The aim of the research was to examine the influence of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) conditions (solvent: 96 % ethanol and 80 % acetone; temperature 30 and 50 °C; time 10, 20, 30 min) on the yield of pigments and the antioxidant activity of the brown algae Halopteris sco-paria and Sargassum hornschuchii and the red alga Corallina elongata from the Adriatic Sea. The highest total pigment content was achieved using either solvent in Halopteris scoparia (at 50 °C) and Sargassum hornschuchii (at 30 °C), regardless of the solvent used, while 96% EtOH was more efficient for Corallina elongata (at 50 °C). The highest antioxidant activity deter-mined by DPPH method in all extracts was achieved at 50 °C in all three algal species using 96% ethanol as a solvent for Sargassum hornschuchii and using 80% acetone for Halopteris scoparia (at any extraction time) and Corallina elongata (30 min). At optimal parameters, the highest content of pigments was determined in the extract of the brown alga Halopteris scoparia which also showed the highest radical scavenging ability. Thirteen pigments were identified and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), six of which were identified as chlorophylls and seven as carotenoids. A high correlation was found between antioxidant activity and the presence of total carotenoids and chlorophyll a and b.
This study aimed to investigate the fermentation of almond-based drinks to develop a formulation for an innovative functional product. The almond drink was purchased at the market and fermented by two starter cultures (VEGE 033 LYO and VEGE 053 LYO, IFF Danisco, France). In the preliminary phase of the research, the addition of various hydrocolloids (xanthan gum, guar gum, psyllium, carob seed flour, inulin, starch, and pectin) at concentrations (w/v) 0.5 %, 1 %, and 1.5 % was tested to obtain formulations resulting in acceptable consistency and optimal fermentation time. To improve the experimental drinks' nutritional profile, 1 %, 1.5 %, and 3 % (w/v) addition of rice protein, hemp protein, and okara was also tested. As a result, two formulations containing guar gum and rice protein and the mixture starch/pectin with okara, respectively, were selected for further research, along with the respective control samples. Four fermented formulations were produced and cool stored at 4 °C for 21 days, during which dry matter, ash, acidity, syneresis, water holding capacity, sensory, and microbiological properties were analysed while they were also tested for consumer acceptance. The results showed that adding 1 % okara as a potential dietary fibre reduced syneresis in comparison to all other samples. The formulation with 1 % okara, 1.5 % starch, and pectin received the highest sensory scores and the best acceptance by consumers. Further research is needed to optimize shelf life and nutritional profile of the proposed formulations.
Fenilketonurija je autosomno recesivno nasljedna metabolička bolest uzrokovana bialelnim patogenim varijantama gena PAH koji kodira enzim fenilalanin hidroksilazu (PAH). Uslijed smanjene aktivnosti enzima PAH dolazi do poremećaja metabolizma aminokiseline fenilalanina te njegovog nakupljanja u tkivima i tjelesnim tekućinama. Liječenje zahtijeva cjeloživotnu strogu niskoproteinsku dijetu, uz obaveznu suplementaciju specijalnim medicinskim pripravcima kojima se osigurava dostatan unos ostalih esencijalnih aminokiselina i drugih esencijalnih nutrijenata. Pravovremena dijagnoza putem novorođenačkog probira i rani početak terapije ključni su za prevenciju razvoja intelektualnih teškoća i drugih teških neuroloških posljedica. Međutim, čak i uz cjeloživotno praćenje i dobru metaboličku kontrolu, bolesnici mogu imati poteškoće s pažnjom i kognitivnim funkcijama. Liječenje pacijenata u Republici Hrvatskoj provodi se sukladno važećim europskim smjernicama. Cilj ovog rada je predstaviti koncept edukativnog alata namijenjenog osobama s fenilketonurijom i njihovim obiteljima u Hrvatskoj. Alat je osmišljen kako bi se omogućilo jednostavnije i preciznije praćenje unosa fenilalanina i povećalo edukaciju korisnika te tako poboljšalo metaboličku kontrolu i kvalitetu života oboljelih.
