Abstract This study was aimed to determine the retention of bioactive fatty acids and oxidative stability of fish powder (FP) supplemented extruded products. The Labeo rohita fish meat was minced, microwave vacuum dried, and extruded. Product formulations containing FP (0-25%) and semolina (75-100%) were optimized using response surface methodology. The maximum bioactive fatty acids retention was 94.84% in the final product. The highest values of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were 87.97% and 85.66% at 25 °C for 30 and 60 days. Maximum TBARS values were 0.42 and 0.44 mg MDA/kg at 25 °C for 0 and 30 days, respectively. The highest carbonyl contents were 6.02, 7.67, 9.37 nmol/mg protein for 0, 30, and 60 days of storage at 25 °C, respectively. The moderate barrel exit temperature (125 °C) and feed moisture contents (20%) and high screw speed (150 rpm), FP (25%) exhibit the highest retention of PUFAs in a product.

Abstract Wheat based products are consumed as staple food in most the of Asians countries, hence different wheat cultivars are purposely developed to meet the diverse ecological conditions. These cultivars carry difference in their rheometry nutrition and gluten microstructure that affect the overall product quality. In the present investigation ten wheat varieties were selected from two most common ecological zones i.e. rain fed and irrigated. In general, non-significant differences were observed in most of nutritional parameters however, tremendous variations were studied in rheometry and functional features. More than fifteen parameters were linked through Principal Competent Analysis (PCA) which has segregated the cultivars in to four groups. Analyses of secondary structure of gluten were also analysed through Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and hierarchical cluster for FTIR gluten structure divided wheat cultivars in three groups. Results revealed that wheat cultivars (Borlog-2015 and Zincole-2016) having high protein contents (15%), more water absorption capacity (72.0%), dough development time (11.2 min), stability time (15 min) and mixing tolerance index (11.0 min) made their own cluster and showed variable spectra estimated between the 1750 to 1500 cm-1. On the bases of findings of both PCA model and clustering of FTIR proteins, it was revealed these two cultivars are suited for bread making. In contradiction to above features other two cultivars (Pirsabak-2005 and Wafaq-2001) were found good for making biscuits.

Abstract In order to ascertain physicochemical and nutraceutical attributes, indigenous guava (Psidium guajava L.) cultivars were comprehensively characterized. Eight cultivars namely Gola, Chota Gola, Surahi, Choti Surahi, Sufaida, Sdabahar, Lal Badshah and Karela were selected due to their climatic adaptability and commercial suitability. All the cultivars showed significant variations in terms of their studied quality attributes. Amongst physical characteristics, Gola exhibited highest (79.9 mm3) GMD with lowest (50.3 mm3) was estimated in Choti Surahi. Insignificant varietal differences were observed in most of the proximate parameters as well as in mineral contents. Nutraceutical estimations showed significant variation in ascorbic acid (222.26-289.43 mg/100 g), total phenolic contents (94.06-190.64 mg GAE/100 g), total flavonoid contents (81.30-154.19 mg QE/100 g) and radical scavenging activity (27.70-78.15%) in the selected cultivars. A highly significant correlation (R2 = 0.9970 p < 0.05) was observed between ascorbic acid and radical scavenging activity. In sensory evaluation, Gola received over all maximum scores (8.8) amongst its counterparts. Processed data were then analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA). The combination of PCA and HCA yielded in a sufficient discrimination of the examined guava cultivars. In PCA analysis, first two PCA components explained 65.98% of the total variation. Dendrogram successfully classified the tested cultivars into three major groups featuring dissimilarities amongst the cultivars. Research outcome will provide baseline for the farmers, researchers, exporters and other stalk holders to realize the ultimate potential of indigenous guava cultivars for their appropriate commercial utilization.

Abstract Fruits and vegetables (F and V) are valuable for their micronutrients, but many F and V in diverse growth areas have not been scientifically validated for these components. The nutraceutical characteristics of the pulp of eight citrus fruits grown in Pakistan were, therefore, investigated. Expectedly, the fruits differed in moisture (86.9-88.9%), ash (0.37-0.53%), pH (2.9-5.8), total soluble solids (8.1-13.7 °Brix), titratable acidity (7.9-13.1%), total sugars (5.1-8.8%), reducing sugars (2.8-4.3%), and non-reducing sugars (0.3-0.5%) contents. Potassium, sodium and magnesium were the major minerals, while iron, zinc and manganese were present in minor fractions in the pulps. Phytochemical analysis (total phenolic content, 132-243 µg/g GAE; total flavonoids content, 4.2-12.1 µg/g QE; vitamin C, 36.3-62.3 mg/100 g) revealed antioxidant potential that was confirmed by a high 1, 1-diphenyl 1-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, showing a highly positive correlation (r2 > 0.921, 0.917, 0.807 p > 0.05) with the measured antioxidant components (Total Phenolics, Total Flavonoids and vitamin C). Principal component analysis shows a significant relationship between the citrus varieties and their quality parameters to guide their industrial potential as sources of nutraceuticals.

Abstract In the present investigation functional, technological, and rheological attributes of probiotic yoghurt were studied during refrigerated storage (4 °C) for 28 days. The different preparations of probiotic yoghurts were made from dahi microflora which was documented as probiotics. Three strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) i.e. S. thermophilus (S02FT), L. bulgaricus (TLB06FT) and L. acidophilus (LA06FT) were selected for formulations of probiotic yoghurt. Three sets of probiotic yoghurt including Y1: S02FT and TLB06FT (1:1ratio), Y2: S02FT and TLB06FT (1:2ratio) and Y3: S02FT, TLB06FT and LA06FT (1:1:1 ratio) along with Y0 as a control (non-probiotic strains) were prepared and stored at 4 °C for 28 days. The results showed that technological attributes of Y3 preparation had better lactic acid production (75% at 0 day and 93% at 28 days) as compared to control. Moreover, Y3 preparation had lesser synersis (20% at 0 day and 35% at 28days) as compared to other treatments i.e. Y1, Y2, Y0 that had 24, 70 and 18% synersis at 0 day of storage respectively). However, viscosity of Y3 probiotic yoghurt indicated higher values (3001 cP at 0 days and 1310 cP at 28 days) among the rest of preparations. Functional attributes of Y3 showed the better results such as viability of probiotics (40×10-6 CFU/ml at 0 day and 1.16×10-6 CFU/ml at 28 days) and antibacterial activity (7.5 mm at 0 days 7 mm at 28 days) compared to other preparations. Conclusively, Y3 formulation attained the higher sensory attributes due to its better lactic acid production, viscosity and lesser synersis values during entire study duration in formulated yoghurt.

Abstract The number of attributes, related to the selection of potato varieties, was evaluated with reference to their potential in chip processing. Five commercial varieties of potato were analyzed regarding their physico-chemical, functional, and processing aspects. In general, Lady Rosetta subsequently, Chipsona were the most noticeable potato varieties considering their physical attributes. A significant correlation (R = 0.925) was estimated amongst geometric mean diameter and surface area. Maximum dry matter and starch contents were observed in Lady Rosetta followed by Chipsona. Desiree showed higher fat, sugar and mineral contents than all other selected potato cultivars. Promising correlation (R= 0.952) was estimated among total minerals and ash contents. Functional traits were recorded maximum in Desiree followed by Lady Rosetta. A significant correlation (R = 0.907) was described between total phenolic contents and radical scavenging activity. Lady Rosetta proved to be the most preferred potato variety considering post processing parameters followed by Chipsona.

Abstract Flatulence and fullness of stomach is one of the most common problem associated with chickpea primary due to presence of some oligosaccharides and phenols. In this investigation Desi and Kabuli varieties were compared for these oligosaccharides and phenolic compounds. Furthermore, the effect of different processing and cooking methods such as soaking, cooking and germination in the reduction of these antiphysiological factors were are also studies. Maximum tannic acid (0.90 ± 0.20%) was observed in Parbat and C-44 while minimum (0.60 ± 0.04%) in Karak-2. Stachyose contents ranged between 1.10 ± 0.05 (Karak-3) to 1.42 ± 0.02% (Parbat) while raffinose was 0.63 ± 0.05(Karak-3) to 0.81 ± 0.02% (Dasht). The highest tannic acid content was reduced up to 50% in C-44 by cooking of 72 hours germinated seeds. Stachyose and raffinose contents were completely removed after 72 hours germination. Present studies revealed that cooking after germination is the most effective method to reduce the anti-nutritional factors of chickpea. Individually, soaking and cooking also contributed to the loss of the same factors but to a lesser extent.

Plants have been source of fantastic natural compounds that range in complexity. Chemical studies on traditional medicinal plants have led to discovery of potent bioactive components. Pistacia integerrima belonging to family Anacardiaceae has been traditionally effective for rheumatic pain, analgesic and antipyretic effects and used in treatment of coughs, phthisis, asthma and dysentery. Natural products have served as basis for compounds to be utilized in drug discovery. Stem extract of Pistacia integerrima was investigated with the aim to find some novel components that can later be used as drugs or active pharmaceutical intermediates. Plant material was collected from Margalla Hills Islamabad, shade dried and subjected to cold maceration technique for extraction. Crude extract was partitioned into different fractions on polarity basis. Repeated normal and reverse phase column chromatography of ethyl acetate fraction supported by Thin Layer Chromatography have led to the isolation of pure single compound. Isolated compound was further analyzed towards structural elucidation using LC-MS, IR and NMR spectroscopy. Present finding will be a useful and novel addition in already known chemical components from Pistacia integerrima.

