Evaluating the pathways from small-scale irrigation to dietary diversity: evidence from Ethiopia and Tanzania

Interventions that aim to increase water availability for agriculture hold great potential for improving nutrition through increasing food production, generating income, enhancing water access and sanitation and hygiene conditions, and through strengthening women’s empowerment. Yet there is scarce evidence on the linkages between small-scale irrigation and the pathways through which nutrition outcomes can be achieved. Using data from a cross-sectional household survey collected in Ethiopia and Tanzania, we explored the potential for small-scale irrigation to contribute to improved diets, and identify the pathways through which irrigation affects dietary diversity as measured by the Household Dietary Diversity Score. Unadjusted comparisons show that irrigating households in both countries produced more vegetables, fruits and cash crops, are less food insecure, have a higher value of production, and have higher production diversity and dietary diversity compared to non-irrigating households. Econometric results of a simultaneous equation (3SLS) model showed that irrigation leads to better household dietary diversity mainly through the pathway of increasing household incomes. However, these results are statistically significant only in the case of Ethiopia, and not in Tanzania. While irrigation increased production diversity in Ethiopia, the benefits of increased dietary diversity cannot be attributed to these changes in production after controlling for the effect of income. Other factors, such as gender of the household head and having off-farm income, also influence dietary diversity in Ethiopia. These findings suggest that the potential for irrigation to influence diets is highly context-specific. Understanding the particular pathways and entry points for nutrition-sensitive agriculture approaches could help to improve their benefits for nutrition.     

Protein supply from undegraded dietary protein

A summary of in vivo estimates of the amount of dietary protein from individual feedstuffs that escapes microbial degradation in the rumen is presented. Values range from approximately 20% for protein in barley, oats, wheat, and alfalfa silage to 65 to 70% for protein in fish meal and animal by-products. In vitro or in situ methods for estimating protein degradation can be used, but at this stage of development, the methodology is more useful in providing a relative ranking of feedstuffs on the basis of protein degradation than in providing absolute estimates of protein degradation. A number of factors influence protein breakdown in the rumen, including extent of crosslinking in the protein (disulfide bonds), retention time in the rumen, protein solubility, and processing and storage effects on protein. It is important to consider the amino acid content of the undegraded dietary protein, particularly lysine and methionine, two amino acids likely to be limiting for milk production. Strategies for using protected proteins in dairy cattle diets are discussed.     

Cigarette taxation in China: lessons from international experiences

This paper draws upon the experiences of foreign countries in implementing tobacco taxation to provide lessons the Chinese government can use when considering the feasibility of raising additional taxes on cigarettes. Based on current international data and Chinese published data, this paper concludes that there is still leeway to raise existing taxes. The Chinese government should consider conducting some pilot experiments in tobacco tax increases, with some of the new revenues allocated for tobacco control programmes as well as for financing healthcare services among the poor.


     

Agricultural investment and international land deals: evidence from a multi-country study in Africa

Recent spikes in world food and energy prices have fostered renewed momentum for agricultural investment in lower and middle-income countries. Governments in some food-importing countries are promoting the acquisition of land overseas as a means to ensure long-term national food security. Businesses are recognizing new opportunities for strong returns from international investments in agriculture for food, fuel and other agricultural commodities. Dubbed ‘land grabs’ in the media, land-based investments have kindled much international debate, in which strong positions are taken on the impacts of such investments on environment, rights, sovereignty, livelihoods, development and conflict at local, national and international levels. Depending on how they are structured, agricultural investments may deliver local benefits and include small-scale producers in value chains, or carry environmental and social risks that fall disproportionately on local people. Vigorous public debate in recipient countries, effective screening of proposed investments, including robust environmental and social impact assessments, secure local land and resource rights, local voice in decision-making, skillfully negotiated and regulated contracts and effective policy incentives for business models that favor working with local farmers over large plantations can help make the renewed momentum in agricultural investment work for development.     

