Nazir Ahmad

Nazir Ahmad


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

34Years (1993-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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12 August 2020 in Food Science & Nutrition
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Journal Article
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TRTahniat Rehman
Tahniat Rehman
MSMuhammad Asim Shabbir
Muhammad Asim Shabbir
MIMuhammad Inam‐Ur‐Raheem
Muhammad Inam‐Ur‐Raheem
Muhammad Faisal ManzoorMuhammad Faisal Manzoor
Muhammad Faisal Manzoor
NANazir Ahmad
Nazir Ahmad
Rana Muhammad AadilRana Muhammad Aadil
Rana Muhammad Aadil
Cysteine and homocysteine (Hcy), both sulfur‐containing amino acids (AAs), produced from methionine another sulfur‐containing amino acid, which is converted to Hcy and further converted to cysteine. This article aims to highlight the link between cysteine and Hcy, and their mechanisms, important functions, play in the body and their role as a biomarker for various types of diseases. So that using cysteine and Hcy as a biomarker, we can prevent and diagnose many diseases. This review concluded that hyperhomocysteinemia (elevated levels of homocysteine) is considered as toxic for cells and is associated with different health problems. Hyperhomocysteinemia and low levels of cysteine associated with various diseases like cardiovascular diseases (CVD), ischemic stroke, neurological disorders, diabetes, cancer like lung and colorectal cancer, renal dysfunction‐linked conditions, and vitiligo.

8 July 2019 in Journal of Food Biochemistry
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Journal Article
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Muhammad Faisal ManzoorMuhammad Faisal Manzoor
Muhammad Faisal Manzoor
NANazir Ahmad
Nazir Ahmad
ZAZahoor Ahmed
Zahoor Ahmed
RSRabia Siddique
Rabia Siddique
Xin-An ZengXin-An Zeng
Xin-An Zeng
AWAbdul Wahab
Abdul Wahab

13 July 2021 in Food Science & Nutrition
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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WFWajiha Farid
Wajiha Farid
TMTariq Masud
Tariq Masud
ASAsma Sohail
Asma Sohail
NANazir Ahmad
Nazir Ahmad
SNS. M. Saqlan Naqvi
S. M. Saqlan Naqvi
Muhammad Faisal ManzoorMuhammad Faisal Manzoor
Muhammad Faisal Manzoor
Strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus WFA1 (KU877440), WFA2 (KU877441), and WFA3 (KU877442) were isolated from indigenous Dahi (yogurt), screened, and selected based on acid and bile tolerance along with the antimicrobial activity. These selected strains were further assessed for their probiotic and functional attributes. Results for simulated gastric and intestinal tolerance/ resistance revealed that all three strains can resist and survive under the following mentioned conditions. To access cell surface hydrophobicity, bacterial adhesion to hydrocarbons (BATH), cellular auto‐aggregation, and salt aggregation were performed. In BATH, adhesion of strains against three hydrocarbons namely xylene, dichloromethane, and hexadecane was conducted. The results show that strains showed the least adhesion to xylene (54.25%) as compared to dichloromethane (55.25%) and hexadecane (56.65%). WFA1 showed maximum adherence percentage (55.48%) followed WFA2 (55.48%) and WFA3 (51.38%). Cellular auto‐aggregation varied from 21.72% to 30.73% for WFA3 and WFA1, respectively. In the salt aggregation test (SAT), WFA1, WFA2, and WFA3 aggregated at 0.6, 1.0, and 2.0 molar concentrations of ammonium sulfate, respectively. PCR amplification of bile salt hydrolase gene (bsh) was performed and sequences were submitted to the public database of NCBI and Gene bank under accession numbers, KY689139, KY689140, and KY689141. Additionally, a cholesterol‐lowering assay was conducted and up to 26% reduction in cholesterol was observed by the strains. Regarding functional properties, exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, and antioxidant potential, strain WFA1 showed promising results EPS (1.027mg/ml), DPPH (80.66%), ABTS (81.97%), and reducing power (1.787). It can be concluded from the present study that the mentioned strains of L. acidophilus (WFA1, WFA2, and WFA3) are strongly hydrophobic; thus having an ability to survive and colonize under the gastrointestinal tract which confirms their probiotic nature. Regarding their functional properties, L. acidophilus WFA1 (KU877440) showed excellent properties of antioxidants and EPS production.

8 May 2020 in Journal of Food Processing and Preservation
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Muhammad Faisal ManzoorMuhammad Faisal Manzoor
Muhammad Faisal Manzoor
Xin-An ZengXin-An Zeng
Xin-An Zeng
NANazir Ahmad
Nazir Ahmad
ZAZahoor Ahmed
Zahoor Ahmed
ARAbdur Rehman
Abdur Rehman
ARAbdul Rahaman
Abdul Rahaman

7 January 2021 in Food Science & Nutrition
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MWMuhammad Waseem
Muhammad Waseem
SASaeed Akhtar
Saeed Akhtar
Muhammad Faisal ManzoorMuhammad Faisal Manzoor
Muhammad Faisal Manzoor
AMAsif A. Mirani
Asif A. Mirani
ZAZulfiqar Ali
Zulfiqar Ali
EKEmad Karrar
Emad Karrar
This study aimed at investigating the physicochemical and bread‐making features of dehydrated spinach. Physicochemical composition of spinach powder was compared with wheat flour and the effect of spinach powder supplementation on the nutritional composition, dough rheology, and quality attributes of chapatti were assessed. The results suggested spinach powder to be holding 8.2% crude fiber, 19.2% protein, 1,304 mg/100g calcium, and 40.4 mg/100g iron. Spinach powder indicated significantly increased values for hygroscopicity, swelling power, and water solubility index values, that is, 6.4%, 7.1 g/g, and 4.2%, respectively, when compared with wheat flour. Supplementation of spinach powder in wheat flour at 20% substitution level significantly reduced dough development properties including water absorption, dough stability, and peak dough development time. Color measurements of baked chapatti indicated a significant reduction in L*, a*, and chroma values with increasing the level of spinach powder supplementation; however, sensory profiling confirmed that supplementation of spinach powder at 7.5% had an optimum effect on the overall acceptability of the baked product. The results further suggested that replacing wheat flour with spinach powder (5%–7.5%, w/w) in baked products could be a viable dietary approach to enhance the optimum supply of micronutrients and to combat micronutrient deficiencies among various population segments.

5 April 2020 in Food Science & Nutrition
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ZAZahoor Ahmed
Zahoor Ahmed
Muhammad Faisal ManzoorMuhammad Faisal Manzoor
Muhammad Faisal Manzoor
NANazir Ahmad
Nazir Ahmad
Xin-An ZengXin-An Zeng
Xin-An Zeng
ZDZia Ud Din
Zia Ud Din
ARAbdul Rahaman
Abdul Rahaman
This study was designed to explore the impacts of the pulsed electric field (PEF; 2 to 6 kV/cm; a number of pulses 25 and 50) on wheat (Tritium aestivum L.) seeds before imbibition to improve the germination, growth, and their nutritional profile in juice form. It was observed that the PEF treatment at 6 kV/cm at 50 pulses increased water uptake, germination of seeds, and growth parameters of seedlings. A significant increase in total phenolic contents, DPPH, chlorophylls, carotenoids, soluble proteins, minerals, and amino acids in PEF‐treated seeds plantlets juice as compared to the untreated seeds plantlets juice was observed. The results indicate that the PEF may effectively stimulate the growth of the wheat kernels and positively affect their metabolism, optimize the nutrients, and enhance the strength of the wheat kernels plantlets.