Ramiah Sivakanesan

The Nutritive Value of Mango Seed Kernels for Starting Chicks

Raw mango (Mangifera indica L) seed kernels were found to contain tannins (56.5 g kg -1 DM), cyanogenic glucosides (64 mg kg -1 DM), oxalates (42 mg kg -1 DM) and trypsin inhibitory activity (20 TIU g -1 DM). The contents of these anti-nutritive factors were lowered by both soaking and boiling treatments, but boiling was more effective. The in vitro protein digestibility (26.3%) and apparent metabolisable energy (7.88 MJ kg -1 DM) values of raw kernels were low, and these parameters were improved by soaking and boiling. The observed improvements paralleled reductions in tannin contents, indicating that tannins are largely responsible for the poor nutritive value of raw kernels. In experiment 1, diets containing 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 g kg -1 raw mango seed kernels that replaced maize were fed to 7-day-old White Leghorn cockerels for 14 days. Inclusion of more than 50 g kg -1 raw kernels lowered (P < 0.05) the weight gains, feed intake and feed efficiency of chicks. High level inclusion of raw kernels had toxic effects, as evidenced by increased mortality. In experiment 2, soaking and boiling treatments improved (P < 0.05) feed intake of chicks fed on diets containing 100 g kg -1 kernels and reduced mortality. Feed/gain was unaffected by processing. Soaking had no effect, whereas boiling of kernels improved the weight gains. However, weight gains of chicks receiving diets containing 100 g kg -1 boiled kernels were numerically, though non-significantly, lower than those of the maize-control group. It is concluded that raw mango seed kernels are unsuitable as a feed ingredient in chick diets and, that soaking and boiling do not completely overcome the anti-nutritive effects of raw kernels.

Chemical and functional properties of fibre concentrates obtained from by-products of coconut kernel.

The coconut kernel residues obtained after extraction of coconut milk (MR) and virgin coconut oil (VOR) were analysed for their potential as dietary fibres. VOR was defatted and treated chemically using three solvent systems to isolate coconut cell wall polysaccharides (CCWP). Nutritional composition of VOR, MR and CCWPs indicated that crude fibre, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and hemicelluloses contents were higher in CCWPs than in VOR and MR. MR contained a notably higher content of fat than VOR and CCWPs. The oil holding capacity, water holding capacity and swelling capacity were also higher in CCWPs than in VOR and MR. All the isolates and MR and VOR had high metal binding capacities. The CCWPs when compared with commercially available fibre isolates, indicated improved dietary fibre properties. These results show that chemical treatment of coconut kernel by-products can enhance the performance of dietary fibre to yield a better product.

Epidemiology of Chronic Kidney Disease, With Special Emphasis on Chronic Kidney Disease of Uncertain Etiology, in the North Central Region of Sri Lanka

Background The aim of the study was to identify the epidemiology of chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology in Sri Lanka. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out by analyzing health statistics, and three cohort studies were conducted (n = 15 630, 3996, and 2809) to analyze the demographic information, age-specific prevalence, etiology, and stage of presentation. We screened 7604 individuals for chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology. Results The results showed that the male:female ratio was 2.4:1, the mean age of patients was 54.7 ± 8 years, 92% of the patients were farmers, and 93% consumed water from shallow dug wells. Familial occurrence was common (36%). The prevalence of chronic kidney disease in different age groups was 3% in those aged 30–40 years; 7% in those aged 41–50 years, 20% in those aged 51–60 years, and 29% in those older than 60 years. Chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology was diagnosed in 70.2% of patients, while 15.7% and 9.6% were due to hypertension and diabetic mellitus, respectively. The majority of patients were stage 4 (40%) at first presentation, while 31.8% were stage 3 and 24.5% were stage 5. Stage 1 and 2 presentation accounted for only 3.4%. Conclusions Low prevalence of CKDU was noticed (1.5%) among those who consumed water from natural springs. Prevalence was highest among males, rice farming communities, and those presenting at later disease stages.

Dehydration and malaria augment the risk of developing chronic kidney disease in Sri Lanka

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) of unknown etiology (CKDu) is a serious health issue in Sri Lanka. One-to-one age and sex-matched two sample comparative study was carried out in the Medawachchiya divisional secretariat area of the North Central Province (NCP) of Sri Lanka, by randomly selecting 100 CKDu patients and 100 age and sex-matched subjects from non-CKDu affected families from the same area. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for the collection of data pertaining to occupation, medical history and lifestyle. Data were analyzed using a conditional linear logistic model. Working for >6 h in the field per day, exposure to sun, drinking water only from well, consumption of <3 L of water per day, and having a history of malaria were found to be having significant (P < 0.05) likelihood toward the development of CKDu. Treatment of water prior to consumption had a significant protective effect against CKDu. Dehydration, history of malaria and drinking untreated well water from are likely contribute to the development of CKD of unknown etiology among the inhabitants of NCP, Sri Lanka.

Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in normolipidemic AMI patients

The objective of the study was to observe the correlation between oxidative stress and antioxidants in myocardial infarct patients with normal lipid profile. In the present study investigation of lipid peroxidation and antioxidants were done in patients. This study was carried out on 165 AMI patients, (123 males and 42 females). The control group consisted on 165 normal healthy age-sex matched subjects (123 males and 42 females). Levels of Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione Peroxidase, Catalase, Malondialdehyde and Conjugated dienes were measured. The study found Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione Peroxidase, Catalase were significantly lower in activities (p<0.001) in AMI patients compared to controls. The markers of lipid peroxidation namely Malondialdehyde and Conjugated dienes were higher in AMI patients as compared to controls (p<0.001). The present study is clearly suggestive of increased oxidative stress in AMI patients. Oxidative stress appears as an etiological factor for myocardial infraction as a consequence the free radical scavengers levels are lowered in AMI patient.

