Effects of sewage water irrigation of cabbage to soil geochemical properties and products safety in peri-urban Peshawar, Pakistan.

Irrigation of agricultural land with municipal wastewater has become a serious environmental issue due to soil contamination. The objective of the present study was to investigate the extent of contamination of vegetables grown on soil irrigated with untreated sewage water for the last four decades in suburban Peshawar. Samples of sewage water, soil, and vegetables were collected from three different sectors selected for the study. Heavy metals like Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Ni in the three media were determined with atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). Statistical analysis of data revealed that the distribution order of these metals is quite different in the analyzed samples. Some of the heavy metals, viz., Cr, Cd, Zn, and Ni, have high skewness with non-normal frequency distribution. The soil of polluted areas showed highest mean concentration of Zn (51.25 mg kg(-1)), followed by Pb (43.51 mg kg(-1)), Cu (43.3 mg kg(-1)), Ni (37.05 mg kg(-1)), Cr (28.18 mg kg(-1)), and Cd (8.51 mg kg(-1)), which were 43, 22, 33, 26, 20, and 6 times higher than the control area, respectively. The ammonium bicarbonate diethylenetriaminepenta acetic acid (AB-DTPA) extractable concentrations of Ni, Cr, and Cu in soil of polluted sectors were 12, 10, and 10 times greater than the those in control sector, respectively. Linear regression analysis revealed that enhanced levels of these toxic heavy metals in cabbage (Brassica oleracea) were strongly correlated with extractable and total heavy metal concentration in the soil. Significant difference (at P < 0.012) was observed in the Pb concentration in cabbage of polluted sectors. Zn showed the highest transfer factor (TF) followed by Ni and Cu. Heavy metal concentration in sewage water and soil has exceeded the maximum permissible limits of World Health Organization (WHO 1997).

Synthetically modified bioisosteres of salicyl alcohol and their gastroulcerogenic assessment versus aspirin: biochemical and histological correlates.

The present study was conducted to synthesize nitrogen containing derivatives of salicyl alcohol and to investigate in vivo their ulcerogenic potential in comparison with aspirin in rats. The compounds [4-(2-hydroxybenzyl) morpholin-4-iumchloride (I)] and [1,4-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl) piperazine-1,4-diium chloride (II)] were synthesized and their chemical structures were characterized using spectral data. In our previous study (Ali et al., Afr J Pharm Pharmacol 7:585-596, 2013), both compounds showed anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antipyretic properties in standard animal models and a greater binding affinity for cyclooxygenase-2 versus cyclooxygenase-1 in molecular docking and dynamics analysis. For in vivo studies, animals were randomly divided into four groups. The synthetic compounds (both at 100 or 150 mg/kg), aspirin (150 mg/kg), or saline vehicle was administered orally, once daily for 6 days and then tested for ulcerogenic activity. At the end of the procedure, gastric juice and tissues were collected and subjected to biochemical and histological analyses. The results of the study revealed that in the case of the aspirin-treated group, there was a significant increase in gastric juice volume, free acidity, total acidity, and ulcer score and a decrease in gastric pH. Moreover, histological examination of the gastric mucosa of the aspirin-treated group indicated morphological changes while neither of the synthetic compounds showed any significant ulcerogenic or cytotoxic properties. The results of the present study suggest that both compounds are free from ulcerogenic side effects and may represent a better alternative to aspirin.

Comparative evaluation of gastroulcerogenic potential of nitrogen isoforms of salicyl alcohol and aspirin in rats: biochemical and histological study.

The aim of the current study was to explore in vivo any relative gastroulcerogenic prospective propensity of newly synthesized nitrogen containing derivatives of salicyl alcohol; compound (I) [1-(2-hydroxybenzyl)piperidinium chloride], compound (II) [4-carbamoyl-1-(2-hydroxybenzyl)piperidinium chloride] and aspirin in albino rats. The experimental groups received the following oral treatments daily for 6 days: group I saline control; group II, standard (aspirin) treatment group [150 mg/kg of body weight]; group III, test (compound I) treatment group [100, 150 mg/kg]; group IV, test (compound II) treatment group [100, 150 mg/kg]. The results showed that in the case of the aspirin treated group and compound (I) [150 mg/kg], there was a significant increase in gastric volume, free acidity, total acidity, ulcer score and a decrease in gastric pH. Furthermore, histopathological examination of gastric mucosa of these treated groups revealed detectable morphological changes. Utilizing the same protocol, synthetic compound (I) [100 mg/kg] and (II) [100, 150 mg/kg] exhibited no statistically significant ulcerogenic or cytotoxic properties. A cyclooxygenase (COX) selectivity test indicated the preferential inhibition of COX-I and COX-II enzymes by compounds (I) and (II). This study therefore indicates that these synthetic compounds may possess reduced ulcerogenic potential and could be a functional substitute to aspirin.

