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Potato is a highly nutritious staple food however, it also contains some antinutrients like alkaloids, phytates, tannins, oxalates as well as pesticide residues. Therefore, this study was conducted to reduce the loads of antinutrients and pesticides in potato powder (PP) using thermal and non-thermal processing techniques. Nutritional analysis revealed that the raw PP contained significantly (p

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.

Carissa carandas (C. carandas), an Apocynaceae family member, fruit bearing crop is locally known as karonda in Asia, grown wild has gained attention owing to impressive nutritional composition and health benefits. A 100–200 g serving size of C. carandas meets 100 % recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of iron, zinc, manganese, copper, chromium, and vitamin C in all age groups, making it a promising candidate for addressing nutrient deficiencies across all age groups. Other than that it also contains significant amount of carbohydrates (61–67 %) sugars (4.7–13 % mainly reducing), fats (4.5–19 % mainly PUFAS), and protein (1.6–3.2 %) despite remaining underutilized. C. carandas extracts reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-tyrosinase potential comparable to the commercially available synthetic drugs. Therefore, this review aims to consolidate current knowledge on the nutritional profile and bioactive components of C. carandas, and to explore its importance in food technology sector. The study provides novel insights about the potential of C. carandas to address micronutrient deficiencies, boost local economies, and provide income for farmers. It also highlights its potential for sustainable agriculture, functional food development, and innovative products due to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Background Diabetes is a metabolic disease that is common and growing rapidly. It is characterised by high blood sugar levels and related complications to vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, blood vessels, and eyes. The most common kind of diabetes affecting people globally is type 2 diabetes (T2D). An increasing number of people are looking at natural foods and dietary supplements to manage their T2D. Objective The aim of this pilot study was to assess the glycemic index, glycemic response, sensory qualities, nutritional composition, and possible antidiabetic benefits of chapattis fortified with raw and fermented carrot powder. Methods Seven preparations of chapattis were prepared into three variants from whole wheat flour chapattis (WWFC) as control group, raw carrot-supplemented chapattis (RCSC) with subtypes T1, T2, and T3, and fermented carrot-supplemented chapattis (FCSC) with subtypes T4, T5, and T6. The variants were provided to 11 professionally trained sensory panelists for organoleptic evaluation. The chapattis subtype with the best organoleptic properties together with the WWFC were then given randomly to a group of 30 persons with T2D respectively to see how their blood sugar levels were affected over a period of 4 weeks. Results The panelist adjudged RCSC (T2) and FCSC (T5) as the best organoleptically. The randomised control investigation demonstrated that the fasting blood glucose levels for WWFC, RCSC, and FCSC decreased (P

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.

Carissa carandas L. (Apocynaceae) is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia including Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. C. carandas is considered as an integral component of traditional medicinal systems to combat several health ailments. The present study aimed to assess this plant’s phytochemical contents and biological potential by performing sequential extraction, adopting a bioassay-guided approach. C. carandas powder was extracted with n-hexane to remove fatty substances and then residues were sequentially extracted with dichloromethane, methanol, and 50% methanol. All the sequential crude extracts were evaluated for phytochemical contents (total phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins), in vitro antioxidant activity (FRAP, DPPH), in vitro anti-inflammatory activity (serum and egg albumin denaturation), in vivo anti-inflammatory activity (carrageenan- and formaldehyde-induced paw edema), and in vitro antimicrobial activity. Active crude extract was then partitioned using the liquid-liquid separation method followed by further separation of the active fraction by RP-HPLC. The active fraction was then subjected to LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis for tentative identification of bioactive metabolites responsible for its bioactive properties, followed by HPLC quantification. The analysis revealed methanol extract to have more phytochemical contents, radical scavenging properties, reduced inflammation in both models (in vitro and in vivo), and antimicrobial properties against urinary tract infection-causing agents as compared to dichloromethane and 50% methanol extracts. The ethyl acetate fraction obtained after liquid-liquid partitioning (LLP) of the active methanol extract exhibited more activity as compared to C. carandas methanol extract. RP-HPLC sub-fractionation yielded seven sub-fractions, but a slight decrease in biological potential was recorded. Therefore, LLP fraction B was subjected to further analysis. LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis led to the tentative identification of phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid, quinic acid), flavonoids (quercetin), and anthocyanins (peonidin-3-arabinoside, delphinidin-3-galactoside, delphinidin-3-rutinoside) in the active LLP ethyl acetate fraction. Chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid, and quinic acid were quantified as 17.6 µg/mg, 5.90 µg/mg, and 3.30 µg/mg, respectively, on a dry weight basis by HPLC. C. carandas may be considered a promising therapeutic plant, and the results of the current study provide more evidence to support the assertions made in ancient medical traditions. These findings highlight its promising applications in health, medicine, cosmetics, preservatives, and as a natural coloring agent.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a pseudocereal originally grown in the Andean region of South America. This study focused on investigating the changes in phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity in white and red quinoa varieties after short-term fermentation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v®. During fermentation, pH and lactic acid formation were monitored every three hours until pH was below 4.6. The quinoa phenolic profile was quantified via LC–UV–MS. Total polyphenol content (TPC) and total antioxidant capacity (DPPH and FRAP) were determined via spectrophotometric methods. The findings showed that fermentation resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.001) in TPC from 4.68 to 7.78 mgGAE·100 g−1 for the white quinoa and from 5.04 to 8.06 mgGAE·100 g−1 for the red quinoa variety. Gallic acid was the most abundant phenolic acid detected in unfermented quinoa samples (averaging 229.5 μg·g−1). Fermented white quinoa showed an 18-fold increase in epicatechin, while catechin was found only in fermented red quinoa (59.19 μg·g−1). Fermentation showed a significantly positive impact on the iron-reducing antioxidant capacity (FRAP) of quinoa (p < 0.05). Red quinoa had a higher FRAP antioxidant capacity than the white variety; a similar trend was observed with the DPPH assay. There was a significant correlation (r > 0.9, p < 0.05) between TPC and antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, short-time lactic fermentation effectively increased phenolic content and antioxidant capacity in both quinoa varieties. Overall, red quinoa showed higher polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity compared to the white variety.

