The present study aimed to compare the absorption and transport patterns of three main betalains, betanin, vulgaxanthin I and indicaxanthin, into intestinal epithelial cells and to assess their distinct molecular effects on inflammatory and redox-related cell signalling in association with their radial scavenging potencies. All three betalains showed anti-inflammatory effects (5–80 μM), reflected by attenuated transcription of pro-inflammatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible NO-synthase. Concomitant increases in antioxidant enzymes such as heme oxygenase-1 were only observed for betanin. Moreover, betanin uniquely demonstrated a potent dose-dependent radical scavenging activity in EPR and cell-based assays. Results also indicated overall low permeability for the three betalains with P_app of 4.2–8.9 × 10⁻⁷ cm s⁻¹. Higher absorption intensities of vulgaxanthin and indicaxanthin may be attributed to smaller molecular sizes and greater lipophilicity. In conclusion, betanin, vulgaxanthin I and indicaxanthin have differentially contributed to lowering inflammatory markers and mitigating oxidative stress, implying the potential to ameliorate inflammatory intestinal disease. Compared with two betaxanthins, the greater efficacy of betanin in scavenging radical and promoting antioxidant response might, to some extent, compensate for its poorer absorption efficiency, as demonstrated by the Caco-2 cell model.

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) affects millions of people around the world, particularly in populations with limited dietary diversity. The present study aimed to develop β-carotene-fortified coconut oil using Pouteria campechiana (Canistel), which is an underutilized tropical fruit rich in β-carotene. A solvent-free fortification process was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite design to evaluate the effects of oil percentage (50–100% w/v) and heating temperature (30–60 °C) on β-carotene retention and oil quality. The quadratic model showed excellent fit (R² = 0.9970; lack of fit p = 0.6815), while optimum conditions were identified at 52.4 °C and 50% (w/w) oil, yielding a predicted β-carotene concentration of 2.22 µg/mL. The fortified oil exhibited significantly higher polyphenolic (17.37 ± 2.04 mg GAE/g), total flavonoid (11.33 ± 0.89 mg QE/g) contents, and antioxidant activity (9.78 ± 0.53 mg TE/g) compared with commercial coconut oil. The optimized oil demonstrated enhanced oxidative stability, reflected by lower peroxide (0.05 ± 0.01 meqO₂/kg) and acid values (0.10 ± 0.01 mg KOH/g). The validated quadratic model and optimized process produced a nutritionally enriched, stable coconut oil, supporting its use as a clean-label functional ingredient. These findings highlight the potential of β-carotene-fortified oils to deliver provitamin A and antioxidant benefits. Future studies should focus on evaluating the bioavailability, storage stability, and sensory acceptability of β-carotene enriched coconut oil to confirm its nutritional and commercial potential.

Dragon fruit peel (Hylocereus spp.), often discarded as waste has gained interest for its anti-aging, antiinflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties. Peels make up to 22-44% (w•w-1) of the fruit's weight and this waste could make a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a drinking yoghurt using dragon fruit peel extract as a natural colorant and evaluate its physicochemical, proximate, functional, and shelf-life properties. The sugar concentrations (4, 6, and 8% w•w-1) and incubation times (4, 6, and 8 h) were changed to optimise the product. Sensory evaluation by 30 semi-trained panellists using a 5-point hedonic scale identified 6% (w•w-1) sugar and an 8 h incubation as optimal. Compared to plain drinking yoghurt, the dragon fruit peel (DFP) drinking yoghurt showed higher crude fat (2.87%), fibre (0.72%), ash (0.66%), moisture (84.08%), total antioxidants (824.3 mg TE•100 g-1), flavonoids (0.22 mg QE•mL-1), and betalains content (0.0064 mg•mL-1). During storage, DFP yoghurt's pH declined, with minimal betalain loss, and it remained stable for three weeks at 4 °C without preservatives. This study demonstrates the potential of dragon fruit peel as a functional ingredient in yoghurt, offering nutritional and environmental benefits.

A considerable postharvest loss has been documented in banana due to its very perishable nature and abundant production in Sri Lanka. The present study was conducted to develop banana biscuits utilizing banana flour obtained from three different local cultivars (ash plantain, seeni and ambun banana) with the purpose of decreasing the postharvest losses of banana. The composite mixture of unripe banana flour and wheat flour with varied degrees such as 0, 20, 40, 60, and 100% w/w were utilized to create biscuits from each banana cultivar and an initial sensory evaluation was carried out. Proximate composition, microbial qualities, and the shelf life were assessed for the biscuits developed. The biscuits containing 100% w/w ash plantain flour, 100% w/w ambun banana flour, and 80% w/w seeni banana flour were ranked at the highest for assessed properties in second sensory analysis. Among these, 100% w/w ash plantain biscuit was picked as the best product utilizing second sensory analysis. The ash, moisture, fiber, fat, protein, and carbohydrates of ash plantain biscuit were 2.3 ± 0.1%, 3.78 ± 0.5%, 4.33 ± 0.5%, 0.33 ± 0.01%, 4.56 ± 0.25%, and 87.73 ± 3.5%, respectively while moisture content and pH changes of all types of biscuits were ranged within 6.5 - 7.3 and 3.2 - 4.0%, respectively during the storage period. Microbial studies revealed that biscuits can be preserved for two months in biaxially oriented polypropylene containers under ambient temperature. In conclusion, the banana flour may be efficiently used to create the biscuits thereby lowering the postharvest losses of banana.

Antibiotic use has risen sharply in recent decades, fueling resistance. Since China reported colistin resistance in 2015, global concern has grown. While few cases of colistin resistance have been reported in Enterobacteriaceae from Pakistan, molecular factors remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (ColRE) in a tertiary care hospital in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Altogether 89 Enterobacteriaceae isolates were collected from in-patients or out-patients at Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad. The isolates were identified using API 20E kit and antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed following CLSI guidelines. Molecular screening of antibiotic resistance genes was conducted by PCR. The results showed E. coli (40.4%) as the most common pathogen, followed by K. pneumoniae (21.3%), S. typhi (19%), Enterobacter (9%), Raoultella ornithinolytica (4.4%), K. aerogenes (2.2%), Citrobacter (2.2%) and K. oxytoca (1%). Antibiotic testing showed highest resistance to aztreonam and cefepime (65.1%), and lowest to colistin (29.2%) and meropenem (22.4%). Overall, 48.3% of the isolates were multidrug resistant (MDR), with K. pneumoniae showing the highest MDR rate (68.4%). Molecular screening of colistin resistance genes found 15.3% of isolates positive for mcr-1 or mcr-2 genes. Simultaneous presence of mcr-1 and mcr-2 was identified in 3.8% of isolates. The study also found the first case of K. aerogenes with mcr-1 positivity. In conclusion, the study reveals a high rate of colistin resistance Enterobacteriaceae with notable presence of plasmid mediated genes. The study recommends nationwide surveillance of ColRE, with emphasis on the screening of plasmid-mediated determinants.