Amount Of Vitamin Research Articles

Biochemical composition of biological substances extracted from red deer antlers

We aim to study biologically active agents in biological substances obtained from different parts of red deer antlers. Frozen red deer antlers were separated into skin and antler base, crushed, and subjected to ultrasonic enzymatic hydrolysis. The press cake from the extraction of antler base was dried in a vacuum unit. The content of protein, fat, ash, and moisture in the obtained biological substances was studied. In addition, the amino acid, fatty acid, and mineral compositions were analyzed, as well as the molecular weight distribution of peptide fractions. The concentrates from the skin and base of red deer antlers were found to contain the maximum of proteins (73.68–74.41%). The mineral biological substances comprise the maximum of macroand microelements (84.17%), in particular, a high level of 136,000 mg /kg of phosphorus, 29,230 mg /kg of sodium, and 5,140 mg /kg of calcium. All biological substances are characterized by a low-fat content in the range from 0.3 to 1.76%. Similar to the protein content, the total amount of amino acids prevails in concentrates from the skin and base of red deer antlers, equaling 40.90 and 43.66 g /100 g, respectively. Moreover, in both samples, the amount of essential amino acids is higher than that of non-essential ones. The amount of vitamins is low, being represented by B1, B2, B6 water-soluble vitamins. The fatty acid composition is most balanced in the concentrate from the red deer antler base, containing omega-3 and omega-6. The ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids is equal to 0.96. In the concentrate from antler skin, the maximum content (54.7%) of peptides with a low molecular weight of less than 2.9 kDa and up to 6.4 kDa was found using the molecular-weight distribution of peptide fractions.

Effect of pilot-scale high-temperature short-time processing on the retention of key micronutrients in a fortified almond-based beverage: implications for fortification of plant-based milk alternatives.

The effect of thermal processing treatments on key micronutrients in fortified almond-based beverages has not been well characterized. An almond-based beverage was produced in a pilot plant, fortified with vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, riboflavin (vitamin B2), calcium carbonate, and zinc gluconate, and was processed using various high-temperature short-time (HTST) pasteurization treatments. Naturally present micronutrients in the base ingredients included several B vitamins (vitamin B1 [thiamin], total vitamin B3 [sum of nicotinamide and nicotinic acid], and total vitamin B6 [sum of pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, and pyridoxine]) and minerals (magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium). The prepared almond-based beverage was homogenized and thermally processed using HTST pasteurization with a temperature range from ~94 to 116°C for a constant time of 30 s. The samples were analyzed for vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, target B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, total vitamin B3, and total vitamin B6), and minerals (magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and zinc). The results showed that amounts of vitamin A, vitamin D2, riboflavin, and total vitamin B6 did not significantly (p > 0.05) change after the HTST treatments, whereas thiamin significantly (p < 0.05) decreased by 17.9% after HTST treatment at 116°C. Interestingly, total vitamin B3 content significantly (p < 0.05) increased by 35.2% after HTST treatment at 116°C. There was no effect of processing on the minerals that were monitored. The results from this study indicate that the majority of key micronutrients assessed in this study are stable during HTST processing of an almond-based beverage and that fortification of plant-based milk alternatives may be a viable process to enhance the micronutrient content consumers receive from these products.

Quantities of vitamin D in Japanese meals using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and prediction of their sources by multiple logistic regression analysis

Quantities of vitamin D in Japanese meals using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and prediction of their sources by multiple logistic regression analysis

Chemical composition and bioactivity of Codium dwarkense collected from the earthquake crack region of Ras Muhammad National Park, Red Sea, Egypt

