Technological study on the production of tea

This study was carried out to produce a special tea drink with low caffeine and polyphenolic content. The results revealed that a cup [100 ml] of Indian black tea [ground leaves] contained 85, 71, 32, 88, 100 and 98 mg respectively theobromine, anthocyanidine, high molecular weigt tannin [HMWT], low molecular weight tannin [LMWT] and non-tannin phenols. These components markedly changed after treatment of tea leaves with acetone, chloroform or ethanol. In this study, two types of tea products were produced. The first one was decaffeinated tea [ethanol]. The second was instant tea with a low content of tannin, phenols and caffeine [Freeze dried and chloroform treate]

Influence of fenugreek seed extracts on aflatoxins production by aspergillus parasiticus

The effects of successive solvent extracts [petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone and methanol] obtained from fenugreek seeds on the production of Aflatoxins [AF[s]] by Aspergillus parasiticus grown on a ground yellow corn were studied. Acetone extract led to 94.01 percent inhibition of AF[s] production at 500 ppm level, and a complete inhibition was attained when acetone extract was used at the level of 2000 ppm. Chloroform extract, at level 500 ppm, reduced AF[s]production by 39.85 percent, while petroleum ether extract caused 9.0 percent inhibition at the same level. However, petroleum ether extract was more effective than chloroform extract when applied to the medium at high concentration [2000 ppm and 5000 ppm]. The AF[s] production by A. parasiticus was not affected by using methanol extract up to 5000 ppm. It seems that acetone soluble fraction contained substances which had an inhibitory effect on the biosynthesis of AFS. The photochemical screening data of the extracts obtained from fenugreek seeds indicated that acetone extracts contained mainly high levels of flavonoids compared to the other solvent extracts. Hence, acetone extract of fenugreek seeds might be used to control toxin production in such stored grains

Biological effects of diets supplemented with mushroom [Pleurotus ostreatus] on rats

In the present work, beneficial and deleterious effects of mushroom [Pleurotus ostreatus] feeding to rats at different percentages in a baladi-bread diet and in combination with soymeal, for four weeks were investigated. Three rat groups received bread supplemented with 10, 20 and 30 percent mushroom, and three other groups received bread supplemented with [5:5], [10:10] and [15:15] percent of both mushroom and soymeal. One group received casein basal diet served as the control. Body weight gain relative organ weights, biochemical and hematological examinations were carried out at the end of the experimental period. Diets of bread supplemented with mushroom alone or in combination with soymeal fed to rats did not cause any adverse effect on internal organ weights, hematocrit, serum cholesterol, urea and creatinine levels. Haemoglobin percent, erythrocytic and leukocytic counts slightly decreased with a notable increase in alanine transaminase activity. Mushroom without soymeal diets were found to possess a markedly retarding effect on body growth with a hypoglyceredic effect. Contrary, mushroom supplemented with soymeal diets signified ly [P>0.01] increased body weight gain with a minor hypoglycemic effect in comparison with the control

Nutritional evaluation and toxicological studies on microalgae [scenedesmus acutus] 276-3a

General chemical composition of fresh water green algae [Scenedesmus acutus strain 276-3a] was studied. The essential amino acid profile of algal protein demonstrated a high nutritive value of this algae. Two groups of rats were fed on diets supplemented with algae at two levels [10 percent and 20 percent] for four weeks, and another rat group received casein basal diet serving as control. No growth retarding substances or mortality effects were noticed in the two tested rat groups receiving diets supplemented with Scenedesmus. Hematological investigation indicated no abnormal adverse effects in all tested rat groups. In algae-fed rat groups, the relative organ weights of spleen and lungs significantly decreased, whilst, uterus and ovary of female rats significantly [P<0.05] increased as compared to the control animals. Serum biochemical examination demonstrated significant increase of urea, creatinine and cholesterol levels. Conversely, triglyceride level was markedly decreased. No significant changes were found in liver enzyme activities and blood glucose level in response to all treatments

Nutritional evaluation of diets supplemented with mushroom [Pleurotus ostreatus]

General chemical composition, qualitative and quantitive amino acid content of locally cultivated mushroom [Pleurotus sp.], soymeal and balady bread, were carried out to investigate their nutritive value. Six diet groups were formulated, beside casein basel diet, as a standard group. Diets were supplemented either only with mushroom at the levels of 10%, 20% and 30% or mushroom in combination with soymeal at the ratios of 5:5%, 10:10% and 15:15%. The effect of these diet mixtures on rat body weight gain, protein efficiency ratio and protein rating indicated that mushroom [P. ostreatus] had moderate nutritive value but cannot serve as a sole source of protein