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Abstract Household kitchen waste (HKW) is produced in large quantity and its management is difficult due to high moisture content and complex organic matter. Aerobic composting of HKW is an easy, efficient, cost-effective and eco-friendly method. This study is designed to achieve a zero-waste concept and to convert HKW. We optimized the type and size of three different bulking agents to speed up the composting process. The tested bulking agents were fallen leaves, sawdust and fly ash. The results showed a higher and longer thermophilic phase (55oC) for 11 days in C2. Higher moisture content (69%) and higher organic matter degradation (38.4%) were also observed in C2. The pH range in all compost treatments was 7-8.5, Electrical conductivity range was 1.8–3.55 mS/cm, C/N ratio range was 15.4–18.1, water holding capacity range was 3.25–4.3 g water/g dry sample, total potassium range was 1.52–1.61%, total phosphorous range was 0.83–1.14%. The highest germination index (119.1%) was also obtained in C2. The highest chili height (16.7 cm), greater number of leaves (20), greater shoot fresh weight (4.75 g) and root fresh weight (1.2 g) was obtained in the presence of C2. Similarly, greater water WHC (2.8 g water/g DW), higher porosity (55.49%) and higher aggregate stability (54.14%) of soil was also obtained by C2. This research effectively reduced the maturation time to 32 days and converted kitchen waste into compost (resource). This is a very practical idea for home composting and kitchen gardening to combat food security issues in developing countries.

In large language models (LLMs), the translation quality has limitations in the translation when translated into different languages. This study compares Chinese allusions in human and machine translated corpora translated by OpenAI GPT-3.5, Volctrans, and human translated texts. The framework innovatively combines two automated evaluation metrics, BLEU and METEOR, with a translation quality assessment method derived from Fuzzy Mathematics and Optimality Theory. The findings of the study indicate that the GPT-3.5 translated version exhibits higher quality than the Volctrans version when evaluated by a machine. Similarly, human evaluations indicate that among the three versions, Volctrans is of the lowest quality, while the human version exceeds the GPT-3.5 version in terms of quality. Thus, the study further reveals that Volctrans version is deemed to have the lowest translation quality from both human and machine evaluation perspectives. Finally, this study not only introduces but also validates a novel framework for assessing machine translation quality.

Abstract This study presents the fabrication and characterization of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) incorporating green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Hibiscus Rosa sinensis extract within a polyethersulfone (PES) matrix for nanofiltration (NF) application. The membranes were evaluated for their pure water permeability, salt rejection, dye removal, and antifouling performance. Results showed that the membrane with 0.75 wt% AgNPs exhibited the highest pure water permeability of 36 L/m2 h−1 bar−1 attributed to increased porosity and enhanced hydrophilicity. Addition of 0.75wt% AgNPs resulted in significant improvements, with NaCl rejection increased from 32 to 57%, MgSO4 from 26 to 67%, and CaCl2 from 27 to 41%. Antifouling tests revealed that the 0.75 wt% AgNPs membrane had the lowest irreversible fouling and highest flux recovery due to the antimicrobial action and improved surface properties of AgNPs. Importantly, the performance of the fabricated membranes align with loose nanofiltation characteristcs, as evidence by high dye rejection rates coupled with moderate rejection of salts. This study highlights the potential of green-synthesized AgNPs as effective nanofillers for developing high-performance and environmentally sustainable membranes into wastewater treatment.

Encapsulation plays a vital role in the food industry, known for its multifunction constituents’ preservation, covering undesirable food components (taste, color, flavor), nutritional and functional components incorporation, and under controlled conditions (time and rate) release of encapsulation ingredients. Milk proteins are highly demanding encapsulating material and are investigated at large scale to design encapsulating devices. Polyphenols, flavorings, fatty acids, minerals, and hydrophobic vitamins are within encapsulating bioactives. Milk protein is widely used in the microencapsulation (ME) of probiotics and in comparison to other biomaterials offers more benefits. Milk protein includes whey protein and casein and several techniques are developed to make use of them in the ME of multiple probiotic strains (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus). This review will cover all the possible aspects of dairy proteins and their properties that enabled them to be used as encapsulating material. This review will also discuss the range of hydrophobic and hydrophilic components delivered from milk protein and their utilization in the formation of encapsulating agents. Overall, this study aimed to explore the emerging role of encapsulation in the food industry, characterize milk proteins as effective encapsulation agents, investigate their synergism with nondairy encapsulating materials, and evaluate various encapsulation techniques.

Amaranthus spp. was found a few centuries back as a highly auspicious plant species that might yield significant unsaturated fat, protein, and several other beneficial ingredients. Since that day, studies have mainly centered on different Amaranthus spp. Various journals with fundamental characteristics, including biological, pharmacological, technical, compositional, botanical along with health impacts have been published. This in-depth analysis focuses on constituents, anti-oxidant qualities, uses, and processing of amaranth. In addition to macro-components, the composition also contains vitamins, tocopherols, polyphenols, phytates, squalene, and other significant ingredients. Humankind has long been aware of the advantages plants have for supporting health. Amaranth is currently generating more scientific and commercial concern. This is because of its beneficial biological traits, diverse nutraceutical activity, and extensive phytoconstituents. Amaranth is a pseudo cereal plant that combines the qualities of a food and a health-improving commodity into one plant. This article addresses the most important biological and pharmacological activity of amaranth, in addition to its chemical makeup, status as a dietary ingredient, and effectiveness of its supplementation. The favorable biological features of amaranth formulations discussed in this work may serve as a catalyst for additional, deep scientific study in this area as well as for the advancement of new methods utilizing this pseudo cereal in the cosmetic & food sectors.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that has affected millions of people worldwide. The current treatments for diabetes, such as insulin therapy and oral medications, have limitations, including adverse effects and high costs. Therefore, there is a need for new and effective treatments for diabetes. Recent studies have shown that plants from the Chenopodiaceae family have anti-diabetic properties. In this study, we have identified 22 plants from the Chenopodiaceae family that have been reported to have anti-diabetic properties. These plants contain various bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenols that have been shown to have anti-diabetic effects. Some of these compounds can enhance insulin secretion, improve glucose uptake, and reduce blood glucose levels. The anti-diabetic properties of these plants have been investigated in vitro and in vivo studies, and the results are promising. Several of these plants have been shown to reduce blood glucose levels in animal models of diabetes significantly. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that plants from the Chenopodiaceae family have potential as safe and effective treatment options for diabetes. Further research is needed to fully understand these plants’ mechanisms of action and safety profile. However, these findings provide a promising avenue for developing new anti-diabetic drugs from natural sources. Specifically, I’ve outlined three significant mechanisms: stimulation of insulin secretion, enhancement of glucose uptake, and inhibition of gluconeogenesis, all of which are attributed to the bioactive compounds found in Chenopodiaceae medicinal plants.

