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The current study aims to provide insights into the drying of agro products, with a specific focus on Capsicum annum L. (red pepper). Among open sun drying (OSD), polyethylene bag drying (PBD), and polycarbonate sheet drying (PCSD), PCSD was efficient requiring around 24 hours with a maximum yield of 350 g of dried product per 1000 g of supplied fresh peppers. The PCSD dried chili also showed greater retention of antioxidant markers (capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin) than OSD and PBD as evidenced by UV-VIS spectroscopy. Additionally, the PCSD dried chili demonstrated highest antioxidant potential via ABTS (2, 2′-Azinobis-3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6-Sulfonic Acid). Interestingly, the presence of various aromatic compounds and other chemical groups, indicated the occurrence of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in each drying method used. The study suggests that PCSD sheet drying is an efficient and cost-effective approach that can conserve the antioxidant potential of agro products such as red pepper.

BACKGROUND: Sweet melon (Cucumis melo) seed is generally considered as agro‐waste, however, the current study aimed to use this waste as a valuable oil source. The seed oil extracted by two different extraction techniques (cold press and solvent extraction) was investigated for its anti‐hyperlipidemic potential. Hyperlipidemic rabbits were fed on the diet supplemented with sweet melon seed oil for 6 weeks (42 days) and thoroughly examined for the change in their lipid profile. RESULTS: The blood lipid profile indicated a significant decrease in total cholesterol triglyceride and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) contents of blood in hyperlipidemic rabbits fed on the diet supplemented with sweet melon seed oils while high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) contents showed a noteworthy increase during the study period. CONCLUSION: Cucumis melo seed oil can be used to control hyperlipidemia without restricting the intake of lipids in diet. Solvent extraction provided better results regarding extraction yield and product functionality than cold press method. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to growing exploration in nanotechnology, nano-particles application in various fields of industries and medicine is growing. However, limited study is available on their toxicological impacts which can adversely affect the organism's health and their environment. Current research was designed to study the possible toxicity of iron oxide nano-particles on common carp, C. carpio after exposure period of 96 hours by the analysis of their haematological parameters. Fish were segregated into three groups (10fish/treatment). The iron oxide nano-particles at 0.25g/l doze were administered orally to treatment T1 and intravenously from caudal vein of fish to treatment T2. After 96h of exposure period, the blood was collected from fishes by the caudal vein puncture method into tubes containing anticoagulants EDTA and transferred immediately to the laboratory for the assessment of their blood profile. There was recorded no mortality after 96h of exposure period. IONPs significantly affected the counts of WBCs, Hb, MCH and MCHC of experimental and control groups. The analysis of blood profile demonstrated that haematological parameters; the number of WBCs and Hb were increased in T1 and decreased in T2 in relation to T0. The counts of RBCs, HCT, MCV and PLT were found to be increased in both experimental groups as compared to control one. It is inferred from current results that IONPs have toxic effect on the haematology of C. carpio. Moreover, oral route of administering IONPs was found to be more toxic than intravenous one. Present study can be beneficial for the safety of aquatic environment and management of aquatic toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Captive breeding is one of the pre-eminent practices to warrant the future survival of animal and bird species. This study is a first-time report with a long-term analysis of the breeding account and mortality rates of Black Swan at the first National Park in Pakistan i.e., Lal Suhanra National Park, Bahawalpur, established in Pakistan under the Punjab Wildlife Act 1974. We obtained the reproduction and mortality data of captive Black Swans from the park management logs from 2008-2009 to 20162017. During the nine years (2008-2009 to 20162017), breeding output was significantly higher than the mortality rate, especially in cygnets. The results show that the species breeds three times in a year, and the breeding months include December-January, April-May, and October-November. These seasonal variations in breeding and mortality may be due to environmental factors, including climatic conditions, potential management protocols, and disease outbreaks. Further studies are suggested to thoroughly investigate all factors that affect the population of Black Swans in captivity so that proper management can be carried out for their conservation and protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]