Aflatoxins in bird feed collected from various areas of Lahore city

The objective of this study was to estimate total aflatoxin in bird feed. Total 50 birds feed samples were collected from different markets and birds shops in Lahore. Total aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, and G2 were estimated using the Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) method. The daily intake of aflatoxin in bird's feed is a 300ppb threshold by FDA. Total 50 samples were examined, among them 22% were contaminated with aflatoxin B1 and B2 and the rest of 40% samples were contaminated only with aflatoxin B1. Aflatoxin G1 and G2 were not detected in any feed. The results showed that 42% of samples were contaminated within the permissible limit, 20% were unfit due to having above the allowable limit, and 38% were fit, which did not show any aflatoxin. The current study has demonstrated the easy way of providing the determination of aflatoxin in bird’s feed. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.56(4), 249-254, 2021

Spectrophotometric determination of trace amount of iron in water, food, and pharmaceutical samples

The present study aimed to determine the trace amount of iron by using highly selective and sensitive spectrophotometric reagents in water, food, and pharmaceutical samples. For this, as-triazine containing ferroin-yielding chromogens; 3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine (PDT) and 3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-bis(p-methoxyphenyl)-1,2,4-triazine (PBMPT) have been synthesized. The absorptiometric characteristics of the iron(II) complexes with PDT and PBMPT such as complex formation, sensitivity determination, composition determination have also been studied. It has been observed that these highly sensitive and selective ferroin-yielding reagents act as bidentate ligands and form intensive colored tris-complexes with iron(II) ions. The application of these spectrophotometric reagents for the determination of iron in water, food, and pharmaceutical samples has been described. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.56(4), 299-306, 2021

IR spectra of paracetamol

Paracetamol is a very popular medication used to treat pain and fever. IR spectra of paracetamol have been measured for powder crystals. Ab initio calculations of its equilibrium geometry and vibrational spectra were carried out for spectrum interpretation. Differences between the experimental IR spectra of crystalline samples have been analyzed. Variations of molecular structure from the isolated state to molecular crystal were estimated based on the difference between the optimized molecular parameters of free molecules and the experimental bond lengths and angles evaluated for the crystal forms of the title compounds. The role of hydrogen bonds in the structure of molecular crystals of paracetamol is investigated. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.56(4), 255-262, 2021

Aloe vera based cookies as a functional food

Cookies are one of the most widely consumed food products that are high in demand worldwide. Based on this fact, an attempt was made to develop the cookies by adding aloe vera gel due to its functional properties. The study was focused on the quality characterization of aloe vera-based cookies in terms of nutritional and sensory attributes. To find out the best formulation, the proximate composition and sensory analysis of biscuits containing 10%, 20% and 30% aloe vera gel were determined. For overall acceptability, cookies with 20% aloe vera gel were found best compared to the cookies containing 20% and 30% aloe vera gel. Aloe vera-based biscuits may also be helpful for most vulnerable populations in developing countries due to their functional properties. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.56(4), 293-298, 2021

Interaction of Mn(II) and Zn(II) with ciprofloxacin antibiotics

The aim of this study is to check the redox behavior of Mn (II) and Zn (II) metals before and after interaction with ciprofloxacin in potassium chloride solution by using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperomety and chronocoulometry methods. Equimolar solutions of Mn (II) and ciprofloxacin were mixed to a ratio of 1:2 and that of Zn (II) and ciprofloxacin to a 1:1 ratio. The results showed that the redox couple involved in Mn (II) as well as Mn(II)-ciprofloxacin interaction systems are quasi-reversible. However, the Zn (II) systems showed reversibility and the Zn(II)-ciprofloxacin interaction was quasi-reversible. The results obtained from the chronoamperometric study showed that after interaction with ciprofloxacin the rate of electrolysis in the metal systems decreased. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.56(4), 285-292, 2021

Robo from melon seeds and groundnut

Robo is a widely consumed Nigeria snack made from local food ingredients. Snacks are often subjectively classified as junk food, possibly because they naturally have little or no nutritional value, and unhealthy snacks consumption are associated with the risk of developing non-communicable diseases. The effects of producing Robo from melon and groundnut seeds at different ratios from 20 to 50% wereevaluated for proximate composition, physicochemical/functional and sensory attributes. The results showed an increase in crude protein (38.56a - 42.8d), crude fiber(15.01±0.014d), fat content (35.20e) and ash content (18.02e), but decreased in moisture content (2.43a - 3.30e). Hardness properties decrease from (240a- 720e). Robo from blends of melon and groundnut seeds have improved sensory attributes in terms of flavour, crispness, taste and overall acceptability, particularly at supplementation of 60% melon and 40% groundnut seeds. Thus, improved Robo will increase consumer’s nutrients intake and prevent health problems associated with snack intake. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.56(4), 263-270, 2021