Childhood obesity is frequently linked to poor dietary habits, however, there are confl icting results regarding status of specifi c food groups consumptionand dietary habits like (un)regular breakfast consumption. The aim of this study was to explore food and beverages intakes associated with obesityamong children enrolled in the CroCOSI study as part of the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative. This cross-sectional studyinvestigated dietary habits of school-aged children on a nationally representative sample (n=5608; 7-10 years). Parents or caregivers completeda questionnaire with indicators of dietary habits, and children’s body weight and height were measured. The 2007 WHO recommended growthreference for school-age children was used to compute BMI-for-age Z-scores. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were performed.The prevalence of obesity among Croatian children was 15.6%. Children who consume breakfast (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.60–0.87), fruits (OR 0.82,95% CI 0.68–0.97) and cereals (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.52–0.97) every day were less likely to have obesity. Further, children who had ≥4 servings of softdrinks weekly were 1.17 (95% CI 1.07–1.36) times more likely to have obesity. Other food groups showed no signifi cant associations with obesity.Daily consumption of fruits and cereals was associated with a lower risk of obesity in children. Skipping breakfast and the intake ≥4 servings of softdrinks per week was associated with a higher likelihood of obesity in this population of school-age children. Interventions with the aim to reduceprevalence of obesity in school-age children in Croatia can be based on the obtained results.
Enteral formulas are special foods formulated to provide sufficient amounts of energy, macro- and micronutrients to meet the complete or supplementary nutritional needs of patients who cannot consume enough food to meet the body’s daily energy and nutrient requirements. As part of our project, which aims to provide personalised nutritional solutions for people with serious health problems such as cancer and diabetes, three formulations of enteral nutrition containing proteins, fats, carbohydrates and fibre as well as essential vitamins and minerals were produced. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of storage temperature and time on the chemical changes and degradation of water-soluble vitamins. The vitamin content was analysed in freshly prepared samples, three months after storage in temperature chambers at 37°C and after six months of storage at room temperature of 23°C. The results show a decrease in vitamin content, but different stability of the individual vitamins was observed depending on storage time and storage temperature. Generally, formulas showed a decline in the concentration of unstable vitamins C, B1, and B5, but also B2, B6, and B7, which are considered more stable. The results are correlated with components and macronutrient composition of the formulas, changes in rheological properties, and thermal instability. This study emphasises the importance of carefully selecting the ingredients of the formula, especially the protein, fat and carbohydrate sources, as various interactions between the components can affect the vitamin content.
Reproduktivno zdravlje važan je čimbenik cjelokupnog zdravlja ženske populacije jer utječe na kvalitetu života, socijalnu i obiteljsku dinamiku te zdravlje zajednice. Adekvatno funkcioniranje reproduktivnog sustava od vitalne je važnosti za plodnost, uspješnu trudnoću i razvoj zdravog potomstva, no postoji mnogo čimbenika koji mogu negativno utjecati na reproduktivnu funkciju, a među njima se posebno ističe nutritivni status žene, uključujući unos vitamina. Vitamini, kao esencijalni mikronutrijenti, imaju važnu ulogu u brojnim biološkim procesima organizma, a osobito su važni za reproduktivno zdravlje žena. Nedostatak ili neravnoteža određenih vitamina može uzrokovati brojne reproduktivne smetnje, poput smanjene plodnosti, povećanog rizika od pobačaja i komplikacija u trudnoći, kao što su preeklampsija, prijevremeni porod i niska porođajna masa, te negativno utjecati na zdravlje ploda. Vitamin A ima važnu ulogu u regulaciji menstrualnog ciklusa, ovulaciji, pravilnoj funkciji jajnika i zdravlju jajnih stanica, a njegov nedostatak može povećati rizik od neplodnosti i anovulacije. Nedostatak vitamina D može negativno utjecati na kvalitetu jajnih stanica i zdravlje embrija, dok adekvatna količina može pomoći u prevenciji policističnih jajnika. Vitamini B skupine, s folnom kiselinom kao najvažnijim predstavnikom, imaju ključnu ulogu u plodnosti i trudnoći. Nedostatak folne kiseline može uzrokovati defekte u razvoju živčanog sustava fetusa, dok adekvatne količine povećavaju šanse za trudnoću i smanjuju rizik od spontanih pobačaja i drugih komplikacija tijekom trudnoće. Vitamini C i E, poznati po svojim antioksidativnim svojstvima, štite stanice od oksidativnog stresa koji može negativno utjecati na kvalitetu jajnih stanica i spermatozoida, a time i na plodnost. Vitamin E doprinosi zdravlju endometrija i može poboljšati plodnost. Unatoč brojnim poznatim pozitivnim učincima vitamina na reproduktivno zdravlje žena, potrebna su daljnja istraživanja koja će detaljnije ispitati optimalne doze i primjenu vitamina kako bi se razvile specifi čne smjernice za primjenu prema individualnim potrebama žena u prevenciji i liječenju reproduktivnih bolesti.
