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Summary This study was conducted to produce high‐quality weaning food from easily available and low‐cost raw materials by extrusion technology. Weaning mix was developed using extrudates of maize (Zea mays) and mungbean (Vigna radiata) flour with a twin‐screw extruder. Experiments were designed using three independent variables [feed moisture (12.6–19.4%), screw speed (349–601 rpm) and barrel temperature (108–192 °C)] and five dependent variables (specific mechanical energy, bulk density, water absorption index, water solubility index and degree of gelatinisation) at five levels of central composite rotatable design (CCRD). Optimisation results indicated that feed moisture of 14.33%, screw speed of 524 rpm and barrel temperature of 174 °C would produce maize–mungbean extrudates of preferable functional properties. The optimised weaning mix contained maize–mungbean extrudates 40%, skim milk powder 35% and sugar 25% (w/w). The nutrient content of the weaning mix was in accordance with the standards specified by PFA, (2004) with high protein and starch digestibility.

This study was carried out to produce high-quality weaning food from locally available and low cost raw materials. Extrudates of maize (Zea mays) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum) were processed by twin-screw extruder. Experiments were designed using central composite rotatable design (CCRD) with three-independent variables [feed moisture (14-18%), screw speed (400-550 rpm), barrel temperature (125-1758C)] and five-dependent variables [specific mechanical energy (SME), bulk density (BD), water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), degree of gelatinization (DG)]. Increase in feed moisture reduced SME, WSI, and DG and increased BD and WAI.Increase in screw speed and barrel temperature decreased BD and WAI and increased WSI and DG of the extrudates. Optimum extrusion conditions were 14.13% feed moisture, 534 rpm screw speed, and 1678C barrel temperature. The ratio of ingredients in the optimized weaning mix was 40% maize-chickpea extrudates, 35% skim milk powder, and 25% sugar (w/w). The nutrient content was in agreement with the standards described by PFA (prevention of food adulteration act and rules, India, 2004) with high protein and starch digestibility.Practical applications: Development of weaning foods from locally available and low cost raw materials is a constant challenge for developing countries. Weaning foods are generally produced by traditional techniques like milling, roasting, drying, and germination. In the present scenario of convenience and newer products, we explored the possibility of using twin-screw extruder for preparation of weaning foods from maize and chickpea. Effects of feed moisture, barrel temperature, and screw speed on the quality parameters of extrudates were studied. Extrudates produced at lower feed moisture, higher screw speed, and higher barrel temperature showed good physicochemical properties and higher protein and starch digestibility. K E Y W O R D S chickpea, extrusion, maize, response surface methodology (RSM), weaning foods

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Obesity is one of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases and is interlinked with incidences of various diseases. By modulating lifestyle and food quality, obesity can be preventable. The present study investigated the ability of a novel functional beverage based on orange juice and beetroot leaf and stem juice in preventing obesity-associated health issues. To achieve this purpose, we determined the nutritive value of juices and tested their ability to prevent the effect of a high-fat diet on a rat model. Adding leaf and stem juice to orange juice increased the total soluble solids/total titratable acidity ratio, which reflects the high acceptability of the blends, and enhanced their nutritive value. All minerals increased in the blends by increasing the leaf and stem juice percentage. Copper was detected only in the juices containing 10–20% leaf and stem juice (0.01–0.11 mg/100 g). Total flavonoids and betalain increased in the blends, reaching 142.02 µg/mL and 1680 µg/mL, respectively. The mixing process synergized the blends’ radicals scavenging activity. The synergic antioxidant effect of orange enriched with 20% leaf and stem juice attenuated the oxidative stress induced by the high-fat diet by recovering catalase and glutathione peroxidase values. It also enhanced liver enzymes and lipid profile. Consequently, enriching orange with leaf and stem juice results in a functional and nutritious beverage that protects against obesity and its associated health issues.

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The myth of inactivity of inorganic materials in a biological system breaks down by the discovery of nanozymes. From this time, the nanozyme has attracted huge attention for its high durability, cost-effective production, and easy storage over the natural enzyme. Moreover, the multienzyme-mimicking activity of nanozymes can regulate the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in an intercellular system. ROS can be generated by peroxidase (POD), oxidase (OD), and Fenton-like catalytic reaction by a nanozyme which kills the cancer cells by oxidative stress; therefore, it is important in CDT (chemo dynamic therapy). Our current study designed to investigate the enzyme mimicking behavior and anticancer ability of cerium-based nanomaterials because the cerium-based materials offer a high redox ability while maintaining nontoxicity and high stability. Our group synthesized CeZrO 4 nanoparticles by a green method using β-cyclodextrin as a stabilizer and neem leaf extract as a reducing agent, exhibiting POD-and OD-like dual enzyme activities. The best enzyme catalytic activity is shown in pH = 4, indicating the high ROS generation in an acidic medium (tumor microenvironment) which is also supported by the Fenton-like behavior of CeZrO 4 nanoparticles. Inspired by the high ROS generation in vitro method, we investigated the disruption of human kidney cells by this nanoparticle, successfully verified by the MTT assay. The harmful effect of ROS in a normal cell is also investigated by the in vitro MTT assay. The results suggested that the appreciable anticancer activity with minimal side effects by this synthesized nanomaterial.

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