Mutagenic activity of south Indian food items.

Dietary components and food dishes commonly consumed in South India were screened for their mutagenic activity. Kesari powder, calamus oil, palm drink, toddy and Kewra essence were found to be strongly mutagenic; garlic, palm oil, arrack, onion and pyrolysed portions of bread toast, chicory powder were weakly mutagenic, while tamarind and turmeric were not. Certain salted, sundried and oil fried food items were also mutagenic. Cissus quadrangularis was mutagenic, while 'decoctions' of cumin seeds, aniseeds and ginger were not. Several perfumes, essential oils and colouring agents, which are commonly used were also screened and many of them exhibited their mutagenic potential by inducing the 'reverse mutation' in Salmonella typhimurium tester strains.     

Occurrence of heterocyclic amines in several home-cooked meat dishes of the Spanish diet

Heterocyclic amines (HAs) were determined in several of the most frequently eaten meat dishes in Spain such as fried beef hamburger, fried pork loin, fried chicken breast, fried pork sausages, griddled chicken breast, griddled lamb steak and griddled beef steak. All of the products tested were household cooked. The HAs were analysed in the selected meat dishes using an analytical method based on solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. DMIP, MeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx, Norharman, Harman, PhIP, Trp-P-1, AalphaC and MeAalphaC were the amines most frequently found at concentrations of up to 47 ng g(-1) of cooked meat. Glu-P-2, IQ, MeIQ, Glu-P-1, 7,8-DiMeIQx and Trp-P-2 were only found in a few of the meat dishes and their concentrations were lower than 1 ng g(-1) of cooked meat. The highest amounts of HAs, especially PhIP and DMIP, were formed in fried chicken breast and the lowest were formed in fried beef hamburger and in fried pork sausages. Daily intake of HAs in Spain was estimated at 606 ng of mutagenic HAs per capita and day, DMIP and PhIP being the main contributors.     

Carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose as additives in reduction of oil content in batter based deep-fat fried boondis

Studies on boondi, a deep fried batter based legume snack food popular in the Indian sub-continent were conducted to reduce oil content. Effects of varying the water levels in the batter on the shape of the resulting boondi were noted. The effects of incorporating carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and hydro-xypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) in the bengal gram flour on the water levels so as to get appropriate batter viscosity for getting round shaped boondi were also recorded. The addition of 2% CMC and 1% HPMC (based on weight of bengal gram flour) in the dough decreased oil content in the fried boondi by 26.2% and 22.7% respectively as compared to the control.     

Shared and unique components of human population structure and genome-wide signals of positive selection in South Asia

South Asia harbors one of the highest levels genetic diversity in Eurasia, which could be interpreted as a result of its long-term large effective population size and of admixture during its complex demographic history. In contrast to Pakistani populations, populations of Indian origin have been underrepresented in previous genomic scans of positive selection and population structure. Here we report data for more than 600,000 SNP markers genotyped in 142 samples from 30 ethnic groups in India. Combining our results with other available genome-wide data, we show that Indian populations are characterized by two major ancestry components, one of which is spread at comparable frequency and haplotype diversity in populations of South and West Asia and the Caucasus. The second component is more restricted to South Asia and accounts for more than 50% of the ancestry in Indian populations. Haplotype diversity associated with these South Asian ancestry components is significantly higher than that of the components dominating the West Eurasian ancestry palette. Modeling of the observed haplotype diversities suggests that both Indian ancestry components are older than the purported Indo-Aryan invasion 3,500 YBP. Consistent with the results of pairwise genetic distances among world regions, Indians share more ancestry signals with West than with East Eurasians. However, compared to Pakistani populations, a higher proportion of their genes show regionally specific signals of high haplotype homozygosity. Among such candidates of positive selection in India are MSTN and DOK5, both of which have potential implications in lipid metabolism and the etiology of type 2 diabetes.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the diet.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), of which benzo[a]pyrene is the most commonly studied and measured, are formed by the incomplete combustion of organic matter. They are widely distributed in the environment and human exposure to them is unavoidable. A number of them, such as benzo[a]pyrene, are carcinogenic and mutagenic, and they are widely believed to make a substantial contribution to the overall burden of cancer in humans. Their presence in the environment is reflected in their presence at detectable levels in many types of uncooked food. In addition, cooking processes can generate PAHs in food. PAHs can also be formed during the curing and processing of raw food prior to cooking. Several studies have been carried out to determine the levels of exposure to PAHs from representative human diets, and the proportion of the overall burden of environmental exposure to PAHs that is attributable to the diet. In most cases, it is concluded that diet is the major source of human exposure to PAHs. The major dietary sources of PAHs are cereals and vegetables, rather than meat, except where there is high consumption of meat cooked over an open flame. More recently, biomonitoring procedures have been developed to assess human exposure to PAHs and these have also indicated that diet is a major source of exposure. Exposure to nitro-PAHs through food consumption appears to be very low.     