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.

BackgroundZinc deficiency poses significant health risks, particularly in low-income settings. This study aims to evaluate the impact of agronomically zinc biofortified (fermented and non-fermented) and post-harvest wheat flour flatbread on zinc status and metabolic health in adolescents and adult women in rural Pakistan.MethodsA four-arm triple-blind randomized controlled trial will be conducted in a rural district of Pakistan. Participants (adolescents aged 10-19 and adult women aged 20-40) will be assigned to receive fermented or unfermented high zinc agronomically biofortified wheat flour flatbread, post-harvest zinc-fortified wheat flour flatbread, or low zinc conventional whole wheat flour flatbread. The meal would be served once a day, six days a week for six months. The study aims to enroll 1000 participants and will be analyzed based on the intention-to-treat principle. The trial is registered with number NCT06092515.OutcomesPrimary outcomes will include serum zinc concentration and metabolic markers, while secondary outcomes include anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and dietary intake.ConclusionThis trial will provide valuable insights into the efficacy of agronomically zinc biofortified wheat flour in improving zinc status and metabolic health. Findings may inform public health strategies to combat zinc deficiency in resource-limited settings.

Brassica campestris (syn. Brassica rapa) is often known as mustard and is grown worldwide owing to its health-promoting characteristics associated with the presence of nutrients and phytochemicals. Along with the nutritional components, B. campestris also contains anti-nutrients (phytates, oxalates, tannins, alkaloids, saponins) that can cause adverse severe health effects to consumers, including rashes, nausea, headaches, bloating and nutritional deficiencies. In the present study, heating (blanching) and fermentation (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) treatments were applied to reduce the load of the anti-nutrients of B. campestris leaves harvested at three different growth stages: the first stage (fourth week), the second stage (sixth week) and the third stage (eighth week). Results revealed that fermentation treatment using Lp. plantarum increases the ash (5.4 to 6%), protein (9 to 10.4%) and fiber (9.6 to 10.7%) contents, whereas moisture (0.91 to 0.82%), fat (9.9 to 9.1%) and carbohydrate (64.5 to 64.2%) contents decreased among B. campestris samples, and the trend was similar for all three stages. Blanching and fermentation lead to the reduction in phytates (46, 42%), saponins (34, 49%), tannins (1, 10%), oxalates (15, 7%) and alkaloids (10, 6%), separately as compared to raw samples of B. campestris leaves. In contrast, fermentation had no considerable effect on phytochemical contents (total phenolic and total flavonoids) and antioxidant potential (DPPH and FRAP). The action of blanching followed by fermentation caused more decline in the aforementioned toxicants load as compared to blanching or fermentation alone. Structural modifications in blanching and the biochemical conversions in fermentation lead to enhanced stability of nutrients and antioxidant potential. Taken together, these findings suggest blanching followed by fermentation treatments as a reliable, cost-effective and safer approach to curtail the anti-nutrient load without affecting the proximate composition, phytochemical attributes and antioxidant activity.

In the original publication [...]

AbstractThe present study aimed to explore fluctuations in fatty acids and phenolic profiles of olive oil extracted from fruits of Olea ferruginea Royle harvested at green raw and purple ripe stages from the district Zhob, Balochistan, Pakistan. First, fruit sampling was conducted on 26th June when green olives appeared on trees; second, purple ripe olives were picked on 26th August. Due to very small size and large pit size, oil is extracted without de-pitting the fruit. High-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) system was used for fatty acid and phenolic profiling of both oil samples. Results showed that fatty acid composition of oil extracted from raw green and ripe purple olives falls in the normal range set for purity criteria for olive oils and olive pomace oils by International Olive Council 2019 except for behenic, caprylic, capric and lauric in both oils and oleic acid and linoleic acid of oil extracted from raw green olives which do fall in standard ranges. Fatty acid composition of the olive oil showed that the oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (range 50.71% in oil of green olives and 58.77% in oil of ripe purple olives), polyunsaturated fatty acids (range 30.45% in oil of raw green olives and 19.32% in oil of ripe purple olives) and saturated fatty acids (range 15.27–18.58% in olive oil obtained from raw green and ripe purple olives). SFAs showed least variation with ripening stages. There was high concentration of total phenolics in oil obtained from green raw olives (33.41 mg kg−1) as compared to oil of ripe purple olives (18.49 mg kg−1). The present study revealed that alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocopherols showed a uniform trend along with ripening of olive fruit, i.e. there is a clear decline in total tocopherol content of olive oil obtained from ripe purple olives. Green raw olives showed high values of α-tocopherol (192.47 mg kg−1), β + γ-tocopherols (233.65 mg kg−1) and δ-tocopherol (1087.48 mg kg−1). The present work concludes that ripening of olive fruit affects chemical composition of olive oil.

This study aimed to synthesize the silver nanoparticles (SNPs) and loaded chitosan nanoparticles (LCNPs) using Euphorbia prostata based on their anticandidal activity. Antioxidant capacity and the total phenolic and total flavonoid content of plant samples and synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) were also evaluated. SNPs and LCNPs were prepared, respectively using chemical reduction of silver salt solution and ionotropic gelation method. The anticandidal activity was assessed by broth micro-dilution method and the antioxidant activity was determined using free-radical scavenging assays. The synthesized NPs after the optimization process were found to be spherical with sizes ranging from 12 to 100 nm. Spectroscopic analysis of NPs showed the appearance of peaks in prescribed wavelength ranging between 402 and 493 nm. The synthesized NPs showed potent anticandidal activity compared to the free extract. The SNPs formulations NpEPM 7.5 and NpEPMR 7.5, showed significantly low MIC values ranging between 2 and 128 µg/mL. In the case of LCNPs, NpEPM (4:1) and NpEPME (4:1) also showed lower MIC values ranging from 32 to 256 µg/mL. The plant samples as well as NPs showed antioxidant potential. In addition, plant extracts and NPs possess the potent biological potential and can be further investigated through in vivo experiments.