Ras Muhammad National Park, located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, is well-known for its unique marine biodiversity. One interesting region of the park is the Earthquake Crack, a tidal-influenced inland cave formed by a 1968 earthquake, that known for its rich seaweed community, with dominance of Codium dwarkense. This study evaluates the bioactive compounds and bioactivities of C. dwarkense from the crack region. The sample were collected, processed, and assessed for hydrographic parameters, nutritional composition, minerals, bioactive compounds, and bioactivity. Results showed high levels of carbohydrates and significant mineral content, with potassium and calcium being predominant. C. dwarkense also showed considerable amounts of vitamin C (32.4 mg/100g), vitamin E (400 mg/100g), phenolics (250.08 mg GAE/g), and flavonoids (85.4 mg rutin/g). The HPLC profile was dominated with quercetin, apigenin, pyrogallol, zeaxanthin, and benzoic acid. The GC-MS analyses identified several fatty acids, which were dominated with Hexadecanoic acid and Oleic acid. Bioactivity assays demonstrated significant antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. This study highlights the influence of the unique features of the Earthquake Crack region on C. dwarkense ability to produce valuable bioactive compounds with diverse health benefits. These findings contribute to the recognition of C. dwarkense as a functional food and nutraceutical resource.

Changes in fruit quality properties and phytochemical substances of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) grown in different agro-ecological conditions during cold storage

BackgroundThe changes in the physical structures of the products are the first things that consumers pay attention to. Therefore, it is essential and significant importance to take measures to improve the storage conditions of products and to minimize quality losses. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of agro-ecological conditions on bioactive compounds and fruit quality of kiwifruit during cold storage. The ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit cultivar grown in Ordu, Giresun, Samsun, Rize, and Yalova provinces of Türkiye were kept at 0 ± 0.5 °C and relative humidity of 90 ± 5% for 150 d.ResultsThe kiwifruit obtained from the provinces of Yalova, Ordu, and Giresun experienced the least weight loss during cold storage. Kiwifruit from Samsun and Yalova provinces had the lowest fruit firmness, while those from Giresun had the highest on 150th d. The changes were observed in the skin and flesh colors of the kiwifruit belonging to all cultivation areas. The amount of vitamin C increased throughout the study in all ecological conditions, but the Yalova province’s kiwifruit was found to have the highest levels. Additionally, in all ecologies, kiwifruit showed an increase in antioxidant activity, total phenolics, and total flavonoids, all known to have beneficial effects on human health. The total antioxidant activity and total phenolics were highest in the kiwifruit of Yalova province, but the total flavonoids were found in the kiwifruit of Rize and Ordu provinces.ConclusionThe study’s results revealed that kiwifruit’s bioactive compounds and quality parameters may vary depending on the cultivation area. Additionally, it can be stated that Yalova province kiwifruit experiences the least amount of postharvest quality losses.

Effect of Preservation Methods on Fat-Soluble Vitamins and Stress Biomarkers in Rhus coriaria L. (Sumac) of Different Regions

The number of fat-soluble vitamins and stress biomarkers in Rhus coriaria L. samples taken from different regions was determined by HPLC before and after being subjected to different preservation methods. For this purpose, one group of the samples was analyzed immediately, while the other two groups one of which oiled, and the other group is kept as is for six months. It was determined that the amounts of vitamin A, E, β-carotene and lycopene in fresh sumac samples varied between 1.12 - 2.77, 84.40 - 230.65, 2.48 - 5.31 and 8.10 - 26.90 µg (g dw)-1, respectively. The highest loss of vitamins was observed in an unoiled group of samples. The amounts of GSH, GSSG, MDA, 4-HNE, and GSH/GSSG in the same samples varied between 1004.12 - 2550.42, 422.54 - 1375.38, 13.95 - 31.30, 7.12 - 15.40 µg (g dw)-1, and 1.16 - 3.49, respectively. While the amount of GSH and GSH/GSSG ratio in the stored sumac samples for six months decreased, on the other hand amount of MDA, GSSG, and 4-HNE increased. Differences in all examined parameters in fresh, unoiled, and oiled sumac samples are statistically significant (P

Characterization of Yield and Physico-Chemical Parameters of Selected Wild Indigenous Fruits in Rwanda

