Rai Muhammad Amir

The synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using green methods is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods, and these nanoparticles can be used in various applications such as food coatings, water treatment, and catalysis. In the present study, the aqueous extract of Mentha piperita L. waste leaves served as both a reducing and stabilizing agent, and the reaction time, temperature, and pH were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) to control the crystal size. The crystal size varied from 10 to 43 nm in 17 experimental runs. The quadratic model showed an excellent fit ( F = 74.26, p < 0.0001; adjusted R ² = 0.9763). The minimum crystal size of 9.88 nm was predicted at 31.16°C, pH 5.92 and 15.96 min, and 10 nm AgNPs were obtained by experimental validation. The x‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) results showed that the structure of the silver was face‐centered cubic, the morphology was mostly spherical, and the purity of the elements was high. This RSM‐guided green synthesis allows the production of AgNPs in a precise and reproducible manner from waste biomass, which is a sustainable alternative to the trial and error synthesis for industrial applications.

Carissa carandas — a member of the family Apocynaceae, has gained tremendous attention from the scientific community for its impressive nutritional and health‐promoting features. There is little information available on the toxicological risks associated with consuming the fruit; therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the toxicity of the commercially viable doses of the fruit and its extracts in an experimental rat model. A 28‐day sub‐acute feeding trial was performed on male albino rats using 5%–10% supplementation of C. carandas dehydrated powder and methanol fruit extracts. Our results demonstrated a significant ( p ≤ 0.05) increase in hemoglobin and hematocrit concentration, from 11 to 14 g/dL and 35%–46%, respectively. Hematological results further confirmed improved hematopoiesis and thrombocytopoiesis due to dispensing C. carandas and its methanol extract, anticipating a significant increase in platelet counts from 627 to 1090 × 10 ³ /μL. The study's hepatic and renal histopathological findings also demonstrated no visible degenerative or inflammatory risks on sub‐acute administered doses of fruit powder and extracts. The results indicate that lower doses of C. carandas powder and extracts, that is, < 10% dietary supplementation, do not elicit any detrimental or toxicological effect in the rats, suggesting C carandas to be a valuable and promising candidate for developing value‐added functional foods to alleviate the risks of nutritional and other adverse health conditions.

Food is a basic human need and recognized as fundamental human rights in all over the world. It is necessary for the survival of human beings. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is working to eradicate hunger and poverty from all over the world. FAO gave comprehensive definition of food security which emphasizes on availability, accessibility, utilization and stability of food for every one end everywhere. United Nations also launched agenda 2030 and introduced seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs’) for member countries to achieve by 2030. Eradication of poverty and hunger are the first and foremost sustainable goals and the third one is defined as “Good Health and Well-Being”. Most of the developing countries like Pakistan are focusing to eradicate hunger by introducing several initiatives but the third goal which is interrelated to nutritional food is overlooked. The initiatives taken by governments to enhance food security did not take into account the nutritional elements of food and also ignored the food preferences and eating pattern of the people. This study develops a customized basic and economical food basket (BEFB) in accordance with the food preferences and eating behaviors of the people of Punjab. Secondary data is taken from different sources to develop the food basket while cost and affordability of the developed food is also determined. Results show that the developed BEFB is economical, affordable and full of nutrition. Study also suggested some policy recommendations to enhance nutritional food security in the country.

Calcium fortification is usually achieved by employing wheat flour as the most frequently used vehicle. In this study, potential of calcium extraction from chicken eggshell and its utilization as a bread fortificant in straight grade flour (SGF) is investigated. In addition, the fortified and unfortified (control) flour samples were evaluated for nutrient composition and rheological properties. Results showed that addition of fortificant at different concentrations significantly (p<0.05) enhanced calcium content of fortified flour and it was considerably increased from 115.80 mg/kg (To) to 1135.1 mg/kg (T3). Nutrient composition data of fortified flour have shown a significant (p<0.05) reduction in moisture content of flour from 12.7% (To) to 11.76% (T3) and protein content from 9.89% (To) to 9.79% (T3). However, a significant increase in ash content was observed by increasing fortificant level from 0.54% (To) to 1.04% (T3). Rheological properties indicated a significant increase in water absorption from 63.60 to 67.527%, dough development time (DDT) from 7.38 to 11.37 min and dough stability from 13.79 to 17.37 min. Textural characteristics of fortified bread revealed a significant reduction for hardness values from 11.40 N (control) to 6.50 N (T3) in response to fortificant addition. Quality assessment of bread indicated that bread quality was significantly affected with corresponding rises in fortificant addition levels.

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.

Lifestyle associated disorders have always been a hazard for the advancement of chronic diseases. Therefore, use of natural dietary sources is proved to be safe for reducing the occurrence and management of chronic diseases. Okra along with its various parts has been used for the treatment of several diseases. The present study was done to examine the ameliorating effect of okra seed oil on hypercholesterolemic rats. Spargue Dawley Rats were randomly divided into five groups fed with selected experimental diets for a period of 30 days. After inducing hypercholesterolemia, the rats in treatment groups were fed with 6%, 12% and 18% okra seed oil respectively mixed with their normal diet. Decrease in cholesterol and LDL were observed in group 2, 3 and 4. Increase in HDL was also observed in group 2, 3 and 4 from 24.33 ± 1.29 to 25.33 ± 1.29, 23 ± 2.94 to 25 ± 2.94 and from 23.67 ± 1.29 to 26.67 ± 1.29 at day 28. A decrease pattern was also observed in triglycerides in group 2, 3 and 4 from 74 ± 2.22 to 72 ± 2.22, 72 ± 1.63 to 68 ± 1.63 and from 74 ± 3.11 to 66.67 ± 2.45 at day 28. Okra seed oil has the potential to ameliorate hypercholesterolemia. This vegetable can be a part of medical nutrition therapy.

Chemicals are not used safely for the quality retention and optimum storage stability of foodstuff, due to residual problems. Food irradiation is a secure process and can effectively be used to suppress the infestation, sprouting, rate of respiration, and to increase the storage duration of perishable products. This research trial was conducted at Ayub Agricultural Research, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Mango samples of sensation variety were irradiated with three different doses by using a mark-IV irradiator installed at NIAB. Data regarding firmness, Brix, titratable acidity, pH, and Vitamin-C were calculated after a one-week interval. The mango samples were placed in cold storage where temperature and relative humidity were monitored regularly during the storage period 10°C and 85–90% relative humidity. The dose of 300 Gy showed better results as compared to the other two doses, i.e., 150 and 225 Gy due to the concentrated level of rays, however, the ray level higher than 300 imparted adverse effects. Irradiation technology can successfully be applied to improve the storage life and reduce post-harvest losses.

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.