The food industry is faced with a significant challenge in maintaining the viability and stability of probiotics during processing and in model food. Encapsulation technology offers a promising solution to this issue. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of Sodium Alginate (SA) and arabinoxylan (AX) composite encapsulation on the viability & stability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. The AX was extracted from maize and characterized, and then the SA-AX composite was used to encapsulate the probiotics. The resulting microbeads were analyzed for their morphological, molecular, and physicochemical properties. The MAX-SA microbeads demonstrated the highest efficiency at 97.9 ± 0.6%, followed by MAX at 95 ± 1.5% and SA at 92 ± 1.4%. The FTIR spectra revealed specific functional groups in the samples. The MAX-SA and MSA matrices had a dispersed structure, while the MAX matrix had a smooth microstructure. The microcapsules had an average size ranging from 718 ± 2 mm to 734 ± 2 mm. The viability of the encapsulated probiotics was assessed under storage conditions, simulated gastrointestinal conditions, and model food. Encapsulated probiotics showed higher viability than free probiotics in simulated gastrointestinal conditions, and pineapple juice fortified with encapsulated probiotics showed a higher probiotic count. Overall, the study found that MAX-SA was the most effective in maintaining probiotic viability under stressed conditions.

In this study, tempeh was developed using a probiotic culture of Lactobacillus rhamnosus adjunct culture. Purposely, soybean seeds were soaked overnight at room temperature and then boiled at 100°C for 10 to 15 min. The hot beans were then spread out in a thin layer and allowed to cool to room temperature. The Lactobacillus rhamnosus culture was added to the soybeans, which were then tightly packed in perforated plastic bags and incubated at 30°C for 24 h to produce fresh tempeh. The tempeh was then analyzed for its physical, chemical, microbial, and sensory characteristics, and the data obtained was statistically analyzed. The results of the physical and chemical analysis showed that the probiotic tempeh had a slight increase in pH, ash, and protein content, while there was a significant decrease in acidity, moisture, and fat content during storage. The microbial analysis revealed that both the total plate count and probiotic count increased over time, with treatment T4, which contained a high amount of culture, exhibiting the maximum plate count and probiotic count. The sensory evaluation showed that both the treatment and storage duration significantly impacted the aroma, color, taste, and overall acceptability of the tempeh, with all sensory attributes decreasing over time. The sensory panelists rated treatment T4 the highest for overall acceptance. In conclusion, the study suggests that probiotic soybean tempeh could be a beneficial carrier for producing a product with good physicochemical properties, acceptability, high probiotic viability, and storage durability.

Pomegranate peel powder is used as a functional ingredient in the development of nutritional bars. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is well known fruit belongs to punicaceae family having multiple health benefits, not only limited to its edible parts but also in its non-edible parts mostly the peel. Fruit wastes are rich source of nutrients, and can be used for the development of functional food products. Pomegranate peel is considered to be beneficial due to its functional and therapeutic properties as it is a source of many biological active components like polyphenols, tannins and flavonoids. Nutrient rich and ready-made foods are the demand of everyone due to their easy availability and cost effectiveness. Among the confectionary products, bars are liked by individuals of different age groups. Hence, nutritional properties of bars can be enhanced by using pomegranate peel powder. The current study was designed to develop bars enriched with pomegranate peel powder as a basic ingredient. Pomegranate peel powder is prepared and analyzed for proximate, mineral, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and anti-oxidant potential (DPPH). By using pomegranate peel powder, oats and jaggery, bars were prepared. In this research, five treatments T0 (0% pomegranate peel powder and 100% oats). T1 (5% pomegranate peel powder and 95% oats), T2 (10% pomegranate peel powder and 90% oats), T3 (15% pomegranate peel powder and 85% oats) and T4 (20% pomegranate peel powder and 80% oats) were used. The developed product is analyzed for proximate, mineral, total flavonoid contents, total phenolic content and anti-oxidant potential (DPPH). Proximate analysis of bars revealed that moisture, protein, fat, fiber, ash and nitrogen free extract ranges from T0 to T4 (13.38±1.21 to 11.32±1.15, 9.56±0.92 to 8.32±1.14, 9.05±1.21 to 7.93±1.08, 5.23±0.82 to 16.89±0.64, 2.05±0.87 to 2.92±1.25 and 62.51±0.85 to 52.62±0.93 respectively. Phytochemical analysis of bars enriched with pomegranate peel powder revealed that total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant potential of bars ranges from T0 to T4 (142.74±0.65 to 211.79±0.63 mg GAE/100g, 129.16±0.64 to 192±0.53 mg QE/100g and 41.35±0.82 to 64.57±0.69%) respectively. Mineral analysis of bars enriched with pomegranate peel powder revealed that calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Iron, Magnesium content ranged from T0 to T4 (25.42±0.63 to 31.06±0.58, 51.00±1.01 to 45.05±1.09, 59.46±1.13 to 79.15±0.28, 1.32±1.20 to 1.95±0.83 and 54.17±0.88±0.58 to 57.36±0.68 mg/100g respectively). Sensory evaluation is done for color, aroma, taste, texture overall acceptability. T3 got maximum score. Then, the data obtained were evaluated by CRD design. On the basis of results revealed that treatment T3 with 15% pomegranate peel powder was overall highly acceptable.

The demand for engineered composites particularly fiberglass reinforced polymers (FRP) is gaining momentum. The manufacturing of virgin input-resins for these composites involves the use of certain materials which poses serious environmental implication. This study has exclusively applied and investigated the Grey Forecasting model for management of FRP waste in developing countries to minimize the virgin inputs and likely environmental impacts. Various recyclate-based solutions are developed, experimented and analyzed. Technoeconomic analytics projected via Grey Forecasting depicted that indigenously developed solutions of reuse and recycling of FRP waste driven via mechanical recycling are sustainable. As such a trial project in Pakistan has initiated a viable benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 1.27 and a payback period of 26 months. Experiments using FRP recyclate-based inputs were successful in improving the filler, value, and strength of the product. As a result, consumer prices were reduced by 35 % and 21 % respectively. The recyclate material saved 15 % of the manufacturing cost as compared to the product manufactured by 100 % virgin inputs. Mechanical recycling proved as a safe and viable method that reduced the hazardous inputs by 25–28 % during manufacturing and minimizing the burden on landfills. Likewise, the mixing step focuses on eliminating the use of virgin materials and potentially harmful processes as this is where thermoset resins and glass-fibers are blended together to create the composite material. This comprehensive analysis provides a holistic perspective on policy interventions to achieve cost-effective recyclate management.