A study was carried out to assess the physico-chemical characteristics of wild fruits: Myrianthus holstii and Garcinia buchananii, consumed by rural communities in Rwanda. Although the species have been prioritized for domestication in the country, very little information has been documented on their yield potential, morphological traits, and nutritional compositions. Data were collected from nine fruiting trees for each species in the Bugesera and Nyamagabe districts. All fruits per tree were counted and 10 fruits were harvested for characterization. The proximate composition, vitamins, and minerals were analyzed using Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) methods. Analyses of inferential statistics were performed to detect differences in means among the fruits from different populations. The highest yield (279 kg/tree) for M. holstii was recorded in the Musebeya population while the highest (15.12 kg/tree) for G. buchananii was recorded in the Juru populations. The quantities of vitamins A and C in M. holstii fruits ranged from 0.92 mg/100 g to 0.93 mg/100 g and from 19.22 mg/100 g to 19.94 mg/100 g, respectively. The quantities of vitamins A and C in G. buchananii fruits ranged from 0.56 mg/100 g to 0.95 mg/100 g and 33.82 mg/100 g to 34.84 mg/100 g, respectively. The most abundant mineral element recorded in this study was iron (15.95 mg/100 g) found in the M. holstii species and contributing 159.5% of the recommended daily allowance. The results obtained in this work suggest the potential value of G. buchananii and M. holstii for the development of novel products in the food industry. The findings also offer opportunities for tree selection to support their domestication and to reduce pressure on the remaining population in the wild.

Effect of A Moringa Oil–Beeswax Edible Coating on the Shelf-Life and Quality of Fresh Cucumber

Cucumbers are a popular vegetable consumed worldwide and are known for their nutritional value, containing carbohydrates, antioxidants, vitamin C, etc. The abundance of a high moisture content is correlated to cucumber perishability, which encourages investigation into ways to maintain its quality and increase shelf-life. This study was carried out to determine the effect of a moringa oil–beeswax coating on the quality of fresh cucumber at different storage temperatures for 27 days of storage. Freshly harvested cucumbers were divided into two groups: the first group was coated with the moringa oil–beeswax edible coating, while the other one was not coated (control). Each group was divided into three other subgroups, for storage at 4, 10, and 22 °C. Different quality parameters, including weight loss, color change, firmness, total soluble solid (TSS), vitamin C, and pH, were evaluated. The findings showed that the weight loss of cucumber was highly increased in non-coated samples stored at high temperature. After 27 days of storage, the highest and lowest weight reduction % were recorded for non-coated cucumbers stored at 22 °C (38.09%) and moringa oil–beeswax-coated cucumbers stored at 10 °C (12.35%), respectively. Color analysis revealed that coating had a significant impact on color values, with distinct patterns in lightness, redness-greenness, and yellowness values for both treatments at various temperatures and days. The lightness values showed minimal fluctuations and stabilized at 13.65 at both 4 °C and 10 °C. Temperature and coating had a significant impact on pH levels, with the coating potentially exhibiting a protective effect on pH stability, particularly at lower temperatures (4 °C). Additionally, both groups’ total acidity levels held steady over time and at various temperatures, with the coating having a highly significant effect on total acidity levels. The amount of vitamin C varied significantly with temperature and storage period, but the coating did not affect vitamin C content. At 22 °C, there were notable variations in the vitamin C content over the storage period, with a final value of 37.7 mg/L on coated samples. Temperature and the duration of storage (p &lt; 0.05) had a significant impact on the levels of total soluble solids (TSS), whereas firmness values changed significantly over the storage period only. Moringa oil–beeswax edible coating has the potential to preserve the nutritional value and quality attributes of cucumber.

High-Volume Liposuction in Lipedema Patients: Effects on Serum Vitamin D.

