​Health-promoting Effects of Developed Probiotic Orange Beverage: An in vitro Study

Background: Probiotic food has evolved as the new trend among the health fanatics because of their proven benefits in preventing many diseases. With change in time the way of consuming probiotics has also changed. Unlike past dairy is not the only option for commercial probiotic production, recently fruit juices have become the popular choice for it. So the current study aimed to assess the feasibility of orange juice (Citrus reticulate) as a potential probiotic carrier for the production of probiotic orange juice with lactic acid bacteria. Methods: Three test samples (TS) were developed with different combination of lactic acid probiotic bacteria viz. test sample 1 (TS1) (L. bulgaricus and L. casei), TS2 (L. bulgaricus, L. casei and L. gasseri) and TS3 (L. bulgaricus, L. casei, L. gasseri and L. fermentum). The orange juice was pasteurized for 2 min at 90°C and was inoculated at a rate of 10% inoculum. All the test samples were fermented for 4 hrs at 37°C and the physicochemical and nutritional characteristics were evaluated along with their in vitro hypocholesterolemic and in vitro hypoglycemic efficacies. Result: The probiotic orange test samples did not show inferior properties than the control in terms of physicochemical and nutritional properties. The bacterial count was decreased with time but remained above standard limit (107cfu/100ml) until 28th day of refrigerated storage. All the test samples showed promising antioxidant activity, in vitro hypocholesterolemic activity and in vitro hypoglycemic activities. Hence orange juice could be used as a suitable probiotic carrier for production of novel probiotic beverages.

Opposite Direction for Seasonal Variation of Aflatoxin M1 in Bulk Milk and Aflatoxin B1 in Rations: Results From a Prospective Study in Selected Dairy Farms of Qazvin Province, Iran

The presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in 24h bulk milk and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in concurrent total mixed rations (TMR) and feed ingredients were assessed in 12 large dairy operations. The bulk milk was sampled on days 1, 15 and 30 during winter and summer (n=72). Total mixed rations (n=48) and feed ingredients (n=230) were sampled two times with a 30-day interval. Aflatoxin was measured using direct competitive ELISA kits with detection limits of 1-81 ngkg−1 for milk and 1.25-101.25 ngkg−1 for feeds. Aflatoxin M1 was identified in all milk samples (100%), ranging from 2.03 to >81 ngkg−1, with a median of 70 ngkg−1 and averaging 61.25±28.91 ngkg−1 in winter and 54.20±25.51 ngkg−1 in summer (P=0.279). Contaminations <81 ngkg−1 (below the Iranian standard of 100 ngkg-1) were detected in 76% (n=55/72) of samples. Contaminations >81 ngkg−1 were detected in 24% (n=17/72) of samples and were more frequent in winter than in summer (42% vs. 6%). Sixty-nine percent of the winter milk samples (n=25/36) had contaminations above the median (70 ngkg−1). A reverse result was detected in summer. The chance of contaminations above median was higher in winter than in summer (OR=5.33, P=0.007). All TMR and ingredient samples had higher AFB1 contaminations in summer (P<0.05). Six TMR samples had non-detectable (<1.25 ngkg-1) values (5 in winter) and 7 samples had levels >101.25 ngkg-1 (all in summer). The chance of TMR contamination above the median (716 ngkg-1) was 5.57 times higher in summer than in winter (P=0.002). Seventy percent of the TMR samples had contaminations above the median in summer. Elevated levels of AFB1 of rations in summer (1375.50±905.02 vs. 537.05±558.79; P<0.002) did not result in elevation of AFM1 in milk, probably due to reduced AFB1 metabolism in the liver and lower dry matter intakes caused by heat stress. The AFB1 content of grain mix succeeded by corn silage, wet beet pulp, dry beet pulp and alfalfa hay were correlated with TMR contamination. Ration AFB1 and milk AFM1 were not correlated. Based on the results, a great majority of milk produced in the studied farms could have AFM1 contaminations below the Iranian standard limit (100 ngkg-1). Contaminations below 50 ngkg-1 appear to be achievable and affordable. Intensifying the controlling measures in summer, when the feed contaminations are elevated, may reduce the overall milk contamination.

Measuring the levels of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd via the polarography method in fermentative pickled cucumbers purchased from Tehran market, Iran

Pickled cucumber is frequently consumed by Iranians. According to the production process, there are two forms of pickled cucumber including industrial and fermentative. There is not an appropriate monitoring system available for the production of the latter form; therefore, high levels of heavy metals might be present in this type of pickled cucumber. Accordingly, so the levels of cadmium, zinc, lead and copper were measured in fermentative pickled cucumbers obtained from the Tehran market via the polarographic method. Polarography is a subclass of voltammetry where the working electrode is a dropping mercury electrode (DME) or a static mercury drop electrode (SMDE), which are useful for their wide cathodic ranges and renewable surfaces. Fifty different samples of pickled cucumbers were purchased from the market. Of each sample, dry ashes were produced. Measurement was repeated three times and the acquired data was then analyzed. The mean levels of zinc and copper in the evaluated samples were significantly lower than the standard limits respectively presented by the EOS and Codex (P value<0.001) while the mean level of cadmium and lead was slightly higher than the standard limit established by Codex with no significant differences observed (P values=0.450 and 0.246, respectively).

