Effective drying processes for Taikor (Garcinia pedunculata Roxb.) fruit by ultrasound-assisted osmotic pretreatment: Analysis of quality and kinetic models.

The present study aimed to analyze and establish an effective combination of ultrasound and immersion pretreatment processes for drying Taikor (Garcinia pendunculata Roxb.) fruits. Taikorslices were first immersed in 10 % sucrose, fructose, and glucose solution. Then, the immersed slices were treated in an ultrasonic bath at 30 °C for 10, 20, and 30 min. Drying operations were carried out at 50, 60, and 70 °C, with a fixed relative humidity of 30 %. The Page, Newton, Henderson and Pabis, and Weibull distribution models were fitted to the obtained drying data to determine the best kinetic model that effectively describes the drying properties ofTaikor. After drying operations, changes in quality parameters, e.g., ß-carotene, vitamin C, B vitamins, color, antioxidant activities, and microbial loads, were measured to obtain the best drying temperature and the most effective pretreatment combination with minimum loss of nutrients of the sample. Among different kinetic models, both Page and Weibull distribution models showed the best R2 values of 0.9867 and 0.9366, respectively. The chemical properties were preserved to the greatest extent possible by drying at 50 °C with glucose pretreatment. The color parameters were better preserved by fructose pretreatment. Sonication time also had profound effect on the quality parameters of dried Taikor slices. However, higher temperature drying required a shorter time for drying and exhibited better performance in microbial load reduction. This study's findings will help to establish an effective drying condition forGarcinia pedunculatafruits.

SHANK3 genetic polymorphism and susceptibility to ASD: evidence from molecular, in silico, and meta-analysis approaches.

BACKGROUND: The SHANK3 gene encodes a master synaptic scaffolding protein at the excitatory synapse's postsynaptic density, which is predominantly responsible for constructing a synapse, maintaining synaptic structure, and functions. Recently, evidence from rare mutations and copy number variation provided an important clue about SHANK3 which acts as a strong candidate gene in the pathogenesis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: To investigate potential allelic variants for the SHANK3 (rs9616915) gene as a genetic risk factor, we performed PCR-RFLP analysis and Sanger sequencing for 90 ASD and 90 healthy subjects. Moreover, to understand the functional and structural impacts of our selected non-synonymous SHANK3 SNP rs9616915, we have performed an in silico analysis. Subsequently, a meta-analysis of rs9616915 with a total of 6 eligible studies (including the present study) containing a total of 795 cases and 12,947 controls was obtained from a comprehensive online database search to evaluate the overall association with ASD. RESULTS: Our retrieved data, such as Pearson's chi-square test (p = 0.081) as well as logistic regression analysis of co-dominant (p = 0.1131), dominant (p = 0.3656) and recessive models (p = 0.0569) speculated no significant association between rs9616915 and our studied sample. Interestingly, by in silico analysis, we have observed two hydrogen bonds between amino acids instead of one hydrogen bond in the protein structure of rs9616915, which indicates this mutant structure could affect the proteins' stability. The findings of the meta-analysis revealed that four genetic association models were associated with ASD susceptibility. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested that targeted SHANK3 SNP of interest rs9616915 might not be associated with ASD in the southern part of the Bangladeshi population.

Trace element bioaccumulation in edible red seaweeds (Rhodophyta): A risk assessment for consumers.

As a precursor to risk assessment and risk management through consuming contaminated seafood, food safety needs to be quantified and assured. Seaweed is an increasing dietary component, especially in developing countries, but there are few studies assessing uptake rates of contaminants from this route. As such, the present study determined likely human uptake due to the trace elemental (Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Hg, and As) concentrations in the edible red seaweeds (Rhodophyta) Gelidium pusillum and Hypnea musciformis, growing in the industrialised Cox's Bazar coastal area of Bangladesh. Metal and metalloid concentrations in G. pusillum were in the order (mg/kg): Fe (797 ± 67) > Mn (69 ± 4) > Ni (12 ± 5) > Zn (9 ± 4) > Cu (9 ± 4) >Se (0.1 ± 0.1) > Hg (0.1 ± 0.01), and in H. musciformis: Fe (668 ± 58) > Mn (28 ± 5) > Ni (14 ± 2) > Zn (11 ± 5) > Cu (6 ± 4) >Se (0.2 ± 0.03) > Hg (0.04 ± 0.01). Despite the industrial activities in the area, and based on 10 g. day-1 seaweed consumption, it is concluded that these concentrations pose no risk to human health as part of a normal diet according to the targeted hazard quotient and hazard index (THQ and HI) (values < 1). In addition, and as a novel aspect for seaweeds, Selenium Health Benefit Values (Se-HBV) were determined and found to have positive values. Seaweed can be used as an absorber of inorganic metals for removing contamination in coastal waters. The results are a precursor to further research regarding the efficiency and rate at which seaweeds can sequester metal contamination in water. In addition, management techniques need to be developed thereby to control the contaminant inputs.

Optimization of the factors affecting BT-2 black tea fermentation by observing their combined effects on the quality parameters of made tea using Response Surface Methodology (RSM).

