Phytic Acid and Its Health Hazard

Phytic Acid and its health hazards

Fig: Structure of Phytic Acid

Phytic acid technically known as the inositol polyphosphate was discovered in the 1903 A.D.  This is the saturated cyclic compound with phosphorous, hydrogen, oxygen and cyclo-hexane. Phytic acid has a strong binding affinity to important minerals, such as calcium, iron, and zinc, although the binding of calcium with phytic acid is pH-dependent. The binding of phytic acid with iron is more complex, although there certainly is a strong binding affinity, molecules like phenols and tannins also influence the binding. When iron and zinc bind to phytic acid they form insoluble precipitate and are far less absorbable in the intestines. This process can therefore contribute to iron and zinc deficiencies in people whose diets rely on these foods for their mineral intake, such as those in developing countries and vegetarians. Contrary to that, one study correlated decreased osteoporosis risk with phytic acid consumption. It also acts as an acid, chelating the vitamin niacin, the deficiency of which is known as pellagra. 

The major source of phytic acid are barley, legumes, finger millet etc. The best natural way of reduction of phytic acid is the soak till some grains begin to sprout. This is the best natural way of reduction of phytic acid. 

fig: Pellagra

Abhishek Khadka

M. Tech Food Technology

Central Campus of Technology

Pesticides catastrophe: A Emerging issue in Food Safety

Food safety concern involving pesticide residue continue to receives greater attention in Nepal with a recent issue of  90 percent pesticide residue found in veggies sold in kathmandu.

A girl with Tumor growth in India  #No Pesticides    #factivism2014

 The World Health Organization estimates that there are 3 million cases of pesticide poisoning each year and up to 220,000 deaths, primarily in developing countries

 . 

An investigation in kathmandu has reveal that 
187 items of vegetable products and most of the popular vegetables including 
1. Akbare pepper. 
2. bitter gourd. 
3. spinach. 
4. potato. 
5. tomato and green onion carry high amount of pesticides.

Health effect of Pesticides

Short term effect

1.     Abdominal pain, vomiting, as well as skin and eye problems.

2.     Dizziness, loss of appetite and nausea

3.     Diarrhea, sweating and fatigue

4.     Nervousness, changes in mood and insomnia

Long term effect

1.     Brain, kidney, breast, prostate, pancreas, liver cancer

2.     Lungs and skin cancer

3.     Impaired fertility in males

4.    Birth defects, fetal death

Minimizing Pesticide Residues in food general tips

1. Eat wide variety of fruits and vegetables to minimize the potential of increased exposure to a single pesticide.
2. peel fruits and vegetables when possible.
3. Thoroughly wash all produce even to those that which you plan to peel.
4. Wash your produce under running water rather than soaking it.
5. Dry produce with a clean cloth towel or paper towel when possible.
6. Remove the outer layer of fruits and vegetable like melons and root vegetables
7. Discard the outer layer of leafy vegetables, such as lettuce or cabbage.

+ashim sigdel  is a Student of  food science and Technology at Pokhara Bigyan Tatha Prabidhi Campus. He is an Youth activist working on Food Security & Safety for Prosperity.

Nepal Social Business; joint venture of CG NSB and Lions Club International

Nepal Social Business is first of its kind initiative in Nepal where social business’s seven principles coined by Noble Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus is being implemented. It is a joint initiative of Chaudhary Group’s CG NSB and Lions Clubs International. Nepal Social Business aims to address social issues faced by our nation through social business. Its mission is to help social businesses to grow in Nepal, which solves social problems while at the same time is self-sustaining and with the potential to grow and scale itself.

Core activities of NSB will be to do awareness, incubation and funding. Awareness will be to spread concept of social business. In incubation we will do trainings, mentoring and expert consultations. After incubation they will invest in the concept that will be developed into Social Business Plans. They will invest into the best social business ideas and help them to grow.

Social issues faced by society are getting more complex and dynamic that they cannot be addressed solely by governments and traditional social-sector organizations. Social business is a new approach which applies social business principles to address social issues in economically sustainable manner. Social Business is a combination of a NGO and a business. It has a social objective similar to a NGO and it is financially sustainable like a business. According to Professor Yunus, the father of social business, it is a financially sustainable organization solely to solve social problem. Whereas, original investment may be recouped, all potential profits and interest are reinvested to further improve and diversify the social impact. For countries like Nepal which are highly depended on donor funds, social businesses can become a change for sustainable as well as socially fair development. With its focus on social impact and sustainability NSB believes that through creation of social business we can accelerate the development of Nepal and solve our pressing social needs. The projects pass through various committees: Social Impact Assessment (SIA) Committee, Incubation Committee and Investment Committee. The independent SIA Committee will do detail assessment of the proposed concept after they have been incubated. They will look at for some detail information on how the social impact will be made through this social business and how significance is the impact. After the approval from this committee it will be presented to Investment Committee.

Chaudhary Group started its partnership with Yunus Center in December 2012 to implement social business in Nepal in form of CGNSB. In July 2014 during Lions Clubs International Convention in Toronto, CG Nepal Social Business (CGNSB) and LCIF signed official partnership and formed Nepal Social Business.

They have started incubation of four Pilot Projects in Jumla. Four projects are:

1.      Karnali Miteri Udhyog – Porridge Factory to address Malutrition

2.      Tatopani Ecotourism – Ecotourism development at Tatopani VDC for environmental management and support livelihood

3.      Organic Phaphul Tatha Khadhya Prasodhan – Industry to collect, process and market local organics fruits and vegetables to promote healthy living and support livelihood.

4.      Miteri Shanti Batika – Learning and Peace Center to involve youth and to organize social activities with multipurpose hall, yoga hall, library etc.