The current research focused on improving the nutritional quality of cupcakes by using micronutrient-rich vegetables, specifically purslane’s leaves and stems. The purslane leaves and stems were sun-dried and analyzed for their proximate, mineral, and antioxidant potential. After conducting preliminary trials, flour blends supplemented with purslane powders ranging from 2 to 4% were evaluated for their rheological behavior and suitability in bakery cupcakes. The results indicated that purslane leaves and stems are a rich source of crude proteins (18.04 ± 0.61 and 15.62 ± 1.63%, respectively) and mineral contents, especially iron contents (214.28 ± 123.13 and 243.37 ± 5.25 mg/100 g, respectively). The powder retained a significant quantity of phenolic compounds and antioxidant potential after sun-drying. The rheological evaluation indicated the dose-dependent incremental response on dough development and dough stability time. Although cupcakes prepared with purslane leaves and stem powder received lower ratings than the control, statistically, the cupcakes supplemented with 2 to 4% purslane powder were on par with each other. In conclusion, purslane leaves and stems are a rich source of micronutrients and their incorporation in bakery products can improve the consumer’s micronutrient intake.

BackgroundEthnopharmacological relevance: Brugmansia, a genus of the Solanaceae family, has historically been utilized in many different parts of the world as an anti-inflammatory for treating skin infections, wounds, and bodily aches and pains. The current study aimed to investigate the potential benefits of a methanolic extract of Brugmansia aurea in the management of diabetes and underlying complications in alloxanized-induced diabetic rats.Materials and methodsAnimals were divided into nine groups (n = 6). Four groups received different standard oral hypoglycemic agents; three groups received 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of B. aurea leaf extract for six consecutive weeks, and the remaining two were normal and disease control groups. All groups received alloxan (150 mg/kg) except for the normal control. Only those animals whose glucose levels were raised to 200 mg/dl were selected for the study. After a 6-week dosage period, various biochemical parameters, as well as HbA1c, antioxidant profile, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), insulin sensitivity, histopathology, and insulin resistance, were measured and compared with the untreated diabetic group.ResultsBrugmansia aurea leaf extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg showed potent antidiabetic activity by reducing blood glucose levels (p < 0.001) after 6 weeks of treatment. OGTT data showed that B. aurea exhibited significant (p < 0.001) glucose tolerance by significantly reducing blood glucose levels in just 2 h post-treatment. Other tests showed that plant extract significantly increased (p < 0.001) insulin sensitivity and decreased (p < 0.001) insulin resistance. The biochemical profile showed reduced triglyceride and cholesterol, while the antioxidant profile showed restoration of antioxidant enzymes in the pancreas, kidney, and liver tissues of treated rats.ConclusionThe present study indicated that crude extracts of B. aurea increase insulin sensitivity and reduce hyperlipidemia in diabetic rats, which rationalizes the traditional medicinal use of this plant as an antidiabetic agent.

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a winter-season green, leafy vegetable grown all over the world, belonging to the family Amaranthus, sub-family Chenopodiaceae. Spinach is a low-caloric food and an enormous source of micronutrients, e.g., calcium, folates, zinc, retinol, iron, ascorbic acid and magnesium. Contrarily, it also contains a variety of anti-nutritional factors, e.g., alkaloids, phytates, saponins, oxalates, tannins and many other natural toxicants which may hinder nutrient-absorption. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of fermentation on improving the nutrient-delivering potential of spinach and mitigating its burden of antinutrients and toxicants at three growth stages: the 1st growth stage as baby leaves, the 2nd growth stage at the coarse stage, and the 3rd growth stage at maturation. The results revealed the significant (p < 0.05) effect of fermentation on increasing the protein and fiber content of spinach powder from 2.53 to 3.53% and 19.33 to 22.03%, respectively, and on reducing total carbohydrate content from 52.92 to 40.52%; the effect was consistent in all three growth stages. A significant decline in alkaloids (6.45 to 2.20 mg/100 g), oxalates (0.07 mg/100 g to 0.02 mg/100 g), phytates (1.97 to 0.43 mg/100 g) and glucosinolates (201 to 10.50 µmol/g) was observed as a result of fermentation using Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. Fermentation had no impact on total phenolic content and the antioxidant potential of spinach, as evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. This study proposes fermentation as a safer bioprocess for improving the nutrient-delivering potential of spinach, and suggests processed powders made from spinach as a cost-effective complement to existing plant proteins.

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.), an indigenous legume of the subcontinental region, is a promising source of protein and other nutrients of health significance. Contrarily, a high amount of β-N-oxalyl-l-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP) and other anti-nutrients limits its wider acceptability as healthier substitute to protein of animal and plant origin. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of different processing techniques, viz. soaking, boiling, germination, and fermentation, to improve the nutrient-delivering potential of grass pea lentil and to mitigate its anti-nutrient and toxicant burden. The results presented the significant (p < 0.05) effect of germination on increasing the protein and fiber content of L. sativus from 22.6 to 30.7% and 15.1 to 19.4%, respectively. Likewise, germination reduced the total carbohydrate content of the grass pea from 59.1 to 46%. The highest rate of reduction in phytic acid (91%) and β-ODAP (37%) were observed in germinated grass pea powder, whereas fermentation anticipated an 89% reduction in tannin content. The lactic acid fermentation of grass pea increased the concentration of calcium, iron, and zinc from 4020 to 5100 mg/100 g, 3.97 to 4.35 mg/100 g, and 3.52 to 4.97 mg/100 g, respectively. The results suggest that fermentation and germination significantly (p < 0.05) improve the concentration of essential amino acids including threonine, leucine, histidine, tryptophan, and lysine in L. sativus powder. This study proposes lactic acid fermentation and germination as safer techniques to improve the nutrient-delivering potential of L. sativus and suggests processed powders of the legume as a cost-effective alternative to existing plant proteins.

