Day 2 :
Keynote Forum
Senthil Kumar
College of Applied Sciences, Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) - Sultanate of Oman
Keynote: Antibiotics from marine bacteria associated with seaweeds against fish pathogens – A possible probiotic application
Biography:
S. Senthil Kumar is presently working as associate Professor in College of Applied Sciences - Sur (Ministry of Higher Education - Sultanate of Oman) Sur, Oman.
His background is Food safety management and marine biotechnology. He has been awarded Department of Biotechnology (DBT - India) postdoctoral fellowship
at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB, Hyderabad, India). In his 14 years of experience (research, teaching and industry) includes various programs,
contributions and participation in different events for diverse fields of study. He taught more than 18 undergraduate and post graduate courses. He published more
than 25 papers in national and international scientific journals and participated at more than 40 scientific conferences, workshops and meetings
Abstract:
Aquaculture is a worldwide activity and considered as a major economic and food production sector as it is an increasingly
important source of protein available for human consumption. According to FAO, the supplies of fish, crustaceans, and
molluscs from aquaculture increased from 3.9% of total production by weight in 1970 to 27.3% in 2000, and aquaculture
is growing more rapidly than all other animal-food-producing sectors. The use of probiotics has gained significance in
aquaculture practices, particularly the disease outbreak. At present, the coastal aquaculture practices in Oman are centered
on shrimps and efforts are being made to diversity into finfish culture. In this context, the disease management is considered
as of vital importance for the successful culture practices. The use of antibiotics in farming operations is not only costly
but also considered as impractical. So, the probiotics has much role to play in disease management of finfish and shellfish
aquaculture systems. In lieu of this increased attention has been turned to symbiotic marine microorganisms associated
with seaweeds as a promising source for natural product isolation. This symbiotic marine microorganisms (endo & ectosymbiotic)
were able to produce antibiotics against common fish pathogens, that can lead to isolate a novel secondary
metabolites. The aim of this study was to identify symbiotic marine microorganisms which is associated in the seaweeds
with antibacterial activity against common fish pathogens, in order to identify a possible alternative to the commonly used
antibiotics in aquaculture.
Biography:
Dana Al-Hamwi has completed her Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Damascus, Syria. She has pursued her Master's degree of Medical Science
specializing in Human Nutrition from the University of Sheffield, UK. She is the Clinical Dietitian of the Emirates Diabetes Society. She is registered Nutritionist in
the Dubai Health Care City (DHCC). She is also registered as a Clinical Dietician in DHA (Dubai Health Authority). She offers individualized nutrition evaluations,
assessments and clinical consultations at her clinic Dr. Dana Diet Center, which ensures that a person on track to prevent nutrition-related diseases and improving
overall health.
Abstract:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder in which recurrent abdominal pain is
associated with changes in bowel habits. IBS affects 9-23% of the population across the world and about 20% of the UAE
population and its prevalence rates are higher for women than for men. IBS does not cause any changes in bowel tissue
and won’t lead to colorectal cancer. On the other hand, it is considered as a chronic condition that needs to be managed
for long time. Signs and symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas and diarrhea or constipation. Only a
small number of people with IBS have severe symptoms, while some people can control their symptoms by managing diet,
lifestyle and stress, others with more severe symptoms can be treated with medication. Young female individuals and a
family history of IBS or mental health problem have higher risk in developing IBS. IBS symptoms can be triggered by food,
stress and hormonal change. But finding ways to deal with stress may help in the relief of the symptoms. In addition, the
importance of modifying the diet and the lifestyle into healthy ones, especially that contain all the essential nutrients for
relieving IBS symptoms as well stress management, yoga and healthy sleeping patterns are very useful.
