Quality evaluation of different honey samples produced in Peshawar valley

The present study was designed to evaluate different honey samples obtained from local market for their quality parameters for assessment of their feasibility for foreign export by comparing it with international standards. The study was conducted at PCSIR laboratories complex, Peshawar, during 2006. The tested samples were evaluated for moisture content, Ash percentage, acid content, HMF and reducing sugars percentage. The moisture content of locally produced honey was in the range of 14.5 to 18.23%. The ash content of locally produced honey samples ranged between 0.047-0.35 which is within the standard limits. The acid content of the honey samples ranged between 19.5 and 38.0 meq kg(-1). The HMF contents of locally produced honeys ranged from 5.3 to 23.20 mg kg(-1). The content of reducing sugar of the tested samples ranged between 43.14 and 81.40% for the tested samples of locally produced honey. All of the samples were found to be in acceptable range of international standards for all of the tested parameters except for only one sample with lower reducing sugars. These samples were marked to be according to the international standards and are healthy for human consumption.     

Survival of Paramecium caudatum at various pH values and under normoxic and hypoxic conditions

The objective of this study was to determine the survival of Paramecium caudatum, a protozoan ciliate, with different pH under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. P. caudatum was exposed to 18 treatments (in triplicate) of varying pH (4, 4.7, 5.7, 6.7, 7.7, 8.7, 9.7, 10.7 and 11.7) with two different conditions of normoxic and hypoxic. Survival was examined every second day for three weeks. P. caudatum mortality was 100% immediately when exposed to pH 4, 10.7 and 11.7 either in normoxic or hypoxic conditions, whereas at other pH values tested this ciliate could survive mostly under hypoxic conditions. The results suggest that under hypoxic condition, 4.7-6.7 is the best pH range for survival of this species.     

Imposed starvation for in vitro maintenance and high regeneration of elite key lime (Citrus aurantifolia)

Preservation of elite key lime (Citrus aurantifolia) genotypes using efficient micropropagation and regeneration protocols is very important for new breeding programmes. The objective of the present study was to develop an efficient protocol for micropropagation and maintenance of elite genotypes of key lime based on slow growth and starvation strategy. To do this, regenerated shoots were starved, and the growth was compromised via avoiding subcultures for 4, 8, 12 and 24 months. The numbers of responsive explants and adventitious shoots per each explant were evaluated in the presence of benzylaminopurine (BAP). The results showed that the 12- and 24-month starved explants treated with 1 mg/l BAP were able to produce four times more shoots than the control. In addition, the influences of horizontal or vertical layering explants over medium were evaluated. The results indicated that all horizontally layered explants significantly produced 25% adventitious shoots more than vertical explants, most likely owing to more contact with the surface medium. Finally, it could be concluded that application of slow growth, starvation strategy and also horizontally layering of the explants could efficiently enhance micropropagation and maintenance of threatened elite key lime genotypes with a low cost.     

Evaluation of sedative,analgesic, physiological,and laboratory effects of two doses off medetomidine and xylazine in dromedary calves

The present study aims to comparatively evaluate the effects of different doses of intravenous xylazine and medetomidine on sedation and antinociception scores, and physiological and laboratory parameters in dromedary calves. Thirty clinically healthy male dromedary calves 15 ± 2 weeks old and weighing 95 ± 5.5 kg were studied. Two groups received xylazine at low (0.2 mg/kg) and high (0.4 mg/kg) doses. Two groups received medetomidine at low (10 µg/kg) and high (20 µg/kg) doses. One group received normal saline. Sedation signs were scored using a 3‐point scale. Analgesic effect was analyzed using pinpricks. Data were analyzed by one‐way ANOVA and Mann–Whitney U‐tests. Sedation and antinociception scores of the animals 1 hr after receiving the higher dose of xylazine and medetomidine were significantly higher than that of other groups. Compared with other studied groups, the animals receiving the higher dose of xylazine showed significantly higher potassium and creatinine serum levels after 24 hr. Doses as high as 0.4 mg/kg for xylazine and 20 µg/kg for medetomidine can be considered safe and useful for procedures associated with mild pain in dromedary calves.     

Antioxidant Potential,Physico-chemical,and Sensory Attributes of Cookies Supplemented with Mosambi Peel Extract

The core objective of the present investigation was to isolate and quantify antioxidants from mosambi (sweet orange) peel. In the proposed research, different solvents were used for the extraction of antioxidants from mosambi peel. Among these solvents, ethanol resulted in better antioxidant yield compared to aqueous extract. Ethanolic extract of mosambi peel showed higher total phenolic contents (19.3 ± 0.3 mg/g) as compared to aqueous extracts (18.2 ± 0.04 mg/g). Considering the safety health concern, aqueous extract of mosambi peel was incorporated in cookies at different concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 3%, and further subjected to physico-chemical and sensory attributes. Proximate composition (moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, and niitrogen-free extract (NFE) contents) of fortified cookies varied non-significantly. However, sensory evaluation rated aqueous extract of mosambi peel (2%) with better hedonic response. Mosambi peel antioxidants have a great potential to be used in various functional foods and the ability to improve storage stability.     