ObjectivesPartial or total resistance to preoperative chemoradiotherapy occurs in more than half of locally advanced rectal cancer patients. Several novel or repurposed drugs have been trialled to improve cancer cell sensitivity to radiotherapy, with limited success. We aimed to understand the mechanisms of resistance to chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer using patient derived organoid models.DesignTo understand the mechanisms underlying this resistance, we compared the pre-treatment transcriptomes of patient-derived organoids (PDO) with measured radiotherapy sensitivity to identify biological pathways involved in radiation resistance coupled with single cell sequencing, genome wide CRISPR-Cas9 and targeted drug screens.ResultsRNA sequencing enrichment analysis revealed upregulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and epithelial mesenchymal transition pathway genes in radioresistant PDOs. Single-cell sequencing of pre & post-irradiation PDOs showed mTORC1 and PI3K/AKT upregulation, which was confirmed by a genome-wide CRSIPR-Cas9 knockout screen using irradiated colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines. We then tested the efficiency of dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors in improving cancer cell sensitivity to radiotherapy. After irradiation, significant AKT phosphorylation was detected (p=0.027) which was abrogated with dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors and lead to significant radiosensitisation of the HCT116 cell line and radiation resistant PDO lines.ConclusionsThe PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway upregulation contributes to radioresistance and its targeted pharmacological inhibition leads to significant radiosensitisation in CRC organoids, making it a potential target for clinical trials.

Silver nanoparticles have received much attention, due to their wide range of biological applications as an alternative therapy for disease conditions utilizing the nanobiotechnology domain for synthesis. The current study was performed to examine the antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, and antifungal potential of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (TpAgNPs) using plant extract. The TpAgNPs were produced by reacting the Tradescantia pallida extract and AgNO3 solution in nine various concentration ratios subjected to bioactivities profiling. According to the current findings, plant extract comprising phenolics, flavonoids, and especially anthocyanins played a critical role in the production of TpAgNPs. UV–visible spectroscopy also validated the TpAgNP formation in the peak range of 401–441 nm. Further, the silver ion stabilization by phytochemicals, face-centered cubic structure, crystal size, and spherical morphology of TpAgNPs were analyzed by FTIR, XRD, and SEM. Among all TpAgNPs, the biosynthesized TpAgNP6 with a medium concentration ratio (5:10) and the plant extract had effective antioxidant potentials of 77.2 ± 1.0% and 45.1 ± 0.5% free radical scavenging activity, respectively. The cytotoxic activity of TpAgNP6 in comparison to plant extract for the rhabdomyosarcoma cell line was significantly the lowest with IC50 values of 81.5 ± 1.9 and 90.59 ± 1.6 μg/ml and cell viability % of 24.3 ± 1.62 and 27.4 ± 1.05, respectively. The antibacterial and antifungal results of TpAgNPs revealed significant improvement in comparison to plant extract, i.e., minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) 64 μg/ml against Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa while, in the case of antifungal assay, TpAgNP6 was active against Candida parapsilosis. These TpAgNPs play a crucial role in determining the therapeutic potential of T. pallida due to their biological efficacy.

Abstract Background Clinical-grade whole-genome sequencing (cWGS) has the potential to become the standard of care within the clinic because of its breadth of coverage and lack of bias towards certain regions of the genome. Colorectal cancer presents a difficult treatment paradigm, with over 40% of patients presenting at diagnosis with metastatic disease. We hypothesised that cWGS coupled with 3′ transcriptome analysis would give new insights into colorectal cancer. Methods Patients underwent PCR-free whole-genome sequencing and alignment and variant calling using a standardised pipeline to output SNVs, indels, SVs and CNAs. Additional insights into the mutational signatures and tumour biology were gained by the use of 3′ RNA-seq. Results Fifty-four patients were studied in total. Driver analysis identified the Wnt pathway gene APC as the only consistently mutated driver in colorectal cancer. Alterations in the PI3K/mTOR pathways were seen as previously observed in CRC. Multiple private CNAs, SVs and gene fusions were unique to individual tumours. Approximately 30% of patients had a tumour mutational burden of > 10 mutations/Mb of DNA, suggesting suitability for immunotherapy. Conclusions Clinical whole-genome sequencing offers a potential avenue for the identification of private genomic variation that may confer sensitivity to targeted agents and offer patients new options for targeted therapies.

Fluoride content of drinking water sources in 12 communities in North-Eastern states, Nigeria, was investigation. The fluoride concentration analyses were performed using the SPADNS method according to the standard method for examining water and wastewater. Fluoride concentration was in the range of 0.35–3.46 mg/L in the drinking water sources. Notably, communities with high fluoride content above the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline were observed in Tumu-2 (2.88 mg/L), Lapan (3.46 mg/L), Jalingo (1.79 mg/L), and Kaleh (1.60 mg/L), respectively. The physical survey conducted indicates severe affliction of fluorosis in Lapan communities; (38% dental fluorosis, 27% skeletal fluorosis, 22% dental and skeletal, 13% without fluorosis), thus, demanding to be urgently redressed. Different water de-fluoridation processes, technologies selection, limitations, and strengths that could serve as treatment purposes in diverse conditions were proposed and highlighted to aid relevant authorities in the future implementation of mitigation measures.

Nanobiotechnology is the intersection of nanotechnology and biology, where nano systems are applied to help study biological systems. There is a growing interest of researchers in the application of nanotechnology in improving the efficacy of photodynamic therapy. In this study, the antioxidant, photodynamic, anticancer, and antibacterial potential of plant extracts and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were investigated. In order to synthesize AgNPs, 10 g of dried powder of Tecoma stans and Narcissus tazetta was boiled in deionized water (100 ml) and mixed with aqueous solution of silver metals, resulting in the formation of AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs were spherical having size in a range of 15–100 nm. The application of extract (50 µl) and AgNPs to rhabdomyosarcoma cell line showed a decreased cell viability (%). Photodynamic study revealed an improvement in photosensitizer efficacy on introducing AgNPs. Both plant extracts and AgNPs had significant effect against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as well as sensitive Staphylococcus aureus with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of AgNPs lower (32–256 µg/ml) than the plant extracts. According to the current findings, these AgNPs have an enhancing effect on the photodynamic cytotoxic potential of plant extracts. Because of biological efficacy, these AgNPs may play a crucial role in determining therapeutic potential of Tecoma stans and Narcissus tazetta.

