Abdul Muqeet Khan

Quantitative Scrutinization of Aflatoxins in Different Spices from Pakistan.

The current research work aimed to access the contamination level of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 in the household spices that are widely consumed in huge amounts. 200 different spice samples, 100 packed and 100 unpacked, were analyzed for the aflatoxins profile by HPLC with an incidence of 61.5% contamination out of which 53.66% samples exceed the EU limit. The results disclosed that the unpacked samples are more contaminated as compared to the packed samples except for white cumin seeds. Among packed and unpacked samples of spices, the maximum value of aflatoxins was detected in fennel, that is, 27.93 μg/kg and 67.04 μg/kg, respectively. The lowest concentration of aflatoxin was detected in cinnamon in packed form (0.79 μg/kg) and in the unpacked samples of white cumin seeds which is 1.75 μg/kg. Caraway seeds and coriander in its unpacked form showed positive results whereas black pepper (packed and unpacked) was found free from aflatoxins. This is the first report on the occurrence of aflatoxins in packed and unpacked samples of spices from Pakistan. To ensure safe consumption of spices, there should be constant monitoring of aflatoxin and more studies need to be executed with the intention of preventing mycotoxin accretion in this commodity.

Aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in maize of Punjab, Pakistan.

Aflatoxin and ochratoxin levels were determined in maize samples collected from store houses of 15 districts belonging to three agro-ecological zones of Punjab, Pakistan. Toxins were extracted by Aflaochra immunoaffinity columns and analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Mean moisture content of maize kernels was recorded above the safe storage level of 15%. Results indicated that aflatoxin B1 and B2 contamination was found in 97.3% and 78.9% of the collected samples, respectively. Aflatoxin G1, aflatoxin G2 and ochratoxin A were not detected in any sample. Among positive samples, 77.3% contained aflatoxin B1 and 28% aflatoxin B2, exceeding the legal limits as set by the European Union (EU) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). It was concluded that a significant number of samples contained aflatoxin B1 and B2 above the legal limits.

Assessment of aflatoxins in peanuts grown in the Pothohar area of Pakistan

Statement of Retraction The following article has been retracted from publication in the Taylor & Francis journal, Food Additives & Contaminants: Part B: M. Abbas, M. R. Asi, F. Anwar, T. Mahmood, A. M. Khan and T. Yaqub, Assessment of aflatoxins in peanuts grown in the Pothohar area of Pakistan, Food Additives & Contaminants: Part B, http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19393210.2013.820221. Version of record published online 26th July 2013. The Editor of Food Additives & Contaminants: Part B and Taylor & Francis note that the policy of the journal is to consider only original material, and authors are required to make a warranty to the effect that articles are not under consideration for publication by any other journal. The article was published in good faith. Subsequently, it has become known that a similar article was submitted to and published in World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, Volume 69 (2012). As this is contrary to our stated policy, the article is hereby retracted and should not be cited. It is Taylor & Francis policy that the Food Additives & Contaminants: Part B article be kept online, but also stating that the paper has been retracted, together with a link to this Retraction to ensure the integrity of the scientific record.

Phytoremediation of organochlorine and pyrethroid pesticides by aquatic macrophytes and algae in freshwater systems

ABSTRACT Extensive use of Pesticides in agriculture and its surface runoff in river water is a major environmental concern. The present study evaluated the phytoremediation potential of Eichornia crassipes, Pistia strateotes and algae (Chaetomorpha sutoria, Sirogonium sticticum and Zygnema sp.) for organochlorine and pyrethroid pesticides. Water and plant samples were extracted by liquid phase and solid phase extraction respectively and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Eleven treatments (T1–T11) with and without plants were used for phytoremediation of organochlorine and pyrethroid pesticides. During the experiment, P. strateotes, E. crassipes and algae (C. sutoria, S. sticticum and Zygnema sp.) showed the highest removal efficiency with 62 (71% root, 29% shoot), 60 (67% root, 33% shoot), and 58% respectively for organochlorine and 76 (76% root, 24% shoot), 68 (69% root, 31% shoot), and 70% respectively for pyrethroids for the respective aquatic plants. Dissipation rate constant of treatments with plants (T2, T3, T5, T6, T8, and T9) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) as compared to that of treatments without plants (T10 and T11, control) for both organochlorine and pyrethroid. The bioconcentration factor of pyrethroid treatments (T3, T6, and T9) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) as compared to that of organochlorine treatments (T2, T5 and T8). The removal efficiency of E. crassipes, P. strateotes and algae (C. sutoria, S. sticticum and Zygnema sp.) for pyrethroids was significantly higher (p < 0.01) as compared to that of organochlorine.