Background: Lipedema is a subcutaneous adipose tissue disorder characterized by increased pathological adipocytes mainly in the extremities. Vitamin D is stored in adipocytes, and serum levels inversely correlate with BMI. As adipocytes are removed during liposuction, lipedema patients might be prone to further substantial vitamin D loss while their levels are already decreased. Therefore, we examined the effect of liposuction on perioperative serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Methods: In patients undergoing lipedema liposuction, blood samples were obtained pre- and postoperatively. Statistical analyses were performed to correlate the volume of lipoaspirate, patients' BMI and number of sessions to vitamin D levels. Results: Overall, 213 patients were analyzed. Mean liposuction volume was 6615.33 ± 3884.25 mL, mean BMI was 32.18 ± 7.26 kg/m2. mean preoperative vitamin D levels were 30.1 ± 14.45 ng/mL (borderline deficient according to the endocrine society) and mean postoperative vitamin D levels were 21.91 ± 9.18 ng/mL (deficient). A significant decrease in serum vitamin D was seen in our patients (p < 0.001) of mean 7.83 ng/mL. The amount of vitamin D loss was not associated with BMI or aspiration volume in our patients (p > 0.05). Interestingly, vitamin D dynamics showed a steady drop regardless of volume aspirated or preoperative levels. Conclusions: Many lipedema patients have low vitamin D levels preoperatively. Liposuction significantly reduced these levels additionally, regardless of aspirated volume or BMI. However, vitamin D loss was constant and predictable; thus, patients at risk are easily identified. Overall, lipedema patients undergoing liposuction are prone to vitamin D deficiency, and the long-term effects in this population are currently unknown.

Biologically active substances and safety of apples of different varieties of the Ural selection

Fresh apple fruits contain various components, including mono-, di- and polysaccharides, organic acids, triterpenoids, phytosterols, polyphenols, protein, vitamins, and macro- and microelements humans need. The purpose of the research was to study the biologically active substances and safety of apples of five varieties of winter and autumn ripening: Pervouralskaya, Krasa Sverdlovskaya, Blagovaya Vesti, Sverdlovchanin, Ekrannoe - to identify the most valuable fruits from the standpoint of modern nutritionology. The apple trees grew in equal climatic and agrotechnical (drip irrigation and fertigation) conditions IP GK(F) H Filippova A.A. (Chelyabinsk region, Kaslinsky district, Grigoryevka village). It was found that the content of insoluble dietary fiber in apples of the studied varieties did not have sharp fluctuations; the variability of the indicator was 14.3%. On the contrary, the amounts of vitamin C, pectin, polyphenols, and flavonoids had significant variability - up to 275, 100, 61, and 50%, respectively, depending on the variety. Safety indicators (content of Hg, Pb, patulin, HCH, DDT) in apples did not exceed the standards of TR CU 021/20H. The nitrate content in fruits was typical for the products of intensive apple orchards. At the same time, Pb levels varied from 0.036 to 0.103 mg/kg, nitrates - from 23.4 to 35.4 mg/kg. Increased amounts of studied biologically active substances and low levels of contaminants make it possible to classify apples of the Pervouralskaya and Krasa Sverdlovsk varieties as the best fruits of this apple orchard.

Nutritional muscular dystrophy in broiler thigh muscles: pathological analysis of a problem in the field

Objective. This study aims to use histopathologic method to investigate nutritional muscular dystrophy in broilers due to vitamin E deficiency. Materials and methods. Tissue samples taken from 20 dead chicks and total 28 blood samples sent by taking from diseased also eight chicks were analyzed. The amount of vitamin E determined in feed analysis was found to be 5% less than the amount declared to be present in the feed ration. Results. The average amount of α-tocopherol in blood serums was measured as 0.285 µg/g. Plasma calcium and phosphorus levels were found to be high, whereas sodium, potassium, and magnesium levels were found to be normal levels. Histopathologically, nutritional muscular dystrophy was defined in 18 of 20 chicks (90%). In the histopathologic examination of muscular sections, varying degrees of hyaline degenerations, necrosis, mineralization, lipidosis, and mononuclear cell infiltrations were observed. Conclusions. It was determined that when the fat content of the ration was increased, vitamin and mineral levels, particularly vitamin E, changed within the ration content, and the health of the chicks deteriorated, resulting in histopathologic damages in different organ tissues. The study concludes that the poultry farming industry should attach importance to feed management systems for chick’s the proper and healthy feeding.