Weed competition has the capability of lowering the quality of agricultural items which eventually affects final products produced from them. This present study experimentally investigated the quality evaluation of cowpea-based pudding as influenced by strategies to weed control. Three treatments, two hoe weeding at 3 and 6 WAS (Weeks After Sowing)+ 50 cm by 50 cm inter-row spacing, three hoe weeding at 3,6, and 9 WAS + 50cm by 50cm inter-row spacing, and weedy check (no hoe weeding) + 50 by 50 cm inter-row spacing and a control sample without no treatment were evaluated. The cowpea grains were de-hulled, washed, milled to obtain cowpea flour. Using standard laboratory techniques, the cowpea flour’s mineral and anti-nutritional qualities were determined. The milled cowpea flour were turned into a paste and steamed for 40 minutes to obtain cowpea-based pudding. Anti-nutritional properties (trypsin inhibitors, tannin and phytate) and mineral composition (sodium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus) of the cowpea flour was determined while the physical (colour and textural) and sensory properties of the cowpeabased pudding was also determined. The range of values for trypsin inhibitors, tannin and phytate were 3.46-3.74%, 0.07-0.10%, 0.61-0.84% respectively. Mineral composition for cowpea flour showed a significant increase in sodium and potassium for the sample with the weedy check and 50 by 50cm inter-row spacing for magnesium, phosphorus and calcium, the control sample had the highest value. Based on the result, the sensory evaluation of the cowpea-based pudding showed the highest overall acceptability for the control sample with the value 8.39 followed by the treatment three hoe weeding at 3,6 and 9 weeks after sowing. The results of this study indicate that weed control methods led to an increase in sodium and potassium levels and a decrease in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus levels in cowpea flour. Anti-nutritional compositions of cowpea flour were increased by weed control methods. The sensory score shows that weed control methods resulted into cowpea-based pudding with lower quality compared to the control methods.
Zbog široke konzumacije mlijeka i mliječnih proizvoda diljem svijeta, vrlo je važna analiza mlijeka odnosno određvanje njegove zdravstvene ispravnosti kao i autentičnosti i geografskog porijekla. Kvalitetu mlijeka i njegovih proizvoda odeđuju njegove sastavnice kao što su spektar masnih kiselina, aromatski profil, sastav mineralnih tvari ili vitamina. Kvalitetu mliječnih proizvoda mogu narušiti prisutnost kontaminanata kao što su ostatci veterinarskih lijekova, pesticida ili otrovnih tvari topivih u mastima (dioksini ili poliklorirani bifenili). Za sve analize potrebne za određivanje zdravstvene ispravnosti ili autentičnosti mliječnih proizvoda na rapolaganju je više instrumentnih tehnika; kromatografske, spektrometrijske, tehnike, tehnike atomske spektroskopije te analize izotoponog sastava koja spaja više tehnika u jednoj analizi.
Berry leaves and pomace, which are often considered waste after processing, contain a significant amount of bioactive molecules. This study investigated the polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity in leaves and pomace of various berry species and cultivars. Samples of five blueberry, three blackcurrant, two redcurrant and two chokeberry cultivars were analyzed to compare the total polyphenol and anthocyanin content and their antioxidant properties using ABTS, DPPH and FRAP assays. The results showed significant differences in the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of the different berry cultivars. In general, polyphenol content ranged from 48.55-145.70 mg/g dw in leaves and 7.25- 91.20 mg/g dw in pomace. Anthocyanin content in pomace was between 0.06-10.21 mg/g dw, and all samples showed a high antioxidant capacity. Blueberry leaves and pomace, particularly cv. Aurora, showed the highest polyphenol and anthocyanin concentrations and the strongest antioxidant capacity among all analyzed samples. In blackcurrants, the cv. Titania had the highest values of polyphenols and antioxidant capacity in the leaves, while in the pomace it was cv. Gofert. When analyzing the redcurrants, cv. Rotet stood out in bioactive molecules in both leaves and pomace. For chokeberries, cv. Viking stood out for the bioactive potential of its leaves and cv. Nero for the pomace. These findings highlight the potential of berry leaves and pomace, commonly discarded as by-products, as valuable sources of antioxidants for the development of functional products.
