World Cocoa Foundation Research Update: October 2007
RESEARCH ON THE WEB: From NutraIngredients. Common sweetener eyed as new prebiotic By Stephen Daniells. 01/10/2007- The sugar alcohol lactitol, commonly used as a sweetener, can positively affect the population of beneficial bacteria in the intestine, and may be considered a novel prebiotic, researchers have reported. Writing in the European Journal of Nutrition, researchers from University of Salford and Purac Biochem report that consumption of lactitol-rich chocolate resulted in significant improvements in bifidobacteria populations, suggesting the potential prebiotic activity of the sweetener. Prebiotics, which are derived from insoluble fibres and oligosaccharides, can be incorporated into a wider variety of end products than probiotic bacteria. They have also benefited from the promotional efforts of probiotic suppliers, who have significantly raised public awareness of gut health in recent years. Full article
From BBC News. Chocolate 'aids fatigue syndrome' . A daily dose of specially-formulated dark chocolate may help cut chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms. Patients in a pilot study found they had less fatigue when eating dark chocolate with a high cocoa content than with white chocolate dyed brown. Researchers from Hull York Medical School said the results were surprising but dark chocolate may be having an effect on the brain chemical serotonin. Study leader Professor Steve Atkin, an expert in endocrinology, said the idea for the study came after a patient reported feeling much better after swapping her normal milk chocolate for dark chocolate with a high cocoa solid content. The researchers stressed the chocolate formulation used in the study was not currently available to the public. Full article.
From NutraIngredients: ODS releases annual bibliography as gold standard. By Clarisse Douaud. 10/3/2007- The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)has highlighted the most far-reaching research from 2006 in the area of nutraceutical compounds in its Annual Bibliography. The publication spans research from a diverse array of laboratory and human studies. The findings listed in the bibliography include the potentially beneficial effects of black cohosh for bone remodelling; ginkgo and omega-3 for cognitive health and minimizing the progression of Alzheimer's disease; resveratrol as an anti-inflammatory; and vitamin D for reducing prostate cancer risk. [cocoa also included]. "If these preliminary findings are substantiated in more rigorous studies, they could lay the foundation for some exciting health milestones - but only time will tell," said the Annual Bibliography's editor, Rebecca Costello. The ODS annual project first began in 1999, and the organization has so far released a total of eight bibliographies. Copies of the Annual Bibliography can be downloaded from the ODS web site. Full article.
From USAToday Urge for chocolate could be gut feeling. By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press. WASHINGTON — If that craving for chocolate sometimes feels like it is coming from deep in your gut, that's because maybe it is. A small study links the type of bacteria living in people's digestive system to a desire for chocolate. Everyone has a vast community of microbes in their guts. But people who crave daily chocolate show signs of having different colonies of bacteria than people who are immune to chocolate's allure. Past studies have shown that intestinal bacteria change when people lose weight, said Dr. Sam Klein, an obesity expert and professor of medicine at Washington University in St. Louis. Kochhar said the relationship between food, people and what grows in their gut is important for the future: "If we understand the relationship, then we can find ways to nudge it in the right direction." Full article.
From ConfectionaryNews.com. By Charlotte Eyre. 10/16/2007- Cocoa companies pledge sustainability World Food Day is galvanising global food companies to help support cocoa labourers, some of the poorest workers in the world, as more and more businesses aresigning upto sustainability programmes. With millions of people all over the world facing extreme poverty and starvation, businesses are facing increasing pressure from humanitarian groups and consumers, as well as perhaps their own consciences, to help the men and women who provide basic ingredients have a fair and comfortable way of life. One such programme established recently is the cocoa sustainability initiative, set up by Netherlands-based coffee organisation Utz Certified, and supported by Cargill, Heinz Benelux and the supermarket chain Ahold. "The cocoa sector is facing challenges in terms of social responsibility and the environment," said Lucas Simons, director of new programmes at Utz Certified. "Independent certification and transparency are important instruments for sustainable production, rural development and poverty reduction." Full article.
