International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences

Carotenoids are essential pigments for human and plant life, but only plants can produce them. Seven hundred fifty carotenoids improve the lives of different organisms. The tomato is used as a model to get complete information on the biosynthesis of carotenoids. Different horticultural crops are used to learn about biochemical and genetic pathways. Some genes and enzymes play a significant role in regulating carotenoids, like SIPSY1 and DXS. Similarly, some pathways, like the MEP pathway, contribute a lot to the biosynthesis of carotenoids in tomatoes. This study presents a thorough overview of carotenoid biosynthesis and emphasizes new developments in genetic pathways that improve tomato carotenoid production, accumulation, and regulation.

Keywords: Carotenoid Metabolism, Biosynthetic Pathways, Lycopene, Plastids.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the normal functioning of different institutions of any given society globally. The continuous smooth functioning of educational and research institutions is indispensable for every nation owing to their role in the provision of skilled human resources and technological innovations. Understanding students’ knowledge about symptoms of the COVID-19 infection and their awareness regarding preventive measures for curtailing its spread plays an important role in the design and implementation of effective educational interventions for pandemic management at educational institutions. Therefore, a study was undertaken to assess university student’s knowledge about COVID-19 infection symptoms and its preventive measures. Data were collected from the students enrolled at King Saud University using a convenience sampling approach with the help of a pre-tested paper-based questionnaire. The findings revealed that majority of the respondents were below 25 years of age, enrolled in undergraduate programs, males, citizens, and residing in their homes. Most of them had moderate to low level of knowledge about COVID-19 infection symptoms. However, they possessed a higher level of awareness regarding preventive measures. Education level was a significant predictor of the students’ knowledge about COVID-19 infection symptoms. Based on the findings, we conclude that the measures implemented by the university administration as well as by the Ministry of Health has proved effective and should continue with the same force when the situation gets worse due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. Moreover, we suggest regular update of the mobile applications and online platforms that have been specifically designed for preventing the spread of the COVID-19 in the Kingdom.

Keywords: Awareness, COVID-19, Knowledge, King Saud University, Students, Saudi Arabia

One of the most prevalent diseases affecting the dairy sector is mastitis in cows. Bovine mastitis is an infection or trauma-induced mammary gland inflammation that causes abnormally low milk output. Contagious and environmental mastitis are more prevalent compared to other gland inflammations. Today, the bacteriological aetiology of mastitis has changed from contagious to environmental pathogens. The dairy cattle environment serves as the main reservoir for environmental infections, while infected mammary glands serve as the main source for contagious infections. The process of milking is connected to the exposure of healthy mammary quarters to infectious microorganisms. On the other hand, uninfected quarters can be exposed to environmental mastitis at any point during the cow’s lifespan. Because they do not directly affect the reservoir of environmental infections, the methods for limiting contagious mastitis are ineffective in managing environmental mastitis. Environmental mastitis, as opposed to contagious mastitis, is more frequently linked to clinical mastitis cases than subclinical infection. Environmental mastitis episodes are thought to cost an average of $107 per lactating cow. It is crucial to understand and manage environmental mastitis. This manuscript reviews recent study findings and makes suggestions related to environmental mastitis prevention strategies.

Keywords: Environmental Mastitis, Contagious Mastitis, Mastitis prevention, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli.