Abstract The present study was designed to characterize oat bran for their biological attributes. The results showed that bran of Avon variety contained high TDF, SDF, β-glucan and extractability of β-glucan than bran of oat variety Sargodha-81. The extrusion process exhibited the highest extractability of β-glucan (45.37%) followed by cooking (37.28%) and baking methods (32.45%). Moreover, the glucose level reduction was found significantly different when raw and processed oat bran diets fed to normal, hypercholesterolemic and diabetic rats. The highest reduction was recorded when fed on diet containing 30% processed oat bran. The processed oat bran exhibited more reduction as compared to raw oat bran. Furthermore, addition of 20% oat bran in wheat grits porridge was found to have significant effect (p < 0.05) on appearance, mouth feel and overall acceptability. Convincingly, it is recommended that processed oat bran may be introduced in diet-based remedy to rheostat lifestyle-related disorders.

Abstract Spinach is highly contaminated with different pesticide residues. This study was designed to evaluate organochlorine and pyrethroid pesticide residues present in various washing treatments (T0-T13) of fresh and chemically washed spinach with respect to maximum residues limits. Efficiency of washing solutions (citric acid, acetic acid, garlic extract and ginger extract) of different concentrations (w/v %) along with tap water in spinach was investigated for residues dissolution. Results showed that the highest reductions in endosulfan, deltamethrin and cypermethrin residues were 0.008 ± 0.008 mg.kg-1 (53%), 0.023 ± 0.024 mg.kg-1 (76%) and 0.017 ± 0.014 mgkg-1 (83%) in treatment of T5 (10% acetic acid) followed by 0.035 ± 0.029 mg.kg-1 (50%), 0.051 ± 0.029 mg.kg-1 (73%) and 0.037 ± 0.048 mg kg-1 (81%) in treatment T11 (10% ginger extract) while the lowest reductions in residues were 0.304 ± 0.004 mg.kg-1 (23%), 0.432 ± 0.030 mg.kg-1 (35%) and 0.468 ± 0.016 mg kg-1 (38%) in treatment T2 (5% citric acid), respectively. In conclusion, 10% acetic acid, ginger extract and mixture of acetic and citric acids can effectively minimize pesticide residues in treated spinach.

Abstract Goat meat is consumed all over the world because of its nutritional profile and delicacy. It is produced in all areas of Pakistan but the meat produced in the Karakoram region of the Pakistan is mostly organic and the animals are fed on the natural vegetation having nutrition benefits for humans. In current study, goats were reared on the different systems having natural flora of alfalfa and grass hey (MS I) sea buckthorn (MS II), Russian Olive (MS III) and the mix ration of sea buckthorn and Russian olive (MS IV). The animals were reared for 6 months and after slaughtering evaluated for fatty acids, physiochemical, microbiological and the sensory evaluation of the smoked meat. It has been observed that the meat has microbiological quality on acceptable degrees, fatty acid profile of the meat was best for MS IV, mineral and sensory characteristics, color and physical properties for all treatments remained non-significant. The basic choice for health-conscious consumer is on the profile of fatty acids in the meat so on the basis of data it could be suggested that the meat fed on the sea buck thorn and Russian olive is best among all treatments.

Abstract The hyperglycaemia defines features of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), which is a real time problem and poses a significant economic burden on the globe and is spreading like an epidemic. Currently it affects 384 million people on the globe and this number is expected to reach 592 million in 2035 as reiterated by International Diabetes Federation (IDF). By improving the quality of diet and decreasing the intake of sugary foods T2DM can be treated. Fenugreek seeds powder in sachet form of 20 g/day used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus as a natural supplement. Anthropometric parameters of height, weight, age and BMI of T2DM patient was also calculated. In this study patients from Rawalpindi and Islamabad region were selected for study purpose. Blood sugar levels such as fasting blood glucose (FBG), random blood glucose (RBG), and HbA1c of both the groups (treated and control) were taken at baseline, after one month and at the end of study. When fenugreek seeds were given to T2DM patients significant decrease in their glucose levels were seen after 30 and then 60 days of treatment.