| 1. |
- Gurinović, Mirjana, et al.
(författare)
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Capacity development in food composition database management and nutritional research and education in Central and Eastern European, Middle Eastern and North African countries.
- 2010
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Ingår i: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0954-3007 .- 1476-5640. ; 64 Suppl 3, s. S134-S138
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Capacity development (CD) in food and nutrition is much more than formal training and includes human resource development, and organisational, institutional and legal framework development with the aim of enhancing nutrition-relevant knowledge and skills to support infrastructural development. The goal of the European Food Information Resource (EuroFIR) Network of Excellence has been to develop and integrate food composition data throughout Europe. EuroFIR joined forces in CD with the United Nations (UN) University and UN System Standing Committee on Nutrition, the Network for Capacity Development in Nutrition in Central and Eastern Europe, the Central and Eastern European Countries Food Data Systems network and with the Middle East and North African Capacity Building Initiative. The aim of this paper is to discuss an inventory of the status of food composition databases (FCDBs) and the training needs of compilers in non-EuroFIR countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and to present the CD achieved through EuroFIR and other network collaborations.SUBJECTS/METHODS: Two online questionnaires were created addressing the FCDB status and specific training needs in countries of the targeted regions. Data were collected during 2006-2008 and then analysed. Subsequently, CD activities were organised.RESULTS: Contacts were established in 19 CEE and 7 MENA countries, of which several had national food composition tables, but no electronic versions. Education, training, workshops, networking and the sharing of experiences were uniformly requested. Subsequently, CD activities in EuroFIR were organised focussing on food composition courses, exchange visits, workshops and individual training for PhD students, junior scientists and other staff categories, as well as conferences linked to food composition research and food information. To facilitate CD activities, EuroFIR has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia and Estonia.CONCLUSIONS: EuroFIR has created training activities that complement national activities. Collaboration with other networks has provided an overview of FCDB status and training needs, providing directions for CD activities in those countries. This provides a platform for new funding and further development and networking for CD, which would be conducive to European Commission objectives and public health strategies for CD.
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| 2. |
- Forssén, K M, et al.
(författare)
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Folates and dairy products : a critical update.
- 2000
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Ingår i: Journal of the American College of Nutrition (Print). - 0731-5724 .- 1541-1087. ; 19:2 Suppl, s. 100S-110S
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In recent years, folates have come into focus due to their protective role against child birth defects, for example, neural tube defects. In addition, folates may have a protective role to play against coronary heart disease and certain forms of cancer. During the last few years most countries have established increased recommended intakes of folates, for example, between 300-400 microg per day for adults. This review of folates in milk and dairy products compares some recent data based on high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses and radioprotein-binding assays, with previous data based on microbiological assays. All three methods show similar ranges for folates in cow's milk, 5-10 microg per 100 g, the variation being due to seasonal variations. Data on folates in fermented milk (buttermilk and yogurt) are also similar for these methods. Different starter cultures, however, might explain some of the variations in folate content and folate forms. Most cheese varieties contain between 10 microg and 40 microg folate per kg, with slightly higher values for whey cheese. Ripened soft cheeses may contain up to 100 microg folate per 100 g. Most previous and recent studies using HPLC indicate that 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate (5-methyl-THF) is the major folate form in milk, but more studies are needed concerning folate forms in other, especially fermented dairy products. Relatively new data on actual concentrations in different dairy products show folate-binding proteins (FBP) to occur in unprocessed milk, but also in pasteurised milk, spray-dried skim milk powder and whey. In contrast, UHT milk, fermented milk and most cheeses only contain low levels or trace amounts.
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| 3. |
- Johannesson, Lena M, et al.
(författare)
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Folate content in strawberries - Effects of storage, ripeness and cultivar
- 2002
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Ingår i: Acta Horticulturae. ; 567, s. 809-812
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Strawberries are a good dietary source of folate and are of interest because of their importance as raw material for the Swedish food industry. The aim of this study was to quantify the total folate content in strawberries, after different conditions of storage, at different grades of ripeness and in different cultivars, using a strictly controlled RPBA-kit, optimised for food analysis. In the study fresh strawberries were stored imitating commercial conditions no losses of folate could be observed. Regarding ripeness, the highest folate concentration was found in unripe strawberries, which differed significantly from ripe and overripe. A significant variation (p<0.01) was found for six different cultivars. All results are given for both fresh and dry matter in order to exclude interference from possible variations in water content.
