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S. Anitha
Smart Food Initiative, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), India

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Review
Published: 17 August 2021 in Frontiers in Nutrition
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Many health benefits of millets (defined broadly to also include sorghum) have been advocated, including their roles in managing and preventing diabetes; however, the effects of millets on hyperlipidemia (high lipid levels) have been underrecognized. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to collate available evidence of the impacts of millets consumption on lipid profile, namely total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and very-low–density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C). The results from 19 studies showed that the consumption of millets for periods as short as 21 days to 4 months reduced levels of TC, triacylglycerol, LDL-C, and VLDL-C (p<0.01) by 8.0, 9.5, 10 and 9.0%, respectively. Four studies demonstrated that millets consumption brought TC and triacylglycerol levels to the normal levels (<200 and <150 mg/dl, respectively). Furthermore, upon consumption of millet-based meals, there was a 6.0% increase in the HDL-C 4.0 and 5.0% reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and 7.0% reduction in body mass index (BMI). This evidence, leads us to conclude that consumption of millets reduces hyperlipidemia and hence hypertension, and raises the levels of HDL-C (good cholesterol), which can be beneficial for managing the associated risk of developing hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases in future. Systematic Review Registration: The protocol of this systematic review has been registered in the online registration platform called “research registry” with the unique identification number “reviewregistry1123.”

ACS Style

Seetha Anitha; Rosemary Botha; Joanna Kane-Potaka; D. Ian Givens; Ananthan Rajendran; Takuji W. Tsusaka; Raj Kumar Bhandari. Can Millet Consumption Help Manage Hyperlipidemia and Obesity?: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Nutrition 2021, 8, 1 .

AMA Style

Seetha Anitha, Rosemary Botha, Joanna Kane-Potaka, D. Ian Givens, Ananthan Rajendran, Takuji W. Tsusaka, Raj Kumar Bhandari. Can Millet Consumption Help Manage Hyperlipidemia and Obesity?: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2021; 8 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Seetha Anitha; Rosemary Botha; Joanna Kane-Potaka; D. Ian Givens; Ananthan Rajendran; Takuji W. Tsusaka; Raj Kumar Bhandari. 2021. "Can Millet Consumption Help Manage Hyperlipidemia and Obesity?: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Frontiers in Nutrition 8, no. : 1.

Original research article
Published: 13 August 2021 in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
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There is growing attention by governments and industry in regard to the role played by millets (including sorghum) to help build resilience for farmers and cope with climate change, malnutrition, diabetes, and some other major issues. To understand public knowledge and practices of consuming millets in urban areas, a survey was conducted with 15,522 individuals from seven major cities of India using a structured questionnaire, and after data cleaning 15,139 observations were subjected to analysis using descriptive and inferential statistics. It was found that the largest group among early adopters of millets were people with health problems (28%), it being the single largest reason for consuming millets, followed by those wanting to lose weight (15%) and those selecting millets for its taste (14%). There was a significant gap between people who were health conscious (91%) and those who were sure millets were healthy (40%). The major reason the respondents did not eat more millets was that it was not eaten at home (40%), followed by reactions such as not liking the taste (22%). Reaching the urban consumers through social media is recommended, given that it is their main source of information. There was no statistically significant relationship between state-wise per capita production and frequency of consumption of millets in the urban areas (p = 0.236). In conclusion, three key actions are recommended to enhance the consumption of millets: developing delicious products to satisfy the taste, providing knowledge on nutritional and health facts on millets, and improving accessibility of millets in urban markets.

ACS Style

Joanna Kane-Potaka; Seetha Anitha; Takuji W. Tsusaka; Rosemary Botha; Muralidhar Budumuru; Shweta Upadhyay; Parkavi Kumar; Karuna Mallesh; Raghavendra Hunasgi; Ashok Kumar Jalagam; Swamikannu Nedumaran. Assessing Millets and Sorghum Consumption Behavior in Urban India: A Large-Scale Survey. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 2021, 5, 1 .

AMA Style

Joanna Kane-Potaka, Seetha Anitha, Takuji W. Tsusaka, Rosemary Botha, Muralidhar Budumuru, Shweta Upadhyay, Parkavi Kumar, Karuna Mallesh, Raghavendra Hunasgi, Ashok Kumar Jalagam, Swamikannu Nedumaran. Assessing Millets and Sorghum Consumption Behavior in Urban India: A Large-Scale Survey. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 2021; 5 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Joanna Kane-Potaka; Seetha Anitha; Takuji W. Tsusaka; Rosemary Botha; Muralidhar Budumuru; Shweta Upadhyay; Parkavi Kumar; Karuna Mallesh; Raghavendra Hunasgi; Ashok Kumar Jalagam; Swamikannu Nedumaran. 2021. "Assessing Millets and Sorghum Consumption Behavior in Urban India: A Large-Scale Survey." Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 5, no. : 1.

