Composition and evaluation of the lethality of Lippia gracilis essential oil to adults of Biomphalaria glabrata and larvae of Artemia salina

Lippia gracilis essential oil (LGEO) was evaluated for its molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria glabrata and toxicity to brine shrimps (Artemia salina). L. gracilis was collected from the city Tomar do Gerú- Sergipe, Brazil. The LGEO were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The values of LC10, LC50 and LC90 were respectively 36.9, 62.2 and 82.8 ppm for B. glabrata and 19.6, 23.6 and 26.1 ppm for A. salina. GC/MS analysis showed a total volatile content of 98.6% in the LGEO. The major components were identified as thymol (24.0%), p-cymene (15.9%), methyl-thymol (11.7%), γ-terpinene (10.9%) and β-caryophyllene (7.8%).Keywords: Chemical composition, Lippia species, molluscicidal activity, Verbenacea

Association between Knops blood group polymorphisms and susceptibility to malaria in an endemic area of the Brazilian Amazon

Complement receptor 1 (CR1) gene polymorphisms that are associated with Knops blood group antigens may influence the binding of Plasmodium parasites to erythrocytes, thereby affecting susceptibility to malaria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotype and allele and haplotype frequencies of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Knops blood group antigens and examine their association with susceptibility to malaria in an endemic area of Brazil. One hundred and twenty-six individuals from the Brazilian Amazon were studied. The CR1-genomic fragment was amplified by PCR and six SNPs and haplotypes were identified after DNA sequence analysis. Allele and haplotype frequencies revealed that the Knb allele and H8 haplotype were possibly associated with susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum. The odds ratios were reasonably high, suggesting a potentially important association between two Knops blood antigens (Knb and KAM+) that confer susceptibility to P. falciparum in individuals from the Brazilian Amazon

Genomics-assisted breeding in four major pulse crops of developing countries: present status and prospects

The global population is continuously increasing and is expected to reach nine billion by 2050. This huge population pressure will lead to severe shortage of food, natural resources and arable land. Such an alarming situation is most likely to arise in developing countries due to increase in the proportion of people suffering from protein and micronutrient malnutrition. Pulses being a primary and affordable source of proteins and minerals play a key role in alleviating the protein calorie malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and other undernourishment-related issues. Additionally, pulses are a vital source of livelihood generation for millions of resource-poor farmers practising agriculture in the semi-arid and sub-tropical regions. Limited success achieved through conventional breeding so far in most of the pulse crops will not be enough to feed the ever increasing population. In this context, genomics-assisted breeding (GAB) holds promise in enhancing the genetic gains. Though pulses have long been considered as orphan crops, recent advances in the area of pulse genomics are noteworthy, e.g. discovery of genome-wide genetic markers, high-throughput genotyping and sequencing platforms, high-density genetic linkage/QTL maps and, more importantly, the availability of whole-genome sequence. With genome sequence in hand, there is a great scope to apply genome-wide methods for trait mapping using association studies and to choose desirable genotypes via genomic selection. It is anticipated that GAB will speed up the progress of genetic improvement of pulses, leading to the rapid development of cultivars with higher yield, enhanced stress tolerance and wider adaptability