Hypercholesterolemia was induced by feeding of rats on a high cholesterol diet (HCD) that contains cholesterol (1%), bile salts (0.25%) and coconut butter (15%) to evaluate the protective effect of steroidal saponins extracted from fenugreek and asparagus, and triterpenoidal saponins extracted from soapwort and licorice. The rats were divided into 6 groups, and the first one was fed on a basal diet and served as a negative control group. The second group of rats received HCD without any plant extract and served as a positive control group. The other four groups of rats were fed on HCD plus the plant extracts separately at a dose of 250 mg/kg/day during the experiment period (6 weeks). The protective effect of various saponin extracts were monitored through assays of total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) in blood, liver tissues and feces of the rats as well as other blood analyses and histological examinations of liver tissues. The data indicated a significant (P<0.05) increase in the levels of TC, TG, low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) and glucose, and a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) in addition to insignificant (P<0.05) differences in the levels of total bilirubin (TB), total protein (TP), urea, creatinine and uric acid in serum of hypercholesterolemic rats (the positive control) compared to the negative control. The protective effect of various saponin extracts were established by lowering the levels of TC and TG, and obtaining the other biochemical parameters near to their  normal values in serum of rats fed on these plant extracts. The data also indicate that TC and TG decreased significantly (P<0.05) in liver tissues of the rats treated with various saponin extracts compared to the positive control. Conversely, the levels of TC and TG increased significantly (P<0.05) in feces of the rats treated with various saponin extracts compared to the negative and positive controls. Histological examinations showed lower content of fats in liver tissues of the rats treated with various saponin extracts compared to the positive control. Both of steroidal and triterpenoidal saponins exhibited approximately the same efficiency in their protective effects against hypercholesterolemia. The hypocholesterolemic effect of saponin extracts may be due to the inhibition of cholesterol absorption in the intestine which led to increase of cholesterol excretion in the feces.

This study aims to study the estimation of production cost functions as it reflects the relationship between total costs and actual production. The main economic indicators that reflect the extent to which the agricultural production units achieved economic efficiency in their use of the productive resources involved in the production process as well as the extent to which they are achieved These units of maximizing the profits of the agricultural product, as well as the study of production costs and the associated indicators are important  both on the productivity unit or at the national level, which can be used in the design and analysis of price policies and help the user Farmers in their productive decision-making, which would encourage producers to continue production or stop production. As well as to determine the volume of production that maximizes profits and thus achieve economic efficiency of the use of productive elements.

The objective of this study was to estimated gene expression in breast muscles of two broiler strains with used to Myoustatin gene in marketing age (5 weeks of age) under heat stress and compared to control group for 1 hour daily for 7 days in Shalakan farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, broiler chicks (150 chicks in each strains) of 1 day of age were used in this study. So, the measurements were taken (respiratory rate, rectal temperature and estimated gene expression). The results obtained the gene expression of Myostatin gene in muscle breast was observed highest in Ross strain compared with Indian River strain under heat stress, but no different between strains ( Ross and Indian River) in control group. However, respiratory rate of Ross and Indian River under heat at 5 week of age showed that the Indian River strain was high significant at 5 week of age compared to Ross ones. As shown that rectal temperature of Ross and Indian River were a high significant effect of treatment (heat group was higher from control group) and not a significant of strain.The present experiment was conducted to estimated gene expression on meat quality traits of different tropical stress conditions in different broiler strains during 7 days and 5 weeks of age. Introgressions some major genes likes myostatin gene in muscle breast into broiler improve under the heat stress.

