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16 pages, 2401 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sweet Potatoes Puree Mixed with Herbal Aqueous Extracts: A Novel Ready-to-Eat Product for Lactating Mothers

by Luiza-Andreea Tănase (Butnariu), Doina-Georgeta Andronoiu, Oana-Viorela Nistor, Gabriel-Dănuț Mocanu, Elisabeta Botez and Bogdan Ioan Ștefănescu

Processes 2023, 11(7), 2219; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11072219 - 24 Jul 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1588

Abstract

Worldwide, around 385 thousand babies are born each day. Many of them cannot be breastfed because of several physiological problems of the mothers. Galactogogues remain the most natural and prolific way to improve both milk quantity and quality. Various herbs are traditionally used to increase lactation, but the best known are fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.) and anise (Pimpinella anisum L.). The main objective of the present study was to obtain some special and nutritious ready-to-eat products from pureed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) fortified with aqueous extracts from the aforementioned galactogogues herbs. Two different types of thermal treatment, steaming and baking, were investigated to obtain healthy and safe-for-consumption purees. Steam convection had a lower impact, compared with hot air convection, on the content of bioactive compounds among all samples. Among all samples, sweet potato puree with fennel aqueous extract, processed by steaming, (EFCA) showed the highest content of β-carotene (1.27 ± 0.11 mg/g DW), lycopene (0.59 ± 0.07 mg/g DW), and total carotenoids (1.38 ± 0.11 mg/g DW); the cooking loss registered statistically significantly lower values in the case of steam convection. These reports might potentially generate novel ready-to-eat foods used as meals and as well as lactation adjuvants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Active Compounds in Food Production)

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8 pages, 224 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Early Breast Milk Volumes and Response to Galactogogue Treatment

by Elizabeth V. Asztalos and Alex Kiss

Children 2022, 9(7), 1042; https://doi.org/10.3390/children9071042 - 13 Jul 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2089

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of galactogogue management in mothers of very preterm infants with varying breast milk volumes prior to initiating this treatment. Data were utilized from 90 women who participated in a trial employing domperidone. Three groups were formed according to their breast milk volumes (based on their infants’ birth weight) at the time of randomization and study entry to the trial protocol: (1) ≤100 mL/kg/d; (2) 101–200 mL/kg/d; and (3) ≥201 mL/kg/d. Breast milk volumes were evaluated at the 14- and 28-day study treatment periods. All three groups showed a significant volume increase and volume percent increase both at the 14-day measure and also the 28-day measure. Mothers who started in the two lower volume groups showed the greatest % volume change overall, with 356.2% in the ≤100 mL/kg/d and 106.1% in the 101–200 mL/kg/d groups, compared to those mothers in the higher group of ≥201 mL/kg/d, showing a change of 45.2%, where p = 0.001. Mothers producing varying low volumes were able to demonstrate an effect from the use of domperidone and increase their volumes as much as three-hundred-fold over 14- and 28-day study periods. However, those mothers whose volumes were ≤100 mL/kg/d continued to maintain low absolute milk volumes, putting these mothers at ongoing risk of ceasing lactation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Global Pediatric Health)

14 pages, 1373 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Different Types of Meatballs Enriched with Wild Thyme/Lemon Balm Aqueous Extract—Complex Characterization

by Luiza-Andreea Tănase (Butnariu), Oana-Viorela Nistor, Doina-Georgeta Andronoiu, Gabriel-Dănuț Mocanu, Andreea Veronica Botezatu Dediu and Elisabeta Botez

Molecules 2022, 27(12), 3920; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27123920 - 18 Jun 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2259

Abstract

In the context of the increasing lactation problems among breastfeeding women, the development of a healthy lifestyle is needed. Different variants of pork, turkey, and beef meatballs, with added lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) and wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) aqueous extract (6%), were obtained. These herbs were selected and used due to their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and lactogenic potential. Two thermal treatments, hot air convection (180 °C) and steam convection (94 °C), were applied for meatballs processing. The obtained meatballs were further subjected to a complex characterization. The functionality of the plant extracts was proved by the values of total content of polyphenols (2.69 ± 0.02 mg AG/g dw) and flavonoids (3.03 ± 0.24 mg EQ/g dw). FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of trans-anethole and estragole at 1507–1508 cm⁻¹ and 1635–1638 cm⁻¹, respectively. Costumers’ overall acceptance had a score above 5.5 for all samples, on a scale of 1 to 9. Further analysis and human trials should be considered regarding the use of lactogenic herbs, given their health benefits and availability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Antioxidant Activity in Plants, Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds and Foods)

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10 pages, 248 KiB

Open AccessReview

Supporting Mothers of Very Preterm Infants and Breast Milk Production: A Review of the Role of Galactogogues

by Elizabeth V. Asztalos

Nutrients 2018, 10(5), 600; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10050600 - 12 May 2018

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 7725

Abstract

Human milk, either mother’s own milk or donor human milk, is recommended as the primary source of nutrition for very preterm infants. Initiatives should be in place in neonatal units to provide support to the mother as she strives to initiate and maintain a supply of breast milk for her infant. The use of galactogogues are considered when these initiatives alone may not be successful in supporting mothers in this endeavor. Although there are non-pharmacologic compounds, this review will focus on the pharmacologic galactogogues currently available and the literature related to their use in mothers of very preterm infants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breastfeeding and Human Lactation)

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