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| 4. |
- Maunder, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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The synthesis of folic acid, multiply labelled with stable isotopes, for bio-availability studies in human nutrition
- 1999
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Ingår i: Journal of the Chemical Society-Perkin Transactions 1. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 0300-922X .- 1364-5463. ; :10, s. 1311-1323
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Two different methods for the synthesis of folic acid, which are suitable for the incorporation of compounds multiply labelled with stable isotopes, are described. The first method is based on the use of a novel reductive amination to link 2-acetylamino-4-hydroxy-6-formylpteridine with p-aminobenzoyl-L-glutamic acid. The second method is based on the penultimate formation of an amide bond between N-2-acetyl-N-10-trifluoroacetylpteroic acid and dimethyl L-glutamate. Both methods have been used to transform [C-13(6)]aniline into folic acid, labelled with [C-13(6)] in the p-aminobenzoate moiety, and [3,3,4,4-H-2(4)]-L-glutamic acid into folic acid, labelled with [H-2(4)] in the glutamate moiety. Doubly labelled [C-13(6), H-2(4)]-p-aminobenzoyl-L-glutamate has also been prepared by the former method.
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| 5. |
- Bouckaert, Kimberley P, et al.
(författare)
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Critical evaluation of folate data in European and international databases : recommendations for standardization in international nutritional studies.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. - : Wiley. - 1613-4125 .- 1613-4133. ; 55:1, s. 166-180
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- SCOPE: The objective was to perform an inventory and critical evaluation of folate data in selected European and international databases. The ultimate aim was to establish guidelines for compiling standardized folate databases for international nutritional studies.METHODS AND RESULTS: An ad hoc questionnaire was prepared to critically compare and evaluate folate data completeness, quantification, terminologies, and documentation of 18 European and international databases, and national fortification regulations. Selected countries participated in the European Prospective Investigation into Nutrition and Cancer project and European Food Information Resource Network (EuroFIR). Folate completeness was generally high. "Total folate" was the most common terminology and microbiological assay was the most frequently reported quantification method. There is a lack of comparability within and between databases due to a lack of value documentation, the use of generic or non-appropriate terminologies, folate value conversions, and/or lack of identification of synthetic folic acid.CONCLUSION: Full value documentation and the use of EuroFIR component identifiers and/or INFOODS tagnames for total folate ("FOL") and synthetic folic acid ("FOLAC"), with the additional use of individual folates, will increase comparability between databases. For now, the standardized microbiological assay for total folate and HPLC for synthetic folic acid are the recommended quantification methods.
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| 6. |
- Finglas, P M, et al.
(författare)
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Standardisation of HPLC techniques for the determination of naturally-occurring folates in food
- 1999
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Ingår i: Food Chemistry. - 0308-8146 .- 1873-7072. ; 64:2, s. 245-255
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this work was to evaluate current in-house HPLC procedures for the determination of naturally-occurring folates in food, and to identify problem areas for further improvement. Five intercomparison studies were completed over the period 1990-1997 in which nine participants from six countries took part. Through careful validations and detailed discussions held at evaluation meetings, possible biases and sources of systematic error have been identified and reduced. The use of ascorbic acid and nitrogen flushing during extraction, sample clean-up using strong anion exchange columns, spectrophometrically calibrated standards and fluorescence detection are all recommended. Both in-house hog kidney and human plasma deconjugase enzymes gave similar results to the circulated common hog kidney enzyme which was prepared from fresh pig's kidneys. The most consistently reported values were for 5-CH3H4-PteGlu, and to a lesser extent, for H(4)PteGlu. Four candidate reference materials (CRM 121, wholemeal flour; CRM 421, milk powder; CRM 485, lyophilised mixed vegetables, and CRM 487, lyophilised pig's liver) have been proposed with both indicative values (mean +/- uncertainty) for 5-CH3H4-PteGlu in CRM 421 (0.25; +/- 0.02 mg/kg) and CRM 485 (2.14; +/- 0.42 mg/kg), and information values (mean; range) for 5-CH3H4-PteGlu in CRh4 121 (0.04; 0.03-0.08 mg/kg) and CRM 487 (2.6; 1.9-3.8 mg/kg), Certified values are also given for total folate by microbiological assay: CRM 121 (0.50; +/- 0.07 mg/kg), CRM 421 (1.42; +/- 0.14 mg/kg), CRM 485 (3.15; 0.28 mg/kg), and CRM 487 (13.4; 1.3 mg/kg). Average recovery of 5-CH3H4-PteGlu, added prior to extraction and deconjugation, was 91% (84-95%) for the four CRMs. The average within- and between-laboratory variations were 6 and 15% for the determination of 5-CH3H4-PteGlu by HPLC, and 9 and 18% for the determination of total folate by microbiological assay. These CRMs will be used for quality control of folate measurements for nutritional labelling, and validation of new techniques. Further methodology work is required for the HPLC analyses of folate forms other than 5-CH3H4-PteGlu.
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| 7. |
- Finglas, Paul M, et al.
(författare)
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Use of an oral/intravenous dual-label stable-isotope protocol to determine folic acid bioavailability from fortified cereal grain foods in women.
