COVID-19 and diet: efforts towards a balanced diet and sustainable nutrition among university students in Pakistan

Nutrition is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle for all individuals, including adolescents. The objective of this cross-sectional descriptive survey study was to investigate university students' awareness of immunity enhancing foods, food nutritive values, and eating practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 839 university students from four different universities in Pakistan participated in the study from October 2021 to January 2022, 397 of which were male and 442 were female. A total of 419 students were studying in medical disciplines while 420 were non-medical students. The students had significant knowledge (p < 0.05) about COVID-19, and nutritional habits were seen in both medical and non-medical students. Results showed that medical students (n-201) were slightly more aware of immunity-enhancing foods and the nutritive values of foods compared to engineering students (n-79). However, eating practices were generally poorly adopted by all of the university students. Male and female students were not significantly different in their mean replies to questions on the nutritive value of food or in their eating habits. Healthy eating practices will aid university students in preventing illnesses connected to nutrition as well as enhancing their immune systems and nutritional well-being both during and post-pandemic. In light of these results, suggestions and implications for nutritional advice and education were explored.

Assessment of risk factors and preventive measure compliance against COVID-19 among healthcare workers at tertiary care hospital: a retrospective study

Introduction

SARS-CoV-2 has created a significant challenge to healthcare systems, since the disease has spread rapidly, outweighing hospital capacity and exposing Health Care Workers (HCWs) to the risk of infection. The main objective of this study shows the HCW's self-reported use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), symptoms, and exposure to revealed and suspected people during the pandemic, as well as the implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines that effectively limit the spread of the infection among healthcare personnel.

Method

A single-center retrospective cohort study has been done at a tertiary care hospital. There were 3,651 hospital employees of these 1,890 HCWs and 1,761 nonclinical staff among those who were proven or suspected COVID-19 cases and had symptoms were included. The data was gathered using a standardized self-assessment questionnaire. Information about quarantine protocol and line listing was collected through telephonic conversations.

Result

The majority of the participants were males (66%). The average age was 32.1±7.62. Out of 432 HCWs, 32.9% with positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR findings were nurses, 19.2% were doctors, and 47.9% were non-clinical employees from the hospital's inpatient and outpatient departments. 31.5% had a higher-risk exposure, 64.1% had a moderate-risk exposure, and 4.4% of practitioners with COVID-19 had a lower-risk exposure. A statistically significant association was found between COVID-19 disease and adherence to PPE and risk exposure.

Conclusion

This study represents the healthcare workers' experience with COVID-19 patients in the early stages of the pandemic and emphasizes the measures required to overcome the problems, however, this study highlights that HCWs are being progressively infected with COVID-19 as a result of inadequate/ inappropriate PPE wear.

Quantification of hetero-cyclic amines from different categories of braised beef by optimized UPLC-TQ-XS/ESI method

This research work has developed and optimized a sensitive analytical method for separation and quantification of heterocyclic amines (HCAs) mainly including PhIP, Harman, Norharman, IQ, MeIQ, AαC, MeAαC and Trp-P-2 by optimizing UPLC-TQ-XS using electrospray ionization source (ESI+) on ACQUITY UPLC® BEH C18 column in <7 min, from braised beef sample matrix. Meanwhile, modified HCAs extraction by modifying QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, efficient, rugged and safe) technique and revisited with solid phase extraction (SPE) for HCAs purification, instead using traditional QuEChERS salts. Moreover, optimized pH conditions of HCA extracts before purification, for better extraction recoveries. Furthermore, this method was validated in terms of method validation parameters. Lastly, simulation of real braised beef model provided the minimum formation of HCAs by optimizing cooking parameters and precursors in a cooking system. Therefore, this method could be applied simultaneously on braised beef matrix either marketed or home cooked for HCAs analysis.

Review on Furan as a Food Processing Contaminant: Identifying Research Progress and Technical Challenges for Future Research

A wide range of food processing contaminants (FPCs) are usually formed while thermal processing of food products. Furan is a highly volatile compound among FPCs and could be formed in a variety of thermally processed foods. Therefore, identification of possible reasons of furan occurrence in different thermally processed foods, identification of the most consequential sources of furan exposure, factors impacting its formation, and its detection by specific analytical approaches are necessary to indicate gaps and challenges for future research findings. Furthermore, controlling furan formation in processed foods on a factory scale is also challenging, and research advancements are still ongoing in this context. Meanwhile, understanding adverse effects of furan on human health on a molecular level is necessary to gain insights into human risk assessment.