Systematic review
Published: 04 August 2021 in Sustainability
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Calcium deficiency during child growth leads to osteoporosis in later stages of life. Finger millet is one of the calcium dense foods, with three times the level of calcium than milk, and the only cereal that contains high calcium content which is consistent across different varieties (364 ± 58 mg/100 g). Thus, finger millet has potential for addressing calcium deficiency naturally. This study aimed to determine the retention and impact of finger millet calcium on bone turnover through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Three human studies were eligible for systematic review. Of these, only two were eligible for meta-analysis to assess the retention of calcium in children of 9 to 12 years. One study on bone turnover markers was not used in the meta-analysis as at least two studies are required to conduct meta-analysis. Due to the lack of complete data only four studies were eligible for meta-analysis to assess the in vitro bioavailability of calcium from unprocessed and a range of different types of processed finger millet. The result shows that there was significant retention (p< 0.05) of 23.4 ± 2.9% calcium from finger-millet-based diet which could help bone accretion during child growth if finger-millet-based diet is consumed. The bone turnover marker study shows that the resorption of calcium reduced by 28% and 47% among peri and post-menopausal women respectively after feeding the nutria mixed grain ball. However, there is no significant change in bone formation marker. Depending on the type of processing, calcium bioavailability either increased or decreased. One in vitro study showed that calcium bioavailability from finger millet was 28.6% when boiled, whereas three studies on processing show that certain processing can double the calcium bioavailability to 61.4%. Irrespective of the type of processing, finger millets contribute to high calcium retention and extremely high bioavailable calcium and could be useful for healthy growth and in dealing with complications related to calcium deficiency.

ACS Style

Seetha Anitha; David Givens; Rosemary Botha; Joanna Kane-Potaka; Nur Sulaiman; Takuji Tsusaka; Kowsalya Subramaniam; Ananthan Rajendran; Devraj Parasannanavar; Raj Bhandari. Calcium from Finger Millet—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Calcium Retention, Bone Resorption, and In Vitro Bioavailability. Sustainability 2021, 13, 8677 .

AMA Style

Seetha Anitha, David Givens, Rosemary Botha, Joanna Kane-Potaka, Nur Sulaiman, Takuji Tsusaka, Kowsalya Subramaniam, Ananthan Rajendran, Devraj Parasannanavar, Raj Bhandari. Calcium from Finger Millet—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Calcium Retention, Bone Resorption, and In Vitro Bioavailability. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (16):8677.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Seetha Anitha; David Givens; Rosemary Botha; Joanna Kane-Potaka; Nur Sulaiman; Takuji Tsusaka; Kowsalya Subramaniam; Ananthan Rajendran; Devraj Parasannanavar; Raj Bhandari. 2021. "Calcium from Finger Millet—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Calcium Retention, Bone Resorption, and In Vitro Bioavailability." Sustainability 13, no. 16: 8677.

Review
Published: 28 July 2021 in Frontiers in Nutrition
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Millets (including sorghum) are known to be highly nutritious besides having a low carbon footprint and the ability to survive in high temperatures with minimal water. Millets are widely recognised as having a low Glycaemic Index (GI) helping to manage diabetes. This systematic review and meta-analyzes across the different types of millets and different forms of processing/cooking collated all evidences. Of the 65 studies that were collected globally, 39 studies with 111 observations were used to analyze GI outcomes and 56 studies were used to analyze fasting, post-prandial glucose level, insulin index and HbA1c outcomes in a meta-analysis. It is evident from the descriptive statistics that the mean GI of millets is 52.7 ± 10.3, which is about 36% lower than in typical staples of milled rice (71.7 ± 14.4) and refined wheat (74.2 ± 14.9). The descriptive, meta and regression analyses revealed that Job's tears, fonio, foxtail, barnyard, and teff were the millets with low mean GI (<55) that are more effective (35–79%) in reducing dietary GI than the control samples. Millets with intermediate GI (55–69) are pearl millet, finger millet, kodo millet, little millet, and sorghum which have a 13–35% lower GI than the control with high GI (>69). A meta-analysis also showed that all millets had significantly (p < 0.01) lower GI than white rice, refined wheat, standard glucose or white wheat bread except little millet which had inconsistent data. Long term millet consumption lowered fasting and post-prandial blood glucose levels significantly (p < 0.01) by 12 and 15%, respectively, in diabetic subjects. There was a significant reduction in HbA1c level (from 6.65 ± 0.4 to 5.67 ± 0.4%) among pre-diabetic individuals (p < 0.01) who consumed millets for a long period. Minimally processed millets were 30% more effective in lowering GI of a meal compared to milled rice and refined wheat. In conclusion, millets can be beneficial in managing and reducing the risk of developing diabetes and could therefore be used to design appropriate meals for diabetic and pre-diabetic subjects as well as for non-diabetic people for a preventive approach.

ACS Style

Seetha Anitha; Joanna Kane-Potaka; Takuji W. Tsusaka; Rosemary Botha; Ananthan Rajendran; D. Ian Givens; Devraj J. Parasannanavar; Kowsalya Subramaniam; Kanaka Durga Veera Prasad; Mani Vetriventhan; Raj Kumar Bhandari. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Potential of Millets for Managing and Reducing the Risk of Developing Diabetes Mellitus. Frontiers in Nutrition 2021, 8, 1 .

AMA Style

Seetha Anitha, Joanna Kane-Potaka, Takuji W. Tsusaka, Rosemary Botha, Ananthan Rajendran, D. Ian Givens, Devraj J. Parasannanavar, Kowsalya Subramaniam, Kanaka Durga Veera Prasad, Mani Vetriventhan, Raj Kumar Bhandari. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Potential of Millets for Managing and Reducing the Risk of Developing Diabetes Mellitus. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2021; 8 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Seetha Anitha; Joanna Kane-Potaka; Takuji W. Tsusaka; Rosemary Botha; Ananthan Rajendran; D. Ian Givens; Devraj J. Parasannanavar; Kowsalya Subramaniam; Kanaka Durga Veera Prasad; Mani Vetriventhan; Raj Kumar Bhandari. 2021. "A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Potential of Millets for Managing and Reducing the Risk of Developing Diabetes Mellitus." Frontiers in Nutrition 8, no. : 1.

