Journal of Sustainable Environment

Energy assessment of some nuts and dried fruits grown in Pakistan’s climate and their role for weight control management

Anila Sarwar, Muhammad Nasiruddin Khan, Syed Kabir Shah — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 00:00:00 Pakistan Daylight Time

The aim of the present study is to assess the energy contents of different dry fruits consumed in Pakistan. Six samples of tree nuts (walnut, almond, pine nut, pistachio, cashew nut, and coconut), one sample of the ground nut (peanut), and four samples of dried fruits (figs, apricot, dates, and raisins) were selected for this purpose. The energy contents of nuts and dried fruits were estimated using oxygen bomb calorimeter. Peanut was identified as the energy rich fruit (875.86 Cal/100g), followed by walnut (818.84 Cal/100g), coconut (787.36 Cal/100g), almond (785.61 Cal/100g), pine nut (772.31 Cal/100g), Pistachio (624.72 Cal/100g), and the cashew nut (616.46 Cal/100g). The energy values of the dry fruits were found higher in nuts (875.86-616.46 Cal/100g), compare to dried fruits (352.04–505.31 Cal/100g). Protein and fats contribute to the energy values of nuts; while carbohydrates make a valuable contribution to the energy content of dried fruits. The recommended serving of dry fruits was found to fulfill 20.26−4.40 % of the minimum estimated energy requirement (EER) of persons of different life styles. On the basis of the caloric content of the studied dry fruits, one can easily calculate the required amount of a particular dry fruit per day in accordance to gender, age and PAL life style. Therefore, the study would be helpful to plan weight balance strategies for individuals interested in energy dense food.

Particulate Matter Concentration in Ambient Air at Gulshan e Iqbal, Karachi

Fahad Muhammad Khan, Fariha Shafiq Khan, Naeem Akhtar Samoo, Abdullah Ismail — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 00:00:00 Pakistan Daylight Time

The aim of this study is to measure the PM concentration (PM_2.5, PM₁₀) at different times and at different locations of the Gulshan-e-Iqbal town and comparison of the obtained results with the permissible limits of Pak-EPA for assessment of the air quality. A total of 12 sampling locations were selected in different blocks of Gulshan-e-Iqbal town. The PM 2.5 concentration in the study area ranged from 47 to 81.3 µg/m³, with a mean value of 65.4 µg/m³. The results revealed that values of PM2.5 at all the sampling stations were above the permissible limits (35 µg/m³) set by Environmental Protection Agency Pakistan (Pak-EPA). The PM 10 concentration in the study area ranged from 55.6 to 99.0 µg/m³_, with a mean value of 79.9 µg/m³. The results revealed that values of PM10 at all the sampling stations were within the permissible limits (150 µg/m³) set by Environmental Protection Agency Pakistan (Pak-EPA). The concentration of PM (PM_2.5, PM₁₀) was found to vary with time at all the sampling stations. Maximum concentrations were recorded at 2 PM and 7 PM while minimum concentrations were recorded at 12 AM. The worst air quality in terms of particulate matter concentration in the study area was observed at Block 11 of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, whereas better air quality in terms of PM was recorded at Block 7

Antibiotic Resistance and Susceptibility Profile, with Biofilm Forming Potential Of Clinically Isolated Enterococcus Specie from Blood and Urine Samples

Faryal Anjum, Asma Naim, Zeba Parveen Imran, Urooj Haroon — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 00:00:00 Pakistan Daylight Time

Enterococcus spp. is Gram-positive cocci bacteria among the normal flora in human intestine. Common species are Enterococcus fecalis and Enterococcus faecium. They work as probiotics and help in digestion and immune system modulation. Enterococci are opportunistic pathogens and can cause nosocomial infections. Biofilm is one of the factors that facilitate the antibiotic resistance, which is complex EPS (exopolysaccharides) structure surrounding microbial cells, making them resistant from antimicrobial treatments. Due to acquisition of different virulence factors and resistance from antibiotics, infections of Enterococcus spp., have increased. In this study antibiotic resistance and sensitivity profile with their ability to form biofilm, has been determined. Human blood and urine samples were taken from Memon Medical Hospital Karachi. Culture and sensitivity test was performed for the major groups of antibiotics used for treating enterococcal infections with analysis of biofilm formation. Highest resistance was observed against the antibiotic levofloxacin 90% and all organisms were sensitive from linezolid 100%. Overall organisms were resistance from one and more antibiotics. All organisms were able to form biofilms as well. Antibiotic resistance has become an alarming challenge for the health care globally. Enterococcal resistance from major groups of antibiotics for their treatment has increased the rate of nosocomial infections.

Screening, Isolation, and Enzyme Kinetics of Bacterial Amylase collected from Rhizosphere soil

Affhan Shoaib, Hafiza Shehla, Hafsa Sheikh, Maryam Hassan — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 00:00:00 Pakistan Daylight Time

Rhizosphere is a region where microbial communities are in complex association with the roots of plants where the activity of microbes and their enzymes are greatly influenced by root exudates. Amylase enzyme has great importance in biotechnology, with enormous utilization in food, fermentation, textile, and paper industries. They are produced intracellularly and extracellularly by different life forms including microorganisms. Microbial amylases are preferred over other sources because of their vast availability and it also meets the growing needs of industry. The present investigation deals with the isolation, screening, and enzyme kinetics of bacterial amylase from the rhizosphere soil samples collected from a fertile field. Soil samples were collected from the rhizosphere and amylase-producing bacteria screening was carried out by using a starch agar plate. Extracellular amylase was extracted from fermentation broth followed by quantification by starch-iodine assay. Bacterial amylase enzyme kinetics were determined by changing enzyme/substrate concentrations and incubation time. We successfully screened and isolated out starch hydrolyzing colonies from the rhizosphere soil samples. Studies on enzyme kinetics indicate that the activity of amylase increased initially as substrate and enzyme concentrations increased. If we kept enzyme concentration constant, to a certain point, there was no change in enzyme activity as the enzyme was saturated and no more enzyme was available to react with the excess substrate. Initially, enzyme activity increased as enzyme volume increased, but since substrate concentration was kept constant, higher volumes of the enzyme could not speed up the reaction. Further, under a prolonged incubation period, less amount of substrate was available at the end of a reaction. Therefore, it is concluded that the reaction velocity increases.

Impact of Cleaning Inspecting Lubrication & Tightening (CILT) on Overall Equipment Effectiveness for Sustainable Production

Sheryar Khan, Shakeel Ahmed Shaikh, Miskeen Ali Gopang, Rano Khan — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 00:00:00 Pakistan Daylight Time

Operating the equipment at its full capacity is one of the core objectives of every organization for sustainable production. OEE determines the actual amount of the product to be produced. This study was carried out with the aim to investigate the impact of Cleaning, Inspection, Lubrication, and Tightening (CILT) on Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). It was found that after the implementation of CILT, OEE has increased by 12% and so the availability (3.12%), performance (16. %), and quality (0.44%). Results of the study confirm that CILT can bring a notable change in the OEE and has the potential to achieve substantial improvement if it implies to the rest of the lines.