Biological Sciences - PJSIR

Rescuing Potential of Syzygium cumini and Morus nigra Fruit Extracts On Hexavalent Cr Induced Anomalies of Kidney in Mice

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The present histopathological study was conducted to reveal the ameliorative potential of Syzygium cuminin and Morus nigra fruit extracts in response to hexavalent chromium Cr (VI) induced renal toxicity. Mice were divided into four study groups i.e., control (Ctl) group, chromium (Cr) treated group that was given 50 ppm chromium given ad labitum for 10 days, chromiun+Jambul group (Cr+Jb) given 50 ppm (Cr) for 10 days followed by 0.2mL/12 h of fresh Jambul fruit extract for 5days and chromium+Morus (Cr+Mr) group given 50ppm (Cr) for 10 days followed by 0.2mL/12 h of fresh Morus fruit extract for next 5 days. For renal histopathological study kidney was recovered on 15th day of study. In Cr (VI) group, the glomeruli are rounded and highly stained along with t atrophy and necrosis in Cr group including tissue damages i.e. shrinkage along with peripheral fibrosis of the renal glomeruli and fairly large number of glomerular obliterations. In Cr+Jb and Cr+Mr group, rapid reversal of the nephropathological signs. The inter-tubular spaces were reduced and renal tubules regained the size in Cr+Jb and Cr+Mr group just like Ctl. These findings suggest that Cr is potentially toxic for animal kidney. Highest mean value for CSA of cortical glomeruli was found in Cr+Jb (3132.5± 266.9µ2) and CSA of medullary glomeruli was (3129.1±145.2µ2) as compared to cortical Ctl glomeruli (2441.7± 95.7µ2) & cortical Ctl glomeruli (2515.1.7±115.1µ2). However, such pathologies can rapidly be repaired upon Syzygium cumini and Morus nigra. pulp extract treatment. Thus it is clearly indicated that Morus nigra fruit extract possesses considerable excellent rescuing capacity against renal pathology of environmental toxins specifically Cr.

Evaluating the Effect of Diafenthiuron as Toxicological Agent on Blood Profile, Hepatorenal Performance and Immunity of Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Hareem Sajjad, Razia Iqbal — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Diafenthiuron is a thiourea derivative propesticide widely used in agriculture and forestry, involved in inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation and interrupts the mitochondrial ATP synthesis of the pest. Because there is no research regarding the toxicological effects of this chemical on non-target species. Hence the present study aim to assess the acute toxicity of this insecticide on rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). A total of 48 rabbits were categorized into four groups, with 12 rabbits in each group. The groups were named as T0 (control), T1 (low dose), T2 (medium dose) and T3 (high dose). Rabbits in groups T1, T2 and T3 received oral administration of diafenthiuron at doses of 500 mg/Kg, 1000 mg/Kg, and 1500 mg/Kg, respectively which is based on their body weight. This administration continued for a period of 45 days. The T0 group served as the control group. Blood samples were collected at 15th, 30th and 45th day of experiment and analyzed for blood profile, hepatorenal performance and immunological analysis. Our results indicated that complete blood count was significantly (P 0.05) reduced, except for platelets level which were significantly higher in dosage dependent groups as compared to control group. Furthermore, antibody titer test for immunity against Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD) virus was also reduced in dosage dependent groups. However, hepatorenal parameters (bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, urea and creatinine) were significantly elevated upon exposure to the higher dosage of pesticide. Our study concluded that diafenthiuron has strong potential to cause toxicity even at sub lethal doses which in turn, affects the non-target organisms including human beings. Therefore, alternative ways must be used to avoid the accumulation of this pesticide in the environment.

Correlation and Path Analysis in Different Wheat Genotypes for Grain Yield and its Related Traits

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important cereal crops and is grown all around the world after rice and maize. Wheat plays a vital role in human and animal nutrition because it is a major source of carbohydrates. Wheat is facing different problems like climate change, biotic and abiotic stress. The research was conducted to study heritability and interrelationship among grain yield and its components in different wheat genotypes. The experimental material was composed of 20 genotypes of wheat with three replications. The present study was laid out in the field of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan. At maturity, grain yield and its related traits were observed. Analysis of variance was analyzed using Statistix 8.1 Software. Results for ANOVA showed that all genotypes showed a highly significant effect among all the characters, while phenotypic and genotypic correlations showed that plant height had significant correlations with grain yield and days to maturity had a negatively highly significant effect on grain yield per plant. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the direct effect of flag leaf area, plant height, spike length, spikelets per spike, and grain weight per spike on grain yield was observed as positive. All other traits showed negative direct affect values. The indirect effect of flag leaf area and number of grains per spike was observed as positive for grain yield per plant. Results showed that genotype F2 had a maximum value for flag leaf area and days to maturity. Genotype AAS 2011 had the highest values for the number of tillers per plant and number of spikelets per plant than other varieties. Genotype A14 had maximum values for yield per plant.