Customer value toward innovative food products: Empirical evidence from two international markets

Food technologies often have an ambivalent effect on customer value perceptions toward innovative food products. While objective benefits may contribute positively to customer value perceptions, subjective negative evaluations may subtract value. In this paper we propose a model and provide empirical evidence on how customer value is constructed and its relationship with willingness to pay in the context of innovative food products. We test our model in a cross-sectional study across two international markets (the UK and China; N = 1004) and two innovative food products. Our results show that, in the context of innovative food products, customer value is constructed as a trade-off between perceived values that individuals assign to the product and perceived costs that consumers experience. Specifically, perceived values have a positive and dominant effect on customer value in both markets. We further show that the central role of customer value on willingness to pay is not universal and may vary across international markets, with the positive effect of values on willingness to pay being mediated by customer value only in China. Finally, from types of costs purchase costs are found to subtract customer value and only in the UK, thus highlighting their role as being context-specific.     

Inulin and oligofructose as dietary fiber: a review of the evidence

This critical review article examines the composition and source of inulin and oligofructose, the physiological effects of their consumption, and how these materials relate to the concept of dietary fiber. Inulin and oligofructose are fructans extracted on a commercial basis from the chicory root. Inulin has been defined as a polydisperse carbohydrate material consisting mainly, if not exclusively, of beta (2-1) fructosyl-fructose links ranging from 2 to 60 units long. Native chicory inulin has an average degree of polymerization (DP) of 10 to 20, whereas oligofructose contains chains of DP 2 to 10, with an average DP of 4. While a universally accepted definition for dietary fiber does not exist, it is generally agreed that this term includes saccharides (+ lignin) that are not hydrolyzed or absorbed in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. These materials reach the colon, where they may be totally fermented, partially fermented, or remain unfermented. In addition, fibers contribute to fecal bulking. Inulin and oligofructose are not digested in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract or are they absorbed and metabolized in the glycolytic pathway, or directly stored as glycogen like 'sugars' or starches. None of the molecules of fructose and glucose that form inulin and oligofructose appear in the portal blood. These materials are quantitatively fermented by the microflora of the colon; further, it has been demonstrated that this fermentation leads to the selective stimulation of the growth of the bifidobacteria population. After reviewing their chemistry, origin, and physiological effects, it is the opinion of the authors that inulin and oligofructose are dietary fiber. They share the basic common characteristics of dietary fibers, that is, saccharides of plant origin, resistance to digestion and absorption in the small intestine, and fermentation in the colon to produce short-chain fatty acids that are absorbed and metabolized in various parts of the body. Moreover, this fermentation induces a bulking effect.     

Photoprotection by dietary carotenoids: concept, mechanisms, evidence and future development

Carotenoids are micronutrients present mainly in fruits and vegetables, and they are ingested from these sources with the diet. They exhibit specific antioxidant activity but also influence signaling and gene expression at the cellular level. β-Carotene and lycopene, the colorants of carrots and tomatoes, respectively, are among the most prominent members of this group of lipids, and they are usually the dominating carotenoids in human blood and tissues. Both compounds modulate skin properties when ingested as supplements or as dietary products. There is evidence that they protect the skin against sunburn (solar erythema) by increasing the basal defense against UV light-mediated damage. Their photoprotective efficacy, however, is not comparable to the use of a sunscreen. In vitro data show that also other carotenoids are efficient photoprotectors. Among them are lutein and structurally unusual phenolic polyenes like 3,3'-dihydroxyisorenieratene.     

Impact of paternity errors in cow identification on genetic evaluations and international comparisons.

