Browsing by Author "Dr. S. Kowsalya"

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    Development and Evaluation of Ulva Lactuca Based Probiotic Beverage and In Vitro bioavailability of Iron Using Caco-2 Cell Model
    (2024-11) Guntiboina Karishma Yadav; Dr. S. Kowsalya
    Iron deficiency Anaemia (IDA) is a public health problem with significant implications for human health, affecting millions globally. Recent research underscores the critical role of iron in various physiological functions, is possible by naturally increasing the iron content and its bioavailability in the diets to address IDA in vulnerable populations. This investigation is a designated attempt to extensively propagate the use of edible seaweeds by incorporating nutrient- dense ingredients in effective combinations to enhance iron bioaccessibility in daily diets. Four underexploited seaweeds Ulva lactuca, Ulva reticulata, Gracilaria edulis, and Sargassum polycystum were procured from the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay, which is a reserve for more than 850 recorded marine algal species. The nutritional and heavy metal analyses were carried out as per the AOAC standard protocols. Ulva lactuca was identified as a good source of iron, prompting the formulation, standardisation and evaluation of an Ulva based probiotic beverage. Whey was used for the probiotic base and oranges as a source of vitamin C. Palm jaggery, and processed seaweed extract were added and the sensory evaluation was performed using a 9-point Hedonic Scale, demonstrating favourable consumer acceptance. The beverage's physical, nutritional, and nutraceutical profiles were assessed, revealing notable radical scavenging activity via DPPH and FRAP assays. The identification of bioactive compounds was conducted using GC-MS/MS, while in silico ADME profiles of abundant bioactive compounds were analyzed with the SWISS ADME tool. The probiotic potential and antimicrobial activity of Lactobacillus reuteri OP389067 were evaluated, alongside a shelf-life determination. In vitro bioavailability studies using the Caco-2 cell model indicated effective iron absorption, in the presence of ascorbic acid, highlighting the beverage's potential as a bioavailable source of iron. From the foregoing results, it is evident that U. Lactuca based probiotic beverage was nutrient- rich and the probiotic strain L. reuteri OP389067 demonstrated probiotic potentials and antibiotic susceptibility and activity against common food-borne bacteria. The nutrient and nutraceutical potentials of the developed probiotic beverage showed prominent antioxidant properties and bioactive compounds, catering to the therapeutic attributes of the beverage. The favourable ferritin uptake in the presence of ascorbic acid observed in the in vitro bioavailability study of Iron using the Caco-2 cells positively infers that Ulva lactuca based probiotic beverage exhibit significant nutritional and therapeutic attributes and could be used as a potential food supplement in IDA management.
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    Impact of Lifestyle Interventions on Nutritional Status, Physical Activity and Sleep Pattern of Overweight and Obese 18 to 25 Year Old Women During Covid-19
    (Avinashilingam, 2024-02) Nita Ann Johnson; Dr. S. Kowsalya
    The present study lays the foundation for a more comprehensive investigation into obesity, and the non-invasive, individualized, behaviour-change-based strategies intended to treat this prevalent problem of health. The four objectives of the study were to: study the socio-economic status, determine the nutritional status, lifestyle pattern including physical activity, sleep quality, and Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) of 18 to 25 year old women; develop aerobic exercise routines and nutrition education modules as interventions; and assess their impact on the above parameters. A total of 632 women participants, who self-reported as aged between 18 and 25 years, had lived in Coimbatore for at least three years, and their initial Body Mass Index (BMI) suggested that they were overweight or obese were included as participants of the present study. Pre-tested and validated, structured survey forms were used towards clinical, biochemical and dietary assessment. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index assessed the subjects’ physical activity levels and sleep quality respectively. Subjects were randomly allocated to either the control group (Group 0), the exercise intervention group which underwent exercise for five days a week (Group 1), the nutrition education group which had 20-minute dietary counselling every week (Group 2) or the combination of exercise and nutrition education group (Group 3). The subjects were re-evaluated for their nutritional status, dietary habits, level of physical activity, sleep quality, and KAP after six months. Multiple regression analysis showed that educational awareness decreased body weight, BMI and Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR). Exercise improved Skeletal Muscle Mass (SMM) by 2.7 kg and Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) by 0.5 kcals up to 60%. As a combined effect of 42%, weight, BMI, WHR, and percentage of body fat significantly decreased while SMM and BMR increased (F=19.56, p<0.001). Nutrition education intervention improved the haemoglobin content and lowered the serum thyroid levels. Combining both interventions, random blood glucose, and thyroid function parameters decreased while haemoglobin increased up to 48% (F=11.60, p<0.001). Both the interventions combined significantly reduced dietary intake as well as improved the sleep quality of the study subjects up to 44% (F=247.37, p<0.001). Thus, a combination of exercise and nutrition education results in an overall enhancement in the women’s lifestyles and the potential for long-term weight management by improving their nutritional status, physical activity, and sleep quality. Keywords: exercise, nutrition education, overnourished women, physical activity, sleep quality