Effect of Microwave Power and Time on Total Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Characteristics of Microwave Assisted Extracts of Watermelon Rind Powder Microwave Assisted Extracts of Watermelon Rind Powder

Watermelon is gaining importance as a functional food due to its therapeutic effect. The therapeutic effect of watermelon has been reported and has been attributed to antioxidant constitutes. The major component in watermelon rind is citrulline that has a strong antioxidant effect which protect body from free-radical damage. Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of microwave powers (150 W, 300 W & 450 W) and time intervals (1, 3 & 5 minutes) on total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant characteristics i.e. DPPH and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) of microwave assisted extracts of watermelon rind powder. Methods: The extracts collected after Microwave assisted extraction (MAE) of watermelon rind wereanalyzed for their antioxidant potential through different tests including total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), DPPH assayand FRAP. Results: Microwave assisted extraction by using ethanol as a solvent at different microwave powers and various time intervals showed that total antioxidant potential was significantly higher at low microwave power such as TPC ranges obtained at 150W for 1, 3 & 5 minutes of time intervals show ranges (159.84, 160.04 & 169.71 mg GAE/100 g). While TFC ranges at 150W for time 1, 3 & 5 minutes were (21.31, 24.15 & 42.20 mg CEQ/100g) whereas DPPH ranges at 150W for time 1, 3 & 5 minutes were (53.14, 54.87 & 68.17 % ascorbic acid inhibition) and FRAP values at 150W for time 1, 3 & 5 minutes were (201.71, 221.50 & 326.43 mg FE/100g). While high microwave power 450W can result in disruption of some antioxidants at various time intervals. Conclusions: Watermelon rind is a rich source of many antioxidants andmicrowave assisted extraction technique should be implemented in the food and nutraceutical industries and microwave assisted extracts of watermelon rind should be utilize for the development of new functional food to combat many health related problems

Molecular and Serological Approach for the Detection of Trypanosoma Sp. in Blood Samples of Equines and Camels from Southern Punjab Pakistan

The present study was designed to compare the sensitivity and specificity of different parasitological and molecular techniques for the detection of Trypanosoma sp. during different seasonsof year 2013 in equines and camels of Dera Ghazi Khan District and to determine the risk factors associated with the spread of trypanosomiasis. The objective of this project was to demonstrate the effect of Trypanosoma sp. on complete blood count (CBC) and selected serum biochemical parameters in camels, horses and donkeys from Southern Punjab (Pakistan). A total of 858 blood samples (291 camels, 284 horses and 283 donkeys) were collected and were subjected to blood smear examination, hematocrit centrifugation technique and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) (by amplifying kinetoplast maxicircle DNA) to determine the prevalence of trypanosomiasis in collected samples. Blood samples were also analyzed for complete blood count and selected serum biochemical parameters (Total Protein, Creatinine, Alanine Transferase (ALT), Aspartate Transferase (AST) and Triglycerides). Out of 291 camel blood samples, 28 (9.62%) generated a 164 bp DNA fragment specific for Trypanosoma sp. Only 6 blood samples from camels (2.1%) were found positive through microscopic examination while 13 (4.46%) were positive for Microhematocrit centrifugation technique. Out of 284 blood samples from horses 16 (5.63%) samples were found Trypanosoma sp. positive by PCR. Only 5 blood samples (1.8%) were found positive through microscopic examination while 9 (3.17%) blood samples from horses were positive for Microhematocrit centrifugation technique. Out of 283 blood samples of donkeys, 19 (6.71%) samples amplified a 164 bp DNA fragment specific for Trypanosoma sp. while only 7 blood samples (2.5%) were found positive through microscopic examination and 9 (3.18%) were found positive for Microhematocrit centrifugation technique. Seasonal prevalence through PCR was 6.9% (5/72) in spring, 13.7% (10/73) in summer, 9.7% (7/72) in autumn and 8.1% (6/74) in winter in camels. Seasonal prevalence through PCR was 4.2% (3/72) in spring, 5.9% (4/68) in summer, 7.04% (5/71) in autumn and 5.48% (4/73) in winter in horses. In donkeys, seasonal prevalence through PCR was 4.76% (3/65) in spring, 8.22% (6/73) in summer, 8.45% (6/71) in autumn and 5.41% (4/74) in winter. No significant association (P˃0.05) of disease was observed with age of all studied animals. Trypanosomiasis was also found not to be associated (P˃0.05) with the gender of equines and camels during present study. A significant increase was detected in white blood cells (WBC) (P˂0.001), neutrophils(P˂0.004) and ALT(P˂0.028) in Trypanosoma sp. positive as compared to the Trypanosoma sp. negative blood samples while a significant decrease in red blood cells (RBC) (P˂0.001), hemoglobin (P˂0.001), lymphocytes (P˂0.003) and packed cell volume (P˂0.001) was observed in blood samples of camels. In horse blood samples, there was also significant increase in WBC (P˂0.001), neutrophils (P˂0.001) and ALT (P˂0.032) and a significant decrease (P˂0.001) in RBC, hemoglobin (P˂0.001), lymphocytes (P˂0.021) and packed cell volume was observed in parasite positive as compared to the parasite negative blood samples. In donkeys, a significant increase was detected in WBC (P˂0.002), neutrophils (P˂0.001) and ALT (P˂0.019) in Trypanosoma sp. positive as compared to the Trypanosoma sp. negative blood samples while a significant decrease in RBC (P˂0.001), hemoglobin (P˂0.003), lymphocytes (P˂0.001) and packed cell volume (P˂0.003) was observed. In conclusion, PCR was found more reliable and sensitive technique than the blood smear examination and microhematocrit centrifugation technique for Trypanosoma sp. detection in blood samples of equines and camels and it is recommended to be used for Trypanosoma sp. detection in epidemiological surveys and control policies in livestock sector to minimize economic losses.