Literature has consistently reported that horticultural wastes including leaves, skin, stones and seeds contain substantial amounts of bioactive compounds. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate antioxidant activity, Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and colour parameters in avocado, banana, and papaya leaves. Antioxidant activity of the leaves was determined using Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays, TPC was evaluated using Folin-Ciocalteu assay whereas the colour parameters were analysed with a colour picker software. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 25.0 of triplicate determinations. Mean differences among the fruit leaves extracts were determined using One-way ANOVA, while the correlations between the studied components were by the Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient test. The TEAC values were in the range of 332.30 ± 18.04 µg Trolox/g D.W. (avocado leaves) to 12217.71 ± 18.04 µg Trolox/g D.W. (banana leaves) while the DPPH radical scavenging activity was from 10.07 ± 3.89% (banana leaves) to 86.70 ± 0.26 % (avocado leaves). Besides, TPC was from 871.33 ± 38.35 µg GAE/g D.W. (papaya leaves) to 1199.08 ± 6.00 µg GAE/g D.W. (avocado leaves). The hue values were from 19º in avocado leaves extract to 37º in banana leaves extract. Results from Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient test revealed that there were no significant correlations between the studied assays. Avocado leaves had the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity and TPC among the three extracts. Findings derived from the present study could be exploited in nutraceuticals formulation.

Background: To date, the Malaysian government has implemented three nationwide lockdowns (Movement Control Order, MCO) to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 transmission. It is predicted that children’s eating behaviour could be different due to the sudden change in daily routine and school closure during the pandemic. Therefore, this study aims to compare the children’s eating behaviour during the implementation of MCO 1.0 and MCO 2.0. Methods: Children’s eating behaviour during the lockdowns was assessed with a 35-item validated Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ). Results: Children in Malaysia attained significantly higher mean scores (p<0.05) in food responsiveness, enjoyment of food, and desire to drink subscales in MCO 2.0 than that of MCO 1.0. Conversely, significantly lower mean scores (p<0.05) were observed in satiety responsiveness and slowness in eating subscales during the MCO 2.0 compared to MCO 1.0. Conclusion Children residing in Malaysia had higher food responsiveness, food enjoyment, desire to drink, and eating speed during the MCO 2.0 than MCO 1.0. The findings of this study may be useful for the policymakers in formulating healthy eating intervention strategies in the post-COVID-19 era.
Feeding Behavior