ABSTRACT
Objective: It was aimed to determine the best storage temperature for fruits to achieve the highest quality of vitamin-C and to compare vitamin C concentration between commercial fruits juices and fresh fruit juices in by using Spectrophotometry and Titrimetric method Methods: Titration involved the redox reaction between iodine and vitamin C. As the iodine was added during the titration, the ascorbic acid was oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid, while the iodine was reduced to iodide ions. The Spectrophotometric method involved the coupling reaction of 2,4 dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) dye with Vitamin C. The samples were analyzed using UV-Vis-Spectrophotometer at 521 nm. Results: Titrimetric and spectroscopic methods were performed for fresh and marketed fruits comprising of apple, grapes, lemon, orange. The maximum amount was found in lemon and orange whereas apple and grapes contained lesser amount of Vitamin C. The stability of marketed fruit juices made up of apple, grapes, lemon, orange were analyzed by storing them on the freeze at 0 °C and 10 °C and on the hot air oven at 20 °C, 30 °C, 40 °C, 50 °C for 72 h and estimated by both Titrimetric and Spectroscopy method. UV-Spectroscopy method showed that, at freezing condition up to 10 °C temperature, degradation was too low but when the temperature reached 50 °C the extent of degradation was more, showing 24.56% apple juice, 10.89% orange juice,12.70% grapes juice and 50% orange juice were degraded in 100 ml sample. Similar results were observed by analysing the samples with titration technique. Conclusion: A new analytical method was developed to address the content of vitamin C in fruits consumed in the local market of Nepal along with the best possible storage of fruit juice to yield the maximum amount of nutrients.
ABSTRACT
A study was conducted during the winter season of 2011/12 to find out the suitable measures for quality seed production of broccoli cv. Calabrese. The experiment was laid out in three factorial RCBD with three replications. Treatments consisted of four levels of nitrogenous fertilizer viz. 100, 150, 200, 250 kg ha-1 N, two levels of Boron viz. 15 kg ha-1 borax and no borax, two levels of head harvesting viz. head harvest at marketable stage and no head harvest. The results revealed that nitrogen levels, application of boron and head harvest significantly influenced the seed yield of broccoli. The highest seed yield (1296 kg ha-1) was obtained with 200 kg ha-1 N applied along with 15 kg ha-1 borax and main head harvesting. The seed quality parameters like test weight, germination percent and vigor index were also influenced by treatments. Significantly higher test weight was obtained with 200 kg ha-1 N, borax @ 15 kg ha-1 and head harvesting. Similarly, germination percent and vigor index of seed were significantly higher with 150- 200 kg ha-1 N application, borax @ 15 kg ha-1 and harvesting of main head. Comparing these treatments nitrogen 200 kg ha-1 along with borax 15 kg ha-1 and main head harvesting was found superior and economical for seed production of broccoli with B:C ratio of 4.79.
ABSTRACT
Life threatening infections caused by enterococcus species with multidrug resistance has emerged as a threat to medical care in the present era. This study was conducted to characterize enterococcus species isolated from different clinical samples and to detect the pattern of susceptibility to some of the commonly used antibiotics in B.P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), a tertiary care hospital in eastern Nepal. Clinical samples submitted to the microbiology unit of Central Laboratory Service (CLS) for culture and sensitivity during March 2002 - February 2003 was analyzed. Enterococcus species were identified by colony characteristics, gram staining and relevant biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility test was done by the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique. Of 50 Enterococcus species isolated, E. faecalis was the predominant isolate (48.0%) followed by E. faecium (32.0%) and E. avium (20.0%). Eighty-eight percent of E. faecalis showed sensitivity to cephotaxime and 87.0% to vancomycin. Multiple drug resistance was observed most commonly in E. faecium. Seventeen percent of E. faecium were resistant to vancomycin and 63.0% to ciprofloxacin and 44.0% to ampicillin. On the contrary E. avium rarely showed resistance to the antimicrobials tested including vancomycin. Enterococcal infections are common nowadays specially in hospitalized patients. Inappropriate use of antibiotics in clinical practice and poultry should be discouraged to prevent the emergence of multidrug resistant species.