Respuesta química y eficacia agronómica de cultivos de girasol (Helianthus agnnuus L.) a fuentes de nitrógeno orgánico y fertilizantes convencionales nitrogenados en suelos áridos

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an option for oilseed production, particularly in dry land areas due to good root system development. In this study, two field experiments were performed in the El-Khattara region (Sharkia Governorate, Egypt) during the 2005 season. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of organicnitrogen (ON) sources and their combinations as well as to compare the effect of ON and ammonium sulfate (AS) as a conventional fertilizer added individually or in combination on growth, yield components, oil percentage and the uptake of some macronutrients by sunflowers grown on sandy soil. The treatments of chicken manure (CM) and a mixture of farmyard manure (FYM) with CM were superior to the other treatments and gave the highest yield, dry matter yield, NPK uptake by plants at all growth stages along with seed yield at the mature stage. The effect of the different ON on crop yield and its components may follow the order; CM> palma residues (PR)> FYM. This was more emphasized when the materials were mixed with AS at a ratio of 3:1 and 1:1. The uptake of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) by plants was affected by the addition of different N sources and treatments. The highest nutrient content and uptake by straw were obtained when treated with CM followed by PR at all growth stages, while it was PR followed by CM for seeds. Oil recovery was shown to respond to the N supply and the changes in individual fatty acids were not statistically different. However, it seems that the application of organic fertilizers resulted in an increase in total unsaturated fatty acids compared to the control.El girasol (Helianthus annuus) es una opción para la producción de semillas oleaginosas, en particular en terrenos arenosos debido al buen desarrollo de sus raíces. En este trabajo, dos estudios de campo fueron realizados en la región de El-Ishattara (Sharkia Governorate, Egypt) durante la estación 2005. El efecto de diversas fuentes de nitrógeno orgánico (ON) y el de su combinación, así como el efecto de ON y sulfato amónico (AS) como fertilizante convencional añadido individualmente o en combinación ha sido estudiado en base a su crecimiento, rendimiento de los componentes, porcentaje de aceite y consumo de micronutrientes en girasoles crecidos en suelos arenosos. El tratamiento con estiércol de pollo (CM) y una mezcla de estiércol de corral (FYM) con CM fue superior a otros tratamientos y dio el más alto rendimiento, la mayor cantidad de materia seca, y el mayor consumo de NPK por la planta en todos los estadios de crecimiento, así como en el rendimiento de la semilla en el estado de madurez El efecto promotor de los diferentes ON en el rendimiento del cultivo y sus componentes puede seguir el orden siguiente: CM> residuos de palma (PR)> FYM. Este efecto fue mayor cuando los materiales fueron mezclados con AS en una proporción 3:1 y 1:1. El consumo de nitrógeno (N), fósforo (P) y potasio (K) por la plantas dependió de la adición de diferentes fuentes de nitrógeno y tratamientos. El consumo y contenido de nutrientes más alto del tallo fue obtenido cuando se trató con CM seguido por PR en todos los estadios de crecimiento, mientras que PR fue seguido por CM para semillas. Se ha encontrado que la recuperación del aceite responde a la adición de nitrógeno, pero los cambios en los ácidos grasos no fueron significativamente diferentes. Sin embargo la aplicación de fertilizantes orgánicos resultó en un incremento de los ácidos grasos insaturados

Potencial antioxidante total de zumos, bebidas y bebidas calientes consumidas en Egipto determinadas mediante ensayo in vitro con DPPH

Plant foods contain different classes and types of antioxidants and knowledge of their total antioxidant potential (TAP), which is the cumulative capacity of food components to scavenge free radicals, would be useful for epidemiological purposes.To accomplish this, a variety of fruit juices, hot drinks and beverages commonly consumed in Egypt were analyzed using in vitro DPPH assay. The order of effectiveness of fruit juices in inhibiting free radicals was as follows: red grapes juice > mango juice > guava juice > cocktail juice > pineapple juice > orange juice > cherry juice > apple juice. Among beverages and hot drinks, teas followed by coffees had the greatest TAP. These data confirm grape juice, teas and coffees as good dietary sources of antioxidants.Las plantas comestibles contienen diferentes clases y tipos de antioxidantes y el conocimiento de su potencial antioxidante total (TAP), que es la capacidad acumulativa de los componentes de los alimentos para captar radicales libres, debería ser útil en estudios epidemiológicos. De acuerdo a esto, una variedad de zumos de fruta, bebidas calientes y bebidas consumidas habitualmente en Egipto fueron analizadas usando un ensayo in vitro con DPPH. El orden de efectividad de los zumos de frutas en inhibir los radicales libres fue el siguiente: zumo de uva tinta zumo de mango zumo de guayaba zumo de macedonia de frutas zumo de piña zumo de naranja zumo de cereza zumo de manzana. Entre las bebidas y bebidas calientes, el té seguido por el café son los que tuvieron mayores TAPs. Estos datos confirman que el zumo de uva, el té y el café son buenas fuentes de antioxidantes

