Search

Fresh and minimally processed ready to eat vegetables are very attractive eatables amongst consumers as convenient, healthy and readily available foods, especially in the South Asian states. They provide numerous nutrients, phytochemicals, and vitamins but also harbor extensive quantity of potentially pathogenic bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine microbiological variation amongst fresh vegetables that were commercially available to the public at numerous retail establishments in Pakistan in order to present an overview of the quality of fresh produce. A total of 133 samples, collected from local distributors and retailers were tested for aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic, coliform and yeast and mould counts. Standard plating techniques were used to analyze all samples. Mesophilic count ranged from 3.1 to 10.3 log CFU/g with lowest and highest counts observed in onions and fresh cut vegetables. Psychrotrophic microorganisms count was as high as mesophilic microorganisms. Maximum counts for coliform were found in fresh cut vegetables with 100% samples falling over 6 log CFU/g. These results were consistent with yeast and moulds as well. In our study, Escherichia coli was determined as an indicator organism for 133 samples of fresh and minimally processed vegetables. Fresh cut vegetables showed the highest incidence of presumptive E. coli (69.9%). The results showed a poor quality of fresh vegetables in Pakistan and point to the implementation of good hygiene practices and food safety awareness amongst local distributors, food handlers at retail establishments.

Aims: The aim of this research was to evaluate some probiotic traits of Lactobacillus acidophilus TS1 strain previously isolated from dahi. Methodology and results: For this purpose, tested strain was evaluated for their resistance to low pH, tolerance to bile and in vitro antibiotics susceptibility. It was observed that the strain TS1 remained viable at pH 3.0 to 6 and bile concentration of 0.1 to 0.3%. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: L. acidophilus TS1 was found resistant to nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacine, gentamycin and vancomycin. The results highlighted the probiotic potential of L. acidophilus TS1 which deserves further investigation in vitro studies to elucidate its health benefits.

Research evidence to support the use of recommendations concerning the management of environmental hazards associated with in-patient falls is mostly unavailable. There is little published research to support recommendations to reduce falls other than that relating to bed rails, and therefore, a patient assessment framework is proposed based on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, structuring the risk assessment from the patient's perspective.

Byline: O. Sahota (1), I. Fowler (3), P. J. Blackwell (3), N. Lawson (3), S. A. Cawte (4), P. San (2), T. Masud (5), D. J. Hosking (2) Keywords: Key words:Alendronate -- Bone mineral density -- Calcitriol -- Established osteoporosis -- Etidronate Abstract: A number of drugs are now available for the treatment of established osteoporosis and have been shown to significantly increase bone mineral density (BMD). There are, however, few comparative treatment studies and, furthermore, adverse events remain a problem with some of the newer agents, particularly in the elderly, in everyday clinical practice. We report a 12 month, open labeled, randomized controlled, prospective treatment study in 140 postmenopausal women with established vertebral osteoporosis, comparing the effect of continuous alendronate, cyclical alendronate and cyclical etidronate with calcitriol in terms of gain in BMD, reduction in bone turnover markers and adverse event profile. The mean percentage increases in BMD at 12 months, at the spine and hip respectively, were: continuous alendronate 5.7%, 2.6% cyclical alendronate 4.1%, 1.6% cyclical etidronate 4.9%, 2.0% (p&lt 0.01) and calcitriol 2.0%, 0.4% (NS). In comparison with calcitriol, the mean changes in BMD at the spine and hip respectively were greater in the other groups continuous alendronate: 3.7% (95% CI 1.4 to 8.3), 2.2% (95% CI 0.7 to 4.0) cyclical alendronate: 2.1% (95% CI 1.2 to 6.4), 1.2% (95% CI -0.3 to 3.0) cyclical etidronate: 2.9% (95% CI 1.9 to 6.5), 1.6% (95% CI 0.9 to 3.1)). The reduction in bone turnover markers was between 26% and 32% in the alendronate and etidronate groups (p&lt 0.01), with a trend toward greater reduction in the continuous alendronate group. Eight patients discontinued the study: 6 in the continuous alendronate group, 1 in the cyclical alendronate group and 1 in the calcitriol group. Two patients in the cyclical etidronate group were unable to tolerate the Cacit component, but continued on substituting Cacit with Calcichew. In summary, 12 months of treatment with continuous alendronate, cyclical alendronate and cyclical etidronate are effective in terms of the gain in BMD at the anteroposterior spine and total hip in a comparable treatment population. These treatments are more effective than calcitriol and were generally well tolerated. Continuous alendronate showed a trend toward a larger gain in BMD and greater suppression of bone turnover markers than the other treatment groups, but had a higher incidence of adverse events, particularly within the older subgroup. Cyclical alendronate offers a lower adverse event profile and appears to be effective in comparison with continuous treatment, and may possibly be an alternative in the elderly. However, further studies are necessary, but more importantly with fracture end-points. Author Affiliation: (1) Ageing and Disability Research Unit (ADRU), University Hospital, Nottingham Divisions of (2) Mineral Metabolism, GB (3) Clinical Chemistry, GB (4) Nuclear Medicine, GB (5) Geriatric Medicine, City Hospital, Nottingham, UK, GB Article note: Received: 6 April 1999 / Accepted: 8 June 2000

Summary In order to assess the value of spine radiographs in the diagnosis of osteoporosis, we have measured lumbar-spine bone mineral density (BMD) in 33 women aged 33-74 years whose [...]

