Green synthesized silver nanoparticles from eucalyptus leaves can enhance shelf life of banana without penetrating in pulp.

Bananas are exposed to serious post-harvest problems resulting in agricultural and economic losses across the world. The severity of problem is linked with the process of rapid ripening and pathogens attack. Such problems have led to economic losses as well as a lower yield of nutritionally rich bananas. The global demand to increase the life span of bananas and their protection from pathogens-borne diseases urged the use of antimicrobial edible coatings of nanoparticles. The present experiment has explored the innovative development of green synthesized nanoparticles from Eucalyptus leaf extract (ELE) to increase the shelf life of bananas up to 32 days from the day of collection. Statistically significant results were recorded (P = 0.05) by applying five different concentrations of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in ranges of 0.01-0.05%. Various morphological and physiological parameters such as color, decay, firmness, weight loss, pulp to peel ratio, pH, titrable acidity (TA), phenolic contents, protein estimation, ethylene production, starch content and total soluble sugars were measured in Cavendish banana (Basrai). Bananas treated with 0.01% AgNPs showed maximum control on its ripeness over morphological and physiological changes. The increase in shelf life was in order 0.01%>0.02%>0.03%>0.04%>0.05%> control. Further, AgNPs reduced the process of ripening by controlling ethylene production. The result has also proved the safety of banana consumption by simple removal of banana peel as penetration of AgNPs from the peel to the pulp was not detected. It is recommended to use 0.01% AgNPs to enhance the shelf life of banana without effecting its nutritive value.

Production of Glucoamylase from Novel Strain of Alternaria Alternata under Solid State Fermentation.

Glucoamylase has an essential role as biocatalyst in various important industries of Pakistan. It is synthesized by using various fungal and bacterial strains, and different ecocultural conditions are applied under solid substrate fermentation method (SSF) to get the highest yield of glucoamylase. Alternaria alternata is an important fungus that can grow on industrial raw material like wheat bran, dried potato powder, tea leaves, rice husk, and sugar cane peel which are used as substrate. Among all, dried potato powder (10g) proved the best fermentation media for growth of fungal strain as well as maximum glucoamylase producer. Moreover, several chemical and physical states were also explored through solid substrate fermentation technique on glucoamylase yield. The highest glucoamylase production was recorded after 72 hours incubation in incubation chamber with 10g raw substrate, 1ml inoculum spore solution, 30°C temperature, and 5 pH. Further, phosphate buffer (5 pH) as moistening agent, 5% starch concentration and media additive as nitrogen (yeast extract), and carbon source (maltose) were screened for maximum glucoamylase titer (17.3 ± 0.05a°U/ml/min) and the highest specific activity (39.2U/mg). These cultural conditions were most appropriate for growth of A. alternata on solid media and production of highest glucoamylase under solid state fermentation procedure that could be utilized for commercial synthesis of glucoamylase.

Factors Impeding Health-Care Professionals to Effectively Treat Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients in Pakistan: A Qualitative Investigation.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, first reported in late December 2019, is regarded as the most significant public health emergency of the century. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the current outbreak of COVID-19 has affected millions of people and killed hundreds of thousands in more than 200 countries, including Pakistan. Health-care professionals (HCPs) cannot minimize human interactions or isolate themselves from patients due to their jobs and moral duties. Hence, the outbreak needed HCPs to work in adverse and challenging conditions with possible mental health problems. In light of the stated background, this study aims to explore and understand the factors that impede HCPs to effectively treat COVID-19 patients in Karachi, Pakistan. Based on qualitative methods, a phenomenological approach was considered to record the true experiences of HCPs. Twelve doctors and nurses were recruited from five COVID-19 designated hospitals in Karachi, Sindh Province, using purposive and snowball sampling. Semi-structured in-depth telephone interviews were conducted from April 6 to 14, 2020, and analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings suggest that there were two types of constraints, institutional and personal, which were impeding HCPs to treat COVID-19 patients effectively. Institutional constraints include the poor condition of isolation wards, inadequate availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), excessive and uneven workload, and absence of emotional and psychological support in hospitals. Besides, personal constraints include nervousness due to the novel virus, a constant fear of becoming infected, fear of taking virus to family, extreme isolation and loneliness, and feeling of powerlessness. The study found that HCPs in Pakistan have been dealing with a high risk of infection, causing mental health problems such as stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. These mental health problems not only affect attention, understanding, and decision-making capacity of HCPs, which could hinder the fight against COVID-19, but they could also have a continuous effect on their overall well-being on a long-term basis. Therefore, the present study outlines important clinical and policy strategies that are needed to support HCPs as the pandemic continues.