Comparación entre el efecto de la γ-irradiación y el horneado en el perfil y en la actividad antioxidante de los lípidos del germen de trigo

In order to utilize wheat germ, a nutrient-dense byproduct of the wheat milling industry, in various food products, different treatments are used to investigate and stabilize its influence on lipid characteristics. However, there are no reports on the effect of γ-irradiation on the lipid profile of wheat germ. In this study, the impact of γ-irradiation (at radiation doses 1/4, 1/2 and 1 kGy) and roasting at (160 °C for 20 min) on the lipid constituents of wheat germ was examined. Both thermal and irradiation treatments did not have a significant effect on the total lipid recovery or the fatty acid composition of wheat germ lipids. The fatty acid profile was found to be made up of linoleic followed by oleic and palmitic as the major fatty acids. An increase in the content of free fatty acids characterized the lipid profile of the irradiated wheat germ samples. Antiradical properties of lipids from roasted and irradiated samples were analyzed using the bleaching of the stable 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH). Lipids from irradiated samples exhibited relatively stronger radical scavenging potential than lipids from roasted wheat germ. It has been concluded that γ- irradiation could be applied for wheat germ preservation, where it might be limited to a dose of 1/4 kGy in the processing.Se estudió el efecto de la γ-irradiación (dosis de irradiación de 1/4, 1/2 y 1 kGy) y del horneado (160 °C durante 20 min) en los componentes lipídicos del germen de trigo, un subproducto rico en nutrientes de la industria harinera. Ninguno de los tratamientos empleados tuvo un efecto significativo ni en el total de los lípidos recuperados ni en su composición en ácidos grasos. Los ácidos grasos mayoritarios fueron el ácido linoleico, seguido de los ácidos oleico y palmítico. Un aumento del contenido de ácidos grasos libres caracterizó el perfil lipídico de las muestras irradiadas. Las propiedades antiradicalarias de los lípidos de las muestras irradiadas y horneadas fueron estudiadas analizando el blanqueo del radical estable 1,1-difenil-2-picrilhidrazilo. Los lípidos de las muestras irradiadas exhibieron un potencial antiradicalario superior a los lípidos del germen de trigo horneado. Estos resultados sugieren que la γ-irradiación puede ser aplicada a la estabilización del germen de trigo, si bien la irradiación empleada podría estar limitada a 1/4 kGy

Contribution of tocols to food Sensorial properties, stability, and overall quality

This paper reviews the contribution of tocopherols and tocotrienols (tocols) to food quality as well as their bioactivity and health-promoting properties, which have attracted researchers and food technologists. Tocols are lipophilic phenolic antioxidants encompassing tocopherols that are characterized by a saturated side chain and tocotrienols with an unsaturated isoprenoid side chain. Tocols are natural constituents of several foods like dairy, vegetable oils, nuts, and grains. Their presence in foods, namely, as food additives, helps prevent lipid oxidation, which negatively affects the sensorial quality of foods, and even the nutritional value and safety. Supplementation of animals’ diets with tocopherols has proven its effectiveness in preserving fresh color and flavor of the meat. Although alfa-tocopherol displays much higher vitamin E activity than other tocols, health outcomes have been reported for tocotrienols, thus calling for more studies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Reproductive Toxicity Induced by Low Dose Bisphenol A(BPA) in Male Rats