Indigenous and traditional plants: South African parents’ knowledge,perceptions and uses and their children’s sensory acceptance

Background

The dietary shift from indigenous and traditional plants (ITPs) to cash crops and exotic plant food sources increases the risk of malnutrition and other nutrition-related non-communicable diseases, especially in poor rural communities. Farm communities in South Africa have been associated with poor nutritional status and extreme poverty. ITPs have been found to be affordable sources of several micronutrients. However, knowledge of and the use of these plants are declining, and little is known about the child’s acceptance of dishes prepared with ITPs. This knowledge can be used to improve the general acceptance of ITPs. This study aimed to gain insight into parents’ knowledge and perceptions and their use of ITPs in a farming community in the North West Province and to assess children’s acceptance of and preference for dishes made with African leafy vegetables (ALVs) and Swiss chard.

Methods

Parents (n?=?29) responsible for food preparation for children in grade 2 to 4 in two schools were purposively selected for four focus group discussions. A sensory evaluation assessed the children’s (n?=?98) acceptance of, preference for and intended consumption of dishes made with leafy vegetables. The dishes were made of Amaranthus spp., Cleome gynandra, Cucurbita maxima, Vigna unguiculata and Beta vulgaris.

Results

Parents mentioned 30 edible ITPs during the focus group discussions. Parents had knowledge of available ITPs and their use as food. Location, seasonal variation and rainfall affected the availability of and access to ITPs. Sun-dried ITPs were stored in sacks for later use. ITPs were perceived as healthy, affordable and delicious, hence acceptable to the parents. The children also evaluated the dishes made with ALVs as acceptable in terms of colour, smell and taste. Swiss chard was preferred, most likely because of the children’s exposure to this vegetable. Children indicated that they would like to eat these leafy vegetables twice a week.

Conclusion

These results look promising for the promotion of ITPs as a strategy to reduce malnutrition in rural farm communities and for potential inclusion of these micronutrient-rich ALVs in school feeding programmes to improve the nutritional status of children.

     

Food habits of the Indian fox (Vulpes bengalensis) in Kutch, Gujarat, India

We characterized the diet of the Indian fox (Vulpes bengalensis) during the breeding season in a semi-desert region of Western India. Diet was estimated using scat analysis. We used Index of Relative Importance (IRI) to determine the contribution of prey items in the diet of the Indian fox.Indian foxes were observed to feed on a wide variety of prey items. Arthropods were the most frequently occurring prey in their diet. IRI scores were highest for the group Coleoptera and Orthoptera followed by rodents, termites, Ziziphus fruits and spiny tailed lizards (Uromastyx hardwickii). IRI scores for rodents were higher for pups, differing significantly from proportions present in adult diet, thus indicating that they are crucial food items for the young ones. Prey proportions in the fox diet differed between the two habitats in the study area (grassland and scrubland).Our data suggest that the Indian fox is essentially an omnivore showing similar diet (in terms of high incidence of arthropods) to foxes inhabiting arid and semi-arid regions. The opportunistic and generalist strategy has probably helped the species to survive in varied habitats across the Indian subcontinent.     

Morrenia odorata (asclepiadaceae), an edible plant of the gran chaco

The liana Morrenia odorata is a widespread plant of the South American Gran Chaco, where both indigenous and non-indigenous groups use it as a food for much of the year. The fruit is the plant part most commonly eaten but, with the exception of the roots, all the other organs are consumed, though the different ethnic groups vary in their preferences. The resource is prepared in various ways: either raw, in salads, boiled, or roasted. Non-indigenous settlers use only the fruit and seeds, with which they prepare several dishes, in-cluding “docajam,” a regional dessert made with the fruit. The indigenous population considers it to be a very wholesome food and, despite the loss of many elements of their traditional diet, this plant continues to be highly valued. Although it is a wild plant, it is protected and even cultivated by several ethnic groups.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Soil and Sediment from Industrial,Residential, and Agricultural Areas in Central South Africa: An Initial Assessment