he aim of the present study was to optimize the extraction conditions of green tea aqueous extract [green tea concentration (G) and extraction temperature (T)]. Response surface methodology was applied to determine the highest radical scavenging activity (RSA), Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and reducing power (RP) of the prepared green tea extract. Effect of green tea aqueous extract prepared using the optimal conditions on the liver cirrhosis retardation in rats was also investigated. Two-factors central composite design was established to determine the effects of G or T and radical scavenging holding time as independent variables on RSA, FRAP and RP as dependent variables. The optimum G, T and holding time with maximum RSA were 1.0 %, 88.7 °C for 25 min, with a predicted RSA of 81.3 % (r2=0.9115) compared to the BHT, which had a scavenging value of 87.4 % at concentration 150 ppm and holding time 30 min The same predicted concentration and temperature obtained with the highest FRAP and RP were 2.566 and 1.687 with r2 0.9780 and 0.9550, respectively. The phenolic and flavonoid contents were 81.2 mg gallic acid equivalent and 33.5 mg quercetin equivalent per 100 ml green tea extract. The extract prepared at optimal conditions was used for treatment of cirrhotic rats by CCl4. Insignificant (P≥0.05) differences were observed between the green tea group and control group in obtained total protein or albumin values. Total protein and albumin were dramatically decreased in the group treated by CCL4.  The same trend was observed with studying the transaminase enzymes. Histopathological sections appeared the effect of green tea extract on the retardation of liver cirrhosis in rats.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of partial substitution (5, 10 and15%) of wheat flour (72% ext.) by whole meal quinoa flour (QF) on quality parameter of pan bread. QF contained the highest percentage of protein, Lipids, ash and crude fiber. Also, QF contained the highest amount of essential amino acids such as (threonine, methionine, lysine and histidine). From the results, it could be seen that, water absorption and degree of softening increased by increasing the substitution levels, but stability, resistance to extensions and energy of dough decreased. The addition of QF adversely affected on the specific volume of pan bread. The lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) of pan bread decreased, but redness (a*) increased gradually by increasing QF. Evaluation of the organoleptic properties of pan bread revealed that no significant differences (P≥0.05) between control sample and bread samples contained QF for taste and summitry form. The bread contained QF had higher score for crust color, pore size and overall acceptability than control sample. Hardness (g) of pan bread increased and springiness decreased gradually during storage of bread at (25˚c ±2). The rate of staling of bread contained QF lower than control sample. Gluten – free biscuit made from 100%QF contained the highest percentage of protein, lipids, ash and crude fiber compared to that of corn and rice – quinoa composite flour. The addition of corn and rice flour adversely affected on the thickness, diameter and  spread ratio. The highest spread ratio was noticed in the biscuit made from 100% QF. It is worth mentioning that the biscuit made from 100 % QF or that of corn and rice – quinoa composite flour gave the biscuit with sensory acceptable. On the other hand, it could be noticed to that the biscuit contained high level of quinoa flour was darker in compared to another samples.

The importance of the wheat crop is reflected as one of the main cereals crops and the most important strategic crops that attract the attention of economic policy makers. It is the main source of the bread industry, which is the staple food for all population groups. However, domestic production is not sufficient for population needs. In addition to an increase in the percentage of wheat losses, which leads to increase imports to meet the deficit between wheat production and consumption, and then increase the burden of the import bill.  On the other hand, the production and storage of wheat has become one of the most important issues facing Egypt at present and in the future due to the limited number of countries that can export wheat and  all of production and storage conditions are subjected to natural and climatic changes. Therefore, the study aims at determining the main determinants of wheat production and  storage in Egypt in order to include it in a proposed mechanism for improving the wheat production and storage.  In the light of this, the study found (using simulataneous equations models) that the most important determinants of wheat production and storage in Egypt are limited to the cultivated area of wheat, the farm price of wheat, wheat production in the previous year, the imports quantity in the previous year, consumption quantity, wheat storge, import price, population, consumption quantity for the previous year, previous year's storge, imports quantity, where the statistical significance was proved at 0.05 level, and the significance of the model as a whole was proved. It was also found that about (68% -91%) of changes in wheat production and stock were due to the change in the independent variables under study.

The field experiment was established at the experimental farm of the Horticultural Research Station of Barrage, Qalyubia Governorate during 2014 and 2015 growing seasons to evaluate the impact of irrigation levels i.e.,120, 100, 80 and 60% of the evapotranspiration (ETc) and stress alleviation substances (seaweed extract, potassium silicate and abscisic acid against control treatment) on growth, corm yield and quality of taro (Colocasia esculenta cv. Balady), with a particular attempt  to establish irrigation water strategy for taro cultivation. The results indicated a reduction in plant growth and corm yield as well as quality due to minimizing irrigation level from 120 to 60% ETc. But the highest water use efficiency (WUE) was obtained with 80% irrigation level. Seaweed extract showed a superior enhancement in all measured vegetative, yield and quality parameters followed by potassium silicate compared to abscisic acid or control. Seaweed extract heightened the WUE compared to other substances. Results concluded that using 80% irrigation level accompanied by spraying plants with seaweed extract  led to a mild reduction in the plant growth, yield and quality but conferred the higher WUE compared to other interactive treatments.

