Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny最新文献

Background: Despite the extensive literature focusing on identifying novel antimicrobials of plant origin, little work has been undertaken to examine the antimicrobial activity of wild edible plants.

Objective: The current research aimed to determine the in vitro antimicrobial activity of methanolic extract of some common wild edible plants.

Material and methods: Disc diffusion and broth micro dilution methods were used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of extracts of Mercurialis annua, Ziziphys lotus, Rubia peregrina, Origanum vulgare, Papaver rhoeas, Foeniculum vulgare, and Dysphania ambrosioides against known human microorganisms' pathogens.

Results: The result indicated that most of the extracts exhibited a range of in vitro growth inhibitory action against all bacterial strains and yeasts tested with inhibition zones ranging from 11 mm to 32 mm, MIC value ranging from 0.048 to 50 mg/ml and MBC and MFC values ranging from 0.048 to 100 mg/ml. Among the seven plant extracts tested, O. vulgare was the most effective showing high antimicrobial activity against all tested microbial strains. All plant extracts exhibited bactericidal activities against all the tested bacteria strains except for those of R. peregrina, P. rhoeas and F. vulgare which showed a bacteriostatic activity against E. coli and Pseudomonas sp. Antifungal activity was shown only by O. vulgare, F. vulgare and D. ambrosioides against both C. albicans and C. neoformans.

Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of wild edible plants to control human pathogenic microbes and demonstrate that these plants could be used as starting points for the development of novel antimicrobial compounds.

Background: Orthorexia nervosa (ON), or the obsessive desire to eat only healthy foods, is closely linked to eating behaviors. Among adolescents, the risk of developing ON and its consequences, including weight loss and malnutrition, can be particularly significant due to the crucial impact of eating behaviors on an individual's psychophysical development.

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between the eating behaviors of high school students and the risk of ON.

Material and methods: Observational study was conducted using the PAPI method among 514 students aged 14-19, of which 59.3% (N=305) were female. The research tool was a proprietary, validated questionnaire that included the ORTO-15 test (cutoff score=35) and the BSQFVF. The questionnaire was used to assess the frequency of consumption of selected food products, the level of dietary fiber intake, the quantity and regularity of meals consumed, as well as other eating behaviors of the participants. The individual responses were then analyzed according to the risk of ON using correlation coefficients.

Results: The prevalence of ON risk was found to be 32.1% (N=165). The percentage of individuals at risk of ON was higher among vegetarians. The results regarding the frequency of consumption of animal protein sources, dietary fiber intake, the number of meals and their regularity were similar in both the group at risk of ON and the group not at risk. Over 80% of individuals who never consumed bars, gummies, and candies were at risk of developing ON.

Conclusions: The risk of ON was higher among vegetarians. Individuals who excluded highly processed foods from their diet were more susceptible to developing ON.

Background: Despite its benefits, the Mediterranean diet (MD) is abandoned or not adopted by the younger generations in most Mediterranean countries.

Objective: The aim here was to examine some factors determining adherence to MD in Moroccan school-age adolescents.

Material and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a school setting among 386 students (148 boys and 238 girls), aged 14 to 18 years, randomly selected and from different socioeconomic strata. A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle data. Physical activity was assessed using the short French version of the IPAQ questionnaire. The KIDMED test was used to assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Weight, height and waist circumference were measured according to WHO standards. Body mass index (BMI) and waist�to-height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. Statistical ANOVA test was used for to compare multiple means, Student's t-test for independent samples, Chi² test for categorical variables and multinomial logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with adherence to the MD amongst adolescents sample.

Results: Adherence to the MD in this population was very low, with nearly 53% having poor adherence and only 7.7% reporting optimal adherence. Multinomial regression analyses showed that poor adherence is correlated with female gender (p=0.042), low paternal education (p=0.004), limited number of meals (p=0.006), advanced age (p=0.005) and inadequate sleep duration (p=0.027). In contrast, better adherence appears to be correlated with a high number of meals per day (p<0.001) and a better socio-professional class of the father (p<0.001).

Conclusions: This study revealed a low prevalence of good adherence to MD confirming a transition of the study adolescents towards a Westernized diet. Targeted nutritional intervention programs should be implemented to improve adherence to the MD among Moroccan adolescents, by promoting healthy eating habits.

Background: Environmental pollution, including exposure to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), poses serious health risks, particularly through oxidative stress, which may lead to neurodegenerative damage. Antioxidants, especially those found in natural products, show potential in mitigating these toxic effects. Pomegranate juice (PJ), rich in bioactive phytochemicals, has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of PJ on neurotoxicity induced by CCl4 in rats, assessing specific markers of oxidative stress, enzymatic activity, and apoptotic cell death.

Material and methods: Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control, CCl4, PJ, and CCl4+PJ. The CCl4 group received intraperitoneal injections of CCl4 (0.2 ml/100 g) twice weekly for six weeks, while the PJ group received PJ orally (4 ml/kg) daily for 30 days. The CCl4+PJ group received both treatments in sequence. Brain tissues were analysed for malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), and carboxylesterase (CaE) activity. Apoptotic cell death was assessed using TUNEL staining.

