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Moringa oleifera is an excellent source of nutrients and functional ingredients of human health significance. This study was conducted to determine the role of lactic acid fermentation and blanching in improving nutritional attributes and functional properties of M. oleifera leaves. Submerged lactic acid fermentation of M. oleifera was carried out for 24 h by using a Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain. The results showed that fermentation resulted in a microbial population of M. oleifera leaves dominated with higher count of L. plantarum i.e., 4.06 log10 CFU/g after 24 h fermentation. L. plantarum count was reduced from 4.06 to 1.61 log10 CFU/g in fermented M.oleifera leaves powder after cabinet dehydration. Higher levels of protein (29.87 %), and fiber (32.26 %) were observed in fermented M. oleifera leaves while the levels of carbohydrates (10.74 %), fat (7.72 %), and energy (232.06 kcal) were lower than the levels observed in raw and blanched leaves. Lactic acid fermentation also anticipated reduction in anthocyanin (14.50–10.37 mg/100g), chlorophyll A (52.64–45.35 mg/100g), and lycopene (11.94–9.13 mg/100g) content of M. oleifera leaves. Fermentation significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased level of total phenolic content i.e., 55.48 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g, total flavonoid contents i.e., 70.81 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g and flavonols i.e., 36.97 mg QE/g. Lactic acid fermentation reduced the levels of intrinsic nutrient inhibitors such as alkaloids (2.74–1.94 g/100g; 29 % ↓), saponins (3.80–2.98 g/100g: 20 % ↓), oxalates (2.43–1.85 g/100g; 24 % ↓), tannin (0.83–0.44 g/100g; 47 % ↓), and phytic acid (1.94–1.02 g/100g; 47 % ↓) compared with the raw leaves. The results suggest lactic acid fermentation is a cost-effective technique to improve nutritional and health perspectives of M. oleifera leaves.

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) is a leafy green vegetable that belongs to the family Amaranthus, sub-family Chenopodiaceae. It is famous for its low-calorie content and rich nutritional profile of zinc, folic acid, iron, calcium, magnesium, retinol, and ascorbic acid. In contrast, pesticide residues like imidacloprid, cypermethrin, bifenthrin, chlorpyrifos, and deltamethrin and antinutrients like alkaloids, phytates, tannins, and oxalates are also found in spinach, which inhibit nutrient absorption and also exert deleterious effects in humans. The present study was aimed at determining the technofunctional and nutritional characteristics and improving the consumer safety aspects of dehydrated spinach powder (SP). Spinach was processed to improve its safety characteristics using thermal and non-thermal processing techniques, including microwave heat processing, blanching, acid, and alkali soaking. Findings on the nutrient composition of raw and treated forms suggest SP developed from raw spinach as a promising source of ash (2.9%), fibers (8.19%), proteins (19.1%), Na (97.9 mg/100g), Ca (1304 mg/100g), K (234.2 mg/100g), Fe (41.1 mg/100g), and Zn (14.3 mg/100g). Microwave heating anticipated the highest decline of the content of alkaloids, oxalates, tannins, and phytates by 85, 87, 88 and 89%, respectively. Similarly, microwave heating of SP was found to be more promising in reducing the burden of pesticides such as imidacloprid, cypermethrin, bifenthrin, chlorpyrifos, and deltamethrin by 86, 74, 84, 80 and 78%, respectively. Value-added unleavened flatbreads (chapatis) with 5% SP were observed to have the better color, taste, and textural attributes. The study proposes thermal processing i.e., microwave heat processing in particular as a safer approach to reduce the natural antinutrients and extrinsic toxicants of spinach to a level considerably safer for consumption.

