Starch-related sweet taste perception plays an important role as a part of the dietary nutrient sensing mechanisms in the oral cavity. However, the release of sugars from starchy foods eliciting sweetness has been less studied in humans than in laboratory rodents. Thus, 28 respondents were recruited and evaluated for their starch-related sweet taste perception, salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) activity, oral release of reducing sugars, and salivary leptin. The results demonstrated that a 2-min oral mastication of starchy chewing gum produced an oral concentration of maltose above the sweet taste threshold and revealed that the total amount of maltose equivalent reducing sugars produced was positively correlated with the sAA activity. In addition, respondents who consistently identified the starch-related sweet taste in two sessions (test and retest) generated a higher maltose equivalent reducing sugar concentration compared to respondents who could not detect starch-related sweet taste at all (51.52 ± 2.85 and 29.96 ± 15.58 mM, respectively). In our study, salivary leptin levels were not correlated with starch-related sweet taste perception. The data contribute to the overall understanding of oral nutrient sensing and potentially to the control of food intake in humans. The results provide insight on how starchy foods without added glucose can elicit variable sweet taste perception in humans after mastication as a result of the maltose generated. The data contribute to the overall understanding of oral sensing of simple and complex carbohydrates in humans.

Micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) in school-aged children are still a major health problem in Indonesia. This study was designed to examine the status of micronutrients and their relationship to the nutritional status of children aged 5–12 years since an up-to-date database on the micronutrient status of children aged 5–12 years is needed. Data from the 2018 Indonesian Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) were used in this study, with 2456 subjects for analysis. Micronutrient analysis was carried out, including iron status (ferritin, C reactive protein (CRP)), levels of zinc, vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin A (retinol) in school-aged children (5–12 years). The ELISA measurement was applied to measure CRP, ferritin, and vitamin D. Zinc levels were analysed with atomic absorbance spectroscopy (AAS). Moreover, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to calculate vitamin A. In addition, stunting and thinness data were also obtained from the Riskesdas study. The results showed that the prevalence of stunting and thinness in school-aged children was 11.4% and 9.2%, respectively, showing that the stunting prevalence in the city was lower than in the village (4.5% vs. 6.9%, = 0.000, respectively). In addition, the prevalence of MNDs in Indonesian children was 13.4%, 19.7%, 4.2%, 3%, and 12.7% for ferritin, zinc, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D, respectively. The mean serum level of vitamin A and zinc was significantly lower in stunted children compared to normal school children ( = 0.010 and = 0.014). The serum concentration of vitamin D was significantly lower in overweight children compared to thin and normal children ( = 0.000). Serum values of ferritin, zinc, and vitamin A were significantly higher in overweight children compared to thin and normal children ( = 0.000). A poor correlation was observed between the z-score of height-for-age (HAZ) and the levels of zinc (r = 0.089, = 0.000), vitamin A (r = 0.105, = 0.000), and vitamin D (−0.073, = 0.000). In addition, very weak correlations between z-scores of body mass index-for-age (BAZ) and the serum concentrations of ferritin (0.091, = 0.000), zinc (r = 0.115, = 0.000), vitamin A (r = 0.137, = 0.000), and vitamin D (r = −0.112, = 0.000) were also seen. In conclusion, school-aged children in Indonesia experienced stunting, thinness, and micronutrient deficiency. Furthermore, stunting and thinness were also related to micronutrient deficiencies.

Galih Kusuma Aji, Budiyanto, Hendrawan Laksono, Bangkit Wiguna, Renny Primasari Gustia Putri, Ambar Dwi Kusumasmarawati, Muhamaludin, Ayi Mufti, Anita Rutmala, Ahmad Khulafaur Rosyidin, and Achmad Sofian Nasori. Prev Nutr Food Sci 2024;29:554-62. https://doi.org/10.3746/pnf.2024.29.4.554

Background: Malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies remain significant public health burdens among Indonesian children under five years of age. This study assessed the relationship between growth indicators and micronutrient status of children aged 0–59 months. Methods: A cross-sectional design was performed, utilizing the 2018 Indonesian Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) data and biological specimens, including 550 samples from children aged between 0 and 59 months old. The Riskesdas data used in this study were demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, and nutritional status. The biological samples were used to measure micronutrients (iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin A (VA), and vitamin D (VD). Results: Overall, 23.1% of children were stunted, and 10.5% were wasted. This study also revealed that the prevalence of micronutrient deficiency was 34.2%, 38.7%, 8.2%, 7.8%, and 0.4% for ferritin, zinc, calcium, VA, and VD, respectively. Moreover, wasting was significantly higher in girls (13.5%) than in boys (8.2%, p = 0.044). Stunted children had significantly lower ferritin values, while wasted children had lower VA concentrations. In contrast, VD was lower in overweight children. Lastly, this study found that height for age Z-scores (HAZ score) and Body Mass Index (BMI) for age Z-scores (BAZ score) correlated positively with ferritin, zinc, and calcium levels. Conclusions: Stunting, wasting, and multiple micronutrient deficiencies remain prevalent among Indonesian children under five years of age. Strengthening nutrition interventions, in particular for iron, zinc, VA, and VD, is essential to improve child growth and health outcomes in this population.