Isolation and Characterization of Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactococcus lactis, and Carnobacterium divergens as Potential Probiotic Bacteria from Fermented Black and Green Olives (Olea europaea): An Exploratory Study

Background

Table olives are becoming well recognized as a source of probiotic bacteria that might be used to create a health-promoting fermented food product by traditional procedures based on the activities of indigenous microbial consortia present in local environments. Methodology. In the present study, the characterization of probiotic bacteria isolated from mince, chunks, and brine of fermented green and black olives (Olea europaea) was done based on morphological, biochemical, and physiological characteristics.

Results

Bacterial isolates demonstrated excellent survival abilities at 25, 37, and 45°C and at a variable range of pH. However, the optimum temperature is 37 and the optimum pH is 7 for all three isolates. An antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was found among these isolates through the disc diffusion method. Most of the isolates were susceptible to streptomycin, imipenem, and chloramphenicol, whereas, amoxicillin showed resistance to these isolates, and variable results were recorded for the rest of the antibiotics tested. The growth of the isolates was optimum with the supplementation of 3% NaCl and 0.3% bile salt. The isolated bacteria were able to ferment skimmed milk into yogurt, hence making it capable of producing organic acid.

Conclusion

Isolates of Lactobacillus crispatus MB417, Lactococcus lactis MB418 from black olives, and Carnobacterium divergens MB421 from green olives were characterized as potential candidates for use as starter cultures to induce fermentation of other probiotic food products.

Natural Carotenoids as Neuroprotective Agents for Alzheimer's Disease: An Evidence-Based Comprehensive Review

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder of an ever-increasing aging population with various pathological features such as β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation, oxidative stress, an impaired cholinergic system, and neuroinflammation. Several therapeutic drugs have been introduced to slow the progression of AD by targeting the above-mentioned pathways. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that naturally occurring compounds have the potential to serve as adjuvant therapies to alleviate AD symptoms. Carotenoids, a group of natural pigments with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, are proposed to be implicated in neuroprotection. To obtain a comprehensive picture of the effect of carotenoids on AD prevention and development, we critically reviewed and discussed recent evidence from in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and human studies in databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Cochrane (CENTRAL). After analyzing the existing evidence, we found that high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are lacking to explore the neuroprotective role of carotenoids in AD pathogenesis and symptoms, especially carotenoids with solid preclinical evidence such as astaxanthin, fucoxanthin, macular carotenoids, and crocin, in order to develop effective preventive dietary supplements for AD patients to ameliorate the symptoms. This review points out directions for future studies to advance the knowledge in this field.

Bis-pharmacophore of cinnamaldehyde-clubbed thiosemicarbazones as potent carbonic anhydrase-II inhibitors

Here, we report the synthesis, carbonic anhydrase-II (CA-II) inhibition and structure–activity relationship studies of cinnamaldehyde-clubbed thiosemicarbazones derivatives. The derivatives showed potent activities in the range of 10.3 ± 0.62–46.6 ± 0.62 µM. Among all the synthesized derivatives, compound 3n (IC₅₀ = 10.3 ± 0.62 µM), 3g (IC₅₀ = 12.1 ± 1.01 µM), and 3h (IC₅₀ = 13.4 ± 0.52 µM) showed higher inhibitory activity as compared to the standard inhibitor, acetazolamide. Furthermore, molecular docking of all the active compounds was carried out to predict their behavior of molecular binding. The docking results indicate that the most active hit (3n) specifically mediate ionic interaction with the Zn ion in the active site of CA-II. Furthermore, the The199 and Thr200 support the binding of thiosemicarbazide moiety of 3n, while Gln 92 supports the interactions of all the compounds by hydrogen bonding. In addition to Gln92, few other residues including Asn62, Asn67, The199, and Thr200 play important role in the stabilization of these molecules in the active site by specifically providing H-bonds to the thiosemicarbazide moiety of compounds. The docking score of active hits are found in range of − 6.75 to − 4.42 kcal/mol, which indicates that the computational prediction correlates well with the in vitro results.

