Najla Hussein Kaddoura, Mohammad AlAhmad, Nageeb Hassan and Muaed Jamal Alomar
To study the consumption pattern, attitude and knowledge of the general population about dietary supplements (DS) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Abstract
Purpose
To study the consumption pattern, attitude and knowledge of the general population about dietary supplements (DS) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Design/methodology/approach
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data on knowledge, attitude and consumption pattern related to the use of DS. Participants aged = 18 years were asked to complete a self-administered online questionnaire that included demographic characteristics, health and lifestyle information, consumption patterns, attitudes and knowledge levels regarding the use of DS.
Findings
A total of 207 individuals participated in the study, and 117 (56.5%) participants reported using DS products as influenced by the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), of which 63 (53.8%) participants had been using DS for more than one month but less than one year. The majority of the participants was females (64.7%), non-UAE nationals (60.9%) and employed (51.7%). Multivitamins (77.8%) were the most commonly used DS. Use of DS was more prevalent among older participants (n = 78 (61.9%), p = 0.006), non-UAE nationals (n = 79 (62.7%), p = 0.025) and employed (n = 69 (64.5%), p = 0.023). Improving general health (76.1%) and immune booster (47%) were the most frequently identified reasons for using DS, which is relatable to the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of study participants (72.12%) reported knowing relatively little about the use of DS. About 154 participants (74.4%) did not know that DS products do not treat diseases.
Research limitations/implications
Further studies with a larger sample size need to be conducted to examine the association between gender or chronic disease and the consumption and type of DS products used to fill the gap in the literature and overcome the limitations identified in this study.
Originality/value
This study highlights the need for community education programs and strategies that can raise awareness of the health benefits and risks of using DS. Further studies with a larger sample size need to be conducted to examine the association between gender or chronic disease and the consumption and type of DS products used to fill the gap in the literature and overcome the limitations identified in this study.
Details
Keywords
Gemma Pascual, Josep García-Raurich, José M. Canal and Marta Riba-Moliner
This study aims to demonstrate that orange-derived and lemon-derived systems can be used in continuous processes as efficient adsorbents to the entrapment of some anionic and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to demonstrate that orange-derived and lemon-derived systems can be used in continuous processes as efficient adsorbents to the entrapment of some anionic and cationic dyes in the textile dyeing wastewater effluents.
Design/methodology/approach
Physically and chemically modified orange and lemon mesocarps are used as natural adsorbents for the cationic dyes Basic Blue 3, Basic Yellow 21, Basic Red 18 and Basic Green 4 and the anionic dyes Acid Blue 264, Acid Yellow 49 and Acid Red 337, all commonly used in the textile dyeing industry. Adsorption capacities of the orange-derived and lemon-derived adsorbents on the dyes are studied simulating a batch and continuous industrial processes.
Findings
Results demonstrate that treated orange mesocarp (orange-derived adsorbent) can adsorb up to 97% of cationic Basic Green 4 in 30 min, whereas the lemon mesocarp (lemon-derived adsorbent) can retain up to 88% within the same time. In the case of anionic, 91% Acid Blue 264 is adsorbed by the orange mesocarp in 15 min, whereas 92% is adsorbed by the lemon homologue within the same time.
Originality/value
As far as the authors know, physically and chemically modified orange and lemon mesocarps have not been used on the removal of cationic (Basic Blue 3, Basic Yellow 21, Basic Red 18 and Basic Green 4) and anioinic (Acid Blue 264, Acid Yellow 49 and Acid Red 337) dyes of textile dyeing wastewater industry. It is a costless and efficient treatment that supposes, on the one hand, an eco-friendly and feasible process for discolouration of wastewater and, on the other, a valorisation (upcycling) of orange and lemon peels, which are not currently used.