The current research studied the nutritional and functional properties and antioxidant profile of Cucumis melo and Citrullus lanatus seeds. Results showed that the protein, fat, and fiber content of C. melo seed powder were significantly (p

Abstract In this study nutritionally enriched apple and date jam was developed by replacing sugar with natural and artificial sweeteners stevia and sorbitol. Three different types of samples were prepared. Sample T1 was prepared by using stevia as a sweetener agent. Sample T2 was prepared by using sorbitol as a sweetener agent. Sample T3 was prepared by using a mixture of stevia and sorbitol as sweetener agents. Standard apple jam was used as a control sample labeled as T4 and was used for comparison analysis. The developed product was analyzed by physiochemical analysis and sensory evaluation. Microbial analysis was done to study the shelf life study of the developed product. The study showed that stevia and sorbitol could be used for jam preparation. Sample T3 also showed intermediate values of acidity and pH as 4.14 and 1.90, respectively, moreover, total soluble solids (TSS) was observed as 65.16 °Brix, T3 also showed an intermediate level of energy values. Sample T3 having sorbitol and stevia sweetener agents had the highest rate of overall acceptability. Storage studies of all samples show that with the passage of time all sensory characteristics of all treatments decreased.

Triglyceride (TG) buildup in the liver is a hallmark of the metabolic disorder of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The four pathogenic categories mainly followed by the NAFLD pathway are hepatocellular carcinoma, non-alcoholic steatosis, steatohepatitis, and progressive fibrosis or cirrhosis. The likelihood of developing NAFLD rises with obesity and insulin resistance. Aging, gender, culture, and ethnicity are all associated with NAFLD, which substantially correlates to liver disorders in both kids and adults. It is prevalent throughout all age ranges. Visceral obesity appears to be exacerbated by poor lifestyle choices such as hypercaloric diets, particularly those high in trans-fat or saturated fat and cholesterol, and sugar-sweetened beverages. Decreasing calorie intake, boosting soy protein and whey ingestion, supplementing with monounsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber, and changing one’s lifestyle are the initial steps in managing this condition. Polyphenolic substances also have both therapeutic and preventative benefits. Activity and exercise that promotes weight loss and lessen liver fat formation are just as important as maintaining a balanced diet. The patients turn into susceptible to liver transplantation owing to improper concern (the end stage of NAFLD). Examining the impact of nutrition on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the goal of this review. Included in this is a result of an unbalanced intake of macronutrients. The pathogenesis of NAFLD involves nutrition. Individuals with NAFLD must be recommended to restrict calorie consumption and set intake limits when following low-fat/carbohydrate diets.

This research highlights the distribution of heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, Cr, Co and Mn) in Ravi and Chenab and assesses their effect on ecosystem health. Samples of plant species and sediments at eight sampling sites were collected and analysed by the PIXE technique. Heavy metal concentrations (µg/g) of Zn (7.98–411.23), Ni (12.59–209), Cu (3.74–38.77) and Mn (0–730.21) in river Ravi and concentrations of Zn (49.32–274.30), Ni (1.05–141.21) and Mn (41.66–519.47) in river Chenab were found to be high but Heavy metal concentration in the two compartments were in the following order plants > sediments. Heavy metals of sediments and plants depict that there are significant correlations between Cu (0.994), Zn (0.986) and Cr (0.978) in river Ravi and Ni (1.000), Zn (.990) and Cr (.978) in river Chenab. The results show the potential of heavy metals from plants in two rivers of Pakistan.

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of speech acts within international scholarly periodicals spanning over a period of 11 years. Employing a quantitative approach, the study utilizes CiteSpace, a powerful bibliometric tool, to discern and examine emerging patterns, novel trends, and the pivotal themes inherent to the realm of speech acts as portrayed in international journals. The results shed light on the nuanced variations in these themes across various regions, including China, the United States, and England, encompassing a spectrum of multidisciplinary fields such as Engineering, psychology, environmental sciences, linguistics, and literature. While prior research has predominantly focused on the thematic aspects of language, linguistics, and philosophy, this study emphasizes the emergence of new trends within the integrated domains of artificial intelligence and language sciences. Overall, this study tends to highlight the need to integrate the novel approaches, computer science and deep learning with the linguistic perspective in speech act studies.

Food safety assurance systems are growing increasingly strict in both industrialized and developing nations as a result of increased, both real and perceived food safety concerns. This is happening as a result of developments in both public (such as direct regulation and product liability) and private (such as self and third-party certification) quality control systems. This study assessed the microbial safety, heavy metals contamination, and sensorial characteristics of beef seekh kababs made by local and branded restaurants in Faisalabad. A total of 24 samples were collected from four regions (R1 Lyallpur town, R2 Madina town, R3 Jinnah town, and R4 Iqbal town) of Faisalabad, and analyzed. Physicochemical parameters including moisture, fat, pH, ash, proteins and color (L*, b* and a*), microbiological parameters such as total plate count (TPC), total Coliform count (TCC), E. coli O157:H7, and heavy metals (Cd, Fe, Pb, and Zn) content were determined. Moreover, the lab supervisor and 18 food technology students, who had prior tasting experience, conducted sensory tests on the samples. They evaluated the samples right after they reached the laboratory, before any other analyses. Results showed that the R2 (Local) sample had the significantly (p

The establishment of innovative and sustainable ways to utilize the food moieties is the major concern of the society in modern world. However, there are variety of food components which are being neglected despite of the fact that they are the excellent source of nutritional and bioactive components. Maize (Zea mays L.) is the leading cereal crop in the world, with the highest productivity for feed, food, and industrial uses. It is a milling by-product produced from the outer layer of the maize kernel and an economical and sustainable source of dietary fiber and phenolic compounds. Maize bran is a rich source of bioactive compounds, including non-starch polysaccharides (arabinoxylans and feruloylated arabinoxylans), ferulic, p-coumaric, and syringic acid among other cereal bran. These bioactive compounds have been extracted using different methods and have been reported to reduce the severity of various chronic diseases, like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, oxidative damage, and neurodegenerative disorders. In the current review, we focused to conduct an integrative analysis of peer-reviewed research on maize bran; milling, nutritional profile, extraction of bioactive compounds, potential health benefits, and effects on the rheological and sensorial properties of the end product.