This research work aimed to optimize the fermentation time, temperature, and relative humidity of the black tea produced from Bangladesh Tea 2 (BT-2) variety by observing their quality parameters. Total theaflavin (TF), thearubigin (TR), the ratio of TF: TR, total liquor color (TLC), high polymeric substances (HPS), and total phenolic content (TPC) were evaluated for quality measurements of BT-2 black tea. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with Box-Behnken design (BBD) was applied to optimize fermentation time, temperature, and relative humidity as well as evaluate the effects of optimized conditions on the quality of made tea. The results obtained from the response surface optimization affirmed that under the optimum conditions of time (80.14 min), temperature (28.76 °C), and relative humidity (92.30%), the model showed the value of TF (0.69%), TR (5.57%), HPS (8.61%), TLC (3.05%), and TPC (7.95 GAE g/100g tea). Moreover, the optimized model found that the TF:TR value was 1:9.13, which is close to black tea's optimum quality. The values observed in experiments were highly congruent with the predicted value by the regression model. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test revealed that the model was significant for TF, TR, HPS, TLC, TPC, and TF:TR values of prepared BT-2 black tea at different levels (p < 0.001 to p < 0.01). The composite desirability of the model was 0.93, which suggests that the developed model could be utilized effectively to maintain the quality parameters of BT-2 black tea during fermentation.

Effect of osmotic pretreatment and drying temperature on drying kinetics, antioxidant activity, and overall quality of taikor (Garcinia pedunculata Roxb.) slices.

Taikor (Garcinia pedunculata Roxb.) is an underutilized, however nutritious fruit, typically found in Bangladesh and northeast parts of India. Taikor slices (1 ± 0.25 cm thickness) were pretreated for 10 min in 10% sucrose, 10% fructose, and 2% brine solution. Three different temperatures, such as 45, 50, and 55 °C were used to perform the drying operation at 30% constant relative humidity (RH). The thin-layer dehydration characteristics of taikor slices were analyzed using the Newtonian, Page, and Henderson and Pabi's model. The changes in pH, total acidity, color, ß-carotene, vitamin C, B vitamins, antioxidant activity, and microbial load calculation were done to compare the comprehensive quality of untreated and pre-treated dried taikor. After assessing the coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE) values, the Page model was obtained as the best-suited model. For this model, the R2 and RMSE values were found to be approximately 1 and below 0.1094, respectively. Among the pretreatments, sucrose helped retain quality characteristics like ascorbic acid (115.25 ± 0.19 mg/100 g), antioxidant activity (33.25 ± 0.07%) more in the dried samples. The brine pretreated sample had minimum microbial growth. Fructose pretreated taikor samples dried at 45 °C exhibited maximum value of B vitamins (B1 0.025 ± 0.002 mg/100 g, B2 0.016 ± 0.002 mg/100 g, B3 0.011 ± 0.001 mg/100 g), total phenolic content (15.78 ± 0.15 mg GAE/100 g), total flavonoid content (11.11 ± 0.08 mg QE/100 g). Overall, fructose pretreated sample dried at 55 °C was found to be the best method for preserving the maximum physical and chemical quality of dried Garcinia pedunculata.

Application of immersion pre-treatments and drying temperatures to improve the comprehensive quality of pineapple (Ananas comosus) slices.

Drying of pineapple slices combined with different pre-treatments was done to reduce various adverse changes by adding satisfactory value. Process optimization was done by dipping the pineapple slices in four different solutions (1% trehalose, 2% NaCl, 10% sucrose, and 10% fructose) before drying. The effects of different pre-treatments and drying temperatures of 50, 55, and 60 °C with a constant 30% relative humidity (RH) were optimized based on the quality attributes, drying time and microbial load of dried pineapple slices. The optimal drying temperature was 55 °C using 1% trehalose pre-treatments based on the physical and biochemical properties. The reconstituted dried pineapples implied at this condition, contributed to the better structure preservation as indicated by the lower shrinkage (0.21) and the higher Coefficient of Rehydration (0.941), and rehydration ratio (6.840). On the other hand, the retention of color, vitamin C, B vitamins, and antioxidant activity of the samples were decreased by increasing drying time and temperatures. The highest Total Phenolic Content (121.02 mg GAE/100g), Total Flavonoid Content (8.72 mg QE/100g), and DPPH radical scavenging activity (7.22 EC50 g/100g) were found at 60 °C drying temperature with 10% fructose pretreatment's samples. The lowest drying time required was 7.64 h using 2% NaCl pre-treatment at 60 °C, considering the time required to reach 20% moisture content in the dried product at 30% RH. Based on the reported results, it is concluded that 1% trehalose at 50 °C can be used to develop high quality pineapple snacks, which maintained the maximum desired physicochemical and nutritious properties. This study could play an essential role in meeting the emerging demand of developing good quality nutritious dried pineapple snacks.

Field demonstration of irradiated sodium alginate as tea production booster.

Sodium alginate oligomers were tested for tea plant growth promoter and anti-fungal agent in this experiment. Sodium alginate solutions were irradiated by Co-60 gamma radiation with different radiation doses to produce the oligomers. Irradiated solutions were then diluted into 150, 300 and 500 ppm prior to foliar application. Solutions were applied through foliar spraying at 7 days interval and the best response of tea plants in terms of various attributes were recorded. Tea buds were collected in 10 days of interval and the growth attributes like- total number of buds, fresh weight of buds, average leaf area and weight per bud, weight of made tea etc. were calculated. The experiment was continued up to 12 weeks and the attributes were averaged to get results per plucking. 12 kGy radiation doses along with 300ppm solution showed the best results and about 36% increase in productivity was found based on the fresh weight of buds. Total fungal count in tea leaves was also found to be reduced greatly. Based on the present study, irradiated sodium alginate could be used as safe and environmentally friendly agent to increase tea production.