The U.S. National Research Council (NRC) introduced new approaches to report toxicity studies. The NRC vision is to explore the toxicity pathways leading to the adverse effects in intact organisms by the exposure of the chemicals. This study examines the toxicity profiling of the naphthalene-2-yl 2-chloro-5-dinitrobenzoate (SF5) by adopting the vision of NRC that moves from traditional animal studies to the cellular pathways. Acute, subacute, and developmental toxicity studies were assayed according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines. The stress response pathway, toxicity pathway, and adverse effects outcome parameters were analyzed by using their standard protocols. The results showed that the acute toxicity study increases the liver enzyme levels. In a subacute toxicity study, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were raised in both male and female animals. SF5 significantly increases the normal sperm count in the male animals corresponding to a decrease in the abnormality count. Developmental toxicity showed the normal skeletal and morphological parameters, except little hydrocephalus was observed in developmental toxicity. Doses of 20 mg/kg in males and 4 mg/kg in females showed decreased glutathione (GSH) levels in the kidney and liver. MDA levels were also increased in the kidney and liver. However, histopathological studies did not show any cellular change in these organs. No statistical difference was observed in histamine levels, testosterone, nuclear factor erythroid two-related factor-2 (Nrf2), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), which showed no initiation of the stress response, toxicity, and adverse effect pathways. Immunomodulation was observed at low doses in subacute toxicity studies. It was concluded that SF5 did not produce abrupt and high-toxicity levels in organs and biochemical parameters. So, it is safe for further studies.

This study aims at evaluating nutritional, toxicological, and sensory attributes of microwave heat-treated potato powder-supplemented unleavened flatbread. Straight-grade wheat flour (SGF) was substituted with potato powder at the rate of 2.5–10% d.w. A comparison was made for nutritional, antinutrient, and organoleptic attributes of microwave heat-treated potato powder and SGF—potato powder composite flour-based flatbreads. The results suggest processed potato powder supplementation in SGF to significantly (p

The present study investigates the hydrolysis, microstructural profiling and utilization of guar gum (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) as a prebiotic in a yoghurt. Guar galactomannans (GG) was purified and partially depolymerized using an acid, alkali and enzyme to improve its characteristics and increase its utilization. The prebiotic potential of hydrolyzed guar gum was determined using Basel and supplemented media. Crude guar galactomannans (CGG), purified guar galactomannans (PGG), base hydrolyzed guar galactomannans (BHGG), acid hydrolyzed guar galactomannans (AHGG) and enzymatic hydrolyzed guar galactomannans (EHGG) were analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Yoghurt was prepared with a starter culture and incorporating guar gum, its hydrolyzed forms (0.1, 0.5 and 1%) and Bifidobacterium bifidum. The results showed that PHGG significantly improved the viability of B. bifidum. SEM revealed a significant change in the surface morphology of guar gum after acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis developed a well-defined framework within guar gum molecules. The XRD pattern of CGG, PGG and AHGG presented an amorphous structure and showed low overall crystallinity while EHGG and BHGG resulted in slightly increased crystallinity regions. FTIR spectral analysis suggested that, after hydrolysis, there was no major transformation of functional groups. The addition of the probiotic and prebiotic significantly improved the physiochemical properties of the developed yoghurt. The firmness, cohesiveness, adhesiveness and syneresis were increased while consistency and viscosity were decreased during storage. In sum, a partial hydrolysis of guar gum could be achieved using inexpensive methods with commercial significance.

This study was aimed to improve nutritional, functional and consumer safety aspects of cabbage powder (CP). White cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. alba) was dehydrated to CP following microwave heating, blanching, alkali or acid washing treatments. The results for nutrients and mineral composition of raw and processed CP elucidated raw CP to exhibit significantly (p < 0.05) higher amounts of protein (12.2%), dietary fiber (25.2%), Na (52 mg/100 g), Ca (355 mg/100 g), K (286 mg/100 g), Fe (14 mg/100 g) and Zn (32 mg/100 g). Among different processing techniques, microwave treatment resulted in a higher rate of reduction for alkaloids, oxalates, tannins and phytates contents, i.e., 77%, 85%, 85%, and 86%, respectively. Likewise, microwave treatment was found more effective in reducing residual levels of neonicotinoids, pyrethroids, organophosphates including imidacloprid, cypermethrin, bifenthrin, chlorpyrifos and deltamethrin in cabbage in the range of 0.98–0.12 ppm, 1.22–0.23 ppm, 1.03–0.15 ppm, 1.97–0.43 ppm, and 2.12–0.36 ppm, respectively. CP supplementation at the rate of 5% in unleavened flatbreads was observed to maintain textural and sensory attributes of the product. The results suggest microwave heating as a cost-effective technique to reduce toxicants load in cabbage powder. Further, ~5% supplementation of CP in wheat flour may also improve nutritional and functional properties of the baked goods.

Climate change and variability affect virtually everyone and every region of the world but the effects are nowhere more prominent than in mountain regions and people living therein. The Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region is a vast expanse encompassing 18% of the world’s mountainous area. Sprawling over 4.3 million km2, the HKH region occupies areas of eight countries namely Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar, and Pakistan. The HKH region is warming at a rate higher than the global average and precipitation has also increased significantly over the last 6 decades along with increased frequency and intensity of some extreme events. Changes in temperature and precipitation have affected and will like to affect the climate-dependent sectors such as hydrology, agriculture, biodiversity, and human health. This paper aims to document how climate change has impacted and will impact, health and well-being of the people in the HKH region and offers adaptation and mitigation measures to reduce the impacts of climate change on health and well-being of the people. In the HKH region, climate change boosts infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), malnutrition, and injuries. Hence, climate change adaptation and mitigation measures are needed urgently to safeguard vulnerable populations residing in the HKH region.

