CI: 1.20-5.68, p=0.015), children who never initiated breastfeeding within 1 hour (aOR=6.13, 95%CI: 2.78-13.5, p=0.001), children breasted up to 6 months (aOR=21.2, 95%CI: 3.76- 120.1, p=0.014). This study underscores the need for caregivers to be sensitized to breastfeed for more than 12 months and educated on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.

Utilization of Bambara (Vigna subterranea) milk in cheese production: An evaluation of the product quality and sensory attributes

2025-04-30T09:34:47+00:00

The increasing global demand for plant-based protein meals, driven by concerns about carbon footprints and health-related challenges associated with animal protein consumption, has spurred scientific exploration into plant-based milk alternatives. Bambara (Vigna subterranea) milk, an underutilized resource, in cheese production, was the focus of this study. Cow milk was substituted with varying percentages (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) of Bambara milk for cheese production. The resulting products underwent analysis for proximate contents, microbial stability, and gas formation during three weeks of refrigerated storage at 6±2°C. Sensory parameters, including texture, flavor, mouthfeel, color, and general acceptability, were assessed using a nine-point hedonic scale (where 1 = dislike extremely, 5 = neither like nor dislike, and 9 = like extremely). The results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA at a significance level of P≤0.05. Proximate analysis revealed significant increases (P≤0.05) in the percentage of ash, crude fiber, and carbohydrate content (3.75-4.38, 0.85-2.16, and 28.1-48.37, respectively) due to Bambara milk substitution. Protein and fat contents experienced significant reductions. Throughout refrigerated storage at 6±2°C, substituted products demonstrated substantial stability in microbial load and gas production compared to unsubstituted samples. Gas formation in the substituted products occurred only after the third week. Sensory evaluation indicated significant improvements (P≤0.05) in acceptability for color (6.55-7.26), mouthfeel (6.25-7.70), and texture (6.46-6.85) resulting from Bambara milk substitution. The study suggested that Incorporating Bambara milk improved the quality of cheese products, potentially expanding its use as a plant protein.

Caregivers’ ability to assess for wasting status of their under five children: A cross sectional study at Mwanamugimu Nutrition Unit, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda

2025-04-30T09:41:48+00:00

Wasting, a form of malnutrition, continues to be a major childhood health challenge affecting over 50 million children annually. It remains more pronounced in the middle- and low-income countries and continues to pose a great threat to child survival; approximately 800,000 deaths due to wasting worldwide per year. Caregivers may play key roles in early identification and referral of wasted children for care. This study aimed to assess caregivers’ ability to measure wasting status of their children aged 6-59 months. A cross sectional study was conducted in September 2022; included caregivers of children 6-59 months while children with cerebral palsy, critical illness and bilateral oedema were excluded; 73 participants were enrolled, oriented on importance and use of Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), interviewed using pre-coded questionnaire and observational checklist. Reference MUAC measurements were conducted for respective children by a nutritionist. MS Excel 2018 and STATA 15 were used to analyze data. It was observed that caregivers could measure and categorize wasting status of their children using MUAC if supported. Overall, 72 (98.6%) of participants were able to measure MUAC and categorize the wasting status of their children with high sensitivity (100%, 97.5 Positive Predictive Value) and specificity (97.1% 100% Negative Predictive Value). High level of agreement was observed between participant’s and Nutritionist’s measurement and categorization of MUAC (k = 0.82).