The impact of paternity identification errors on US genetic evaluations and international comparisons of Holstein dairy bulls for milk, fat, and protein yields was investigated. Sire identification was replaced for 11% of Holstein cows that were sired by AI bulls and had records in the US database for national genetic evaluations; US evaluations were computed based on those modified pedigrees and compared with official national evaluations. Estimated breeding values from the data with introduced paternity errors were biased, especially for later generations. Estimated genetic trends decreased by 11 to 15%. Estimates of standard deviations of sire transmitting ability also decreased by 8 to 9%. International multitrait across-country comparisons of bulls were computed based on national evaluations from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and The Netherlands. Estimates of genetic correlations between the United States and other countries decreased by 0.04 to 0.06 when US evaluations were based on modified pedigree. The resulting bias toward selection of domestic bulls and the inability to identify truly superior animals that are available internationally could decrease potential selection differentials by 0.07 to 0.09 standard deviation units on the US scale, which corresponds to sire breeding values of approximately 50 kg for milk, 3 kg for fat, and 1.7 kg for protein. Losses for the other countries were lower and ranged from 0.02 to 0.05 standard deviation units, because a correlation of less than unity with the United States decreased the impact of US cow paternity errors on the scales of other countries. Although paternity verification is desirable and technically feasible, commercial implementation would require low testing costs.     

Lipid and protein oxidation in microsomal fraction from turkeys: influence of dietary fat and vitamin E supplementation

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of dietary fats (6% soya oil or rapeseed oil or tallow) and α-tocopheryl acetate supplementation (30 ppm for control and 200 ppm for supplemented animals), on lipid and protein oxidation, induced by Fe(3+)/ascorbate, of microsomal fraction in turkey muscles (M. pectoralis major and M. sartorius). Supplementation of turkeys with α-tocopheryl acetate increased the vitamin E content of microsomal membranes. Vitamin E supplementation strongly decreased lipid oxidation in membranal fractions when animals were fed rapeseed oil or tallow; this effect was less pronounced in animals fed soya oil. Vitamin E supplementation induced a slight decrease in protein carbonyl content, especially in animals fed soya oil. Level of protein free thiols was considerably enhanced in diet enriched with soya oil. Vitamin E supplementation had a stabilizing effect on glucose-6-phosphatase activity of microsomes when oxidized by Fe(3+)/ascorbate. No muscle effect was detected on the level of lipid and protein oxidation in membranal fractions even if M. sartorius is known to be more oxidative than M. pectoralis major.     

Tobacco and poverty: evidence from Vietnam

This review examined existing evidence to investigate the link between tobacco and poverty in Vietnam, to assess the impact of tobacco control policies on employment related to tobacco consumption and to identify information gaps that require further research for the purposes of advocating stronger tobacco control policies. A Medline, PubMed and Google Scholar search identified studies addressing the tobacco and poverty association in Vietnam using extensive criteria. In all, 22 articles related either to tobacco and health or economics, or to the potential impact of tobacco control policies, were identified from titles, abstracts or the full text. 28 additional publications were identified by other means. PHA, LTT and LTTH reviewed the publications and prepared the initial literature review. There is extensive evidence that tobacco use contributes to poverty and inequality in Vietnam and that tobacco control policies would not have a negative impact on overall employment. Tobacco use wastes household and national financial resources and widens social inequality. The implementation and enforcement of a range of tobacco control measures could prove beneficial not only to improve public health but also to alleviate poverty.     

借鉴国际经验完善我国食品安全风险监测制度的探讨

食品安全风险监测是在风险分析原则基础上,由国际组织倡导并在许多国家取得成功的一项食品安全风险管理工作。我国自2010年以来开始建立并实施国家食品安全风险监测制度,目前在建立制度、部门参与、计划和方案制定以及结果应用等方面还存在不少欠缺和不足。本文借鉴了国际组织和先进国家的经验,从风险监测的目的、特点和需求出发,提出了建立风险监测工作规划,进一步改进参与机制和信息沟通利用机制,并对食源性疾病监测工作提出了具体改进建议。     

Comparative study of the protein fraction of goat milk from the Indigenous Greek breed and from international breeds