Original research article
Published: 10 April 2021 in Crop Science
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Little millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth. Ex. Roem. & Schult.), a member of the grass family Poaceae, is native to India. It is nutritionally superior to major cereals, can grow well on marginal lands, and can withstand drought and waterlogging conditions. Two‐hundred diverse little millet landraces were characterized to assess variability for agronomic and nutritional traits and identify promising accessions. Highly significant variability was found for all the agronomic and grain nutrient traits. Accessions of robusta were found to be high yielding while those of nana were rich in grain nutrients. About 80% of the accessions showed consistent protein and Zn contents while Fe and Ca contents were less consistent (29.5% and 63.5%, respectively) over two years. Promising trait‐specific accessions were identified for greater seed weight (10 accessions), high grain yield (15), high and biomass yield (15), and also consistently high grain nutrients (30) over two years (R2 0.69‐0.74, P≤0.0001). A few accessions showed consistently high for two or more nutrients (IPmr 449 for Fe, Zn, Ca and protein; IPmr 981 for Zn and protein). Five accessions (IPmr 855, 974, 877, 897, 767) were high yielding and also rich in Ca. Consumption of 100 g of little millet grains can potentially contribute to the recommended dietary allowance of up to 28% Fe, 37% Zn, and 27% protein. Multilocation evaluation of the promising accessions across different soil types, fertility levels and climatic conditions would help to identify valuable accessions for direct release as a cultivar or use in little millet improvement. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

ACS Style

Mani Vetriventhan; Hari D Upadhyaya; Vania Cr Azevedo; Victor Allan; Seetha Anitha. Variability and trait‐specific accessions for grain yield and nutritional traits in germplasm of little millet ( Panicum sumatrense Roth. Ex. Roem. & Schult.). Crop Science 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Mani Vetriventhan, Hari D Upadhyaya, Vania Cr Azevedo, Victor Allan, Seetha Anitha. Variability and trait‐specific accessions for grain yield and nutritional traits in germplasm of little millet ( Panicum sumatrense Roth. Ex. Roem. & Schult.). Crop Science. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mani Vetriventhan; Hari D Upadhyaya; Vania Cr Azevedo; Victor Allan; Seetha Anitha. 2021. "Variability and trait‐specific accessions for grain yield and nutritional traits in germplasm of little millet ( Panicum sumatrense Roth. Ex. Roem. & Schult.)." Crop Science , no. : 1.

Book chapter
Published: 06 October 2020 in Nutritional Care of Preterm Infants
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Some of the biggest global issues are poor diets, environmental concerns, and poverty. To tackle malnutrition, fast-growing lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, environmental concerns like climate change, land and water scarcity, and poverty, we need to incorporate dietary and on-farm diversity. These issues should be treated in unison, but also with more holistic solutions. Mainstreaming “traditional” Smart Foods back as staples across Africa and Asia is part of the “Smart Food” approach. Smart Foods are food items that fulfill the criteria of being good for you, the planet, and the farmer. Sorghum and millet were selected as the first Smart Foods and a participatory fun-filled approach was adopted to create awareness, to develop culturally acceptable products, and to bring about behavior change to improve adoption, dietary diversity, and nutritional status. Smart Food piloted these activities in Myanmar to understand its potential on the consumer market. Smart Food was promoted in different countries through social media competitions in Mali, cooking shows in Kenya and India, recipe development by popular chefs in Paris and London, as well as school feeding programs in Tanzania and India, and an international millet festival in Niger. As a case study in Myanmar, we compared two approaches to introduce Smart Food – one which directly introduces new products and one which takes a culturally sensitive participatory and inclusive approach. The later approach resulted in the development of 27 recipes, in contrast with the former approach, which accepted only 3 of the 13 products tested. The 27 products developed locally exhibited superior nutrient values compared to usual rice porridge. The Smart Food initiative is demonstrating the potential to make a difference in society and for the environment, thus contributing to a major impact on leading global issues such as dietary diversity, improved nutritional status, and adapting to climate change.

ACS Style

Agathe Diama; Seetha Anitha; Joanna Kane-Potaka; Thynn Thynn Htut; Ashok Jalagam; Parkavi Kumar; Omonlola Nadine Worou; Ramadjita Tabo. How the Smart Food Concept Can Lead to the Transformation of Food Systems and Combat Malnutrition: Different Approaches in Africa, Globally, and a Case Study from Myanmar with Lessons Learnt for Creating Behavior Change in Diets. Nutritional Care of Preterm Infants 2020, 121, 149 -158.

AMA Style

Agathe Diama, Seetha Anitha, Joanna Kane-Potaka, Thynn Thynn Htut, Ashok Jalagam, Parkavi Kumar, Omonlola Nadine Worou, Ramadjita Tabo. How the Smart Food Concept Can Lead to the Transformation of Food Systems and Combat Malnutrition: Different Approaches in Africa, Globally, and a Case Study from Myanmar with Lessons Learnt for Creating Behavior Change in Diets. Nutritional Care of Preterm Infants. 2020; 121 ():149-158.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Agathe Diama; Seetha Anitha; Joanna Kane-Potaka; Thynn Thynn Htut; Ashok Jalagam; Parkavi Kumar; Omonlola Nadine Worou; Ramadjita Tabo. 2020. "How the Smart Food Concept Can Lead to the Transformation of Food Systems and Combat Malnutrition: Different Approaches in Africa, Globally, and a Case Study from Myanmar with Lessons Learnt for Creating Behavior Change in Diets." Nutritional Care of Preterm Infants 121, no. : 149-158.