The research aimed to enhance the shelf life of sugarcane juice through carbonation, employing different concentrations of juice mixed with syrup. Treatments included T0 (100% juice), T1 (80% juice), T2 (60% juice), T3 (40% juice), and T4 (20% juice). Physicochemical analyses encompassed color, pH, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity, with T0 (pH: 5.2, total soluble solids: 18.5°Brix) showing significant values. However, T4 exhibited the most significant (p ≤ .05) results, suggesting its potential for shelf-life extension. Additionally, bioactive compounds such as ascorbic acid, total phenolic, and flavonoid contents were measured, with T4 demonstrating noteworthy levels. Antioxidant assays (DPPH: 65% inhibition, TFC: 45 mg QE/100 ml, TPC: 130 mg GAE/100 ml, and FRAP: 320 µmol Fe2+/L) highlighted T4 the most effective, showcasing robust antioxidant activity. Sensory evaluation, conducted at refrigeration temperatures of 4–10°C, favored T4, indicating its superior acceptability. In conclusion, Carbonated sugarcane juice (20% T4) extends shelf life, preserves quality, and boosts antioxidants.

Honey is a prebiotic food that has many health benefits. Honey contains oligosaccharides that can be used to protect sensitive bioactive compounds. The purpose of this study was to see how encapsulation affects the survival of probiotics under different conditions. L. rhamnosus GG was encapsulated with sodium alginate and honey. The study had three treatments: free probiotics (control), encapsulated probiotics with sodium alginate (MWS) and encapsulated probiotics with honey (MWH). The microcapsules were analyzed using morphology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The survival of both free and encapsulated probiotics was tested under simulated gastrointestinal conditions and high temperatures. Encapsulation with honey had significantly higher encapsulation efficiency (97%) and the probiotics encapsulated with honey had a higher survival rate compared to free cells. In conclusion, adding honey to encapsulated probiotics can improve their viability and stability under stressful conditions.

Nanotechnology is a critical emerging technology that enables contributions, innovation and long-term impact in food, medicine and agriculture. Nanomaterials can improve the quantitative and qualitative development of safer, healthier and higher-quality semi-perishable or perishable functional foods. Nanotechnologies outperform traditional food manufacturing techniques in extending the shelf life of the food product, reducing contamination and producing higher-quality food. Nanotechnology applications improve the bioavailability, flavor, texture and stability of food by altering the particle diameter, potential clustering and charge density of food nanoparticles. The present review article highlights the role of nanotechnology in product development and quality maintenance as well as its potential role in agriculture.

This study aims to address protein-energy malnutrition by developing flour mixtures where legume flours, such as chickpeas, pigeon peas, mung beans, and lentils, are the primary components, with refined wheat flour added in varying proportions, proximate composition analysis of these flours, assessment of antioxidant activities in the mixed flours, the formulation and baking of biscuits using these composite flours, and a thorough analysis of the resulting biscuits. Purposely, 5 kinds of the biscuits were prepared as T0 (control), T1 (mung bean flour supplemented), T2 (chickpea flour supplemented), T3 (pigeon pea flour supplemented) & T4 (lentil flour supplemented). The study outlines a significant increase (p

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different encapsulation materials, namely Sodium alginate, Whey protein isolate, Kappa-carrageenan, and Citrus pectin, on the viability and stability of probiotics. The probiotics were encapsulated using the internal gelation method and the resulting microbeads were measured for their size and encapsulation efficiency. The viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus, both free and encapsulated, was evaluated under gastric and intestinal conditions. The results revealed that all wall materials had a significant impact (p

Abstract This study investigated the adsorption of Oxytetracycline (OTC) from pharmaceutical wastewater using a kappa carrageenan based hydrogel (KPB). The aim of the present study was to explore the potential of KPB for long-term pharmaceutical wastewater treatment. A sustainable adsorbent was developed to address oxytetracycline (OTC) contamination. The hydrogel’s structural and adsorption characteristics were examined using various techniques like Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and kinetic models. The results revealed considerable changes in the vibrational modes and adsorption bands of the hydrogel, suggesting the effective functionalization of Bentonite nano-clay. Kappa carrageenan based hydrogel achieved the maximum removal (98.5%) of OTC at concerntration of 40 mg/L, pH 8, cotact time of 140 min and adsorbent dose of 0.1 g (KPB-3). Adsorption of OTC increased up to 99% with increasing initial concentrations. The study achieved 95% adsorption capacity for OTC using a KPB film at a concentration of 20 mg/L and a 0.1 g adsorbent dose within 60 min. It also revealed that chemisorptions processes outperform physical adsorption. The Pseudo-Second-Order model, which emphasized the importance of chemical adsorption in the removal process, is better suited to represent the adsorption behavior. Excellent matches were found that R2 = 0.99 for KPB-3, R2 = 0.984 for KPB-2 and R2 = 0.989 for KPB-1 indicated strong chemical bonding interactions. Statisctical analysis (ANOVA) was performed using SPSS (version 25) and it was found that pH and concentration had significant influence on OTC adsorption by the hydrogel, with p-values less than 0.05. The study identified that a Kappa carrageenan-based hydrogel with bentonite nano-clay and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) can efficiently remove OTC from pharmaceutical effluent, with a p-value of 0.054, but weak positive linear associations with pH, temperature, and contact time. This research contributed to sustainable wastewater treatment and environmental engineering.

Abstract This study investigates the correlation between textual ideology and the English translations of political discourse. It focuses on how the translation shifts of modality relate to the socio-political and socio-cultural context of Chinese political discourse using the modality system of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) as the theoretical framework. Three main types of translation shifts between should and will, and their corresponding items are identified. First, the addition of modal items should and will in the TTs; second, downgrading the modality value of Chinese modality items to the lower-valued should and will in the TTs; third, upgrading the modality value of Chinese modality items to a higher-valued will in the TTs. The study attributes these findings to van Dijk’s ideological square model and the variable of tenor (the social distance between the speaker and the addresses and the social distance between the official translators of Chinese political discourse and the international audience.

This study examines the use of lexical bundles in reports produced by university-level L2 English writers in civil and environmental engineering (CEE). The corpus consists of 119 reports, and the study compares the use of different types of lexical bundles (3-word, 4-word, and 5-word) in high-scoring and low-scoring papers. The results show that high-scoring papers use a wider range of lexical bundles, and that the use of lexical bundles varies by discipline. The study also identifies specific features of the lexical bundles that contribute to score differences. The findings suggest that teaching lexical bundles and vocabulary can improve the academic writing of engineering students. The paper concludes by calling for further research on the impact of formulaic expressions on attainment scores in L2 writing.

