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Determination and Elimination of Microbial Load from Pickle’s Brand in Karachi
The study is the elementary step to determine the causes of spoilage of fermented products and factors that could be remove to acquire the hygienic fermented products. Pickle is one of the mostly used fermented products especially as a side dish in Eastern countries, but it is developing a high rate of infectious diseases either due to its failing probiotic activity or due to increase harmful microbial flora in the pickle which are dominating the probiotics. The study is based on the determination of microbial load present in the pickle using MPN technique. The growth of fungi such as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus, and bacteria Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus acidophilus andBacillus were isolated from the pickles samples used in this study. By using MPN technique, It was observed that the pickle of Rizwan Company had 1100 colonies in 100 ml of sample which can be extremely dangerous for consumption and the pickle from another brand Sundip Company showed the lowest amount i.e. 28 colonies in 100 ml of sample. Other brands that were tested also showed higher amount of organisms in between 150 to 460 colonies in 100 ml of sample. Elimination of the microbial load of pickle also performed on the pickle of National Company that gave a marvelous result the amount of organisms is dropped from 150 colonies to 11 colonies in 100 ml of sample. This study provides preliminary work and open new doors in assessing and improving the quality of pickles available in the market
Comparison of Vicryl, Dexon and Intestinal Stapler for the Closure of Colon in Dogs
Eighteen healthy mongrel dogs of sexes, varying ages (16.50 ± 0.22 months) and weights (19.83 ± 0.16 kg) were used in this study. The experiment was conducted in the | department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam.A total of 18 dogs (male and female) were randomly divided into three groups placing 6 animals in each i.e., group-A (Vicryl 3/0 suture material), B (Dexon 3/0 suture material) and C (stapler). Physically healthy animals were used in this study in order to achieve the required results. Xylazine (9.91 ± 0.08 mg/dog) and thiopental Sodium (198.33 ± 1.05 mg/dog) was administered intramuscularly in all groups. The anaesthetized animals were placed on the dorsal recumbancy on surgical table in order to perform surgical procedure. The caudal ventral midline incision of 5 cm was made in all dogs to exteriorized the colon. One incision of 5 cm was given on colon and bleeding was controlled by artery forceps. Colon incision was closed with Vicryl (3/0) in group-A, Dixon (3/0) in group-B and intestinal stapling materials in dogs of group-C. The peritoneum in each dog was sutured with chromic catgut by simple interrupted suture technique, the linea alba was sutured with chromic catgut by simple continuous suture technique, sub-cutaneous layer was apposed with sub-cuticular suture technique using 3/0 chromic catgut. Skin was closed with simple interrupted suture pattern using silk 2/0 suture material in dogs.The total duration of anesthesia required was 328.33 ± 1.17, 330.00 ± 1.39 and 313.83 ± 2.52 minutes for closure of colon closed with Vicryl, Dexon and Stapling material respectively. The mean number of total stitches for colon closure with Vicryl, Dexon and stapling material was 15 ±0.57. 17.00 ± 0.36 and 6.66 ± 0.21 respectively. Though the partial development of mucosal folds can be seen on day 10 of post-surgery whereas fully development except lamina epithelia on day 20. It is concluded that Vicryl suture material showed the superiority in terms of better apposition of the sutured tissues and better healing and lesser complications like minimal adhesions between sutured site and other structures applied with double layer appositional suture technique for the closure of colon in dogs. This study also reveals that all suture materials were not completely free from complications but staple technique showed quicker application and lesser number of staples was required as compare to Vicryl and Dexon suture stitches and duration.
Effects of Quercetin and Omega-3 Combination on Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NFκB) Expression Level in Pancreatic Tissue of Rats with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus
Background: Hyperglycemia increases nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) expression and promotes cellular injury. Quercetin and omega-3 are expected to regulate NFκB expression. This study aims to measure the effect of combination therapy with quercetin and omega-3 in lowering the expression of NFκB in the pancreatic tissue of rats with type-2 DM as compared to those treated with monotherapy with either agent.
Methods: This experimental study involved the use of a paraffin block of pancreatic tissue from 24 male Wistar rats aged 3 months, weighing between 250 g and 350 g. All rats underwent induction of type-2 DM and were divided into 4 groups: K1 (treated daily with placebo), K2 (treated with quercetin at 20 mg·kgBW-1·d-1), K3 (treated with omega-3 at 100 mg·kgBW-1·d-1), and K4 (treated with quercetin at 20 mg·kgBW-1·d-1 and omega-3 at 100 mg·kgBW-1·d-1). Treatments were administered orally for four weeks. Once the treatment was completed, samples of pancreatic tissue were collected for the measurement of the percentage of NFκB expression using immunohistochemical (IHC) staining.
