ABSTRACT
: Pumpkin is a highly nutritious food that offers protective benefits against various health conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, constipation, appendicitis, hemorrhoids, and colon cancer. This study aimed to examine the proximate composition of pumpkin-wheat cookies. An experimental research approach was employed to produce pumpkin powder, incorporate it into cookie production, and analyze its nutritional constituents. The results revealed that as the proportion of pumpkin flour in the composite flour increased, there was a corresponding increase in moisture, ash, fat, protein, and fiber content. Additionally, the study demonstrated an increase in mineral content with higher amounts of pumpkin. The iron and manganese levels ranged from 244.1mg/kg to 312.1mg/kg and 74.52mg/kg to 88.17mg/kg, respectively. Calcium and potassium contents also ranged from 0.24% to 0.40% and 0.39% to 0.57%, respectively. The beta-carotene content of the samples varied between 0.18mg/kg to 0.57mg/kg, while the folic acid content ranged from 13.7ug/g to 144.95ug/g.

ABSTRACT
The article is related to Annaprasan as per the Vedas (Sacred Texts) of ancient India [15]. This activity is technically called Infant & Young Child Feeding (IYCF) in public health & Complementary Feeding (CF) in terms of the science of nutrition [2-4]. The 0-1 year age group is called technically an Infant. The 1-2 year age group is called as Young Child (YC) [2]. All these interventions are critical as these interventions reduce mortality. Further, it not only reduces mortality but is also cost effective. When we breakdown the stage of infant, the first stage of IYCF is from 6-8 months age group as the IYCF should be introduced to the child latest by the age of 8 months. It is called Complementary Feeding (CF) as it completes the nutritional needs of the infant & young child along with breast feeding [2-23]. The second stage is from 9 months to 24 months where along with breast feeding, the frequency & diversity of the complementary foods is critical [4]. In all, the article deals with 527 days or the period from 6 months of age to 2years of age. Here the feeding includes Breast Feeding (BF) from 6 months of age onwards along with Semi Solid Foods (SSF) to 24 months of age [2-4]. The article discusses the history & evaluation of the IYCF concept, its current situation, challenges & priorities related to IYCF. Finally, it sees the role of IYCF in this stage & how the effective roll out of the concept through the public health system can optimize the benefit to the child. This is the base of the nation’s future & the 527 days of independent life is a critical stage to set the stage for nutrition for an entire life span of at least 7 decades. Addressing these issues through effective IYCF rollout will reduce under nutrition & over nutrition in the later years of the child [2-16].

ABSTRACT
The objective of this work was to evaluate the microbiological quality and to determine the Expiry Date of three formulations of seasoning food broths based on the edible mushroom, Psathyrella tuberculata. The pH, titratable acidity, and humidity were determined using the AOAC method. Mesophilic aerobic germs, total coliforms, sulphite-reducing Clostridium, Escherichia coli, yeasts, moulds, staphylococci, and Salmonella spp. were quantified using standard microbiological methods. The Expiry Date of the formulated seasoning food broths powders was determined using an ageing test and predictive microbiology. The results obtained indicated that the ingredients and seasoning broths had a pH of less than 7 with a moisture content of between 8 and 11% for the ingredients and 9 and 10% for the seasoning food broths. Titratable acidity ranged from 0,01 to 0,6 for the ingredients and from 0,5 to 0,54 for the seasoning broths. The results showed that total coliforms, Escherichia coli strains, sulphite-reducing anaerobes and Salmonella spp were absent in all samples. However, the loads of mesophilic anaerobes and fungal flora detected from day one to day forty-five were within Codex Alimentarius standards. The Expiry Date (ED) for B90, B70 and B50 seasoning food broths. Were 56,77 days, 64,98 days and 72,6 days respectively. The powders analysed were of satisfactory microbiological quality. The Expiry Date (ED) obtained are those of three seasoning food broth formulations without preservative food additives.

