This work focuses on studying the preparation, characterization (physical, mechanical, optical, and morphological properties as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities) and packaging application of chitosan (CH)-based gel films containing varying empty green pea pod extract (EPPE) concentrations (0, 1, 3, and 5% w/w). The experiments revealed that adding EPPE to CH increased the thickness (from 0.132 ± 0.08 to 0.216 ± 0.08 mm), density (from 1.13 ± 0.02 to 1.94 ± 0.02 g/cm3), and opacity (from 0.71 ± 0.02 to 1.23 ± 0.04), while decreasing the water vapour permeability, water solubility, oil absorption ratio, and whiteness index from 2.34 to 1.08 × 10−10 g−1 s−1 pa−1, from 29.40 ± 1.23 to 18.75 ± 1.94%, from 0.31 ± 0.006 to 0.08 ± 0.001%, and from 88.10 ± 0.43 to 77.53 ± 0.48, respectively. The EPPE films had better tensile strength (maximum of 26.87 ± 1.38 MPa), elongation percentage (maximum of 58.64 ± 3.00%), biodegradability (maximum of 48.61% after 3 weeks), and migration percentages than the pure CH-gel film. With the addition of EPPE, the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of the film improved. SEM revealed that as EPPE concentration increased, agglomerates formed within the films. Moreover, compared to control samples, packing corn oil in CH-based EPPE gel films slowed the rise of thiobarbituric acid and peroxide values. As an industrial application, CH-based EPPE films have the potential to be beneficial in food packaging.

Heavy metal contaminated water is a great concern because of its high toxiciy, non-biodegradability, and bioaccumulation. Therefore, non-contaminated water is fundamental for a healthy life. Special attention is paid to the health-promoting ingredients of germinated whole cereal products. This study aimed to (1) examine the potentially harmful effects of Cu, Mn, and Zn on rat livers and brains, and (2) the potentially protective action of wheat and barley grasses against the expected harmful effects of these metals. The rats were treated with water contaminated by heavy metals (HMs) and germinated wheat and barley for 60 days. The rat liver functions and histopathological examinations were analyzed. Comet assay was evaluated to assess the damage in the DNA of rat livers and brains. The results indicated a significant alteration in liver functions in rats exposed to HMs; however, wheat and barley grasses at high doses decreased the harmful effects. An insignificant difference was noticed in total protein, albumin, and globulin of rats treated with HMs compared with the control. A significant increase in the serum and liver levels of HMs was recorded; however, they were reduced by wheat and barley grasses. Rat livers treated with HMs exhibited severe histological effects. The groups treated with wheat and barley grasses showed a normal liver architecture. A significant increase in DNA damage in the livers and brains was observed in rats treated with HMs, which was reduced when treated with wheat and barley grasses. Thus, using germinated seeds is promising to avoid damaging of HMs.

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The main aim of this research was to study the influence of sweet potato powder on diabetic rats. A total of 24 adult male albino rats of "Sprague Dawley" strain (150 ±5g) were used and randomly divided into 4 equal groups including negative control group, positive control group, while the other two groups were treated with 10% raw potato and 30% cooked potato depending on sensory evaluation of biscuits supplemented with raw and cooked sweet potato powder. The experiment lasted for 28 days. Measurements included determining glucose, liver functions, kidney functions and lipid profile in serum and pancreas histopathology. The results indicated that induced alloxan resulted in significant increases in glucose in urine and serum, in addition to a significant increase in liver and kidney functions, lipid profile expect HDL-C were decreased compared with a negative control group and abnormal histopathological changes were noticed in pancreas dysfunction resulted from abnormal histopathology was observed. Like raw and cooked sweet potato induced anti-diabetic effects and decreased glucose in blood serum. Moreover, they alleviated alloxan-induced abnormalities in body weight, liver and kidney functions. Accordingly, this study recommends diabetic patients to regularly consume sweet potato and its leaves with a suitable dose since they can induce an improvement in increase blood sugar.

Protective effects of barley and wheat grasses on nephrotoxicity in rats and some biochemical parameters induced by tramadol