PRIORITY SEARCH SIMULATION FOR FLOOD EVACUATION ROUTES USING FUZZY AHP APPROACH

A flood is an event of an increase in water volume above the standard limit due to increased rainfall, rising sea levels, storms, and others that result in submerging an area. Floods are disasters that can cause damage and loss of property, disrupt community activities and even cause loss of life. The central defiance to rescue flood victims is choosing a safe route for flood victims to reach the evacuation site. To be able to choose a safe route for flood victims, a flood evacuation simulation is made. Flood evacuation simulation is part of the game that has been created and aims to provide education about the weight of the obstacle that needs to be considered in selecting routes for flood victims. In this flood evacuation simulation, each road has obstacles. The method proposed for choosing safe routes for flood victims is the Fuzzy-based Analytical Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy AHP). The calculation of road route weight using the Fuzzy AHP method will produce the weight for each route. The smallest weight route shows the priority route and the safe route for flood victims to pass. In this case, the Fuzzy AHP method's calculation produces the lowest weight of 0.02347, which is achieved by route 5, the route passing through S-a-b-d-D. This route is a priority route that is safe for flood victims to pass through.

A survey of Nitrate and Nitrite Contents in Vegetables to Assess The Potential Health Risks in Kurdistan, Iraq

In this study, nitrate and nitrite contents were determined of a total (308) samples of 15 different types of vegetable such as leek, swiss chard, celery, spinach, garden cress, green onion, turnip, radish, aubergine, squash, tomato, pepper, cucumber, mint, and tarragon. They were taken from different fields located in Sulaymaniyah province: Sulaymaniyah city (Tanjarro and Kanaswra), Bazyan (Baynjan), Halabja (Said Sadiq), and Kalar (Grda Gozena). Using spectrophotometer measurements performed by UV/VIS double beam spectrophotometer at 538nm. The highest level of nitrate (529.55 mg/kg) for garden cress in Said Sadiq, (486.74 mg/kg) for Swiss chard in Kanaswra, and (477.65 mg/kg) for spinach in Bazyan. In addition, leek and celery contained high nitrate concentrations of about (416.65 and 447.60) mg/kg in Kanaswra and Bazyan, respectively. While the lowest nitrate concentration in fruiting vegetables like a tomato was 5.934 mg/kg in Bazyan, and aubergine in Grda Gozena was 5.617 mg/kg. Interestingly, the value of the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) and the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) was lower than the standard limit, ADI for nitrate in this study was about (0.51, 2.18) mg/kg bw/day for adults and children, while the standard limit (3.70 mg/kg bw/day). Also, ADI for nitrite in this study was about (0.01, 0.05) mg/kg/bw for adults and children, while the standard limit was about 0 - 0.06 mg kg, as a result, the THQ ≤1. In summary, we can conclude that the amount of nitrates in raw vegetables was lower than the standard limit’s level and that this level does not cause health problems for consumers.

Research on the Mechanical Properties, Fluoride and Monomer Release of a New Experimental Flowable Giomer in Comparison to Three Commercial Flowable Giomers

Giomers are hybrid dental materials with controlled fluoride release properties. The aim of this study was to characterise a new experimental flowable giomer (G) in comparison to three commercial flowable giomers: Beautifil flow Plus X F00 (B-F00), Beautifil flow F02 (B-F02) and Beautifil flow Plus X F03 (B-F03), Shofu, Kyoto, Japan. The studied properties are fluoride ion release, residual monomers release and mechanical properties. The data analysis was performed using the ANOVA test and Tukey test for post hoc comparisons between groups. During the first day of the fluoride releasing measurement, the following classification resulted: B-F02 ˃ B-F03 ˃ B-F00 ˃ G and at the end of the investigation period, at 60 days: B-F02 ˃ B-F03 ˃ G ˃ B-F00. The experimental giomer released a lower percentage of total residual monomers than the commercial giomers. The highest value for the mechanical properties was recorded for the commercial giomers. The experimental giomer registered the lowest values for mechanical properties but higher than the imposed standard limit. There were statistically significant differences between the analyzed materials, in terms of fluoride releasing, residual monomer releasing and mechanical properties.

