Evaluating the quality and storage stability of fish burgers during frozen storage

ABSTRACT:   In an attempt to initiate seafood biotechnology in the Sultanate of Oman, Middle East, using underutilized fish, fish burgers from two different formulas were developed and the quality and storage stability were evaluated during storage at −20°C for 3 months. Quality and storage stability were evaluated through total aerobic and coliform bacterial count, peroxide value, protein solubility, and color. Total aerobic bacteria were reduced significantly ( P  < 0.05) by 84% and 97% of the initial load in formulas 1 and 2, respectively, whereas coliforms were completely destroyed in both formulas at the end of storage. Peroxide value increased ( P  < 0.05) but did not reach detectable levels of rancidity. Salt-soluble protein content decreased remarkably during the storage period. The L value showed good stability during storage, keeping products bright for 3 months. Fish burgers from both formulas were acceptable for 3 months at −20°C. Storage stability was rationalized by the effectiveness of freezing, and antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of food additives.     

Hexane Extract of Raphanus sativus L. Roots Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Human Cancer Cells by Modulating Genes Related to Apoptotic Pathway

Raphanus sativus, a common cruciferous vegetable has been attributed to possess a number of pharmacological and therapeutic properties. It has been used in indigenous system of medicine for the treatment of various human ailments in India. This present study evaluated the chemopreventive efficacy of different parts of R. sativus such as root, stem and leaves, extracted with solvents of varying polarity and investigated the molecular mechanism leading to growth arrest and apoptotic cell death in human cancer cell lines. Of the different parts, significant growth inhibitory effect was observed with hexane extract of R. sativus root. Analysis of hexane extract by GC-MS revealed the presence of several isothiocyanates (ITCs) such as 4-(methylthio)-3-butenyl isothiocyanate (MTBITC), 4-(methylthio)-3-butyl isothiocyanate (erucin), 4-methylpentyl isothiocyanate, 4-pentenyl isothiocyanate and sulforaphene. R. sativus root extract induced cell death both in p53 proficient and p53 deficient cell lines through induction of apoptotic signaling pathway regardless of the p53 status of cells. The molecular mechanisms underlying R. sativus-induced apoptosis may involve interactions among Bcl₂ family genes, as evidenced by up-regulation of pro-apoptotic genes and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic genes along with activation of Caspase-3. Our findings present the first evidence that hexane extract of R. sativus root exerts potential chemopreventive efficacy and induces apoptosis in cancer cell lines through modulation of genes involved in apoptotic signaling pathway.     

Breaking wheat yield barriers requires integrated efforts in developing countries

Most yield progress obtained through the so called "Green Revolution", particularly in the irrigated areas of Asia, has reached a limit, and major resistance genes are quickly overcome by the appearance of new strains of disease causing organisms.New plant stresses due to a changing environment are difficult to breed for as quickly as the changes occur.There is consequently a continual need for new research programs and breeding strategies aimed at improving yield potential, abiotic stress tolerance and resistance to new, major pests and diseases.Recent advances in plant breeding encompass novel methods of expanding genetic variability and selecting for recombinants, including the development of synthetic hexaploid, hybrid and transgenic wheats.In addition, the use of molecular approaches such as quantitative trait locus(QTL) and association mapping may increase the possibility of directly selecting positive chromosomal regions linked with natural variation for grain yield and stress resistance.The present article reviews the potential contribution of these new approaches and tools to the improvement of wheat yield in farmer's fields, with a special emphasis on the Asian countries, which are major wheat producers, and contain the highest concentration of resource-poor wheat farmers.     

Prospective study of avian influenza H9 infection in commercial poultry farms of Punjab Province and Islamabad Capital Territory,Pakistan

Tropical Animal Health and Production - A prospective study was conducted from November 2013 to February 2014 to estimate the spatial clustering; cumulative incidence and risk factors associated...     

Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf extract as bioregulator for improving growth of maize under mercuric chloride stress

The contamination of agriculture soils with heavy metals is increasing due to both natural and anthropogenic activities. This has resulted in lowering the yield and quality of agriculture crops. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the effect of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) aqueous leaf extract (MALE) on growth and Hg phytoextraction potential of maize cv. Azam under mercuric chloride (HgCl₂)-induced stress. Soil was contaminated with different concentrations of HgCl₂ (1 and 0.5?mg/kg). The MALE was applied at 5% and 2.5% as seed soaking prior to sowing of seeds in the pots. The M. oleifera leaf was a good source of macronutrients (Na, K, Ca and Mg) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn, Co and Ni) as well as natural phenolics. The induced HgCl₂ stress significantly reduced seed germination (%), shoot dry weight, root dry weight, chlorophyll content and carotenoids content. The HgCl₂-induced stress was associated with accumulation of phenolics and Hg in roots. The accumulation of Hg in roots was significantly correlated with phenolics content (r?=?.8007, p?=?.000). The exogenous application of MALE significantly ameliorated adverse effects of HgCl₂ stress on maize plants. The accumulation of Hg in roots was significantly increased by MALE. It is inferred from findings of the present investigation that MALE served as bioregulator and can be applied to reduce adverse effects of HgCl₂ on maize. Moreover, MALE can enhance the Hg phytoremediation potential of maize.     

Effects of salicylic acid on growth and accumulation of phenolics in Zea mays L. under drought stress

The accumulation of total soluble and cell wall-bound phenolics and total soluble proteins in Zea mays plants exposed to drought stress and foliar spray of salicylic acid (SA) at 10^?4?mol/L and 10^?5?mol/L was investigated. Drought stress was imposed at the four-leaf stage for 10 days (30–35% field capacity). Dehydration of maize leaves was accompanied by the accumulation of both total soluble and cell wall-bound phenolics, reduction in leaf relative water content (LRWC), and shoot and root growth attributes. Foliar spraying of SA further augmented the content of total soluble and cell wall-bound phenolics and total soluble proteins content under drought stress. SA ameliorated the adverse effects of drought stress on LRWC, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, root dry weight, root length and root area. The accumulation of both soluble and cell wall-bound phenolics by foliar spray of SA may be a mechanism related to SA-induced drought stress tolerance in maize. It was concluded that foliar spraying of SA at 10^?5?mol/L can be highly economical and effective for modifying the effects of drought stress on maize at the four-leaf stage.     

Germplasm conservation and quantitative estimation of podophyllotoxin and related glycosides of Podophyllum hexandrum

We have done comparative morphological and chemotaxonomic studies to investigate the phylogenetic relationship of different accessions within the Podophyllum species. HPLC profiles revealed that all Podophyllum hexandrum accessions collected from different geographical locations are chemically highly diverse. Also, we have observed that chemotaxonomic studies clearly demonstrated that chemical characters of the Podophyllum hexandrum are suitable to generate essentially the same relationship as revealed by RAPD analysis.     

Synthesis and fungicidal activity of N-(p-sulfonylphenyl)-N1 -carbamoylureas

A series of 11 N-(p-sulfonylphenyl)-N¹-carbamoylureas was prepared by reaction of 1,6-diphenyl-2,4-dioxohexahydro-s-triazine with chlorosulfonic acid and thionyl chloride. The resultant N-(p-chlorosulfonylphenyl)-N¹-carbamoylurea was subsequently condensed with amines, butanol, hydrazine and sodium azide. The hydrazide was reacted with carbonyl compounds and the azide with trimethyl phosphite. The products were tested for in-vivo fungicidal activity against barley powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis); the acetone hydrazone derivative showed the highest activity. © 1998 SCI.     

反演分析土壤-秸秆水分运动参数

通过潜水均衡试验站土壤测渗仪资料,以新疆具有一定代表性的轻粘土为例,利用无秸秆覆盖和地表以下35 cm秸秆覆盖的实测资料,研究作物生长条件下土壤水分和盐分运移模型参数,通过HYDRUS模型反演确定了土壤水分运动参数和秸秆水分参数。并与测筒实测数据进行了比较。通过计算,无论是模拟计算的土壤水分运动参数还是秸秆水分参数都与相应的测筒观测值具有良好的一致性,模拟值与实测值吻合较好,这表明了轻粘土土壤水分运动参数和秸秆水分运动参数的确定是合理的。这些参数的确定将为更好地模拟秸秆覆盖条件下土壤水盐运移规律,研究秸秆覆盖层阻止土壤潜水蒸发抵制土壤盐分向上运动提供科学数据。