Articles
Published: 31 March 2020 in Ecology of Food and Nutrition
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The study aimed to test the prospects for, and acceptance of, pigeonpea and finger millet-based dishes in a school feeding program for 2822 adolescents’ in Central Tanzania. The focus was on incorporating nutritious and resilient crops like finger millet and pigeonpea through a participatory approach involving series of theoretical and practical training sessions, for the period of 6 months on the nutritional quality and sensory characteristics of these two unexplored foods in Tanzania. Sharing knowledge on the nutritional value of these crops and involving students in the acceptance study changed their negative perception of finger millet and pigeonpea by 79.5% and 70.3%, respectively. Fifteen months after the study period, schools were still continued feeding the dishes and more than 95% of the students wanted to eat the finger millet and pigeonpea dishes at school. Around 84.2% of the students wanted to include pigeonpea 2–7 times a week and 79.6% of the students wanted to include finger millet on all 7 days in school meal. The study proved that it is possible to change food perceptions and bring about behavior change by sharing knowledge on their benefits and by engaging the consumers through a participatory and culturally appropriate approach.

ACS Style

Christine Wangari; Catherine Mwema; Moses Siambi; Said Silim; Rose Ubwe; Kathleen Malesi; Seetha Anitha; Joanna Kane-Potaka. Changing Perception through a Participatory Approach by Involving Adolescent School Children in Evaluating Smart Food Dishes in School Feeding Programs – Real-Time Experience from Central and Northern Tanzania. Ecology of Food and Nutrition 2020, 59, 472 -485.

AMA Style

Christine Wangari, Catherine Mwema, Moses Siambi, Said Silim, Rose Ubwe, Kathleen Malesi, Seetha Anitha, Joanna Kane-Potaka. Changing Perception through a Participatory Approach by Involving Adolescent School Children in Evaluating Smart Food Dishes in School Feeding Programs – Real-Time Experience from Central and Northern Tanzania. Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 2020; 59 (5):472-485.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Christine Wangari; Catherine Mwema; Moses Siambi; Said Silim; Rose Ubwe; Kathleen Malesi; Seetha Anitha; Joanna Kane-Potaka. 2020. "Changing Perception through a Participatory Approach by Involving Adolescent School Children in Evaluating Smart Food Dishes in School Feeding Programs – Real-Time Experience from Central and Northern Tanzania." Ecology of Food and Nutrition 59, no. 5: 472-485.

Journal article
Published: 09 December 2019 in Toxins
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A knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) study was conducted in three districts of Malawi to test whether the training had resulted in increased knowledge and adoption of recommended pre- and post-harvest crop management practices, and their contribution to reducing aflatoxin contamination in groundnut, maize and sorghum. The study was conducted with 900 farmers at the baseline and 624 farmers at the end-line, while 726 and 696 harvested crop samples were collected for aflatoxin testing at the baseline and end-line, respectively. Results show that the knowledge and practice of pre- and post-harvest crop management for mitigating aflatoxin were inadequate among the farmers at the baseline but somewhat improved after the training as shown at the end-line. As a result, despite unfavorable weather, the mean aflatoxin contamination level in their grain samples decreased from 83.6 to 55.8 ppb (p < 0.001). However, it was also noted that increased knowledge did not significantly change farmers’ attitude toward not consuming grade-outs because of economic incentive incompatibility, leaving potential for improving the practices further. This existing gap in the adoption of aflatoxin mitigation practices calls for approaches that take into account farmers’ needs and incentives to attain sustainable behavioral change.

ACS Style

Seetha Anitha; Takuji Tsusaka; Samuel Njoroge; Nelson Kumwenda; Lizzie Kachulu; Joseph Maruwo; Norah Machinjiri; Rosemary Botha; Harry Msere; Juma Masumba; Angela Tavares; Geoffrey Heinrich; Moses Siambi; Patrick Okori. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Malawian Farmers on Pre- and Post-Harvest Crop Management to Mitigate Aflatoxin Contamination in Groundnut, Maize and Sorghum—Implication for Behavioral Change. Toxins 2019, 11, 716 .

AMA Style

Seetha Anitha, Takuji Tsusaka, Samuel Njoroge, Nelson Kumwenda, Lizzie Kachulu, Joseph Maruwo, Norah Machinjiri, Rosemary Botha, Harry Msere, Juma Masumba, Angela Tavares, Geoffrey Heinrich, Moses Siambi, Patrick Okori. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Malawian Farmers on Pre- and Post-Harvest Crop Management to Mitigate Aflatoxin Contamination in Groundnut, Maize and Sorghum—Implication for Behavioral Change. Toxins. 2019; 11 (12):716.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Seetha Anitha; Takuji Tsusaka; Samuel Njoroge; Nelson Kumwenda; Lizzie Kachulu; Joseph Maruwo; Norah Machinjiri; Rosemary Botha; Harry Msere; Juma Masumba; Angela Tavares; Geoffrey Heinrich; Moses Siambi; Patrick Okori. 2019. "Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Malawian Farmers on Pre- and Post-Harvest Crop Management to Mitigate Aflatoxin Contamination in Groundnut, Maize and Sorghum—Implication for Behavioral Change." Toxins 11, no. 12: 716.

