The objective of this study was to develop a simple, inexpensive prototype device for rapid detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV). The device was able to simultaneously amplify, detect and quantify ...the target HBV DNA. The system was fabricated from a custom-made electrochemical set-up of which the temperature was thermostatically controlled by a water bath. Real-time monitoring of HBV DNA was accomplished by measuring the response of redox indicator in the reaction mixture. Concentration of HBV DNA in the samples was determined from the peak high ratio (PHR) and threshold time relationship. The signal was processed by sigmoidal model fitting to enhance the accuracy of the results. Key parameters including concentrations of redox indicator and reaction temperatures were optimized. Sensitivity and specificity of the method toward HBV DNA were evaluated. The prototype was capable of real-time amplification and detection of HBV DNA with concentration as low as 6.18 fg μl
. The test showed high specificity against HBV DNA. The system was also able to detect HBV positive serum directly with simple thermal pretreatment instead of tedious DNA extraction. The electrochemical set-up was compatible with microfluidic platforms and can be readily adapted for efficient and high throughput point-of-care (POC) diagnosis of HBV.
Methanolic extracts of whole grains of five millet types and two sorghum varieties were evaluated for anti-lipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and a range of anti-oxidant properties
in vitro
(
n
= 3 each). ...Furthermore, proximate composition (
n
= 3 each) was also studied. Results showed significant differences (
P
< 0.05) among the selected samples for studied parameters. Pancreatic lipase and cholesterol esterase inhibitory activities of selected samples (2 mg/ml) ranged from 21.16 ± 1.58 to 66.65 ± 3.30 and 17.43 ± 0.60 to 52.09 ± 1.61%, respectively. Nitric oxide inhibitory activity of selected samples (2 mg/ml) ranged from −1.17 ± 0.32 to 13.56 ± 0.93%. Total polyphenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total proanthocyanidin content (TPAC) were in the range of 0.19 ± 0.01–12.50 ± 0.87 mg gallic acid equivalents/g, 0.05 ± 0.00–1.57 ± 0.01 mg quercetin equivalents/g, and 0.35 ± 0.01–12.87 ± 0.25 mg cyaniding equivalents/g of samples, respectively. Ferric reducing anti-oxidant power, oxygen radical absorbance capacity, ferrous ion chelating activity, and ABTS and DPPH anti-oxidant properties ranged from 0.15 ± 0.00 to 4.56 ± 0.03 mg of Trolox equivalents (TEs)/g, 0.19 ± 0.01 to 8.50 ± 0.72 mg of TEs/g, 0.13 ± 0.00 to 0.79 ± 0.03 mg EDTA equivalents/g, 0.22 ± 0.00 to 25.57 ± 0.35 mg of TEs/g, and 0.07 ± 0.00 to 22.97 ± 0.83 mg of TEs/g of samples, respectively. Among the studied samples, pigmented sweet sorghum exhibited the highest activities for all the tested parameters. The observed activities were moderate compared to the reference standards used. The highest values for proximate composition parameters tested varied with the different samples studied. In conclusion, the consumption of especially pigmented millet and sorghum in Sri Lanka may play an important role in the prevention and management of oxidative stress–associated chronic diseases. This is the first study to report pancreatic lipase and cholesterol esterase inhibitory activities of any millet types and sorghum varieties in Sri Lanka and the first report of cholesterol esterase inhibitory activity of millet and sorghum the world over.
Consumption of fruits and vegetables is an indispensable component of human dietary preference, however; it is unfortunate that the enormous pesticide residues remain in the plant produces. ...Pesticides used to control the pests and diseases of the crops and livestock and its spill-over in the food production system has been an inevitable consequence. Researchers have been taking persistent efforts to eliminate pesticide residues in the food to make it safe for human consumption. Conventional techniques such as the washing of agricultural produces with chemicals, peeling, salting, and using different agents have not been an efficient means of pesticide removal.