Abundance of sucking insect pests on some flowering plants in relation to weather parameters

The study was conducted from November 2017 to May 2018 in the experimental field at Gazipur, Bangladesh to investigate the incidence of sucking pests namely gladiolus thrips Teniothrips simplex, tuberose aphid Aphis craccivora, marigold aphid Neotoxoptera oliveri, and dahlia mealybug Plannococcus citri on their cultivated host plants in relation to temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. Results showed that the abundance of gladiolus thrips, tuberose aphid, marigold aphid and dahlia mealy bug reached the peak in the 3rd week of January, 3rd week of February, 1st week of January and 1st week of February, respectively. Among the weather factors, temperature had significant negative impact on the abundance of gladiolus thrips, marigold aphid and tuberose aphid, whereas rainfall showed significant negative influence only on marigold aphid. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that weather variables collectively predicted 55.9%, 75.9%, 44.5%, and 34.6% abundances of gladiolus thrips, marigold aphid, tuberose aphid and dahlia mealybug, respectively. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.56(4), 241-248, 2021

Prevalence of multidrug-resistant extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Salmonella strains in commercial raw chicken meat

The incidence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing pathogens is worrisome because it confers multiple drug resistance (MDR). Considering their serious clinical significance, the study investigated the prevalence of MDR-ESBL-producing Salmonella strains isolated from raw chicken meat in Southern Nigeria. A total of 240 raw chicken meat were sampled and the recovered Salmonella strains were characterized for MDR and ESBL-genes using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion and molecular techniques. Of the 52 confirmed Salmonellaenterica serotypes, 67.31% (35/52) were Salmonella entericasubsp. entericaserovar Typhimurium, 32.68% (17/52) were Salmonella entericasubsp. entericaserovar Enteritidis, 78.85% (41/52) were ESBL-producer and 88.45% (46/52) multidrug resistant. Ampicillin (96.15%) and gentamycin (40.39%) were the most and least antibiotics. The most prevalent MDR-ESBL-genes were bla CTX-M (92.68%), followed by bla SHV genes (68.29%) and bla TEM(31.71%). This study showed that Salmonella serotypes with high ESBL-genes and MDR were prevalent in raw chicken meat vended in southern Nigerian markets. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.56(4), 271-284, 2021

Biological Control of soft rot bacteria of onion in Bangladesh

An investigation was conducted to search antagonistic bacteria as biological control agents of soft rotting bacterial pathogen of onion (Allium cepa L.) in vitro and in storage. Antibacterial activity of previously isolated 91 bacterial isolates was tested in vitro against onion soft rot bacteria Burkholderia cepacia O-15. Two isolates namely, R-15 and E-37 were found antagonistic against onion soft rot bacteria. Isolate R-15 was identified as the genus Bacillus and the isolate E-37 to Lactobacillus sp. Isolate R-15 proved to be a strong antagonist against onion soft rot bacteria was selected for bio-control of onion in storage. That was also effectively reduces the soft rot disease of onion in storage condition. Percentage of disease reduction (PDR) due to treatment with antagonistic bacteria was 72.4% compared to untreated control. It is therefore suggested that this isolate could be exploited as biocontrol agent for onion soft rot in Bangladesh. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.56(4), 231-240, 2021

Alleviation of arsenic accumulation in rice by applying silicon-rich rice husk residues in Bangladesh soil

While the accumulation of arsenic in rice (Oryza sativa L.) has been highlighted as a major concern in Bangladesh, sustainable measures are critically needed to reduce the uptake of arsenic by rice plants. In the present study, a pot-experiment was conducted using a Boro rice variety (BRRI dhan-29) in two geomorphologically different soils from Holocene floodplains and Pleistocene terraces, in which silicon-rich fresh rice husk (FRH) and rice husk ash (RHA) were applied, as silicon fertilisers, in the soils at the rate of 1% (w/w) of rice residue:soil.In the Holocene floodplain soils, the application of FRH was found to decrease arsenic in grain, husk and straw by 42, 56 and 51%, respectively, whereas the soil incorporation of RHA decreased arsenic in grain, husk and straw by 26, 37.5 and 36%, respectively. In the Pleistocene terrace soils, the application of FRH reduced the grain, husk and straw arsenic by 38, 38 and 44%, respectively, whereas the RHA decreased the grain, husk and straw arsenic by 26, 30 and 29%, respectively. Fresh rice husk was found to be more effective in alleviating arsenic accumulation in rice than RHA. In both the Holocene floodplain and Pleistocene terrace soils, the grain concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, silicon, and zinc were found to be increased with the decrease of arsenic in the grain due to the use of FRH and RHA. The present study suggests that silicon-rich rice husk residue scan be used as silicon fertilisers to reduce arsenic accumulation in rice in Bangladesh. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.56(3), 195-206, 2021