Please help me this question is very confusing 5. In a recent study of individua
ID: 168814 • Letter: P
Question
Please help me this question is very confusing
5. In a recent study of individual living in a certain town in Benue state located in Nigeria, a medical researcher observes a very high incidence of pellagra among one of two groups of subjects, viz. Group A individuals feeding exclusively on high unfermented maize-content diets; and Group B, individuals feeding exclusively on high unfermented maize-content diets but frequent drinkers of Burukutu, a Nigerian fermented sorghum beer. Before embarking on his research, the medical researcher had formulated the hypothesis that: “Pellagra incidence will be significantly higher among individuals feeding exclusively on high unfermented maize-content diets who are frequent drinkers of Burukutu”.
5.a. From your knowledge of fermented foods, which population of the subjects (A or B, above) would you expect to actively develop pellagra?
5.b. Scientifically explain the reason for your answer in 5a above.
Explanation / Answer
Group A will have higher chances of pellagra as they feed on unfermented maize diet.
Fermentation processes can result in increased levels of concentrated thiamine, nicotinic acid and biotin and thus form enriched products.
Pellagra is a disease caused by having too little niacin (vitamin B3) or tryptophan (an amino acid) in the diet. It can also occur if the body fails to absorb these nutrients.
Fermented foods easily digestible than unfermented. So unfermented diet lead to pellagra.
Group B feed on sorghum , so pellagra is less frequent.
Sorghum beer contains relatively high levels of riboflavin and nicotinic acid, which are important for people consuming a high maize diet.
Pellagra (a vitamin deficiency disease associated with high maize diets) is unusual in communities in which sorghum beer is consumed.