U ovom je istraživanju optimizirana ekstrakcija potpomognuta mikrovalovima s obzirom na sadržaj ukupnih fenola i pigmenata (klorofila i karotenoida) smeđe alge Halopteris scoparia koristeći 96% etanol (v/v) kao ekstrakcijsko otapalo. Parametri ekstrakcije koji su varirali bili su temperatura ekstrakcije (10, 25, 40 C), vrijeme ekstrakcije (5, 15, 25 minuta) te snaga mikrovalova (150, 300, 450 W). Utvrđeni optimalni parametri za ekstrakciju potpomognutu mikrovalovima bili su: temperatura ekstrakcije 25 °C, vrijeme ekstrakcije 25 min i snaga mikrovalova 300 W. U ekstraktima različitih smeđih (Fucus virsoides, Cystoseira barbata, Sargasum hornschuchii), zelenih (Ulva lactuca i Dasycladus vermicularis) i crvenih algi (Coralina elongata) Jadranskog mora dobivenim pri optimalnim ekstrakcijskim uvjetima određen je spektrofotometrijski ukupni sadržaj fenola od 39,55 (Coralina elongata) do 3687,05 mg/100 g s.tv. (Cystoseira barbata). Kromatografskom metodom određeni su pojedinačni karotenoidi i klorofili, a ukupni karotenoidi (zbroj pojedinačnih karotenoida) bili su u rasponu od 13,87 (Coralina elongata) do 291,17 mg/100 g s.tv. (Sargasum hornschuchii) te ukupni klorofili (zbroj pojedinačnih klorofila) od 16,60 (Coralina elongata) do 126,00 mg/100 g s.tv. (Ulva lactuca). Određena je i antioksidacijska aktivnost primjenom ORAC, (119,82 - 381,87 µmol Trolox/100 g s.tv.), ABTS (101,57 - 6514, 25 µmol Trolox/100 g s.tv.) i DPPH metoda (1951,23 - 3209,77 µmol Trolox/100 g s.tv.). Rezultati su pokazali da je najveći prinos ukupnih fenola i karotenoida kod smeđih algi što doprinosi i njihovoj većoj antioksidativnoj aktivnosti, dok je kod zelenih algi najveći prinos klorofila. Odabir metode ekstrakcije potpomognute mikrovalovima se pokazao kao dobar izbor za proizvodnju ekstrakata algi s bogatim sadržajem bioaktivnih spojeva i visokom antioksidativnom aktivnošću te bi njihova potencijalna primjena mogla biti u prehrambenoj i farmaceutskoj industriji.
Short questionnaires are increasingly used tools for quickly assessing dietary quality. In this study, a new questionnaire called “diet analysis” was validated and modified. The questionnaire consisting of 18 questions divided into 3 categories (completion time: 3-5 minutes). The objective was to compare the relative validity of this questionnaire with the Healthy Eating Index mHEI-2015, based on a 7-day food diary completed by 46 participants (aged 19-66 years). Distribution of participants across five categories of diet quality were shown in mHEI-2015 scoring (mHEI) and “diet analysis” with proposed new scoring (DAn) while in the “diet analysis” (DA) participants were distributed across four categories of diet quality. The Bland-Altman plots demonstrated that the data were mostly uniformly distributed, in both analyses with old and new proposed scoring. Most participants (69.5% and 71.74%) had score differences within one standard deviation, indicating low variability among them. The results suggest agreement between DA and mHEI and DAn in assessing the dietary habits of most participants. Assessment of food intake of participants scoring 0, 1 or 2 points shows participants self‐evaluated their intake properly. Proposed modifications to the scoring of the DA questionnaire are based on American dietary guidelines, the findings of this study and HEI-2015. It is suggested the final category of the questionnaire „relationship with food„ is excluded from scoring individual’s diet but can be used for strategizing client care. The development of this tool, along with its demonstrated alignment with established indices such as mHEI-2015, underscores its potential to significantly streamline dietary assessments while maintaining accuracy and reliability. „Diet analysis“ represents a valuable contribution to the field, addressing the need for accessible and user-friendly tools in dietary assessment and clinical practice.