A commonly observed chicken meat issue is its lipid oxidation that leads to deterioration of its organoleptic and nutritional properties and its further-processed products. Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the traditional culinary herbs exhibiting food preservation properties. The current study investigated the essential oil composition, antioxidant activity and in vitro cytotoxic capacity of the essential oil of basil indigenous to Pakistan. GC–MS analysis of the essential oil revealed the presence of 59 compounds that constituted 98.6% of the essential oil. O. basilicum essential oil (OB-EO) exhibited excellent antioxidant activity, i.e., IC50 5.92 ± 0.15 µg/mL as assayed by the DPPH assay, 23.4 ± 0.02 µmoL Fe/g by FRAP, and 14.6 ± 0.59% inhibition by H2O2. The brine shrimp lethality assay identified an average mortality of ~18% with OB-EO at 10–1000 µg/mL, while that of the same concentration range of the standard drug (etoposide) was 72%. OB-EO was found to be non-toxic to HeLa and PC-3 cell lines. TBARS contents were significantly decreased with increase of OB-EO in chicken nuggets. The lowest TBARS contents were recorded in nuggets supplemented with 0.3% OB-EO, whereas the highest overall acceptability score was marked to the treatments carrying 0.2% OB-EO. The results suggest OB-EO as a promising carrier of bioactive compounds with a broad range of food preservation properties, and which has a sensory acceptability threshold level for chicken nuggets falling between 0.2-0.3% supplementation. Future research must investigate the antibacterial impact of OB-EO on meat products preserved with natural rather than synthetic preservatives.

Background and objectives: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease that poses the highest incidence of morbidity among women and presents many treatment challenges. In search of novel breast cancer therapies, several triazine derivatives have been developed for their potential chemotherapeutic activity. This study aims to evaluate the N-nitroso-N-methyl urea (NMU)–induced anti–mammary gland tumor activity of 2,4,6 (O-nitrophenyl amino) 1,3,5-triazine (O-NPAT).Methods: The in silico modeling and in vitro cytotoxicity assay were performed to strengthen the research hypothesis. For in vivo experimentation, 30 female rats were divided into five groups. Group I (normal control) received normal saline. Group II (disease control) received NMU (50 mg/kg). Group III (standard control) was treated with tamoxifen (5 mg/kg). Groups IV and V received O-NPAT at a dose level of 30 and 60 mg/kg, respectively. For tumor induction, 3 intraperitoneal doses of NMU were given at a 3-week interval, whereas all treatment compounds were administered orally for 14 consecutive days. Biochemical and oxidative stress markers were estimated for all experimental animals. DNA strand breakage alongside inflammatory markers was also measured for the analysis of inflammation. The hormonal profile of progesterone and estrogen was also estimated.Results: The test compound presented a significant reduction in organ weight and restored the hepatic and renal enzymes. O-NPAT treatments enhanced the antioxidant enzyme level of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total sulfhydryl (TSH), with a highly significant reduction in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and lipid peroxidation. Also, the decrease in fragmented DNA, hormonal levels (estradiol and progesterone), and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) justified the dosage efficacy further supported by histopathological findings.Conclusion: All results indicated the anti–breast tumor activity of O-NPAT and presented its possibility of exploitation for beneficial effects in breast cancer treatment.

Background: Hypnotherapy has been shown to be effective at relieving global gastrointestinal symptoms (GGS) in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study examines the impact of hypnotherapy delivery and participant characteristics on IBS outcomes. Methods: This systematic review searched CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Conference Citation Index, Embase, PubMed, PsycARTICLES, PsychINFO, Science Citation index-expanded, Social Science Citation Index. Titles and abstracts, then full-text articles were screened against inclusion criteria: trials with a concurrent comparator of hypnotherapy in adults with IBS diagnosed using Manning or ROME criteria, which provided symptom data. Included studies were extracted and assessed for bias using Cochrane Collaboration 2011 guidance. Random-effects meta-analysis was conducted with sub-group analysis to assess the impact of delivery characteristics on outcomes. Results: Twelve trials were included, 7 in the meta-analyses. Hypnotherapy reduced the risk of GGS, but this was not statistically significant, (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.24, [-0.06, 0.54], I2 66 %). Higher frequency of sessions (≥1/week) reduced GGS (SMD 0.45 [0.23,0.67] I2 0 %), as did higher volumes of intervention (≥8 sessions with ≥6 h of contact) (SMD 0.51 [0.27,0.76] I2 0 %) and group interventions (SMD 0.45 [0.03, 0.88] I2 62 %). Only volume of intervention produced a significant effect between the subgroups. Conclusion: This review suggests that high volume hypnotherapy is more beneficial than low and should be adopted for GDH. Both high frequency and group interventions are effective in reducing GGS in IBS. However, the sample size is small and more studies are needed to confirm this.

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is likely to lead to a significant increase in mental health disorders among healthcare workers (HCW). Aims We evaluated the rates of anxiety, depressive and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a population of HCW in the UK. Method An electronic survey was conducted between the 5 June 2020 and 31 July 2020 of all hospital HCW in the West Midlands, UK using clinically validated questionnaires: the 4-item Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ-4) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Univariate analyses and adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the strengths in associations between 24 independent variables and anxiety, depressive or PTSD symptoms. Results There were 2638 eligible participants who completed the survey (female: 79.5%, median age: 42 years, interquartile range: 32–51). The rates of clinically significant symptoms of anxiety, depression and PTSD were 34.3%, 31.2% and 24.5%, respectively. In adjusted analysis a history of mental health conditions was associated with clinically significant symptoms of anxiety (odds ratio (OR) = 2.3, 95% CI 1.9–2.7, P < 0.001), depression (OR = 2.5, 95% CI 2.1–3.0, P < 0.001) and PTSD (OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.7–2.5, P < 0.001). The availability of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), well-being support and lower exposure to moral dilemmas at work demonstrated significant negative associations with these symptoms (P ≤ 0.001). Conclusions We report higher rates of clinically significant mental health symptoms among hospital HCW following the initial COVID-19 pandemic peak in the UK. Those with a history of mental health conditions were most at risk. Adequate PPE availability, access to well-being support and reduced exposure to moral dilemmas may protect hospital HCW from mental health symptoms.