Articles
Published: 28 November 2019 in Ecology of Food and Nutrition
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The study aimed to quantify the immediate effects of dietary diversification, food safety, and hygiene interventions on child undernutrition in four rural villages in Kongwa district of central Tanzania. One hundred mothers with their children of less than 24 months old were recruited for this study. The difference-in-difference (DID) method was used to assess the effects of intensive intervention through a learning-by-doing process on the topic of aflatoxin free diversified food utilization and improved hygiene practices. Periodic anthropometric measurements were conducted on the 0th, 7th, 14th, and 21st days, and DID estimator showed the significant and positive average marginal effects of the intervention on Z-Scores being 0.459, 0.252, and 0.493 for wasting, stunting, and underweight, respectively. Notably, at the end of the study, the mean aflatoxin M1 level in urine samples decreased by 64% in the intervention group, while it decreased by 11% in the control group. The study provides quantitative evidence on intensive 21-day training for mothers incorporating integrated technologies yielded positive impacts on their children’s nutritional outcomes.

ACS Style

Seetha Anitha; Yasinta Muzanila; Takuji W. Tsusaka; Lizzie Kachulu; Nelson Kumwenda; Mike Musoke; Elirehema Swai; Jackson Shija; Moses Siambi; Emmanuel S. Monyo; Mateete Bekunda; Patrick Okori. Reducing Child Undernutrition through Dietary Diversification, Reduced Aflatoxin Exposure, and Improved Hygiene Practices: The Immediate Impacts in Central Tanzania. Ecology of Food and Nutrition 2019, 59, 243 -262.

AMA Style

Seetha Anitha, Yasinta Muzanila, Takuji W. Tsusaka, Lizzie Kachulu, Nelson Kumwenda, Mike Musoke, Elirehema Swai, Jackson Shija, Moses Siambi, Emmanuel S. Monyo, Mateete Bekunda, Patrick Okori. Reducing Child Undernutrition through Dietary Diversification, Reduced Aflatoxin Exposure, and Improved Hygiene Practices: The Immediate Impacts in Central Tanzania. Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 2019; 59 (3):243-262.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Seetha Anitha; Yasinta Muzanila; Takuji W. Tsusaka; Lizzie Kachulu; Nelson Kumwenda; Mike Musoke; Elirehema Swai; Jackson Shija; Moses Siambi; Emmanuel S. Monyo; Mateete Bekunda; Patrick Okori. 2019. "Reducing Child Undernutrition through Dietary Diversification, Reduced Aflatoxin Exposure, and Improved Hygiene Practices: The Immediate Impacts in Central Tanzania." Ecology of Food and Nutrition 59, no. 3: 243-262.

Research article
Published: 08 October 2019 in Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
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BACKGROUND This paper examines the potential for ‘Smart Food’ in contributing to the Sustainable Development Goal 2 of ending malnutrition by 2030, through a small‐scale capacity building case study in Oe Be Village, Myingyan district, Mandalay region, Myanmar. In the study site, refined white rice is the major staple followed by vegetables and animal source food in inadequate quantities. The protein intake in this particular dry zone community meets only 50% of the daily requirement and even less for children under 23 months of age. Therefore, to determine the acceptance and opportunity for legumes and millets which are produced locally, nutritious formulations was introduced for various age groups. In addition, a sensory evaluation of the recipes was conducted to test the acceptance of the nutritious products. RESULTS Two weeks of including millets and pigeonpea in the diets of children aged 6 to 23 months had a positive impact on wasting, stunting, and underweight (p = 0.002, 0.014, and 0.023, respectively). Moreover, the acceptability of these new food products by the children was found to be high. These results suggest an unexplored opportunity for specific millets rich in iron, zinc, and calcium, and for pigeonpea rich in protein, if prepared in a culturally acceptable way. CONCLUSION The impact and acceptability of this small scale and short‐term intervention indicate the potential for Smart Food products in filling the nutrition gap arising from the traditional food consumption habits in the dry zones of Myanmar. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

ACS Style

Seetha Anitha; Thyn Thyn Htut; Takuji Tsusaka; Ashok Jalagam; Joanna Kane-Potaka. Potential for smart food products in rural Myanmar: use of millets and pigeonpea to fill the nutrition gap. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 2019, 100, 394 -400.

AMA Style

Seetha Anitha, Thyn Thyn Htut, Takuji Tsusaka, Ashok Jalagam, Joanna Kane-Potaka. Potential for smart food products in rural Myanmar: use of millets and pigeonpea to fill the nutrition gap. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 2019; 100 (1):394-400.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Seetha Anitha; Thyn Thyn Htut; Takuji Tsusaka; Ashok Jalagam; Joanna Kane-Potaka. 2019. "Potential for smart food products in rural Myanmar: use of millets and pigeonpea to fill the nutrition gap." Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 100, no. 1: 394-400.

Research article
Published: 30 September 2019 in Cereal Chemistry
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Background and objectives More than 2 billion people suffer with malnutrition arising from dietary protein and micronutrients deficiencies. To enhance the dietary nutrient quality, the current study used two largely grown varieties of finger millet, pearl millet, pigeonpea and chickpea to evaluate the effect of millet‐legume blends for their enhanced protein digestibility, amino acid profiles and essential micronutrients. Findings Our study revealed the presence of significant levels of proteins (6.3‐22.3%), essential amino acids and micronutrients (Fe: 2.6‐8.5mg; Zn: 2‐5.5mg; Ca: 22‐450mg in 100g) in these varieties. When specific millets combined with legumes in 3:1 proportion, significantly enhanced nutritional value of food by providing a balanced amino acid with good protein digestibility, and high levels of iron (7.58 mg) and zinc (4.96 mg) with 100g of pearl millet and calcium (400.57 mg) with 100g of finger millet. Conclusions Pigeonpea and chickpea have a good level of proteins with essential amino acids except methionine and cysteine. Whereas, millet had balanced amino acid including methionine and cysteine (50% higher) and much higher levels of micronutrients (Fe, Zn and Ca). Therefore, specific millets and legumes combination complemented higher levels of micronutrients in addition to complete proteins to support comprehensive human nutrition. Significance and novelty This study opens prospects for selecting complementary nutrient dense varieties for household consumption. Industries can explore these product development significantly to reduce malnutrition if consumed adequately, which is not possible with polished rice, refined wheat flour or maize even if it is combined with legumes.