Yield, chemical composition and nutritional quality responses of carrot, radish and turnip to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide.

BACKGROUND: Future concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is very important due to its apparent economic and environmental impact in terms of climate change. However, a compressive assessment of its effect on the nutritional and chemical characteristics of food crops has yet to be established. In the present study the impact of elevated atmospheric CO2 on the yield, chemical composition and nutritional quality of three root vegetables, carrot (Daucus carota L. cv. T-1-111), radish (Raphanus sativus L. cv. Mino) and turnip (Brassica rapa L. cv. Grabe) has been investigated. RESULTS: The yield of carrot, radish and turnip increased by 69, 139 and 72%, respectively, when grown under elevated CO2 conditions. Among the proximate composition, protein, vitamin C and fat contents decreased significantly for all the vegetables while sugar and fibre contents were increased. Response of the vegetables to elevated CO2 , in terms of elemental composition, was different with a significant decrease in many important minerals. Elevated CO2 decreased the amount of majority of the fatty acids and amino acids in these vegetables. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that elevated CO2 increased the yield of root vegetables but many important nutritional parameters including protein, vitamin C, minerals, essential fatty acids and amino acids were decreased.

The impact of enhanced atmospheric carbon dioxide on yield, proximate composition, elemental concentration, fatty acid and vitamin C contents of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum).

The global average temperature has witnessed a steady increase during the second half of the twentieth century and the trend is continuing. Carbon dioxide, a major green house gas is piling up in the atmosphere and besides causing global warming, is expected to alter the physico-chemical composition of plants. The objective of this work was to evaluate the hypothesis that increased CO(2) in the air is causing undesirable changes in the nutritional composition of tomato fruits. Two varieties of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) were grown in ambient (400 µmol mol(-1)) and elevated (1,000 µmol mol(-1)) concentration of CO(2) under controlled conditions. The fruits were harvested at premature and fully matured stages and analyzed for yield, proximate composition, elemental concentration, fatty acid, and vitamin C contents. The amount of carbohydrates increased significantly under the enhanced CO(2) conditions. The amount of crude protein and vitamin C, two important nutritional parameters, decreased substantially. Fatty acid content showed a mild decrease with a slight increase in crude fiber. Understandably, the effect of enhanced atmospheric CO(2) was more pronounced at the fully matured stage. Mineral contents of the fruit samples changed in an irregular fashion. Tomato fruit has been traditionally a source of vitamin C, under the experimental conditions, a negative impact of enhanced CO(2) on this source of vitamin C was observed. The nutritional quality of both varieties of tomato has altered under the CO(2) enriched atmosphere.

2-(6-Meth-oxy-naphthalen-2-yl)-1-(morpholin-4-yl)propan-1-one.

In the title compound, C(18)H(21)NO(3), the naphthalene group and the basal plane of the morpholine ring (r.m.s. deviations = 0.0177 and 0.0069 Å, respectively) are oriented at a dihedral angle of 44.0 (2)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by C-H⋯π inter-actions.

2-(4-Isobutyl-phen-yl)-1-(morpholin-4-yl)propan-1-one.

In the title compound, C(17)H(25)NO(2), the morpholine ring adopts a chair conformation. The benzene ring makes a dihedral angle of 39.81 (13)° with the basal plane of the morpholine group.

Impact of sewage contaminated water on soil, vegetables, and underground water of peri-urban Peshawar, Pakistan.

