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Bovine brucellosis remains a persistent infection in ruminants in Pakistan. A total of 828 (409 buffaloes and 419 cattle) sera were collected from 11 institutional-owned livestock farms in Punjab, Pakistan. The samples were tested by rose bengal plate agglutination test (RBPT) and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). The seroprevalence along with 95% confidence interval (CI) was determined. Univariable and multivariable analysis of the epidemiological background data was conducted and odds ratio (OR) was calculated to understand any association between the risk factors and the seroprevalence. An overall seroprevalence of 3.9% (Positive/Tested = 32/828) and 3.3% (27/828) was detected by RBPT and iELISA, respectively. The seroprevalence of 5.6% (CI 3.6–8.3) and 4.7%, (CI 2.8–7.2) and the odds ratio of 2.63 (CI 1.20–5.77) and 2.50 (CI 1.08–5.78) for testing positive by RBPT and iELISA, respectively were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in buffaloes than in cattle. Breed, sex, history of abortion and retention of fetal membranes (RFM) in the animals were not found statistically significantly associated with the infection. RBPT and iELISA based results agreed almost perfect (k = 0.877). In total, Brucella abortus-DNA (9/27) was amplified from seropositive samples by real-time polymerase chain reaction. This study identified for the first time the etiological agents of brucellosis at a molecular level at institutional-owned livestock farms in Pakistan.

Ripening of mango fruit is characterized by softening of flesh which limits its shelf life. 1-MCP is nontoxic gas that delays fruit softening and improves quality of several fruit. Therefore, the role of 1-MCP in regulating fruit softening and quality of 'Kensington Pride' mango was investigated. Physiological mature fruits treated with 1-MCP (1 mL L -1 ), ethylene (10 mL L -1 ) or 1-MCP ? ethylene for 12 h at ambient condition (20 ± 1°C). Untreated (control) as well as treated fruits were allowed to ripe at ambient temperature (20 ± 1°C) for 10 days. Ethylene production, respiration rate and other fruit ripening parameters were determined periodically. Climacteric peaks of ethylene production and respiration rate were significantly supressed by 1-MCP application as compared to ethylene-treated and control fruit. Exogenous application of ethylene accelerated the development of fruit colour, fruit softening with increased activities of exo-PG, endo-PG and EGase enzymes in the pulp tissues. Whereas, activities of fruit softening enzymes were significantly delayed and/or suppressed in 1-MCP-treated fruit. 1-MCPtreated fruit showed improved rheological properties (i.e., firmness, springiness and stiffness), decreased level of citric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, total organic acids, total sugars and sucrose than other treatments. 1-MCP inhibited the activities of fruit softening enzymes which consequently delayed the ripening and ripening related changes in 'Kensington Pride' mango.