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of global concern due to their ubiquitous presence, toxicity, and carcinogenicity. No data on PAHs in soils from South Africa have been published, even though it has the largest economy and industrial base in Africa. During this initial assessment, the levels of PAHs were determined in soils and sediments collected from central South Africa, specifically targeting industrial, residential, and agricultural areas. Analysis was performed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The total concentration of PAHs (Σt-PAH) ranged between 44 and 39,000 ng/g, dw and the concentration of carcinogenic PAHs (Σc-PAH) ranged between 19 and 19,000 ng/g, dw. Pyrogenic processes were the most likely sources, with minimal petrogenic contributions. PAH levels were in the same range as levels reported from other countries, and the majority of the sites did not exceed Canadian environmental quality guidelines. Based on assumptions for dermal contact and ingestion of PAH-contaminated soil, we provisionally calculated only a small increase in cancer risk, but additional PAH inhalation could add considerably to this risk. Our data indicates a need for more analysis in industrial and residential areas, and should include air.     

Chain Mall in Plains Archeology

Abstract

Beginning in the 1880s, chain mail fragments have been found subsurface at five archeological sites in the Central Plains. All were in association with native Indian materials assignable to the Great Bend aspect and datable to the earliest period of European contacts with Central Plains Village Indian communities in the mid-sixteenth century. Among the several types of mail fabric represented, none is inconsistent with a 16th century Spanish provenience. Possible sources from which these items may have reached the Indians by pillage, theft, or trade are considered.     

云南龙马山滇金丝猴(Rhinopithecus bieti)冬季食性分析

2006年11月-2007年12月,对云南云龙县龙马山滇金丝猴(Rhinopithecus bieti)冬季食性进行了研究.采用粪便显微组织学分析技术分析龙马山滇金丝猴冬季采食植物的种类组成和比例,并测定了该猴群主要取食的15种植物(包括两种松萝科植物)(取食食物百分比>1%)和次要取食的10种植物(取食食物百分比<1%)的化学成分.研究结果表明,龙马山滇金丝猴冬季取食的植物共计26科45种,其中云龙箭竹、长松萝、花松萝、实竹、空心箭竹分别占19.78%、10.28%、8.37%、4.93%、4.46%,是滇金丝猴冬季主要取食的植物种类,占取食植物的47.99%.木本植物和草本植物的叶是滇金丝猴的主要食物,在冬季食物中所占百分比最高,达75%.冬季滇金丝猴比较喜欢采食P/F值较高、单宁含量较低的食物,其主要食物比次要食物含有较高的P/F值和较低的单宁(P<0.05).     

Estimation of food composition of Hodotermes mossambicus (Isoptera: Hodotermitidae) based on observations and stable carbon isotope ratios

Abstract The diet of the harvester termite Hodotermes mossambicus was investigated at two sites with distinct dietary components: C₄ grasses (δ¹³C isotope values, ?13.8‰ to ?14.0‰) and C₃ plants (δ¹³C isotope values, ?25.6‰ to ?27.1‰). By comparing observations of food items carried into the colony by the termites and carbon isotope ratios of whole termites (that determined assimilated carbon), the relative proportion of the C₃ and C₄ plant food components of the termite diet was estimated. There was agreement between the observational data and stable carbon isotopic data, with grass representing approximately 93% of the diet of H. mossambicus at two study sites (urban and rural) on the South African highveld. However, when correcting for mass of food items, that is, C₃ and C₄, carried by termites, the proportion of grass (C₄) in the diet may be underestimated.     

接种功能内生细菌Diaphorobacter sp.Phe15减少蔬菜亚细胞菲积累的体外试验研究

[目的]土壤中的多环芳烃(polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs)可被蔬菜根系吸收并在可食部分积累进而通过食物链威胁人群健康。接种功能内生细菌能有效减低蔬菜中PAHs的积累,而关于其对蔬菜亚细胞组分中PAHs积累的影响却鲜有报道。[方法]采用体外实验,研究了接种具有菲降解功能的菌株Diaphorobacter sp. Phe15对空心菜茎叶亚细胞组分中菲积累的影响及PAHs代谢相关酶活性的响应。[结果]接种Phe15可以可加速空心菜茎叶亚细胞中菲的降解,显著削减空心菜亚细胞组分中菲的含量,接菌后空心菜亚细胞组分中菲降解率达90%以上。此外,接种功能菌Phe15可以影响空心菜亚细胞组分中PAHs代谢相关酶系的活性,空心菜亚细胞水平POD、PPO、C230活性整体得到提高,且酶系活性与空心菜体内菲积累呈负相关关系。[结论]接种具有菲降解功能的菌株Phe15增加了空心菜亚细胞水平PAHs代谢相关酶系活性,进而降低空心菜体内菲的积累,研究结果为利用功能内生细菌削减蔬菜中多环芳烃污染提供了一定的参考和理论依据。     