Abstract Hylocereus undatus, occasionally referred to as the dragon fruit or white‐fleshed pitaya, is a rich in nutrients fruit appreciated because of its colorful look and health benefits. It is inexpensive in calories but packed with minerals like iron, magnesium, and calcium in addition to essential nutrients like vitamin C and B vitamins. Similarly rich in dietary fiber, particularly promotes gut wellness and improves digestion, is pitaya. It additionally contains antioxidants, such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and betalains, which help with scavenging free radicals and reducing the detrimental effects of oxidative stress on the human body. The substantial amount of betalains in Hylocereus undatus phytochemical composition is notable because it contributes to the plant's anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties. There has been an association among these phytochemicals and a decreased likelihood of contracting long‐term conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Omega‐3 fatty acids and omega‐6 fatty acids, in particular, that reduce cholesterol levels while improving blood circulation, are plentiful in the fruit's seeds and are beneficial to heart wellness. The objective of this review is to highlight the nutritional profile, phytochemical and health benefits of Hylocereus undatus in detail.

This study employs a corpus-based approach to examine and compare the use of two discourse markers (DMs), “you know” and “I mean”, within the context of two mediatised English political interviews. The analysis encompasses frequencies, functions, co-occurrences, and positional distributions of these DMs. The study utilizes specialized corpora from two political interview programs: CGTN’s The Point with Liu Xin and BBC’s HARDtalk. The frequency analysis reveals that “you know” is statistically more prevalent than “I mean” in both programs, reflecting the spontaneity, interactivity, and need for clarification characteristic of political interviews. Notably, the Chinese interviewer (IR) uses “you know” more extensively, possibly due to a cultural preference for ensuring mutual understanding and engaging the audience, while the British IR employs “I mean” slightly more frequently, likely reflecting a tendency to clarify or reframe statements for precision. Functionally, these DMs serve diverse purposes such as hedging, agreeing, and monitoring across various domains including interpersonal, sequential, and rhetorical. Positional analysis shows “you know” typically appearing medially and “I mean” often in initial positions. These results underscore the distinctive interviewing styles of the two IRs and the pivotal role of these DMs in fulfilling a spectrum of communicative functions. This research offers valuable insights into the interviewer’s perspective in political interviews.

The process of manually generating question and answer (QA) pairs for assessments is known to be a time-consuming and energy-intensive task for teachers, specifically in higher education. Several studies have proposed various methods utilising pre-trained large language models for the generation of QA pairs. However, it is worth noting that these methods have primarily been evaluated on datasets that are not specifically educational in nature. Furthermore, the evaluation metrics and strategies employed in these studies differ significantly from those typically used in educational contexts. The present discourse fails to present a compelling case regarding the efficacy and practicality of stated methods within the context of higher education. This study aimed to examine multiple QA pairs generation approaches in relation to their performance and the efficacy and constraints within the context of higher education. The various approaches encompassed in this study comprise pipeline, joint, multi-task approach. The performance of these approaches under consideration was assessed on three datasets related to distinct courses. The evaluation integrates three automated methods, teacher assessments, and real-world educational evaluations to provide a comprehensive analysis. The comparison of various approaches was conducted by directly assessing their performance using the average scores of different automatic metrics on three datasets. The results of the teachers and real educational evaluation indicate that the assessments generated were beneficial in enhancing the understanding of concepts and overall performance of students. The implications of the findings from this study hold significant importance in enhancing the efficacy of QA pair generation tools within the context of higher education.

This study investigates the inter-relational effects of Big Data Analytics (BDA) and Swift Trust (ST) on Collaborative Performance (CP) during disaster management, framed within the Chaos and Complexity Theory. It focuses on both formal and informal organizational cultures, exploring the mediating role of organizational culture on the ST-CP relationship and the moderating role of BDA on the relationships between ST, organizational culture, and CP. The study highlights the critical importance of BDA capabilities for effective collaboration, providing insights for policymakers and administrative officials. Additionally, it underscores the significance of ST creation for military and civil leadership to achieve desired collaborative outcomes. Disasters, characterized by natural chaos, necessitate swift decision-making and resource management through predictive analysis.

Abstract Stance-taking in academic writing plays a crucial role in enabling tertiary academic writers to express their positions about their topics and other voices. Based on a corpus linguistic analysis of academic reports by civil and environmental engineering (CEE) undergraduate students and student papers in the Michigan Corpus of Upper-Level Student Papers (MICUSP), this article investigates the use of stance markers in the genres of persuasive and argumentative writing as well as analytical explanatory writing. This study compares the stance markers used by L2 engineering students (Hong Kong University) and native engineering students (U.S. University) to investigate the genre-specific lexical stance patterns used by academic writers. This study found that stance within the CEE reports and MICUSP was expressed through approximative hedges and boosters, code glosses, and adversative and contrast connections, pointing to a specific developmental trajectory as academic writers. Non-native engineering students were found to use a significantly smaller number of approximative, self-mention, and evidential verb hedges. In addition, they tend to use a more significant number of modal hedges compared to native English speakers. The CEE students’ reports also tended to be characterized by the underuse of boosters, contrastive connectors, emphasis, and counter-expectancy markers. However, the study found no significant difference in the use of exemplification markers between the CEE and MICUSP. The findings of this study support the construction of the academic stance as a process of delimiting one’s perspective. This is achieved by deploying selected stance features to account for other scholarly perspectives.

This manuscript demonstrates a comprehensive analysis of a low-profile dual-band flexible omnidirectional wearable antenna, designed for Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) applications. The proposed antenna is designed and fabricated on a commercially available semiflexible RT/duroid 5870 substrate. The antenna prototype is composed of a circular radiating patch with a star-shaped slot at the center, providing dual-band operations that resonates at the 2.45 GHz ISM band and 5.2 GHz WLAN band. Meanwhile, two truncated arc-shaped slots at the top and bottom edges of the radiating patch and the partial ground were utilized to improve the reflection coefficients (S11) and impedance bandwidth of the antenna. The proposed antenna has a compact footprint of $47\times 30\times 0.787$ mm3 ( $0.38~\lambda \text{o} \times 0.25~\lambda \text{o} \times 0.006~\lambda \text{o}$ at 2.45 GHz), with measured impedance bandwidth of 48% and 38.5% at 2.45 GHz and 5.2 GHz respectively. Moreover, the designed antenna has an omnidirectional and bidirectional radiation feature with the estimated gain of 2.5 dBi, 4.63 dBi and numerical efficiencies of 98.5% and 95% at 2.45 GHz and 5.2 GHz respectively. Furthermore, a comprehensive investigation encompassing a specific absorption rate and an exploration of bending aspects validated the effectiveness of the suggested design in adhering the SAR threshold and its remarkable robustness, when confronted with the demands imposed by human body loading and structural deformations. Consequently, both the numerical and measured results strongly endorse the significance of the suggested design for lightweight, body-worn wearable devices within the Wireless Body Area Network applications.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has garnered considerable attention from educators, policymakers, and scholars within the realms of education and social sciences, achieving notable historical significance. Employing bibliometric analysis, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the most noticeable trend of using AI in education. The corpus comprises a dataset of publications sourced from Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus-indexed journals. It concentrates on contemporary scientific research and innovative methodologies within the education sector, particularly relevant to the intersection of education and technology in the AI era. The results reveal a significant rise in AI-related technological research beginning in 2018, with citations reaching their zenith in 2019. Furthermore, collaborative metrics indicate that the United States and China are leading in publication volume. In addition, the study highlights a rising interest in AI applications within education and healthcare, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACTThe rapid increase in agricultural waste is rising across the globe and is a big environmental challenge. The utilization of ginger waste as a valuable product is very limited. The up-cycling of ginger waste is an effective approach for valorization. Ginger waste contains many bio-active compounds. These bioactive compounds possess various functional and bio-active properties. The literature has indicated that ginger and its waste is a rich source of shogaol zingerone and gingerols, these bioactive components contribute to pungency and aroma characteristics These compounds have a wide range of antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, these have a key role in skin health and the digestive system. The current review consolidates the compositional, functional, medicinal, bioactive, and health-endorsing attributes of ginger waste. The use of ginger wastes for the development of various functional and nutraceutical products is also in the limelight of this paper.

