Fine tuning a nutritional strategy by incorporating dietary fibre (DF) in pig diets can help to improve gut health. Fermentation of DF, especially the soluble fraction, in pig intestines yields short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and lactic acid, which have been found to improve gut health by favouring the growth of health-promoting bacteria such as <i>Lactobacilli</i> and <i>Bifidobacteria</i>, at the expense of pathogenic ones like <i>Clostridium</i> or <i>Salmonella</i>, which may enhance the health of host species. The presence of fermentable fibre in the pig diet can also contribute to reducing nitrogen (N) excretion, which can have a positive impact on the environmental footprint, one of the main concerns of a modern commercial pork production.<p> The overall objective of this thesis project was to evaluate the fermentation characteristics of a selection of feedstuffs in the pig intestines and their potential impact on the gut environment and nitrogen excretion. The evaluation was performed by executing two projects using both <i>in vitro</i> and in <i>vivo studies</i>.<p> The first project focused on the fermentation characteristics of hulless barley in comparison to hulled barley and oats and their effects on the gut environment, especially the production of fermentation metabolites. The rate of fibre fermentation in the intestines was first studied by means of an in vitro gas production technique. The results demonstrated that hulless barleys have higher fermentability and produce higher amounts of SCFA than hulled barley and oats. An experiment carried out on pigs confirmed that the fermentation of the soluble fibre fraction of hulless barley in the gut leads to increased production of SCFA and lactic acid, which in turn contribute to the growth of potentially beneficial microbiota and decrease potentially harmful bacteria, an indicator of improved gut health. This finding shows that gut health parameters may be modulated. Thus gut health could potentially be improved through feed formulation by a judicious selection of feed ingredients with specific fibre fractions, not only by the addition of isolated fibres, which is commonly recommended at present.<p> The second project was executed to study the effect of some feedstuffs differing in their DF and protein content on fermentation characteristics and N excretion in pigs. The feedstuffs included wheat bran, wood cellulose, peas, pea hulls, pea inner fibre, sugar beet pulp, flax seed meal and corn distiller's dried grains with solubles. The results showed that peas and pea fibre-based diets produced higher amounts of SCFA and reduced N excreted, compared to others. In a parallel <i>in vitro</i> study, fermentation characteristics and bacterial protein synthesis was also studied using the same feed ingredients. The findings of the <i>in vitro</i> study corraborated the results of the <i>in vivo</i> experiment. These studies showed that peas and pea fibres have the potential to be used in pig diets in order to gain gut health-benefits and reduce N excretion.<p> From this thesis, it can be concluded that sources and type of dietary fibre have a significant effect on the production of fermentation metabolites in the pig intestine and on N excretion. Among the feed ingredients studied, hulless barley and pea fibres seem to have the greatest potential to be included in pig diets as a source of fermentable fibre to modulate the gut environment, which in turn, extend possibly health-promoting properties and reduce N excretion from pigs. However, further research is needed to understand the specific health benefits of these fibre sources and to quantify the specific fibre components required to achieve these benefits.

A better understanding of how dietary fibres impact the bioavailability of fat-soluble nutrients and nutraceuticals is required. The purpose of this research was to determine the influence of guar gum (GG) on the transfer processes impacting beta-carotene (BC) bioaccessibility (transfer to the aqueous phase) from an oil-in-water emulsion using an in vitro model simulating gastric and duodenal digestion. Canola oil emulsions (1.5 % soy protein isolate, 10 % canola oil and 0.1 % all trans BC, D4,3~160 nm) were prepared by microfluidization (40 MPa, 4 passes) and exposed, in the presence of 0.0, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, or 4.0 % GG, to conditions representative of the stomach and duodenum in the fed state. Lipolysis, BC bioaccessibility, digestate apparent viscosities, droplet size, and bile acid (BA) binding were studied. With increasing concentration of GG, digestate viscosity was increased and lipolysis and bioaccessibility were decreased (P<0.05). Peak lipolysis was 56.2% vs. 21.6% for emulsions containing 0.0 % vs. 4.0 % GG, respectively. BC bioaccessibility was also lower in the presence of GG (i.e. 29.7 vs. 6.98 % for 0.0 vs. 4.0 % GG respectively). Thus, the presence of GG impacted digestive processes central to BC absorption. The impact of GG may be related to increased digestate viscosity entrapping mixed micelles or BAs and decreasing diffusion leading to decreased lipolysis and BC bioaccessibility. / NSERC, CFI