In recent times, the emergence of non-thermal technology such as the ozone to degrade the pesticide residues is of great utility in the food processing industries. It is also considered as a green technology because unlike other conventional methods ozone treatment leaves little residual traces. However, some of the discrepancies and challenges in using this technology require to be addressed to increase its efficiency. The objective of the current review is to provide a comprehensive and critical view of the use of ozone in pesticide residue dissipation in various food matrixes.
Analysis of the pros and cons of ozone treatment reveals it as a potential technique for the degradation of pesticide residues. The diversity and complexity of pesticides along with the inherent differences in their chemical structures and residue levels of pesticides in agro-products are the factors that require due consideration. Furthermore, processing and operating conditions of the ozone treatment are some of the other major determinants to improve the efficiency of ozone treatment for the degradation of pesticides.
•The concept of application of ozone in degrading the pesticide residues introduced.•Ozone-based dissipation of pesticides in food matrix for quality agro-products.•Challenges and prospects of ozone in food industry are enumerated.
Salmonella infection has become a foremost health issue as it is the causative agent of several foodborne outbreaks. Currently, there is a huge demand for safe, healthy, and nutritious, fresh-like ...food products. It strongly suggests the food manufacturers to develop appropriate practices like expeditious testing, detection, and inactivation of foodborne pathogens as well as to prevent the pathogen entry into the supply chain.
In this decade, a lot of innovative ideas and technologies have been investigated as a substitute for conventional thermal technologies employed to inactivate foodborne pathogens. This review presents the potential of such technologies for instance, cold plasma, light-emitting diode, ozone, ultrasound, and pulsed electric field in decontaminating the Salmonella in food production and supply chain. These emerging innovative decontamination practices not only ensure the freshness of food but also enhance the microbial safety and quality of a food product. The synergistic effect of the cold plasma technique arrests the pathogenic cells’ viability and multiplication. Oxidative response and the free radical generation capability of ozone treatment destroy the bacterial cells and accord antimicrobial activity. Applications of acoustic cavitation mechanism of ultrasound and non-ionizing electromagnetic radiations of UV light progressively inactivate the pathogenic microorganisms. The high-intensity usage of electric field strength by utilizing the electroporation method resulting in microbial cell death.
The effect of emerging non-thermal technologies and the processing parameters involved in the decontamination have been reviewed comprehensively along with the summary of different food products. A thorough understanding and deep insights into the mechanisms underlying the optimization of the process conditions will pave the way for upscaling these technologies for improved quality and sustaining the nutritional components of the food product.
Display omitted
•Salmonella induced illness continues to be a major health concern worldwide.•Non-thermal technologies exhibit efficient decontamination with less impact on food quality.•Oxidative properties of cold plasma and ozone impose detrimental effects on bacterial cell.•LED/UV illumination of microbial photosensitizers releases reactive species with cytotoxic effect.•Hurdle approach showed enhanced antimicrobial effect on Salmonella.
Clitoria ternatea L. commonly known as ‘blue pea’ is an underutilized plant in Sri Lanka. The blue coloured flower of this plant is used in medicine in Sri Lankan traditional medical system and also ...reported to have several health benefits in recent findings at the international level. However, to date scientifically validated value added products from blue pea flower (BPF) is very limited worldwide. In this connection, this study was carried out to develop a commercial potential blue pea flower extract (BFE) incorporated beverage having functional properties. Dried BPFs were extracted into water with varying flower: water ratio, temperature, and time using response surface methodology (RSM) along with Box–Behnken design. A range of BFE incorporated beverages was developed comprising a natural sweetener (Stevia extract) and a flavour (lime). The most acceptable formulation was selected via ranking and hedonic sensory tests. Further, it was evaluated for functional properties in terms of antioxidant activity via total polyphenolic and flavonoid contents, ferric reducing antioxidant power and radical scavenging activities via ORAC; DPPH and ABTS. Glycaemic regulatory properties (GCP) were evaluated in terms of antiamylase and antiglucosidase activities. Quality parameters of the developed beverage were evaluated for a period of 28 days at different time intervals and a colour chart was also developed. The optimum conditions for extraction of BPF via RSM were 3 g of powdered BPF/L of water at 59.6 °C for 37 min. The most acceptable formulation consists of BFE, Stevia extract, and lime at a ratio of 983.25:1.75:15. Further, it had significantly higher (p<0.05) consumer preference for sensory attributes. Further, it possesses an antioxidant activity through multiple mechanisms while GCP were not detected. Moreover, it was shelf stable for a period of 28 days without preservatives. The colour chart can be used to monitor the quality of the beverage.