Sweet potato leaves are a rich source of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. Advanced methods are being explored to harness these beneficial compounds efficiently. Applying the supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO2) technique, as an environmentally friendly extraction technique, offers many advantages over traditional solvent extraction. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate the effect of SCO2 extraction on the bioactive properties of sweet potato leaves, focusing on antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities. Then, the SCO2 extracts were compared with the hexane extract. A completely random design was used, performing 3 pressures (2000, 3000, and 4000 Psi) and 3 temperatures (40, 50, and 60°C) for the SCO2 extraction. In addition, a maceration using hexane solvent was performed in a shaker for 24 hours. Total polyphenol and flavonoid concentrations were quantified, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) analyses were used to identify the extracted bioactive compounds. Antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities were also assessed. This yield of SCO2 extraction ranged from 0.49% to 0.89%, which was significantly lower in yield, polyphenol, flavonoid concentration, and antioxidant activity compared to hexane extract (P<0.05). Despite the lower yield, this study observed a higher concentration of bioactive terpenoids such as phytol, caryophyllene oxide, and squalene. In terms of anti-diabetic activity, the extracts at SCO2-specific conditions (4000 Psi 40°C, 3000 Psi 60°C, 3000 Psi 40°C, and 60°C, 2000 Psi 60°C) exhibited potent alpha-glucosidase inhibition, with IC50 values comparable to acarbose, and hexane extract. Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibition was the highest in the hexane extract (p < 0.05), followed by SCO2 extracts. Thus, these findings highlight new possibilities for developing anti-diabetic agents derived from sweet potato leaves using the green SCO2 extraction technique.

Background and Aim: Enteric methane emissions from ruminants contribute significantly to greenhouse gas production, prompting research into sustainable feed additives. Macroalgae, rich in bioactive compounds, show promise in modulating rumen fermentation, improving digestibility, and reducing methane output. Indonesia’s diverse native macroalgae remain largely unexplored for these purposes, necessitating comparative evaluation to identify promising species for ruminant nutrition. This study aimed to conduct the first comparative in vitro evaluation of rumen fermentation patterns, digestibility characteristics, gas production kinetics, and enteric methane emissions using 14 native Indonesian macroalgae species, including brown (Sargassum sp., Padina sp., Turbinaria ornata), green (Boergesenia forbesii, Caulerpa racemosa, Ulva lactuca), and red (Palmaria palmata, Gelidium sp., Halymenia durvillei, Gracilaria verrucosa, Eucheuma cottonii, Gracilaria gigas, Eucheuma spinosum, Gracilaria coronopifolia) algae, to identify candidates for sustainable ruminant feed additives. Materials and Methods: Macroalgae samples were collected from various Indonesian locations, dried, and analyzed for chemical composition (dry matter, ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, nitrogen-free extract). In vitro fermentation was performed using a completely randomized design with five replicates per species. Samples (0.5 g) were incubated at 39°C for 72 h in buffered rumen fluid from fistulated Ongole crossbreed cattle. Parameters measured included total gas production, methane emissions (estimated via volatile fatty acid [VFA] profiles), ammonia, total and partial VFAs (acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, iso-butyrate, iso-valerate), acetate-to-propionate ratio, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), partitioning factor, microbial protein synthesis, and gas production kinetics. Data were analyzed using a one way analysis of variance with significance at p < 0.05 or p < 0.01, followed by post-hoc tests. Results: Chemical composition varied widely; red algae like Palmaria palmata had high crude protein (22.39 % dry matter), while brown algae like Padina sp. were ash-rich (74.39 % dry matter). Total gas production was highest in B. forbesii (54.75 mL; p < 0.01) and lowest in T. ornata (10.94 mL). Methane emissions and methane per incubated dry matter were lowest in Sargassum sp. (1.87 mM and 3.75 mM/g dry matter; p < 0.01), with Sargassum sp. and C. racemosa reducing methane by 71.86 %. Ammonia levels were similar across species (p > 0.05). Total VFA and propionate were highest in H. durvillei and B. forbesii (p < 0.01), with reduced acetate-to-propionate ratios. IVDMD and IVOMD were highest in H. durvillei (81.72 % and 69.53 %; p < 0.01). Gas kinetics showed B. forbesii with the highest asymptote (201.97 mL; p < 0.01) but slowest rate (0.01 mL/h). Positive correlations existed between crude protein and VFA/ammonia, while crude fiber inversely correlated with gas production and digestibility. Conclusion: H. durvillei emerged as optimal for enhancing rumen fermentation and digestibility, while Sargassum sp. excelled in methane mitigation. These species hold promise as natural additives for reducing environmental impacts in ruminant production, warranting in vivo validation for optimal inclusion rates and long-term effects. Keywords: comparative macroalgae, enteric methane mitigation, gas production kinetics, in vitro rumen fermentation, macroalgae digestibility, ruminant nutrition, volatile fatty acids, sustainable livestock production.