Individual goat milk samples, taken from animals of the Indigenous Greek breed and from the international breeds Saanen and Alpine, were studied by RP-HPLC regarding the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of their proteins. Thirty-two samples from the Indigenous Greek breed and 17 from the international breeds were characterised further by RP-HPLC/ESI-MS. The mean total protein content of the milk samples from the Greek breed was higher 38.8 g/l, compared to 31.9 g/l of those from international breeds, due to the great difference between their mean αs1-Cn contents (6.90 and 3.02 g/l, respectively). In the milk samples of the Greek breed, the strong αs1-Cn variants B3, B4 and As/B1 predominated, whereas in the milk samples from international breeds the medium variant E and the defectives F and null predominated. Variant A of αs2-Cn followed by variant C and the κ-Cn D (former B) were the most abundant in both groups. αs2-Cn F and the rare κ-Cn variant C/B were observed in the milk samples from the Greek breed. The β-caseins A and C were present in both groups of samples. Finally, the level of phosphorylation of the different genotypes is showed.     

联合酶法提取豆渣蛋白肽和可溶性膳食纤维

豆渣是大豆加工的主要副产物之一,含有丰富的蛋白质和膳食纤维。为促进豆渣高值化利用,采用联合酶法从豆渣中提取蛋白肽和可溶性膳食纤维（SDF）。首先用碱性蛋白酶酶解豆渣蛋白,以蛋白肽得率为指标,通过单因素试验优化了提取豆渣蛋白肽的工艺条件,再将脱蛋白豆渣用纤维素酶酶解制备SDF,以SDF提取率为指标,通过单因素试验优化提取SDF的工艺条件。结果表明：碱性蛋白酶酶解提取蛋白肽最佳工艺条件为料液比1∶ 35、酶与底物比2%、酶解时间5 h、酶解温度50 ℃、pH 95,在此条件下豆渣蛋白肽得率为66.81%;纤维素酶酶解提取SDF最佳工艺条件为料液比1∶ 30、酶与底物比3%、酶解温度50 ℃、酶解时间2 h、pH 4.0,在此条件下SDF提取率为1554%。利用碱性蛋白酶和纤维素酶依次酶解后,豆渣总利用率达到了89.81%,这为豆渣综合开发利用提供了一种新途径。     

日本复合食品添加剂的有关法规及其同中国的比较

本文对日本食品添加剂的分类以及复合食品添加剂在标签中的表示等法规及其同中国的有关法规的差异作了一个概述.     

日本复合食品添加剂的有关法规及其同中国的比较

本文对日本食品添加剂的分类以及复合食品添加剂在标签中的表示等法规及其同中国的有关法规的差异作了一个概述.     

Malnutrition in food-surplus areas: experience from nutritional surveillance for decentralized planning in Haiti

In Haiti, a novel approach to nutritional surveillance was developed on the basis of a low-cost, simple-to-repeat set of household surveys in all nine administrative departments using sentinel community sites. This system allows each department to independently conduct follow-up surveys as needed. The results of the first round of surveys conducted in 1995 show lower malnutrition rates in typical food-deficient departments and high levels of malnutrition in several food-surplus areas. Further analyses underscore the importance of variables related to child-care practices and of care-enabling factors such as household food security, health environment, and caregivers' time and education. These findings challenge the traditional thinking among a majority of Haitian policy makers who look at the malnutrition problem solely from the perspective of local food production.     

Dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in marine fish from Shandong,China, and human dietary exposure

The occurrence and human dietary exposure of 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in 41 marine fish samples from Shandong Province of China were investigated. The DL-PCB congeners were extracted using automated Soxhlet extraction, purified via a composite column clean-up procedure and analysed by gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. DL-PCB congeners were found in all analysed samples, with a mean concentration of 0.887 ng/g ww (wet weight). The TEQ concentrations of DL-PCBs in individual fish samples ranged from 0.011 to 9.214 pg WHO TEQ/g ww. The mean dietary intake for all fish species was 36.5 pg TEQ/kg bw/month, which was lower than the provisional tolerable monthly intake of 70 pg TEQ/kg bw/month set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. To monitor the trend of DL-PCBs in fish for food safety control, it is necessary to maintain a surveillance programme.