High-pressure processing of fish and shellfish products: Safety, quality, and research prospects

Seafood products have been one of the main drivers behind the popularity of high-pressure processing (HPP) in the food industry owing to a high demand for fresh ready-to-eat seafood products and food safety. This review provides an overview of the advanced knowledge available on the use of HPP for production of wholesome and highly nutritive clean label fish and shellfish products. Out of 653 explored items, 65 articles published during 2016-2021 were used. Analysis of the literature showed that most of the earlier work evaluated the HPP effect on physicochemical and sensorial properties, and limited information is available on nutritional aspects. HPP has several applications in the seafood industry. Application of HPP (400-600 MPa) eliminates common seafood pathogens, such as Vibrio and Listeria spp., and slows the growth of spoilage microorganisms. Use of cold water as a pressure medium induces minimal changes in sensory and nutritional properties and helps in the development of clean label seafood products. This technology (200-350 MPa) is also useful to shuck oysters, lobsters, crabs, mussels, clams, and scallops to increase recovery of the edible meat. High-pressure helps to preserve organoleptic and functional properties for an extended time during refrigerated storage. Overall, HPP helps seafood manufacturers to maintain a balance between safety, quality, processing efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Further research is required to understand the mechanisms of pressure-induced modifications and clean label strategies to minimize these modifications.

Modification methods and applications of egg protein gel properties: A review

Egg protein (EP) has a variety of functional properties, such as gelling, foaming, and emulsifying. The gel characteristics provide a foundation for applications in the food industry and research on EP. The proteins denature and aggregate to form a dense three-dimensional gel network structure, with a process influenced by protein concentration, pH, ion type, and strength. In addition, the gelation properties of EP can be altered to varying degrees by applying different treatment conditions to EP. Currently, modification methods for proteins include physical modification (heat-induced denaturation, freeze-thaw modification, high-pressure modification, and ultrasonic modification), chemical modification (glycosylation modification, phosphorylation modification, acylation modification, ethanol modification, polyphenol modification), and biological modification (enzyme modification). Pidan, salted eggs, egg tofu, and other egg products have unique sensory properties, due to the gel properties of EP. In accessions, EP has also been used as a new ingredient in food packaging and biopharmaceuticals due to its gel properties. This review will further promote EP gel research and provide guidance for its full application in many fields.

Gel properties of heat-induced transparent hydrogels from ovalbumin by acylation modifications

In this paper, the effects of acylation modification on the gel behavior of ovalbumin (OVA) under heating induction have been investigated. From the obtained results, the acylated OVA hydrogels exhibited superior gelation properties than the native OVA hydrogels (NOVA-G) in terms of light transmission, gel hardness, resilience and water holding capacity. SEM revealed acylation modifications effectively promoted the formation of uniform and dense network structure of OVA hydrogels. The main intermolecular forces of the acylation-modified OVA hydrogels were hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding. FTIR showed that acylation modifications caused 26.2% decrease in α-helix and 59.2% increase in β-sheet content compared to NOVA-G. Furthermore, in-vitro release experiments showed that the release rate of curcumin from acylated OVA hydrogels was significantly delayed. Moreover, the above results have shown that acylation modifications can be considered as an effective method to improve the gelation as well as drug release properties of protein hydrogels.

Synthesis, nonlinear optical analysis and DFT studies of D–π–D and A–π–A configured Schiff bases derived from bis-phenylenediamine

Electronic and structural parameters of four synthesized (DMA, DMM, DAM, and DMD) and one designed (DMB-D) Schiff bases have been explored.

