As an antioxidant, lycopene has acquired importance as it prevents autoxidation of fats and related products. Tomatoes are an important agricultural product that is a great source of lycopene. It contains many vitamins and minerals, fiber, and carbohydrates and is associated with various positive effects on health. The antioxidant potential of tomatoes is substantially explained with lycopene compounds. Diet is a major risk factor for heart diseases which is shown as the most important cause of death in the world. It has been observed that the lycopene taken in the diet has positive effects in many stages of atherosclerosis. The serum lipid levels, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, blood pressure, and antioxidative potential are mainly affected by lycopene. These natural antioxidants, which can also enhance the nutritional value of foods, may lead to new ways if used in food preservation. In this review study, the antioxidant potential and cardiovascular protection mechanism of lycopene are discussed.

Citrus reticulata Blanco crude flowers extracts (CFE) at four different concentrations (1, 2, 3 and 4%, v/v) were used as natural milk coagulant instead of rennet to apply for Cheddar cheese making from buffalo milk. The physicochemical properties of Cheddar cheeses were compared with cheese made with 0.002% (v/v) rennet (control cheese). Physicochemical properties of Cheddar cheese showed that cheese made with 1% and 2% of CFE had a crumbly and slightly softer texture/appearance. While cheeses containing 3 and 4% crude flowers extracts had semi-hard texture/appearance of curd similar to rennet added cheese. Protein analysis shows that crude flowers extracts made cheese had significantly higher protein content than control. The Cheddar cheese with 3% and 4% CFE were preferred by panelists instead of 1% and 2% CFE for their taste, texture/appearance and overall acceptability. Conclusively, crude flowers extracts coagulated Cheddar cheese fulfills the compositional requirement with acceptable organoleptic characteristics and at the same time provides nutritional health benefits.

The study was conducted to analyze the antimicrobial activity and the sensitivity of bovine lactoferrin against foodborne pathogens and to evaluate the pH range and thermal stability of bovine lactoferrin. The agar well diffusion test was used to check the antimicrobial activity of each pathogen. Bacterial samples were purified and confirmed by biochemical tests. Three concentrations of lactoferrin 0.5, 1, and 10 mg/ml were evaluated for antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, and Staphylococcus aureus. Our results indicated that all three pathogenic bacteria were inhibited, even at 0.5 mg/ml (p < .05). E. coli was the most sensitive, and S. aureus was the least sensitive. Lactoferrin remains effective at 6, 7, 8, and 9 pH, but no inhibition showed at 3, 4, and 5 pH (p < .05). Lactoferrin showed no change at a pasteurization temperature of 60–75 °C (p < .05) but was inactivated at higher temperatures. The results showed that lactoferrin can inhibit E. coli, S. enteritidis, and S. aureus from growth and remain unchanged at pasteurization temperature and pH ranges of 6–9.

Interest in goat farming is at its peak since the last decade of 20th century because the role of goat is well established in animal protein as well as in economic uplift of poor masses in the tropics and subtropics, but also constitutes an important component of traditional farming systems. Goat is a better option as farm animal in the tropics and subtropics as it can withstand dehydration and has better browsing habit which enables it to survive where cattle and sheep farming is difficult. Reproductive performance of does is of immense importance as contributing factor towards increased meat production and in finding out more prolific animals. This is the main factor affecting productivity of goats. Therefore, an improved reproduction rate will be an approach to increase in numbers. Reproductive seasonality represents a natural adaptation that provides important advantages for birth and offspring survival and development, as lambing/kidding coincides with good weather and maximum availability of forage. It is believed that photoperiod is the environmental factor other than food availability that determines the sexual activity in sheep and goat. This review paper focuses on the general aspects of seasonal factors influencing the goat‘s reproductive efficiency.