- Applied Nutrition , Food Science and Technology , Food Microbiology
Chair
Senthil Kumar,
College of Applied Sciences, Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) - Sultanate of Oman
Session Introduction
Bulbin Jos
Dubai Health Authority, UAE
Title: Role of Nutrition in improving quality of quality of patient care
Biography:
Bulbin Jose is a Registered Dietician, obtained MPhil degree in Foods and Nutrition from India with experience in multi-super specialty hospitals. She is currently
a Sr. Clinical Dietician in Dubai Health Authority. She has been Chief Medical Nutritionist in Lakeshore Hospital and Research Center. She has capability to handle
the dietary and nutrition departments, conducting training programs for both bachelor and master degree students and for those who are preparing for registered
dietitian exam (RD), supervising and directing assistant dietitians, assisting doctors and college students for various research programs, teaching, counseling,
menu planning for Rhyles tube feeding, jejunostomy feeding planning enteral and parenteral feeds for critical care and ventilated patients and therapeutic diets.
Abstract:
A safe and nutritious food supply is a vital component of food security. Ensuring food quality and food safety is equally
significant for the welfare of an individual, a community and a nation. Many human illnesses are food-related. Nutritional
status and economic well-being are affected by food carrying pathogenic organisms and their toxins and by poisonous
chemicals. Unsafe food, whether arising from poor quality supplies or inadequate treatment and preparation, increases the
risk of foodborne infections such as diarrhea. These infections have a much higher impact on populations of poor nutritional
status, where diarrhea can easily lead to serious illness and death. Food safety in hospitals is described as the scientific way by
which food is prepared, handled and stored in hospital settings. Any food that is prepared in hospital kitchens are like food
prepared in other places such as canteens, hotels and restaurants and even homes, sourced from outside. This food comes from
suppliers whose hygiene has to be ensured. Food hazards can come in many forms, including, but not limited to biological,
chemical, physical, and allergenic hazards. Indeed, poor nutrition and foodborne disease often join hands in a vicious cycle of
worsening health. For example, poor nutritional status weakens resistance against diarrhea, which in turn, leads to the uptake
of fewer nutrients and poorer nutritional status.
Richard Stephen Ansong
University of Ghana, Ghana
Title: The risk of malnutrition in the elderly in Ghana: A case study
Biography:
Richard Stephen Ansong is a freelance nutrition and exercise consultant who consults on the science of nutrition and exercise in a number of gyms and nutrition
centres in Accra, Ghana. He holds a BSc in Nutrition and Food Science and an MPhil in Nutrition all from the University of Ghana. He is currently a PhD student at
the University of Ghana, Legon. He is founder and CEO of Nutricise Global, which is a Nutrition and Exercise Consultancy. Mr Ansong has a passion for research
and has experience working with individuals from various and diverse background. He believes that good nutrition is the preserve of every individual regardless
of race and colour. He believes that through strong advocacy and effective collaboration, people can have knowledge and information that will help them improve
their health and well being.
Abstract:
Background: The elderly population in developing countries is often nutrition insecure. An understanding of the overall risk
of malnutrition of the elderly in the Ghanaian society is a key in planning an appropriate intervention for them.
Method: The study was a cross-sectional study involving participants aged 60 years and above recruited from a suburb of
Accra. Information on their background, dietary habits and level of physical activity were collected using a pretested semistructured
questionnaire, weight, height and MUAC were also measured.
Result: A total of 121 participants were recruited into the study. About 59% were females, the mean age was 66.66.5 years
and 69.6% of participants had some form of formal education. Fish, beans, palm oil, cassava, rice and tomato were the most
consumed commodities and walking was the most predominant activity they performed. About 70% of the participants
skipped meals. The males were about 4 times more likely to be overweight than the females. Sex (OR=3.51; 1.20-10.28, p≤0.05)
and MUAC (≥30 cm) (Normal: OR=38.35; 7.61-19.33, p≤0.05; Obese: OR=0.021 (0.004-0.109) were significant predictors of
BMI as an indicator of malnutrition.
Conclusion: Findings from the study showed that the elderly population was malnourished. Nutrition intervention targeting
the elderly is therefore needful.