Tobacco control efforts in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: achievements and challenges

This paper reports a review into the current state of tobacco use, governance and national commitment for control, and current intervention frameworks in place to reduce the use of tobacco among the populations of the Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC] member states and Yemen. It further reviews structured policy-oriented interventions [in line with the MPOWER package of 6 evidence-based tobacco control measures] that represent government actions to strengthen, implement and manage tobacco control programmes and to address the growing epidemic of tobacco use. Our findings show that tobacco control in the GCC countries has witnessed real progress over the past decades. These are still early days but they indicate steps in the right direction. Future investment in implementation and enforcement of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, production of robust tobacco control legislation and the establishment of universally available tobacco cessation services are essential to sustain and strengthen tobacco control in the GCC region.

Effect of drying methods on the chemical and technological properties of the instant talbina powders

Talbina, cooked barley syrup, is made by cooking barley flour in water. It was subjected to different drying methods, freeze-drying, spray drying and under vacuum drying to produce instant Talbina powders [A], [B] and [C], respectively. Chemical composition, scanning electron microscope [SEM]; X-ray diffraction, differential scanning colorimeter [DSC] and color attributes of the barley flour and the produced instant Talbina powders were studied to see the effect of the drying methods. Reconstitution capacity of the instant Talbina powders was studied. Adding milk improved the organoleptic properties of the reconstituted instant Talbina powders, while adding vanilla deteriorated these organoleptic properties. Reconstitution capacity of the instant Talbina powder [B] recorded the highest score in aroma, taste and overall acceptability compared with reconstituted instant Talbina powder [A] and [C], respectively. Instant Talbina powder can be produced by spray drying of cooked solution of Talbina with big quantity, economic costs, high reconstitution capacity and good quality in color, aroma, taste and overall acceptability

Preparation and evaluation of instant noodles made from wheat, rice, sorghum flours and their blends

The suitability of using wheat, sorghum flour and their blends in the manufacture of instant noodles is evaluated from the chemical, physical and rheological point of views. Viscoelastic and thermal properties were elucidated using viscoamylograph and differential scanning colorimeter [DSC]. Other technological parameters like, cooking quality, colour attributes and sensory evaluation techniques were used to characterize the physicochemical properties of these noodles. Comparing between steam and microwave as a method of starch gelatinization. The microwave treatment of the [wheat + rice] and [wheat + rice + sorghum] blends gave the lowest values in cooking loss. Also this treatment lowered the colour attribute values towards more whitness [L], less redness [a] and less yellowness [b]. The panelists preference are directed towards wheat noodles and their blends [wheat + sorghum], [wheat + rice] and [sorghum + rice + wheat] which gave the best scores in colour, flavour, mouthfeel, elasticity and overall acceptability

Effect of gamma irradiation and sulphur fertilizer on growth and chemical composition of hibiscus sabdariffa L

Field experiments were carried out during two successive seasons to investigate the effect of gamma irradiation and sulphur fertilization on growth and chemical composition of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. The results showed that sulphur application stimulated plant height, branches number as well as yield components. The maximum values of these characters were obtained as a result of 250 kg S/fed. On the other hand, sulphur treatments increased fixed oil content, anthocyanin content and flavones yield. Concerning the effect of irradiation treatments, it could be concluded that these treatments increased both plant height and branches number. Also, exposed seeds to 1 krad enhanced fruits fresh weight. Generally, most of irradiation treatments increased chemical constituents content of sepals, except pH and TSS%, which had no clear trend. Interaction treatments between irradiation and sulphur application gave in most cases a pronounced effect on vegetative growth and chemical constituents of roselle plants

effect of gamma radiation and manganese application on growth and chemical constituents of datura metel L

The present work was conducted during two successive seasons to study the combined effect of irradiation with Mn on the growth and chemical components of Datura metel. Manganese treatment had no pronounced effect on growth characters, photosynthetic pigments and most of the nutrient elements. On the other hand, Mn treatment at 50 ppm increased alkaloid content and yield in the leaves. Irradiation treatments, especially the lower doses, had stimulatory effect on plant height and leaves number/plant. Medium doses of gamma irradiation combined with manganese treatment improved the accumulation of total alkaloid content, photosynthetic pigments, and some nutrients content, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, iron and copper

