The present study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of water extracts of sumac (Rhus coriaria), barberry (Berberis vulgaris), black pepper (Piper nigrum), red pepper (Capsicum annuum), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), laurel (Laurus nobilis), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), turmeric (Curcuma longa), white mustard (Sinapis alba) and nutmeg (Myristica fragrans). The antioxidant activity of extracts was tested using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and reducing power tests. The antibacterial activity of extracts was determined by agar well diffusion and resazurin microtiter-plate assays. Sumac, laurel and barberry extracts showed the highest antioxidant activity, respectively. Meanwhile, the highest concentration of total phenolic was obtained in the extracts of laurel and sumac. The results of antibacterial tests revealed that the extracts of sumac and barberry had the strongest antibacterial activity against tested bacteria. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThere is an increasing interest in using plant extracts by the food industry as natural preservatives. Lipid oxidation and microbial growth in food can be controlled by the use of plant extracts. This study showed that the water extracts of sumac, laurel and barberry had the strongest antioxidant activity while the sumac and barberry extracts exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against four foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, the water extracts of sumac, laurel and barberry can be used as effective preservatives in food systems. bs_bs_banner Journal of Food Biochemistry

Background Today, with the advancement of science, technology and industry, people’s lifestyles such as the pattern of people’s food, have changed from traditional foods to fast foods. The aim of this survey was to examine and identify factors influencing intent to use fast foods and behavior of fast food intake among students based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 229 university students. The study sample was selected and entered to the study using stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using a four-part questionnaire including Participants’ characteristics, knowledge, the TPB variables, and fast food consumption behavior. The study data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 16.0) using descriptive statistics (frequencies, Means, and Standard Deviation) and inferential statistics (t-test, Chi-square, correlation coefficient and multiple regressions). Results The monthly frequency of fast food consumption among students was reported 2.7 times. The TPB explained 35, 23% variance of intent to use fast food and behavior of fast food intake, respectively. Among the TPB variables, knowledge (r = .340, p < 0.001) and subjective norm (r = .318, p < 0.001) were known as important predictors of intention to consume fast foods - In addition, based on regression analyses, intention (r = .215, p < 0.05), perceived behavioral control (r = .205, p < 0.05), and knowledge (r = .127, p < 0.05) were related to fast food consumption, and these relationships were statistically significant. Conclusions The current study showed that the TPB is a good theory in predicting intent to use fast food and the actual behavior. It is supposed that health educators use from the present study results in designing appropriate interventions to improve nutritional status of students.

BackgroundToday, with the advancement of science, technology and industry, people's lifestyles such as the pattern of people's food, have changed from traditional foods to fast foods. The aim of this survey was to examine and identify factors influencing intent to use fast foods and behavior of fast food intake among students based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 229 university students. The study sample was selected and entered to the study using stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using a four-part questionnaire including Participants’ characteristics, knowledge, the TPB variables, and fast food consumption behavior. The study data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 16.0) using descriptive statistics (frequencies, Means, and Standard Deviation) and inferential statistics (t-test, Chi-square, correlation coefficient and multiple regressions).ResultsThe monthly frequency of fast food consumption among students was reported 2.7 times. The TPB explained 35%, 23% variance of intent to use fast food and behavior of fast food intake, respectively. Among the TPB variables, knowledge (r=.340, p<0.001) and subjective norm (r=.318, p<0.001) were known as important predictors of intention to consume fast foods - In addition, based on regression analyses, intention (r=.215, p<0.05), perceived behavioral control (r=.205, p<0.05), and knowledge (r=.127, p<0.05) were related to fast food consumption, and these relationships were statistically significant. ConclusionsThe current study showed that the TPB is a good theory in predicting intent to use fast food and the actual behavior. It is supposed that health educators use from the present study results in designing appropriate interventions to improve nutritional status of students.

Background Today, with the advancement of science, technology and industry, people's lifestyles such as the pattern of people's food, have changed from traditional foods to fast foods. The aim of this survey was to examine and identify factors influencing intent to use fast foods and behavior of fast food intake among students based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 229 university students. The study sample was selected and entered to the study using stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using a four-part questionnaire including Participants’ characteristics, knowledge, the TPB variables, and fast food consumption behavior. The study data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 16.0) using descriptive statistics (frequencies, Means, and Standard Deviation) and inferential statistics (t-test, Chi-square, correlation coefficient and multiple regressions). Results The monthly frequency of fast food consumption among students was reported 2.7 times. The TPB explained 35%, 23% variance of intent to use fast food and behavior of fast food intake, respectively. Among the TPB variables, knowledge (r=.340, p<0.001) and subjective norm (r=.318, p<0.001) were known as important predictors of intention to consume fast foods - In addition, based on regression analyses, intention (r=.215, p<0.05), perceived behavioral control (r=.205, p<0.05), and knowledge (r=.127, p<0.05) were related to fast food consumption, and these relationships were statistically significant. Conclusions The current study showed that the TPB is a good theory in predicting intent to use fast food and the actual behavior. It is supposed that health educators use from the present study results in designing appropriate interventions to improve nutritional status of students.