Correlation Between Gram Negative Bacterial Colonization, Environmental Contamination and the Development of Infections at Intensive Care Unit

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Detection of the source of infection by multidrug resistant gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB) may help in the development of effective treatment protocols resulting in improved patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MDR-GNB colonization and infection among patients in ICU and the association between colonization, environmental contamination and infections. Throat swabs were taken from 165 ICU patients within 48 h of admission. Then clinical samples were collected from those patients who developed infections according to the site of infection. Also, weekly environmental samples were obtained from the occupied partition in ICU. Throat colonization by GNB was detected in only 6.06%. About 27 (16%) out of the admitted patients got infections and only 9 patients (5.45%) had hospital acquired infections (HAIs). The rate of environmental contamination due to GNB during the studied period (8 weeks) which was 27.06%. MDR-GNB isolates represented 50% of gram-negative isolates recovered from colonized patients and 86.11% from infected patients and 58.08% from environmental samples. Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) was the predominant isolate recovered from both colonized and infected patients (50.00% and 38.89% respectively) as well as from environmental samples (48.29%). Extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenem resistance were predominant among pneumoniae isolates from clinical and environmental samples. High rate of cross contamination between infected patients and their occupied environment was detected among K. pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii complex (Acb complex) isolates.

Preparation of Protein and Mineral Enriched Chapatti Using Hybrid Wheat, Chickpea and Barley

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Nutritional profile of chapatti increased using other cereals and pulses. Hybrid wheat grown by crossing wheat varieties having high content of protein, Fe and Zn and used in combination with barley and chickpea. Therefore, current research was designed to check the effect of hybrid wheat on quality of chapatti in combination with chickpea and barley. So, different genotypes of hybrid wheat and one variety of barley and chickpea each were analyzed to assess physico-chemical properties, afterwards, hybrid wheat varieties milled into flour and mixed with barley and chickpea flour to prepare composite flour and to prepare chapatti at the end. Results showed TKW colour and protein contents ranged from 32.2-54.9 g, 15.3 to 20.4 and 10.55 to 19.50% respectively in hybrid wheats. NIR analysis revealed hardness of wheat genotypes varied from 66.34 to 86.9. Hybrid wheat varieties showed 2 to 6 min DDT and 24.7 to 38.3% wet glutin. In product, protein (18.79%), Fe (9.94 mg/100 g) and Zn (10.68 mg/100 g) of composite flour chapatti increased with the addition of chickpea and barley flour in hybrid wheat flour. Sensorial para- meters changed non-significantly, while in case of taste and chewing ability C1, C2 and C4, C5 showed better results than other compositions. Based on nutritional attributes and sensorial characteristics it is concluded that chickpea and barley were used at 25% and 15% in composite flour along with hybrid wheat varieties like B8, AR5 x PBICR#16 and AR7-4 x 29IBWSN-245.

Development, Standardization, Physico-chemical and Nutritional Analysis of Biscuits with Different Levels of Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima L.) Peel Powder

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Fruits and vegetable's peels which are usually discarded during consumption and processing and good source of nutrients. Pumpkin is extensively grown and consumed vegetable in subcontinent. Pumpkin peel is considered as waste material and discarded, which contains essential nutrients in sufficient quantities. In present study pumpkin peel powder (PPP) biscuits were developed by the replacement of straight grade flour (SGF) of wheat, with 0, 5, 10 and 15% of PPP and standardized. Physico-chemical analyses of PPP, SGF and developed biscuits which were performed. Ash, fat and fibre contents were higher in PPP as compared to SGF whereas, moisture and protein contents were lesser. By increasing the replacement level of PPP with SGF, a significant increase in ash, fat and fibre in biscuits was observed, whereas, moisture and protein contents were slightly decreased. Colour analysis of SGF and PPP revealed that a* (redness) and b* (yellowness) values of PPP were higher than SGF, whereas, L* (lightness) values of PPP were less than SGF. By increasing replacement level of PPP with SGF, a* and b* values significantly increased. Mineral analysis revealed that Na, K and Fe were higher in PPP and increased in biscuits by increasing the level of PPP, whereas Ca, Mg and P were lesser in PPP as compared to SGF. Upon sensory evaluation, biscuits developed with 5% level of PPP, got highest scores, close to the control, whereas 15% level was not liked by the judges. Biscuits incorporated with pumpkin peel powder could be a good choice in market as functional food products demanded by health-oriented consumers.

