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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]

Summary Introduction. In developing countries, finding valid and reliable data is a great challenge. The Federal Bureau of Statistics in Pakistan maintains a surveillance system that records vital events. Results are reported as the Pakistan Demographic Survey (PDS). Methods. The adjusted mortality data from PDS- 1997 was used to estimate the burden of premature mortality using the healthy Life year (HeaLY) methodology. Results. The burden of premature mortality for Pakistan was 367 Healys Lost per 1000 population. More than half of the Healys are being Lost due to infection, maternal and perinatal conditions, and malnutrition. Conclusion. In the absence of a system maintaining reliable information regarding vital, events, PDS provides a good alternate source of such information that can be used to aid policy making for health care and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parasitic infestation is very common in developing countries. Major factors of worm infestation are poor socio-economic status, large family size, low educational level, and poor hygiene and sanitation. These parasites lead to nutritional deficiencies and various diseases. A few studies have been carried out in Pakistan and this study tries to find out the frequency of parasitic infestation in our setup., Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out from December 2011 to February 2012 in Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Hospital Kamra. Patients were asked to pass stool specimen in a universal container provided to them from the laboratory. Stool specimens were examined within half an hour by direct light microscopy of faecal smears in normal saline. The laboratory diagnosis was based on the demonstration of ova/cysts or trophozoites. Data were analysed by SPSS-10 and frequency of various parameters was determined., Results: A total of 543 faecal specimens were tested. Specimens found positive for ova/cysts were 295 (54%). Ascaris lumbricoides was the most frequent parasitic infestation in all faecal specimens followed by Taenia saginata. Thirty percent of food handlers were harbouring different parasitic infections. Diarrhoea/dysentery, medical examination of food handlers and for secondment abroad was the most frequent indication for faecal examination., Conclusion: High frequency of parasitic infestation in our set up especially of Taenia species requires measures to improve hygiene, water and sanitation. Meat and its products should be obtained from medically fit animals and meat cooked thoroughly before being consumed.

For the isolation of probiotic cultures of Streptococcus thermophilus from dahi, we collected 120 samples from the southern regions of Punjab, Pakistan. Eleven isolates were obtained, and six were scrutinized for antibacterial activities against food-borne pathogens. The carbohydrate fermentation profile of these six strains was determined by the API50 CHL system. Additionally, these strains were amplified for their 16S rRNA regions to confirm their genotypic relationship. Furthermore, phenotypic characteristics among these strains were established by S-layer protein analysis of their cell walls by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by plasmid profiling. The outer cell wall layers of these strains have 6-14 different sizes of protein bands of 27, 34, 37, 40, 45 and 60 kDa molecular weight. Similarly, except S02FT, all strains have a single prominent plasmid of 23 kbp, whereas S02FT has an additional plasmid of 9 kbp. On the basis of this unique feature and a wide spectrum of killing patterns against pathogenic bacteria, S. thermophilus S02FT was further characterized. This culture showed an optimum antibacterial activity of 800 AU/ml at pH 5.0-5.5 and a temperature of 30-37°C. It grows well in in vitro acidic conditions and tolerates bile salt up to 2% concentration. It was resistant to nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and sulphamethoxazol, but showed intermediate behaviour to vancomycin and erythromycin.

Fifty samples of ice-cream were subjected to microbiological examination. Of these 72% had total viable count over 10(6)/g while 66% had coliform count between 10(2)-10(3)/g. The micro-organisms isolated were Escherichia coli (46%), Enterobacter aerogenes (34%), Staphylococcus aureus (26%), proteus species (16%), Streptococcus faecalis (12%), Citrobacter species (10%) and Bacillus cereus (4%). The results showed that commercially prepared ice-cream sold in the market was not satisfactory for human consumption and preventive measures should be enforced for the supply of satisfactory products.