Abstract Food safety with maintained fruit quality is an important challenge for postharvest industry of citrus fruits. The present study was designed to check the effects of gamma irradiation on postharvest fruit quality of ‘Kinnow’ mandarin stored at 5 ± 1 °C and 90 ± 5% Relative Humidity. In the first experiment, fruits were exposed to different doses of gamma radiation (100-500 Gy), while after analyzing the results of first experiment, in the second experiment fruits were treated with 500, 600, 800 and 1000 Gy of gamma radiation. It was observed that higher doses of gamma irradiation exhibited lower weight loss and disease incidence as well as inhibiting the increase of soluble solid content (SSC) and retained higher titratable acidity (TA) and lower SSC: TA ratio. After 90 days of storage, maximum levels ascorbic acid, total phenolic contents and total antioxidants along with catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were recorded higher in fruits treated with 800 Gy. These fruit also exhibited higher score of taste, aroma and texture during storage. Overall results suggest that pre-storage treatment of 800 Gy is the most effective treatment and have potential application for quality management of ‘Kinnow’ mandarin under long term cold storage.

Abstract Fenugreek leaves contains bioactive compounds, which are helpful in maintaining human health. These compounds are adversely affected in conventional drying methods. Therefore, this study was carried out to retain maximum amount of these components through microwave-assisted drying and extraction technique. The technique was optimized for simultaneous drying and extraction process for fenugreek leaves. The drying rate and drying time were influenced by the level of microwave power; time was reduced from 21 to 5 minutes, when microwave power was changed from 30 to 100 W. Unlikely, the drying rate increased from 1.79 to 4.56 ± 0.05 g/(100 g.min) with the change in power (30 to 100 W). Moreover, moisture ratio analysis determined that two term model was the best to demonstrate the fitness with experimental values. The energy consumption was lowest for 100W compared to other powers. Furthermore, comparison between microwave-based extraction and methanol-extraction indicated that the antioxidant activity was better preserved compared to conventional ones even at higher microwave power levels.

Abstract Current study compares the Therapeutic/nutra-pharmaceuticals potential and phenolics profile of Pakistani grown Pakistani and Chinese varieties of ginger. Crude yield of bioactive components from the varieties tested, using different extraction solvents including chloroform, ethyl acetate, ether, methanol, ethanol and distilled water. The crude bioactives varied from 14.1-82.5%. The highest extraction yield was noted for Pakistani species. The HPLC analysis revalued significant amounts of phenolics including vanillin, protocatechuic, vanillic, ferulic, sinapinic and cinnamic acids. The highest anti-inflammatory activity was shown by ethanolic extract of Pakistani variety (IC50: 26.5±1.8) whereas Chinese variety exhibited potent anticancer potential against MCF-7 cell line (Inhibition: 91.38 %). The Chinese variety in general showed higher phenolics and anticancer, while the Pakistani exhibited higher anti-inflammatory activity. Pakistani grown ginger and ethanolic extract of Chinese ginger showed highest antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa 18.0±0.02 & 15.00±0.02 mm respectively. Minimum results obtained with water for both varieties of ginger with range of 7.2±0.22 and 6±0.07 respectively. Moreover, the phenolics composition, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anticancer activities of both tested varieties of ginger were notably affected as a function of extraction solvents. Our findings advocate selection of appropriate solvent for recovery of effective phenolic bioactive compounds from ginger verities to support the Nutra-pharmaceutical formulation.

Abstract Biosorption is a cost-effective excellent tool for removing problematic dyes. The present work was focused on the utilization of Citrus paradise (grapefruit) peels aqueous extract for synthesis of nickel nanoparticles. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by SEM and were used for the remediation of congo red direct dye. The decolorization of Congo Red direct dye was measured using UV/Visible spectrophotometer following the optimization of experimental factors. Maximum decolorization was observed at a dye concentration of 0.02 %, pH 6, at 50 °C temperature, and catalyst dose was 0.01 g/L. TOC and COD values were found to be 79.89 % and 78.23 %. Agriculrural waste could be used for the remediation of other synthetic dyes as well; hence helps in cleaning our natural environment.

Resumen La biosorción es una excelente herramienta rentable para eliminar colorantes problemáticos. El presente trabajo se centró en la utilización del extracto de cáscaras de Citrus paradise (pomelo) para la síntesis de nanopartículas de níquel. Las nanopartículas preparadas se caracterizaron por microscopía electrónica de barrido (MEB) y se utilizaron para la remediación del colorante directo rojo de Congo. La decoloración del colorante directo Rojo Congo se midió mediante espectrometría siguiendo la optimización de factores experimentales. Se observó una decoloración máxima a una concentración de colorante de 0.02 %, pH 6, y una temperatura de 50 °C; la dosis del catalizador fue de 0.01 g/L. Se determinó que los valores de TOC y DQO eran 79.89 % y 78.23 %, respectivamente. Los residuos agrícolas también podrían utilizarse para la remediación de otros tintes sintéticos y con ello ayudar a limpiar nuestro entorno natural.