Gingival Recession among the Patients Wearing Fixed Braces Visiting Dental College of Larkana

Aim: To evaluate gingival recession among the patients wearing fixed braces visiting dental college of Larkana. Study Design: Descriptive Cross-Sectional Place and Duration of Study: Department of Orthodontics, Bibi Aseefa Dental College (BADC) Larkana December 2018 to February 2020. Methodology: This study was carried out at Bibi Aseefa Dental College Larkana. The patients were recruited with consecutive sampling technique. The gingival recession was evaluated clinically using Miller`s classification. A structured questionnaire was used for the information relevant to oral hygiene status. Data was analyzed using SPSS version-23.0.Chi-square test was applied between the gender and gingival recession at 95% confidence interval. Results: Males were 23% and females were 77%. The mean age was 21.03±4.684.The class-I recession was observed in 6% patients and Class-II was in 2% patients. The gingival recession was observed in 8.5% patients. There was significant relationship between gingival recession and gender (p-value-0.018). Conclusion: It is concluded that there were many patients facing the problem of gingival recession during treatment. There was significant association of gender and gingival recession.

Comparison of trapping efficiency of dicarbonyl trapping agents and reducing agents on reduction of furanoic compounds in commercially available soy sauce varieties

This study has conducted to determine the concentration levels of furan, furfural and 2-methylfuran in the six commercially available soy sauce varieties by an optimized Gas Chromatography Tripple Quadruple Mass Spectrometry. The extraction of analytes was performed by solid phase microextraction using 50/30 µm CAR/DVB/PDMS fibre in 25 min with 20% NaCl concentration under 35 °C and separation was performed on HP5-MS column. Different concentration levels of furan, furfural and 2-methylfuran were determined which differed significantly at p < 0.05. A total of four metal ions (Iron sulphate, magnesium sulphate, calcium sulphate and sodium sulfite), ascorbic acid and natural antioxidants (epicatechin, epigalactocatechin and kempferol) were added in the soy sauce samples by simulating sterilization conditions. A higher reduction level was given by calcium sulphate with reduction upto 90.68%, 89.07% and 65.42% for furan, furfural and 2-methylfuran, respectively, in comparison with other metal ions. Since iron sulphate and ascorbic acid have triggered formation of furanoic compounds upto high levels instead of reduction. Moreover, from natural antioxidants, epicatechin and kemferol have provided more reduction levels around 89.66%, 90.14% and 78.75% for furan, furfural and 2-methylfuran, respectively by sterilization with catichen and 88.80%, 90.36% and 84.29% for furan, furfural and 2-methylfuran, respectively by sterilization with kempferol than epigalactocatechin. Moreover, this method was also validated in terms of sensitivity, recovery, relative standard deviation and LOD and LOQ for all analytes.

Production of self-assembling acylated ovalbumin nanogels as stable delivery vehicles for curcumin

In this study, we evaluated potential usage of acylated ovalbumin (AOVA) nanogels fabricated via acylation modification and heat-induced self-assembly process as novel delivery systems for curcumin. Compared to native ovalbumin (NOVA) nanogels without chemical acylation, the obtained AOVA nanogels have shown smaller average hydrodynamic diameter (155.73 nm), relatively uniform size distribution (polydispersity index around 0.28), enhanced negative surface charge (-24.3 mV), and an improved stability under the conditions of high ionic strength, different pH and storage time. Moreover, AOVA nanogels exhibited a remarkable conformational change in secondary and tertiary structures, improved surface hydrophobicity, and increased free sulfhydryl content compared with NOVA nanogels. Moreover, curcumin encapsulated in AOVA nanogels displayed higher encapsulation efficiency (93.64%) and slower sustained release under simulated gastrointestinal conditions as compared with NOVA nanogels. Hence, we have suggested that AOVA nanogels successfully fabricated with improved physicochemical properties as a novel ideal carrier for hydrophobic active compounds.

A review on furan: Formation, analysis, occurrence, carcinogenicity, genotoxicity and reduction methods

Furan (C₄H₄O) is a volatile, heterocyclic and carcinogenic heterocyclic chemical compound occurring in a wide range of thermally processed foods. Several studies have been conducted to analyze the formation conditions, triggering furan formation via model systems. Furan can be encountered via various pathways including thermal degradation, oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, thermal rearrangement of carbohydrates in the presence of amino acids, thermal degradation of certain amino acids. Furan has been proven to cause cancer in experimental animal models and classified as a possible human carcinogen by International agency for research on cancer based on sufficient evidences. Thus, different strategies should be developed to reduce furan contents in commercially available food stuffs while food processing. This review summarizes some current evidences of furan formation from different precursors, analytical methods for its detection, and its toxicity that might lead to carcinogenicity and genotoxicity with human risk assessment. In addition, furan occurrence in different thermally processed foods entailed by several recent studies as well as furan mitigation strategies during food processing have also been illustrated in this review.

