Biochemical analysis of commonly consumed fishes and shell fishes from the Tista and the Baral River in Bangladesh

The Tista and Baral rivers in Bangladesh are important water bodies that provide fish and shellfish as a significant food source for the local population. However, there is limited research on the biochemical composition of commonly consumed fish and shellfish species from these rivers. This study aimed to analyze the proximate composition of 16 species of fish and shellfish from the Tista and Baral rivers, focusing on their nutritional profiles and potential as protein sources. The findings indicate that all 16 species from the two rivers contain significant levels of moisture, ash, crude fat, crude protein, crude fiber, carbohydrate, and energy content, with percentages ranging from (82.18±0.29 to 62.79±0.67)%, (28.77±0.08 to 6.6±0.07)%, (38.16±0.16 to 6.39±0.04)%, (70.69±1.30 to 36.81±0.82)%, (18.30±0.07 to 0.46±0.03)%, (21.41±0.08 to 1.37±0.01)%, and (319±0.44 to 532.45±0.45) kcal/100 g, respectively. Anabas testudineus and Barilius barila from the Tista and Baral rivers, respectively, contained significantly (p<0.05) higher levels of fat and energy content than those of other species. Paratelphusa lamellifrons from Tista river showed significantly (p<0.05) higher ash content compared to others. Mastacembelus pancalus from the Baral River showed the highest moisture and carbohydrate content, which differ significantly (p<0.05) compared to others in the case of carbohydrate content and differ significantly (p<0.05) compared to others except Ompok pabda in the case of moisture content. Ompok pabda from the Baral River showed significantly (p<0.05) higher protein and fiber content compared to others. The study concludes that commonly consumed fish and shellfish are moderate sources of high-quality protein and essential micronutrients. Thus, their consumption can mitigate protein malnutrition and ensure the security of nutrition and livelihoods in Bangladesh. The results emphasize the nutritional significance of these resources as potential protein sources, warranting further exploration and utilization to address nutritional challenges and enhance food security in the region

Exploring the impact of culture media on life history characteristics of the house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae)

Insects, particularly house fly pupae (M. domestica L.), are increasingly promoted as a rich and sustainable protein source, presenting a practical solution for organic waste management. These insects possess the capability to transform animal waste into valuable biomass, underscoring the necessity to evaluate housefly larval growth on diverse waste mixtures. The primary objective was to comprehend how different culture media influence the life history traits of this species. To address this, the research aimed to assess the growth and development performance of housefly larvae reared on various waste mixtures. Adult house flies (M. domestica) were sourced from meat and fish markets in Rajshahi city, Bangladesh, employing systematic sampling from different market sections for a representative selection. Experimental diets were formulated with combinations of cattle blood, cattle manure, rice bran, wheat bran, and kitchen waste, categorized into Diet-A (kitchen waste:cattle manure:wheat bran), Diet-B (cattle blood:rice bran), Diet-C (cattle manure:wheat bran), and Diet-D (cattle blood:kitchen waste:rice bran). Additionally, a control group comprised a mixture of waste materials, including yeast, egg white, milk powder, and wheat bran. The findings revealed that larvae, pupae, and adults reared on Diet-B, incorporating cattle blood and rice bran, demonstrated increased length compared to other diets. This varied diet also produced the heaviest larvae, pupae, and adults, exhibiting the highest morphometric parameters. The moisture content of pupae varied across the different diets, ranging from 53.23±0.17 % to 65.47±1.32 %. The pupae reared on Diet-B had the highest levels of crude protein (53.44±0.05 %, p < 0.05), while those reared on Diet-C had the highest levels of fat (18.56±0.05 %, p < 0.05 except for diet A). The findings demonstrate that housefly larvae can be reared on diets containing rice bran and cattle blood, which have different nutritional profiles and biological capacities. However, the ideal rearing strategy should depend on how M. domestica will be utilized in the future. The study highlights insects, especially housefly pupae, as a sustainable protein source and an organic waste management solution. Therefore, the results of this study contribute to the broader understanding of Musca domestica and offer practical implications for both scientific research and pest management practices

