Carica papaya is an economically vivacious plant of tropical and subtropical regions, cultivated in over 50 countries across the world with 6.8 million tons production. Papaya holds a broad spectrum of phytochemicals, including polysaccharides, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, proteins, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, and phytosterols. These bioactive components are responsible for the pharmacological properties of this auspicious plant and demonstrate its importance in daily intake and alimentation. Additionally, it is an excellent aid to digestion and also hydrolyzing gluten, which is an important aspect for dyspeptic and celiac disease patients. Papaya acts as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticarminative, anticancer, and has hepato-protective, immunological, and other therapeutic attributes. The seed and pulp of papaya have bacteriostatic effects against several enteropathogens, such as Bacillus subtilus and E. coli. In the current review, pharmacological attributes, nutritional value of papaya, and medicinal properties of its various parts have been elaborated to provide collective information on this multipurpose commercial plant. Moreover, its role in the production of alcohol and carboxymethyl cellulose is also the limelight of the article. Furthermore, the present review article summarizes the literature pertaining to its pharmakinetics and also allies its health claims. Yet, the authors are still of the view that further research needs to be conducted for meticulousness.

Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) leaves consist of dietetically important diterpene steviol glycosides (SGs): stevioside (ST) and rebaudioside-A (Reb-A). ST and Reb-A are key sweetening compounds exhibiting a sweetening potential of 100 to 300 times more intense than that of table sucrose. Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of SGs was optimized by effective process optimization techniques, such as response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) modeling coupled with genetic algorithm (GA) as a function of ethanol concentration (X₁: 0–100%), sonication time (X₂: 10–54 min), and leaf–solvent ratio (X₃: 0.148–0.313 g·mL⁻¹). The maximum target responses were obtained at optimum UAE conditions of 75% (X₁), 43 min (X₂), and 0.28 g·mL⁻¹ (X₃). ANN-GA as a potential alternative indicated superiority to RSM. UAE as a green technology proved superior to conventional maceration extraction (CME) with reduced resource consumption. Moreover, UAE resulted in a higher total extract yield (TEY) and SGs including Reb-A and ST yields as compared to those that were obtained by CME with a marked reduction in resource consumption and CO₂ emission. The findings of the present study evidenced the significance of UAE as an ecofriendly extraction method for extracting SGs, and UAE scale-up could be employed for effectiveness on an industrial scale. These findings evidenced that the UAE is a high-efficiency extraction method with an improved statistical approach.

The current research was carried out to observe the effect of different thermal treatments on soluble and insoluble dietary fiber ratio to improve functional properties of barley. Two varieties of barley labeled as Haider‐93 and Jau‐87 were milled and then wet and dry heat‐treated. Soaking and then cooking of soaked and nonsoaked barley was performed. Untreated barley contained more insoluble dietary fiber (12.00–12.40 g/100g dm) than soluble dietary fiber (4.73–5.70 g/100g dm). Additionally, the modification of soluble (13.32%) and insoluble dietary fiber (8.79%) ratio through pressure cooking was nonsignificant while roasting showed significant results, that is, 53.91% increase in soluble dietary fiber and 8.79% decrease in insoluble dietary fiber. In phase II, cooking without soaking gave highest results, that is, 68.08% increase in soluble dietary fiber and 15.48% decrease in insoluble dietary fiber. Conclusively, among all treatments of phase I and II, the better results were shown by cooking without soaking.

The current research project involves isolation and characterization of PSM (phosphate solubilizing microorganisms) from the rhizospheric soil of certain medicinal plants and to determine their effect on plant growth. Medicinal plants,Aloe vera, Bauhinia variegata, Cannabis sativa, Lantana camaraandMentha viridiswere selected for the isolation of PSMs. Soil status of the selected medicinal plants was also checked. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) were observed under stereomicroscope for their morphological characteristics and Gram’s staining. Phosphate solubilizing fungi (PSF) were also identified microscopically. Colony diameter, halo zone diameter and solubilization index were determined on PVK agar plates. TLC results indicated that citric acid was the most common acid produced by PSM strains. All strains were found to be non-pathogenic in pathogenicity test. A positive plant growth response to PSM inoculation was observed in all studies. In study 1, individual inoculation of PSM showed a significant increased effect on plant growth parameteri.e., fresh and dry weight, plant height and root and shoot length as compared to control. In study2, composite inoculation of PSM along with different P sources revealed that rock phosphate (RP) with PSM increased growth of plants significantly. The present study suggests that PSM inoculation along with RP amendment can be used as biofertilizer.

Curd is the most widespread traditional fermented milk product used by a large population and is a good source of vitamin B, protein, and calcium. In this study, the isolation of exopolysaccharide (EPS)‐producing strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus from curd samples was carried out. Identification of EPS‐producing strains was done by Gram staining, catalase activity, sugar fermentation test, API 50 CHL, and PCR analysis. These EPS‐producing strains were subjected for the estimation of technological properties such as titratable acidity, curdling time, acidification rate, and texture. The strains best in their technological properties were selected for the production of yogurt in combination with EPS‐ or non‐EPS‐producing strains of Streptococcus thermophilus. The EPS concentration range was from 41 to 268 mg/L in the yogurt. The highest value of EPS concentration was detected in S. thermophilus and non‐EPS‐producing Lb. bulgaricus after 14 days of storage.

The present research was carried out to observe the comparative effectiveness of different chemical treatments in combination with simultaneous thermal treatment on soluble (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) ratio to improve functional properties of barley. For this purpose, two varieties of barley, i.e., Haider-93 and Jau-87 were assessed for chemical composition, mineral, non-starch polysaccharides, and dietary fiber contents through respective methods. Two varieties were chemically treated through acid, alkaline, and consecutive acid–alkaline treatments in combination with thermal treatment. Results of chemical composition revealed that Jau-87 was higher in moisture (11.4%), crude fat (2.67%), and crude fiber (4.70%), whereas Haider-93 exhibited higher ash (2.56%) and crude protein content (12.7%). Moreover, barley is a rich source of potassium ranging from 4.77 to 5.07 g/kg. Likewise, main non-starch polysaccharides in barley were arabinoxylan (3.60–3.77%) and beta-glucan (3.65–3.67%). Furthermore, barley contains more IDF (12.00–12.40 g/100 g dm) than SDF (4.73–5.70 g/100 g dm). Additionally, modification of SDF (23.68%) and IDF (11.69%) ratio through acid treatment was nonsignificant, while acid–alkaline treatment showed highly significant results, i.e., 771.46% increased in SDF and 53.39% decreased in IDF. It is concluded that chemical treatments alone or in combination with pressure cooking increased SDF. However, simultaneous effect of acid and alkaline treatment most effectively increased the solubility of barley.