Regional trade of medicinal plants has facilitated the retention of traditional knowledge: case study in Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan

BACKGROUND

The ethnic groups in Gilgit-Baltistan have been utilizing local resources in their centuries-old traditional healing system. Most tribes within these ethnic groups still rely on traditional healing systems. We aim to understand the current status, uses, and abundance of medicinal plants, associated traditional knowledge, and trade.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study incorporated over 300 local community members (70% men and 30% women) in focused group discussions, semi-structured interviews, and homework assignments for 8th to 12th grade students to document traditional knowledge (TK) in six districts in Northeast Pakistan. We calculated various indices such as informant consensus factor, use value, relative frequency of citation, and CoKriging. These indices, along with repetitively used medicinal plants, were used to analyze differences in studied locations.

RESULTS

Most of the community members still rely on traditional medication in the study areas. However, we found the highest number of medicinal plants used in Skardu and Gilgit compared to other districts and these two districts also represent trade centers and a highly populated area regarding medicinal plants. Results indicate connection amongst the surveyed villages signifying mixing of knowledge from different sources, with certain areas more influenced by traditional Chinese medicine and others more by Ayurveda and Unani.

CONCLUSION

TK is mostly retained with elder community members; however, those directly linked with market value chain retain rich knowledge on traditional use of the medicinal plants from the region. Major trade centers in the region also coincide with a high density of medicinal plant occurrence, knowledge, and higher utilization. Therefore, with the increasing trade in medicinal plant in the region, there is potential for rejuvenation of this knowledge and of plant use in the region.

Impacts of improved extension services on awareness, knowledge, adoption rates and perceived benefits of smallholder dairy farmers in Pakistan

The provision of effective extension services to smallholder farmers across both developing and developed countries remains a challenge worldwide. The objective of the study is to demonstrate the impacts of improved extension services on awareness, knowledge, adoption rates and perceived benefits of smallholder dairy farmers in Pakistan. An extension program was developed and implemented in five districts of Punjab (Okara, Pakpattan, Jhelum, Kasur and Bhakkar) and two districts of Sindh (Thatta and Badin) provinces. The extension program involved the provision of research-based information on a monthly basis to smallholder farming families (FF = 523) over a 4-year period. The extension program was primarily a knowledge transfer-based system, but also relied on farmer engagement and feedback to help drive research and topics for discussion. No financial incentives were provided to the farmers for their participation. A ‘whole-family approach’ was used in the extension program, where comprehensive interdisciplinary training on the whole dairy-farming system was provided to the males, females and children of the farming household. To encourage greater participation and support different learning strategies, several information transfer media were used (including group discussions, one-on-one visits, practical demonstrations, problem-based learning techniques and videos). To assess the impact of this extension program on farms involved, data on farmer awareness, knowledge, adoption and their perceived benefits were collected using a mixed-method approach from three different groups of farmers; registered (IMPreg = 179) farmers directly involved in the extension program, non-registered (IMPnon-reg = 116) farmers indirectly benefiting from the program and traditional (IMPtrad = 104) farmers not associated with any project activities. Overall awareness, knowledge and adoption rates relating to seven different recommendations in the extension program were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher in the registered farmers than in the non-registered and traditional farmers. The perceived benefits of the adopted recommendations varied between the different extension messages, but farmers described that they observed increases in milk production, improvements in animal health (body condition and morbidity) and labour efficiency (time savings). These results suggest that adopting improved extension services using a whole-family approach we can significantly achieve higher adoption rates, leading to on-farm benefits to smallholder dairy farmers and their families.

Clinical spectrum, management and outcome of neonatal candidiasis

OBJECTIVE

To identify clinical spectrum, management and outcome of neonatal candidiasis.

