jbas

Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences

Effect of Taro Starch-Hydrocolloids Mixture as a Functional Ingredient on the Quality of Milk Dessert
Pages 255-260
Feroz Alam, Anjum Nawab, Tanveer Abbas, Mohib Kazimi and Abid Hasnain

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2015.11.36

Published: 06 March 2015

Open Access

Abstract: The study was carried out to investigate the effect of taro starch-hydrocolloids mixture on the physical and sensory properties of milk dessert. Four different hydrocolloid i.e. arabic, Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), guar and xanthan gums were mixed with taro starch in different concentration and their potential use in milk dessert as functional ingredients were evaluated. Physical and sensory characteristics were found to be considerably improved in different aspects by adding these functional ingredients. Taro starch-arabic gum blend was observed to be an effective additive to produce creamy texture of milk dessert. Syneresis from dessert was noted to be diminished and sensory characteristics were also found to be improved by adding taro starch-guar gum blend. Similarly, taro starch-xanthan gum blend has effectively been stabilized the texture and sensory properties of milk dessert.

Keywords: Taro starch, Hydrocolloids, Milk Dessert, Syneresis, Sensory Properties.

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Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences

Phytochemical Studies and Antimicrobial Screening of Non/Less-Polar Fraction of Psoralea corylifolia by Using GC-MS
Pages 159-162
Syed Tariq Ali, Hina Anwar, Syed Kashif Ali, Sobiya Perwaiz, Talat Yasmeen Mujahid, Abdul Wahab and Syed Abdus Subhan

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2015.11.23

Published: 05 March 2015

Open Access

Abstract: Psoralea corylifolia is a well-known medicinal plant, traditionally used against several diseased conditions. The present study was conducted to investigate the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activity of P. corylifolia seeds. Non/less-polar fraction of methanolic seed extract was subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for phytochemical analysis. A total of fourteen compounds were identified which include aromatic, sesquiterpenes, furocoumarins, sterols, fatty acid and their methyl esters. The predominant compounds were epoxycaryophyllene (3), isopsoralen (6), psoralen (7) and bakuchiol (9). Identification of these compounds was also strongly supported by Kovat’s Retention Indices. Furthermore, the n-hexane soluble fraction showed significant antimicrobial activity against several bacterial strains. P. corylifolia seeds represented a unique chemical composition with considerable antimicrobial activity which not only validates their traditional medicinal uses but also indicates their potential as a source of natural antimicrobial compounds.

Keywords: Seeds, Antimicrobial, Non/less-polar fraction, Retention indices.

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Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences

Exploratory Assessment of In Situ Measurements of Radioactivity for Single Source
Pages 163-166
Saif Uddin Jilani, Faisal A.K. Afridi, M. Ayub K. Yousuf Zai and Afaq Ahmed Siddiqui

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2015.11.24

Published: 05 March 2015

Open Access

Abstract: Radioactive measurements in the decay process of any radioactive sample can be predicted by radioactive-decay law. This predication is based over its average behavior. In actual practice, the radioactive measurements show fluctuations about the average value. For any radioactive sample, there is an exact number which disintegrates in any given unit of time fluctuates around the average value. In counting applications, it is important to estimate this fluctuation because it indicates the repeatability of results of a measurement. This will identify it by using periodogram analysis that depicts the periodicity in the radioactive decay of the given sample of Americium-241. Statistical distributions that the given sample followed with goodness-of-fit tests are examined. Maximum-Likelihood Estimator (MLE) has been used to find the population parameters. The randomness in radioactive decay has been verified by non-parametric method. These statistical analyses are based over the amount of internal fluctuation in the given radioactive source that is consistent with the predictions obtained. These measurements are obtained by measuring the decay of 300 counts per 10 sec. of Americium-241 using a Geiger Muller (GM) Counter in the teaching laboratory, at the Department of Physics, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan. 

Keywords: Americium-241, Radioactive measurements, Nuclear Statistics, GM counter.

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Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences

Identification and Assessment of Supply Chain Risks Associated with Dairy Products Sector
Pages 167-175
Muhammad Zubair and Nadeem Ahmad Mufti

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2015.11.25

Published: 05 March 2015

Open Access

Abstract: Risks cannot be entirely removed or eliminated from Human’s life and from lives of Organizations but may be mitigated and their effects may be reduced. The principal objective of this research is to identify and assess supply chain risks in dairy products sector. A set of supply chain risks is identified through extensive literature survey and is divided into five major categories and 28 components through Risk Breakdown Structure approach. A questionnaire is developed based upon these 28 components and data collected from 170 respondents. Risks are assessed through Probability and Impact scores obtained from responses and then slotted into 2x2 Risk Matrix. A risk matrix comprising of 04 quadrants is formulated through low and high scores of probability and impact of all 28 risks. It is found that 16 risks fall in high risk quadrant, 08 in moderate and 04 in low risk quadrant. Risks of competition, deceases, terrorism, quality of raw materials, natural disasters along with those falling high risk quadrants are required to be promptly responded by dairy sector operators for effective risk mitigation. Similarly risk responses have been suggested for moderate and low gravity risks as well.

Keywords: Supply Chain Risk Sources, Risk Assessment, Risk Grid, Dairy Sector, Supply Chain Management.

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