Haq Nawaz

Characteristics of starch isolated from microwave heat treated lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) seed flour

The present study aimed to investigate the influence of microwave irradiation on the physical and functional properties of starch extracted from Nelumbo nucifera seed flour. The seed flour was obtained by manual grinding of seeds and irradiated at different microwave treatment time, i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5min at the low-medium intensity. The starch was extracted in distilled water and dried at room temperature using a vacuum desiccator. The morphology, crystal structure, and surface parameters of starch granules were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy and Brunauer, Emmett and Teller surface analysis techniques. The functional properties of starch were also determined in terms of water and oil holding capacity, swelling capacity, emulsifying activity and gelling ability. Evidently, crystallinity, surface area and pore volume of starch granules were found to be increased, while particle size and average pore size were decreased as a function of microwave treatment time. The microwave-induced variations in physical parameters significantly affected the functional properties of starch. A significant (p>0.05) exponential decrease in extraction yield and gelling ability, while an exponential increase in the functional properties of starch with increase in the microwave treatment time (R2=0.915-0.985) was recorded.

Optimization of extraction yield and antioxidant properties of Brassica oleracea Convar Capitata Var L. leaf extracts

Effects of extraction time and solvent polarity on antioxidant properties of Brassica oleracea leaves were optimized by response surface methodology using a central composite design. Five extraction times (12, 24, 36, 48 and 60h) and solvent polarities (dipole moment - hexane: 0.0, diethyl ether: 2.80, ethyl acetate: 4.40, methanol: 5.10 and water: 9.0D) were selected for optimization. Response surface analysis of data showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in extract yield and antioxidant potential, based on total phenolic acids, reducing abilities and free radical scavenging capacities, in response to an increase in extraction time and solvent polarity. The optimal response was obtained using relatively polar solvents (4.40-9.00D) and prolonged extraction times (50-60h). This suggests that most of the phytochemical constituents of B. oleracea leaves are polar and possess strong antioxidant potential.

Quick Decline Disease Disturbs the Levels of Important Phytochemicals and Minerals in the Stem Bark of Mango (Mangifera indica)

Quick decline is one of the deadly diseases of mango (Mangifera indica) which causes a serious damage to the tree and its production. In the current study, we examined the levels of important phytochemicals and minerals in the stem bark of healthy and infected mango tree. Infected stem bark showed 12.5% lower levels of total sugars and 51.1% higher levels of proteins as compared to healthy parts, whereas no variation was observed in reducing sugar, free amino acid, and ascorbic acid. Among micronutrients, the levels of Zn, Na, Cr, and Cl were lowered by 25%, 54.3%, 25%, and 75.4%, respectively, whereas the level of Ni was 62.5% higher in the infected stem bark when compared with the healthy stem bark. However, other micronutrients did not show significant differences between healthy and infected parts. Among macronutrients, the quantity of N, P, and Mg showed an increase of 51.2%, 34.7%, and 27.6%, respectively, whereas the quantity of Ca and K was decreased by 25.2% and 7.66% in the infected stem barks as compared to healthy ones. The results of this study provide some basic but important information that may ultimately be helpful in managing the quick decline disease in the mango trees.

Optimization of phenylhydrazine induced hyperbilirubinemia in experimental rabbit.

Induction of hyperbilirubinemia in experimental rabbits by phenylhydrazine was optimized in terms of dose, dose interval and number of doses using response surface methodology. Central Composite Design was employed using five levels for each of the three input variables. Degree of hyperbilirubinemia was measured in terms of bilirubin level in serum of animals. A dose dependent significant elevation (P<0.05) of total serum bilirubin level was observed which was optimized by using eight factorial, six axial and six central points as suggested by experimental design. Optimum levels of phenylhydrazine dose, total number of doses and a dose interval to achieve maximum elevation (4.06 mg/dl−1) of total serum bilirubin were found to be 11.56 mg/kg−1 body weight, 8 and 24.65 h, respectively. The induction procedure was validated by performing five replicate experiments on a group of five animals which showed 3.56 ± 0.47 mg/kg−1 body weight elevation in total serum bilirubin level.