Tribulus terrestris L. belongs to the family Zygophyllaceae and integral part of various ancient medicinal systems including Chinese, Indian, and European to combat various health ailments. The aim of the present study was to assess the phytochemical constituents, in vitro antioxidant activity using DPPH, FRAP, and H2O2 assays, in vitro anticancer activity using MTT assay, and in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory properties of T. terrestris. The acute and sub-acute toxicity of extracts exhibiting most biological potential was examined using murine models. Liquid–liquid partitioning followed by RP–HPLC sub-fraction of crude extract was performed. After that, ESI-MS/MS analysis was done for the timid identification of bioactive metabolites responsible for bioactivities of sub-fractions and HPLC analysis to quantify the compounds using external standards. Among all extracts, T. terrestris methanol extract was noted to hold maximum phenolic (341.3 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (209 mg QE/g) contents, antioxidant activity in DPPH (IC50 71.4 µg/mL), FRAP (35.3 mmol/g), and H2O2 (65.3% inhibition) assays, anti-inflammatory activities in vitro at 400 µg/mL (heat-induced hemolysis, % inhibition 68.5; egg albumin denaturation, % inhibition 75.6%; serum albumin denaturation, % inhibition 80.2), and in vivo at 200 mg/kg (carrageenan-induced paw edema, % inhibition 69.3%; formaldehyde-induced paw edema, % inhibition 71.3%) and anticancer activity against breast cancer cell (MCF-7) proliferation (IC50 74.1 µg/mL). Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies recorded with no change in body weight, behavior, hematological, serum, and histopathological parameters in treated rats with T. terrestris methanol extracts when compared to control group. Fraction B obtained through liquid–liquid partitioning resulted in more bioactive potential as compared to the parent methanol extract. RP–HPLC analysis of fraction B resulted with four sub-fractions (TBTMF1-TBTMF4), wherein TBTMF3 delineated notable bioactive capabilities as compared to other fractions and parent methanol extract. ESI-MS/MS analysis of TBTMF3 resulted with tentative identification of myricetin, rutin, liquitrigenin, physcion, and protodioscin. It can be stated that T. terrestris is a potential bearing herb and findings of current study further verify the claims made in ancient medicinal systems. However, after investigation of each identified compound, it must be considered for drug discovery.

Cannabis sativa var. Kompolti, a variety routinely used for food production purposes, is characterized by a low concentration of psychoactive molecules, although containing many other biologically attractive metabolites in all parts of the plant, including the roots. In the present work, we evaluate the specific biological activities of the roots’ extract from plants cultivated through aeroponics, an affordable and reliable method facilitating the isolation and processing of roots, with the advantage of being suitable for industrial scale-up. Furthermore, aeroponics results in an increased net accumulation of the most biologically attractive constituents (β-sitosterol, friedelin and epi-friedelanol) found in the roots. The ethanolic extract of the aeroponic roots of C. sativa (APEX) and its separate components are studied to evaluate their anti-inflammatory (modulation of the expression level of specific markers upon LPS stimulation in U937 cells, such as IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IkB-α, iNOS, IRAK-1 and miR-146a) and antioxidant (in either acellular or cellular settings) activities. The APEX anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities are also functionally benchmarked using the wound-healing assay. On the whole, the data obtained show that APEX and its main components showed significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, which may render the exploitation of roots as a source of natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents highly attractive, with the additional technical and economic advantages of aeroponics compared to soil cultivation.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the most common aromatic herbs, a rich source of bioactive compounds, and is used extensively to add aroma and flavor to food. The leaves, both in fresh and dried form, are used as a culinary ingredient in different cultures. O. basilicum is also famous for its therapeutic potential and preservation effects. The present study investigated the cytotoxicity of basil at three different growth stages (GS), i.e., GS-1 (58 days of growth), GS-2 (69 days of growth), and GS-3 (93 days of growth) using the brine shrimp lethality assay. The results revealed that cytotoxicity was influenced by GS and the concentration of extracts. Aqueous extracts of basil at a concentration of 10 to 1000 µg/mL did not show notable toxicity. The lowest mortality rate, i.e., 8.9%, was recorded for GS-2 at the highest tested dose of basil extracts. The mortality rate at GS-1, GS-2, and GS-3 was found to be 26.7 ± 3.34%, 8.91 ± 0.10%, and 16.7 ± 0.34%, respectively, at 1000 µg/mL. GS-2 basil powder with the lowest toxicological risk was extracted with different solvents, viz., n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethanol, and water. The highest concentration of plant secondary metabolites including total phenolic acid, flavonoids, and tannin content was observed in ethanol extracts. Ethanol extracts also exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in DPPH, FRAP and H2O2 assays. LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis presented ethanol extracts of basil as a promising source of known health-promoting and therapeutic compounds such as rosmarinic acid, ellagic acid, catechin, liquiritigenin, and umbelliferone. The results suggest basil, a culinary ingredient, as a potential source of bioactive compounds which may offer an array of health promoting and therapeutic properties.

Present study aimed at investigating the magnitude of the prevalence and antibiotic resistance among four Salmonella spp. i.e., S. typhi, S. paratyphi A, S. paratyphi B and S. typhimurium. Raw milk and environment samples were collected from the five districts of southern part of the province of Punjab in Pakistan i.e., Multan, Bahawalpur, Lodhran, Dera Ghazi Khan and Muzaffargarh. Extent of antibiotic resistance was also determined and classified as resistant, intermediate and susceptible. District-wise prevalence data on Salmonella spp. in milk and environmental samples indicated higher S. typhi, S. paratyphi B and S. typhimurium count in Bahawalpur, D.G. Khan and Muzaffargarh districts, respectively. Amongst 13 tested antibiotics, chloramphenicol and ofloxacin were found to be the most susceptible against Salmonella spp. Increased emergence of antibacterial resistance was noted with respect to the type of antibiotics among Salmonella spp. isolates. The study suggests serious interventions to be practiced by the farmers and raw milk vendors in animal husbandry and milk marketing, respectively to curb the burden of Salmonella spp. prevalence in milk. Further, active engagement of animal health division and enforcement agencies to ensure sagacious use of antibiotics at farm level may also help in containment of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella spp.