Bisphenol A(BPA) an endocrine disruptor used in the manufacturing process of plastic. BPA low doses on long exposure periods had many hazardous effects. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of lowest dose of BPA on the male induced orally on the at reproductive performance and changes in the testes that takes place histologically. P53 gene expression by Realtime PCR was also evaluated. Seventy- two albino male rats were divided into two groups, group I (control male rats receiving corn oil only). Group II (64 male rats) which was treated with oral doses of 50 µg/ kg/ day daily for 8 weeks. Every week 8 male rats were dissected and subjected to the investigated parameters. BPA treated groups presented decrease in sperms count, motility, progression and viability as well as a significant increase in sperms head or/and tail abnormalities were recognized. Histology of the testes showed abnormal and irregular organization of seminiferous tubules and decreased sperms in the testes lumen. Moreover, up-regulation in p53 expression was recorded after BPA exposure. In conclusion, these results showed that exposure to BPA at low dose 50µg/kg can cause many reproductive disorders which may impair fertility

Occurrence of tocols in foods: an updated shot of current databases

Tocols are present in various foods, mostly in fruits and in plant seeds. Edible oils are the most important natural dietary sources of tocopherols and tocotrienols, collectively known as tocols. Tocopherols and tocotrienols are considered beneficial for their antioxidant effect which impacts on prevention of different health conditions. This perspective is addressed to give an updated picture of the tocol occurrence in foods. Moreover, the current state of the art of tocols in updated databases is explored and commented outlining their importance and future trends.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fruit wastes as a valuable source of value-added compounds: a collaborative perspective

The by-products/wastes from agro-food and in particular the fruit industry represents from one side an issue since they cannot be disposed as such for their impact on the environment but they need to be treated as a waste. However, on the other side, they are a source of bioactive healthy useful compounds which can be recovered and be the starting material for other products in the view of sustainability and a circular economy addressing the global goal of zero waste in the environment. An updated view of the state of art of the research on fruit wastes is here given under this perspective. The topic is defined as follows: (i) literature quantitative analysis of fruit waste/by-products, with particular regards to linkage with health; (ii) an updated view of conventional and innovative extraction procedures; (iii) high-value added compounds obtained from fruit waste and associated biological properties; (iv) fruit wastes presence and relevance in updated databases. Nowadays, the investigation of the main components and related bioactivities of fruit wastes is being continuously explored throughout integrated and multidisciplinary approaches towards the exploitation of emerging fields of application which may allow to create economic, environmental, and social value in the design of an eco-friendly approach of the fruit wastes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Antifungal Activity of Honey Samples from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan) as affected by Botanical Origin

The present study evaluated the antifungal activity of honey samples collected from different locations at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK, Pakistan). Disc diffusion method was used to test the antifungal potential of twenty-one (branded, unbranded, and natural comb) honey samples from the different botanical origins at different concentrations (undiluted, 10%, 30%, and 50%, w/v) against Candida albicans and Rhodotorula species. Branded, unbranded, and natural comb honey samples generate different inhibition zones (4-13 mm, 5-15 mm, and 8-17 mm) against Rhodotorula species. Candida albicans showed resistance for all tested honey samples. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Candida albicans and Rhodotorula species were 53.33%-88.12% and 1.76%-90.22% for branded, 61.3% – 93.8% and 9.90% – 95.5% for unbranded, and 67.1%-96.8% and 6.39%-98.8% for natural comb honey. In conclusion, natural comb honey from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa may have antifungal therapeutic potential and could be a useful source for generating functional food

Effect of Bistorta affinis (D. Don) and Malcolmia cabulica (Boiss) Essential Oils on Human and Foodborne Pathogens, Insects and Termites

This current study investigates the biological efficiency of essential oils extracted from Bistorta affinis and Malcolmia cabulica on human and foodborne pathogens as well as against insects and termites. The oils were obtained by steam distillation using a Clevenger-type system and analyzed for their constituents using GC-MS. Twenty compounds were identified, wherein carvacrol and thymol were the main constituents in both plants. Essential oils exhibited significant activity against all tested foodborne bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens. In addition, essential oils from both plants have shown promising activity against all tested insects, which is a positive sign of being used as an insect repellent. In contrast, no activity was observed against termites. The bioactivities are mainly due to carvacrol and thymol’s levels in the essential oils that known for their effectiveness against foodborne pathogens and pests. The present study constitutes a basis for further investigation and development of bioactive compounds in Bistorta affinis and Malcolmia cabulica