ABSTRACTDairy waste management to reduce environmental pollution through its utilization in various food and non-food products is a major concern of the dairy industry. Whey and buttermilk are regarded as the major waste materials of the dairy industry. Therefore, the current review aimed to summarize the various extraction methods and potential application of buttermilk and cheese whey in production of different products, i.e., microencapsulation matrix, beverages, baked products, microorganisms’ cultivation, edible films, exopolysaccharides, organic acids, and essential fatty acids. These wasted components can be extracted from the dairy products by utilizing various extraction methods such as conventional homogenization, ultra-high-pressure homogenization, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and nanofiltration. In microencapsulation technology, these have been used to encapsulate various essential oils, probiotics and several bioactive substances. Whey and buttermilk-based beverages have also been prepared to accentuate their application in the beverage industry. Whey and buttermilk-based microbial fermented products have a significant role in value-added food production. Edible coatings prepared from whey protein concentrate are more accessible, environmentally friendly, nontoxic, and low cost. In addition, several bioactive substances such as exopolysaccharides, bioactive peptides, essential fatty acids, and organic acids have been extracted from the whey and buttermilk. Moreover, these have the potential to improve the physicochemical, organoleptic, and rheological properties (i.e. water absorption, gelatinization temperature, dough development time) of baked goods in the bakery industry. In conclusion, utilization of dairy waste materials in various products can be proved beneficial in introducing various dairy-based healthy products, reduction of environmental pollution and economic growth of the country.

ABSTRACTFood packaging material is the primary element of the food industry; therefore, its consideration to sustain food quality and food safety is crucial. Several food-grade materials have been utilized for packaging food commodities for a long time. Still, these materials negatively influence safety, shelf life, texture, quality, and flavors of the food commodities. Concurrently, biotechnology introduces various techniques to produce several edible food packaging materials i.e. polysaccharides and protein-based films, intelligent and active packaging, which can preserve the food for a long period and inhibit the entry of biotic and abiotic components into the food. Various materials i.e. nisin, chitosan, cactus/mucilage, and bacterial nanocellulose, are being utilized to produce various kinds of edible packaging, including films, coatings, foams, with various kinds of edible active and intelligent packaging characteristics by biotechnological tools. The packaging material prepared by biotechnological applications is widely adopted and utilized in various food processing and preservation industries due to its higher safety levels and more nutritional components for consumption. The edible packaging material is currently utilized only for solid and semisolid processed products. However, there is an urgency to develop edible packaging material for liquid commodities such as products of the dairy and beverages industry by utilizing biotechnological techniques.

This work aimed to investigate photocatalytic properties of GQDs@PEG@Mg–ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite, composed of graphene quantum dots (GQDs), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and Mg–ZnFe2O4, for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV). This nanocomposite was synthesized using facile ultrasonics-assisted methodology. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of the spinel structure of the Mg–ZnFe2O4 in the nanocomposite, whereas the presence of GQDs and PEG was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a reduction in agglomeration and particle size in the ternary nanocomposite. The GQDs@PEG@Mg–ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite demonstrates a remarkable degradation efficiency of 98 % for CV and MB dyes in the presence of sunlight in 120 min, indicating its potential as an efficient photocatalyst. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis confirmed the superparamagnetic behavior of the GQDs@PEG@Mg–ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite which enables magnetic recovery of the photocatalyst after the degradation process. Overall, this study emphasizes the utilization of an environmentally friendly approach to effectively eliminate organic pollutants from wastewater, addressing a crucial environmental concern.

Objective: To evaluate the success rate of injection ‘methotrexate’ in the management of ectopic pregnancy. Study Design: A single group interventional study. Place and Duration of Study: NESCOM Hospital Islamabad, from Jan 2014 to Dec 2017. Methodology: All patients admitted with ectopic pregnancy fulfilling the inclusion criteria i.e, a stable clinical condition, no evidence of rupture on ultrasound, normal liver and renal functions were included in the study, while the patients who were showing signs of rupture ectopic or with abnormal liver and renal functions were excluded from the study. Data was collected on predesigned performa. Diagnostic tools were Transvaginal Sonography and serial serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin levels .These patients were treated with injection methotrexate 50 mg/kg body weight. Serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin levels were done on day 4 and day 7 and weekly thereafter till ≤5 mIU/ml. Results: The total number of patients (88) with 18-39 years, fulfilling the inclusion criteria were given injection methotrexate. Medical treatment was successful in 81.8% of patients whereas failure was observed in 18.2%. Among which 67 patients were given single dose, 20 patients received 2 doses and only 01 patient needed 3 doses. The mean resolution time for β-human chorionic gonadotropin level was 21 days (11-58). Average resolution time for adnexal masses (3cm) was 39 days. Conclusion: Methotrexate was found to be safe, cost effective and fertility preserving alternative to the surgical management of ectopic pregnancy.