Fig (Ficus carica): A Potential Functional Ingredient for Developing Value Added Products

Makkia Saleem, Mian Kamran Sharif, Masood Sadiq Butt, Muhammad Naeem Faisal — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

To increase the intake of fruits and vegetables, especially among young people, the food industry is trying to develop new, ready-to-eat products, such as snacks and breakfast spreads. Nowadays, consumers are choosing their foods based not only on sensory attributes but also on nutritional/functional properties. Fig is the one of the oldest plants cultivated on the earth which is rich in phytochemicals and minerals. The present study was designed to analyze three sun-dried Fig varieties named Afghani, Irani and Turkish for nutritional composition including proximate and minerals (mg/100 g) content and to develop value- added products such as Fig rolls and honey to increase the utilization of Figs in the daily routine. For this purpose, the Fig roll was prepared by filling Fig paste (which was changed gradually from 0 g, 2 g, 3 g, 4 g and 5 g in different treatments) in the chickpea-based dough. Whereas Fig honey was prepared by gradually replacing honey (commercially available) with prepared Fig liquid (from 0%, 20%, 40%, 80%, 100%) in different treatments. Results revealed that the Afghani Fig has the highest protein (4.96%), ash (5.29%), potassium (1148.13), magnesium (198.37) calcium (122.80) and zinc (2.80), whereas the Turkish Fig has a high fiber content (9.38%). However, Fig rolls have 3 g Fig paste filling and the Fig honey prepared with 60% Fig liquid paste was well accepted by consumers for their appearance (8.30, 8.07), flavour (8.53, 7.43), and overall acceptability (8.42, 7.80 respectively) assessed by 9-hedonic scale. The nutrition fact of Fig rolls and honey was also calculated.

Morphoanatomy Characters, Protein and Chlorophyll Contents of Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews Cuttings to Application of Natural Growth Regulators and Vegetable Elicitors

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study aimed to examine the morphoanatomy characteristics, protein and chlorophyll contents of shoots on vanilla cuttings in response to application of natural growth regulators (NGR) and vegetable elicitors (VE). The study was conducted according to factorial design. The natural growth regulators included shallot extract 300 g/L (P1), banana weevil extract 300 g/L (P2), bamboo shoot extract 300 g/L (P3), coconut water 400 mL/L (P4) and sprouts extract 300 g/L (P5) and vegetable elicitors (E): Coleus scutellarioides extract (E1) and Amaranthus spinosus extract (E2) were used in the study. The results of the quantitative morphological characters showed that the highest shoot length (46.60 cm) was observed in P1E2, the number of leaves (7.67) in the P1E1, leaf length (8.25 cm) in P1E1, leaf width (2.82 cm) in P5E1 and stem diameter (0.87 cm) in P1E2 treatment, respectively. The quantitative and anatomical characters showed highly varied responses to different natural growth regulators and vegetable elicitors. The maximum stomatal pore length (29.22 µm), stomatal pore width (6.95 µm), stem cortex diameter (1039.02 µm) and leaf mesophyll (1565.97 µm) were recorded in P1E1, P5E1, P1E2 and P4E1, respectively. The highest mean protein and chlorophyll content (82.71 mg/Kg) and (2.69 mg/L) were observed in P1E1 and P1E2, respectively. The application of natural growth regulators and vegetable elicitors affects the morphoanatomy and increases vanilla plants' protein and chlorophyll content.

Synthesis of Biobased Plastic from Agriculture Waste: Banana Peels

Hanan Arief Hasan, Baha'a Mohamd Abu Salma, Samar Shawaqfeh — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The production of bioplastics from banana peels instead of conventional petroleum-based plastics is seen as a successful solution to increase the efficiency of the plastics industry, at a lower cost than common plastics, lower carbon footprint and eco-safety. The project's prototype represents the process of producing bioplastics from banana peels and tests the tensile strength shelf-life detection and efficiency of the produced plastic. The results showed that the plastic produced with the optimum resident time to hydrolysis was 15 min for the sample, the weight of bioplastic formed when adding (0.5 N) HCL and (0.5N) NaOH solutions was 5.6 g, while 3.8 g formed of bioplastic when adding (0.1 N) HCL and (0.3 N) NaOH. The best plastic formed in trial 4 with a weight of 17 g of paste, thin, light in colour, has elasticity and strength and did not show any signs of decay after 2 months. The worst trial we present in trial 5 plastic formed, which was thicker than in trials 2 and 3 and dark in colour, lost its strength, showed signs of decay after 1 month and the lowest weight of the paste in addition, the characterized and weight of bioplastic formed in trial 4 has 17 g of paste and was thin, light in colour and strength very strong, not shown any signs of decay after 2 months. The tensile strength for the neutral sample was 0.4086 N/mm2 at the residence for 15 min. It has been shown that bioplastic produced from banana peel contains many nutrients and The bioplastic product contains after lab analysis a high amount of the composition of the fiber, NPK, organic matter and C:N ratio. These results showed the bioplastic produced from banana peels which can be used as food packaging, plates, agricultural pots and soil fertilizer. It is concluded that the use of bioplastics will help in sustainability and is one of the most innovative environmentally friendly materials developed.