METHODS

The retrospective study was conducted at the Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan, and comprised microbiological records of all the babies admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit from January 2009 to January 2014 that were reviewed to identify those with positive candida cultures. Medical records were analysed for demographic and clinical spectrum features, management and outcome. SPSS 16 was used statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Of the total 1550 neonatal admissions, 560 (36%) had positive cultures, and, of them, candida was isolated in 49(8.8%) neonates. Among them, 13(26%) had candida albicans and the rest had candida species. Majority were males 34(70%), and preterm with 30(61%) being <37 weeks. The mean birth weight was 2000±873 grams. Mean age at admission was 6±7.6 days. Overall, 39(80%) had ≥2 risk factors. The commonest site of isolation was blood in 41(84%). Besides, 32 (65%) received fluconazole alone for treatment. Mean duration of anti-fungal therapy was 10±5 days (range: 1-21 days). Twelve (24%) neonates expired and the cause of death was candida sepsis in 10(20%) cases. Mortality was not significantly associated with gender, place of birth, gestation, risk factors, length of stay, prior antibiotic exposure or receipt of antifungal prophylaxis except those who were ≤1500 grams (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately one in ten at-risk neonates may develop candida sepsis with high mortality. Early institution of anti-fungal therapy may prove to be life-saving.

Nootropic and hypophagic effects following long term intake of almonds (Prunus amygdalus) in rats

INTRODUCTION

Over a period of time researchers have become more interested in finding out the potential of various foods to maintain the general health and to treat diseases. Almonds are a very good source of many nutrients which may help to sharpen the memory and to reduce cardiovascular risk factors.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was conducted to evaluate the nootropic effects of almonds. Effect of oral intake of almond was also monitored on food intake and plasma cholesterol levels.

METHODS

Rats were given almond paste orally with the help of feeding tube for 28 days. Memory function in rats was assessed by Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and Radial Arm Maze (RAM). Brain tryptophan, 5-HT and 5-HIAA were estimated at the end of the treatment by HPLC-EC method.

RESULTS

A significant improvement in learning and memory of almond treated rats compared to controls was observed. Almond treated rats also exhibited a significant decrease in food intake and plasma cholesterol levels while the change in growth rate (in terms of percentage) remained comparable between the two groups. Analysis of brain tryptophan (TRP) monoamines exhibited enhanced TRP levels and serotonergic turnover in rat brain following oral intake of almonds.

CONCLUSION

The findings show that almonds possess significant hypophagic and nootropic effects. Results are discussed in context of enhanced 5-HT metabolism following almond administration.

Mutation of p53 in skin papilloma and tubular breast adenoma of albino mice

OBJECTIVE

To determine the mutation of p53 in chemically induced carcinogenesis on albino mice in skin papilloma and tubular adenoma breast by immunohistochemistry.

DESIGN

An experimental study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

The animal house of Postgraduate Medical Institute and Pathology Department of King Edward Medical College University, Lahore, for the duration of 20 weeks, from 15 February, 2004 to 15 July, 2004.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Twenty five albino mice (male and female) were selected for a study on chemical carcinogenesis. These animals were divided into five groups (A-E), five animals in each. DMBA (Dimethylebenz[a] Anthracene) and TPA (Tetradecanoyl-phorbal-13-Acetic Acid) [chemical carcinogens] were given to produce the tumors and mutation of p53 expression was evaluated on the tumors appearing during this period of carcinogenesis. Squamous cell papillomas and tubular adenoma breast were selected for this study.

RESULTS

All the papillomas showed faint reactivity for immunomarker p53, while tubular adenomas were nonreactive.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study show that p-53 is a marker for premalignant lesions and helps in selecting patients for constant monitoring, upon the clinical verification of these results.

Preliminary assessment of plant community structure and arbuscular mycorrhizas in rangeland habitats of Cholistan desert, Pakistan

Plant species dominance and arbuscular mycorrhizas (AMs) were evaluated in four different habitats of Cholistan desert, Pakistan. The sites were selected on the basis of variations in topography, floristic composition and biotic interference. The phytosociological data revealed obvious differences in the floristic composition, plant species diversity, AM colonization and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) spore densities in the rhizospheres. The vegetation pattern and composition was governed by topography and edaphic characteristics of a particular site. Grasses were dominant and main components of vegetation at all the study sites and were invariably mycorrhizal. Some plant species were mycorrhizal at one site but non-mycorrhizal at the other. The AMF survey reported here offers an important starting point from which to analyse AMF community structure in different phytosociological habitats and land uses of Cholistan desert.