The aim of the present study to detect the population and frequency (%) of microorganism (bacteria, fungi and yeasts) in royal jelly samples. The data indicated that, there are no significant differences were remarked in the population of microorganisms between all the samples for bacteria, fungi and yeasts, where the mean number of population was 5.923, 1.38 and 7.85 colonies/sample for bacteria, fungi and yeasts respectively, in produced royal jelly from honeybee colonies, local royal jelly collected from Egyptian market and samples of imported royal jelly collected from Egyptian market, respectively. According to the isolation and identification procedures for detected royal jelly samples, four bacteria types (Clostridium botulinum, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus wakoensis and Micrococcus luteus), two fungi types (Aspergillusniger and Penicillium sp.) and one yeast type (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were determined. The data also summarized that Clostridium botulinum was the most frequency compared with the other bacterial types, where the percentage of frequency was 1.8 – 2.5, 0.9 – 1.4, 0.4 – 0.6 and 1.5 – 2.0% for C. botulinum, B. cereus, B. wakoensis and Micrococcus luteus, respectively. Meanwhile, Penicillium sp. the most frequency compared with A. niger, where the percentage of frequency was 0.5 - 2.9 and 0.7 – 1.0 %, respectively, in produced royal jelly from honeybee colonies, local royal jelly samples collected from Egyptian market and imported royal jelly samples collected from Egyptian market respectively. Regarding the yeasts, the data also summarized that, S. cerevisiae was the most frequency in royal jelly that produced from  honeybee colonies (2.9%) followed by which local royal jelly samples collected from Egyptian market (2.1%) and imported royal jelly samples collected from Egyptian market (1.8%).

Baby pea (pisum sativum L.) shoots is a new ready to eat baby leaf vegetable sprouts in Egypt. The overall quality change of baby pea shoots is greatly affected by surrounding environmental conditions especially increased elevation of carbon dioxide concentration in the air. This work focus on the impacts of predicted climate changes conditions on the quality of baby pea shoots by using two carbon dioxide concentrations (600 and 800 ppm) compared with ambient air (control) in interaction with three microbial inoculants and their combinations, in semi-automated growth chambers using tray sprouting method. The obtained results showed the largest yield of pea sprouts per unit area in 800 ppm CO2 concentration with increasing about 20% more than ambient air (control) followed by 600 ppm with increasing about 9.4% than ambient air. Also, it revealed that using CO2 at 800 ppm increased pea sprout crude protein content 37.8%, lipid 46.9% and energy 19.5% per unit area when compared to ambient air. While pea sprout treated by 800 ppm CO2 and inoculated by combination of  Az. chroococcum + B. megaterium + Ps. fluorescens recorded the highest significant shoot length in the second cut and highest significant chlorophyll in first and second being 13.25 cm, 57.3 and 58.9 μg Chl./cm (SPAD) and the highest significant protein, lipids, and ash content being 48.65, 4.95, 10.69% as well as the highest significant mineral values of P, Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn being 0.545, 3.535, 0.620% and 61.3 ppm respectively. Current study suggests that high CO2 concentration in the presence of Az. chroococcum + B.  megaterium + Ps. fluorescens improve the yield and the quality of baby pea shoots.

The resent study aims to identify the score of rural women's contribution in food availability for her family through determining the nature of participation of rural women in various agricultural activities (plant and animal activities). Furthermore to determine the most important factors affecting rural women's contribution in food availability of the study sample. Finally, to identify the most important problems and obstacles facing the rural woman and limiting her contribution in food availability for her family.   A study was conducted in   "Kafr Tesfa" village, Kafr Shokr district in Qalubia governorate. A systematic random sample was selected including170 rural women from the village. A questionnaire was used during personal interviews with the rural women from December 2017 to January 2018.    The data was tabulated and analyzed by using several statistical methods such as: range, arithmetic mean, mode, standard division, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, Chi Square test and Kramer's V coefficient using SPSS program.   The study results indicated that the score of rural women's contribution in food availability indicator ranges between (25) - (97) scores with Arithmetic mean (65.4) scores, standard deviation (19.99) score. The indicator range was divided into 3 equal categories. The results also showed that (45.3%) from the total population sample fell in the  high category of the indicator. The medium category included (24.1%), and the lowest category included (30.6%) from the total sample population.  To measure the association relationships between the score of rural women's contribution in food availability (dependent variable) and the study independent variables, the study used Chi Square test. Where, the study results indicated that there are association relationships between the dependent variable and the following independent variables: woman's social status, ownership of agricultural machineries, sources of access to food information at significance level 0.01. While the association relationships of variables: socio-economic level of respondent's family and get a pension were significance at level 0.05.  To show the combined effect of the studied independent variables on a score of rural women's contribution in food availability (dependent variable) the study used Kramer's V coefficient for the strength of the relationship.  The analysis of the data using Kramer's V coefficient showed that the Determination Coefficient was (0.560). This result means that five factors out of all independent factors explain (56%) from the total variance in the score of rural women's contribution in food availability (dependent variable) at probability significance level 0.01.