A Mini Review on Dairy Sector and Production in Pakistan

Sayed Zaheer Abbas, Muhammad Naseem Khan, Anjum Zehra Naqvi — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Raw milk is recognized as a complete diet and have high food values and supplies nutrients like water, proteins, lactose, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins etc. Animal-source food pays a very impressive part in poverty reduction, nutritional improvement, food security and health in developing countries. Pakistan is rated as one of the leading milk producer country in the world. Over 8 million rural families are directly engaged in livestock production and secure above 30-40% of their annual earnings. Over the year livestock has emerged as the biggest sub-sector in agriculture as it contribute 60.1% to the agriculture value addition and 11.5% to the GDP during FY2021, while milk producing animals are underfed situation. In Pakistan, 80% milk is produced at the small scale in rural area, 15% in peri-urban and only 5% in the urban areas. It is estimated that 97% milk is marketed in raw form and rest is processed. The milk production and distribution systems are outdated and un-organized, the whole setup is controlled by the informal private sectors. Different hazardous contamination incorporate into the dairy chain during milk production, processing, transportation, storage and serving that may affect milk quality profile. Milk contamination occurs by endogenous and exogenous contamination sources. Unhygienic practices of milk handling from farms to table promotes the chance of pathogenic microbial contamination which terribly affect its composition, quality and shelf life. Adulteration in the raw milk is the main problem in Pakistan. Food related diseases are quite common in Pakistan and different approaches like unhealthy conditions and absence of food standards, unhygienic and inadequate sanitation, poverty and illiteracy are the certain root causes in spreading of these diseases. During the milk supply chain different hurdles like, lack of chilling system, inadequate transportation infrastructure and untrained staff are the core issues related to Pakistan dairy sector. Dairy staff are usually uneducated and resistant to anti-traditional practices. Quality has become the most important feature in almost all stages from farm to table. Therefore, trainings and skill development programs for dairy staff can ensure the quality milk production by utilizing the latest technology.

A Short Review on Enterococcus faecalis

Noohela Khan, Maha Ishfaq, Isra Umbreen Mufti , Sabeen Ishfaq — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The gastrointestinal tract gets colonized during the first two years of life and after this period, gut microbiota either stabilize or fluctuate throughout life. Enterococcus faecalis is one of the species found in gut and is responsible for various infections and colorectal cancer. Bacterium E. faecalis can easily be diagnosed in the laboratory, as it is gram-positive, present in pairs and short chains. Antimicrobial therapy can be used to treat enterococcal infections but its excessive use has led to the emergence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus. Enterococcal infections are usually nosocomial and can be reduced by taking preventive measures. The purpose of this study is to review all the aspects of E. faecalis, to create awareness to control Enterococcal infections and to promote the discovery of new drugs against the resistant faecalis.

A Mini Review on Therapeutic Potential and Chemical Constituents of Tomato

Azizuddin — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Tomato is the second most important and generally grown vegetable in the world. It is popular as vegetable in many prepared structures (e.g. ketchup, canned entire or in pieces, puree, sauce, soup, squeeze or sun-dried). Tomato and prepared tomato items are important component of the Mediterranean diet. It is a rich source of minerals and strong antioxidants, which provide good health and prevents us from cardiovascular disorders and diabetic blood pressure. The aim of this review is to evaluate the historical record, uses, potential biological activities and chemical constituents of tomato.

A Mini Review on Chinese Hybrid Rice Seed Market in Pakistan: An Economical and Social, Far-reaching Challenges and Future Prospects

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The production of rice (Oryza sativa L.) contributes significantly to Pakistan's food supply and foreign exchange revenues. It produces about US$2 billion in foreign exchange annually and is planted on almost three million hectares each year. There is an urgent need to boost productivity per unit area in light of the increasing population rise. Since the 1980s, when hybrid rice (HR) was successfully discovered and commercialized, China's rice production has expanded significantly. HR has been adopted in certain Asian nations up to this point, including Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. Within a few years, HR occupied 20% of Pakistan's entire rice-growing land. The article examines the current state of China's marketing of HR seeds in Pakistan, analyses the development and use of seeds, reviews HR export trends, extensive detail on business trends, prospects and upcoming challenges.