ACS Style

Seetha Anitha; Mahalingam Govindaraj; Joanna Kane-Potaka. Balanced amino acid and higher micronutrients in millets complements legumes for improved human dietary nutrition. Cereal Chemistry 2019, 97, 74 -84.

AMA Style

Seetha Anitha, Mahalingam Govindaraj, Joanna Kane-Potaka. Balanced amino acid and higher micronutrients in millets complements legumes for improved human dietary nutrition. Cereal Chemistry. 2019; 97 (1):74-84.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Seetha Anitha; Mahalingam Govindaraj; Joanna Kane-Potaka. 2019. "Balanced amino acid and higher micronutrients in millets complements legumes for improved human dietary nutrition." Cereal Chemistry 97, no. 1: 74-84.

Journal article
Published: 03 September 2019 in Nutrients
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The study assessed the potential for use of millets in mid-day school meal programs for better nutritional outcomes of children in a peri-urban region of Karnataka, India, where children conventionally consumed a fortified rice-based mid-day meal. For a three-month period, millet-based mid-day meals were fed to 1500 adolescent children at two schools, of which 136 were studied as the intervention group and were compared with 107 other children in two other schools that did not receive the intervention. The intervention design was equivalent to the parallel group, two-arm, superiority trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio. The end line allocation ratio was 1.27:1 due to attrition. It was found that there was statistically significant improvement in stunting (p = 0.000) and the body mass index (p = 0.003) in the intervention group and not in the control group (p = 0.351 and p = 0.511, respectively). The sensory evaluation revealed that all the millet-based menu items had high acceptability, with the highest scores for the following three items: finger millet idli, a steam cooked fermented savory cake; little and pearl millet bisi belle bath, a millet-lentil hot meal; and upma, a pearl and little millet-vegetable meal. These results suggest significant potential for millets to replace or supplement rice in school feeding programs for improved nutritional outcomes of children.

ACS Style

Seetha Anitha; Joanna Kane-Potaka; Takuji W. Tsusaka; Deepti Tripathi; Shweta Upadhyay; Ajay Kavishwar; Ashok Jalagam; Nidhi Sharma; Swamikannu Nedumaran. Acceptance and Impact of Millet-Based Mid-Day Meal on the Nutritional Status of Adolescent School Going Children in a Peri Urban Region of Karnataka State in India. Nutrients 2019, 11, 2077 .

AMA Style

Seetha Anitha, Joanna Kane-Potaka, Takuji W. Tsusaka, Deepti Tripathi, Shweta Upadhyay, Ajay Kavishwar, Ashok Jalagam, Nidhi Sharma, Swamikannu Nedumaran. Acceptance and Impact of Millet-Based Mid-Day Meal on the Nutritional Status of Adolescent School Going Children in a Peri Urban Region of Karnataka State in India. Nutrients. 2019; 11 (9):2077.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Seetha Anitha; Joanna Kane-Potaka; Takuji W. Tsusaka; Deepti Tripathi; Shweta Upadhyay; Ajay Kavishwar; Ashok Jalagam; Nidhi Sharma; Swamikannu Nedumaran. 2019. "Acceptance and Impact of Millet-Based Mid-Day Meal on the Nutritional Status of Adolescent School Going Children in a Peri Urban Region of Karnataka State in India." Nutrients 11, no. 9: 2077.

Original article
Published: 20 April 2018 in Mycotoxin Research
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Aflatoxin-lysine (AFB1-lys) adduct levels in blood samples collected from 230 individuals living in three districts of Malawi (Kasungu, Mchinji, and Nkhotakota) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) levels in groundnut and maize samples collected from their respective homesteads were determined using indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (IC-ELISA) methods. AFB1-lys adducts were detected in 67% of blood samples, with a mean concentration of 20.5 ± 23.4 pg/mg of albumin. AFB1 was detected in 91% of groundnut samples and in 70% of maize samples, with mean AFB1 levels of 52.4 and 16.3 μg/kg, respectively. All participants of this study reported consuming maize on a daily basis and consuming groundnuts regularly (mean consumption frequency per week: 3.2 ± 1.7). According to regression analysis, a frequency of groundnut consumption of more than four times per week, being female, and being a farmer were significant (p < 0.05) contributors to elevated AFB1-lys adduct levels in the blood. This is the first report on AFB1-lys adducts in blood samples of residents in Malawi. The results reinforce the urgent need for interventions, aiming at a reduction of aflatoxin exposure of the population.

ACS Style

Anitha Seetha; Emmanuel S. Monyo; Takuji Tsusaka; Harry W. Msere; Frank Madinda; Tiyamika Chilunjika; Ethel Sichone; Dickson Mbughi; Benson Chilima; Limbikani Matumba. Aflatoxin-lysine adducts in blood serum of the Malawian rural population and aflatoxin contamination in foods (groundnuts, maize) in the corresponding areas. Mycotoxin Research 2018, 34, 195 -204.