Results: CCl4 exposure resulted in a marked increase in MDA levels and AChE activity in brain tissue (p<0.05), alongside a significant decrease in reduced GSH levels and GST activity (p<0.05). Treatment with PJ significantly lowered MDA levels and AChE activity in the CCl4+PJ group compared to the CCl4 group (p<0.05). However, GSH levels and GST activity showed no significant changes in the CCl4+PJ group. TUNEL staining indicated a reduction in apoptotic cells in the CCl4+PJ group versus the CCl4 group, suggesting reduced cellular damage with PJ treatment (p<0.05).

Conclusions: PJ demonstrates neuroprotective potential against CCl4-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in rats by reducing oxidative markers and apoptosis. These findings suggest that PJ could serve as a natural protective agent against neurodegenerative risks associated with environmental pollutants like CCl4.

Background: High-protein yoghurts, are recommended by dieticians as a valuable source of wholesome protein. Consumers' expectations of yoghurts are intrinsically linked to the perceived quality and health benefits of these products.

Objective: The aim of this research study was the sensory analysis and evaluation of consumer preferences towards commercially available high-protein natural yoghurts. The study was designed to identify which quality and nutritional characteristics are crucial for dietetics students when choosing such products. Moreover, the factors influencing the purchasing decisions of this group were analysed, which can provide valuable information for food producers and dieticians.

Material and methods: The research study was conducted among 65 students of dietetics at the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice. The examination included the sensory evaluation of eight high-protein yoghurts by means of a five-point rating scale and the analysis of consumer preferences based on a proprietary questionnaire, which consisted of questions concerning the characteristics of the study group and questions assessing consumer preferences and dietary habits.

Results: Among the surveyed students of dietetics, 35.4% declared to consume high-protein yoghurts several times a week, mainly due to 'positive health benefits'. In the conducted sensory evaluation, yoghurts of brands 'A', 'C' and 'E' scored highest, while the plant-based alternative of brand 'D' scored lowest.

Conclusions: The high-protein yoghurts of brands 'A', 'C' and 'E' outstand in terms of taste and texture, which makes them the most popular products among consumers. Products from 'A', 'C' and 'B' brands are also widely available on the market, which favours their popularity. Taste proved to be a key factor in the decision to re-purchase. The largest number of respondents stated their willingness to purchase 'A' brand yoghurt again, while 'D' and 'F' brand products were the least popular, which may be due to differences in taste preferences and the availability of these products on the market.

Background: Wild edible plants (WEPs) that are part of the Mediterranean diet and used in Moroccan traditional food and therapy are now less or not used. This requires their valorization to avoid the threat of their disappearance. The objective of this work was therefore to determine the mineral content in the parts of some WEPs species used for their health benefits in the Rif in Morocco.

Material and methods: The parts of the WEPs species used, the leaves of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) masters, the aerial parts of Lavandula stoechas L., the stems of Rubia peregrina L., the seeds of Ammodaucus leucotrichus Coss. & Dur., known under the local names of Laaraar, Halhal, Foua, and Kamoun soufi respectively, are washed with distilled water, dried in an oven and crushed. The extracts of the powders obtained are analyzed for the quantification of mineral elements by ICP spectrophotometer.

Results: The analysis results of ICP-OES show that the aerial parts of Lavandula stoechas L. are rich in K, Mg, Fe, Na, and Zn. The stems of Rubia peregrina L. are rich in Fe, Na, Mg, Zn, K, Ca, and Mn. The leaves of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) masters are rich in Fe, Ca, K, Na, Mn and Mg and the seeds of Ammodaucus leucotrichus Coss. & Dur. are rich in K, Ca, Mg, Na.

Conclusion: The results reported in the samples of the WEPs analyzed present significant contents in minerals, in particular in K, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn and Mn and show that in addition to their medicinal values these species have a nutritional potential and could contribute to the dietary balance.

Background: To date, there have been no studies in Poland on weight gain in women with twin pregnancies in relation to recommendations.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the gestational weight gain of women with twin pregnancies depending on their body weight before pregnancy, and to assess the relationship between the observed weight gain and the neonatal birth weight.

Material and methods: The study was conducted among 50 women in twin pregnancies and their 100 newborns delivered after 36 weeks of gestation. Gestational weight gain was assessed based on the American Institute of Medicine guidelines for women in twin pregnancies. Data on the pre-pregnancy body weight and gestational weight gain were collected by interviewing the patients. Neonatal data were obtained from the hospital medical records.

Results: Normal gestational weight gain was observed only in 38% of the women. In women with monochorionic pregnancy, too low body weight gain occurred almost 3 times more often than in women with dichorionic pregnancy (74% vs. 26%), (p<0.001). Women with monochorionic pregnancies also gave birth to statistically significantly more newborns with low birth weight (<2500 g), compared to women with dichorionic pregnancies (62.5% vs. 37.5%) (p=0.007). The mean birth weight of newborns born to mothers with excessive weight gain was 151 g higher than children born to mothers with normal weight gain (2727 g vs. 2576 g) (p=0.035).