ABSTRACTThe target delivery of sensitive ingredients is affected by various factors including hostile processing, and environmental and storage conditions. These factors are significant challenges in the target delivery and stability of bioactive compounds. However, protein-based nanocarriers have the potential to address these challenges. Protein nanocomposites are of special interest in bioactive compound delivery due to their inexpensive synthesis, size, nontoxic nature, and quick removal from the human body. They can be prepared using several procedures including protein encapsulation, template-induced method, nano-spray drying, emulsion method, nanoprecipitation nano-spraying, crosslinking, adsorption, and desolation. A wide range of protein-based nanoparticles is being used in the delivery of bioactive components. The current review discusses the type of protein nanocarrier, methods for preparation, characterization, and potential applications.

ABSTRACTThis study investigates the impact of thermal and high-pressure processing on the quality indicator of orange juice and its storage stability. The pressure was applied at 400 MPa and 600 MPa for 3, 6, and 9 min to process the juice and evaluate the quality of orange juice during 60 days of storage with every 30-day interval. HPP conditions (400 MPa and 600 MPa for 3, 6, and 9 min) did not significantly change the ascorbic acid content of orange juice, in contrast to thermal processing where a crucial decrease in ascorbic content was observed. Ascorbic acid content increased non-significantly from 40.03 to 40.69 (mg/100 g) and 40.79 when applied for 3 and 6 min, respectively, while thermal processing reduced its content up to 33.45 (mg/100 g). Ascorbic acid at 600 MPa was observed at 41.19 (mg/100 g) when treated for 6 min. Carotenoid content was increased when HPP was from 8.6 to 9.14 (mg/100 ml) during 400 MPa for 9 min and 11.65 (mg/100 ml) for 6 min at 600 MPa compared to the corresponding untreated sample and thermally treated sample. The total soluble solids, pH, and acidity of the orange showed stability after HPP and during 60 days of storage. The natural microbiological load (yeast and mold, E-Coli log CFU/ml) was observed below 1 log reduction at 30 days of storage and 2 log reduction during days of storage. This study identified different pressure levels to produce nutritionally and microbiologically stable orange juice compared to thermally processed and untreated samples.

ABSTRACTSesame belongs to the family Pedaliaceae and scientifically named as Sesamum indicum L. It has been considered as one of the most ancient oil crop. To explore the nutraceutical and therapeutic potential of sesame seeds, the present study was planned to develop protein-enriched sesame bars with the addition of barley flour at the rate of 10%, 20%, and 30% among treatments T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Sesame barley-supplemental protein (SBSP) bars were analyzed for compositional, phytochemical, and sensory attributes including color, texture, taste, holding ability, and overall acceptability. The proximate analysis of all treatments showed varied range of results moisture (4.68 ± 0.45%), ash (3.66 ± 0.09%), crude fat (11.48 ± 0.12%), crude protein (42.37 ± 0.66), crude fiber (4.63 ± 0.23%), and nitrogen-free extract (26.29 ± 0.26%), respectively. Results of mineral analysis of all treatments were recorded as calcium (51.88–86.92 mg), iron (3.48–8.48 mg), potassium (359.35–639.20 mg), magnesium (28.23–47.54 mg), and phosphorus (151.03–378.81 mg). The results of total phenolic content ranged from 37.58 to 99.43 mg GAE/100 g, while the results for the total flavonoid content fall in range from 110.85 to 196.50 mg CE/100 g. The DPPH results illustrated that the highest content of DPPH was present in T2 (8.81 ± 0.13), while the lowest DPPH value was noticed in T0 (5.62 ± 0.08). On the basis of sensory evaluation, the T3 SBSP bar was preferred containing 25% barley flour and 75% sesame flour for its attractive color, texture, and overall acceptability.

ABSTRACTKefir is a popular and indigenous fermented product that possess various health claims. Kefir grains with varied bacteria are utilized as starters for kefir production of popular genra including Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Lactococcus, and Acetobacter species. The complex microbial community in kefir produce various bioactive compounds owing to their metabolic activities. Kefir has various functional and therapeutic properties, which include immune system stimulation, lactose intolerance symptoms, cholesterol reduction, anti-carcinogenic and anti-mutagenic qualities. Several studies have shown anticarcinogenic, anti-microbial and synbiotic potential of kefir. Current review highlights the production technology, nutritional, functional and therapeutic potential of kefir. Furthermore, production strategies, kefir characteristics and probiotic potential are the limelight of the current review.

ABSTRACTIn the current study, taro starch was extracted and used for the encapsulation of probiotics to prolong their viability under stressed conditions. Taro starch and sodium alginate were used as wall materials for the encapsulation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Probiotic bacteria were encapsulated by the extrusion method, and obtained microbeads were subjected to various morphological, molecular, and structural characterization using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy ;(FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Furthermore, the viability of free and encapsulated probiotics was also accessed under simulated gastrointestinal conditions and in the food model (cheddar cheese). Average size microcapsules ranged from 6.16 ± 0.05 mm to 5.28 ± 0.03 mm. The encapsulation efficiency for taro and sodium alginate was recorded as 86.27% log CFU/g and 81.78% log CFU/g respectively. SEM micrographs exhibited entrapment of probiotics in wall materials. The surface of capsules was-irregular spherical structure FTIR spectra revealed broad characteristic peaks at 815 cm1, 1320 cm1, 1130 cm1, and ~ 1610 cm1. XRD images showed loss of crystalline structure following encapsulation. Higher probiotic viability was recorded under simulated gastrointestinal conditions for encapsulated probiotics compared to free probiotics. Likewise, a high probiotic count was observed in cheese fortified with encapsulated probiotics. Conclusively, taro starch wall material showed overall best results regarding the viability of probiotics under stressed conditions.