Analysis of Selected Amino Acids in Different Varieties of Wheat Available in Punjab, Pakistan

A validated method is proposed to check amino acids variability among eighty-nine wheat samples collected from Punjab province of Pakistan during 2012-2013. Orthophthalaldehyde along with 2-mercaptoethanol was used as a derivatizing reagent that showed florescence at detection wavelength of Ex of 340 nm and Em of 450 nm under suitable pH range of 9-10. RP-HPLC-FLD system employed was Agilent 1100 series equipped with Eclipse XDB C-18 column (2.1 × 150 mm, 5 µ) and column temperature was maintained at 40°C. The maximum concentration of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, leucine, arginine, and histidine was found in Vehari (0.496 g/100 g), Rajanpur (1.292 g/100 g), Rahim Yar khan (0.60 g/100 g), Bahawalpur (0.662 g/100 g), and Narowal (0.377 g/100 g), respectively, while the minimum in Narowal (0.13 g/100 g), Vehari (0.706 g/100 g), Narowal (0.339 g/100 g), Muzaffargarh (0.14 g/100 g), and Rahim Yar Khan (0.088 g/100 g) among the samples obtained from districts. Wheat variety Pb-11 contained relatively high aspartic acid (0.297 g/100 g), glutamic acid (0.897 g/100 g), and leucine (0.484 g/100 g) whereas variety Ass-11 had arginine (0.895 g/100 g) and histidine (0.266 g/100 g). The amino acids were found to vary as follows: aspartic acid 0.130–0.496, glutamic acid 0.706–1.292, leucine 0.321–0.6, arginine 0.118–0.895, and histidine 0.088–0.377 g/100 g flour. The accuracy was in the range of 95.88–100.67%, whereas the RSD for precision was not more than 1.40 for all amino acids.

Polymeric microspheres of okra mucilage and alginate for the controlled release of oxcarbazepine: In vitro & in vivo evaluation

Oxcarbazepine-loaded alginate/okra pods mucilage microspheres were prepared through inotropic gelation technique for the sustained release of oxcarbazepine. The drug encapsulating efficiency of these microspheres was found 76.22 ± 0.01% to 90.57 ± 0.02% and their average particle sizes were 496 μm ± 0.41 to 692 μm ± 0.22. These microspheres were characterized in terms of swelling capacity, FTIR, DSC and SEM analysis. The in vitro drug release from these microspheres was followed sustained release (Korsemeyer - Peppas model) pattern (R2 = 0.9552-0.9906) and value of n > 1 showed that drug released by anomalous (non-Fickian) diffusion. The in vivo studies showed that there were highly significant difference with p < 0.001 in the pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax, t½, AUC0-∞, Ke), when oxcarbazepine was formulated in form of polymeric microspheres as compared to pure drug.

Analysis of Water Soluble Vitamins (Thiamine, Nicotinamide and Pyridoxine) in Fortified Infant Food Products by Hplc

The present study provides information about the levels of fortification of three water soluble vitamins i.e. thiamine (B1), nicotinamide (B3) and pyridoxine (B6) in a variety of foodstuffs include milk products and cereals for young children. Food fortification is key implement for improving health of the growing children. Twenty food samples were chosen for analysis because of their common utilization in the local area. The vitamin concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with C18 column with a gradient of mobile phase made of water and acetonitrile and a diode array detector set at 280 nm. The thiamine content investigated in the samples ranging from 268 μg/mL to 3 μg/ml, nicotinamide content was from 41 μg/ml to 1 μg/mL while the pyridoxine level was in between 412 μg/mL to 20 μg/mL. Detection and Quantification of compounds were attained by comparing their retention times with standard reference materials and on the basis the off peak area match against those of a standard. The method used, offer excellent linearity with r2 > 0.994, detection limits, reproducibility, and analyte recovery.

Structural Analysis and Biological Toxicity of Aflatoxins B1 and B2 Degradation Products Following Detoxification by Ocimum basilicum and Cassia fistula Aqueous Extracts

This study showed the comparison between Ocimum basilicum and Cassia fistula (leaves and branch) aqueous extracts for their ability to detoxify of aflatoxins B1 and B2 (AFB1; 100 μg L-1 and AFB2; 50 μg L-1) by In Vitro assays and decontamination studies. Results indicated that O. basilicum leaves extract was found to be highly significant (P < 0.05) in degrading AFB1 and AFB2, i.e., 90.4 and 88.6%, respectively. However, O. basilicum branch, C. fistula leaves and branch extracts proved to be less efficient in degrading these aflatoxins, under optimized conditions, i.e., pH 8, temperature 30°C and incubation period of 72 h. Moreover the antifungal activity of these plants extracts were also tested. The findings depicted that O. basilicum leaves extract showed maximum growth inhibition of aflatoxigenic isolates, i.e., 82–87% as compared to other tested plants extracts. The structural elucidation of degraded toxin products by LCMS/MS analysis showed that nine degraded products of AFB1 and AFB2 were formed. MS/MS spectra showed that most of the products were formed by the removal of double bond in the terminal furan ring and modification of lactone group indicating less toxicity as compared to parent compounds. Brine shrimps bioassay further confirmed the low toxicity of degraded products, showing that O. basilicum leaves extract can be used as an effective tool for the detoxification of aflatoxins.