Frequency, amount, and supplementation of vitamin A food sources to enhance vitamin A sufficiency status among toddlers aged 12-59 months

Vitamin A plays a crucial role as a micronutrient, particularly in relation to vision and growth. However, excessive intake of Vitamin A can lead to impaired vision and growth in toddlers. This study aimed to examine the impact of the frequency and amount of Vitamin A from food sources, as well as the intake of Vitamin A supplements, on the sufficiency status of Vitamin A in toddlers aged 12-59 months. The research design employed a quantitative approach using an analytical cross-sectional survey with a sample of mothers and toddlers aged 12-59 months, totaling 100 respondents. The relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable was analyzed using the Chi-Square (α=0.05) statistical test with a 95% confidence interval. Quantitative results indicated a Vitamin A sufficiency status (71%), frequency of intake (56%), amount of intake (64%), and intake of Vitamin A supplements (60%) in the 'more' category. The results of the chi-square test showed the effect of Vitamin A food source intake on Vitamin A sufficiency status with a p-value of 0.002. Optimizing Vitamin A sufficiency among toddlers aged 12-59 months requires a multifaceted approach, focusing on frequency, amount, and appropriate food sources.

Composite coatings containing silk protein, chitosan, and Aloe vera for prolonging postharvest shelf-life of ghost chilli (Capsicum chinense)

Ghost chilli (Capsicum chinense) is an indigenous variety of capsicum in the northeast region of India, which contains considerable amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants. The short shelf-life of the fruit causes significant postharvest losses, a major hurdle against supply chain resulting in financial losses for growers and suppliers. The primary goal of this study was to improve postharvest shelf-life of ghost chilli by applying composite coating formulations prepared from silk protein (SP), chitosan (CH), and Aloe vera gel (AVG). The coating on ghost chilli was applied by dip-coating method, and it extended the shelf-life of the coated fruits for up to 15 days during storage in ambient conditions. The result showed reduced weight loss in the coated fruit (less than 15%) compared to the uncoated control (almost 20%), maintained firmness, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity in the coated chilli (more than 15 N, 2% and 0.52%, respectively) compared to the uncoated control (6 N, 3%, and 0.42%, respectively). Moreover, the microbial counts in the SP/CH/AVG coated chillies was significantly less (1.5 log CFU/g compared to the uncoated control (almost 4 log CFU /g) after 15 days of ambient storage. The developed composite coatings can be effective alternative to synthetic wax based coatings for shelf-life enhancement of fruits and vegetables, however, future studies on toxicity of the developed coating formulation, cost analysis, etc. are needed for their future scale-up and commercialization.

Association of Vitamin D Intake in Pregnant Women and Birth Weight

Background: Insufficient maternal consumption of vitamin D can have adverse effects on fetal development and increase the likelihood of low birth weight. This research aimed to establish the correlation between the quantity of vitamin D consumed by expectant mothers and the weight of newborns. Methods: This study utilized an analytical observational design with a cross-sectional approach, collecting data from August to November 2022. Information on Vitamin D intake and birthweight was obtained via questionnaire interviews with 96 pregnant women delivering at the University of North Sumatera Hospital or Maharani Women’s and Children Hospital. Semi-Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQs) served as the data collection instrument. Non-probability consecutive sampling was employed. Statistical techniques, including Chi-square and Fisher's Exact test, were used for data analysis. Findings indicated a prevalence of inadequate vitamin D intake among mothers (3.125%). The mean daily consumption of vitamin D among expectant women was 19.99 μg/day. Mother's education level did not significantly influence the outcome (p=0.589). Results: The results of this study suggest that there was no significant association between maternal age at pregnancy (p=0. 135), gestational age (p=0. 771), parity (p=0958), and baby's sex (p=0. 448) with birth weight. Conclusion: An observed association existed between the prenatal intake of vitamin D and neonatal birth weight in expectant mothers.

