Mitochondria, the membrane-bound cell organelles that supply most of the energy needed for cell function, are highly regulated, dynamic organelles bearing the ability to alter both form and functionality rapidly to maintain normal physiological events and challenge stress to the cell. This amazingly vibrant movement and distribution of mitochondria within cells is controlled by the highly coordinated interplay between mitochondrial dynamic processes and fission and fusion events, as well as mitochondrial quality-control processes, mainly mitochondrial autophagy (also known as mitophagy). Fusion connects and unites neighboring depolarized mitochondria to derive a healthy and distinct mitochondrion. In contrast, fission segregates damaged mitochondria from intact and healthy counterparts and is followed by selective clearance of the damaged mitochondria via mitochondrial specific autophagy, i.e., mitophagy. Hence, the mitochondrial processes encompass all coordinated events of fusion, fission, mitophagy, and biogenesis for sustaining mitochondrial homeostasis. Accumulated evidence strongly suggests that mitochondrial impairment has already emerged as a core player in the pathogenesis, progression, and development of various human diseases, including cardiovascular ailments, the leading causes of death globally, which take an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. The crucial factor governing the fission process is the recruitment of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), a GTPase that regulates mitochondrial fission, from the cytosol to the outer mitochondrial membrane in a guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-dependent manner, where it is oligomerized and self-assembles into spiral structures. In this review, we first aim to describe the structural elements, functionality, and regulatory mechanisms of the key mitochondrial fission protein, Drp1, and other mitochondrial fission adaptor proteins, including mitochondrial fission 1 (Fis1), mitochondrial fission factor (Mff), mitochondrial dynamics 49 (Mid49), and mitochondrial dynamics 51 (Mid51). The core area of the review focuses on the recent advances in understanding the role of the Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission adaptor protein interactome to unravel the missing links of mitochondrial fission events. Lastly, we discuss the promising mitochondria-targeted therapeutic approaches that involve fission, as well as current evidence on Drp1-mediated fission protein interactions and their critical roles in the pathogeneses of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

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Banana (Musa spp.) is an important ingredient of several dishes and its nutritional and other biochemical composition of released and improved desert and cooking types are yet to be scientifically studied fully. In the present study, the most popularly cultivated species of cooking and desert type banana in Ethiopia selected. The objective of this study was to determine their physicochemical profiling and nutritional quality of desert and cooking banana varieties. The chemical composition and some physicochemical characteristics of the fresh fruit and flour obtained from seventeen different banana varieties are presented. A randomized complete design with three replications was used. Length, Width, Peel and pulp thickness, Pulp to peel ratio, total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, ash and moisture of desert banana (Fresh) and mineral contents are the most important parameters to evaluate the quality of banana including potassium. The different varieties affected the fruit physical characteristics significantly (P≤0.05). The Cardaba varieties fruit was found to be the heaviest and the longest. The Kitawira and Nijiru varieties had the smallest, shortest and thinnest fruit. The Cardaba, Nijiru, Matoke, and Kitawira contained more pulp weight than peel weight. Most fruit chemical quality parameters were significantly (P≤0.05) affected by the varieties. The chemical composition of the flour also varied according to the variety and types of banana. Among others, the Cardaba variety was found to have high fruit weight, juice volume, total soluble solids, dry matter, and low total titratable acidity. Banana flour is rich in potassium varied from 246.288 to 375.949 mg/100g according to the variety. The range obtained were 41.200-89.132 mg/100g phosphorus, 0.705-19.352 mg/100g sodium, 2.497-3.359% ash, and 71.529-76. 564% moisture. The sensory analysis of desert banana type was evaluated. Thus, there was no significant difference between varieties at P≤0.05 and sensorial acceptability in most varieties. The current study revealed the variations of biochemical compositions of desert and cooking banana varieties. This will be useful for the exploitation of these crops to obtain and formulate the value-added products. These varieties are recommended for different food product development by food processors in Ethiopia.

A study was carried out on three papaya varieties namely, KK-103, MK-121 and CMF-078 for their physicochemical, nutritional composition and sensory evaluation grown at Ethiopia. The results showed that maximum fruit weight was observed in MK-121 and lowest in CMF-078. It was also found that the TSS, citric acid, total carotenoid and vitamin C were 10.287-12.620 (brix), 1.455-1.978 (g/l), 13.670-18.912 (µg/g) and 30.854-36.507 (mg/100g) respectively. Proximate analysis of the pulp showed that it contained crude protein (0.200-0.907%), energy (32.744-44.280 kcal/g), crude fat (0.215-0.293%) and fibre (0.732-0.995%). All these results indicate that significantly difference between the papaya varieties. This difference may be come from genetically difference between the varieties. The results showed that papaya fruits had high moisture content (>85.5%), low acidity (>5.3 P H ), low crude fat and crude fibre moderate ascorbic acid contents. The sensory evaluation statistical results were showed in case of color, flavor, sourness and sweetness MK-121 Varity was showed significance difference and a higher value than the other two of varieties of papaya whereas except sweetness. The color, flavor and sourness of the two varieties (CMF-078 and kk-103) were showed the same in statistics value. Accordingly, the panelist result in overall acceptability of the sensory CMF-078 variety was showed high acceptability than the others two varieties. Additionally, the statistical result showed significantly different at P<0.05.