Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit is widely used in the food and process industries due to its excellent nutritional and health value and as a raw material for the manufacture of secondary products such as jellies, dyes, and cosmetics. The objectives of this research were to determine the vitamin C content and antimicrobial properties of fresh and dried fractions of fruit peel and arils of locally grown and imported pomegranate in Oman. A significant variation in vitamin C content was found among the five varieties of pomegranate studied, ranging from 52.8 to 72.0 mg/100 g fresh weight (fw) for arils and 76.8 to 118.4 mg/100 g fw for peels. Irrespective of the variety of pomegranate, vitamin C content in the peel was significantly higher than the aril, with differences ranging from 24.4% to 97.0% depending on variety. Fruit fractions showed antimicrobial effects (inhibition zone) on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa but not Escherichia coli. Sun drying of fruit peel significantly (p≤ 0.05) enhanced vitamin C retention and antimicrobial effects in comparison with oven drying presumably due to lower rate of moisture removal associated with low temperature drying over longer duration in comparison with short-time high-temperature oven drying.

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This case‐control study was conducted to identify the dietary pattern and the correlation between serum leptin level, obesity and insulin level in diagnosed type 2 Omani diabetics (in the age 35–65 years) as compared to controls group. One hundred subjects (50 patients and 50 controls) were recruited for this study. All subjects were interviewed to answer a questionnaire which included all socioeconomic data, dietary intake and anthropometric measurements. Biochemical parameters measured were fasting glucose level, serum insulin and serum leptin. The total daily energy intake of cases was significantly higher than the controls group. The percentage of energy derived from carbohydrate and protein were comparable between cases and controls. Meanwhile the total daily fat consumption and its contribution to energy intake were significantly higher in diabetics as compared to controls. The mean serum leptin level was significantly higher in diabetics than in controls showing a pattern of increased risk for diabetes development, and it was also significantly higher in females than in males. Serum leptin was positively correlated with body mass index and serum insulin level.ConclusionHigh energy intake and obesity predispose susceptible individuals to an increase in serum leptin level which is positively correlated to serum insulin level and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Oxidative stress was recently involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. In this case‐control study we measured homocyseteine (HCY), vitamin B12 and folate as well as oxidative stress markers [glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and antioxidant enzymes (GPX, glutathione peroxidase, SOD, superoxide dismutase and CAT, catalase)], in the sera of type 2 diabetic Omani patients. One hundred subjects (50 patients and 50 controls) were recruited for this study. Depression and anxiety were assessed for all study participants. Dietary folate and vitamin B12 intake of cases were lower than controls and the recommended dietary allowances (RDA). Depression and anxiety were higher among cases as compared to controls. The mean serum HCY was higher in cases as compared to normal values of serum HCY. Cases have low levels of GSH, TAC, GPX, SOD and CAT as compared to controls. Depression and anxiety were significantly correlated with low levels of dietary and serum folate and vitamin B12. The findings of this study indicate that, among the studied type 2 diabetic Omani subjects, the pathogenesis of depression and anxiety were attributed to (1) high serum level of HCY, (2) low levels of dietary and serum folate and vitamin B12, and (3) oxidative stress as indicated by low levels of GSH, TAC and antioxidant enzymes.