Effects of some amino acids on the growth and alkaloid production of datura stramonium L-cultured in vitro

Calli tissues were initiated from leaves and stems explants of Datura stramonium L., when cultured on Murashige and Skoog [MS] medium supplemented with 1 mg/l of both 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid [2,4-D] and kinetin [kin]. Calli obtained were subcultured on the same medium containing 1 mM each of alanine, asparagine, phenylalanine or ornithine. Addition of amino acids to the culture media reduced the fresh and dry weights of calli tissues of both leaves and stems. However, leaf callus generally has better growth than stem one. All amino acids used enhanced the accumulation of alkaloid production. Ornithine has a superior effect on alkaloid production compared with the other amino acids. The results supported the negative correlation between alkaloid accumulation and mass production of callus tissue

Comparative study on three aromatic plants as affected by cutting frequency

A field experiment was set up during two successive seasons to study and compare the vegetative growth and chemical constituents of coriander, dill and parsley plants during successive cuttings. The vegetative growth of the three plants increased as cutting intervals increased. Coriander plant gave the highest yield compared with both dill and parsley. Oil percentage as well as oil yield showed the maximum value at the third cut for coriander while the highest values for other two plants were obtained at 4th cut. Dill plant produced the highest oil yield compared with the other two plants at different cuts. The photosynthetic pigments increased gradually from the first to the third cut for parsley; while the other two plants showed no clear trend. Also, parsley contained the highest pigment at the third cut. Marco elements contents reached their maximum at the third cut for the three plants, while the microelement contents gave the highest value during the first and second cuts

comparative study on growth, yield and chemical composition of datura metel L growth in different soil types

The present study was carried out during two successive seasons to evaluate the response of Datura metel L. grown in three soil type's clay loam, calcareous and sandy soil. The results could be summarized as follows: 1. Plants cultivated in clay loam soil induced the tallest plants, the highest number of branches and leaves as well as the highest fresh and dry weight. Meanwhile, the differences in fresh and dry weight between plants grown in the calcareous soil and these grown in sandy soil narrowed at flowering and fruiting stage. 2. Photosynthetic pigments tended to increase for plants grown in both calcareous and sandy soil compared with those of clay loam. 3. Alkaloid contents in Datura leaves were the highest in plants grown in sandy soil, meanwhile slight differences in alkaloid contents were observed between plants grown in clay loam and those grown in calcareous soil. 4. The concentration of each N, P, K and Fe was the highest in Datura leafs cultivated in clay loam soil. 5. The concentration of each Mg, Mn and Zn increased in Datura leaves grown in calcareous soil, meanwhile Fe tended to decrease

Effect of some basic nitrogen compounds on the growth, phytosynthetic pigment and alkaloid contents in datura metel L

The effect of soil types on the growth, oil and carbohydrate content of geranium plants was studied during two successive seasons. The results could be summarized as follows 1. The maximum yield of herb, oil and carbohydrate contents were obtained as a result of growing cuttings in clay loam soil compared with sandy one. 2. Terminal cutting gave the highest values of herb yield, oil and carbohydrates fractions compared with other cutting type. 3. Data obtained from interaction treatments showed that the combination between medium cuttings and clay loam soil gave the best results

Influence of soil types on growth, oil and carbohydrate content of geranium cuttings

The effect of soil types on the growth, oil and carbohydrate content of geranium plants was studied during two successive seasons. The results could be summarized as follows 1. The maximum yield of herb, oil and carbohydrate contents were obtained as a result of growing cuttings in clay loam soil compared with sandy one. 2. Terminal cutting gave the highest values of herb yield, oil and carbohydrates fractions compared with other cutting type. 3. Data obtained from interaction treatments showed that the combination between medium cuttings and clay loam soil gave the best results