Combined antidiabetic potential of camel milk yogurt with Cinnamomum verum and Stevia rebaudiana by using rodent modelling.

This study aimed to evaluate anti-diabetic potential of functional camel milk yogurt enriched with Cinnamomum verum and Stevia rebaudiana that not only mask its peculiar flavour rather have an antidiabetic effect as well. Sixty-three pathogen free STZ-induced albino Wistar rats were categorized into 7 groups on the basis of treatments. From each treatment group three animals were dissected periodically at 0, 7 and 21 days of study to determine the effect of all treatments on physicochemical parameters, serum glucose, serum chemistry and haematology. The study revealed that the mean blood glucose level in the untreated control group was within normal range (100-108 mg/dl) while there was noticeable decrease in mean blood glucose level of all the treated groups during three weeks' trial. Decline in blood glucose level (46%) was higher in animal group containing functional camel milk yogurt (T4) at 3rd week of trial as compared to other treatments.

Arsenic exposure through drinking groundwater and consuming wastewater-irrigated vegetables in Multan, Pakistan.

Arsenic (As) is one of the most toxic metalloids for humans. Above permissible levels of As cause severe health implications. Contaminated drinking water and food items may be the leading sources of As exposure to people all around the world. The current study assessed the levels of As in drinking water, vegetables, irrigation water, agricultural soils, and the human population (adult women and men) of rural and peri-urban areas of Multan (Pakistan). For a comparison between peri-urban (exposed site) and rural areas (control site), we sampled irrigation water, vegetables and vegetable-grown soils, drinking water, and human blood. In all sample types, As concentration was significantly higher at exposed site than at control site. Alarmingly, As concentration in drinking groundwater (34 µg As L-1) of exposed site was 3.4-folds higher than the permissible limit (set by WHO). Among the studied vegetables, the cumulative daily dietary intake of As was recorded maximum by the consumption of okra (474 ng d-1 on exposed site) and minimum by long melon (1 ng d-1 on control site). However, As intake via drinking water was estimated to contribute ≥ 98% of total As intake at both sites. Hence, the health risks associated with drinking As-contaminated groundwater were recorded much higher than the health risks associated with the consumption of As-contaminated vegetables. Blood As levels in most of the subjects at exposed site exceeded the safe limit of 12 µg L-1. Conclusively, the findings of the current study indicated that drinking contaminated groundwater may be the major cause of As-associated health risks in the region.

Zinc status and its requirement by rural adults consuming wheat from control or zinc-treated fields.

Human zinc (Zn) deficiency is prevalent in areas where cereals dominate in the diet. Soil Zn application may enhance the concentration of Zn in wheat grains and dietary Zn intake by target populations. However, its value has never been practically quantified in Zn nutrition of any population group. We, therefore, studied farming families in rural Punjab (Pakistan). The selected adults (n = 156, grouped based on age and gender) were Zn undernourished (as assessed by estimated Zn bioavailability in their diet) and their plasma Zn levels also indicated Zn deficiency. On average, wheat consumption by the adults contributed about 68% in total Zn and 93% in total phytate intakes. Soil Zn application to wheat fields significantly increased Zn and decreased phytate concentration in chapati (flatbread made of whole-wheat flour). From dietary phytate intakes by the adults, we calculated desired chapati Zn concentration and dietary Zn intake that would meet their daily Zn requirement. The physiological Zn requirements of adult women and men were estimated to be achieved by intake of, respectively, 10.4-15.3 mg Zn d-1 (37-46 mg Zn kg-1 in chapati) and 14.4-23.3 mg Zn d-1 (41-52 mg Zn kg-1 in chapati). It was evident that soil Zn application aiming at optimum grain yield of wheat significantly improved Zn nutrition of the studied adults, but not up to desired levels. High Zn applications (via soil and/or foliage) to wheat and growing cultivars specifically selected for Zn biofortification may be needed to optimise Zn nutrition in rural Pakistan.

Aflatoxin M1: Prevalence and decontamination strategies in milk and milk products.

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk is among the most carcinogenic compounds, relatively high levels being consumed, especially by the most vulnerable age groups, i.e. infants and the elderly. Reports on its prevalence are constantly being received from various parts of the world compelling nations to establish their own standard limits for AFM1. Global review of the literature indicates the existence of methods of partial decontamination of AFM1, however; evidence based studies do not suggest that any single strategy as a coherent and complete solution to the issue. Microbial decontamination of AFM1 has emerged as the most suitable method up to now but the stability of toxin-microbial cell complexes still remains questionable. This review discusses the chemical nature, established maximum permissible limits and prevalence of AFM1 in various countries from 2009 to 2014. Moreover, the possible mechanisms for AFM1 reduction mainly the microbial decontamination and the stability and bioaccessibility of microbial-AFM1 complexes are also discussed.

Heavy metals in vegetables and respective soils irrigated by canal, municipal waste and tube well waters.

Heavy metal contamination in the food chain is of serious concern due to the potential risks involved. The results of this study revealed the presence of maximum concentration of heavy metals in the canal followed by sewerage and tube well water. Similarly, the vegetables and respective soils irrigated with canal water were found to have higher heavy metal contamination followed by sewerage- and tube-well-watered samples. However, the heavy metal content of vegetables under study was below the limits as set by FAO/WHO, except for lead in canal-water-irrigated spinach (0.59 mg kg(-1)), radish pods (0.44 mg kg(-1)) and bitter gourd (0.33 mg kg(-1)). Estimated daily intakes of heavy metals by the consumption of selected vegetables were found to be well below the maximum limits. However, a complete estimation of daily intake requires the inclusion of other dietary and non-dietary exposure sources of heavy metals.