Total phenolic,chromium contents and antioxidant activity of raw and processed sugars

Processing improves the visual quality of food;however,the ingredient and nutritional values may alter.In present study,the sugar samples(refined,raw,gur(Jaggery/jaggeree)and molasses)were collected from 20 different agro-climatic regions of Pakistan and analyzed for the chromium concentration,total phenolic and antioxidant activity,in order to evaluate the processing effect.The concentration of Cr was determined by digestion method using atomic absorption spectrophotometer,while antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl)and reducing power.It was observed that chromium content in Jaggery was 74%higher than raw sugar,while molasses showed 21.27%higher concentration versus jaggery.The total phenolic contents were found considerably higher in molasses(3751 lg GAE/g)followed by Jaggery(3285 lg GAE/g),raw sugar(27.75 lg GAE/g)and refined sugar(23.81 lg GAE/g).The DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power was also found dependent to sugar type.Form results,it can be concluded that processing significantly affected the chromium contents,total phenolics and antioxidant activity.

Effect of gravistimulation on amino acid profile of pea,rice,corn,wheat during early growth stages

The amino acids are one of the major cellular components of plants,which are involved in different metabolic pathways.In present study,effect of artificial gravistimulation on amino acid profiles of pea,rice,corn,wheat during early growth stages was investigated.One-axis clinostat was used for gravistimulation application,which was applied at embryonic stage.Amino acid profile was measured in 10-days old seedlings of pea,rice,corn and wheat cultivars.The effect of clinostat rotation was also evaluated under salt stress and MS medium supplement.Germinated pea,rice,corn and wheat seedlings were grown under the gravity condition for specific time interval.Corn and wheat seeds showed slowgermination as compared to pea and rice cultivars.The rate of amino acid formation under gravity condition was significantly higher than control(un-treated seedling).The variation in amino acid profile of pea,rice,corn and wheat cultivars vary deferentially.Results revealed that gravistimulation applied through clinostat has positive effect on amino acid profile in plant tissue and future studies should be focused on growth,biochemical,physiological at lateral stages of growth.