MEETINGS: The International Society of Plant Pathology (ISPP), the Italian Society for Plant Pathology, and the Italian Association for Crop Protection will organize the 9th International Congress of Plant Pathology (ICPP 2008) at Torino, Italy, on August 24-29, 2008. Details of the congress can be found at: http://www.icpp2008.org/
RECENT CACAO PUBLICATIONS:
**Isaac, M. E.; Ulzen-Appiah, F.; Timmer, V. R.; Quashie-Sam, S. J. Early growth and nutritional response to resource competition in cocoa-shade intercropped systems. Plant Soil, vol. 298, p. 243-254, 2007. (Genomics&PhysiologyAgronomics231KB)
**Matsui, A.; Yin, Y.; Yamanaka, K.; Iwasaki, M.; Ashihara, H. Metabolic fate of nicotinamide in higher plants. Physiologia Plantarum, vol. 131, p. 191-200, 2007. (Genomics&PhysiologyBiochemistry524KB)
**Sporn, S.G.; Bos, M.M.; Gradstein, S. R. Is productivity of cacao impeded by epiphytes? An experimental approach. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, vol.112, p. 490-493, 2007. (Genomics&PhysiologyAgronomics110KB)
**Santos, R.M.G.; Lopes, U.V.; Bahia, R. deC., Machado, R.C.R.; Ahnert, D.; Correa, R.X. Marcadores microssatelites relacionados com a resistencia a vassoura-de-bruxa do cacaueiro. [English Abstract: Microsatellite markers related to resistance of cocoa tree against witches’-broom]. Pesq. Agropec. Bras. Brasilia, vol. 42, p. 1137-1142,2007. (Genomics&PhysiologyGenetics88KB)
**Dorman, E.N.A.; van Huis, A.; Leeuwis, C. Effectiveness and profitability of integrated pest management for improving yield on smallholder cocoa farms in Ghana. International Journal Tropical Insect Science, vol. 27, p. 27-39. (Diseases&PestsIPM354KB)
**Ceita, G.; Macedo, J. N. A.; Santos, T. B.; Alemanno, L.; Gesteira, A.; Micheli, F.; Mariano, A.C.; Gramacho, K.P.; Silva, D.; Meinhardt, L.; Mazzafera, P.; Pereira, G.A.G.; Cascardo, J.C. Involvement of calcium oxalate degradation during programmed cell death in Theobroma cacao tissues triggered by the hemibiotrophic fungus Moniliophthora pemiciosa. Plant Science (Oxford), vol.173, p. 106-117, 2007. (Diseases&PestsBiology2541KB)
**Tondje, P.R.; Roberts, D.P.; Bon, M.C.; Widmer, T.; Samuels, G.J.; Ismaiel, A.; Begoude, A.D.; Tchana, T.; Nyemb-Tshomb, E.; Ndoumbe-Nkeng, M.; Bateman, R.; Fontem, D.; Hebbar, K.P. Isolation and identificationof mycoparasitic isolates of Trichoderma Asperellum with potential for suppression of black pod disease of cacao in Cameroon. Biological Control, vol. 43, p. 202-212, 2007. (Diseases&PestsBiologicalControl197KB)
**Irish, B.M.; Goenaga, R.; Park, S.; Kang, S. First report of Phytophthora palmivora, causal agent of black pod, on cacao in Puerto Rico. Plant Disease, vol. 91, p. 1051, 2007. (Diseases&PestsBiology173KB)
**Begoude, B.A.D.; Lahlali, R.; Friel, D.; Tondje, P.R.; Jijakli, M.H. Response surface methodology study of the combined effects of temperature, pH, and aw[water activity] on the growth rate of Trichoderma asperellum. Journal of Applied Microbiology, vol. 103, p. 845-854,2007. (Diseases&PestsBiology196KB)
**Djocgoue, P.; Boudjeko, T.; Mbouobda, H.D. ; Nankeu, D.J,; Hadrami, I.; Omokolo, N.D. Heritability of phenols in the resistance of Theobroma cacao against Phytophthora megakarya, the causal agent of black pod disease. Journal of Phytopathology, vol. 155, p. 519-525, 2007. (Diseases&PestsBiology703KB)