Traditional processing associated changes in chemical parameters of wild Yam (Dioscorea) tubers from Koraput, Odisha, India

Wild yam tuber considered as famine food and played a prime role in the food habit of tribal people of Koraput district of Odisha, India. The tribal people employed a range of processing of these yams such as boiled, soaked and sun dried for detoxification of antinutrients in accordance with their needs. There is a scarcity of documented information on their nutrient composition/retention by traditional processing methods. The current study assessed the traditional processing (boiled, soaked and sun dried) associated changes in chemical composition and physico-functional characteristics of 6 wild and 1 cultivated Dioscorea tubers collected from Koraput, India. Different processing led to a significant reduction of proximate compositions and nutrient content compared to the raw tuber, whereas physico-functional parameters increased significantly (p<0.05). In addition, there was significant decrease in the antinutrients, minerals and vitamin content by different processing in studied yam species. Results suggested that wild Dioscorea tubers as safe food sources for mass consumption and should be used in boiling form, as it retains higher nutrients coupled with significant removal of antinutritional compositions

Traditional processing associated changes in chemical parameters of wild Yam (Dioscorea) tubers from Koraput, Odisha, India

268-276Wild yam tuber considered as famine food and played a prime role in the food habit of tribal people of Koraput district of Odisha, India. The tribal people employed a range of processing of these yams such as boiled, soaked and sun dried for detoxification of antinutrients in accordance with their needs. There is a scarcity of documented information on their nutrient composition/retention by traditional processing methods. The current study assessed the traditional processing (boiled, soaked and sun dried) associated changes in chemical composition and physico-functional characteristics of 6 wild and 1 cultivated Dioscorea tubers collected from Koraput, India. Different processing led to a significant reduction of proximate compositions and nutrient content compared to the raw tuber, whereas physico-functional parameters increased significantly (pDioscorea tubers as safe food sources for mass consumption and should be used in boiling form, as it retains higher nutrients coupled with significant removal of antinutritional compositions

Paraparesis Following Spinal Anesthesia in a Patient After Cesarean Section: A Rare Entity

Paraparesis, as a complication after spinal anesthesia, is very rare. It may occur due to presence of undiagnosed spinal tumor or spinal shock after lumbar puncture. We describe a 22-year-old mother who had cesarean section under spinal anesthesia and developed paraparesis in postoperative period. She had history of facial palsy and hearing impairment for last 9 years. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed spinal space-occupying lesion (extramedullary meningioma) at D-5/D-6 level. Careful observation and examination in postoperative period after regional anesthesia is necessary for early diagnosis and management

A Study of Antepartum Cardiotocography in Mothers with Reduced Fetal Movement at Term and Its Correlation with Fetal Outcome

Maternal perception of fetal movement is one of the first signs of fetal life and is regarded as a manifestation of fetal wellbeing. Reduced or absent fetal movements may be a warning sign of impending fetal death. According to the various tracingsobtained on cardiotocography (CTG), categorization can be done into normal, suspicious or abnormal/pathological and therebyfetal jeopardy can be reliably predicted. This study was designed to evaluate the CTG findings in mothers with complaint ofreduced fetal movement and their fetal outcome at term. It was seen that abnormal and suspicious CTG were more commonlyassociated with meconium-stained liquor at delivery; also they were associated with a higher rate of cesarean section with fetaldistress being the most common indication among these two groups

The Role of Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation in Sustainable Production of Biofuels

With the ever-increasing population of the world (expected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050), and altered life style, comes an increased demand for food, fuel and fiber. However, scarcity of land, water and energy accompanied by climate change means that to produce enough to meet the demands is getting increasingly challenging. Today we must use every avenue from science and technology available to address these challenges. The natural process of symbiotic nitrogen fixation, whereby plants such as legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen gas to ammonia, usable by plants can have a substantial impact as it is found in nature, has low environmental and economic costs and is broadly established. Here we look at the importance of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in the production of biofuel feedstocks; how this process can address major challenges, how improving nitrogen fixation is essential, and what we can do about it

The role of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in sustainable production of biofuels

With the ever-increasing population of the world (expected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050), and altered life style, comes an increased demand for food, fuel and fiber. However, scarcity of land, water and energy accompanied by climate change means that to produce enough to meet the demands is getting increasingly challenging. Today we must use every avenue from science and technology available to address these challenges. The natural process of symbiotic nitrogen fixation, whereby plants such as legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen gas to ammonia, usable by plants can have a substantial impact as it is found in nature, has low environmental and economic costs and is broadly established. Here we look at the importance of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in the production of biofuel feedstocks; how this process can address major challenges, how improving nitrogen fixation is essential, and what we can do about it