Results:The average level of NFκB expression in the pancreatic nuclei of DM rats treated with the combination of omega-3 and quercetin was significantly lower than that of those treated with placebo, quercetin only, or omega-3 only (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The combination of quercetin at 20 mg·kgBW-1·d-1 and omega-3 at 100 mg·kgBW-1·d-1 is significantly more effective in lowering the percentage of NFκB in pancreatic nuclei than monotherapy with either agent
Coumarin and Safrole Content in Cinnamon-Flavored Food Products on the Syrian Market
Some plants that are processed into foods often contain natural substances that may be hazardous to human health. One example is coumarin, which is known to cause liver and kidney damage in rats, mice and probably humans. Coumarin is found in different Cinnamomum species such as Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum loureiroi, and Cinnamomum burmannii; all commonly referred to as cassia. Another hazardous substance is Safrole. Safrole is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals; and is mainly present in cinnamon leaf oil and could be a possible contaminant in cinnamon powder. European Council’s Directive on food flavourings 88/388/EEC limits safrole in foodstuffs to 1ppm. The content of coumarin is regulated in the European Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008. In the present study, coumarin and safrole levels were analyzed in locally bought cinnamon samples and cinnamon-flavored food products using a validated HPLC method with diode array detector (DAD). Appreciable amounts of coumarin were found in bakery products with concentrations up to 39.466 mg/kg in certain kinds of cookies, whereas safrole was undetectable. Our exposure data on coumarin in bakery products show that there is still a need for a continued regulation of coumarin in foods. A toxicological re-evaluation of coumarin with the aim to derive scientifically founded maximum limits should be conducted with priority
Heritability Estimates for some Performances Traits of Baluchi Sheep
Present study was carried out to estimates the genetic parameters of Baluchi sheep during the year 2015 at Bhagnari cattle Cum Baluchi Sheep Farm Usta Muhammad, Baluchistan. The recorded data including (lactation yield and lactation length) was collected for the period 2005 to 2014.The results of current study revealed that average milk yield and lactation length was found 95.1±11.122kg and 123.60±8.44days of Baluchi sheep. The results for heritability and correlation estimates for lactation yield and lactation length was observed 0.113, 0.126 and 0.26, respectively. There was positive and low heritability and correlation was worked out for lactation yield and lactation length. Due to low results heritability and correlation estimates of some performance traits of Baluchi sheep, it was concluded that improvement can be achieved by process of mass selection
Effect of Dextrose Sugar on the Growth and Production of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) through Tissue Culture
The study was conducted to investigate the dextrose sugar effect as carbon source on mycelial growth and production of Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). The experiment was performed in Mushroom Laboratory, Plant Pathology Section, Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam, during 2013-2014. Mycelial growth was developed by using tissue culture on medium (PDA) potato dextrose agar with various concentrations of dextrose sugar. Analysis of variance for concentrations was statistically highly significant for all the parameters. In some cases among the different concentrations, 2.0% dextrose sugar showed after 2 days of micro propagation, the mycelial growth (1.9 cm) was recorded, followed by 1.5% dextrose sugar that showed (1.7 cm). The earlier spawn mycelia growth was observed in case of amending same 0/2% dextrose sugar (24.5 days). The pinhead first appeared (29.5 days) after the date of spawning by using 2.0% dextrose sugar. The minimum period (4.2 days) for maturation of mushroom fruiting body were recorded at 20% and 1.5% dextrose sugar. The maximum numbers of fruiting bodies (56.2) were observed with an application of dextrose sugar at 2.0%. The maximum number of bunches per bag (16.5) were harvested with an application of dextrose sugar 2.0%. The highest (350.5 g) fresh yield of Oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus was recorded from 2.0% am ended of dextrose sugar
To Evaluate the Performance of Bread Wheat Genotypes as Affected by Seed Priming Duration
Seed priming has been found effective to affect seed dormancy and improve germination. During this experiment two wheat genotypes (TD-1 and Kiran-95) were evaluated against treatments based on 05 seed priming durations (P1=0 hr (control), P2=6 hrs, P3=9 hrs, P4=12 hrs and P5=18 hrs) in four replicated RCBD at Agronomy experimental fields, ARI Tandojam. The traits related to crop growth and yield regardless of genotypes were significantly affected by the seed priming durations; while treatment interaction was non-significant (P>0.05). TD-1 wheat genotype proved to be superior in grain yield and associated as well as in harvest index with maximum germination (69.05/m2), grain yield 4300.10 kg/ha and 50.99% harvest index as compared to genotype Kiran-95 with66.82/m2germination, grain yield 3784.20 kg/ha and 41.16% harvest index. Seed priming impact showed that 12 hrs seed priming was more effective than other durations with 76.933/m2 seed germination, 4654.40 kg/ha grain yield and 50.37% harvest index; while 18 hrs seed priming resulted in 69.82 m-2 seed germination, 4278.40 kg/ha grain yield and 46.08% harvest index. The crop sown under 9 or 6 hrs seed priming produced lower values for all the traits; while the control remained the least. It was concluded that seed priming practice has proved to be highly beneficial for all the traits studied including grain yield, and the seed soaked for 12 hrs showed better results with higher grain yield of 4654 kg ha-1 and 50.37% harvest index as compared to rest of seed priming durations and control; while increasing seed priming duration up to 18 hrs affected the crop traits adversely. In varieties, the dwarf variety TD-1 showed r higher grain yield of 4300.10 kg ha-1 than Kiran-95 (3705.30 kg ha-1)
Line × Tester Analysis for Earliness Yield and Yield Contributing Traits in Gossypium hirsutum L.