The use of sewage-contaminated municipal water for irrigation of crops is an old practice in many big cities of Pakistan. Since the wastewater is rich in nutrients, it increases crops yield substantially but at the cost of food quality. The objective of this study was to investigate sewage water irrigation as a source of accumulation of heavy metals in soil and its subsequent transfer to crops and underground water. Sewage water, soil, groundwater, and crop samples were collected from selected areas around Peshawar city and analyzed for heavy metals concentration by atomic absorption spectroscopic method. Analysis of data revealed a considerable impact of the irrigation practices in the peri-urban Peshawar. Statistical analysis of the data showed a positive correlation between heavy metals concentration and soil carbon contents on the one hand and cation exchange capacity on the other. A strongly negative correlation was observed between metal contents and soil pH. The vertical movement of heavy metals from contaminated soil has polluted crops and underground water. The results indicated higher concentration of toxic metals in soil accumulated due to long-term sewage-contaminated water irrigation and their subsequent transfer to our food chain. The practice, if continued un-noticed may pose a threat of phytotoxicity to the local population.

2-{2-[(2,6-Dichloro-phen-yl)amino]-phen-yl}ethanol.

In the title compound, C(14)H(13)Cl(2)NO, the 2,6-dichloro-anilino unit is roughly planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0298 Å) and makes a dihedral angle of 67.71 (4)° with the benzene ring containing the ethanol group. The C-C-O fragment is oriented at a dihedral angle of 64.94 (9)° with respect to its parent benzene ring. The molecular conformation is stabilised by a bifurcated N-H⋯(O,Cl) hydrogen bond. C-H⋯π, O-H⋯π and π-π inter-actions [centroid-centroid distance = 3.5706 (11) Å] stabilize the crystal structure.

[2-(2,3-Dimethyl-anilino)phen-yl]methanol.

In the title compound, C(15)H(17)NO, the 2,3-dimethyl-phenyl group is disordered over two sites with an occupancy ratio of 0.869 (3):0.131 (3). The major and minor components of the 2,3-dimethyl-anilino group are planar, with r.m.s. deviations of 0.0214 and 0.0303 Å, respectively, and are oriented at a dihedral angle of 2.6 (6)°. The phenyl-methanol-benzene ring is oriented at dihedral angles of 83.16 (6) and 81.0 (3)° with respect to the major and minor components of the 2,3-dimethyl-anilino group, respectively. An S(6) ring motif is present due to intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bonding. In the crystal, mol-ecules are connected into supra-molecular chains via O-H⋯O hydrogen bonding along the b axis. C-H⋯π inter-actions help to stabilize the crystal structure.

Evaluation of different wheat varieties by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis.

Wheat seed-storage proteins represent not only an important source of food and energy but it is also involved in the determination of bread-making quality. Wheat grains of thirteen wheat varieties were collected from different ecological regions of Pakistan. The variability of seed storage-proteins was analyzed by using SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. Electrophorogram for each variety was scored and presence or absence of each band noted and entered in a binary data matrix. Based on electrophoresis band spectra, Jaccard's Similarity Index (JSI) was calculated. Genetic diversity of wheat was evaluated by constructing the dendrogram for High Molecular Weight (HMW) and Low Molecular Weight (LMW) gluten subunit bands. It is concluded that seed storage protein profiles could be useful markers in the studies of genetic diversity and classification of adapted cultivars, thereby improving the efficiency of wheat breeding programs in cultivar development especially in developing countries like Pakistan.

Nutritional composition of Pakistani wheat varieties / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Pakistani wheat varieties are grown over a wide agro-climatic range and as such are anticipated to exhibit yield and quality differences. It is therefore necessary to investigate the nutritional status of wheat varieties in terms of biochemical and physiochemical characteristics available for food and nutritional purposes in Pakistan. The result shows that wheat grains of different varieties contain a net protein level of 9.15%-10.27%, 2.15%-2.55% total fats, 1.72%-1.85% dietary fibers, 77.65x10(-6)-84.25x10(-6) of potassium and 7.70x10(-6)-35.90x10(-6) of sodium ions concentration, 0.24x10(-6)-0.84x10(-6) of phosphorus, 1.44%-2.10% ash, 31.108-43.602 g of thousand grain mass (TGM) and 8.38%-9.67% moisture contents. This study is significant in providing an opportunity to explore the available wheat varieties and to further improve their nutritional excellence and also essential for setting nutritional regulations for domestic and export purposes.