REPLACEMENT OF MAIZE WITH SWEET POTATO (IPOMOEA BATATAS L.) TUBER MEAL IN BROILER DIETS

1. The nutrient composition of sweet potato tuber meal (SPM) was similar to that of maize, with the exceptions of crude protein and calcium. The crude protein content was lower (62 v 91 g/kg) and the calcium content was higher (l.9 v 0.l g/kg) in SPM. The amino acid composition, in general, favoured SPM. 2. Trypsin inhibitor activity, and the contents of oxalate and phytate-phosphorus in SPM were too low to be of any nutritional concern. 3. The apparent metabolisable energy content of SPM was determined to be similar to that of maize (14.5l V 14.45 MJ/kg). 4. The results of feeding trials showed that SPM can replace up to 400 g/kg maize in broiler diets without adverse effects in performance. The depression in weight gains observed in birds fed on a diet containing 600 g SPM/kg was related largely to lowered food intake arising from the powdery texture of SPM.

Nutritive value of raw and processed colocasia (Colocasia esculenta) corm meal for poultry

Abstract Raw, unpeeled colocasia corm meal contained (dry matter basis) 90.7 g kg −1 crude protein, 796 g kg −1 nitrogen-free extracts, 1234 mg kg −1 total oxalates and 8.66 MJ kg −1 nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy. About a third of the oxalates were removed by peeling the outer skin of the corms, and when peeling was combined with boiling, oxalate contents were lowered to 272 mg kg −1 . The nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy content was unaffected by peeling, but improved to 12.34 MJ kg −1 when peeling was followed by boiling. In Experiment 1, inclusion of 100 g kg −1 raw, unpeeled colocasia corm meal and raw, peeled colocasia corm meal in starter diets lowered weight gains and feed intake, and increased feed/gain ratio and mortality in layer-type chicks. In Experiment 2, peeling of corms followed by boiling overcame these adverse effects on chick performance. Pancreatic enlargement and reduced energy metabolisability and toe ash contents in chicks fed diets containing raw colocasia corm meals were also overcome by processing. The results of Experiment 3 showed that when supplemented with additional calcium, up to 200 g kg −1 peeled, processed colocasia corm meal could be incorporated in chick diets. The present data suggest that oxalate is a major factor contributing to the anti-palatability and anti-nutritive effects of raw colocasia corms.

Evaluation of the nutritive value of jackseed ( Artocarpus heterophyllus ) meal for poultry

The starchy seeds of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) contain 124 g crude protein and 740 g total carbohydrates per kg. The possible replacement value of jackseed meal (JSM) for maize in chick diets was evaluated in Peradeniya, Sri Lanka between 1986 and 1989. In Expt 1, the inclusion of 125 and 250 g raw JSM/kg diet severely depressed growth performance and increased mortality in chicks. Organ weights, relative to body weight, were also affected in chicks fed on diets containing 250 g raw JSM/kg diet. Subsequent analyses revealed lectins and trypsin inhibitors to be responsible for the toxic effects of raw JSM. Processing of JSM by moist-heat treatment completely destroyed these anti-nutritional factors. This was demonstrated by the results of Expt 2, where the feeding value of processed JSM was found to be comparable to that of maize up to 250 g/kg diet. Moist-heat treatment also improved the in vitro protein digestibility (56.7 v. 84.2 %) and apparent metabolizable energy (8.97 v. 13.72 MJ/kg) values of JSM. In Expt 3, the inclusion of 500 g processed JSM/kg diet resulted in reduced broiler performance and lowered the apparent dry matter digestibility and apparent energy utilization of the diets. The non-starch polysaccharide component of the JSM may have been responsible for these negative effects.

Comparative Analysis of Lipid Content and Fatty Acid Composition of Commercially Important Fish and Shellfish from Sri Lanka and Japan

Sri Lanka is surrounded by the Indian Ocean, allowing plenty of fishes to be caught. Moreover, these fishes represent one of the undocumented fish resources in the world and their detailed lipid profiles have not been previously examined. In this study, the lipid content and fatty acid composition of 50 commercially important fishes from the Indian Ocean (Sri Lanka) and the Pacific Ocean (Japan) were compared. The total lipid content and fatty acid composition, including eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n-3, EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3, DHA), differed significantly among species. Fish from the Pacific Ocean had higher proportions of fatty acids, including EPA and DHA. Herrings and mackerels from both oceanic areas demonstrated high levels of EPA and DHA, and n-3/n-6 ratio. Brackish and freshwater fishes from both groups showed low levels of PUFAs. Fish from the Indian Ocean were high in n-6 fatty acids. Monounsaturated fatty acid levels were high in omnivorous fish from the Pacific Ocean, and saturated fatty acid levels were high in fish from the Indian Ocean. The results of this study will be of value in determining the dietary usefulness of fish caught in Sri Lanka.

Applicability and reliability of the glucose oxidase method in assessing α-amylase activity

Glucose oxidase (GOD) is an enzyme widely used in glucose monitoring systems owing to its high specificity towards glucose. However, in our previous work maltose was found to show significant interaction with GOD and based on this observation, a novel microplate-based method was developed to assess α-amylase inhibitory activity (GOD method). Concerns regarding the interaction of GOD with maltose has limited the widespread use of the GOD method in assessing α-amylase activity. The present paper provides answers to concerns regarding the interaction of GOD with maltose using HPLC studies and application of the GOD method in assessing α-amylase activity. According to the results, the newly developed GOD method can be considered as a well-suited method for the determination of α-amylase activity and as an easy method to do kinetic studies compared to other available methods.