Functional foods constitute a growing focus for research, product development and consumer interest in recent years. This study investigated the factors that affect willingness to pay for high fibre food on the market as well as respondents’ attitude towards the purchase of these products. The results indicated that those consumers in the high income group were more health conscious than their low income counterparts and willing to pay for high fibre products. The results showed that health risk perceptions as well as regulatory programmes affected consumers’ willingness to pay. The results also showed that at low percentage prices consumers were willing to pay for high fibre products. Gender and marital status did not seem to have an influence on willingness to buy for any of the selected products. Findings of the study could encourage food manufacturers to carry on with developments of functional foods since willingness to pay increased with increase in income. / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology

Orientador: Luiz Antonio Viotto / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-09T00:16:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva_VanessaMartinsda_M.pdf: 890535 bytes, checksum: fd3ef6ed9e8acb75a4e9410eb1cf3094 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a secagem do resíduo sólido industrial proveniente da fabricação de suco de frutas cítricas em um equipamento de leito fixo e de jorro, com a finalidade de produzir fibra dietética, como ingrediente alimentício. Para isso, foi utilizado como matéria-prima o limão da variedade siciliano para obtenção do resíduo sólido o qual foi produzido em escala piloto por método padronizado (extratora, moinho e prensa) e armazenado a 10°C. As isotermas de dessorção do resíduo sólido foram determinadas com a finalidade de se conhecer os valores de umidade de equilíbrio, e foram obtidas através do método gravimétrico estático utilizando soluções salinas saturadas, nas temperaturas de 60, 75 e 90°C. Os dados experimentais foram ajustados a diversos modelos sendo que o modelo de GAB foi o que apresentou o melhor ajuste nesta faixa de temperatura. Para a secagem em leito fixo foi realizado um planejamento experimental fatorial completo 22 onde as variáveis independentes estudadas foram: velocidade do ar de 0,5, 0,75 e 1m/s e temperatura do ar de 60, 75 e 90°C. Os dados experimentais foram ajustados ao modelo de Fick e os valores de difusividade efetiva obtidos variaram na faixa de 4,72 a 14,6.10-10m/s2, foi ajustado também o modelo exponencial e os valores da constante de secagem variaram na faixa de 6,49 a 20,90.10-4s-1. As respostas do planejamento em relação às propriedades tecnológicas de: índice de absorção de água, índice de solubilidade em água, índice de absorção de óleo e volume de intumescimento não apresentaram diferenças significativas ao nível de significância de 5%. Para a secagem no equipamento de leito de jorro foram determinadas as curvas de secagem do resíduo com um conteúdo inicial de umidade de cerca de 40%, em base úmida, fixando-se uma vazão total de ar de 78,53m3/h, que corresponde à uma velocidade de 3,89m/s para a região do jorro e de 1,01m/s para a região do ânulo, altura de leito fixo de 15cm e temperatura do ar de secagem de 60, 75 e 90°C. Os dados experimentais obtidos no secador de leito de jorro foram ajustados ao modelo de Fick e os valores de difusividade efetiva observados variaram na faixa de 2,64 a 4,26.10-9m/s2, foi ajustado também o modelo exponencial e os valores da constante de secagem variaram na faixa de 3,5 a 5,4.10-3 s-1 / Abstract: This work investigated the drying of by-products of citrus juice manufacture in a convective vertical tray dryer and spouted bed dryer with the purpose of producing dietary fiber as a food ingredient. The raw material used was lemon from the sicilian variety, which solid residue was produced in pilot scale by standardized method (extractor, mill and press) and stored at 10°C. Measurement and modeling of sorption isotherms were used to determine equilibrium moisture content. The isotherms were obtained at three different temperatures (60, 75 and 90°C) using the static method with saturated salt solutions. Experimental data was fitted by several models (BET, GAB, Henderson, Peleg and Oswin). The best fitting was obtained with GAB model. The drying in tray dryer was delineated according to a central composite experimental design (22) using as factors: air velocity (0,5, 0,75 and 1m/s) and air temperature (60, 75 and 90°C). The drying kinetics experimental data were fitted using diffusional model and