A comparison of indigenous vegetable oils and their blends with optimal fatty acid ratio

Oil blending is a trendy method of retaining their visual appeal, which also enhances their quality, stability, and nutritional content. The significance of this study lies in its pioneering approach towards determining the optimal fatty acid ratio through the blending of oils extracted from Bangladeshi origin rice bran, sesame seed, and mustard seed. Three blends were prepared, consisting of unrefined rice bran oil (RBO), unrefined mustard oil (MO), and partially refined sesame oil (SO) in different proportions: 70:20:10, 50:30:20, and 30:40:30, respectively. GC-MS (Gas Chromatogram-Mass Spectrometer) analyses revealed that the 50:30:20 (RBO:MO:SO) blend preserved the optimal ratio of fatty acids, 1:2:1; Saturated fatty acids (SFA): mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA): poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which closely matched the WHO/FAO standards. This blend was further evaluated and compared with each individual oil. Compared to the individual oils, the blended oil demonstrated superior physicochemical qualities. The blend of 50:30:20 (RBO:MO:SO) had a total antioxidant content of 96.046±0.11 %, with an IC50 value of 0.518±0.20 mg/mL. This value was much greater than that of the single oils and on par with standards BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) (97.589±0.40 %) and BHA ((butylated hydroxyanisole) (96.528±0.83 %). Density, viscosity, acid value, peroxide value, p-anisidine value, saponification value, iodine value, totox value, and color values of blended oil exhibited a slow rise in comparison to other individual vegetable oils under deep frying. The intended fatty acid ratio in the designed oil contributed to improved durability and nutritional potency compared to the individual oils, making it a potentially commercially feasible edible oil. By focusing on indigenous sources, the study aims to harness the unique properties of these oils to create blends that align with the dietary needs and preferences of the local population

Optimization of green microwave-assisted extraction of essential oil from lemon (Citrus limon) leaves: Bioactive, antioxidant and antimicrobial potential

This research delves into the analysis of essential oil derived from Citrus limon leaves cultivated in the northern region of Bangladesh, focusing on their potential attributes. The essential oil was extracted employing a microwave-assisted gravity station without using solvent. Optimization was carried out in terms of time, temperature and power as a function of oil yield. The study revealed the highest oil yield of 2.5 % after 50 min at 110 °C, maintaining a microwave power of 300 watt. Twenty-four (24) phyto-components were identified by Gas Chromatogram- Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) where d-Limonene (34.10660 %) was dominant compound. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used to assess the antioxidant activity of essential oil. Notably, essential oil displayed superior DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 8.57 ppm) compared to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (IC50 10.63 ppm), a common antioxidant standard. Furthermore, a variety of harmful microorganisms were used to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy. The extracted essential oil exhibited the strongest antimicrobial effectiveness against bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (ZOI-27.50 mm, MIC-7.8 μL/mL) and the fungi Candida albicans (ZOI-32.83 mm, MIC-1.95 μL/mL). These findings demonstrate the Citrus limon leaves essential oil contains bioactive components with strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The extracted essential oil holds significant potential for applications in the foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetic industries

Nutritional characterization and antioxidant properties of various edible portions of Cucurbita maxima: A potential source of nutraceuticals

Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) is a widely grown vegetable in Bangladesh and is known as the sole supplier of various nutrients. Many studies evidence the nutritional value of flesh and seed while peel, flower, and leaves were reported scarcely with limited information. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of flesh, peel, seed, leaves, and flowers of Cucurbita maxima. The seed had a remarkable composition of nutrients and amino acids. Flowers and leaves possessed higher content of minerals, phenols, flavonoids, carotenes, and total antioxidant activity. The order of IC50 value (peel > seed > leaves > flesh > flower) indicates higher DPPH radicals scavenging activity of the flower. Moreover, a significant positive relationship was observed among these phytochemical constituents (TPC, TFC, TCC, TAA) and DPPH radicals scavenging activity. It could be concluded that these five parts of the pumpkin plant have an intense potency to be an exigent component of functional food or medicinal herbs