Afshan Shafi
University of Sargodha
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Featured researches published by Afshan Shafi.
Food Reviews International | 2015
Amna Tanveer; Umar Farooq; Kashif Akram; Zafar Hayat; Afshan Shafi; Hina Nazar; Zulfiqar Ahmad
Pomegranate has been known for hundreds of years as a healing food. Health benefits associated with the use of pomegranate are well documented. Research studies have shown that various pomegranate extracts possess great preventive potency against a wide range of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoans. Various phytochemical compounds are considered as potent agents responsible for antimicrobial efficacy of pomegranate extracts. These compounds include polyphenols, including hydrolyzable tannins (punicalagin and ellagic acid), anthocyanins, and other polyphenols. The present review investigates the antimicrobial potential of pomegranate fruit extracts against various pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms.
Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety | 2014
Afshan Shafi; Umar Farooq; Kashif Akram; Mahgul Jaskani; Farzana Siddique; Amna Tanveer
Various Lactobacillus species possess antidiarrheal properties due to their probiotic effects and could be utilized in the form of fermented foods for the treatment of diarrheal disease. Diarrhea is the condition of having 3 or more loose or watery bowel movements per day. This disease is a global problem causing several million deaths each year, and the major victims are children. So its prevention and control is crucial. For the treatment of diarrheal disease, antibiotics and oral rehydration solutions are used, but these therapies are not always effective to reduce the duration and frequency of diarrhea and of increase consistency. Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of the natural mode (fermented food) of disease management because of its easy availability, low cost, and efficacy against diarrhea.
Journal of Chemistry | 2016
Shazia Yaqub; Umar Farooq; Afshan Shafi; Kashif Akram; Mian Anjum Murtaza; Tusneem Kausar; Farzana Siddique
Extensive research has related the consumption of persimmon with the reduced risk of various diseases and particularly highlighted the presence of bioactive phenolic compounds for their therapeutic properties. Major phenolic compounds present in persimmon are ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, and gallic acid. β-Cryptoxanthin, lycopene, β-carotene, zeaxanthin, and lutein are important carotenoids having antioxidant potential. They are important to prevent oxidation of low-density lipoproteins, safeguard beta cells of the pancreas, and reduce cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes mellitus, and damage caused by chronic alcohol consumption. In this paper, the chemistry and health benefits of bioactive compounds present in persimmon are reviewed to encourage impending applications and to facilitate further research activities.
Food Reviews International | 2014
Afshan Shafi; Umar Farooq; Kashif Akram; Zafar Hayat; Mian Anjum Murtaza
Probiotics are microorganisms (bacteria or yeasts) that can reestablish and recolonize the human intestinal micro flora to give beneficial effect to a host. Prebiotics are the food ingredients that are nondigestible and affect the consumer by encouraging the number and activity of beneficial but selective colonic bacteria. The probiotics perform more efficiently in the presence of prebiotics, with the enhanced beneficial potential of live microorganisms having additional benefits of the prebiotic. Due to the concept, recently much research attention is focused on the combined use of probiotics and prebiotics, generally known as synbiotics, to get their synergistic health properties. This article provides an overview of possible synbiotic combinations, and their mode of action and health benefits upon consumption. In addition, research trends are also elaborated.
Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition | 2017
Amna Tanveer; Kashif Akram; Umar Farooq; Zafar Hayat; Afshan Shafi
ABSTRACT Diabetes mellitus is a global disorder, and a major issue for health care systems. The current review outlooks the use of fruit flavonoids as natural remedy in the prevention of diabetes mellitus. The onset of diabetes mainly depends upon genetics and lifestyle issues. Currently used therapeutic options for the control of diabetes, like dietary amendments, oral hypoglycemic drugs, and insulin, have their own limitations. Fruit flavonoids possess various antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant potentials and act on various cellular signaling pathways in pancreas, white adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and liver function, which in result induces antidiabetic effects. Recently, antidiabetic effect of fruit flavonoids has been studied using various animal models and clinical trials. Research studies revealed a statistically significant potential of fruit flavonoids in managing the altered glucose and oxidative metabolisms in diabetes. Unlike synthetic antidiabetic agents, fruit flavonoids manage diabetes without compromising cellular homeostasis thereby posing no side effects. Further studies are required in purification and characterization of different fruit flavonoids with respect to their beneficial effect for diabetic patients.
Electron Spin Resonance in Food Science | 2017
Kashif Akram; Umar Farooq; Afshan Shafi
Food irradiation can ensure the microbial safety and shelf life extension of the global supply of fresh fruit and vegetables. Reliable detection methods for irradiated foodstuffs can greatly enhance the widespread application of irradiation technology. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy is able to directly analyze radiation-specific radicals (e.g., cellulose radicals and crystalline sugar radicals) that can serve as detection markers in irradiated foods. On the basis of these unique radiation-induced markers, the European Committee for Standardization has recommended ESR spectroscopy as a confirmatory technique for the identification of irradiated foods containing cellulose and crystalline sugar. This chapter focuses on the basic knowledge of food irradiation and the application of ESR spectroscopy in the detection of irradiated fruits and vegetables. The stability and specificity of the radiation-induced signals with respect to the shelf life of various fruit and vegetables are summarized. Recent investigations, limitations, and future research trends, particularly including different sample pre-treatments, improved detectability, and dose estimation, are also discussed.
Trends in Food Science and Technology | 2016
Afifa Asif; Umar Farooq; Kashif Akram; Zafar Hayat; Afshan Shafi; Farkhandah Sarfraz; Muhammad Asim Ijaz Sidhu; Hafeez-ur Rehman; Sommayya Aftab
International Journal of Food and Allied Sciences | 2015
Hafeez ur Rehman; Umar Farooq; Kashif Akram; Asim Ijaz Sidhu; Afshan Shafi; Farkhanda Sarfraz
International Journal of Dairy Technology | 2018
Afshan Shafi; Haider Naeem Raja; Umar Farooq; Kashif Akram; Zafar Hayat; Ambreen Naz; Hafiz Rehan Nadeem
Archive | 2016
Naveed Akbar; Umar Farooq; Kashif Akram; Muhammad Asim Ijaz; Afshan Shafi