ALBERT

Notes: Purpose - Aims to extract Rice bran oil (RBO) from Pakistani cultivar Basmati-385 for efficient use of local rice industrial waste, i.e. rice bran to reduce the import of edible oil and to evaluate the suitability of RBO in baked products by making cookies. Design/methodology/approach - RBO was extracted from stabilized rice bran by solvent extraction. The RBO obtained was analyzed for different quality parameters and further applied into baked products such as cookies at various levels, i.e. 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 per cent, by gradually replacing normal shortening to check its suitability as a shortening and its effectiveness in extending the shelf life of product due to its natural antioxidants. Five treatments of RBO and normal shortening (NS) (T1?=?100 per cent NS +?0 per cent RBO, T2?=?75 per cent NS +?25 per cent RBO, T3?=?50 per cent NS +?50 per cent RBO, T4?=?25 per cent NS +?75 per cent RBO and T5?=?0 per cent NS +?100 per cent RBO) were used to prepare cookies and 45 days, storage study was conducted. Findings - Various treatments and storage have a highly significant effect on moisture, fat and NFE content of cookies. Protein content of cookies remained unaffected by changing treatments. During 45 days, storage moisture, protein, fat and NFE content decreased significantly. Physical studies revealed increase in width and spread factor of cookies, while thickness was reduced, gradually with the proportionate increase of RBO. There was significant decrease in quality score of cookies for color, taste, flavor, crispness, texture and overall acceptability. Treatment T3 (50 per cent NS +?50 per cent RBO) got the highest score for all the sensory attributes. Practical implications - The present study suggests that T3 (50 per cent NS +?50 per cent RBO) can produce superior quality cookies to prove the effectiveness of RBO as bakery shortening. Originality/value - Although Pakistan is an agricultural country, unfortunately 71 per cent of the country's edible oil requirements are met through the import of edible oil. In the present project the possibility of RBO extraction from local variety was evaluated. In this way, if fully explored, RBO can become the fourth indigenous source of edible oil.

Notes: Purpose - Pakistan is an agricultural country having the world's largest canal irrigation system. Indus basin that covers 70 percent of irrigated area for crop production is the major source of water in the country. Owing to rapid increase in population and uncertain environmental conditions, this water is not adequate to cope with the crop water requirement and needs additional means to provide extra water for agricultural purposes. The main source of irrigation is canal and ground water but the quality of ground water is so poor for the sustainability of agriculture system. To cope with the present demand, use of municipal sewage water that consists of domestic liquid waste, as well as industrial effluents, is becoming a common practice. The present study aims to reflect the hazardous effects of sewage water on the environment, with the main focus on heavy metals and chemical composition of soil and vegetables. Design/methodology/approach - Industrial effluent was collected from one ghee mill, one flour mill, three textile industries and three hosieries located in Faisalabad, an industrial city of Pakistan highly affected with water pollution. All water samples were analyzed for pH, EC, SAR and RSC. Water analysis was also carried out for various nutrients and heavy metals (K+1, P2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Ni2+ and Pb2+). Soil samples from various depths (0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90 and 90-120?cm) were taken to analyze for EC, pH, SAR, Na+1, SO4, K+1, P2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Ni2+ and Pb2+ after irrigation with canal water and sewage water. Cadmium, lead and copper concentration was determined in various vegetables grown in areas irrigated with canal water and industrial effluents to determine their final concentration in the final product ultimately affecting the human health. Findings - Although the sewage water is a source of many nutrients, it also includes a significant amount of heavy metals like Fe2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Pb2+ and pathogens. Extensive use of this effluent for irrigation purpose has resulted in an upsurge of such metals in soils and various crops, which ultimately resulted in clinical problems in human beings. Originality/value - The present study reflects the composition of sewage water and heavy metal accumulation in soil, as well as crops. It further highlights the different potential hazards to humans due to these contaminants.