Osteopontin gene polymorphism association with milk traits and its expression analysis in milk of riverine buffalo

Osteopontin gene is regarded as a plausible candidate in mammary gland differentiation and development, expressed by variety of cells, tissues, and biological fluids including milk. The current study was performed in two phases. In the first phase, Osteopontin gene polymorphisms were identified and associated with milk composition such as ash, milk fat, SNF, lactose, and protein. In the second phase, milk samples from five healthy mastitis-free Nili Ravi buffaloes were analyzed for expression of Osteopontin gene at transition (day 15), mid (day 90), and end (day 250) stage of their second lactation. Briefly, blood samples were collected from Nili Ravi buffalo to isolate the genomic DNA, specific primers were designed for PCR amplification. The amplified PCR products were sequenced bi-directionally. Six polymorphisms were identified in the coding region and four in the intronic region of the gene. The results showed that SNP g.38329758 T > C causing substitution of valine to alanine (V127A) was associated with high milk protein. For mRNA expression analysis, somatic cells were separated from milk samples for RNA isolation. Analysis of differential gene expression data has permitted us to illustrate the expression pattern of osteopontin gene in lactating buffalo. The Osteopontin gene was found to be transcribed among all three lactation stages, but expression was observed with the highest value (fold change) in peak lactation and remained elevated till the end of lactation. Identified gene marker may be helpful for the prediction of superior animal for selection. The presented study also gave an insight into the genetic screening and lactation biology of riverine buffalo, offering direction for future research in lactating buffalo.     

Alpha‐lipoic acid: An inimitable feed supplement for poultry nutrition

Alpha‐lipoic acid (ALA) is a multifunction antioxidant that is produced in small amount by cells as well as its dietary provision facilitates fatty acid mobilization, energy expenditure as well as can scavenge free radicals in poultry birds. It exists in oxidized as well as reduced form, characterized by growth promoting, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidative, immunostimulatory, and hypocholesterolemic properties when fed as dietary supplement to farm animals particularly chicken birds. Recently, several studies reported that dietary supplementation of ALA can influence growth performance indicators, immunological, biochemical characteristics, lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress as well as increase antioxidant potential and storability of poultry meat and meat products. Accordingly, this paper adds the reviews and discusses the outcomes of studies documenting the effect of lipoic acid dietary fortification on growth performance, biochemical, and immunological characteristics as well as the effects on lipid peroxidation of fresh meat and meat‐based products. Furthermore, this paper also describes the possibilities of utilization of ALA as a feed additive in poultry nutrition to improve the growth performance of poultry as well as meat quality of resultant chicken birds.     

Differential effects of experimental hyperthyroidism on declined immunity of broiler chicken

Thyroid hormones (THs) are involved in the development of lymphoid organs and regulation of immune function in birds. However, their role as an immune‐modulator in the hyperthyroid state is still debatable. To explore the interrelationship of thyroxine (T₄) and the immune system, chicks were divided into three groups. Group I was comprised of control birds, who received the basal diet while group II and III were given diets supplemented with 5 μg and 10 μg thyroxine/kg feed, respectively, from 15 to 28 days of age. Cell‐mediated immune response was evaluated through in vitro abdominal macrophage phagocytosis assay, macrophage nitric oxide (NO) production, heterophil‐to‐lymphocyte (H:L) ratio and delayed‐type hypersensitivity response against phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Humoural immune response was assessed through serum IgG and IgM antibody production against sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) and antibody production against infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). Sampling was carried out at 7, 14 and 21 days of treatment. Results have shown higher levels (p < .001) of circulating T₄ in both treatment groups compared to the control group. There was a lower (p < .05) macrophage engulfment percentage, an increase in H:L ratio (p < .001) in treated birds, while their NO production remained higher (p < .05) in thyroxine supplemented groups after bacterial lipopolysaccharide stimulation. The humoural immune response revealed a significant decline (p < .001) in IgG, IgM antibody production against SRBCs but IBV circulating antibodies increased with age. In conclusion, hyperthyroidism has a strong co‐relation with decreased immune performance of birds.     

Combining ability analysis to identify suitable parents for heterosis in seed cotton yield,its components and lint % in upland cotton

Combining ability and heterosis were studied in a 6 × 6 diallel cross to see the nature of gene action in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) during 2002 to 2004. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among all the F₁ and F₂ hybrid means and their respective six parental values for all the traits examined. In both generations, the mean squares due to general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were also highly significant. SCA genetic variances were greater than GCA and more important for the traits, i.e. boll weight, boll number and seed cotton yield per plant, showing the predominance of non-additive gene action. Lint % in both generations and boll weight in F₂s only were controlled by additive type of gene action due to maximum GCA variances. Cultivar CIM-1100 was found to be the best general combiner and its utilization produced valuable hybrids with desirable SCA in both generations. F₁ and F₂ hybrids, viz., CIM-1100 × CRIS-9, CIM-1100 × FH-682, CIM-1100 × BH-36 and CIM-109 × CIM-1100 as high × low and low × high parents performed well in SCA determination, outstanding mean performance and heterosis. Better SCA effects associated with useful heterosis were more pronounced for yield traits. In F₁ hybrids, maximum heterosis was observed for seed cotton yield followed by boll number, boll weight and lint %. The heterosis over better parent was +3.13 to +65.63% for bolls per plant, +0.75 to +24.40% for boll weight, +0.82 to +115.22% for seed cotton yield and +0.27 to +3.88% for lint %. Involvement of CIM-1100 in most of the F₁ and F₂ hybrids resulted in the synthesis of superior genotypes for most of the traits studied. Inbreeding depression was elevated in good performing hybrids and was the highest for seed cotton yield. Highest yielding F₁ hybrids yielded lesser in the subsequent generation due to over-dominance and inbreeding depression, whereas moderate yielding F₁ hybrids were found more stable even passing through process of segregation due to additive gene action. The combined performance of F₁ and F₂ hybrids could be a good indicator to identify the most promising populations to be utilized either as F₂ hybrids or as a resource population for further selection.