Studies on the production of tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L.) in Southeastern Nigeria, I: Effect of seven complementary fertilizer treatments on growth and yield of tigernut in pot

Tigernuts have so many food and medicinal potentials as it contains some amount of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Despite the food and health benefits associated with this tuber, its production in southern Nigeria is at an abysmal level probably due to lack of knowledge for its production or utility. This experiment was conducted at the University of Nigeria Teaching and Research Farm to evaluate the effect of seven complementary fertilizer treatments on the growth and yield of tigernut. The experiment is an attempt to develop appropriate agronomic practice that will assure regular cultivation culture. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with seven fertilizer treatments and replicated 10 times. Treatments were NPK 15:15:15 (300 kg/ha), NPK 20:10:10 (300 kg/ha), poultry manure, PM, (5 t/ha), NPK 15:15:15 (150 kg/ha) + 3 t/ha PM, NPK 20:10:10 (150 kg/ha) + 3 t/ha PM, K-nitrate (100 kg/ha) + Ca-nitrate (100 kg/ha) + 2.5 t/ha PM and control (No fertilizer application). Fertilizer treatments significantly (p &lt; 0.05) influenced growth and yield parameters except fresh weight of leaves, length of longest root and weight of seed planted. Significantly (p &lt; 0.05) superior values of growth and yield parameters were obtained in plants grown with NPK 15:15:15 (300 kg/ha), followed closely by the application of NPK 20:10:10 at 150 kg/ha plus 3 t/ha PM. This study recommends application of NPK 15:15:15 (300 kg/ha) or the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer (NPK 20:10:10 at 150 kg/ha plus 3 t/ha PM) to boost the yield and growth of tigernut.

Fruit Quality and Biochemical Characteristics of Different Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo L.) Genotypes Grown In Giresun

Fruit quality, chemical and biochemical properties of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) genotypes that naturally spread in Bulancak district of Giresun province were examined. In this context, as a result of examinations carried out on 20 genotypes subject to research were determined fruit weight 2.39-4.69 g, fruit width 16.85-20.62 mm, fruit length 14.52-17.29 mm, pH 3.36-3.88, SSC 11.60-19.60%. Glucose, sucrose, fructose and total sugars of water soluble sugars in arbutus genotypes were analyzed and respectively 2.32-8.34 g 100 g-1, 0.02-1.93 g 100 g-1, 3.08-17.93 g 100 g-1 and 7.47-27.51 g 100 g-1 values were obtained. The amount of vitamin C contained in the fruits of strawberry tree was determined as 13.53-126.60 mg 100 g-1, the amount of citric acid was 0.16-0.69% and the amount of malic acid was 0.27- 1.30%.

Evaluation of Bioaccessibility of Vitamin C from Four Different Commercial Amla Products Using a Modified In Vitro Digestion Model

The present study aims to evaluate the bioaccessibility of vitamin C from 4 different Amla-based products compared with the Raw Amla using a modified dynamic customized in vitro digestion model. We chose 4 different amla products including amla juice, honey amla, dry amla, and amla powder for our study for the estimation of vitamin C. The results indicated that before in vitro digestion, the quantity of vitamin C is higher (45 mg/g) compared with other formulations. This may be due to the degradation of the amla matrix during powder making. Then, we carried out a dynamic in vitro digestion process sequentially from the mouth phase into the intestinal phase. Briefly, equal volumes of amla product and salivary enzymes were mixed thoroughly for 5 minutes, transferred to the stomach phase by mixing with porcine gastric juice, and made a pH of 3 for 2 hours. Finally, the digested foodstuffs were transferred and mixed with porcine intestinal juice for 2 hours. Once the intestinal digestion is finished, the overall digest is filtered using 0.3-micron filter paper for collecting micellar phase from the supernatant for vitamin C quantification. The results indicated that the amount of vitamin C entered the micellar is higher in the case of amla powder compared with other formulations (25 mg/g). Therefore, among the different amla products, dry amla (57.8 %) and amla juice (56.8%) exhibited better sources of vitamin C to facilitate bioactivity and also ameliorate vitamin C deficiency disorders.