the effective diffusivities values were between 4,72 and 14,6.10-10 m/s2, presenting good fit to the exponential model, and drying constant varied from 6,49 to 20,90.10-4s-1. The experimental design responses evaluated were related to fibres tecnological properties: water-holding capacity, water solubility, oil-holding capacity and swelling. According to the results, they did not show significant differences at 5% of significance level. In the spouted bed, drying curves were obtained with the material at 40% (wet base), fixing total air flow rate of 78,53 m3/h, which corresponds to an air velocity of 3,89m/s in spout region and 1,01m/s in downcomer, height of fixed bed of 15cm at 60, 75 and 90°C. The experimental data was fitted using diffusional model and the obtained effective diffusivities varied from 2,64 to 4,26.10-9m/s2 to spouted bed, showing a good fit to the exponential model, and drying constant varied in the range of 3,5 to 5,4.10-3 s-1 / Mestrado / Engenharia de Alimentos / Mestre em Engenharia de Alimentos

Ces travaux de thèse avaient pour but de formuler, de caractériser et de valider un pain élaboré à partir de farines sélectionnées pour améliorer son pouvoir satiétogène. Fort est de constater que depuis plusieurs décennies, la prévalence du surpoids et de l’obésité est croissante. Les risques liés à l’obésité ont un impact sur l’espérance de vie qui stagne dans certains pays développés. Pour lutter contre cette pandémie, la consommation de fibres alimentaires semblerait avoir un effet positif sur la diminution de la sensation de faim, sur la diminution des prises caloriques ainsi que sur la diminution du poids chez des personnes obèses. Ainsi, ce travail de thèse a d’abord consisté à formuler deux pains expérimentaux enrichis en fibres : un pain typé « pain complet » (PF1) et un pain typé « pain aux céréales ». (PF2) Afin de valider les effets de ces pains sur l’organisme, deux types d’études ont été menés : des études à court terme et des études à long terme. Deux études ont été réalisées à court terme. La première étude a montré que le pain le plus enrichi en fibres était considéré comme plus rassasiant qu’un pain de mie blanc, et les participants diminuaient les quantités consommées pour ce type de pain. La deuxième étude a montré que la réapparition de la faim était plus lente pour le pain le plus riche en fibres. Enfin, une étude à long terme menée auprès de participants normopondéraux consistait à proposer une quantité fixe et importante des pains PF1 et PF2 au petit-déjeuner. Au bout de 15 jours d’exposition, les participants déclaraient avoir moins faim suite à la consommation de ces pains enrichis en fibres. De plus, pour le pain PF1, les participants diminuaient leur prise calorique comparativement à une situation contrôle. Au final, l’ensemble de ces études a permis de cibler un pain expérimental et un paradigme à suivre pour une étude menée auprès de participants en surpoids et obèses dans le cadre d’un régime amaigrissant, pour améliorer le bien-être lié au vécu de ce régime. / This PhD project was aimed at the formulation, the characterization and the validation of one bread, processed from flour selected to increase the satiety effects on humans. For the last several decades, the prevalence of overweight and obesity around the world has been increasing. The risks of obesity are responsible for a stagnation of life expectancy in some industrialized countries. In order to stop this pandemic phenomenon, dietary fibre appears to have beneficial effects on the decrease in feeling hunger, caloric intake and body weight of obese participants. The first goal of this work was to process two fibre-enriched breads: one of them was a “whole grain” bread (PF1), and the second one a “multigrain bread” (PF2). In order to validate the effects of these two breads on human metabolism, two experimental design studies have been led: short term studies, and long term studies. Two short-term studies have been led. The first study evidenced that the most fibre-enriched bread was expected to be more satiating than a white bread, and thus, participants reduced the weight of this bread eaten. The second experiment showed that hunger sensation reappeared more slowly for the most fibre-enriched bread. Finally, a long term study was conducted on average weight participants, aimed at serving a fixed and important weight of the PF1 and PF2 breads during breakfast. After two weeks of exposure to these fibre-enriched breads, participants felt less hungry. Furthermore, for the PF1 bread, participants also decreased their caloric intake in comparison to a controlled condition. In conclusion, all of these studies permitted to target one experimental bread and a paradigm to be followed, in order to lead a study examining overweight or obese participants during a weight-loss diet, with the aim of increasing the well-being experienced from the diet.

The tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) has attracted a lot of unsubstantiated health claims, yet there is a dearth of research investigation within Ghana specifically in the area of food product development. This study addresses the development of ‘functional bread and biscuit’ from tiger nuts obtained from UK market (Spain). The chemical constituents; carbohydrate, lipid, protein, dietary minerals and antioxidants, the functional properties of three varieties of tiger nuts obtained from Ghana (black and brown), Cameroon (yellow) and UK market (Spain) (brown) were investigated using standard analytical methods as well as the blood glucose response of healthy adults who consumed the developed bread. Tiger nuts were found to be good sources of carbohydrate (51-82g/100g) and lipids (21-37g/100g). The dietary fibre components ranged between 18, 1, 19 and 19g/100g for IDF, SDFP, HMWDF, and ITDF respectively, while the available carbohydrate as sugars were 45, 0.5 and 5g/100g for glucose, maltose and xylose respectively. Minerals that were found to be inherent to the crop were; potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc and selenium and do not depend on place of origin. The following ratios for Sodium/Potassium 0.04, Calcium/Phosphorus 0.13 and Calcium/Magnesium 0.28 were obtained. Tiger nuts had TPC ≥ 134GAE per g, DPPH and stability index of 0.9-8.7mmol/litre and 3- 4 respectively. In conclusion the tiger nuts originating from different geographical locations were good sources of health giving minerals and had diversity of physical properties and chemical constituents which could inform future research in the functional food industry. Tiger nut could be added to the Ghana food basket and the product developed from it could be a potential functional food because of its effect on glucose response and phytochemical contents. It could again be used to replace artificial antioxidants (BHA or BHT) which are used in the food industry to inhibit lipid and protein oxidation especially the black variety.

Motivation: Cardiovascular heart disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Risk markers for CVD include, amongst others, the haemostatic factors tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), factor VII (FVII) and fibrinogen and more recently, C-reactive protein (CRP), a sensitive marker of inflammation. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an inverse association between dietary fibre (DF) consumption and risk factors for CVD and CVD prevalence. Some research indicates that this protection may be related to favourable changes in the haemostatic profile and inflammatory markers. This is applicable for the consumption of total DF, as well as soluble and insoluble fibre. However, clinical intervention trials report conflicting data on the effects of DF on t-PA, PAI-1, FVII, fibrinogen and CRP. In addition, available literature is not clear on the mechanisms through which DF may have favourable effects. Objective: The main objective of this study was to review the results of randomised controlled trials systematically on the effects of DF on the above-mentioned selected haemostatic variables and CRP in healthy adults and subjects with hypertriglyceridaemia and the metabolic syndrome. Methods: Human adult intervention trials, at least two weeks in duration, with an increased and measurable consumption of DF were included. Electronic databases were searched from the earliest record to May/July 2006 and supplemented by crosschecking reference lists of relevant publications. From the literature search, two reviewers identified studies that were rated for quality based on the published methodology. No formal statistical analysis was performed due to the large differences in the study designs of the dietary intervention trials. The primary outcome measures were percentage changes between intervention and control groups, or baseline to end comparisons for t-PA, PAI-1, FVII, fibrinogen and CRP. Results t-PA activity increased significantly (14-167%) over the short and long-term following increased fibre intakes. PAI-1 activity decreased significantly between 15-57% over periods ranging from two to six weeks. These favourable changes in t-PA and PAI-1 occurred in healthy, hypertriglyceridaemic and metabolic syndrome subjects following consumption of diets containing ≥3.3 g/MJ DF and ≥4.5 g/MJ DF respectively. Mechanisms through which DF may affect t-PA and PAI-1 include its lowering effect on insulinaemic and glycaemic responses, decreasing triglycerides which are a precursor of very-low-density lipoproteins, fermentation of DF to short-chain fatty acids, which may reduce free fatty acid concentrations, as well as the role of DF in promoting weight loss. High DF intakes did not have a significant effect on fibrinogen concentrations possibly because of relatively little weight loss, too low DF dosages and maintaining a good nutritional status. Inadequate study designs deterred from meaningful conclusions. Significant decreases in FVll coagulant activity (6-16%) were observed with DF intakes of ≥3.3 g/MJ and concomitant decreased saturated fat intakes and weight loss in healthy and hypertriglyceridaemic subjects. Confounding factors include weight loss and a simultaneous decreased intake of saturated fats. The type of fibre seems to play a role as well. Mechanisms through which DF may reduce FVll concentrations