“Ethno-microbiology” of ethnic Indian fermented foods and alcoholic beverages

The concept of “ethno-microbiology” is to understand the indigenous knowledge of the Indian people for production of culturally and organoleptically acceptable fermented foods by natural fermentation. About 1000 types of common, uncommon, rare, exotic and artisan fermented foods and beverages are prepared and consumed in different geographical regions by multi-ethnic communities in India. Indian fermented foods are mostly acidic and some are alkaline, along with various types of alcoholic beverages. A colossal diversity of microorganisms comprising bacteria mostly belongs to phylum Firmicutes, filamentous moulds and enzyme- and alcohol-producing yeasts under phyla Ascomycota and Mucoromycota, and few bacteriophages and archaea have been reported from Indian fermented foods. Some microorganisms associated with fermented foods have functionalities and health promoting benefits. “Ethno-microbiology” of ethnic Indian people has exhibited the proper utilisation of substrates either singly or in combination such as fermented cereal-legume mixture (idli, dosa and dhokla) in South and West India, sticky fermented soybean food (kinema and related foods), fermented perishable leafy vegetable (gundruk and related foods), fermented bamboo shoots (soibum and related foods) and fermented fish (ngari and others) in North East India, and fermented meat and sausage-like products in the Indian Himalayas, fermented coconut beverage (toddy) in coastal regions, and various types of naturally fermented milk products (dahi and related products) in different regions of India. This review has also highlighted the “ethno-microbiology” knowledge of the people involving the consortia of essential microorganisms in traditionally prepared amylolytic starters for production of cereal-based alcoholic beverages. The novelty of this review is the interpretation of ethno-microbiological knowledge innovated by ethnic Indian people on the use of beneficial microorganisms for food fermentation to obtain the desired fermented food products for consumption.     

Screening Level Assessment of Risks Associated with Dietary Exposure to Selected Heavy Metals,Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons,and Radionuclides in Kuwait

To assess the health risks associated with dietary exposure of the Kuwait population, two market baskets comprising 146 food items, which represented the diets of various age groups of the Kuwaiti population, were collected twice, once in the winter of 1997 and again in the summer of 1998, to account for seasonal variation. These food items were analyzed for their heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and selected radionuclides contents. Probabilistic risk assessments using the Monte Carlo simulation technique were conducted for Cd, Pb, PAHs, ¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁰Sr, and ²²⁶Ra. The data obtained showed that high Cd and Pb exposures, which exceeded the World Health Organization's (WHO's) standards are encountered among young children. Exposures to PAHs of the different age groups of the Kuwaiti population were not unusually high at the higher percentiles. On the other hand, dietary exposures to ⁹⁰Sr were all below WHO standards for all percentile and age groups. Exposures to ¹³⁷Cs were slightly above the WHO standard at the 90^th percentile for most age groups, and ²²⁶Ra exposures were all well above WHO standards at the upper percentiles for all age groups, but still below the United States Food and Drug Administration's (USFDA's) intervention levels.     

Phylogeny based on 16S rDNA and nifH sequences of Ralstonia taiwanensis strains isolated from nitrogen-fixing nodules of Mimosa pudica, in India

Bacterial symbionts present in the indeterminate-type nitrogen (N)-fixing nodules of Mimosa pudica grown in North and South India showed maximum similarity to Ralstonia taiwanensis on the basis of carbon-source utilization patterns and 16S rDNA sequence. Isolates from the nodules of M. pudica from North India and South India showed identical ARDRA (Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis) patterns with Sau3AI and RsaI, but AluI revealed dimorphy between the North Indian and South Indian isolates. Alignment of 16S rDNA sequences revealed similarity of North Indian isolates with an R. taiwanensis strain isolated from M. pudica in Taiwan, whereas South Indian isolates showed closer relatedness with the isolates from Mimosa diplotricha. Alignment of nifH sequences from both North Indian and South Indian isolates with that of the related isolates revealed their closer affinity to alpha-rhizobia, suggesting that nif genes in the beta-rhizobia might have been acquired from alpha-rhizobia via lateral transfer during co-occupancy of nodules by alpha-rhizobia and progenitors of R. taiwanensis, members of the beta-subclass of Proteobacteria. Immunological cross-reaction of the bacteroid preparation of M. pudica nodules showed strong a positive signal with anti-dinitrogenase reductase antibody, whereas a weak positive cross-reaction was observed with free-living R. taiwanensis grown microaerobically in minimal medium with and without NH4Cl. In spite of the expression of dinitrogenase reductase under free-living conditions, acetylene reduction was not observed under N-free conditions even after prolonged incubation.     

