The small and medium enterprises Act as catalyst for economic growth and development in Pakistan: Economic growth and development perspective

This paper explores the value of small and medium enterprises for the economic growth and development especially in Pakistan. Moreover, it assesses the usage of information technology in SMEs sector of Pakistan. According to the recent Census of Establishments conducted by the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) there are about 3.2 million economic establishments in Pakistan. Out of these Small & Medium sized enterprises (SMEs) (with employment base up to 99) constitute 90% of all private enterprises employing approximately 78% of non-agriculture labor force1. SMEs contributed over 30% to GDP, 25% in export earnings besides sharing 35% in manufacturing value addition2. The paper suggests that SMEs act as a catalyst to economical growth and development where IT embedded in their operations, planning and decisions like Hong Kong, Denmark and USA. Many other societies also place great value on the small and medium enterprises and encourage their activity. In fact, wealth and a high majority of jobs are created by small & medium businesses in the world. As a result, many experienced business people, political leaders, economists, and educators believe that fostering a robust small and medium business culture will maximize individual and collective economic and social success on a local, national, and global scale. It is recommended that SMEs may be offered access to inexpensive capital, tax exemptions and management advice & experiences and IT infrastructure which further leads toward the economical growth & development. The economical growth and development in a country can brings happiness and prosperity to its nation

Bioactivity -guided isolation of antimicrobial agent from Coleus amboinicus Lour (Torbangun)

The leaves of Coleus amboinicus from Indonesia (CAL-I) and from Malaysia, Coleus aromaticus (CAT-M), Pogostemon cablin (PC-M), Coleus blumei–red leaves (CBR-M), Coleus amboinicus– (CAL-M) Coleus blumei –purple leaves (CBP-M) were collected from different localities, freeze dried and extracted with aqueous methanol. The biological activity in vitro, especially in relation to total phenolic & flavonoid contents, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were studied. Total phenolic content was determined according to the Folin-Ciocalteu method whilst antioxidant activity was assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The antimicrobial activity of the extract was determined by making use of macro dilution and disc diffusion methods on two gram positive bacteria, two gram negative bacteria and on fungus as well. Furthermore, the toxicity was also assessed for the extracts by performing acute toxicity test. The phenolic content among the six Lamiaceae leaves extract showed significant difference (p<0.05) in result ranging from 55.21 - 95.17 mg GAE/g of dried samples. Pogostemon cablin (PC-M) had the highest content of phenolic followed by C. blumei (CBP-M). There were significant differences (p<0.05) of IC50 value of six Lamiaceae leaves extract ranging from 10.5 – 34.1 µg/ml. Among the species studied, Coleus amboinicus (CAL-M) and Pogostemon cablin (PC-M) showed higher antioxidant activity compared to the other leaves extracts. All leaves extracts showed activity at least against one strain of bacteria and result showed significant difference (p<0.05) between activities on the microorganism studied. On the contrary, all of the leaves extracts were not effective against C. albicans. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of all leaves extracts ranged from 1.0–2.0 mg/ml in inhibiting the growth of S. aureus, E. Coli, P. aeruginosa and B.subtilis. The acute toxicity test using C. Blumei leaves extract showed that there was no mortality of animals recorded at the highest dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight. This study shows that the extracts can be used as antioxidant and antimicrobial agent without having the toxic effect

Physiological effects of dietary complex carbohydrates and its metabolites role in certain diseases

Carbohydrate is one of the basic and an important food nutrient consumed worldwide. Like-wise Pakistani foods contain more carbohydrates than any other food nutrient consumed. Sometimes, Pakistani foods are devoid of protein and may contain only carbohydrates and fats as the major nutrients of the diet e.g. eating chapati (wheat bread) with potato curry. Certain non-communicable diseases can be avoided with adoption of proper healthier food habits and eating foods according to the needs of the body. These diseases are obesity, coronary heart disease, colonic cancer and gastrointestinal disorders (diverticular disease, constipation, hiatal hernia and hemorrhoids). Therefore complex carbohydrate should be an important constituent of our daily meal and it can be adopted for the management of certain diseases provided that it is used in proper amounts. Consumption of certain complex carbohydrates is associated with lower body weight, reduced blood cholesterol, reduced blood glucose and an increased crypt cell proliferation. Therefore, it is necessary and utmost important to know the various types of carbohydrates to enable us to decide to include carbohydrates in our daily food according to our health requirements. Not necessarily all the community need to know but at least those who are associated with nutrition and health management must know the beneficial as well as the harmful effects of carbohydrates

Deficient intakes of energy and macronutrients in Pakistani female students assessed by composite samples method

The main purpose of the study was to compare the energy and macronutrients intakes by composite sample method. Duplicate food samples for seven days i.e., breakfast, lunch and dinner and whatever else ate during the week were analyzed for macronutrients consumption. Twenty female students were registered from the female hostel of the NWFP, Agricultural University Peshawar Pakistan. Age, weight, height and skin folds of the students were recorded on the day of the registration. From the anthropometry Basal Metabolic Index (BMI) was determined. The composite food samples were analyzed for protein, carbohydrates and fats. The energy values were determined by multiplying the daily eaten protein, carbohydrates and fats with 4, 4 and 9, respectively. The mean values of energy and macronutrients intakes were compared with the norms as appropriate. The energy and protein intakes were lower by -29.34% and protein intake was higher by 42.65% compared with American Dietetic Association (ADA). Similarly, compared to the WHO/FAO values the energy was lower -30.57 and protein was higher by 43.29, respectively. The energy contribution was higher from protein by 151% and lower from carbohydrates and fats by -28.35 and 23.43%, respectively. This study suggests that students are having deficient or imbalance energy intakes from macronutrients and are at the risk of malnutrition

Nutritional and other causes of hypertension in district Lakki Marwat, NWFP, Pakistan

This study was designed to identify the causes of hypertension in District Lakki Marwat, North West Frontier Province (NWFP)-Pakistan. Eight hundred individuals in the age range of 21 - 60 years (81 % male and 19 % female) from the urban & rural areas were randomly selected. A voters list was obtained from the Assistant Election Commissioner’s Office and every 7th person was randomly selected as a study case in each of the selected areas. The height, weight, blood pressure, socio- economic, demographic and nutritional information was recorded on questionnaire. The data was compiled and assessed for nutritional status, hypertension and other factors for any possible association. None of the respondents was in the category of optimal blood pressure. In the categories of optimal blood pressure, normal blood pressure, high normal blood pressure, hypertension stage 1, hypertension stage 2 and hypertension stage 3 on overall basis the percentages were 0.00, 71.75, 14.65, 4.87, 3.87 & 4.62 respectively, for the urban area the percentages were 0.00, 70.84, 12.85, 7.52, 4.07 & 4.70 respectively and for the rural area the percentages were 0.00, 72.34, 15.80, 3.11, 3.95 & 4.78 respectively. The association of the hypertension was significant with the different variables i.e. basal metabolic index (BMI), socioeconomic status (job and family responsibilities, social problems & enmity), nutritional habit (particularly excessive saturated fat & salt intake), smoking and lack of knowledge about the hypertension. This study suggests that the causes of hypertension are due to poor dietary habits, social and economic problems in the District Lakki Marwat, North West Frontier Province (NWFP)-Pakista

Effect of non-nutritive sweeteners, chemical preservatives and antioxidants on microbial and sensory characteristics of dehydrated guava

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of various concentrations of non nutritive sweeteners individually and in combination along with chemical preservatives i.e. potassium metabisulphite (PMS) and potassium sorbate (PS) and anti-oxidants including citric acid (CA) and ascorbic acid (AA) on microbial and sensory characteristics of dehydrated guava slices during 90 days storage. The solutions of saccharine, cyclamate, aspartame and their mixture were prepared in different concentrations. Guava slices were submerged in these sweeteners for a 24 hour and subsequently cabinet dehydrated to a final moisture content of 25%. Total microbial count (TMC) were recorded in all samples however, samples treated with AA, CA and PMS showed negligible microbial population than PS during storage. Guava slices treated with non-nutritive sweeteners were leathery in appearance due to severe loss of moisture. Comparatively the slices treated with PMS and AA showed highest overall acceptability. The statistical analysis showed that storage intervals and sweeteners had a significant effect (p<0.05) on TMC and organoleptic quality of dehydrated guava slices

Comparison of energy and macro-nutrients intakes in university hostel students in two countries of Asia

Objective: The aim of this was to compare energy and macro-nutrients intakes in university hostel students in two Ccuntries of Asia Methods: Female students from the hostels of International Islamic University, Malaysia, Kuantan Campus and NWFP, Agricultural University Peshawar- Pakistan were assessed for the energy and macro-nutrients intakes. A total of 140 students were registered who volunteered to participate in this study. The age range of the registered students was 22-26 years. On the day of the registration, age, height and weight were recorded; also, food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) were provided. The participants were asked to record alternately for three days whatever they ate during the prescribed week. Out of 140 students 139 returned the FFQs and one of the students failed to return therefore excluded from the study. From the anthropometry, the BMI was used to assess the under, ideal, over-weight and obese students. From the FFQs, energy and nutrient intakes were calculated using the food composition Tables for Malaysia & Pakistan and compared with the recommended nutrients intakes (RNIs). Results: The body weight for the required height among the Malaysian students was lower by 7.81 percent than the reference value whereas the body weight of Pakistani students matched to the reference weight for height (Table 1). The Malaysian students were 28.0, 61.0, 5.5 and 0.9 % under, ideal, over-weight and obese respectively whereas Pakistani students were 100 % in the category of ideal-body weight. The total energy consumption was higher among Malaysian students by 9.93 % compared to the reference requirements whereas the Pakistani students claimed to meet the requirements. In terms of nutrients balancing the Malaysian students were having the ideal combination of the macro-nutrients and it was within the recommended range of 55-60, 15-20 and 25-30 % for carbohydrates, protein and fat respectively. These were poor among the Pakistani students and meet the energy requirements at the expense of fat consumption. Conclusions: This study suggests that there is imbalance in macro-nutrients intake among the student