Objective: To evaluate the success rate of injection ‘methotrexate’ in the management of ectopic pregnancy. Study Design: A single group interventional study. Place and Duration of Study: NESCOM Hospital Islamabad, from Jan 2014 to Dec 2017. Methodology: All patients admitted with ectopic pregnancy fulfilling the inclusion criteria i.e, a stable clinical condition, no evidence of rupture on ultrasound, normal liver and renal functions were included in the study, while the patients who were showing signs of rupture ectopic or with abnormal liver and renal functions were excluded from the study. Data was collected on predesigned performa. Diagnostic tools were Transvaginal Sonography and serial serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin levels .These patients were treated with injection methotrexate 50 mg/kg body weight. Serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin levels were done on day 4 and day 7 and weekly thereafter till ≤5 mIU/ml. Results: The total number of patients (88) with 18-39 years, fulfilling the inclusion criteria were given injection methotrexate. Medical treatment was successful in 81.8% of patients whereas failure was observed in 18.2%. Among which 67 patients were given single dose, 20 patients received 2 doses and only 01 patient needed 3 doses. The mean resolution time for β-human chorionic gonadotropin level was 21 days (11-58). Average resolution time for adnexal masses (3cm) was 39 days. Conclusion: Methotrexate was found to be safe, cost effective and fertility preserving alternative to the surgical management of ectopic pregnancy.

This research has been conducted with purpose to erase misunderstanding of Westerner about Islam. Islam originates from the word "Salam" which means peace, submission and tolerance. Islam has never preached for intolerance, hatred and violence. It has despised violence and bloodshed and having no place for extremism. Islam is a religion of moderation rather than extremism. The Holy Quran enshrines benign treatment and attitude even towards non-believers, who are residing in Muslim state and to guarantee them all their basic rights of life and property. It negates hatred and fundamentalism and stands for universality. There arises question that how this situation has been muddled and the real soul of Islam is distorted? How incendiary norms have been infested in federally administered tribal areas of Pakistan? There is a need for implementation of anti-terror laws and to condemn terrorism in all its manifestations.

Background: In Pakistan, the incidence of polyhdramnios is 2.4%. The objectives of this study were to find out the frequency of severity of polyhydramnios and the frequency of different modes of delivery in pregnancies with polyhydramnios. Material and Methods: This cross sectional study was done in Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, from July 2010 to December 2011. Inclusion criterion was patients with pregnancies of more than 26 weeks of gestation with ultrasonographically confirmed polyhydramnios. Patients with twin pregnancies, fibroid uterus, any abdominal or gynecological malignancies were excluded from the study. Detail history was taken, per abdominal and per vaginal examinations were performed. Polyhydramnios were confirmed ultrasonographically and categorized as mild, moderate or severe on the basis of amniotic fluid index. Patients were followed till the end of labour. Results: The total number of patients was 532. Mean age of the patients was 30.30 ± 6.28 (20–42) years. The mean age of gestational amenorrhea was 35.6 ± 3.35 (28-41) weeks. The number and age% of mild polyhydramnios was 304 (57.5%), of moderate 123 (23.1%) and of severe polyhydramnios 105 (19.7%). Overall in 532 case, normal vaginal delivery was done in 423 (79.4%), instrumental delivery in 48 (9.1%) and cesarean section was performed in 61 (11.5%) cases. Normal vaginal delivery was the most common mode of delivery among the entire study population. Conclusion: Normal vaginal delivery was the commonest mode of delivery in any grade of severity of polyhydramnios.