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The current study was planned to provide nutrient dense carbonated beverage fortified with chamomile herbal extract that was rich in healthy nutrients and best to use. Infusion method was used to prepare chamomile herbal extract. After adding flavor and sugar syrup, carbonation was done. Different treatments were prepared (T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5). The antioxidant potential, physiochemical properties, and sensory attributes of beverage were assessed. Results showed that addition of chamomile enhanced the antioxidant and physiochemical properties of beverage. The DPPH activity, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content were observed as 49.23 ± 0.03 (%), 136.92 ± 0.06 (mg GAE/L), and 1989.47 ± 0.07 (mg QE/L), respectively, among T5 with 12% of chamomile extract. Moreover, the acidity increases from T0 to T5 (0.191 ± 0.01 to 0.220 ± 0.01). Furthermore, the overall acceptability of T4 was highest among sensory attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food is one of the most necessary needs since human civilization. For Muslims, it is mandatory to consume halal food. From a halal authentication perspective, adulteration of food products is an emerging challenge worldwide. The demand for halal food consumption has resulted in an ever‐increasing need for halal product validity. In the market, there are several food products in which actual ingredients and their source are not mentioned on the label and cannot be observed by the naked eye. Commonly nonhalal items include pig derivatives like lard, pork, and gelatin derivatives, dead meats, alcohol, blood, and prohibited animals. Purposely, various conventional and modern methods offer precise approaches to ensure the halalness and wholesomeness of food products. Conventional methods are physiochemical (dielectric) and electrophoresis. At the same time, modern techniques include high‐pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), electronic nose (E‐Nose), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. This review intends to give an extensive and updated overview of conventional and modern analytical methods for ensuring food halal authenticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Monitoring cellular processes across different levels of complexity, from the cellular to the tissue scale, is important for understanding tissue structure and function. However, it is challenging to monitor and estimate these structural and dynamic interactions within three-dimensional (3D) tissue models. Objective. The aim of this study was to design a method for imaging, tracking, and quantifying 3D changes in cell morphology (shape and size) within liver tissue, specifically a precision-cut liver slice (PCLS). A PCLS is a 3D model of the liver that allows the study of the structure and function of liver cells in their native microenvironment. Methods. Here, we present a method for imaging liver tissue during anisosmotic exposure in a multispectral four-dimensional manner. Three metrics of tissue morphology were measured to quantify the effects of osmotic stress on liver tissue. We estimated the changes in the volume of whole precision cut liver slices, quantified the changes in nuclei position, and calculated the changes in volumetric responses of tissue-embedded cells. Results. During equilibration with cell-membrane-permeating and non-permeating solutes, the whole tissue experiences shrinkage and expansion. As nuclei showed a change in position and directional displacement under osmotic stress, we demonstrate that nuclei could be used as a probe to measure local osmotic and mechanical stress. Moreover, we demonstrate that cells change their volume within tissue slices as a result of osmotic perturbation and that this change in volume is dependent on the position of the cell within the tissue and the duration of the exposure. Conclusion. The results of this study have implications for a better understanding of multiscale transport, mechanobiology, and triggered biological responses within complex biological structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardio-genic disruptions of in utero exposure of a non-fluoridated Cypermethrin (CP) and a fluoridated λ-Cyhalothrin (LC) type 2 pyrethroid insecticide were explored in albino mice. Pregnant dams were divided into three groups (n=10); 1) Vehicle Control Group (VCG) (intra-gastric treatment of 0.1mL corn oil); 2) Cypermethrin Group (CPG) and; 3) λ-Cyhalothrin Group (LPG) (intra-gastric treatment of 5mg/kg Cypermethrin (CP) and λ-Cyhalothrin respectively in corn oil). These treatments were applied on 7--10th days of pregnancy. Embryos were removed from the gravid uteri