Effect of pre-flowering sprays of micronutrients on flowering, fruit set, fruit drop and yield of mango cv. Amrapali ​

Being the national fruit of India, mango possess a significant position in its history, tradition culture and economy. This delicious and nutritious fruit contains considerable amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in abundance. The plant flowers in panicle at the end of winter and fruit drop is a common problem which is manifested due to several causes and micronutrient deficiency is one of major cause. The present study was conducted at the instructional farm of Institute of Agriculture, Visva Bharati, Sriniketan which comes under humid sub-tropical region of West Bengal, India during the year 2020 and 2021 to study the effect of pre-flowering sprays of zinc and boron on panicle emergence and panicle growth of mango cv. Amrapali. The experiment comprised of 9 treatment combinations of pre flowering sprays of zinc sulphate (ZnSO4, 7H2O) and borax (Na2B4O7, 10H2O) replicated 3 times as T1: Control (distilled water), T2: ZnSO4 @ 0.5%, T3: ZnSO4 @ 1.0%, T4: Borax @ 0.5%, T5: Borax @ 1.0%, T6: ZnSO4 @ 0.5% + Borax @ 0.5%, T7: ZnSO4 @ 0.5% + Borax @1.0%, T8: ZnSO4 @ 1.0% + Borax @ 0.5% and T9: ZnSO4 @ 1.0% + Borax @ 1.0%in Randomized Block Design (RBD). Highest number of total flowers and hermaphrodite flowers per panicle were recorded under ZnSO4 @ 1.0% + Borax @ 1.0% spray (T9). Apart from these, higher percentage of fruit set and lower fruit drop in all the stages have also been observed ZnSO4 @ 1.0% with Borax @ 1.0% treatment (T9). Same treatment also exhibited maximum yield in both the years. Thus, foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 1.0% and Borax @ 1.0% can be used at pre-flowering stage in mango (cv. Amrapali) for good flowering, high fruit set and less fruit drop.

HPLC Analysis of Vitamins C, E, Beta-carotene, and Some Flavonoids in Armenian Red Wines

Background: Oxidative damage to biological molecules is mainly caused by free radicals produced in the body. Natural antioxidants can prevent the resulting oxidative stress. For this purpose, particularly grapes and grape products, which contain vitamins and polyphenolic substances with high antioxidant activity, are used. Methods: In the present study, the content of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and some flavonoids (+)-catechin, quercetin, and trans-resveratrol) in the composition of 19 brands of red wines that are produced in Armenia, was determined by HPLC. Vitamins C, E, beta-carotene, as well as flavonoids manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich were used as standards. Results: The amounts of vitamin E and beta-carotene were below the sensitivity threshold of the method, and the content of vitamins C and flavonoids varied over a wide range (vitamins C 2.15- 56.1, (+)-catechin 0-620.3; quercetin 0-10.55; trans-resveratrol 0-5.89 mg/L). Conclusion: The chromatographic analysis of vitamins and flavonoids allowed us to investigate not only the content of useful substances that make up red wines but also to identify counterfeit products. In this study, wines presented directly to retailers were analyzed since the task was both to determine vitamins and flavonoids and to identify counterfeits. The results of our study showed that among all the selected wine brands, there were no samples that, in terms of their properties, would not meet the required parameters.

The Effects of Systemic Vitamin D Level on the Healing of Different Graft Materials: An Experimental Histological Study

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of serum vitamin D levels on the healing of different bone graft materials. Thirty-six male rats were divided into three groups and fed special feeds containing different amounts of vitamin D for 6 weeks before the surgical phase: the high serum vitamin D level group (group H) 10,000 iu/kg vitamin D3; the standard serum vitamin D level group (group C) 1000 iu/kg D3; and the low-level vitamin D group (group L) 100 iu/kg vitamin D3. Under general anesthesia, four defects with a diameter of 5 mm were created in the calvaria of the rats. The defects were augmented with autogenous grafts, allografts, xenografts, or left empty. The serum vitamin D level was measured before the surgery and before sacrifice. At the end of the 6th week, the subjects were sacrificed, and histological and histomorphometric analyses were performed. Study results show that in all graft types, as vitamin D levels increase, the number of new bone formations increases. There was no significant difference between the graft materials in terms of new bone formation criteria in group L. In group H and group C, the highest new bone formation was seen in the allograft group (1.48 ± 0.07, 0.66 ± 0.19, respectively). Prospective randomized clinical studies are required to evaluate the effect of vitamin D dose on the success of augmentation procedures in the clinic.