ABSTRACT
Background: Exposure to benzene and ethanol is known to predispose to ovarian and uterine retardation, Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is an essential oil that is well-reputed for its outstanding nutraceutical and therapeutic properties. The present study is aimed at elucidating the pharmacological potentials of EVOO supplementation on ethanol/benzene-induced female reproductive dysfunctions in rats. Methodology: Forty-eight (48) adult Wistar rats weighing (110kg-130kg) were divided into 8 groups (n = 6). CTR= Control, EVOO= Extra Virgin Olive Oil, ETH= Ethanol, BEN= Benzene, ETH+BEN= Ethanol + Benzene, ETH+EVOO= Ethanol+ Extra Virgin Olive Oil, BEN+EVOO= Benzene+ Extra Virgin Olive Oil, ETH+BEN+EVOO= Ethanol+Benzene + Extra Virgin Olive Oil. They were administered Ethanol, Benzene and Extra Virgin Olive Oil according to the grouped tagging. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed while tissues were harvested, and processed for H & E stain and Masson Trichrome stain histopathological assessment. Progesterone and estradiol were measured using standard methods. Statistical analysis was done using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) on GraphPad Prism 5.0 software. Significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Interestingly, EVOO supplementation significantly (p<0.05) increased body weight, estradiol, and progesterone levels, while also mitigating ovarian and uterine histoarchitectural integrity. Conclusion: EVOO may be considered when formulating a dietary regimen in the management of female reproductive dysfunctions associated with benzene and ethanol.

ABSTRACT
Background: Stunting in toddlers is still a serious health problem in Indonesia. Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS) is one of the factors that influence the nutritional status of toddlers. Research Objective: To understand the relationship between knowledge of clean and healthy living behavior and the nutritional status of stunted toddlers in West Kupang Regency. Research Method: Using an analytical research design with a chi-square design, this study was conducted by collecting secondary data from the Community Care Network Foundation. The sampling was done using a cluster random sampling technique with a total of 100 respondents. The research was analyzed bivariately using the risk estimate test. Results: The majority of toddler subjects are male. The toddler subjects range in age from 0 to 4 years. The parents of the subjects have educational statuses of elementary school (16%), junior high school (19%), high school/vocational school (49%), and university (16%). The mothers of the subjects have occupations as housewives (85%), civil servants (4%), farmers (4%), and private employees (7%). Respondents with poor knowledge-behavior of clean and healthy living, based on exclusive breastfeeding, account for 19%, poor routine weighing at integrated health posts (Posyandu) 4%, poor childbirth assistance 44%, poor handwashing habits 37%, poor use of clean water 52%, and poor toilet usage 2%. Malnutrition status in toddlers is as follows: 62% underweight (Weight-for-Age), 23% stunted (Weight-for-Height), and 28% underweight (Body Mass Index-for-Age). Bivariate analysis results between knowledge-behavior of clean and healthy living show a significant relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and the use of clean water with the nutritional status of toddlers. Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and the use of clean water with the nutritional status of toddlers.

ABSTRACT
Sorghum has proven to be a super-rich component of nutrition and adds a superb flavour to gluten-free baking. The purpose of this study was to develop shortbread biscuits from sorghum flour. The objectives of the study are to develop a shortbread biscuit using sorghum flour and to determine whether the sorghum-based shortbread biscuits would be acceptable to consumers commercially. To produce biscuits from sorghum flour, sorghum was milled, sieved, mixed, rolled, cut, and baked. An experimental and a descriptive approach design was used for the study. Sixty (60) respondents were purposively selected for the study. Questionnaires were used to collect information from the respondents. Sensory evaluations of the properties such as texture, flavour, taste, appearance and colour were examined. The study found that most of the respondents had seen and tasted sorghum flour and thus, would be able to give vivid responses to questions about sorghum flour and its products. Sorghum as flour in baking is good and can be a perfect substitute for wheat flour in the preparation of many baked products. Thus, the bakery industry will be able to produce shortbread biscuits all year round as a snack.

ABSTRACT
In Chad, as in most sub-Saharan African countries, the nutritional situation remains a major concern, and is an underlying cause of many other health problems. The aim of this study is to assess the nutritional status of children aged 6 to 59 months in the provinces of Logone Occidental and Wadi-Fira, in order to contribute to a better management of nutritional problems. The study was carried out between August 16 and October 10, 2022, and involved 207 children aged 6 to 59 months in Wadi-Fira, and 63 aged 6 to 59 months in Logone Occidental. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire and measurements to collect data on the children's socio-demographic characteristics and anthropometry. Analysis of the children's nutritional status was based on the z-score of nutritional indices and edema according to 2006 WHO references. Analysis of the results showed that the prevalence of global acute malnutrition is 18.84%, chronic malnutrition affects 30.9% and underweight affects 32.9% of children in Wadi Fira. In Logone Occidental, about 1/10 child (9.20%) suffers from acute malnutrition, 33.6% from chronic malnutrition and 22.8% from underweight. In Wadi-Fira, the nutritional situation is considered critical, with more than one child on 15 suffering from global or moderate acute malnutrition. In Logone Occidental, the nutritional situation is precarious for both forms of acute malnutrition. The nutritional situation in both provinces needs a reinforcement of current actions in the fight against malnutrition.