of the euthanized dams on 18th day of pregnancy and fixed in formyl ethanol for 24hrs to finally remove their hearts for histological and histometric analyses. Both insecticides were found to cause micro-anatomical derangements like decreased ventricular wall thickness, rudimentary appearance or complete absence of inter-ventricular (AV) septa, abnormalities of the cardiac valves, and decreased thickness of the muscular layer of the aortic trunk. However, these disruptions were much more pronounced in LCG. Morphometric results revealed a significant decrease (P>0.05) in the thickness of left ventricular wall in CPG (295.90±12.3µ) and LCG (104.27±5.6µ) as compared to VCG (346.68±9.5µ). The mean thickness of interventricular septum was significantly decreased in CPG (440.03±20.4µ) and LCG (214.3±10.2µ) groups than the VCG (2641.75±186.2µ). The thickness of the aortic intima also showed a significant (P>0.05) decrease in CPG (12.70±0.25µ) and LCG (11.03±0.3µ) than the VCG (18.44±0.37µ). Similarly, the thickness of aortic adventitia remained significantly (P>0.05) lower in CPG (26.96±1.1µ) and LCG (23.97±1.5µ) than the VCG (41.09±2.1µ). The relative abundance of myocardiocytes and cardio-myoblasts (per 5000µ2) also showed significant decrease in both CPG (8.98 ±0.45, 2.50±0.24 respectively) and LCG (4.7 ±0.48, 6.26±0.79) to the VCG (18.19±0.56, 1.02±0.13). The results show that type-2 pyrethroid insecticides inflict a highly toxic impact on the developing heart in mammals and the fluoridated LC is more toxic than the CP in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk of inadequate management of agro‐waste is an emerging challenge. However, the economic relevance of agro‐waste valorization is one of the key strategies to ensure sustainable development. Among the agro‐waste, oilseed waste and its by‐products are usually seen as mass waste after the extraction of oils. Oilseed by‐products especially oilseed cakes are a potential source of protein, fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. Oilseed cakes contain high value‐added bioactive compounds which have great significance among researchers to develop novel foods having therapeutic applications. Moreover, these oilseed cakes might be employed in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Thus, as a result of having desirable characteristics, oilseed by‐products can be more valuable in wide application in the food business along with the preparation of supplements. The current review highlights that plentiful wastes or by‐products from oilseeds are wasted if these underutilized materials are not properly valorized or effectively utilized. Hence, promising utilization of oilseeds and their wastes not only assists to overcome environmental concerns and protein insecurity but also helps to achieve the goals of zero waste and sustainability. Furthermore, the article also covers the production and industrial applications of oilseeds and by‐products along with the potential role of oilseed cakes and phytochemicals in the treatment of chronic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current investigation was carried out to develop polyphenol-enriched functional drinks from oil industry waste. Purposely, polyphenols were extracted from the mustard and sesame oilseed cakes through ultrasound-aided extraction alongside conventional extraction mode for comparison purposes. Among the oilseed cake extracts, sesame with methanol and ultrasonic extraction exhibited best results for TPC, DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and β-carotene as 39 ± 0.04 g GAE/100 g, 35 ± 0.02 g TE/100 g, 20 ± 0.02 g TE/100 g, 18 ± 0.03 g TE/100 g, and 35 ± 0.05 g TE/100 g, respectively, and mustard showed 31 ± 0.04 g GAE/100 g, 20 ± 0.01 g TE/100 g, 16 ± 0.02 g TE/100 g, 12 ± 0.01 g TE/100 g, and 30 ± 0.05 g TE/100 g, respectively. In case of conventional extraction and methanol as solvent, sesame revealed outcomes for TPC, DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and β-carotene as 13 ± 0.02 g GAE/100 g, 17 ± 0.03 g TE/100 g, 10 ± 0.01 g TE/100 g, 21 ± 0.04 g TE/100 g, and 15 ± 0.03 g TE/100 g, respectively, compared to mustard which showed for TPC, DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and β-carotene as 11 ± 0.02 , 12 ± 0.01 , 08 ± 0.01 , 17 ± 0.03 , and 10 ± 0.01 , respectively. Likewise, for mustard oilseed cake extract with conventional extraction technique and water as solvent, minimum findings were observed for TPC, DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and β-carotene as 07 ± 0.01 , 09 ± 0.02 , 06 ± 0.01 , 14 ± 0.03 , and 07 ± 0.01 , respectively. T0 without extracts, T1 (sesame oilseed cake extract based Functional drink) , and T2 (mustard oilseed cake extract based