Heliotropium strigosum plant is widely used in traditional medicines for treatment of various ailments. In current study, an effort was made to evaluate phenolic profile as well as antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of crude methanol extract and different solvent (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform and aqueous) fractions of H. strigosum. Total phenolic contents were determined by spectrophotometric assay. Polyphenolic compounds in crude methanol extract and each solvent fraction were identified by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Antioxidant and antidiabetic activities were determined using DPPH and a-amylase inhibition assays, respectively. The outcome of spectrophotometric assay showed that methanol extract had higher amount of total phenolic (84.50 ± 0.06 μg GAE/ mg of plant extract) contents than aqueous, ethyl acetate, chloroform and n-hexane fractions, respectively. The RP-HPLC analysis revealed the maximum number of phenolic (chromotropic acid, quercetin, trans-4-hydroxy-3-methoxy cinnamic acid, vanillic acid, gallic acid, caffeic acid, m-coumaric acid, p-coumaric acid, syringic acid, sinapic acid and ferulic acid) compounds in methanol extract. Methanol extract (IC50 = 8.97 μg/mL) exhibited the maximum antidiabetic activity followed by aqueous (IC50 = 20.04 μg/mL), ethyl acetate (IC50 = 27.79 μg/mL), chloroform (IC50 = 56.87 μg/mL) and hexane (IC50 = 32.16 μg/mL) fractions, respectively. The outcome of antioxidant assay revealed that methanol extract was the leading one with regard to antioxidant activity at different doses (10 to 250 μg/mL). The current study concludes that H. strigosum solvents extracts with significant phenolic profile and potent biological activities could be explored for potential uses in neutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

Heliotropium strigosum plant is widely used in traditional medicines for treatment of various ailments. In current study, an effort was made to evalúate phenolic profile as well as antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of crude methanol extract and different solvent (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform and aqueous) fractions of H. strigosum. Total phenolic contents were determined by spectrophotometric assay. Polyphenolic compounds in crude methanol extract and each solvent fraction were identified by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Antioxidant and antidiabetic activities were determined using DPPH and a-amylase inhibition assays, respectively. The outcome of spectrophotometric assay showed that methanol extract had higher amount of total phenolic (84.50 ± 0.06 pg GAE/ mg of plant extract) contents than aqueous, ethyl acetate, chloroform and n-hexane fractions, respectively. The RP-HPLC analysis revealed the maximum number of phenolic (chromotropic acid, quercetin, trans-4-hydroxy-3-methoxy cinnamic acid, vanillic acid, gallic acid, caffeic acid, m-coumaric acid, p-coumaric acid, syringic acid, sinapic acid and ferulic acid) compounds in methanol extract. Methanol extract (IC5(0) = 8.97 pg/mL) exhibited the maximum antidiabetic activity followed by aqueous (IC50 = 20.04 pg/mL), ethyl acetate (IC50 = 27.79 pg/mL), chloroform (IC50 = 56.87 pg/mL) and hexane (IC50 = 32.16 pg/mL) fractions, respectively. The outcome of antioxidant assay revealed that methanol extract was the leading one with regard to antioxidant activity at different doses (10 to 250 pg/mL). The current study concludes that H. strigosum solvents extracts with significant phenolic profile and potent biological activities could be explored for potential uses in neutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

Aluminium (Al) samples were nitrided in 13.56 MHz radiofrequency (RF) discharge of 70:30 vol.% Ar:N2 mixture at substrate temperature of 400 °C and RF power of 300 W for different fill pressures and treatment times. The nitrided samples were then characterized for their structural and mechanical properties using x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Vickers micro hardness testing. XRD peaks (110), (111) and (200) of aluminium nitride (AlN) and their downshift confirmed the nitride formation together with nitrogen diffusion. The metastable cubic phase (c-AlN) shows texture growth and re-orientation dependent on fill pressure and treatment time. SEM micrographs showed the surface morphology with micro-pores. EDS results showed that the nitrogen content was significantly increased with nitriding time, along with the removal of oxides. Vickers hardness of the Al surface was increased more than thrice for 30 hours nitriding.