The effect of alfalfa seed flour supplementation on the quality characteristics of refined wheat flour-based biscuits was studied. The proximate composition of refined wheat flour and alfalfa seed flour was determined. Refined wheat flour contained 12.43% moisture, 11.52% crude protein, 1.61% crude fat, 0.71% crude fiber, 1.43% ash and 70.83% nitrogen free extract, while alfalfa seed flour contained 5.79%, 29.49%, 12.71%, 5.53%, 4.80% and 41.73% moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash and nitrogen free extract correspondingly. Alfalfa seed flour at 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% supplementation levels was incorporated in refined wheat flour to produce composite flour. The biscuits prepared were subjected to quality evaluation. Physical analysis of biscuits disclosed that supplementation of alfalfa seed flour decreased the width from 47.25 to 42 mm and the spread factor from 62.7 to 53.12, while it increased the thickness from 7.53 to 8.10 mm. Supplementation of refined wheat flour–based biscuits with alfalfa seed flour at different inclusion levels significantly (p < 0.05) increased the crude protein content from 10.19% to 15.30%, the crude fiber content from 0.73% to 1.62%, the crude fat content from 17.46% to 21.59% and the ash content from 1.37% to 1.92%, whereas it decreased the moisture content from 3.57% to 3.26% and the nitrogen free extract from 66.90% to 59.32%. The effect of supplementation on the mineral contents of biscuits was also significant (p < 0.05). Potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc contents increased from 105.30, 14.65, 43.91, 3.74 and 0.94 to 145.00, 26.64, 79.60, 7.93 and 1.60 mg/100 g, respectively. Sensory evaluation revealed that the quality score of biscuits in terms of color, taste, texture and overall acceptability decreased with increased supplementation. The present research work confirmed that a maximum of 10% alfalfa seed flour supplementation in refined wheat flour could produce acceptable biscuits with an appropriate nutritional profile.
The distilled water production by the application of the parabolic trough solar collector technology has its significant importance that still needs further exploration. The current study represents the modification of parabolic trough solar collector, with the using of solar tracking tilt sensor with the continuous water circulation rate of 0.22 kg/s to enhance the productivity of the parabolic trough solar collector, and the tracking system consisting of low-speed 12 V motor units of 0.75 r/min and torque of 50 N m was found suitable for the tracking mechanism. The collector received 476 W/m2 with the highest amount of distilled water up to 6675 ml/h m2 during the months of August and the 121°C temperature was recorded during the experiment. The efficiency was noted 31% for the month of August due to the highest absorbing solar irradiance. It was concluded from the results that the tested values of pH and EC in distilled water were decreased from the initial values with the process of distillation through parabolic trough solar collector. Further, from the results, it was concluded that the PTSC was working efficiently with the highest amount of distilled water with the solar tracking tilt sensor and higher efficiency from 08:00 AM to 16:00 PM during the daytime. Furthermore, recommended by the results of the experiment that the amount of distilled water produced significantly depends on the amount of energy input on the concentrator. At last, the distilled water quality was measured and the results were found acceptable for the standard of the Environmental Protection Agency.
A total of 400 Recto-anal mucosal swabs samples (200 from each region) were collected and processed initially by conventional PCR. Among them, only two (n=2) RAMS samples were detected and positive for E. coli O157 gene, included one in RAMS samples of sheep from slaughterhouse of Rawalpindi, while another in RAMS samples of buffalos from slaughterhouse of Islamabad. The rest of the samples from goats and cows showed negative results for E. coli O157 in both regions. E. coli O157 isolates were obtained from each positive sample onto two different Sorbitol MacConkey Agar media plates and analyzed again through conventional PCR, resulted only single 1/6 isolated colony con rmed from both samples which possessed rfbE genes. The overall prevalence of rfbE (O157) genes came up to (0.5%). Furthermore, for the presence of STEC other virulent genes (sxt1, stx2, eae and ehlyA), these both positive rfbE isolated colonies were then brie y subjected towards multiplex PCR. Results revealed that none of the STEC virulent genes were detected in single (01) positive rfbE O157 isolated colony of sheep sample. While fortunately 4 STEC virulent genes (sxt1, stx2, eae and ehlyA) were detected in single (01) positive rfbE O157 isolated colony of buffalo sample. It was concluded that healthy adult sheep and buffalo are possibly essential carriers of STEC O157. However, buffalo sample possessed 4 STEC virulent genes, hence considered an important source of STEC infection to humans either through direct or indirect transmission which should devise proper control systems.
Traditional healing systems which mainly rely on plants, herbs and shrubs always played a vital role in the global health system. As the natural products are usually less toxic, have less side effects and easily available so the demand for plant base drugs is increasing. This ultimately provides a base for the drug research. Leptadenia pyrotechnica is a shrub found in desert areas belonging to the family Asclepiadaceae. It is an important medicinal plant and all parts of the plant are used in folk medicines. The present article is having a detail about phytochemistry, pharmacological activities of the plant and isolated constituents with their structures. The updated information included in this article will be helpful for the researchers.
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