The present study was carried out at Agriculture Research Institute (ARI) Tando Jam during 2016. The experimental material consisted of six lines viz., CRIS-134, Sindh-1, Sadori, Malmal, IR-901 and three testers; Bt-3701, Bt-121 and CIM-534.The crosses were made in line × tester mating design. F1 hybrids along with parents were sown in Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications in 2016. Seven yield and early maturing traits was recorded like, days to 1st flowering, days to 75% boll opening, plant height(cm), sympodial branches plant-1, bolls plant-1, seed cotton yield-1(g) and lint (%) for estimating of combining ability. The analysis of variance showed that genotypes, crosses, parents, parent vs crosses, lines, testers and line × tester were significant which demonstrated that genetic difference were present in genotypes for various yield and early maturing parameters. Among the lines, Sindh-1, CRIS-134 and testers, Bt-121 and Bt-3701 were best combiners and F1 hybrids like CRIS-134 × Bt-3701, Malmal × Bt-3701, CRIS-134 × Bt-121 were best combiners for all characters
Screening of Microorganisms and Raw Materials for Lipase Production by Solid-State Fermentation
The production of biodiesel from vegetable oils using eco-friendly processes is a hot topic actually. These processes are based on enzymatic biocatalysts, namely lipases, and present many advantages over classical processes i.e. they do not require the use of sodium hydroxide, nor huge quantities of water. Lipases are widespread in nature, being produced by many microorganisms. However, fungal lipases have benefits over bacterial lipases due to their low cost of production, thermal and pH stability, substrate specificity and activity in organic solvents. These low cost production processes rely, most of the time, on solid-state fermentation (SSF). The aim of this research was to select microorganisms for their ability to secrete lipolytic enzymes and to grow on a solid support compatible with SSF. Thirty-five yeast and mold strains were tested in term of growth rate and extracellular lipase production. Different solid support such as vermiculite, crushed wheat husk, cacao seed-husk and carbon sources such as soy oil, sunflower oil, olive oil or sucrose were also tested for their ability to support cell growth and lipase production
Forage Yield and Quality of Sweet Sorghum as Influenced by Sowing Methods and Harvesting Times
Sowing methods and harvesting times are the important management considerations for getting the optimum yield and quality of fodder crops. This study, investigated the influence of sowing methods and harvesting times on the growth, yield and quality of sweet sorghum. Chinese sweet sorghum was grown by broadcast method, 30 cm apart lines and 45 cm apart lines and harvested after 60, 75 and 90 days after sowing, respectively. All the tested sowing patterns and harvesting times considerably affected the growth, yield and quality of sweet sorghum. However, sowing in 30 cm apart rows produced maximum leaves per plant (13.09), fresh forage yield (38.1 t ha-1), dry matter yield (4.85 t ha-1), crude proteins (8.9%), ash contents (11%) and sugar contents (12.8%), respectively. Similarly, harvesting after 90 days of sowing gave highest leaves per plant (14.72), fresh forage yield (45.1 t ha-1), dry matter yield (5.60 t ha-1), ash contents (12.2%) and sugar contents (14.1%), respectively. These results suggested that sowing in 30 cm apart lines and harvesting after 90 days of sowing improved the growth, yield and quality of sweet sorghum under the semiarid region of Faisalabad