Cilj ovog rada bio je usporediti raznolikost prehrane eksperimentalne (ispitanici koji boluju od migrene, n=104) i kontrolne skupine (zdravi ispitanici, n=210) pomoću upitnika o kvaliteti prehrane (eng. Diet Quality Questionnaire - DQQ) koristeći bodovanje raznolikosti prehrane (eng. Diet Diversity Score - DDS) i ostale indikatore kvalitete prehrane. DQQ upitnik razvijen je 2021. godine, a predstavlja jednostavni standardizirani alat za procjenu kvalitete prehrane na populacijskoj razini (https://www.dietquality.org/countries/hrv). Dodatno, cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi postoji li razlika između odgovora dobivenih putem računalnog načina ispunjavanja DQQ upitnika u odnosu na odgovore prikupljene putem intervjua. Istraživanje je provedeno u dvije faze s ukupno 314 hrvatskih ispitanika (16–67 godina, indeks tjelesne mase, ITM=23,58±3,86 kg/m2). Eksperimentalna i kontrolna skupina zadovoljile su minimalne kriterije za raznolikost prehrane (DDS≥5), premda je u usporedbi s kontrolnom, eksperimentalna skupina ostvarila značajno nižu raznolikost prehrane (DDS=5 odnosno 5,7; p<0,001), a pritom su najznačajnije razlike uočene kod konzumacije namirnica životinjskog porijekla (p=0,0016), povrća (p=0,0047) te ultra-prerađenih slanih grickalica, gotovih juha ili brze hrane (p=0,0089). S obzirom na način ispunjavanja (računalno ili intervju), u obje skupine nije utvrđena statistički značajna razlika u rezultatima.
Cilj istraživanja bio je ispitati uticaj tehnologije proizvodnje na senzorni kvalitet “Visočkog sudžuka”. Pored navedenog, cilj istraživanja bio je ispitati razlike u senzornom kvalitetu “Visočkog sudžuka” između različitih proizvođača unutar obje tehnologije proizvodnje. Istraživanjem je utvrđeno da postoje statistički značajne razlike u vrijednostima ispitivanih senzornih karakteristika uzoraka „Visočkog sudžuka“ između uzoraka iz tradicionalne i industrijske proizvodnje. Također, utvrđene su i razlike unutar grupe uzoraka iz iste proizvodnje između različitih proizvođača koje su bile statistički značajne. Istraživanjem je zabilježeno očuvanje senzornog kvaliteta proizvoda korištenjem tradicionalne proizvodnje, kao i manje oscilacije u kvalitetu između proizvoda proizvedenih na isti način (tradicionalno). Najbolje ocijenjeni uzorci bili su VST 4 iz tradicionalne proizvodnje, dok je najbolje ocijenjeni uzorak iz industrijske proizvodnje bio VSI 1. Okus uzoraka iz tradicionalne proizvodnje bio je bolje ocijenjen u odnosu na uzorke iz industrijske proizvodnje, gdje je najbolji okus imao uzorak VST 4. Najlošije ocijenjeni uzorci po svim senzornim svojstvima bili su uzorak VSI 3 koji se izdvojio iz grupe industrijskih proizvoda i uzorak VST 1 iz grupe tradicionalnih proizvoda.
Aflatoxins are a family of poisonous, mutagenic, and carcinogenic mycotoxins that contaminate a wide range of foods and agricultural goods. Aspergillus species, such as Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus parasiticus are the most common producers. Aflatoxin generation can occur at any point of the food chain, including pre-harvest, drying, storage, transit, processing, and handling, if conditions are favourable for fungus to create toxins. It is classified into six main types which are Aflatoxin B1, Aflatoxin B2, Aflatoxin G1, Aflatoxin G2, Aflatoxin M1 and Aflatoxin M2. In Nigeria, Aspergillus species that produces aflatoxin has been isolated from agricultural products such as cereals, spices, locally fermented food, oil-seeds, and animal products. Aflatoxin contamination is high due to poor storage of food crops and lack of awareness of aflatoxins contamination among farmers, marketers and the consumers of these goods. Locally fermented foods such as ogiri, ugba, ogi-baba, and iru have been said to be contaminated by aflatoxin. Preventive measures should be carried out by the policy-making bodies to create awareness and sustain ongoing measures to effectively manage aflatoxin contamination in Nigeria so as to reduce the health risk of aflatoxins on the people and economy of the country.
