Nutritional composition utilization

The overall objective of this chapter is to review the past, present, and future role of the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam) in human nutrition. Specifically, the chapter describes the role of the sweet potato in human diets outlines the biochemical and nutritional composition of the sweet potato with emphasis on its (3-carotene and anthocyanin contents highlights sweet potato utilization, and its potential as value-added products in human food systems and demonstrates the potential of the sweet potato in the African context. Early records have indicated that the sweet potato is a staple food source for many indigenous populations in Central and South Americas, Ryukyu Island, Africa, the Caribbean, the Maori people, Hawaiians, and Papua New Guineans. Protein contents of sweet potato leaves and roots range from 4.0% to 27.0% and 1.0% to 9.0%, respectively. The sweet potato could be considered as an excellent novel source of natural health-promoting compounds, such as p-carotene and anthocyanins, for the functional food market. 

The preferred method for the analysis of boron is inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) is the most widely used nonspectrophotometric method for analysis of boron, as it uses small volumes of sample, is fast, and applies to a wide range of materials. When ICP equipment is unavailable, colorimet-ric/spectrophotometric methods can be utilized. However, many of these methods are subject to interference and should be used with caution (WHO, 1998). Part of the discrepancy in the nutritional composition of boron may be related to differences in methods of analysis. 

The nutrient sparing effect of antibiotics may result from reduction or elimination of bacteria competing for consumed and available nutrients. It is also recognized that certain bacteria synthesize vitamins (qv), amino acids (qv), or proteins that may be utilized by the host animal. Support of this mode of action is found in the observed nutritional interactions with subtherapeutic use of antibiotics in animal feeds. Protein concentration and digestibiHty, and amino acid composition of consumed proteins may all influence the magnitude of response to feeding antibiotics. Positive effects appear to be largest... 

Nutritional Implications. The nutritive quality of any protein depends on three factors amino acid composition, digestibility, and utilization of the released amino acids. Bacemization brought about by processing can impair the nutritive value of proteins by (a) generating non-metabolizable forms of amino acids (D-enanticmers), (b) creating peptide bonds inaccessible to proteolytic enzymes, and (c) toxic action (or interaction) of specific D-enanticmers. Little is known concerning the health consequences of human consumption of racemized proteins. No study has specifically evaluated amino acid losses due to racemization within food proteins. 

The medium utilized to provide complete nutrition for the growth of different cell types is based on a standard minimum essential nutrient composition. Most media consist of a sugar source, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. Serum, such as fetal bovine serum, commonly supplements the medium to enhance cell growth. Growth factors and cytokines are utilized to accelerate cell growth through interaction with specific cell receptors. Differentiation inducers are added to direct the differentiation pathway of stem cells. Impor-... 

The experimental study of FA deficit has been characterized by investigations that utilize food deprivation or restrictions on nutritional intake, and by designs that have provided for dietary supplementation of the FA and/or their metaboUtes (especially DHA and its precursors EPA and LNA). Metabolic studies continue to address many of the unexplained complexities associated with the behavior performance observations in the laboratory. Among the questions of interest are How do the EFAs get into the brain and other organs What is the basis for the apparent selectivity of various organs, cells, and subcellular organelles for particular lipids and FA Why is DHA (docosahexaenoic acid 22 6n-3) concentrated in the brain How can the adult brain maintain its DHA even when there is little support in the diet How much can the metabolism of the precursors of DHA (e.g., LNA, EPA, etc.) support DHA composition in the brain in comparison to the incorporation of preformed DHA taken in the diet In addition to their basic science value, these issues have practical implications for public health policy, such as the design of infant formulas. 

Legume seeds contain a number of antinutritive components, mainly lectin and trypsin inhibitors. The efficiency of the nutritional utilization of diets containing soybean is well below that expected on the basis of chemical composition [196]. In order to reduce the extent of this constraint, at present, all soy products go through expensive heat treatment or other processing procedures that can lead to losses of essential amino acids and to the production of toxic by-products. It is hoped that an effective strategy will help improve the nutritional value of soy proteins [197,198]. 

In the growth period of a plant, many environmental factors affect how its genetics will be expressed in its phenotype and, consequently, its composition from a nutritional point of view. Additionally, the genetics themselves affect the eventual composition of the plant. In food and feed, SB are usually processed in some way, and this processing may affect the nutritional aspects of SB or SB products. In recent years, the use of enzymes to treat SBM is on the rise to increase the utilization of its nutrients. 

In conclusion, SB carbohydrates are important nutritive components of SB and SBM. The utilization of these carbohydrates by humans and animals depends on several factors, including specific cultivar composition, growth conditions, and processing of SB and SBM. The research effort to improve utilization of SB carbohydrates still is ongoing, and should include carbohydrate fractions in purified soy protein products such as SPC and SPI. Additionally, it is important to investigate the possibilities of specific fractions of SB carbohydrates for use as functional food ingredients in human diets, as there is limited information in this area. 

Live systems as analytical tools Different life systems have been utilized in assessing composition and nutritional quality of foods. 

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