Mimicking and mitigating the cutaneous response to transcranial electrical stimulation using interferential and combinatorial techniques

Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) is a promising adjunct treatment for neurological impairment and mental health disorders. The modulatory effects of tES are small to moderate, and accrue over days to weeks with repeated administration, but these effects are also inconsistent across individuals, which poses a challenge for its clinical administration. Some of the variability in tES may stem from uncontrolled behavioral factors, and inadequate dosing of current across individuals, so new strategies are needed to address these issues. We evaluated the biophysics of emerging techniques for tES and provided new testable hypotheses for the tolerability of interferentail and combinatorial waveforms. Millisecond pulsatile currents may serve as suitable alternatives to alternating currents in modulating neural spike timing from tES. Pulsatile currents limit spike generation in nerves and may be tolerated above the standard limit of 2 mA when combined with a direct current to block nerve activation. Additionally, we posit that combinations of kilohertz interferential currents can mimic the nerve response of different tES waveforms but with minimal modulation of cortical neurons, providing a new strategy for active placebo stimulation. These results will help guide design of interferential tES strategies for better blinding and provide a testable model for evaluating the tolerability of new combinatorial strategies.

ANALISIS NUMERIK PENGARUH KECEPATAN TERHADAP SEAKEEPING KAPAL PATROLI PADA DAERAH PELAYARAN SEASTATE 7

Patrol boat is designed not to be slow in its movement on the water surface. To be able to move quickly and agilely, the most important requirement for this type of ship is in its maneuverability. The ship's motion at sea (seakeeping) is influenced by several things, speed, body shape, and the direction of the ship's heading waves. In this study, we analyze the six degrees of freedom, especially on the response of the ship's vertical movement, namely rolling on the sea waves of Seastate 7, especially in extreme weather in the South China Sea. The standard limit used is NORDFORSK 1987 with Light Manual Work Criteria. By entering parameters such as variations in speed and wave angle, such as 0°, 45°, 180° and 270°, then from the graph it can be seen the critical value for each movement. The calculation is carried out with the help of computational software Maxsurf Motions Advanced 20 V8i. The results of this study are the maximum roll movement value that occurs at a speed of 14 knots with a wave angle of 45° with a roll angle value of 6.40o. Furthermore, there is a decrease in the value of the movement along with the increase in the speed of the ship. The minimum roll value occurs when the wave angle is 270° when the ship's speed is 28 knots with a value of 5.69o.

Quantitative Estimation of the Hydroquinone, Mercury and Total Plate Count in Skin-Lightening Creams

Generally white color of the skin is regarded as a feature of superiority and prettiness around the world. Both the males and females in Pakistan apply skin-lightening creams (SLC) but they do not know about the side-effects of their constituents. Skin-lightening products include SLC and related ointments. The SLC are made by mixing fates and water in standard procedure. Here, 20 SLC specimens were obtained and subjected to mercury, hydroquinone and the total plate count (TPC). The hydroquinone in SLC was determined using HPLC, mercury level was assessed by ICP OES and finally TPC were computing by utilizing nutrient media (Agar). The hydroquinone in SLC ranged from 0 to 7.14 ± 0.18% with a median value of 0.33%. In 25% of the studied samples, hydroquinone was not detected, 70% of the samples showed values within the limit and 5% of the samples (1 sample) had a hydroquinone concentration above the permissible limit defined by Pakistan (5%). The mercury ranged 0-7.7 ppm, with a median value of 2.5 ppm. Mercury was detected in 95% of the samples; thus, only 5% of the samples had no mercury. In turn, 20% had mercury within the limit value while 75% of the samples had concentration above the Pakistan standard limit (1 ppm). Moreover, TPC obtained in this study was less than the allowable value set according to European Union (EU). Hence, the SLC samples showed high concentration of toxic constituents which could cause deleterious skin diseases. Government must monitor such kind of cosmetic products regularly in order to reduce the danger.

Development of Ready-to-Cook (Rtc) Hilsa (Tenualosa Ilisha) Curry Under Vacuum and Modified Atmosphere Packaging During Refrigerated Storage

The aim of the study was to evaluate quality of ready-to-cook (RTC) hilsa curry under not sealed pack as control, vacuum as T1, MAP-1 (50% CO2 & 50% N2) as T2, and MAP-2 (40% CO2 , 30 N2 & 30% O2) pack as T3 during storage at 4±1°C. For this purpose, pH, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and aerobic plate count (APC) of three samples from each treatment were analyzed at four days interval during 28 days of storage. The pH and TVB-N values of RTC hilsa curry were within the standard limit in all samples during the storage period. However, significantly (p <0.05) lower values were observed on and after the 12th day for pH and 16th day for TVBN in all samples compared to the control. TBARS gradually increased from the 4th day for all samples except vacuum packaged sample. However, significantly (p <0.05) lower TBARS were observed in the vacuum and MAP-1 samples on and after the 8th day of storage compared to the control and MAP-2 samples. APCs gradually increased from the initial value of 5.25 log CFU/g with time in all samples. However, significantly (p <0.05) lower APCs were observed on and after the 16th day of storage in all samples compared to the control sample. The APCs exceeded the 7 log CFU/g, which is considered as the upper acceptable limit on approximately 16th day for the control, 24th day for vacuum, 22nd day for MAP-1, and 20th day for MAP-2 sample. Therefore, the vacuum packaging demonstrated the better results, which the superstores can utilize conveniently to display RTC hilsa curry with prolonged shelf life. J. Bio-Sci. 29(2): 71-79, 2021 (December)