include its effects on triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, insulin and weight loss. Increased DF consumption with dosages ranging between 3.3-7.8 g/MJ were followed by significantly lower CRP concentrations (25-54%), however, simultaneous weight loss and altered fatty acid intakes were also present in all the studies. Mechanisms are inconclusive but may involve the effect of DF on weight loss, insulin, glucose, adiponectin, interleukin-6, free fatty acids and triglycerides. Conclusions: Epidemiological evidence indicates an association between DF and the CVD risk factors t-PA, PAI-1, FVII, fibrinogen and CRP. In general, the risk of CVD may improve with high-fibre intakes as indicated by the favourable changes in some of the parameters. However, simultaneous reduced fat intakes and weight loss presented difficulties in separating out the effects of specific components. Furthermore, DF is consumed in a variety of different forms and different dosages that may have different effects. Overall, the study designs used in the intervention trials prevented significant conclusions. DF did, however, play a role in modifying t-PA, PAI-1, FVII and CRP. Potential effects on fibrinogen were not quantifiable. Recommendations: The results from this investigation provide the motivation for additional controlled clinical research to establish the effect and mechanisms of DF on haemostatic variables and CRP. A critical aspect of future studies would be to set up suitable protocols. The amount of subjects, duration of the trials, confounding factors such as weight loss and altered fat intakes and differentiation between types and dosage of DF are important. DF supplemental studies are recommended as they may be the most suitable method to reach meaningful conclusions. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007

The Mediterranean diet (Medi) has been highlighted as the golden diet rich in protective properties associated with cognitive- and emotional health. The foundation of the Medi comprises vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, legumes, and extra virgin olive oil. Research has been conducted in both holistic dietary approach and single nutrient approach regarding the impact of nutrition and diet, in this case, the Medi‟s effect on brain health. This review aims to give an up to date overview of the Mediterranean diet, outline some of the diet's abundant nutrients, and discuss studies linking the nutrient's potential effect on depression, cognitive decline, dementia, and brain structure and function. In addition, this review will attempt to assess whether the Medi as a whole or if a single nutrient approach is accountable for the health-promoting findings. Furthermore, the gut-brain axis, and other potential underlying mechanisms involved in the modulation of food- and nutrient intake and their effects on the brain, will be outlined. A diet high in fruit-, vegetable-, polyunsaturated fatty acid-, and monounsaturated fatty acid content has great power for health-maintenance and decreases the risk of suffering cognitive decline, dementia, and potentially depression. More randomized controlled trials are however eagerly awaited to give more substance to previous findings.

Sweet-potato contains a limited amount of protein, although rich in dietary fibre content and carbohydrate, so a successful combination with wheat flour for bread and biscuit production would be nutritionally advantageous. In particular, the role of these ingredients in relating to acceptability of breads and biscuit with higher percentage of sweet potato starch, flour in wheat flour. In this study, starch, flour and residue fibre of three sweet-potato varieties (red, orange and white -types) were studied. The 5 -10% combination levels for biscuit-making were found to be acceptable, without affecting the quality of the biscuit (combination of texture and biscuit size). In bread, bread containing 15% red and white replacement starches and orange replacement flour was found to be acceptable level, without affecting the quality of the bread, in an attempt to replace wheat at higher per cent level. The physicochemical study was complemented with a nutritional study to determine beneficial effects of food rich in dietary fibre and starches, in the context of improving diet related problems. RVA results showed sweet-potato ingredients affected differently the pasting temperature, peak viscosity and final viscosity of the normal wheat flour (p<0.05). Fibre inclusion showed large reduction in viscosity and swelling of sweet potato starch. Biscuits and breads containing sweet-potato starch and flour are low in amylose, and digest slowly because of lowly oriented and ‘crystalline’ areas within the granules enable to swell or to ungelatinised starch granules, whereas wheat control biscuit was able to gelatinised starch and exerted a greater effect upon digestibility. There are many other factors that need to be considered when analysing the in vitro starch digestibility such including amylose content, amylopectin structure and presence of fibre and gelatinising. Sweet-potato starch, flour and fibre addition show least effect on bread texture and size and starch, flour and fibre replacement. However, in in vitro starch digestibility test higher values RSS was recorded for starch addition followed by flour addition.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.