The present study evaluated a range of biological activities of selected millet types and sorghum varieties in Sri Lanka in relation to diabetes and its complications management. Five millet types, ...namely, proso millet, white finger millet, kodo millet, foxtail millet, and finger millet (Oshadha and Rawana), and two sorghum varieties, namely, sweet sorghum and sorghum ICSV 112, were used in this study. Methanolic extracts of whole grains were studied for antiamylase, antiglucosidase, and early- and middle-stage antiglycation and glycation reversing activities in vitro. Tested millets and sorghum showed significant (p < 0.05) and dose-dependent antiamylase (IC50: 33.34 ± 1.11–1446.70 ± 54.10 μg/ml), early-stage antiglycation (IC50: 15.42 ± 0.50–270.03 ± 16.29 μg/ml), middle-stage antiglycation (135.08 ± 12.95–614.54 ± 6.99 μg/ml), early-stage glycation reversing (EC50: 91.82 ± 6.56–783.20 ± 61.70 μg/ml), and middle-stage glycation reversing (393.24 ± 8.68–1374.60 ± 129.30 μg/ml) activities. However, none of the studied millet and sorghum showed antiglucosidase activity. Out of the samples studied, pigmented samples, namely, sweet sorghum, Oshadha, and Rawana, exhibited significantly high (p < 0.05) antiamylase and early- and middle-stage antiglycation and glycation reversing activities compared to other millet and sorghum samples. Interestingly, sweet sorghum exhibited nearly four times potent antiamylase activity compared to the standard drug acarbose (IC50 111.98 ± 2.68 μg/ml) and sweet sorghum, kodo millet, Oshadha, and Rawana showed comparable early-stage antiglycation activities in comparison to the reference standard Rutin (IC50 21.88 ± 0.16 μg/ml). Therefore, consumption of whole grains of pigmented millet and sorghum in Sri Lanka may play an important role in the prevention and management of diabetes and its complications. Interestingly, this is the 1st study to report all the tested biological activities for millet and sorghum in Sri Lanka and the 1st study to report both early- and middle-stage glycation reversing activities of millet and sorghum worldwide.
The objective of this study was to develop a simple, inexpensive prototype device for rapid detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV). The device was able to simultaneously amplify, detect and quantify ...the target HBV DNA. The system was fabricated from a custom-made electrochemical set-up of which the temperature was thermostatically controlled by a water bath. Real-time monitoring of HBV DNA was accomplished by measuring the response of redox indicator in the reaction mixture. Concentration of HBV DNA in the samples was determined from the peak high ratio (PHR) and threshold time relationship. The signal was processed by sigmoidal model fitting to enhance the accuracy of the results. Key parameters including concentrations of redox indicator and reaction temperatures were optimized. Sensitivity and specificity of the method toward HBV DNA were evaluated. The prototype was capable of real-time amplification and detection of HBV DNA with concentration as low as 6.18 fg μl
−1
. The test showed high specificity against HBV DNA. The system was also able to detect HBV positive serum directly with simple thermal pretreatment instead of tedious DNA extraction. The electrochemical set-up was compatible with microfluidic platforms and can be readily adapted for efficient and high throughput point-of-care (POC) diagnosis of HBV.
A novel prototype device using LAMP and electrochemical drop cell set-up for rapid detection of hepatitis B virus.
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