Mutagenicity of nitrosated food items.

Several food items, commonly consumed in South India, after nitrite treatment under simulated gastric conditions were found to be mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium tester strain TA 100. Dichloromethane extracts containing the volatile nitroso compounds and ethyl-acetate extracts with the non-volatile nitroso compounds of some of the food items exhibited mutagenicity.     

The influence of natural barriers in shaping the genetic structure of Maharashtra populations

Background

The geographical position of Maharashtra state makes it rather essential to study the dispersal of modern humans in South Asia. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the cultural, linguistic and geographical affinity of the populations living in Maharashtra state with other South Asian populations. The genetic origin of populations living in this state is poorly understood and hitherto been described at low molecular resolution level.

Methodology/Principal Findings

To address this issue, we have analyzed the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of 185 individuals and NRY (non-recombining region of Y chromosome) of 98 individuals belonging to two major tribal populations of Maharashtra, and compared their molecular variations with that of 54 South Asian contemporary populations of adjacent states. Inter and intra population comparisons reveal that the maternal gene pool of Maharashtra state populations is composed of mainly South Asian haplogroups with traces of east and west Eurasian haplogroups, while the paternal haplogroups comprise the South Asian as well as signature of near eastern specific haplogroup J2a.

Conclusions/Significance

Our analysis suggests that Indian populations, including Maharashtra state, are largely derived from Paleolithic ancient settlers; however, a more recent (∼10 Ky older) detectable paternal gene flow from west Asia is well reflected in the present study. These findings reveal movement of populations to Maharashtra through the western coast rather than mainland where Western Ghats-Vindhya Mountains and Narmada-Tapti rivers might have acted as a natural barrier. Comparing the Maharastrian populations with other South Asian populations reveals that they have a closer affinity with the South Indian than with the Central Indian populations.     

Exploitation of food resources by the cockroach Blattella germanica in an urban habitat

The exploitation of food resources by the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) was investigated experimentally in relation to distance from shelters and depletion of neighbouring food patches. In addition, the dynamics of exploitation of a patch were analysed. Observations were made after dark in a public swimming baths building and each one lasted 3 h. Food patches were placed in rows, at different distances from the shelters. The number of cockroaches in food dishes, in a 20 cm diameter circle round each food dish and in a 60 cm diameter circle round this first circle were recorded.Food items nearest the shelters were exploited first. Exploitation of row 2 and of row 3 food items started later, after row 1 food patches had been depleted. Under these conditions, the moment a food patch was exploited was related to its distance from shelter. Exploitation of food patches occurred in a step-by-step manner, one patch attracting animals when a nearby patch had been depleted, and not following a model of ideal free distribution.Although our experimental food patches were exploited in relation to their distance from shelter, we were able to demonstrate that distance did not influence the dynamics of exploitation of a food item. The mean number of cockroaches on a food patch, whatever its spatial position, increased regularly, reached a maximum at t=–10 min, and then decreased rapidly after all the food had been completely consumed, at t=0 min. The mean number of animals in the 20 cm diameter circle round a food source peaked at t=0 min, then decreased rapidly. This area appeared to be a transit area. The mean number of animals in a 60 cm diameter circle round the food source peaked later, and then decreased slowly. Animals remained in this area longer than in the area closer to the food dish, but their presence there was concomitant with the depletion of the food box.     

Laticiferous plants of economic importance III. Couma species

The commercial use of the exudation of several species of Couma as a source of gutta-gum is of recent development. Although the edible fruits have been known in the Amazon basin since prehistoric time, and the coagulated latex, or coagulum, is favored by the South American Indian for caulking dugouts and canoes, the utilization of this gutta-gum in industry, especially in the United States, began only about 30 years ago.