Abstract Background: Plant-derived compounds are alternatives of synthetic insecticides in sustainable agriculture. Objective: This study investigated the phytotoxic effect of higher concentrations (2, 4, 8 and 16%) of four plants extracts (Azadirachta indica, Mentha arvensis, D. stramonium and Citrus limonium) on cotton plants. Methods: Each concentration was replicated four times to check the phytotoxic effect (CO2-in, CO2-out, H2O-in, H2O-out and photosynthesis absorption rate (PAR) in randomized complete block design. Data was recorded after 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours of spray with the help of Photosynthetic CL 340 meter. Results: The results showed that CO2-in was more affected by the D. stramonium (131.65±0.38) at 8% concentration. The overall progress showed that C. limonium was more affected the CO2-in of cotton crop. CO2-out was less affected by the C. limonium (117.83±1.46) at 4% concentration than M. arvensis (116.99±1.25) at 8% concentration and D. stramonium (115.77±0.74) at 16% concentration, but was more affected by the A. indica (118.15±0.71) at 4%. H2O-in was more affected by the C. limonium (0.39±0.05) than D. stramonium, A. indica and M. arvensis at 16% concentration. H2O-out of cotton was least affected by the D. stramonium (7.63±0.01) at 2% and more affected by the C. limonium (1.56±0.15) at 16% concentration. PAR was more affected by the A. indica (931.47±8.39) at 4% concentration and least affected by the M. arvensis (1499.7±9.94) at 8% concentration. Conclusions: Different dosages of various botanicals influenced the opening and closing of stomata and photosynthesis of cotton plants.

We synthesized a series of compounds bearing pharmacologically important 1,3,4-oxadiazole and piperidine moieties. Spectral data analysis by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, IR and EI-MS was used to elucidate the structures of the synthesized molecules. Docking studies explained the different types of interaction of the compounds with amino acids, while bovine serum albumin (BSA) binding interactions showed their pharmacological effectiveness. Antibacterial screening of these compounds demonstrated moderate to strong activity against Salmonella typhi and Bacillus subtilis but only weak to moderate activity against the other three bacterial strains tested. Seven compounds were the most active members as acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors. All the compounds presented displayed strong inhibitory activity against urease. Compounds 7l, 7m, 7n, 7o, 7p, 7r, 7u, 7v, 7x and 7v were highly active, with respective IC50 values of 2.14±0.003, 0.63±0.001, 2.17±0.006, 1.13±0.003, 1.21±0.005, 6.28±0.003, 2.39±0.005, 2.15±0.002, 2.26±0.003 and 2.14±0.002 µM, compared to thiourea, used as the reference standard (IC50 = 21.25±0.15 µM). These new urease inhibitors could replace existing drugs after their evaluation in comprehensive in vivo studies.

Schiff bases, 2-{[(2-hydroxyphenyl)methylidene]amino}phenol (4) and 2-{[3-4-(dimethylamino)phenyl-2-propenylidene]amino}phenol (5), have been synthesized by the condensation of 2-aminophenol (1) with 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde (2) and 4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (3), respectively. They showed good lipoxygenase inhibition and antioxidant activities, as compound 4 showed potent antioxidant activity. The products also showed good activities against Gram-positive: S. intermedius, B. subtilis and S. aureus, and Gram-negative: E. coli and S. typhi bacteria, as compounds 5 and 4 are excellent active against B. subtilis and S. typhi, respectively. These good to potent activities may be due to the presence of free hydroxyl and amino groups. They showed non-significant urease inhibition activity.

Uma nova série de 4-amino-5-aril-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-tionas, tendo vários grupos metoxibenzila e metoxifenila, foi sintetizada através de refluxo de sais de hidrazina carboditioato de potássio em solução aquosa diluída de hidrato de hidrazina. Estes sais foram formados pela reação de hidrazinas ácidas e dissulfeto de carbono em solução de hidróxido de potássio metanólico a 0-5 ºC. 4-Amino-5-aril-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-tionas foram condensadas com diferentes ácidos aromáticos substituídos para produzir 1,2,4-triazol[3,4-b]1,3,4-tiodiazols 3,6-disubstituídos. As estruturas dos compostos sintetizados foram caracterizadas pelas espectroscopias no infravermelho (IR) e ressonância magnética nuclear (NMR) de ¹H e 13C, análise elementar e espectrometria de massa (MS). Todos os compostos sintetizados foram examinados com relação as suas atividades de inibição de urease, antioxidante e antibacteriana. Alguns compostos mostraram excelente atividade de inibição de urease, mais do que a droga padrão. Outros compostos apresentaram potente atividade antioxidante. Todos os compostos mostraram atividades antibacterianas significativas em comparação com a droga padrão.

A new series of 4-amino-5-aryl-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones, bearing various methoxybenzyl- and methoxyphenethyl groups, was synthesized by refluxing potassium hydrazinecarbodithioate salts in dilute aqueous solution of hydrazine hydrate. These salts were formed by the reaction of acid hydrazides and carbon disulfide in methanolic potassium hydroxide solution at 0-5 °C. 4-Amino-5-aryl-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones were condensed with different substituted aromatic acids to yield 3,6-disubstituted-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]1,3,4-thiadiazoles. The structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized by infrared (IR), ¹H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), elemental analysis and mass spectrometric (MS) studies. All the synthesized compounds were screened for their urease inhibition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Some compounds showed excellent urease inhibition activity, more than the standard drug. Others exhibited potent antioxidant activity. All the compounds showed significant antibacterial activities as compared to the standard drug.