Syzygium cumini, locally known as Jamun in Asia, is a fruit-bearing crop belonging to the Myrtaceae family. This study aims to summarize the most recent literature related to botany, traditional applications, phytochemical ingredients, pharmacological activities, nutrition, and potential food applications of S. cumini. Traditionally, S. cumini has been utilized to combat diabetes and dysentery, and it is given to females with a history of abortions. Anatomical parts of S. cumini exhibit therapeutic potentials including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antimalarial, anticancer, and antidiabetic activities attributed to the presence of various primary and secondary metabolites such as carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, alkaloids, flavonoids (i.e., quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol), phenolic acids (gallic acid, caffeic acid, ellagic acid) and anthocyanins (delphinidin-3,5-O-diglucoside, petunidin-3,5-O-diglucoside, malvidin-3,5-O-diglucoside). Different fruit parts of S. cumini have been employed to enhance the nutritional and overall quality of jams, jellies, wines, and fermented products. Today, S. cumini is also used in edible films. So, we believe that S. cumini’s anatomical parts, extracts, and isolated compounds can be used in the food industry with applications in food packaging and as food additives. Future research should focus on the isolation and purification of compounds from S. cumini to treat various disorders. More importantly, clinical trials are required to develop low-cost medications with a low therapeutic index.

This study was conducted to elucidate minced beef stabilization properties of hydroalcoholic extracts of commonly used culinary spices from Pakistan against meat oxidative stress and microbial spoilage. Hydroalcoholic extracts of six selected spices, namely, onion, ginger, turmeric, coriander, fennel, and mint, were evaluated to inhibit microbial growth in minced beef under refrigerated storage (4°C) of nine days. Maximum phenolic concentration, i.e., 70.8 mg GAE/100 g, and free radical scavenging activity (75.9%) were anticipated by hydromethanolic extracts of ginger. The results propose that the addition of hydroalcoholic extracts of ginger and coriander @ 6.0% anticipate significantly (p

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) are potent carcinogenic compounds induced by the Maillard reaction in well-done cooked meats. Free amino acids, protein, creatinine, reducing sugars and nucleosides are major precursors involved in the production of polar and non-polar HAAs. The variety and yield of HAAs are linked with various factors such as meat type, heating time and temperature, cooking method and equipment, fresh meat storage time, raw material and additives, precursor’s presence, water activity, and pH level. For the isolation and identification of HAAs, advanced chromatography and spectroscopy techniques have been employed. These potent mutagens are the etiology of several types of human cancers at the ng/g level and are 100- to 2000-fold stronger than that of aflatoxins and benzopyrene, respectively. This review summarizes previous studies on the formation and types of potent mutagenic and/or carcinogenic HAAs in cooked meats. Furthermore, occurrence, risk assessment, and factors affecting HAA formation are discussed in detail. Additionally, sample extraction procedure and quantification techniques to determine these compounds are analyzed and described. Finally, an overview is presented on the promising strategy to mitigate the risk of HAAs by natural compounds and the effect of plant extracts containing antioxidants to reduce or inhibit the formation of these carcinogenic substances in cooked meats.

Background and Objective: Medicinal plants represent an important source of alternative medicine for the management of various diseases. The present study was undertaken to assess the potential of Lawsonia inermis ethanol (Li.Et) and chloroform (Li.Chf) extracts as memory-enhancing agents in experimental animals. Materials and Methods: Li.Et and Li.Chf were phytochemically characterized via gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Samples were tested for nootropic potentials at doses of 25, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg (per oral in experimental animals (p.o.)). Swiss albino mice of either sex (n = 210) were divided into 21 × 10 groups for each animal model. Memory-enhancing potentials of the samples were assessed using two methods including “without inducing amnesia” and “induction of amnesia” by administration of diazepam (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally. Piracetam at 400 mg/kg (i.p.) was used as positive control. Cognitive behavioral models including elevated plus maze (EPM) and the passive shock avoidance (PSA) paradigm were used. Biochemical markers of oxidative stress such as glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were analyzed in the brain tissue of treated mice. Results: In 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals scavenging assay, Li.Et and Li.Chf exhibited 70.98 ± 1.56 and 66.99 ± 1.76% inhibitions respectively at 1.28 mg/mL concentration. GCMS results revealed the presence of important phytochemicals. Both samples (Li.Et and Li.Chf) at 25 mg/kg (p.o.) dose significantly (p < 0.05) improved learning and memory as indicated by decline in transfer latency and increase in step down latency in EPM and PSA models respectively. Li.Et and Li.Chf at 25 mg/kg (p.o.) showed considerable increase in GSH (2.75 ± 0.018 ***), SOD (2.61 ± 0.059 ***) and CAT (2.71 ± 0.049 ***) levels as compared to positive and negative control groups. Conclusions: This study provides the preliminary clue that L. inermis may be a potential source of memory-enhancing and anti-oxidant compounds and thus warrant further studies.

It is universally accepted that diets rich in fruit and vegetables lead to reduction in the risk of common forms of cancer and are useful in cancer prevention. Indeed edible vegetables and fruits contain a wide variety of phytochemicals with proven antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, and chemopreventive activity; moreover, some of these phytochemicals also display direct antiproliferative activity towards tumor cells, with the additional advantage of high tolerability and low toxicity. The most important dietary phytochemicals are isothiocyanates, ellagitannins (ET), polyphenols, indoles, flavonoids, retinoids, tocopherols. Among this very wide panel of compounds, ET represent an important class of phytochemicals which are being increasingly investigated for their chemopreventive and anticancer activities. This article reviews the chemistry, the dietary sources, the pharmacokinetics, the evidence on chemopreventive efficacy and the anticancer activity of ET with regard to the most sensitive tumors, as well as the mechanisms underlying their clinically-valuable properties.