Functional drink). The recorded values for total phenols, total flavonoids, total carotenoids, and vitamin C in T0, T1, and T2 were 29.79 ± 6.05 , 32.53 ± 7.05 , and 30.5 ± 5.05 ; 26.33 ± 5.05 , 30.60 ± 7.05 , and 29.75 ± 5.05 ; 2.11 ± 0.05 , 2.12 ± 0.05 , and 2.08 ± 0.01 ; and 31.7 ± 7.05 , 30.5 ± 5.05 , and 29.6 ± 6.05 , respectively. Likewise, sensory evaluation for color, flavor, sweetness, sourness, and overall acceptability during 2 months of storage depicted acceptable scores. The inclusive best outcomes for phytochemical analysis were achieved with sesame oilseed cake extracts by applying ultrasonic extraction technique and methanol as solvent. In the same way, among the developed functional drinks, T1 (sesame oilseed cake extract-based functional drink) exhibited best physiochemical as well as storage characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for minimally processed food is increasing across the globe. In this regard, the application of non-thermal technologies for food processing is getting more attention. The use of plasma in food processing offers promising potential owing to its different attributes including non-thermal, enzyme inactivation, removal of pesticides toxin, less damage to food, low nutritional loss, and high quality of the final products. Plasma ensures food safety by inactivation of potential pathogens without distressing the quality indices of the food. Plasma is an advanced technique that has attracted scientists and technologists because of its astonishing capacity and potential applications in food industries which include food decontamination, inactivation of food-borne pathogenic microbes, and food packaging. The present review summarizes the key factors in plasma generation, its characteristics and applications in different food industries. Furthermore, it also addresses the principles, practices and limitations of plasma application in food safety, decontamination and current knowledge on the subject matter. These application of plasma in food industries improves the nutritional and textural aspects of food materials [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxic effects of heavy metals on grass hopper species, Oxya hyla hyla (Serville) were studied by exposing O.hyla hyla to Cd+2, Pb+2 and Hg+2 at different concentrations of CdCl2, PbCl2 and HgCl for variable exposure time (24h, 50h and 75h) observing changes in the activities of 2 antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD)] and biochemical composition of haemolymph. Significant accumulation of metals was noticed that alarmingly increases with increase in exposure time and dosage. At low metal concentrations, oxidative stress was expressed by SOD and this effect disappeared at high concentrations. Assayed activities of CAT, POD and LPO level were significantly accelerated and correlated positively as metal exposure time increased. A significant decrease in total soluble protein, sugar, lipids and glycogen contents was also observed due to metal exposure throughout the entire test period except after the first 24h of exposure at lower concentrations. The study proved O.hyla hyla (Orthoptera: Acrididae) and its antioxidant enzyme level as bio-indicators and bio-markers of biotic and abiotic stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the accumulation and contamination of heavy metals (i.e., Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn) in soil, air, and water, few insect species were assayed as ecological indicators. Study area comes under industrial zone of district Gujrat of Punjab, Pakistan. Insects used as bioindicators included a libellulid dragonfly (Crocothemis servilia), an acridid grasshopper (Oxya hyla hyla), and a nymphalid butterfly (Danaus chrysippus) near industrial zone of Gujrat. Accumulation of Cd was highest in insect species followed by Cu, Cr, Zn, and Ni at p<0.05. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HACA) was carried out to study metal accumulation level in all insects. Correlation and regression analysis confirmed HACA observations and declared concentration of heavy metals above permissible limits. Metal concentrations in insects were significantly higher near industries and nallahs in Gujrat and relatively higher concentrations of metals were found in Orthoptera than Odonata and Lepidoptera. The total metal concentrations in insects were pointed significantly higher at sites S3 (Mid of HalsiNala), S9 (End of HalsiNala), and S1 (Start of HalsiNala), whereas lowest value was detected at site S6 (Kalra Khasa) located far from industrial area. HACA indicates that these insect groups are potential indicators of metal contamination and can be used in biomonitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]