To analyze the nutraceutical potential of different varieties of dates and phytochemical extraction capabilities of different solvents, the present study was planned to determine antioxidant activity, polyphenolic contents of pits and flesh of three date varieties (zaidy, aseel and ajwa) were determined in different solvents (Acetone, Methanol and Ethanol) and their respective three concentrations (70%, 80% and 90%). Correlation among all parameters for both parts were analyzed through Pearson correlation test. The results indicated pits as richest source for polyphenolic contents, DPPH and ABTS activity than flesh for all cultivars being highest in ajwa pits (3932.3 mg GAE/100g, 2956.2 mg QEC/100g, 96.3% and 86.2%respectively). In comparative analysis of solvents, 80% ethanol extracted highest antioxidant activity in all date parts. For polyphenols, different solvents have different effects on date parts so a single solvent cannot be recommended. Correlation analysis showed that phenolics have substantial positive correlation with flavonoids, DPPH and ABTS while flavonoids also revealed intensely positive relationship with DPPH and ABTS. DPPH and ABTS also exposed strongly increasing relation. In PCA analysis phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity showed strong correlation in pits while showed weak relation in flesh parts. This study classifies erraticism between pits and flesh parts of date cultivars for their bioactive components which can be utilized as active ingredients against different maladies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yak (Bos grunniens) milk and its associated products are being used in high altitudes of Northern Pakistan. The aim of the study was to elucidate the diversity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from raw yak milk. In total, 88 isolates were characterized according to their phenotypic, physiological and biochemical properties. The abundance of genera from the highest to the lowest was lactobacilli (56%) followed by enterococci (36%) and lactococci (8%). Among these isolates, 9 different species were recognized by studying their biochemical characterization with the use of API 50 CHL systems. The dominance of species included Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. tolerans (19%) followed by Lactobacillus plantarum and Enterococcus durans (17%), Enterococcus faecium (11%), Lactobacillus casei (9%), Enterococcus hirae and Lactococcus lactis (8%), Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (7%) and Lactobacillus sakei (3%). Identification of 30 representative strains was further confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. So, a foundation for developing local starter cultures of LAB for the production of fermented products from yak milk is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

King’s ruby is a seedless variety of grapes grown in the Phothohar region of Pakistan. In the present study, nutritional value of King’s ruby grapes was determined and extraction conditions were optimized using response surface central composite rotatable design of RSM using three variables at five levels. To get maximum yield of total phenolic content and total flavonoid content, the best combination of time of extraction, temperature of extraction and solvent concentration was determined. The process variable of time has the maximum effect on the functional components of extraction. The optimized condition for all the three parameters extract yield, total phenolic content and total flavonoid content was found to be 22.05 min time, 50.3 °C and 46.7 % ethanol concentration. The experimental result showed 4.84 mg/100g extract yield, 1.98 mg GAE/g phenolic content and 4.92 mg QEQ/g flavonoid content that is as per with predicted values. It is concluded that flavonoid content can be extracted efficiently using ultrasonic extraction that has a potential to be used as nutraceutical food ingredient. Ultrasonic extraction can efficiently extract bioactive components at low temperature and short period of time with maximum recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was designed to characterize ajwa flesh and pits and make their comparison with locally available date cultivars. Correlation between proximate characteristics and within different minerals was analyzed while cluster analysis technique was used to evaluate similarity between sugar contents of date varieties. The results indicated ajwa flesh as richest source of moisture (22.8 %), ash (3.22 %), glucose (54.5%), fructose (52.03%), maltose (22.5%), and galactose (12 .2%) contents while ajwa pits have highest amounts of crude fat (7.8%), crude fiber(51%), TDF(53.9%), IDF(34.6), and SDF(19.5%). Highly significant correlation of crude fat with crude fiber and crude protein was observed while crude protein also exhibited positive correlation with crude fiber. Date flesh was found better source of mineral as compared to pits whereas potassium was found rich in both parts. Highly significant negative correlation of Na and positive correlation of Zn and Ca with all other minerals was observed. Cluster analysis of sugar suggests highest similarity of fructose, maltose and galactose and least similarity of sucrose under cluster III and cluster I. The work identifies variability among flesh and pits of ajwa date and local date varieties for their nutritional traits that can be used in fortification of different food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]