Location of meal consumption can affect the quality of adolescents’ diet. The main goal of this study was to observe if eating outside the home affects diet quality of 607 adolescents from the CRO-PALS longitudinal study. 24-hour recall was used as a dietary assessment method and meal location was also recorded during the interview. Two measurements were taken: one in the first and one in the final year of high school, so the goal was also to determine the differences between the groups and between the two measurements. As expected, considering previous studies, adolescents who had a higher energy intake consumed outside the home showed lower diet quality, more so in the case of girls and during the first year.
The aging process dictates the daily energy needs of the elderly (aged 65 years and older) and their food intake, which depends on basic physiological needs, physical activity, individual needs of the elderly and many other factors, where monitoring of gerontological public health indicators is extremely important for health protection. This is precisely why this work is focused on reviewing the role and compliance of positive health behavior related to healthy diet of the elderly, geronto-tropometric characteristics of nutritional assessment, assessment of nutritional status via the NRS 2002 web service, assessment of energy needs of the elderly in relation to age, physical activity, morbidity, ratio of intake of macronutrients and micronutrients and the importance of the eight dietary rules for the elderly population. The main causes of mortality in the population aged 65 and over were singled out, and the main dietary norms from the manual “Nutritional-gerontological norms/menus in homes for the elderly and gerontological centers of institutional and non-institutional gerontological care” were singled out. The results state the adequacy of the quality of the menus (according the health status), as well as the importance of compliance with the energy and nutritional needs of the elderly, which will result in a healthy body mass (normal body mass index). Such achievements require an interdisciplinary approach that mainly contributes to the preservation of functional ability, disease prevention and improvement of health and quality of life in old age.
Tkivno inženjerstvo je interdisciplinarno područje koje isprepliće biomedicinske znanosti te inženjerstvo. Razvojem navedenih grana i sve strožim zahtjevima kliničke medicine, nametnula se potreba za razvojem biokompatibilnih te bioaktivnih implantata koji bi mogli zamjenjivati i poticati regeneraciju oboljelog tkiva. U cilju razvoja biomimetičkih materijala i implantata, decelularizacija se istaknula kao pogodna metoda jer izolira prirodno prisutnu izvanstaničnu matricu sa svim komponentama iz odabranog tkiva te uklanja stanice i genski sadržaj koji bi mogao izazvati reakciju imuniteta pacijenta. Razvijeno je više metoda decelularizacije koje se mogu podijeliti na kemijske, fizikalne, biokemijske te kombinirane. Svaka metoda specifična je i razvija se za pojedino tkivo te se najčešće koriste kombinirane metode jer kombiniraju dobra svojstva pojedinih metoda pa postižu dobro uklanjanje stanica uz minimalna oštećenja komponenti izvanstanične matrice. Na tržištu su već dostupni proizvodi pripravljeni od decelularizirane izvanstanične matrice te se daljnjim razvojem područja očekuje njihov sve veći broj.
Gestacijski dijabetes odnosno šećerna bolest dijagnosticirana u drugom, odnosno trećem tromjesječju trudnoće koja nije bila poznata prije trudnoće i ne ispunjava kriterije za šećernu bolest tipa 1 ili 2 sve je veći javnozdravstveni problem današnjice. Oko 21,1 milijun žena (16,7 %) tijekom trudnoće imaju neki oblik hiperglikemije, od čega 80,3 % čini gestacijski dijabetes, 10,6 % od ranije poznata šećerna bolest tipa 1 i tipa 2 i 9,1 % šećerna bolest tipa 1 i tipa 2 dijagnosticirana u trudnoći. Medicinska nutritivna terapija, zajedno s tjelesnom aktivnošću i redovnim, odnosno čestim samokontrolama glikemije predstavlja temelj liječenja gestacijskog dijabetesa, a sve s ciljem sprječavanja komplikacija za majku i dijete. Sve je više studija koje pokazuju kako prehrana koja se temelji na hrani biljnog podrijetla može doprinijeti kako prevenciji tako i liječenju gestacijskog dijabetesa, kroz utjecaj na usporavanje pražnjenja želuca, poboljšanje osjetljivosti na inzulin i pojačano lučenje inzulina. Budući da trudnice s gestacijskim dijabetesom imaju povišene pokazatelje oksidativnog stresa i upalnih markera (TNF-α, IL-6 i CRP), izražene dobrobiti ovakvog načina prehrane su bogatstvo antioksidansa i imunomodulatorno djelovanje. Nadalje, visok sadržaj prehrambenih vlakana, niski glikemijski indeks te visok udio jednostrukonezasićenih i višestrukonezasićenih masnih kiselina u odnosu na one zasićene prednosti su ovog obrasca prehrane. Mediteranska prehrana koja obiluje voćem, povrćem, cjelovitim žitaricama, orašastim plodovima, mahunarkama te maslinovim uljem je preporučeni prehrambeni obrazac, a ključ njezinog djelovanja je u sinergiji odnosno zajedničkom međudjelovanju između više različitih blagotvornih komponenti.