ABSTRACTThis study was designed to investigate the amino acid profile, vitamin B complex, and bioactive properties present in recently cultivated rye variants in Pakistan. The four rye variants, named as Gp 1, Gp-2, Gp-3, and Gp-4, were procured from the Forage and Pulses section of AARI Faisalabad. The rye samples were ground into flour using a hammer-type 120-ton laboratory mill. For the analysis of amino acids, vitamin B complex, phenolic constituents, alkylresorcinols, and lignin, standard HPLC and GC-MS methods were employed following the extraction with appropriate reagents. The results revealed that among the rye variants, Gp-2 showed the highest content of vitamin B complex, with thiamin at 252.33 μg/100 g, niacin at 397 μg/100 g, and pyridoxine at 99 μg/100 g. Pantothenic acid (246.70 μg/100 g) and ascorbic acid (470 μg/100 g) were found in the highest concentrations in Gp-3. The riboflavin content of Gp-1 was 84.40 g/100 g, while the folate content of Gp-4 was 24.40 g/100 g. In terms of phenolic compounds, the range of chlorogenic acid content ranged from 86.70 to 92.43 mg/kg, p-coumaric acid from 2.70 to 5.40 mg/kg, gallic acid from 64.70 to 97.10 mg/kg, caffeic acid from 16.90 to 25.90 mg/kg, and coumaric acid from 218.10 to 228.40 mg/kg. In conclusion, Gp-2 observed as the most nutritionally rich and bioactive variant, distinguished by its high essential amino acids, vitamins, and other bioactive components.

ABSTRACTTomato is considered the world’s most important crop owing to its high nutritional profile and flavor. However, its limited shelf life and post-harvest losses impact its marketing. The present study investigated the impact of aloe vera gel-based edible coating on tomato’s post-harvest quality under storage at 8°C for 12 days. The aloe vera-based coating solutions were made with varying concentrations of extracted gel that varied from 0 to 60% with inclusion of chitosan (0.5 to 2%). Physiological, chemical, nutritional, and microbiological analysis of coated and uncoated tomatoes was carried out during storage. It was found that uncoated (control) tomatoes showed maximum weight loss (5.85%), total soluble solids (5.3 ± 0.20 0Brix), change in pH (5.6 ± 0.26), microbial count (3.57 ± 0.12 log cfu/g), decrease in ascorbic acid content (19.23 ± 0.92 mg/100 g), and acidity (0.54 ± 0.01%) as compared to aloe vera-based coatings. However, the coating formulation comprising aloe vera gel (60%) + chitosan (2%) performed much better than other prepared coatings in delaying the weight loss (2.1%), total soluble solid (3.7 ± 0.16 0Brix), change in pH (4.6 ± 0.21), ascorbic acid value (30.47 ± 1.31 mg/100 g), acidity (0.83 ± 0.04%), and microbial load (1.6 ± 0.08 log cfu/g). In addition, it also maintained firmness and color of tomatoes during storage of 12 days. Conclusively, the application of aloe vera-based coating (60% gel) with the inclusion of chitosan (2%) may be proposed for preserving the post-harvest quality of the tomatoes.

ABSTRACTFood fortification processes are used to improve the functional and dietary characteristics of the final product. The basic aim of the current study was to evaluate the ginger (Zingiber officinalis, Roscoe) fortification in yogurt and to improve its functionality. For this purpose, ginger at different concentrations (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%) was added to yogurt. The results showed a significant influence (p

ABSTRACTThis study evaluated the iron-rich Nutri bar’s effect on iron-deficient females. Iron-rich Nutri-bars made with spinach powder and chickpea flour. The physicochemical profile of the bars was measured. Socioeconomic status and anthropometric data were taken for the effectiveness of the research. This effectiveness trial included 20 girls ages 20 to 25. After that, biochemical tests, including hemoglobin, ferritin, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) were conducted. Results showed that the iron-rich Nutri-bars (T3, 6.60) had more moisture than other treatments. T3 protein and fiber composition was 16.90% and 4.30%. In T3, crude fat and ash content were the lowest. All the proximate analyses of incorporated spinach powder and chickpea flour indicated a significant correlation (P > .005). A jury gave treatment T3 the highest score in overall acceptability. Iron and zinc concentrations were 13.2 and 5.9 mg/100 g in T3. Post-assessment height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) indicated a very significant (P > .005) connection compared to pre-assessment (P > .005). Selected young females' hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and total iron-binding capacity were tested biochemically. After the intervention, the experimental group’s mean hemoglobin (HB) was 12.21 ± 1.14 g/dl (P > .005). Increasing patterns support the current study’s iron improvement. Serum ferritin exhibited similarly substantial outcomes. TIBC dropped when iron status increased. Conclusively, iron-rich nutri-bars supplemented with spinach leaf powder and chickpea flour increased iron status in young females.

Supplemented apricot probiotic drink (SAPD) was prepared with the addition of 2% lactobacillus rhamnosus and different percentages (2, 4, 8, 12%) of sea buckthorn powder, a total of five treatments were prepared To, T1, T2, T3, and T4 and stored at 4°C. The analysis of probiotic count was performed using total plate count and for the examination of antioxidant activity DPPH was done and total phenolic content was also conducted. Physiochemical, microbial (TPC), antioxidant (TPC, DPPH), and sensory evaluation of supplemented apricot probiotic drink were done at different storage periods (1, 14, and 28 days) and obtained data were subjected to the statistical design. There was a considerable change in total phenolic content (TPC) throughout storage in all treatments, but supplementation of sea buckthorn has increased the TPC and antioxidant activity of SAPD. The probiotic count of T2 showed the highest probiotics among all treatments with 6.70 log CFU/mL on the 1st day, 6.6 log CFU/mL on the 14th day, and 6.5 log CFU/mL on the 28th day. It was having 4% sea buckthorn followed by T1 having 6.56 log CFU/mL and T0 having 6.54 log CUF/mL of grand mean with little change during the storage period of 28 days. T3 and T4 showed decreased number of probiotic counts with an increase in the percentage of sea buckthorn. This research concluded that sea buckthorn can be supplemented in fruit drinks to provide probiotic and antioxidant benefits, but its increased ratio can reduce the overall acceptability of the drink.