AMA Style

Anitha Seetha, Emmanuel S. Monyo, Takuji Tsusaka, Harry W. Msere, Frank Madinda, Tiyamika Chilunjika, Ethel Sichone, Dickson Mbughi, Benson Chilima, Limbikani Matumba. Aflatoxin-lysine adducts in blood serum of the Malawian rural population and aflatoxin contamination in foods (groundnuts, maize) in the corresponding areas. Mycotoxin Research. 2018; 34 (3):195-204.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anitha Seetha; Emmanuel S. Monyo; Takuji Tsusaka; Harry W. Msere; Frank Madinda; Tiyamika Chilunjika; Ethel Sichone; Dickson Mbughi; Benson Chilima; Limbikani Matumba. 2018. "Aflatoxin-lysine adducts in blood serum of the Malawian rural population and aflatoxin contamination in foods (groundnuts, maize) in the corresponding areas." Mycotoxin Research 34, no. 3: 195-204.

Randomized controlled trial
Published: 17 January 2018 in Public Health Nutrition
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The present study examined the impacts of training on nutrition, hygiene and food safety designed by the Nutrition Working Group, Child Survival Collaborations and Resources Group (CORE). Adapted from the 21d Positive Deviance/Hearth model, mothers were trained on the subjects of appropriate complementary feeding, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices, and aflatoxin contamination in food. To assess the impacts on child undernutrition, a randomised controlled trial was implemented on a sample of 179 mothers and their children (<2 years old) in two districts of Malawi, namely Mzimba and Balaka. A 21d intensive learning-by-doing process using the positive deviance approach. Malawian children and mothers. Difference-in-difference panel regression analysis revealed that the impacts of the comprehensive training were positive and statistically significant on the Z-scores for wasting and underweight, where the effects increased constantly over time within the 21d time frame. As for stunting, the coefficients were not statistically significant during the 21d programme, although the level of significance started increasing in 2 weeks, indicating that stunting should also be alleviated in a slightly longer time horizon. The study clearly suggests that comprehensive training immediately guides mothers into improved dietary and hygiene practices, and that improved practices take immediate and progressive effects in ameliorating children’s undernutrition.

ACS Style

Anitha Seetha; Takuji W Tsusaka; Timalizge W Munthali; Maggie Musukwa; Agnes Mwangwela; Zione Kalumikiza; Tinna Manani; Lizzie Kachulu; Nelson Kumwenda; Mike Musoke; Patrick Okori. How immediate and significant is the outcome of training on diversified diets, hygiene and food safety? An effort to mitigate child undernutrition in rural Malawi. Public Health Nutrition 2018, 21, 1156 -1166.

AMA Style

Anitha Seetha, Takuji W Tsusaka, Timalizge W Munthali, Maggie Musukwa, Agnes Mwangwela, Zione Kalumikiza, Tinna Manani, Lizzie Kachulu, Nelson Kumwenda, Mike Musoke, Patrick Okori. How immediate and significant is the outcome of training on diversified diets, hygiene and food safety? An effort to mitigate child undernutrition in rural Malawi. Public Health Nutrition. 2018; 21 (6):1156-1166.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anitha Seetha; Takuji W Tsusaka; Timalizge W Munthali; Maggie Musukwa; Agnes Mwangwela; Zione Kalumikiza; Tinna Manani; Lizzie Kachulu; Nelson Kumwenda; Mike Musoke; Patrick Okori. 2018. "How immediate and significant is the outcome of training on diversified diets, hygiene and food safety? An effort to mitigate child undernutrition in rural Malawi." Public Health Nutrition 21, no. 6: 1156-1166.

Original article
Published: 07 August 2017 in Mycotoxin Research
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The staple crops, maize, sorghum, bambara nut, groundnut, and sunflower common in semi-arid agro-pastoral farming systems of central Tanzania are prone to aflatoxin contamination. Consumption of such crop produce, contaminated with high levels of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), affects growth and health. In this paper, aflatoxin contamination in freshly harvested and stored crop produce from central Tanzania was examined, including the efficacy of aflatoxin mitigation technologies on grain/kernal quality. A total of 312 farmers were recruited, trained on aflatoxin mitigation technologies, and allowed to deploy the technologies for 2 years. After 2 years, 188 of the 312 farmers were tracked to determine whether they had adopted and complied with the mitigation practices. Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin B1 contamination in freshly harvested and stored grains/kernels were assessed. A. flavus frequency and aflatoxin production by fungi were assayed by examining culture characteristics and thin-layer chromatography respectively. AFB1 was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The average aflatoxin contamination in freshly harvested samples was 18.8 μg/kg, which is above the acceptable standard of 10 μg/kg. Contamination increased during storage to an average of 57.2 μg/kg, indicating a high exposure risk. Grains and oilseeds from maize, sorghum, and sunflower produced in aboveground reproductive structures had relatively low aflatoxin contamination compared to those produced in geocarpic structures of groundnut and bambara nut. Farmers who adopted recommended post-harvest management practices had considerably lower aflatoxin contamination in their stored kernels/grains. Furthermore, the effects of these factors were quantified by multivariate statistical analyses. Training and behavioral changes by farmers in their post-harvest practice minimize aflatoxin contamination and improve food safety. Moreover, if non-trained farmers receive mitigation training, aflatoxin concentration is predicted to decrease by 28.9 μg/kg on average.