- 2002
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Ingår i: Journal of Nutrition. - 0022-3166 .- 1541-6100. ; 132:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Folic acid fortification, mandatory in the United States, is currently being considered by the UK. The hypothesis that the matrix of some cereal-product vehicles may result in low fortificant bioavailability was tested using a dual oral/intravenous (i.v.) isotopic-label approach, which was evaluated concurrently. Fifteen women received 225 microg oral folate (capsules, fortified white bread and fortified branflakes), mainly as folic acid labeled with (13)C on 6 carbons of the benzoyl ring ((13)C(6)-PteGlu), followed by i.v. injection of 100 microg folic acid labeled with (2)H on 4 hydrogens of the glutamic acid group ((2)H(4)-PteGlu). The urinary excretion ratio (UER) in intact folate of the percentage of labeled oral dose excreted divided by the percentage of i.v. dose excreted was used as the primary index of absorption. The geometric mean (95% confidence interval) UER for folic acid capsules was 3.68 (1.90, 7.14) at 24 h and 2.18 (1.24, 3.83) at 48 h. Because these were significantly in excess of 1.0, indicative of 100% absorption of the oral dose, it was concluded that oral and i.v. labeled folic acid are handled differently by the body and that "absolute" absorption cannot be calculated. Compared with the 48-h UER for folic acid capsules, the "relative" 48-h UER for white bread and branflakes was 0.71 and 0.37, respectively, indicating that some cereal-based vehicles may inhibit absorption of fortificant. However, even the validity of this "relative" approach is questioned.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Hefni, Mohammed E., et al.
(författare)
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Effect of a 12-Week Dietary Intervention with Folic Acid or Folate-Enhanced Foods on Folate Status in Healthy Egyptian Women
- 2016
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Ingår i: Food and Nutrition Sciences. - : Scientific Research Publishing. - 2157-944X .- 2157-9458. ; 7, s. 1339-1351
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Egyptian government introduced wheat-flour fortification with iron and folic acid to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects, but suspended it for technical reasons. We previously developed novel legume foods with enhanced folate content. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of 12-week intervention with folate-en- hanced foods versus folic acid supplement in improving folate status in Egyptian women. A randomized, parallel intervention trial with two active groups (n = 19, n = 18) and one blinded control group (n = 20) was executed over 12 weeks. Volunteers received either germinated legume foods and orange juice (≈250 μg/d folate) or folic acid supplement (500 μg/d) or apple juice (0 μg/d folate). Folate status was assessed by erythrocyte and plasma folate and total homocysteine (tHcy) at day 0, and after 8 and 12 weeks of intervention. After 12 weeks, mean plasma folate increased by 14 (P < 0.0001) and 12 (P < 0.0001) nmoL in the folic acid and food group, respectively. Erythrocyte folate concentration increased in the folic acid group from 614 to 912 (P < 0.0001) and in the food group from 631 to 914 nmoL (P < 0.0001). After 12 weeks, 90% of subjects in the folic acid group and 70% in the food group had erythrocyte folate concentrations exceeding 906 nmol/L. tHcy concentration was decreased by 20% (P = 0.007) and 18% (P = 0.006) in the folic acid and food group, respectively, but remained unchanged in the control group during intervention. Folate-enhanced foods effectively improve folate status in women of reproductive age. These foods could be used as a complement to folic acid fortification
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| 10. |
- Pavlovic, Mirjana, et al.
(författare)
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Training and capacity building in central and eastern Europe through the EuroFIR and CEE networks
- 2009
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Ingår i: Food Chemistry. - : Elsevier BV. - 0308-8146 .- 1873-7072. ; 113:3, s. 846-850
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Capacity building in food and nutrition aims to enhance knowledge and support infrastructural development in this field. International Network of Food Data Systems (INFOODS) was established on the basis of the recommendations of an international group convened under the auspices of the United Nations University (UNU). The European Food Information Resource Network (EuroFIR, Network of Excellence) aims to develop and integrate food composition data through Europe including CEE countries. EuroFIR, joined forces with the United Nations University/UN System Standing Committee on Nutrition, in capacity building. Inventories have been initiated by EuroFIR on food composition data base status and on capacity development needs. The inventories showed that many activities are already ongoing, providing a good potential for developments needed. Substantial differences exist between the countries, including lack of understanding about the concepts and what quality implies. Assessing the quality, frequency of the capacity development activities and the number of staff trained is needed. Several countries lacked adequate information: 6 of 8 had established Food Composition Databases, but none had electronic versions of the Food Composition Databases. Most had national databases, but needs for additional equipment seems considerable. Education, training, workshops, networking and sharing of experiences were cross-cutting themes for most countries. It is concluded that capacity development is a long-term, continuing process, with policies, plans, and activities and should have national priority. Special attention should be given to the capacity development dimensions generated by global and European strategies. Capacity development networks would be important tools in addressing present and future needs in various Countries. The EuroFIR training and exchange program is a valuable tool in achieving this. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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