Trudnoća je vrlo osjetljivo razdoblje u životu žene, osobito kada se uz trudnoću veže dijagnoza kronične bolesti. Upalne bolesti crijeva su kronične autoimune bolesti koje nastaju kao rezultat interakcija između genetskih i okolišnih čimbenika. Upalne bolesti crijeva obuhvaćaju ulcerozni kolitis, Crohnovu bolest, mikroskopski kolitis i neklasificiranu upalnu bolest crijeva. Vršak incidencije upalnih bolesti crijeva javlja se između 15. i 30. godine života. Kod velikog broja žena bolest se javlja upravo u generativnoj dobi, što može značajno utjecati na odluku o ostvarivanju trudnoće. Osobe oboljele od upalnih bolesti crijeva nakon postavljanja dijagnoze i u razdoblju pogoršanja kliničke slike vrlo često isključuju pojedine namirnice ili skupine namirnica iz prehrane kako bi ublažili simptome bolesti, pa nedostatak nutrijenata nije rijetkost. Razdoblje pripreme za trudnoću, sama trudnoća i dojenje razdoblja su u životu žene koja su povezana s povećanim potrebama za energijom i određenim nutrijentima koji se smatraju ključnima za rast i razvoj djeteta te za zdravlje majke. Cilj ovog rada bio je ispitati kakvoću prehrane trudnica i žena koje planiraju trudnoću s dijagnozom upalnih bolesti crijeva u Republici Hrvatskoj, kako bi se utvrdila učestalost provođenja eliminacijskih dijeta koje mogu rezultirati narušavanjem nutritivnog statusa. Informacije o učestalosti konzumiranja različitih skupina namirnica, korištenju dodataka prehrani, provođenju eliminacijskih dijeta, te karakteristikama trudnoće prikupljene su putem anketnog upitnika. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 15 ispitanica oboljelih od upalnih bolesti crijeva u dobi od 21 do 39 godina. Prema rezultatima, više od polovice ispitanica (53,3 %) iz svoje prehrane isključuje određene namirnice, najviše iz skupine povrća, mlijeka i mliječnih proizvoda, mesa, te voća. Također, vidljivo je kako dijagnoza rezultira značajnijim prehrambenim promjenama kod većine ispitanica (60 %). Uočen je nedovoljan unos folne kiseline, kako kod žena koje planiraju trudnoću, tako i kod trudnica tijekom prvih 12 tjedana trudnoće. Ovakvi rezultati ukazuju da važnost pravilne prehrane i unos folne kiseline prije začeća i tijekom trudnoće u Republici Hrvatskoj još uvijek nisu dovoljno prepoznati.
Chocolate is consumed largely worldwide and it is known as one of the most craved foods. The market of chocolate products is growing steadily and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. The aim of the present study was to formulate chocolate pralines with enriched sensory and bioactive attributes by incorporating different types of honey (false indigo, buckwheat, rapeseed, mandarin and sage) and ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea L.) extract as ingredients of the filler. The honey samples were subjected to physico-chemical analysis, sugar analysis using the HPLC-RID methodology, as well as to evaluation of antioxidant capacity. The bioactive and sensory properties and sugar composition of the formulated pralines were determined. Bioactive characterization included the determination of phenolic profile by HPLC-PAD methodology. Buckwheat honey showed the most pronounced antioxidant capacity with the value of 3.21 and 2.06 µmol Trolox/g dmb, determined by ABTS and DPPH assays, respectively, while the lowest values were measured for mandarin honey (0.41 and 0.32 µmol Trolox/g dmb). Specific bioactive compounds of cocoa: epicatechin, theobromine and caffeine, were detected in all formulated chocolate pralines, as well as the most predominant phenolic compounds of ground ivy: chlorogenic, caffeic, rosmarinic acid and rutin. Such enriched bioactive composition contributed to the pronounced antioxidant capacity of chocolate pralines. Finally, chocolate pralines prepared with mandarin honey were sensory evaluated as the sweetest and gained the highest scores for the overall acceptability.