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) is one of Asia and Africa’s popular nutritional and medicinal crops. This unique plant has an outstanding functional properties and nutritional profile. Carob has high sugar content, drought resistance and is very economical. Carob fruit consists of pulp and seed that are rich sources of different bioactive components. Carob has wide applications in various industries (food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics) as an anti-oxidant, thickener, stabilizer, lactic acid production and emulsions. The trend of moving toward natural products further highlights the use of carob in different fields due to its excellent nutritional and therapeutic profile. Carob bean gum is widely used in the food industry. The current review has highlighted the nutritional composition, bioactive profile, functional properties, and recent findings on the subject.

Ultrasonic-assisted green synthesis of silver nanoparticles is gaining more attention owing to its benefits over conventional synthesis process. The main objective of this study was to synthesize silver nanoparticles with aqueous cinnamon extract using ultrasound-assisted extraction and their physico-chemical characterization. Total phenolic content, DPPH, FRAP of cinnamon aqueous extract were 315 mg GAE/g, 89% scavenging activity and 9.5 mmol Trolox eq/100 g reducing power respectively. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-rays Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-rays (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). XRD spectra depicted that the nanoparticles were crystallite in structure and 50 nm in size. SEM micrographs showed that nanoparticles were spherical in shape. EDX, FTIR and NMR spectra indicated that the phenolic compounds present in cinnamon aqueous extract played their role in capping and reducing the silver ions. Cinnamon-based silver nanoparticles showed potential antimicrobial activity against Gram negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Thus, cinnamon extract obtained through ultrasonic-assisted extraction could be a valuable source of polyphenols, which actively participated in the reduction and stabilization of silver nanoparticles.

The production of meat using animal stem cell-derived muscle tissue might conceivably do away with the need to sacrifice animals. The creation of “cultured,” “synthetic,” or “in vitro” meat has the potential to produce meat with distinct qualities more quickly and efficiently than normal meat. Although the process of growing muscle tissues in culture from stem cells has been known for a very long time, it has not yet been perfected for the production of cultured meat products for sale. Conditions for applying the technology, which is currently in its infancy, include a phenomenally high level of consumer acceptability and the development of commercially feasible large-scale production techniques. If the meat produced in vitro has physical traits that are identical to those of traditional meat in terms of color, flavor, aroma, consistency, and deliciousness, then it might be realistically viable. Higher the viability of meat production in vitro, the issues including searching for a good stem cell source and talking about the challenges faced throughout the expansion of cultured meat must be resolved. This review highlights the benefits and advancement of cultured meat, highlights its connection problems, and offers prospective solutions for production-related problems.

The core objective of the current study was to extract heteroxylans from banana peel. Firstly, banana peels were dried to make fine powder, and their nutritional profile including moisture, crude fat, crude ash, crude protein, crude fiber, and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) was noted. Secondly, the heteroxylans were extracted from banana peels, and their bioactive profile was assessed, including total phenols and flavonoids contents, and their activity was assessed through commonly used antioxidant assays including DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS+. Heteroxylans were extracted through alkali extraction method, and their structural characterization was assessed through XRD and FTIR. The results showed that moisture content in banana peels were 60.73 ± 0.85% and 15.77 ± 0.33% in air dried and grounded banana peels, respectively, crude fat 3.94 ± 0.10%, crude protein 6.06 ± 0.15%, and NFE 48.13 ± 0.32%. The total dietary fiber of banana peel powder was 45.3 ± 0.45%, insoluble dietary fiber 34.23 ± 0.30%, and soluble dietary fiber 15.63 ± 0.25%. The bioactive profile of heteroxylans content in banana peels include TPC (19.83 ± 1.10 mg GAE/g), TFC (22.73 ± 0.90 mg QE/g), DPPH (40.73 ± 0.80 mg TE/g), FRAP (39.63 ± 0.73 mg TE/g), and ABTS+ (83.43 ± 0.70 (mg TE/g). The yield of extracted heteroxylans was 9.95 ± 0.17 g/100 g. Further, the structural characterization through XRD showed the amorphous nature of banana peels heteroxylans, and FTIR showed the typical spectra in which different functional groups were observed. Conclusively, the current study showed that banana peels’ heteroxylans has unique nutritional, bioactive, and structural profile and can be utilized for various industrial purposes to enhance technological and nutritional properties using as food additive and way toward the sustainability

Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringa) plant, which belongs to the Moringaceae family, is an important crop in Asia and Africa. Moringa has been investigated for its health benefits, which are related to several bioactive components found in the plant, including flavonoids, vitamins, phenolic acids, isothiocyanates, saponins, and tannins. The leaves of moringa have been researched extensively and hence proven to be effective in various chronic illnesses such as insulin resistance, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, cancer, nonalcoholic liver disease, high blood pressure, and general inflammation. Moringa includes a variety of dietary phytonutrients, notably flavonoids, the secondary plant metabolites which have health-enhancing effects, such as avoiding damage to normal cellular DNA and stimulating the death of cancer cells, therefore reducing the prevalence of non-communicable disorders (NCDs). Flavonoids are phenolic chemicals, which are plant elements that correlate to the non-energy portion of a person’s diet. Flavonoids are often removed chemically using solvents and conventional techniques that, in addition to being costly, take a long time and have an impact on the bioactivity of these substances. As a consequence, there is no universally applicable extraction procedure, and each best practice is adapted to the specific plants involved. To be selective, an extraction technique must have combined an ideal solvent or mixture of solvents with an optimum procedure. In this study, we provide information on the improved and standardized extraction process from Moringa leaf extract concerning flavonoids and its good consequences on immune system efficacy that have been documented.

Malnutrition is increasing across the globe owing to urbanization, poverty, and climatic changes. In the current circumstances, alternative and unexplored sources of food and nutrients are getting attention. The current sources of food cannot meet the ever-increasing population demand. The demand for animal-source protein is estimated be double due to a projected 50% rise in the world population by the year 2050. Moreover, global animal protein supply chains are not only vulnerable to natural disasters but also a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Mycoprotein is considered an excellent alternative to animal protein due to its amino acid profile and cost-effectiveness. Mycoprotein is produced by Fusarium venenatum, a naturally occurring fungus that can be used as a substitute for conventional animal protein sources. Mycoprotein is high in protein and fiber while low in cholesterol, fat, sugar, and salt. Mycoprotein offers excellent functional and therapeutic potential in mitigating various health disorders. Furthermore, it helps maintain muscle synthesis and optimal plasma and cholesterol levels, regulating insulin, glucose, and satiety. This review is focused on the mycoprotein’s origin and production, with a particular emphasis on its nutritional, health, and economic opportunities and challenges.