Conclusions: In the majority of studied women in twin pregnancies, gestational weight gain was not compliant with the current recommendations. The risk of insufficient weight gain is higher in women with monochorionic pregnancies compared to women with dichorionic pregnancies.

Background: The nutritional value and health-promoting properties cause the fruits (acorns) of Quercus ilex to have great potential for use in the food industry as functional ingredients and antioxidants source.

Objective: In this study, the amount of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids in different extracts (defatted, non-defatted) and composition of fatty acids in the fruits oils of Quercus ilex were investigated. Besides, antioxidant activity was determined.

Material and methods: Fatty acids were extracted with n-hexane and determined by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (GC-MS). Total phenolic and flavonoids contents in the extracts were measured spectrophotometrically and the antioxidant activities were tested by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), free radical scavenging assay, free radical-scavenging ABTS and total antioxidant capacity.

Results: The amount of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the defatted Q. ilex were 634.36±27.41 mg GAE/g DW and 96.85±2.13 mg RE/g DW, respectively. Unsaturated fatty acids were detected in higher amounts than saturated fatty acids. The primary unsaturated fatty acids of the Quercus ilex oil were oleic acid (65.38%), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (16.64%) and palmitic acid (12.81%). Besides, defatted Q. ilex extract showed remarkable DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity with IC₅₀ values of 0.008±0.0008, 0.005±0.001 mg/ml respectively, while high total antioxidant capacity of the non-defatted extract with VCEAC value 0.13±0.006.

Conclusions: Q. ilex oil contained high amounts of polyphenols, high essential fatty acids and antioxidant potential for producing specific health promoting antioxidants in food and pharmaceutical industry.

Background: Aronia melanocarpa is nowadays valued for its high content of biologically active substances, the main group of which are polyphenols, which include anthocyanins, flavonols, flavanols, proanthocyanidins and phenolic acids. From the available sources, we can conclude that extracts and juices from black chokeberry have a great potential in human nutrition and influence on their health.

Objective: The research was to evaluate the effect of regular consumption of 100% organic chokeberry juice on selected anthropometric and lipid parameters of overweight or obese women.

Material and methods: A clinical study consisted of 19 women with overweight and obesity, age from 44 to 63. The probands consumed 50 ml of chokeberry juice daily for 8 weeks as part of their regular diet. Body composition and biochemical indicators were monitored before consumption, after 4 and 8 weeks of nutritional intervention. Body composition was determined using multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MFBIA) - InBody 720. Biochemical analyzes of blood serum were performed using standard methods in an accredited laboratory using automatic biochemical analyzer a BioMajesty JCA-BM6010/C.

Results: The monitored group of probands is characterized by menopausale and postmenopausale women, overweight or obese women with hypercholesterolemia without pharmacological treatment. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were observed when evaluating the amount of body fat (BFM) of the probands before the start of consumption and after the consumption of chokeberry juice. We noted a statistically significant reduction especially in the assessment of visceral fat (VFA) (p<0.001). There were no fundamentally significant changes in the lipid profile of women in this intervention study. With short-term consumption of chokeberry juice (after 4 weeks), we recorded an average reduction in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, but without statistical significant. We also focused on the evaluation of the inflammatory marker CRP and noted a significant beneficial reduction of CRP (p˂0.05).

Conclusions: In the research, we evaluated the effect of 8 weeks consumption of 100% chokeberry juice on selected anthropometric parameters, focusing on changes in visceral fat and total fat in overweight and obese women. In conclusion, we can state that the regular consumption of chokeberry juice has a beneficial effect on fat tissue in women of reproductive age, which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Background: Acne is an inflammatory disease affecting adolescents during puberty, but also adults. Determinants of acne may include genetic predisposition as well as diet. The Western diet is rich in processed products with low nutrient density, resulting in a lack of supply of many essential minerals that are needed for the body to function properly.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the dietary behaviour of people with acne vulgaris and respondents' selfassessment of the severity of acne lesions after consumption of selected products.

Material and methods: The study was carried out by means of an online, self-administered questionnaire, a link to which was inserted in group of people struggling with acne on a social network.

Results: More than half of the respondents said that acne was present in their parents. Almost 91% of the women surveyed said that acne lesions were exacerbated before menstruation. Respondents were most often treated by a dermatologist. The most common foods consumed by the respondents were milk and milk products and wheat bread. The least frequently consumed products were: sultanas, cornflakes, alcohol and fizzy drinks. Statistical analysis showed a strong strength of association between consumption of white rice, fast food, omega-6-rich oils on the severity of acne lesions, while sultana consumption was very strong correlated. In addition, the study showed an almost certain correlation regarding the consumption of white flour pasta on acne lesions.

Conclusions: Statistical analysis showed a relationship between the consumption of white rice, white flour pasta, fast food products, sultanas, oils rich in omega-6 fats and the exacerbation of acne lesions.