ACS Style

Anitha Seetha; Wills Munthali; Harry W. Msere; Elirehema Swai; Yasinta Muzanila; Ethel Sichone; Takuji Tsusaka; Abhishek Rathore; Patrick Okori. Occurrence of aflatoxins and its management in diverse cropping systems of central Tanzania. Mycotoxin Research 2017, 33, 323 -331.

AMA Style

Anitha Seetha, Wills Munthali, Harry W. Msere, Elirehema Swai, Yasinta Muzanila, Ethel Sichone, Takuji Tsusaka, Abhishek Rathore, Patrick Okori. Occurrence of aflatoxins and its management in diverse cropping systems of central Tanzania. Mycotoxin Research. 2017; 33 (4):323-331.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anitha Seetha; Wills Munthali; Harry W. Msere; Elirehema Swai; Yasinta Muzanila; Ethel Sichone; Takuji Tsusaka; Abhishek Rathore; Patrick Okori. 2017. "Occurrence of aflatoxins and its management in diverse cropping systems of central Tanzania." Mycotoxin Research 33, no. 4: 323-331.

Evaluation study
Published: 18 June 2014 in Archives of Virology
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Groundnut rosette disease (GRD) is the most devastating disease of groundnuts in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease is caused by synergistic interactions between viruses and virus-like pathogens: groundnut rosette assistor virus (GRAV), groundnut rosette virus (GRV) and a satellite RNA (satRNA). The multi-pathogenic nature of GRD requires efficient diagnostic systems for plant breeding and pathology work. Currently, TAS-ELISA and RT-PCR are used to detect all three pathogens. This approach is time-consuming, expensive and not easily amenable to high throughput. A multiplex PCR-based approach was developed to detect all three pathogens at once, reducing diagnostics costs and time by two thirds. The technique is highly robust and amenable to high throughput, with sensitivity and specificity values of 88 % and 100 %, respectively. The positive predictive value for the technique is 100 %, and the negative predictive value is 90.6 %.

ACS Style

S. Anitha; E. S. Monyo; P. Okori. Simultaneous detection of groundnut rosette assistor virus (GRAV), groundnut rosette virus (GRV) and satellite RNA (satRNA) in groundnuts using multiplex RT-PCR. Archives of Virology 2014, 159, 3059 -3062.

AMA Style

S. Anitha, E. S. Monyo, P. Okori. Simultaneous detection of groundnut rosette assistor virus (GRAV), groundnut rosette virus (GRV) and satellite RNA (satRNA) in groundnuts using multiplex RT-PCR. Archives of Virology. 2014; 159 (11):3059-3062.

Chicago/Turabian Style

S. Anitha; E. S. Monyo; P. Okori. 2014. "Simultaneous detection of groundnut rosette assistor virus (GRAV), groundnut rosette virus (GRV) and satellite RNA (satRNA) in groundnuts using multiplex RT-PCR." Archives of Virology 159, no. 11: 3059-3062.

Clinical trial
Published: 01 May 2014 in Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis
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Aflatoxin B1 is a carcinogen produced by Aspergillus flavus and a few related fungi that are often present in many food substances. It interacts synergistically with Hepatitis B or C virus (HBV, HBC) infection, thereby increasing the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The G to T transversion at the third position of codon 249 (AGG) of the TP53 gene, substituting arginine to serine, is the most common aflatoxin-induced mutation linked to HCC. This study examined mutations in TP53 by PCR-RFLP analysis and by measurement of an aflatoxin-albumin adduct as a biomarker for human exposure of aflatoxin B1 by indirect-competitive ELISA, in samples collected from healthy controls as well as patients with hepatitis in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of 238 blood samples were analyzed the presence of the G to T mutation. Eighteen of these samples were from HBV-positive subjects, 112 of these were from subjects who had HBV-induced liver cirrhosis, and 108 samples were taken from subjects without HBV infection or liver cirrhosis (control group). The G to T mutation was detected in 10 samples, 8 of which were from subjects positive to both HBV and aflatoxin-albumin adduct in blood (p = 0.07); whilst two were from individuals who were HBV-negative, but positive for the aflatoxin-albumin adduct (p = 0.14). The aflatoxin-albumin adduct was detected in 37 of 238 samples, 29 samples were from HBV-positive subjects and eight were from individuals who were positive for both HBV and the TP53 mutation (p = 0.07). The concentration of aflatoxin-albumin adduct ranged from 2.5 to 667 pg/mg albumin. Despite low incidence of the G to T mutation, its detection in subjects positive to aflatoxin-adducts is indicative of a strong association between the mutation and aflatoxin exposure in India

ACS Style

S. Anitha; D. Raghunadharao; F. Waliyar; H. Sudini; M. Parveen; Ratna Rao; P. Lava Kumar. The association between exposure to aflatoxin, mutation in TP53, infection with hepatitis B virus, and occurrence of liver disease in a selected population in Hyderabad, India. Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis 2014, 766, 23 -28.

AMA Style

S. Anitha, D. Raghunadharao, F. Waliyar, H. Sudini, M. Parveen, Ratna Rao, P. Lava Kumar. The association between exposure to aflatoxin, mutation in TP53, infection with hepatitis B virus, and occurrence of liver disease in a selected population in Hyderabad, India. Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis. 2014; 766 ():23-28.

Chicago/Turabian Style

S. Anitha; D. Raghunadharao; F. Waliyar; H. Sudini; M. Parveen; Ratna Rao; P. Lava Kumar. 2014. "The association between exposure to aflatoxin, mutation in TP53, infection with hepatitis B virus, and occurrence of liver disease in a selected population in Hyderabad, India." Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis 766, no. : 23-28.